The entrance to the Court of Judicial Review was packed with people, all drawn by the sound of the Petition Drum. They stretched their necks curiously to peer inside, their voices clamoring.

“That’s Miss Ni.”

“She beat the drum once before. What’s it for this time? Does she not want her life?”

“Twenty strokes of the rod… Even a man couldn’t endure that, could he? How can she be so bold?”

“…”

The commoners chattered on all sides. Zhou Ting stood on the steps. No bailiff dared bar him from entry, yet he had no intention of going in. Cold mist pervaded. He silently gazed at that woman’s back in the main hall.

She wore a black cloak wrapped around her body, the jet-black beast fur collar, the crane embroidery on the hem glinting with cold silver light. This was a man’s cloak. She wrapped it around herself, completely concealing the robe and skirt she wore underneath. In her dark coiled hair was only a single pearl and golden bird hairpin as ornament.

In the main hall, Judge Tan’s forehead dripped with sweat. He could barely believe what he was hearing. “You… what did you say? Who are you accusing?!”

Ni Su raised her voice and repeated: “This commoner woman Ni Su files charges that Prince Nankang and his son colluded with Wu Dai and Pan Youfang to kill Jade Commander General Xu Hexue and thirty thousand soldiers of the Jing’an Army!”

Her voice was powerful and clear. Whether Judge Tan sitting in the hall or the crowd gathered outside the main gate, they all heard every word distinctly.

This commoner—

Was accusing imperial kin.

Not just imperial kin, but also involving the court’s important minister Commissioner Pan who had just been killed by Lotus Flower Sect Vice Hierarch Zhang Xin’en, and the Consort’s father Wu Dai.

Judge Tan abruptly stood up.

Cold sweat broke out all over his back. “Audacious! You dare make false accusations against imperial kin?!”

Ni Su said coldly: “Your Honor hasn’t yet tried the case. How do you know I’m making false accusations?”

Judge Tan felt this was utterly absurd. He struck the desk and questioned sternly: “With just a few words, you implicate the deceased Prince Nankang and the current Duke Luguo, and also involve the recently murdered Commissioner Pan and Her Ladyship’s father. Who are you to do this?”

“Because I am the widow of Huaihua Commander Xu Jing’an, posthumously conferred by His Majesty.”

Judge Tan cupped his hands toward heaven. “His Majesty in his benevolence posthumously conferred Xu Jing’an, who died in battle in Yongzhou, as Huaihua Commander. But this wasn’t so you, a young woman keeping chaste widowhood, could make false accusations against others today!”

“What if I say he was a survivor of the Jing’an Army?”

“No matter who he was, you cannot…” Judge Tan spoke halfway when his voice stopped abruptly. His facial muscles twitched. The main hall fell silent.

The bailiffs also showed shock, various gazes falling upon Ni Su.

Judge Tan recovered and immediately said: “Nonsense! Everyone knows the Jing’an Army was annihilated at Mount Mushen! Where would any survivors come from!”

“So many people died at Mount Mushen. Did anyone go collect their bodies? Who knows whether among that mountain of corpses and sea of blood, there might still be survivors?”

Ni Su looked at him. “You honored officials who’ve spent half your lives living peacefully in Yun Jing—have you ever cared?”

Such sharp words made Judge Tan’s expression darken: “Ni Su, you’re showing contempt for this court!”

Ni Su lowered her eyes. “This commoner wouldn’t dare.”

Judge Tan felt only bitterness in his mouth. Now with His Majesty gravely ill and unaware of affairs, even if this Court of Judicial Review case was sent before the throne, in the end it would only be he, the judge, who would decide.

But the matter involved imperial kin, the Consort’s father, and a Senior Commissioner.

And there was the old case of Jade Commander General Xu Hexue that he didn’t even want to touch.

What was to be done?

Clamorous noise came from the crowd outside the gate. They all heard every single word Ni Su spoke clearly. No one had anticipated that the hero Xu Jing’an who defended Yongzhou city and killed the Danqiu general Yelu Zhen was actually a Jing’an Army survivor!

They made a commotion. Judge Tan grew increasingly irritated listening. He stared at this young woman in the hall. “Ni Su, this isn’t your first time at the Court of Judicial Review. You’ve endured punishment here before and should know the consequences. But this official must still remind you—even if you endure the punishment, if you cannot produce evidence then, it will be a capital crime!”

