Chapter 123 (Revised)

Chapter 123 (Revised)

◎Xie Heng Awakens, Interrogates Xiangsi Zi◎

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing picked up a cup from beside her. Her face remained expressionless as she suppressed her emotions and asked, "How so?"

"I reviewed the dossier on Luo Qushu. The testimonies are very complete, from the salt merchants upstream to the workers who stored the salt and the shopkeepers who sold it. All their statements are there, along with the salt found in his house, which seems to match the evidence. But there is one issue—"

Luo Wanqing turned to look at Zhang Yiran, who was pondering. "It's too complete."

"Hmm?"

Luo Wanqing finally showed a hint of curiosity. "What do you mean?"

"Actually, in the Office of Censors, I've seen many dossiers," Zhang Yiran explained carefully. "But human memory is fallible. While the testimonies exist, the details aren't always complete and might even have minor conflicts. However, the testimonies in Luo Qushu's case are too detailed. The salt merchant can clearly remember the exact time, location, and amount of each transaction, as well as how they negotiated. The warehouse manager can recall every detail of bringing in the salt, and the shopkeeper remembers all the amounts of salt sold. This doesn't seem like normal testimony; it's more like a meticulously constructed story that has been memorized."

As Luo Wanqing listened to Zhang Yiran, her heart pounded.

She knew that wrongful cases couldn't be perfect and would always leave traces. The difficulty in her family's case wasn't in investigating but in daring to investigate.

Otherwise, when she had already brought the case to Xie Heng, why would she need to wait for Zhang Yiran to investigate now?

She took a sip of water, her heart slowly cooling down. She spoke calmly, "If Luo Qushu's case is a wrongful conviction, what does it have to do with your father?"

"It's certainly related," Zhang Yiran thought aloud. "My father was the escort, while Luo Qushu was the recipient. Both suffered misfortune, likely due to the same object. The culprit could be the same person. If I can clarify the circumstances of Luo Qushu's case, I might find clues about my father's case as well."

"That... isn't necessary."

Luo Wanqing considered her words. "I have other leads regarding Fengyu Pavilion. Your father's case is not closely related to Luo Qushu's. You don't need to focus on Luo Qushu's case."

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran was taken aback, seemingly surprised.

Luo Wanqing raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Minister Zhang?"

"This might be a wrongful conviction."

Zhang Yiran reminded Luo Wanqing, who blinked, not quite understanding. "So Minister Zhang means?"

"Since it's a wrongful conviction," Zhang Yiran frowned, "how can I not investigate it?"

Luo Wanqing did not respond immediately. She stared intently at Zhang Yiran, feeling unexpectedly moved by his words.

After a long silence, she slowly nodded. "You're right."

"Si Shi Liu also thinks..."

"It seems there is indeed something wrong with this case, and I'm very interested," Luo Wanqing interrupted Zhang Yiran gently. "If Minister Zhang finds it convenient, could you bring the dossier over for me to review?"

Zhang Yiran looked puzzled, and Luo Wanqing patiently explained, "I am part of the Supervision Division. If there is truly a problem with this case, I can apply to open an investigation. Investigating would be easier for me than for Minister Zhang."

With that, Luo Wanqing smiled. "I haven't opened an investigation myself since joining the Supervision Division. Please give me a chance to contribute by taking on this case."

"Si Shi Liu jests." Zhang Yiran realized Luo Wanqing wanted to get involved and quickly said, "If Si Shi Liu is willing to handle this matter, that would be ideal. The dossier is with me, and I can bring it to you tomorrow. I just don't know if..."

"Anytime is convenient."

Luo Wanqing responded immediately. "Minister Zhang can come anytime."

"Good."

Zhang Yiran nodded promptly. "Then I'll bring it to you tomorrow."

After a moment of awkward silence, Zhang Yiran thought for a bit and then slowly said, "I just came to see how you were doing. Now that I've seen you, I'll take my leave if there's nothing else."

Luo Wanqing nodded and saw him off. As Zhang Yiran walked away, he suddenly stopped after a few steps, thought for a moment, and turned back to her. "About Envoy Cui... I heard about it."

Luo Wanqing was taken aback, and Zhang Yiran pursed his lips. "Take care and look forward."

"Um."

Luo Wanqing nodded and softly replied, "I understand."

Seeing her composed demeanor, Zhang Yiran felt relieved and bowed before leaving.

