Chapter 49

Chapter 49

◎ Her Relationship with Cui Heng Ends Here ◎

The Qin family had plotted treason.

As Luo Wanqing listened to the prince, she immediately understood the situation.

It was Qin Jue's case!

With this case presented, the prince would now have no intention of seeking her favor, even if he did, he would at least wait until the case was resolved.

This was indeed a good way for her to escape danger, but...

Several officials who had pleaded for the Qin family back then had been executed. Now, as an insignificant former envoy revisiting an old case, she was essentially betting her life on it.

Cui Heng was asking her to stake her life.

Realizing this, Luo Wanqing couldn't help but clench her fists.

She forced herself not to dwell on it and focused on dealing with the current situation.

After Li Shangwen's outburst, he immediately turned to the emperor, urgency in his voice. "Your Majesty, this woman dared to bring up a rebellion case just to reject me – she truly doesn't know her place!"

"Where's Xie Heng?"

Emperor Li Zong lifted his gaze, looking outside the hall. Upon hearing this, Wang Lianyang beside him frowned. "Your Majesty, such a trivial matter..."

"Your Majesty," Yang Chun stood by Li Zong's side, respectfully saying, "Lord Xie is waiting outside the palace."

Upon these words, Wang Lianyang's expression changed slightly. Just as she was about to stand up, Li Zong spoke, "Let him in."

"Your Majesty," Wang Lianyang turned to look at Li Zong, her tone cold, "Is a mere Division Head worth disturbing Lord Xie?"

"That's one of his people from the Inspectorate," Li Zong replied, turning to face Wang Lianyang. "If he's lying, he deserves death. Shouldn't someone inform Heng'er before taking his life?"

The word "death" made Luo Wanqing's palms grow clammy with sweat.

Kneeling on the ground, she sensed Li Zong turning to look at her calmly. "Who ordered you to investigate this case?"

"No one else."

Luo Wanqing understood that since she was the one tasked with presenting the case, she couldn't involve others. She explained, "I traveled from Yangzhou with Qin Jue, the orphan of the Qin family, as companions on the road. Hence, I took an interest in this case. I was unaware that this case was off-limits," she said, bowing her head to the ground. "I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

"Nonsense!" Li Shangwen shouted. "How dare a mere low-ranking official like you investigate a case of treason? It's impossible. Father, Xie Heng must be secretly protecting the traitor!"

As Li Shangwen spoke, he stepped forward anxiously. "Father, Xie Heng is surely colluding with the Qin family. His uncle, Cui Qingping, and the Qin family..."

"Enough!" Li Zong immediately barked upon hearing this. "Where are you going with this nonsense? Who told you all these absurdities?"

Upon being scolded by Li Zong, Li Shangwen calmed down a bit. A glance from Wang Lianyang made him realize his mistake.

The Qin family had already been convicted, and any attempt to reopen the case would question the imperial authority, something Li Zong valued most—the stability of the royal power in people's hearts.

Forcing himself to regain composure, he whispered, "As a son, I was merely concerned about the royal reputation and momentarily lost my cool. I hope Father will forgive me. Father, this case has been settled. If the Inspectorate were to reopen it, regardless of the outcome, it would tarnish the dignity of our royal family..."

"What is Prince talking about?"

Mid-sentence, a clear voice like a mountain spring echoed from outside the hall. Everyone instinctively turned to look and saw Xie Heng leading Qingya and the Vermillion Bird into the chamber.

Draped in a black, wide-sleeved cloak with a golden crown securing his hair, the deep brown of his sandalwood bead bracelet contrasted strikingly against his snow-white skin, creating a vivid contrast that accentuated his allure.

Both Wang Lianyang and Li Shangwen instantly grew tense as they watched the young man stride in on the red palace carpet, bowing to Li Zong. "Your Majesty."

"Heng'er is here," Li Zong said, lifting his gaze with a calm expression. "Your envoy just presented the Qin case to the Crown Prince; it's a significant matter. I've asked you to come and witness it."

As he spoke, Li Zong glanced at Luo Wanqing kneeling on the ground. "If she merely intended to use the Qin case as an excuse to reject the Crown Prince and deceive the emperor, she shall be executed."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes, fixating on the floor.