This could hardly be considered a well-meaning reminder. His words were full of threats. He was forcing this woman—if she gave up now, he could still leave her some leeway.

But Ni Su seemed to not notice his deeper meaning at all. She only said calmly: “According to the law, Duke Luguo should come to the Court of Judicial Review to confront me with evidence.”

Judge Tan’s expression changed abruptly.

She truly didn’t want her life!

Having no choice, Judge Tan could only summon a bailiff and order him to invite Duke Luguo to the Court of Judicial Review to confront this woman in court. Then he sat back down in his chair and straightened his sleeves. “This official has seen you before too. Your crying injustice for your elder brother—all of Yun Jing knows of it. Afterward you treated soldiers and civilians in Yongzhou. Even His Majesty praised and rewarded you. A woman like you is indeed admirable. But the law stands above. The Court’s rules cannot be abandoned. These twenty strokes—no one can receive them in your place. Do you—understand?”

“Yes.”

Judge Tan had nothing more to say. He raised his hand. Several bailiffs immediately brought up a punishment bench. They locked Ni Su’s arms and pressed her onto the bench.

They showed no mercy, pressing down on the back of her head, forcing her cheek against the cold bench surface. Even though she didn’t struggle, this was still a humiliating intimidation they imposed on her.

“Miss Ni!”

This voice was familiar, but Ni Su was restrained by bailiffs and couldn’t turn around.

Qingqiong was blocked by bailiffs outside the main gate. He called out repeatedly, seeing the bailiffs on either side of the punishment bench in the main hall already raising their rods. He desperately tried to push inside, but the guard at the gate kicked him hard in the abdomen.

Qingqiong staggered backward. Zhou Ting immediately reached out to steady him, then looked at the gate-guarding bailiff. “Who permitted you to hurt someone?”

Zhou Ting wore the Bureau of Forbidden Night’s robes. How would a bailiff dare offend him? He didn’t dare say a word and lowered his head.

Zhou Ting recognized this young man. He had often been by Ni Su’s side in Yongzhou. Now his headband was loose, revealing half a bald head. Everyone was looking at his excessively pale face and those strangely dark eyes.

“You cannot go in. This is her own choice.”

Zhou Ting released him and said.

Qingqiong’s eyes reddened. He raised his head and watched helplessly as in the main hall, a bailiff’s rod struck down. In that instant the crowd fell silent. Everyone heard the muffled sound of the rod falling on flesh and bone.

This wasn’t Ni Su’s first time enduring punishment, but she still had no way not to fear this pain that nearly crushed skin, flesh, sinew and bone. Her whole body trembled, her fingers rigid, instinctively gripping the edge of the bench.

Another stroke fell. She ultimately couldn’t help but scream in agony.

Extreme pain spread through all her limbs and bones. On this cold winter day, every breath she drew squeezed hard at her lungs. The more it hurt, the more afraid she became.

Yet the rod mercilessly fell again. Her eyelids filled with tears. Her bloodless lips trembled. She felt like a fish pulled from water, in human clutches, her mouth and tongue pierced by sharp hooks. Beyond crying out in pain, she could shout no words.

The black cloak wrapped around her body. Fresh blood soaked the hem, dripping steadily, shockingly red.

“Judge Tan!”

Zhou Ting sensed something wrong. He immediately walked in. “You’re striking too hard!”

Rod punishment had its methods. Zhou Ting had spent many years at the Bureau of Forbidden Night. He had interrogated countless people. How could he not see the bailiff’s methods were off? “She came to redress grievances. Your Honor uses such severe punishment—do you want to beat someone to death!”

Judge Tan recognized this Vice Commander Zhou from the Bureau of Forbidden Night. His little tricks hadn’t escaped this person’s eyes. His expression became rather awkward.

“If you beat her to death how can she redress her grievances!”

“Miss Ni is a weak woman. Why does Judge Tan strike with lethal force?!”

He Zhongping rushed over as soon as he heard news of the Court of Judicial Review. He hadn’t even changed clothes. “Judge Tan! Who permitted you to pervert justice?! What exactly are you afraid of? Are you afraid you cannot bear this case? Are you afraid of offending someone!”

“Your Honor acts thus—do you intend partiality?!”

The young people who came with He Zhongping also cried out indignantly.

Voices of discontent gradually rose in the crowd.

“She fought on battlefields in Yongzhou and treated soldiers and civilians! Such an admirable person—how can Your Honor treat her thus!”

