Zhao Quanzhi suddenly burst into loud laughter.

It carried the heart of one going to his death.

His face twisted grotesquely and contorted as he stared at Li Shiyan, saying: “Why didn’t you die? You should have died! You keep saying you treat me as a brother, but in truth, you’ve only ever treated me like a dog! A dog for you to order around at will!”

That word “dog” was practically roared out.

Venting the resentment and unwillingness that had been compressed in his heart for many years.

If it were before, he absolutely wouldn’t have dared to act this way! Li Shiyan’s face showed disappointment and sorrow. Looking at Zhao Quanzhi standing before him, now completely unfamiliar, at this moment he couldn’t see even half a trace of their past affection on the other’s face. What was there was only hatred. This also made Li Shiyan profoundly realize that so-called loyalty and righteousness was nothing but a wisp of smoke. In truth, everyone wore masks, pretending to show different faces before power and status. In the capital city of Yanjing, everyone was like this—before others and behind their backs, they all had two faces.

Thinking about it, how chilling this was to the heart!

“Zhao Quanzhi, you’re not my dog! I’ve never once treated you as a dog. You are Li Shiyan’s brother for life!”

“Bah!” Zhao Quanzhi sneered coldly. “At a time like this, can’t you say even one truthful word? At least let me die understanding, die satisfied.”

“Every sentence I’ve spoken is true!”

“So you think I’ll believe that?”

Li Shiyan was helpless. “It seems now that nothing I say matters anymore. Since you’re so determined to think this way, then consider me blind.”

“Heh heh! I’m the one who was blind.” Zhao Quanzhi said viciously. Even now, he still didn’t believe Li Shiyan had true feelings for him, and the hatred in his heart hadn’t decreased by half.

If he could, he would personally stuff wine filled with osmanthus brew into his mouth and watch with his own eyes until he died. He had suppressed this dissatisfaction and resentment for many years, and had pretended for many years. Every time he heard others call him a dog, he repeatedly told himself to endure, believing that Li Shiyan at least had some measure of so-called affection for him. However, when he learned that Li Shiyan was going to marry Zhu Yao, he could endure it no longer!

He could no longer continue enduring like an obedient dog following commands.

Li Shiyan looked at his face full of fury, and his heart finally turned cold. He only said one sentence: “May you rest in peace!”

Heh!

Zhao Quanzhi’s face showed nothing but disdain.

Seeing this scene, Minister Wang suddenly became anxious and loudly said to Chief Justice Huang: “Chief Justice Huang, now that he’s already admitted to murder, why don’t you quickly have him escorted to the Court of Judicial Review’s prison? Do you want to give him a chance to escape?”

To demonstrate his incorruptibility and rigorous case handling, Chief Justice Huang quickly ordered: “Take him away.”

When two elite soldiers escorted Zhao Quanzhi away, passing in front of Zhu Yao, he stubbornly stopped.

Staring fixedly at the woman before him whom he had longed for these past few years.

Zhu Yao gazed at him, her eyes carrying some apology and shock. Zhao Quanzhi smiled bitterly and said to her: “Actually, what Wang Huai said before was right. Li Shiyan won’t love you at all. In his heart, there’s only himself. Miss Zhu, a person like him isn’t worth your love at all. If you marry him, it’s the same as being a living widow. Your two families’ alliance is nothing but mutual exploitation. The Marquis of Kangding just wants to use your Zhu family’s position at court to protect his worthless son. You’re just a sacrificial piece!”

Zhu Yao was stunned, her body trembling violently.

She wasn’t stupid—how could she not know?

But she loved Li Shiyan, loved him to her bones. Even so, she was still willing to continue loving him foolishly and obsessively, even if she was hurt until riddled with wounds, even if she fell into a ten-thousand-mile sea of fire—she was willing to sacrifice everything. Just as her eyes were reddening and she was about to say something, the Marquis of Kangding excitedly said: “Zhao Quanzhi, stop spouting nonsense here! A person about to die, still trying to sow discord between my Li family and the Zhu family before leaving—simply detestable! A person like you with such dark thoughts, keeping you in this world is a disaster. I don’t know how the Governor-General of Jiangguang raised a son like you.”

Every sentence pierced like silver needles.

When he said these words, Minister Zhu’s face turned green, and he clenched his fists tightly in the shadows.

But Zhao Quanzhi couldn’t help but laugh, a mocking gaze looking coldly at the Marquis of Kangding.

I’ll give you a look—figure it out yourself!

To avoid the confrontation about to occur, Chief Justice Huang immediately waved and ordered: “Take him away.”

