Only this way could they execute him according to Great Zhou law before royal interference.

Even if this reached the Son of Heaven, he couldn’t be required to pay with his life. Of course, sacrificing his career prospects, physical suffering, and imprisonment disasters were unavoidable.

Therefore, before he agreed to Quan Feitong’s plan, he had a moment’s hesitation.

Was it truly worth sacrificing his promising career for this?

Moreover, he could never again petition for the people.

But the people’s complaints had long been submitted to the Judicial Office. Having no method to convict, he had remained inactive. Now, when others offered a solution, should he hesitate? If one person goes untreated, how can justice serve all under heaven? Finally, his blood boiled as he undertook this matter!

But the Wei family wasn’t easy to handle. Fortunately, Six Fans Gate helpers arrived midway, allowing them to successfully bring Wei Wujun back.

Everything discussed with his aide in the courtyard, including that Leng Xue’s offering of drugs, was all fake…

There was no such confession-forcing drug in the world!

When Six Fans Gate returned with them, they again brought Quan Feitong’s message – with Wei Chenghui’s caution, he would definitely send people to secretly monitor.

They couldn’t let this group take Wei Wujun away.

Under their protection, Wei Wujun might not necessarily be shot on the spot.

Thus, dividing into two routes, Six Fans Gate people intercepted the monitoring group while arranging people to lead Wei away.

The black-clothed man was also fake!

He was actually Quan Feitong’s man.

Once Wei Wujun fell, he immediately escaped. In that chaotic moment, no one would notice this instigator – even Wei Chenghui’s hurried glance would only think he was one of Yu Jinglun’s people.

As soon as Wei Wujun left the office—

Everything was within the plan, but he never expected that when he ordered constables to draw arrows, someone rode up like wind and landed before him, acting faster than he could.

“Li Huaisu.”

The other hastily nodded to him before taking the bow and leaping down from horseback.

“Wuming, my strength is insufficient – lend me assistance!”

This was the second sentence he heard from her mouth, but it wasn’t directed at him, but toward another woman on horseback.

“Yes!”

In a flash, another woman leaped down from the horse, grasped her hand, drew the bow and released the arrow…

Driven into the carriage by imperial guards, once the curtain fell, he heard her speak quietly: “Master Du, remember – before the Emperor, you must clarify Great Zhou law that Wei Wujun deserved death for escaping prison, but also make clear that though you gave verbal warnings, you absolutely had no intention of shooting him.”

He couldn’t help exchanging glances with his aide, urgently saying: “Li Tixing, no, Noble Consort Shu, why did you do this? This was originally what Du promised Chancellor Quan – it should be borne by Du. You shouldn’t be involved.”

“This kindness – Du cannot repay!”

The other smiled: “You acted according to law. This matter cannot cost your life, but this official position cannot be preserved.”

Du Ruoxiu smiled proudly: “What does it matter? At least Du can face heaven and earth with clear conscience, not dishonoring ancestral dignity in this lifetime.”

“No, you cannot lose this black hat.” The other continued smiling slightly: “I no longer have the ability to do anything more for the people, but Master Du can. You shouldn’t sacrifice the Judicial Official position for this. I will find ways to protect myself – you needn’t worry.”

“I will tell the Emperor that Six Fans Gate happened to pass by, discovered the case, and came to assist you. I learned the news from Wuqing that you had captured Wei family members. Coming to see, I witnessed the criminal escaping prison and in urgency acted with killing intent. He also knows my grievances with the Wei family…” She slightly narrowed her eyes, seeming to speak with him yet also contemplating to herself.

“Master Du understands advance and retreat, has courage. I believe you’ll have unlimited prospects in the future. But I hope that no matter how high Master Du rises, you’ll remember – no matter when, please always keep one door open at the Judicial Office, let the people have a place to seek help…”

Speaking to this point, she covered her mouth coughing. The female constable beside her seemed startled: “Li Tixing, you should rest quickly.”

She nodded to him, spoke no more, leaned back against the carriage wall with closed eyes.

Her complexion was pale yellow – whether from the exertion of drawing the bow or existing illness was unclear, but her brow and eyes carried a heroic spirit he had never seen in many men. The curtain lifted in the wind, with capital lights everywhere and people still busily managing their livelihoods. The changed dynasties of Great Zhou seemed to mean nothing to them, even though everything before had been much better than now. Most of them seemed so numb and weak, but it was still they who, through their own diligence and perseverance, created the nation’s prosperity.

But there must always be people who stand higher first, see farther, have broader hearts, to push history’s wheel in better directions.

Great as emperors who raise or ruin nations, generals guarding regions, ministers making policies, medium as local officials, “small” as… perhaps people like her.

Wheels dyed with night colors crushed the tranquility along the road from capital streets to imperial city pathways.

Du Ruoxiu’s heart surged with excitement that never dispersed.

Later, he served as an official for thirty years, finally reaching first rank. He also developed selfish interests and sought personal gain, but always remembered to keep one door open for the people.

He could not lose to a woman.

