Chapter 40

Chapter 40

◎ Luo Wanqing is a physician. What are you in comparison? ◎

She spoke with such openness, without any hint of evasion or fear, as if it were the truth.

Xie Heng gazed at her. In the past, he would have been deceived by her sincerity, but now, with eyewitness testimony and solid proof of her attempted ambush, he was no longer fooled.

If she was truly just Liu Xiniang, how could a mere salt peddler possess such profound inner strength and develop so swiftly? Why would she repeatedly contact the Wind and Rain Pavilion and attempt to assassinate her tonight?

Why did she become interested in Xie Heng ever since entering the Censorate? Why did she eavesdrop on his conversation with Li Guiyu?

For Li Guiyu's sake?

He didn't believe a single word of it.

Although the investigator he sent to Yangzhou had yet to return, the idea that a seasoned salt peddler, who had wandered the jianghu for years, would risk her life to spy on the Third Prince and even sneak up the mountain to listen to him talk, all for a girl she had recently met – who could be such a saint?

He refused to believe it.

Xie Heng gazed at her in silence, his emotions subsiding gradually in the face of her persistent deception.

"If oaths held any significance, why would I establish the Inspectorate? Wouldn't it be more convenient to build a Taoist temple and make people swear inside?"

As he spoke, Xie Heng straightened up.

Luo Wanqing remained silent. She knew that her explanations now carried no weight.

Tonight, she had ambushed Xie Heng alongside Acacia, aiding her escape. There was no way to justify such actions.

But she couldn't admit to being Zhang Jiuran either, for she truly wasn't. If she were to falsely claim this identity, not only would she bring trouble upon herself, but Xie Heng might take unpredictable actions. With the blood debts on Zhang Jiuran's account, according to the Inspectorate's laws, death a thousand times wouldn't suffice.

Even if Xie Heng didn't sentence her to death, he would at least make Zhang Jiuran a crucial witness in the Qin family case – a role she could not fulfill.

"Milord," Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes, sorting through the situation before calmly saying, "Are you so certain because of Third Prince's involvement with this person?"

Hearing this, Xie Heng turned his gaze to her. "Do you have any more excuses?"

"Milord has prejudged me as a killer, thus any accusation made by the Third Prince would be accepted without scrutiny," Luo Wanqing pointed out calmly. Xie Heng paused in his actions, listening as she continued, "When I was instructed at the Inspectorate, I distinctly recall that when they investigate a case, they initially assume guilt and exhaust all means to find evidence. However, when it comes to judgment, they rely solely on the final proof. Milord," Luo Wanqing lifted her head to meet his gaze intently, "aren't you somewhat disregarding this principle?"

Xie Heng's movements halted. He stared at the woman before him, who showed no hint of fear. Her eyes were clear and cold, as if it wasn't her own life hanging in the balance.

"Lady, apart from this person sent by the Third Prince," Luo Wanqing challenged, "what solid evidence do you possess to prove that I am Zhang Jiuran?"

Indeed, there was no evidence. On the contrary, numerous details indicated that she was not Zhang Jiuran.

But if she wasn't Zhang Jiuran, then who was she? Who else in the Rain and Wind Pavilion could have assassinated Zhao Yuyan, silently approached him, and remained undetected under such intense interrogation?

"How do you explain your collaboration with the Rain and Wind Pavilion to ambush me tonight?"

Although he knew it was meaningless to ask this of Luo Wanqing, Xie Heng decided to give it one last try.

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing furrowed her brow and asked, "Why would Milord believe that I conspired with the Rain and Wind Pavilion to set an ambush for you?"

She refused to admit any involvement, holding firm to her stance.

Xie Heng perceived her resolute stance.

To persist in denying the truth to such an extent demonstrated an extraordinary disposition.

Understanding that further coercion would be futile, he pondered for a moment, chuckled softly, and nodded. "Yes, indeed, there's no concrete evidence that you're not Zhang Jiuran."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing didn't feel any sense of relief. She gazed at Xie Heng, only to see him lift his gaze to meet hers. "So, you must have no interest in who was responsible for the death of Zhang Qiuzhi, Zhang Jiuran's father, five years ago, right?"

Upon hearing these words, Luo Wanqing dared not reveal any emotion.