The two elite soldiers received the order and escorted him away.

But Zhao Quanzhi’s laughter still echoed in everyone’s ears.

Making everyone fall silent for that moment!

Perhaps they still hadn’t recovered from this unexpected turn of events.

Until the surrounding discussions arose—

“Truly, human calculations cannot compare to heaven’s! A perfectly fine person became a murderer, and so extreme too.”

“He deserved it, brought it on himself. He chose to kill someone, so he has to bear the crime himself.”

“Do you think there’s any room for turning this around?”

“Room? Are you joking? Zhao Quanzhi killed someone. Even if his father is capable, he’s just the Governor-General of Jiangguang. Can he influence the Marquis of Kangding and Minister Wang?”

“So you’re saying Zhao Quanzhi is certain to die.”

“That’s definite!”

……

Voices chattering, discussions rising everywhere. The case was finally solved, and Ning’an Manor finally recovered its former tranquility. Magistrate Li had those people in the hall who came to watch the excitement quickly pack up and return to the capital city of Yanjing. Everyone was too lazy to stay here any longer anyway—what if something else happened? Wouldn’t that be more loss than gain? Besides, they couldn’t wait to return to the capital city to tell others what happened here and have a good gossip session……

After those people left one by one, Luo Yang quietly walked to Chief Justice Huang’s side and said proudly: “Chief Justice Huang, this time in successfully solving the case, I also contributed, right? So……”

Scheming in his heart!

Chief Justice Huang understood what this youngster meant and told him: “Rest assured, when the case is concluded, this official will reward you.”

“That’s more like it. At least these past few days weren’t wasted.”

Little rascal!

The Wen family brothers walked over, cupping their hands toward everyone, and said to Magistrate Li: “Magistrate Li, since the matter has been resolved, we’ll take our leave first. We’ve imposed on you these past two days—please take good care of your health.”

Magistrate Li nodded. “General Wen, take care. I won’t see you out then.”

“Stay.” Wen Che looked at his uncle Wen Cong. “Uncle, please return with us. That Miss Ji is counting on you.”

Wen Cong kept his word and naturally wouldn’t go back on it, so after bidding farewell to everyone, he left.

Luo Yang also left together. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to remind Chief Justice Huang, telling him where he lived in the capital city of Yanjing. If there was a reward, he could be found at that address. Chief Justice Huang repeatedly agreed, and only then was he reassured.

As for Su Ziluo, hearing Wen Che’s earlier words—what did he mean by “that Miss Ji is counting on you”? Could it be that Shu’er was unwell? A faint worry flashed across his brow.

Shortly after, he also took his leave.

After most people had left, Li Shiyan ultimately couldn’t bear it and turned to ask Chief Justice Huang: “Chief Justice Huang, what will happen to Zhao Quanzhi?”

“According to the law, he will be executed by beheading.”

“There’s no other way?”

“This……”

Minister Wang on the side took over, saying angrily: “Young Master, although you’re now innocent and can be freed from guilt, a killer must pay with his life. Zhao Quanzhi killed my nephew, so he must pay life for life—he must die! No one can plead for him.”

Li Shiyan didn’t refute, because he understood in his heart, but—

He still pleaded with Chief Justice Huang: “Then Chief Justice Huang, could you do a favor and let Lord Zhao see his son one last time?” The Governor-General of Jiangguang still didn’t know his son had killed someone. This crime was a grave one. Once imprisoned in the Court of Judicial Review’s prison, no one could see him. But the Governor-General of Jiangguang only had one son—they should at least see each other once. Besides, Lord Zhao was also a loyal minister of his generation who had devoted himself wholeheartedly to the court for many years. Presumably, the Emperor would also grant this favor. Moreover, Chief Justice Huang and Lord Zhao had some friendship, so whether for public or private reasons, Chief Justice Huang ultimately agreed.

“Young Master, rest assured, I will arrange it!”

Minister Wang still had anger, saying to Li Shiyan: “At this time, you’re still thinking of Zhao Quanzhi! When he framed you, when he tried to poison you to death, how come he didn’t think of you then!”

Because there was still a measure of old affection! The Marquis of Kangding pulled Li Shiyan, reminding him: “Enough, Shiyan. Now that Zhao Quanzhi has been arrested, don’t think so much anymore. Don’t have any more contact with the Zhao family either, to avoid bringing trouble upon yourself. In any case, you’re fine now, and I’m relieved. Just quickly go back to your room, pack up, and return to the manor with me to avoid any more accidents.”