Her emotions were peculiar, a mix of tension and calmness.

The situation was no longer under her control.

She was acutely aware that by presenting the Qin dossier, she had become a pawn on Xie Heng's chessboard, used as bait and isolated amidst the encircling game.

All she could do was wait.

Wait for Xie Heng's rescue and mercy.

Upon hearing Li Zong's words, Xie Heng beside him replied calmly, "Of course, but this vassal finds it somewhat peculiar."

Speaking thus, Xie Heng turned around and lifted his gaze to look at Li Shangwen. "How did Your Highness know that the Censorate intended to reopen the case?"

"Just now, she passed me a..."

"That couldn't have been the complete file," Xie Heng interrupted Li Shangwen's explanation. He glanced at the ground. "The cover of what she had was used by the Censorate to hold evidence documents. Your Highness didn't even open it and yet you were certain that the Qins were innocent?"

"They're certainly not innocent..."

"Then why would the Censorate reopen the case?" Xie Heng probed sharply. "Why does Your Highness believe that the Censorate wishes to exonerate the Qins instead of investigating a new case?"

These words made Li Shangwen pause.

He hadn't thought it through at all. Upon seeing the Qin family's name, he had instinctively assumed that Luo Wanqing had come to request a retrial.

Observing Li Shangwen's silence, Xie Heng strolled leisurely to Luo Wanqing's back and bent down to pick up the file that had been discarded by Li.

He lowered his head and opened it, pulling out the documents inside. After flipping through them, he said in a measured tone, "There doesn't seem to be anything here that can conclusively prove the Qin family's innocence. They're just ordinary correspondences."

Li Shangwen dared not speak.

Over the years, the court officials had long become familiar with Xie Heng's capabilities; there was nothing that he couldn't scrutinize.

He was a man of few words on ordinary days, but when he did speak, even the dead could be coaxed into a conversation.

Now he realized that he had fallen into a trap.

Xie Heng had deliberately presented evidence unrelated to the Qin family, but Shangwen's subconscious belief in the Qin family's innocence led him to assume Xie Heng was there to rectify the case.

Knowing that Shangwen wouldn't say more, Xie Heng brushed off the dust on the dossier and spoke with a veiled meaning, "Your Highness seems to know quite a lot."

"I fail to understand the Director's implications," Li Shangwen retorted stubbornly.

Xie Heng gave him a cold glance, as if looking at someone on the brink of death. He didn't press further, instead handing the dossier to Luo Wanqing and saying calmly, "Get up and leave."

Speaking thus, he lifted his gaze to look at the contemplative Li Zong and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, there are certain matters that this minister wishes to report to you in private."

"Your Majesty," interjected Wang Lianyang, finally speaking up as she raised her head to meet the emperor's eyes, "It is only natural for Lady Liu to attempt to vindicate the Qin family. However, Lord Xie's aggressive stance suggests premeditation."

As she spoke, Wang Lianyang cast a glance at Xie Heng. "The Inspectorate has become so powerful that it now disdains even the Crown Prince."

"Humbly, I dare not," replied Xie Heng with a calm tone. Wang Lianyang scoffed and rose to her feet, flinging her sleeves dismissively. "Crown Prince, let us leave."

Wang Lianyang led Li Shangwen out of the grand hall, and upon seeing this, Luo Wanqing also bowed and took her leave.

Yang Chun, displaying his maturity, led the others away, leaving only Xie Heng and Li Zong in the hall.

A look of exhaustion marred Li Zong's face. "Explain."

"It was this minister's deliberate act today. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Xie Heng knelt down and stated straightforwardly, "I cannot tolerate my subordinates being humiliated by the Crown Prince."

"Sigh... you..."

Li Zong heaved a sigh. "Did a woman need to be intimidated by a case like Qin's to deal with Shangwen?"

"This isn't about a woman; it's about the face of the Censorate," Xie Heng lifted his gaze to look at Li Zong. "Your Majesty, the Censorate has come this far thanks to its ironclad authority. If the head of the Censorate can be transferred to others like a concubine, how am I supposed to serve Your Majesty in the future?"