Watching imperial guards collecting corpses and arresting people, carriages divided into three – Princess Jin and Wei in one, the corpse in another, “criminals” in a third, rushing toward the imperial city direction, two people quickly emerged from the Judicial Office entrance.

One stunningly beautiful, one clear and handsome – usually calm and composed people, but now both had worry written in their eyes.

Quan Feitong gritted his teeth slightly: “That girl has truly gone mad. Even old Du was willing to shoulder everything and definitely wouldn’t have cost his life, yet she still…”

“No, I must enter the palace to see.” He suddenly flicked his sleeve robe, about to go forward.

Sang Zhan’s eyes were dark as night, unfathomably deep.

“I’ll also return to the palace first to gather information before the Emperor.”

“Good, we’ll split into two routes—”

“Big brother, no!”

Just as Quan Feitong finished speaking, someone quickly approached from the street center – it was Chao Huang.

The officials and soldiers he and Wei Wuya had brought had dispersed successively, but beside him remained one person – Wei Wuya, left behind by Wei Chenghui in his pain and anger.

“Yes, Chancellor Quan, you cannot enter the palace now.”

If Wei Chenghui were still here, he would be shocked beyond measure. Not only had his eldest son not left, but he stood together with his enemies, even persuading them.

“Big brother, Li Tixing must have her considerations. If you force entry into the palace now, it would give the Wei thief opportunity to bite back, claiming you colluded with Du Ruoxiu to murder Wei Wujun.”

Chao Huang added.

“Thank you for your kind intentions, First Young Master.” Quan Fei sighed, first thanking Wei Wuya, then said to Chao Huang: “I’ll pretend to receive news tomorrow, bringing you into the palace to inquire about Huaisu’s situation before Li Zhaoting. You say First Young Master gathered officials and soldiers at the military camp to cause trouble demanding release. You followed for excitement, and together with the soldiers, personally witnessed Wei Wujun’s escape. If the Emperor doesn’t believe it, he can summon soldiers for inquiry. Understand?”

“Yes, Chao Huang understands.”

But Quan Feitong still frowned tightly. This strategy was devised by him, her, and Sang Zhan together.

Though they never gathered together, each contributed their part.

He designed using false victim relatives to lure Wei Wujun into the trap. Sang Zhan suggested forcing escape to execute him early through legal means.

Wei Wuya and Chao Huang’s appearance was her idea. She surmised that with Li Zhaoting bedridden, Wei Chenghui would definitely enter the palace to see Princess Jin, having Princess Jin intervene first. Thus, she arranged for Wei Wuya to bring people, pretending to “demand the person,” deliberately “questioning” Du Ruoxiu about why he shot the escaping Wei Wujun. The purpose was to let accompanying soldiers witness this. These soldiers included Wei’s people and Chao’s people, but regardless of whose people they were, tonight they would spread the news throughout the three armies.

The military had Li Zhaoting’s influence – these people wouldn’t favor the Wei family.

Thus, Du Ruoxiu could completely clear himself before Li Zhaoting.

This Judicial Official was only acting according to law.

Indeed, acting according to law!

She wanted absolute certainty, saying she definitely couldn’t implicate a good official in losing his life.

But he never expected she would involve herself. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand – he was just worried and confused. He actually understood better than Chao Huang that she also wanted to preserve Du Ruoxiu’s official position!

Since their acquaintance, she had always been this way.

He shook his head and smiled: “I hope Li Zhaoting’s favoritism can spare her some physical suffering this time.”

Sang Zhan’s eyes suddenly tightened.

At this moment, Wei Wuya said: “Gentlemen, I take my leave first, otherwise being seen might be troublesome. Please tell Li Tixing that Wuya thanks her for twice intervening. Today she finally helped me avenge my sister’s murder. If Wuya is needed in the future, I will not hesitate.”

“Thank you too, First Young Master, for your assistance in the matter with Minister Huang previously. Without your anonymous vote, we might not have been able to turn the situation around then.”

Quan Feitong bowed slightly.

At that time, she had him persuade Wei Wuya to secure his anonymous vote as well, fighting for the maximum number of votes. Wei Wuya indeed helped with this. Later, through his introduction, he secretly met with Li Zhaoting, explaining his lack of importance at home and willingness to serve the Emperor by secretly monitoring Wei Chenghui’s movements.

Wei Wuya said indifferently: “Chancellor Quan need not be polite – each taking what we need. My father never treated useless children kindly, even killing my sister… Though Wuyan and I weren’t born of the same mother, our bond exceeded blood relations. I had long grown cold-hearted, but lacking ability to oppose or kill him – that would be great rebellion. But at least I wanted him to taste losing loved ones, especially since my brother wasn’t a good person anyway!”

He also bowed, then disappeared into the street’s darkness.

Quan Feitong had Sang Zhan leave first while he remained to secretly meet with Wuqing. Wuqing and others were still fighting inside, keeping Yu Mao and others occupied according to plan.

Sang Zhan said nothing more, mounted his horse and galloped toward the imperial city. His path lay there, and the person he wanted to wait for and question was also there!