“If Your Honor must strike, we’ll take her place!”

“Yes! We’ll take her place!”

These young men who had just been released from the Bureau of Forbidden Night because of Ding Jin’s indictment were again at the Court of Judicial Review’s entrance, determined to take Ni Su’s punishment.

How similar to that day—

Ni Su endured punishment here for her elder brother. A group like them had done the same for her, for her brother—dozens of people endured punishment together at the Court.

Back then, he was still by her side.

Ni Su hurt so much her mind grew hazy, yet her pale lips curved slightly.

“Outrageous!”

Judge Tan stood up and said sternly: “She claims her late husband Xu Jing’an was a Jing’an Army survivor. And who are all of you? What connection do you have to the Jing’an Army? If you want to take punishment in her place, you don’t have that qualification!”

Last time, He Zhongping could enter the Court to take punishment as Ni Qinglan’s close friend. But this time, the Mount Mushen old case was enormously implicated. No one could take punishment for Ni Su.

But seeing Zhou Ting outside the main hall, Judge Tan ultimately didn’t dare employ more tricks. He only gave the rod-wielding bailiff a look and said: “Continue.”

Another stroke struck down. Zhou Ting stood in the sunlight. He saw Ni Su’s neck veins standing out sharply, sweat pouring, spine rigid, her pain-filled cries hoarse with tears.

His hand gripped the sword hilt tightly.

“Miss Ni…”

Qingqiong clutched a bailiff’s arm, crying out: “Your Honor, I beg you, let me take her place, let me take her place…”

Stroke after stroke. Everyone watched that woman. Her cloak was jet black, making bloodstains hard to see. Yet blood beads dripped from the soaked hem.

How could anyone not fear punishment? If that woman wasn’t afraid, she wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t shake uncontrollably. But no one heard her beg for mercy.

The crowd could hardly bear to watch further.

They realized this wasn’t casual entertainment. This woman was using her life to reopen a case sealed for sixteen years.

For a general.

And for thirty thousand soldiers.

The weather was bitterly cold and windy, stinging the tear-stained cheeks of men, women, old and young. Duke Luguo’s carriage stopped outside the crowd. Servants helped him down. With a cold expression, he had servants part the crowd.

In the Court, that woman was pressed on the punishment bench. The raised rod bore mottled bloodstains. The bailiffs guarding the entrance withdrew to both sides, welcoming Duke Luguo inside.

“Duke.”

Seeing Duke Luguo enter, Judge Tan immediately ordered: “Quickly, bring a chair! Serve tea!”

Duke Luguo said nothing. He walked into the main hall, lifted his robe hem and sat in a folding chair, taking a bowl of hot tea in hand. Chin raised, he looked down at that woman. “How many strokes so far?”

“Already ten strokes.”

Judge Tan hastily answered.

Duke Luguo unhurriedly sipped his tea and raised his hand. Judge Tan immediately had the bailiffs stop. Though Ni Su had a chance to catch her breath, the severe pain in her body still made her shake uncontrollably.

She breathed with difficulty, eyes barely half-open.

“Do you know what grave crime it is to falsely accuse imperial kin? How ridiculous that I must actually come to this Court today. Why don’t you tell me—exactly who instructed you to risk your life to slander me and my father?”

Duke Luguo stared at her face covered in cold sweat, pale as paper.

Ni Su’s lips moved, her voice also shaking uncontrollably. “Who instructed me? I’m instructed by thirty thousand heroic souls, demanding you most deserving of death go beneath the Nine Springs to atone to them.”

Duke Luguo’s expression turned severe. “What audacity! With just a few words, you think you can convict me and my father? Laughable! Utterly laughable!”

“Tan Guangwen’s indictment came before. Yongzhou’s Supervising Commissioner Han Qing and General Qin Jixun, Commander Wei Dechang—they all personally heard Tan Guangwen confess. Wu Dai believed the Danqiu Prince Qin Rili and thought Danqiu would attack Jianchi Prefecture. Yang Ming, then Yongzhou Prefect, was attached to Prince Nankang. Wu Dai secretly colluded with Prince Nankang, having Yang Ming seize Yongzhou Military Commander Miao Tianning’s token to privately deploy troops to reinforce Jianchi Prefecture.”

Ni Su felt every breath painful. She still forced herself to stay conscious. “But this information was false. Danqiu didn’t attack Jianchi Prefecture but ambushed Yongzhou when its forces were depleted…”

Duke Luguo was inwardly shocked. He abruptly stood. “Silence!”