Li Zong paused slightly, then hesitated for a moment before apologizing, "It was my oversight. Last time, Uncle Shangwen left the Fragrant Pavilion to protect himself. Concerned for his well-being, I wanted to arrange someone to be by his side, and I neglected you. But a case like Qin's..."

Li Zong lifted his eyes, his gaze turning cold. "Are you really investigating it?"

"Initially, there was no intention."

Upon hearing this, Xie Heng replied earnestly, "But recently, I've received some information that I haven't had the chance to report yet. Coincidentally, I came across this incident, which reminded me of the Qin case, so I tested the Crown Prince."

Li Zong frowned upon hearing this. "What information?"

"There's been a recent land dispute in Jinling involving the Jiang family, the Crown Prince's concubine, and a branch of the Qin family. In the end, the land was awarded to the Jiangs."

Li Zong froze, falling silent. Xie Heng stopped there, knowing when to hold back.

After a long while, Li Zong spoke softly, "The Crown Prince is the foundation of the country; his position must not be trifled with."

"It was this humble servant's momentary fit of anger."

Upon hearing this, Li Zong let out a wry smile. "Your stubborn temperament..."

Sighing, he waved his hand and said, "Enough, you may leave. This shall not happen again."

"As you wish."

"And that Inspector of yours."

As Li Zong spoke, Xie Heng paused slightly. Li Zong looked down at his teacup and said indifferently, "Give her a good lesson."

Upon hearing this, Xie Heng understood Li Zong's intention.

This was not about teaching Liu Xiniang a lesson, but him.

He bowed respectfully and replied calmly, "Understood."

Speaking, he rose and walked out. Upon reaching the entrance, he found Luo Wanqing respectfully waiting by the door.

"Go to the Punishment Hall," Xie Heng coldly swept his gaze over Luo Wanqing. "Receive twenty lashes."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief.

Without going through an official review, directly bringing Qin's case to the emperor was a provocation.

Given the conflict between Xie Heng and the emperor, one of them had to bear punishment to save face for both parties.

Indeed, she was the one he sought.

Twenty lashes were the best outcome possible.

Luo Wanqing relaxed and caught up with Xie Heng and Qingya, exiting the palace grounds together.

Qingya joined Xie Heng in the carriage, while she and the Crimson Phoenix rode alongside Xie Heng's carriage, guarding him. As they approached the palace gates, she couldn't resist casting a glance back at the imperial city, recalling the image of Cui Heng approaching her in his official attire that day.

Was it him?

What was his true identity?

Upon reflection, she immediately held back her curiosity.

Her relationship with Cui Heng couldn't go any deeper; it had to end here.

Cui Heng held too many secrets, and if he didn't wish for her to know them, then she had no right to pry.

If she insisted, she would be repaying his kindness with enmity.

Suppressing her thoughts, Luo Wanqing returned to the Inspectorate. Xie Heng didn't ask for any reports but led Qingya and Zhuque to the dungeon instead.

The moment they parted ways with Luo Wanqing, Xie Heng gave a cold order, "Hang the ring that Yan Sanhong gave to the Crown Prince on the corresponding finger and send it to the Eastern Palace now."

Qingya paused before realizing who Yan Sanhong was in Xie Heng's words.

He frowned, slightly worried. "Isn't this a bit too ostentatious?"

Regardless of Li Shangwen's situation, he was still the Crown Prince. If such an item were sent to him directly, Li Zong might not take kindly to it if he found out.

"Deliver it."

Xie Heng turned and entered the dungeon, uttering only, "I'd lend him a hundred courage if he dared."

He wouldn't dare to present his finger, still wearing the ring from the courtesan he himself had strangled, to the emperor for accusation.

Upon hearing this, Qingya knew that Xie Heng's decision would not be altered.

That very night, the items were delivered to the Eastern Palace.

The Eastern Palace was awake all through the night.

******

Luo Wanqing was oblivious to everything that transpired there.

After separating from Xie Heng and returning to her own room, she changed clothes before voluntarily heading to the Punishment Hall to receive her punishment.

The Punishment Hall was under the jurisdiction of the Black Tortoise Bureau, supervised by Xuan Shan. However, upon her arrival and explanation of the situation, Xuan Shan shook his head. "Minister Liu, return home. Your Shadow Envoy has already taken your punishment for you."