If she were Zhang Jiuran, she would never be indifferent at this very moment.

But Zhang Qiuzhi's demise...

Thinking of the woman who had given her everything, now lying motionless like a living corpse, she found herself unable to utter a refusal.

Xie Heng studied her expression, turned to fetch a lamp, and called out, "Qingya."

Hearing the voice, the person outside pushed the door open. Xie Heng gestured towards Luo Wanqing. "Come with me."

Luo Wanqing rose to her feet, following Xie Heng who carried a lamp before her. He said, "I'll show you the case file from five years ago."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing lifted her gaze, realizing that it was Xie Heng's new tactic to extract information.

She lowered her eyes calmly and listened as Xie Heng walked ahead, speaking softly, "Five years ago, the Cui family betrayed the nation. Many incidents occurred at the border, one of which involved Cui Qingping's shadow guards impersonating a wealthy merchant to smuggle an item out of the border. This item eventually ended up in Yangzhou, delivered by an ordinary courier named Zhang Qiuzhi. He has a son and a daughter, Jiuran, who is eighteen, and Jiu Xian, who is fifteen. He had initially retired from his courier career but took on this job again due to his daughter's strange illness."

As he spoke, Xie Heng pushed open the door to the treasure hall and led Luo Wanqing upstairs, saying casually, "The payment for this delivery was substantial, ten times the usual rate. The recipient was extremely secretive, with only Zhang Qiuzhi aware of their identity. On the day they entered Yangzhou, the courier team was ambushed, and everyone was killed. The item they were transporting vanished."

"Was it stolen by those people?"

Luo Wanqing inferred from Xie Heng's words that Zhang Qiuzhi's death was far from a simple robbery.

The real reason behind his demise was the item transported from the border all the way to Yangzhou.

But what was that item, and who was it intended for in Yangzhou?

"After that, a wealthy merchant went to the authorities to lodge a complaint, presenting documents proving that he was the one who hired Zhang Qiuzhi for the delivery. Now that the goods are missing, Zhang Qiuzhi needs to compensate him. Due to the large sum involved in the delivery, the compensation was substantial, and Zhang Qiuzhi's family couldn't afford it. The authorities colluded with the merchant, helping him seize all the Zhang family's assets, including the Zhang residence. However, the wealthy merchant was actually fake."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing clenched her fists tightly. Thinking about Zhang Jiuran being homeless and forced to sell herself, she couldn't help but ask, "Fake?"

"The order was placed by one of Cui Qingping's shadow guards, who died in the battle at the border. Only Cui Qingping himself returned from the Cui family."

Xie Heng beckoned. "Come here, light the lamp."

Luo Wanqing stepped forward and took the lantern from Xie Heng, illuminating the vast documents as he searched for the case file. With a calm expression, Xie Heng said, "Later, I checked the documents of that wealthy merchant – they were fake."

"Did the government do anything?" Luo Wanqing couldn't help asking. "What about those who helped embezzle the property?"

Xie Heng paused, glanced at her sidelong, and replied coolly, "They're all dead. The Rain and Wind Pavilion soon eliminated everyone involved in handling the case. We had to use every means possible to retrieve those documents."

Luo Wanqing was stunned before realizing, yes, if they hadn't died, Zhang Jiuran would have tracked them down long ago. Why would she have been deceived for so long?

"After that, his family was expelled from their mansion. His son, daughter, and mother were left to fend for themselves on the streets. The son and wife begged for food to care for their ailing mother. Eventually, Zhang Jiuran, unwilling to burden her family further, sold herself on the street. She was bought by someone and disappeared without a trace. Since then, no one has seen any member of the Zhang family again."

As he spoke, Xie Heng found a document, retrieved it, and handed it to Luo Wanqing, saying calmly, "Later, when I established the Supervisory Bureau, I traced the case from the Cui family at the border to Zhang Qiuzhi and discovered how strange this case was. What was it that Cui Qingping asked Zhang Qiuzhi to transport? Who killed Zhang Qiuzhi? And who was that fake wealthy merchant? Where did the Zhang family members go? For all these cases, I only had one lead – a young officer who worked with the Supervisory Bureau back then mentioned that Zhang Jiuran had told the government she pulled a broken blade from her father's abdomen. Afterward, she handed over this blade, but neither the official investigators nor the case files recorded the existence of this weapon."