How could this woman know these things?!

“What do you think this place is? How can you spout nonsense here!”

“She speaks no nonsense.”

Zhou Ting entered the main hall. “When Tan Guangwen confessed that day, I was present. He personally said that supporting Jianchi Prefecture at the time, besides half the Yongzhou army, there was also him.”

“At that time, Mengtuo used the entire Xu family of Qingya Province as hostages to force General Yujie to defect. General Yujie went along with the plan, ordering forces split three ways to surround Mengtuo at Mount Mushen. At that time, Wu Dai urged Tan Guangwen to send reinforcements to Jianchi Prefecture. Du Cong even falsified military orders, telling him to go to Jianchi Prefecture first, then rush to Longyan.”

“But Tan Guangwen wasn’t familiar with Longyan’s terrain. He got lost, causing the thirty thousand Jing’an Army to perish together with fifty thousand barbarians at Mount Mushen.”

“At that time, General Ge, Ge Rang at Nianche, never received any military orders from start to finish. The person who intercepted the General’s military orders was Commissioner Pan Youfang.”

“Zhou Ting!”

Duke Luguo said coldly: “What are you doing! You dare join this woman of unknown origins in slandering my father?!”

“Aren’t her origins clear enough? Her name is Ni Su, from Que County.”

Zhou Ting lowered his eyes to see her sweat-soaked temples, her trembling body. “Duke, on your way here, didn’t people tell you? Her late husband Xu Jing’an was the last person of the Jing’an Army.”

“That person already died in battle for Great Qi in Yongzhou. And she is crying injustice for her late husband.”

“Just because she says so doesn’t make it true! What proof is there!”

Ni Su spoke with difficulty: “Then Duke, what proof do you have?”

Duke Luguo was nearly stung by her voice: “Judge Tan! Has she finished her punishment?”

Judge Tan answered truthfully: “Ten strokes remain.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Continue!”

Duke Luguo glared at him.

Zhou Ting stood at the side. He had no way to say another word for Ni Su. He only saw the bailiff raise the rod again. Stroke after stroke. Ni Su’s shoulders tensed. She hurt so much she lost reason, her body constantly shaking. A bailiff pressed down on the back of her head, forcing her face hard against the bench surface.

“Don’t treat her thus!”

He Zhongping saw this and shouted from outside the gate.

“She’s willing to endure punishment. She won’t struggle at all! Don’t treat her thus!”

“Your Honor! Please!”

More and more voices rose and fell. Some ladies even cried as they pleaded outside.

“Judge Tan!”

Zhou Ting suppressed his anger.

Judge Tan turned a deaf ear. He and this Vice Commander Zhou were not on the same side at all. Now how many officials in the Remonstrance Bureau depended on Duke Luguo? If Prince Jia ascended the throne, these people opposing the new policies—forget their positions, they might not even keep their lives.

“Tan Zhao!”

Suddenly, a voice containing anger came from the gate entrance. Judge Tan jerked his head up to see Prime Ministers Meng and Huang parting the crowd.

“Stop this instant!”

Meng Yunxian saw the rod about to fall again. “Tan Zhao, did you hear me!”

Judge Tan was badly frightened. He hurriedly came out from behind the long desk, had people stop, then greeted them: “Prime Minister Meng, Prime Minister Huang…”

Huang Zongyu scowled, leaning on his cane and walking slowly. He saw Meng Yunxian sweep past him like a gust of wind, quickly reaching inside the main hall.

The woman on the punishment bench—face deathly pale, the hand gripping the bench edge showing raised veins, her mouth soaked with blood. Meng Yunxian looked just once. He clenched his teeth, his heart unbearably pained.

“Duke, this woman performed great service in Yongzhou. Moreover, her late husband Xu Jing’an personally killed Yelu Zhen—a hero. Xu Jing’an died for the nation. Yet we people treat his wife thus. Isn’t this too disheartening?” Huang Zongyu walked up slowly. Seeing the bloodstains on the ground, he looked again at that woman. Complex emotions arose in his heart.

Duke Luguo laughed coldly. “What are these words, Prime Minister Huang? This punishment is the Court of Judicial Review’s rule. How is it something I set? She wants to falsely accuse me and my father—she must endure it!”

“But I see you intend to beat her to death before stopping,”

Meng Yunxian raised his face. Though these words were directed at Duke Luguo, those eyes were staring at Judge Tan. “Beat her to death and the case need not be tried, is that it?”