Luo Wanqing was taken aback, then realized that Cui Heng had come earlier.

"Twenty lashes finished?!"

She spoke hastily, and Xuan Shan paused slightly before nodding. "Yes, it's done. The whip broke."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing hurriedly bowed and quickly turned to leave.

She rushed back up the mountain and began to blow her flute along the corridor to summon Cui Heng. As she blew, she pushed open the door.

As soon as she entered, a gentle breeze blew in from the door, stirring the sheer curtains on the bed.

Through the gauzy curtains, Luo Wanqing saw a young man lying sideways on her bed with his head propped up.

He was dressed in white robes, and his face was concealed by a gilt-embellished beaded mask. Upon hearing the sound of the door opening, he opened his smiling eyes.

"I heard you," he said, looking at Luo Wanqing with a grin. "I've been awaiting your arrival, Envoy."

Luo Wanqing ignored him and went straight inside, reaching out to grab his clothes.

Cui Heng got up and intercepted her hand, pulling her towards him.

"What are you doing, Sir?" He raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning to strip me the moment we're inside?"

"Lord Xuan Shan said that you took my punishment for me."

Luo Wanqing looked up at him. "Let me see."

Cui Heng hesitated for a moment. Upon seeing Luo Wanqing's determined gaze, he could only smile wryly and release her hand. Turning around, he unbuttoned his shirt with ease, revealing the crisscrossing whip marks on his back. "Have a look."

Luo Wanqing's fingers trembled as she gazed at the whip scars.

Then, she stood up, fetched the medicine, and returned to gently press Cui Heng onto the bed. With a detached tone, she said, "Apply the medicine."

"I see." Cui Heng lazily found a comfortable position and glanced back at her. "Aren't I just waiting for the Envoy to return and administer it to me?"

"There won't be a need for that in the future."

Luo Wanqing, with a stern tone, lowered her head to tend to his wound, saying, "I shall bear the consequences of my own actions."

"In what way is this your punishment?" Cui Heng closed his eyes and scoffed. "His Majesty is disciplining the Head Prefect, so why would it fall on you?"

"Not even in your wildest dreams."

Luo Wanqing gave him a sharp glance. Cui Heng paused for a moment before responding, "I guess I'm just unlucky to have him as a relative."

"Nonsense," Luo Wanqing scolded, then stood up to put away her things.

Cui Heng dressed leisurely and got out of bed. As he walked over to the small table, he heard Luo Wanqing engage in casual conversation, "Why did Young Master bring up the Qin case today?"

Upon hearing this, Cui Heng fiddled with the chess pieces in the box.

Luo Wanqing turned to look at Cui Heng, "Merely asking me to reject the Crown Prince wouldn't require such a significant case involving Qin Jue's family to silence him, would it? Does Young Master wish to overturn the Qin family's conviction?"

"Why not?" Cui Heng smiled, "Qin Jue has been in the Eastern Capital for some time. He can't stay there indefinitely, can he?"

"But we don't have enough evidence to implicate the Empress."

"Do you think evidence is the most critical aspect of a case?" Cui Heng lifted his gaze to meet Luo Wanqing's.

Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised. Cui Heng turned his gaze to the chessboard, sat down in front of it, and casually picked up a piece, asking, "Do you know how to play chess?"

"A little," Luo Wanqing replied honestly. Reflecting on it, she had learned from her father when she was young, and later from Jiang Shaoyan. Both had said that her skill was decent.

Cui Heng lifted his gaze, smiled, picked up a white piece, and invited, "Shall we have a game?"

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing walked over and sat opposite him at the chess table. She lowered her eyes to look at the board and placed her first move at a corner. In contrast, Cui Heng confidently put his piece right in the center, the Heavenly Middle Point.

Seeing such a move, Luo Wanqing couldn't help but raise her head and give him an extra glance.

This was an extremely arrogant way to play. Most people would first establish a solid foundation at the edges before gradually expanding their territory.

Placing the first move in the center, unless one was foolish, indicated absolute confidence in one's chess skills. From the very beginning, it showed a disdainful attitude towards the entire board.

"See, in chess, if you want to capture your opponent's pieces, you must first cut off their energy."

Cui Heng moved quickly, almost without any hesitation as he began setting up his strategy.