Luo Wanqing took the document. Xie Heng lit a lamp on the table, gesturing for her to sit down and read.

With the document in hand, Luo Wanqing sat at the table.

Inside were detailed records of the case involving Zhang Qiuzhi, even including two portraits sketched based on eyewitness descriptions of the Zhang family members.

One portrait depicted an eighteen-year-old Zhang Jiuran, while the other portrayed a fifteen-year-old Zhang Jiuxian.

However, due to the reliance on verbal descriptions, it was unclear if Zhang Jiuran's image was accurate. Regardless, Zhang Jiuxian and Zhang Yiran bore no resemblance to each other.

She studied the portraits in silence. Xie Heng pulled up a chair and sat opposite her, saying calmly, "Years later, when Zhang Jiuran resurfaced, I learned about it from Qin Jue. My junior brother and I aren't close; by the time I met him, he was already in prison. From his mouth, I obtained information about Zhang Jiuran. She was purchased by the Wind and Rain Pavilion and became one of their assassins. That broken blade she didn't hand over to the authorities back then. Instead, she kept it with her, searching for the murderer herself. Qin Jue drew that broken blade for me, and coincidentally, I recognized it."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing understood what Xie Heng intended to convey. She lifted her gaze calmly to meet his.

Xie Heng gazed at her intently and continued softly, "It originated from the Wang clan, the Empress' maternal family. Today, I confirmed another piece of information with Li Guiyu – the Wind and Rain Pavilion belongs to the Empress. In other words, for all these years, Zhang Jiuran has been serving her enemy."

Luo Wanqing remained silent.

Suddenly, she realized why, in her previous life's dream, after Zhang Jiuran attempted to assassinate Xie Heng, she immediately defected from the Wind and Rain Pavilion and was subsequently hunted down by both parties, ultimately meeting her demise in the northwest.

What she was experiencing now was precisely what Zhang Jiuran had gone through in her previous life upon encountering Xie Heng.

Xie Heng had revealed to her the truth about her misguided loyalty, causing her to break down and betray the Wind and Rain Pavilion.

When did the Rain and Wind Pavilion meet its demise in the previous life?

It seemed to have occurred not long after Zhang Jiuran's demise?

Luo Wanqing couldn't be certain, but she knew that in her previous life, Xie Heng must have obtained something from the utterly defeated Zhang Jiuran that could bring down the Pavilion of Storms and Rain.

Regrettably, she wasn't the real Zhang Jiuran, and these matters were already well-known to her.

Yet, at the thought of how Zhang Jiuran had been cornered by Xie Heng, she couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Gentleman still believes me to be Zhang Jiuran."

Xie Heng remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on her.

Luo Wanqing lifted her eyes with a bitter smile. "If I were truly Zhang Jiuran, Mister would be far too ruthless."

Xie Heng's movement paused. He gazed at the person before him for a long while before softly saying, "If you were truly Zhang Jiuran, in terms of ruthlessness, I wouldn't hold a candle to you. Using others' sincerity as a stepping stone, causing an entire family to end up in prison, torn apart by life and death..." As Xie Heng spoke, a hint of murderous intent flickered in his eyes. "Do you have no conscience at all?"

Luo Wanqing didn't respond.

She sensed Xie Heng's killing intent, clearly understanding that at this very moment, he had firmly concluded that she was Zhang Jiuran, and he genuinely intended to kill her.

She couldn't think of a more suitable identity than Zhang Jiuran to explain her unusual behavior – why she contacted the Wind and Rain Pavilion, eavesdropped on his conversation with Li Guiyu, and ambushed him tonight to release the Acacia Seed.

Unless... she told him the truth: that she was Luo Wanqing.

The thought flickered across her mind, only to be dismissed just as swiftly.

Xie Heng indeed owed Luo Wanqing a debt, but that was for the law-abiding Luo Wanqing.

Now, she had taken the place of a death row prisoner, and her family had fled from their exile. If she were honest, at best, Xie Heng would return them to their journey of exile, resetting everything and nullifying all her efforts.

If Xie Heng enforced the law strictly, her entire family would face the death penalty.

She had no blood ties with Xie Heng; why should he help her?