“This…”

Judge Tan’s back was covered in cold sweat. He said carefully: “Prime Ministers, please understand—this subordinate didn’t order lethal force.”

“Judge Tan…”

Ni Su’s lips trembled. “How many strokes remain?”

“Six strokes remain.”

“Good. I’ll endure them.”

Hearing this, Meng Yunxian was about to speak when Huang Zongyu pressed down on his hand, then said: “Now with His Majesty ill, Prime Minister Meng and I as chief ministers naturally must share His Majesty’s burdens. Judge Tan, we two will observe here. Do you object?”

Even with a thousand unwillingnesses in his heart, Judge Tan could only say at this time: “…I wouldn’t dare.”

“Bring a chair for Vice Commander Zhou as well.”

Seeing bailiffs bring only two chairs, Huang Zongyu said this.

That bailiff had to go to the rear hall to bring another.

With both Prime Ministers of the Eastern and Western Bureaus present in the hall, Judge Tan naturally felt like sitting on pins and needles. Duke Luguo’s expression was also very poor. His palms filled with sweat.

The rod was raised and fell again.

Meng Yunxian’s hand on his knee clenched into a fist. He couldn’t help but close his eyes.

Ni Su couldn’t endure this pain. Her breathing grew increasingly rapid as she spoke in broken phrases: “Duke, you… don’t acknowledge your father Prince Nankang had private dealings with Wu Dai… is that right?”

Duke Luguo looked down at her. “What do the crimes Wu Dai committed have to do with my father the Prince?”

“In that case,”

Ni Su had just spoken when another stroke fell. She instinctively wanted to curl up her body but discovered she couldn’t muster any strength. She recovered again and again. “You also don’t acknowledge… Yang Ming was Prince Nankang’s man?”

“A person dead for many years—just because you say he had connections with my father the Prince, it must be so?”

Another stroke fell. The woman’s trembling, agonized cries fell on everyone’s ears. Tears filled Meng Yunxian’s eyes. He gripped the chair’s armrest tightly.

“Then… what about Pan Youfang? Duke,”

Ni Su tensed her spine. “The connections between Pan Youfang and Wu Dai—you and your father the Prince knew nothing of them, is that so?”

“What exactly are you trying to say!”

Ni Su endured another stroke. On her face one couldn’t distinguish tears from sweat. Her throat choked with sobs, yet she still forced herself to ask word by word:

“I’m… asking you. Between you and Pan Youfang… was there collusion or not?”

“Duke,”

Ni Su’s lips and teeth were soaked with blood. “Was there… or wasn’t there?”

Duke Luguo’s chest heaved. “You woman—are you trying to interrogate me in this hall!”

“Are you afraid?”

Ni Su struggled to form words. “Are you afraid? Afraid of me, a commoner? You people who trample the masses underfoot—can you also feel fear?”

“All nonsense!”

“Then why… don’t you answer?”

The rod fell once more. Qingqiong outside kept crying and shouting, but Ni Su couldn’t hear clearly. She still had no way to get used to this pain. Sinew and bone seemed about to separate. Tears were forced from her eyes again. Voice trembling: “Duke, I’m… asking you. Why don’t you answer?”

Her blood-filled eyes showing undisguised mockery, her pressing questions still sharp despite severe punishment—these actually forced Duke Luguo into a cold sweat.

“Was there or not?”

“There was not!”

Duke Luguo roared: “Whether it’s Wu Dai or Pan Youfang—whatever they did, what connection does it have to me, to my father the Prince?! If you have the ability, why don’t you go beneath the Nine Springs and ask them!”

The moment Duke Luguo’s words fell, the bailiff struck another blow.

Ni Su’s coiled hair loosened. The golden hairpin fell to the ground with a clear ring.

She spat out blood.

Meng Yunxian abruptly stood up. Zhou Ting immediately stepped forward to grip the rod in the bailiff’s hand. His palm was covered in her blood. “Enough! The six strokes are finished!”

Duke Luguo looked at that woman. Her mouth was full of blood, yet somehow she still laughed softly.

She laughed until tears pooled in her eyes slid down her cheeks, her shoulders trembling.

“Duke, those are your own words.”

Meng Yunxian walked before Duke Luguo. “You say you father and son had no collusion with Wu Dai and Pan Youfang. But I have a witness!”

“…What witness?”