Luo Wanqing sensed the strength in his chess strategy and responded cautiously, placing her pieces while listening to his calm explanation: "This case is just one move on the board. Once you make it, it will shift."

As Cui Heng placed his piece adjacent to Luo Wanqing's, she quickly tried to connect it with her other pieces.

"You chase when it runs, and you fight back if it resists. But to win, you need to have pieces left," he continued, steadily surrounding her on the board. "Tell me, why did Lord allow you to report this matter in the palace today?"

"Perhaps... to test the Crown Prince's reaction?" Luo Wanqing mused, reflecting on the day's events.

"Certainly, the Crown Prince is aware of Qin's innocence. His reaction today might arouse the Emperor's suspicion. More importantly, his concubine, Lady Jiang, comes from the prominent Jiang family of the South. They've had many conflicts with the Qin family in the South. If the Qin fall, the Jiang rise, and the Crown Prince gains strength. The Wang family would flourish even more. For the Emperor, he'd prefer to see the Qin and Jiang families at odds in the South, not the Jiang family allied with the Wang family gaining dominance. Hence, the Emperor will take on this case. It's a strategic move."

With that, Cui Heng placed another piece next to Luo Wanqing's.

"Secondly, the palace is filled with spies. News of today's event will soon reach the major families. Each family has its princes and their own schemes. If they learn that the Crown Prince is involved and the Emperor is suspicious, they'll surely fan the flames. From tomorrow onwards, the Crown Prince's peace will be disrupted."

Cui Heng's next move left Luo Wanqing seeing an end to her current strategy. She changed course, pondering, "All the families will submit memorials, trying to influence the case. But the Empress won't be content. With the Wang family's power, if they fully protect the accused, we lack sufficient evidence to overthrow the Crown Prince."

"Yes, the Wang Clan's influence is formidable. If that were all, our evidence would be insufficient. But," Cui Heng lifted his gaze and placed another chess piece, "The Empress took Li Guiyu back the other day."

Only then did Luo Wanqing notice on the board that she had been blocked by a previously overlooked move.

That piece had been waiting silently in position for several moves.

Lifting her eyes to meet Cui Heng's, he offered a slight smile, "Li Guiyu is now eagerly awaiting the chance to take over the Crown Prince's position. The Wang Clan won't spare all their efforts to protect him. Although we can't confirm who the mastermind is right now, Zhang Jiuran has established a connection between the Wang Clan and the Pavilion of Storms. We can force the Wang Clan to hand over the person manipulating the Pavilion of Storms for further investigation. But if we continue to interrogate, what will we uncover?"

"The mastermind behind the Qin Clan case?"

"That must be someone of great power within the Wang Clan," Cui Heng replied calmly. "Between the Crown Prince and that individual, the Wang Clan will make their choice."

As he spoke, Cui Heng's chess piece landed on the board.

Her fleeing piece was finally checkmated. He looked into her eyes, picking up her pieces one by one with a smile, "I humbly accept your defeat."

Luo Wanqing remained silent. When Cui Heng finished collecting his black stones, she realized that after encircling a large area, he was now closing in on her most secure core territory.

Each move was strategic and deliberate.

"Is your aim this time solely the Crown Prince?" Luo Wanqing grasped the situation and lifted her gaze to meet Cui Heng's. "After toppling the Crown Prince, your means to encircle the Empress and even the Wang family's pawns will multiply."

Cui Heng smiled but didn't respond. Luo Wanqing pondered as she looked at the chessboard. "So, the move you're planning now," she lifted her eyes, "is Zhang Jiuran?"

"Correct." Cui Heng rubbed the chess piece in his hand and nodded at the board. "In due time, the court officials will demand a public trial, and Zhang Jiuran will be the key witness. As long as she's present, the Wang family will be thrown into disarray themselves."

"She hasn't woken up yet," Luo Wanqing reminded him.

Upon hearing this, Cui Heng lifted his gaze.

His eyes held a hint of warmth, as if he was happy for her.

"She's awake now," he said.

Luo Wanqing's eyes widened in surprise.

"Certainly, it happened this morning," the author added.

Luo Wanqing's Daily: Quietly Discovering the Possibility of Spouse in the Crowd