She could die, but she dared not gamble with her family's lives.

As long as she rescued her family from the Acacia Seed and spent the rest of their days under the false identity arranged by the Acacia Seed, just like the Zhang Yiran family, it would suffice.

Then, after killing the Acacia Seed, she'd face whatever consequences followed. That was the best outcome she could hope for.

Unable to acknowledge herself as Luo Wanqing or Zhang Jiuran, she could only cling to the identity of Liu Xiniang. Yet, Xie Heng was skeptical but still tolerating her.

"I see that you believe me to be Zhang Jiuran. Are you not planning on killing me?"

Finally, Luo Wanqing found an opening. Realizing something, she lifted her gaze to meet Xie Heng's.

"I'm sparing your life to give you a chance."

Xie Heng tapped the armrest calmly, "A chance to avenge yourself."

"Kill Xiangsi?"

Luo Wanqing understood the purpose behind Xie Heng bringing her to view Zhang Qiuzhi's file. She no longer disputed with him and looked at him tranquilly, "If I manage to kill Xiangsi, can I remain in the Censorate?"

Xie Heng paused in his movement. He lifted his eyes to study Luo Wanqing, puzzled by why she would make such a request at this moment.

But every time he began to doubt her, she would exhibit behavior entirely inconsistent with her assumed identity, diverting his suspicion elsewhere.

"Leave Xiangsi alive for me. He'll serve as a witness, and Qin Jue mustn't find out that you're still alive."

Xie Heng turned his gaze, his tone cold and distant. "If it's useful, you can stay."

"Lord, do you truly trust me?" Luo Wanqing tested Xie Heng's sincerity in keeping her. "Despite the murder of my father, I did raise Zhang Jiuran for five years. If you see me as Zhang Jiuran, would you believe I'd betray on a whim?"

"Didn't you also betray Qin Jue despite his deep affection for you?"

"In that case, according to your words, would you dare to use someone as unfaithful as me?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Heng lifted his eyes to look at her. His thin lips curled into a mocking smile as he sharply retorted, "People have dared to employ those with three masters, let alone a mere dog. What is there that I wouldn't dare?"

He rarely spoke in such a manner. Though Luo Wanqing hadn't known Xie Heng for long, she seldom saw him display such a pointed attitude.

She could sense his disdain and the depth of Xie Heng's hatred towards what Zhang Jiuran had done.

Lowering her eyes, she pushed aside her emotions, appearing indifferent to his words. "Hearing your assurance, I am relieved. I have one final question. What if Xiangsi dies?"

Xie Heng intended to keep Xiangsi alive as a witness, but Luo Wanqing couldn't allow her to survive. As long as she rescued her family safely, Xiangsi, who knew the whereabouts of her loved ones, had to die.

"You'll need to come forward as a witness," Xie Heng glanced at her, issuing a warning. "Once Qin Jue learns that you're alive, your life or death will be at his discretion."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing felt reassured.

It was useful.

This was the highest criterion in Xie Heng's heart.

She closed the file and looked up at the young man across from her, calmly stating, "Mister, although I'm not Zhang Jiuran, I can help you capture the Love Seed."

Xie Heng lifted his gaze. Suddenly, something didn't seem right to him.

They had come this far, and she still wouldn't admit it?

But he couldn't quite figure out the person before him. She was too difficult to predict with conventional reasoning.

Luo Wanqing stood up and respectfully knelt before Xie Heng. She spoke calmly, "From this day on, I'll follow your every arrangement, Mister."

Xie Heng turned his gaze to look at her, observing her demeanor. He suppressed any strangeness he felt and pondered for a moment before asking, "How does the Pavilion of Storms plan to utilize you now?"

"They're waiting for me to find an opportunity."

"Are they truly planning to assassinate me in ten days?" Xie Heng tapped the armrest contemplatively.

"Luo Wanqing here has no such information," she replied truthfully.

Seemingly understanding something, Xie Heng said nonchalantly, "As expected."

"So…" Xie Heng pondered, then turned to Luo Wanqing. "Let them come."

Luo Wanqing lifted her gaze to meet his.

Xie Heng continued coolly, "Inform them that on the tenth day, at the Fragrant Blossom Pavilion, I'll be there alone. Tell them to mobilize their entire pavilion to set an ambush for me. Their objective must be to strike with a single, fatal blow."