Duke Luguo met Meng Yunxian’s sharp gaze. His heart suddenly panicked.

“Cao Dong from Manyu Bank is in my hands. He personally told me—after the Daizhou grain case, that group of officials’ tribute to Wu Dai, Pan Youfang, and you father and son: a full fifty-three million six hundred thousand strings of cash. How much of the people’s fat and blood, Duke—did this happen?”

Meng Yunxian’s words pressed relentlessly.

Duke Luguo’s expression tightened. He feigned composure. “What Cao Dong? I don’t know him!”

“Duke, whether you know him or not—we must investigate.”

Huang Zongyu only now realized Meng Yunxian’s intent. He stood and walked down with his cane. “You first said you had no connections with Pan Youfang and Wu Dai. But now there’s a witness. Your words seem rather contradictory.”

Duke Luguo’s spine turned cold. At this moment, he suddenly realized—that woman earlier had lured him, induced him to speak words severing connections, precisely for this moment.

“Censor Jiang presented Tan Guangwen’s indictment in Tai’an Hall—it’s real. Though it only mentions Wu Dai, with Wu Dai alone, how much could he accomplish? The Daizhou grain case may not be unconnected to General Yujie’s case. That grain was meant for the border! Without grain, how could border soldiers defend Great Qi’s territory?”

Meng Yunxian said in a deep voice: “Manyu Bank’s secret accounts began sixteen years ago. All these years, Wu Dai’s confiscated wealth alone isn’t enough for that money. Cao Dong named not just him—another was Pan Youfang. His money filled the Daoist Palace’s deficit. Then what about you father and son? Where did you use that people’s blood and sweat money!”

“Ridiculous! Just because he says something you believe it?!”

Duke Luguo said sternly.

“Duke, the Bureau of Forbidden Night is most valued by His Majesty. For such a case, if His Majesty were better now, he would certainly entrust it to the Bureau of Forbidden Night. Since you and Cao Dong each hold different accounts, then we can only ask you to go to the Bureau of Forbidden Night to confront Cao Dong.”

Huang Zongyu spoke at the opportune moment.

If Duke Luguo had been more guarded against Ni Su from the start, not rushing to sever all connections with Pan Youfang and Wu Dai, if only he had thought more carefully and pushed everything about Manyu Bank onto the deceased Prince Nankang, he could have avoided this trap. As imperial kin, he naturally wouldn’t face interrogation.

But now, he was implicated in two cases. Meng Yunxian had linked General Yujie’s old treason case with Manyu Bank’s case.

This way, he had to go to the Bureau of Forbidden Night to confront Cao Dong.

Duke Luguo’s entire body turned ice-cold. He was speechless.

The Court of Judicial Review’s case couldn’t proceed, but the Bureau of Forbidden Night’s case could.

Once Duke Luguo entered the Bureau of Forbidden Night, General Yujie’s treason case would have hope of being officially reopened at this time.

And those old faction officials standing with Duke Luguo would certainly panic, forced to reconsider their retreat.

As long as the Bureau of Forbidden Night could control Duke Luguo, the pressure Prince Jia faced would also decrease.

Ni Su’s gaze lowered. Cold wind blew, allowing her to maintain a shred of clarity. She reached out trembling, trying to pick up the golden hairpin on the ground.

The clamor inside and outside the Court of Judicial Review pounded on her eardrums. Her whole body hurt terribly. Her fingers strained to straighten but still couldn’t reach the ground.

Zhou Ting bent down and placed the blood-stained golden hairpin in her hand.

Ni Su belatedly raised her eyelids. “…Young Commander Zhou.”

The moment she spoke, blood flowed from her lips.

“I know what you want to say.”

Zhou Ting looked at her. “I won’t fail your expectations. None of us will. Rest assured, I will certainly…”

Certainly pry open his mouth.

I pledge my official position. I pledge my life.

“Thank you.”

Ni Su smiled slightly, murmuring softly.

She gripped the golden hairpin tightly. She wanted to wipe the blood from the pearls. The more her fingertips searched, the more she couldn’t wipe it clean. Her eyes filled with tears. Her spine relaxed. That tightly strung thread in her mind snapped with a sound.

In the moment before losing consciousness—

She felt she seemed to see that person.

He wore the clothes she had made, the hem clean and neat, standing by Hate Water’s shore, among the reed flowers.

Xu Ziling—

Did you see?

We—

Are all doing this for you.