"Yes," Luo Wanqing acknowledged, lowering her head.

Xie Heng looked at the person kneeling before him and raised his hand. "Fetch Qingya. You may leave."

"Yes."

Luo Wanqing rose to her feet, and Xie Heng gazed at the pristine outline of her back, involuntarily pressing his lips together.

With blood on her hands, having come this far, how could she remain so calm and composed, seemingly guilt-free as if none of it had anything to do with her, as if she'd never committed any wrongs?

He felt a surge of annoyance, his voice turning cold as he spoke, "Liu Xiniang."

Luo Wanqing paused in her steps. Xie Heng lifted his hand to rest on the armrest, rubbing his fingertips together as he said nonchalantly, "Didn't you say that you had a good relationship with Miss Luo? That you were willing to risk your life to come up the mountain just to hear my conversation with Third Prince? Such deep bonds of sisterhood, yet after her passing, you don't even offer a memorial tablet for her, leaving her soul to wander as a lost spirit. Isn't that inappropriate?"

Luo Wanqing's movements stilled.

Xie Heng lowered his gaze, "In the future, don't think that you can manipulate people's hearts at will. I'm not Qin Jue; sparing your life doesn't mean you can continue to commit wicked deeds." He lifted his eyes, his tone icy, "I'll kill you."

Listening to his words, Luo Wanqing turned back to him calmly, "What heart of yours did I exploit?"

Not expecting Luo Wanqing's sharpness, Xie Heng didn't respond.

She pressed on, "What did I deceive you about? Could it be that you have feelings for me?"

"Stop embarrassing yourself."

Xie Heng lifted his gaze with a cold expression, but added an explanation, "I meant that you took advantage of my guilt towards Miss Luo."

Luo Wanqing was taken aback by his words. In that instant, she suddenly felt it was unnecessary to argue with Xie Heng.

After some thought, she couldn't help asking, "If I were Miss Luo, would you treat me so harshly?"

"Hearing that, Xie Heng propped his forehead with his hand and closed his eyes, "Don't indulge in fantasies."

Without waiting for Luo Wanqing's response, he continued, "She's gentle and weak, with an innocent heart. She'd rather be exiled to Lingnan and die there than kill anyone at the Censorate. She's a physician, what are you?"

Upon hearing this, an aching pain, tinged with bitterness, surged within Luo Wanqing for some reason, piercing her heart acutely.

She recalled her parents' teachings from her childhood and her grandfather's reminder when they first opened a medical book together.

Human life is paramount.

This was the belief she had once held dear.

In fact, Xie Heng was right. If not for her dream, she would have already spent ten years in Lingnan. Even if she knew that Jiang Shaoyan had killed her family, she wouldn't have chosen this path for revenge.

It was those ten years in Lingnan that eroded her kindness. After a decade of bitter waiting and torment, having experienced the pain of losing all her loved ones, she forgot everything she once learned and became an executioner.

Now, she had no face to meet her parents, nor did she dare to see her grandfather.

She had taken so many lives; what was she herself worth?

She bowed her head in acquiescence, her voice hoarse. "You are right, my lord. I take my leave."

With that, she turned and left.

Xie Heng heard the door close and slowly opened his eyes.

He didn't know why, but when she spoke those final words, despite her calm tone, he suddenly felt a twinge of bitterness.

Silent, he sat at the table. After a while, Qingya entered the room with a stack of documents, glanced at Xie Heng sitting by the desk, and smiled. "My lord doesn't seem particularly pleased."

"Have you investigated the Crown Prince's movements ten days from now?"

Xie Heng lifted his gaze, and Qingya gave a slight smile. "My lord truly has divine foresight. Although there's no concrete information, rumors have it that on that tenth day, the Crown Prince will be making arrangements with various parties and requesting leave from the emperor. He seems to be planning a discreet nocturnal excursion."

"I said it before, how could a single Acacia Seed warrant such a grand display from Li Guiyu? It turns out he's the Crown Prince."

Xie Heng's tone was flat.

Qingya shook his head. "These brothers. Back then, the Crown Prince and the Empress climbed the ranks on the third prince's life. Now, it seems that the third prince plans to kill the Crown Prince to become the Empress's only son. Even if she finds out he's the culprit, she'll have no choice but to rely on him."

"Mm-hm."

Xie Heng tapped his fingers against the tabletop, deep in thought.

Qingya lifted his gaze. "What are you pondering, Sir?"

"I'm wondering if my line of thinking is wrong."

Confused, Qingya met Xie Heng's gaze. "If Liu Xiniang isn't affiliated with the Pavilion of Storms and Rain, who else could she be? Why would she get involved with their people? What is her true intention?"

If not the Pavilion of Storms and Rain, in this vast world, who could she possibly be?

Qingya was momentarily stumped by the question. After some consideration, he advised, "Sir, it's best not to indulge in overly optimistic fantasies."

This made Xie Heng pause. He suddenly realized that he had allowed her to slip past him time and time again. He always tried to interpret her actions in the best possible light.

Xie Heng fell silent for a moment before he asked, "How much longer until the people we sent to Yangzhou return?"

"They're still on their way," Qingya reported after some thought. "The case of Liu Xiniang is too insignificant to be under the jurisdiction of the Inspectorate. Most of the information is in the hands of the Ministry of Punishments. We'll have to grease some palms to get it."

"What about Old Zhong?" Xie Heng furrowed his brows. "Has he returned?"

"He's gone on a wandering journey," Qingya replied, slightly confused. "What does Young Master plan to do?"

"I want to find a painter. Ask Old Zhong to sketch Liu Xiniang's original appearance for me."

Xie Heng raised his hand.

Qingya hesitated and said, "Young Master, actually, there's no need for that."

Xie Heng turned his gaze towards him. Qingya explained, "There was once a criminal whose face was disfigured. Old Zhong sketched his face based on his skull, but the final portrait looked completely different from the criminal's original appearance. At the time of the crime, one of his eyes was bigger than the other, and he was also quite fat. So when the witnesses saw the portrait, they denied that it was him, and we released the suspect. Later, after several rounds of investigation and verification, we discovered that it was indeed the same person. A skull only provides a basic structure; the combination of facial features can result in countless possibilities..."

"Then find thirty painters and send them to him."

Xie Heng's cold gaze swept across them. "There are only two eyes and a few patches of flesh on a person's face. Sketch every possibility for me; I'll wait for him."

"Yes."

Seeing that Xie Heng had made up his mind, Qingya bowed in agreement.

After some thought, he finally spoke up. "My lord."

Xie Heng lifted his eyes to meet his gaze. Qingya pursed his lips and said earnestly, "The Inspectorate can't afford to lose. You can't be the second Qin Jue."

Xie Heng paused in his movement, then chuckled softly. "What are you thinking? I just don't want to wrong an innocent person."

"When the stakes are too high, it's better to kill a hundred innocents than let one guilty person go free."

Qingya remained calm, and Xie Heng raised his gaze to look at him. After a long moment, he nodded. "I understand, but I want to do all that I can."

As he spoke, he turned his head. Zhang Qiuzhi's file glowed yellow under the candlelight.

He hadn't chosen this path to become that kind of person.

"So," Qingya looked at Xie Heng earnestly, "is this the last time?"

Xie Heng remained silent. Calmly, Qingya continued, "If this woman betrays again, may I take her life with your permission, Lord?"

Xie Heng's fingers trembled slightly. He met Qingya's gaze, and for some reason, found it difficult to utter the next word.

"Agreed."

The author has something to say:

The reveal of the hidden identity should happen in the next couple of days.

"Side Story"

Xie Heng: "Miss Luo is a fairy. What are you?"

Luo Wanqing: "..."

Crimson Phoenix: "Young Master, she seems to be Miss Luo!"

Xie Heng: "...."

On the road, Xie Heng muttered to himself, "I really am cursed."

In bed, Xie Heng repeated, "I really am cursed."

Buried in the ground, he still said, "I really am cursed."

Before Meng Po, Xie Heng declared, "I won't drink this soup. I must always remember, I'm truly cursed!!"

Luo Wanqing remained silent.

Xie Heng turned to her, "My love, I'm truly cursed!"

Luo Wanqing corrected him, "Young Master, you've mistaken me. My heart belongs to Cui Guanlan."

Xie Heng was speechless.