After Zhang Yiran left, Luo Wanqing returned to her bed, her mind restless.

She hadn't expected Zhang Yiran to focus on this case or to pursue it further. Seeing such determination in him made her think back to the past. If Zhang Yiran had been there when she sought help, what would have happened?

It would only have led to mutual destruction, including Zhang Yiran.

Thinking about it, she knew that encountering Xie Heng had been her best outcome.

This case, even today, cannot be investigated by Zhang Yiran. If he pursued it, it would only bring trouble. It's better to hand it over to her, where she could resolve it herself.

And Xie Heng...

Luo Wanqing recalled seeing the notice in Ling Nan amidst the crowd, realizing with absolute clarity that he was Xie Heng.

The Xie Heng destined for a gruesome fate in her dreams.

In the past, she felt it was distant, thinking it was Xie Heng's predetermined path.

Now, she understood that Xie Heng, like her family, was someone whose fate she needed to change.

She couldn't let him follow the old path. Although she couldn't save Zhang Jiuran, she must save Xie Heng. Just as she ensured her family's safety, she must also give Xie Heng a chance to live.

Luo Wanqing got up and walked to her desk, taking out paper and pen, and for the first time, she tried to recall every detail about Xie Heng from her dream.

But there was too little information.

In that dream, she and Xie Heng had almost no interaction.

All their interactions stemmed from the information she gathered while inquiring about Li Guiyu.

In that dream, the news she heard in Ling Nan revealed that after Li Guiyu returned to the court, he soon married Zheng Biyue and gained the support of the Zheng family. With Xie Heng's help, he overthrew the Crown Prince. In the summer of the fifteenth year of Changshun, the current emperor passed away, and Li Guiyu ascended the throne with Xie Heng's assistance.

During his ascension, a palace coup occurred, resulting in the complete annihilation of the Wang clan. He then promulgated the Great Xia Law, and Xie Heng became the first high-ranking official to be judged according to this law.

Now that she had come to East Capital, many things had changed. Zheng Biyue did not marry Li Guiyu, and Xie Heng did not ally with Li Guiyu. Yet...

Xie Heng's charges remained unchanged.

She wrote down all the charges she could remember, then thought about the true intentions behind these accusations.

He killed the Crown Prince to exonerate the Qin family and dismantle the power of the Wang clan;

He accused The Eastern Palace's Six Armies to reduce the Wang family's control over the military in East Capital, and to obtain Zhao Bing's testimony regarding his time stationed at Yu Guan;

He massacred five hundred people on Liufeng Island to avenge the civilians at Yu Guan...

All of Xie Heng's charges essentially revolved around avenging and exonerating the Cui family.

But in the previous life...

The Cui family was never exonerated.

Luo Wanqing paused, pen in hand, suddenly realizing that despite all Xie Heng had done in the past life—even implementing the Great Xia Law—he had not exonerated the Cui family by the time she died.

Why?

Luo Wanqing stared blankly at the charges written on the paper, suddenly filled with questions. Without her in the past life, did Xie Heng know about her father's case? Did he know about the existence of the iron box? Did he ever get the iron box?

What was the real reason for his death in the past life, and has his fate in this life changed because of her?

Luo Wanqing pondered for a long time, but the details of the dream were too sparse, and she could not understand the cause of Xie Heng's death.

Perhaps the cause had not yet appeared, but one thing was certain: he was now following the same path as in the past life.

These charges were not just charges; they were Xie Heng's destiny.

And what she needed to do was change this destiny.

She could not let these events become his sins. What he failed to accomplish in the past life, she would achieve.

The Cui family was not exonerated, so she would see it done.

Xie Heng suffered a thousand cuts, but she would ensure he lived a happy life.

These charges were his, but also hers.

When cornered...

Luo Wanqing stared at the words on the page, suddenly realizing—she had always believed that Xie Heng was forcing her to push him towards his fate of death, which made her resentful. But now she realized that this was actually Xie Heng's only chance at survival.

If she could take responsibility for these actions, Xie Heng could clear his name.

Thinking of this, her eyes welled up with tears, and she felt a sense of relief.

She smiled, picked up her pen, and continued writing down all the charges she could remember.

In the dream, she had been too hasty, only glancing briefly, and since it was a dream, nearly a year later, the charges had become very vague.

What she could recall now were only a few: "Assassinating the Minister of Justice Zheng Pingsheng," "Abusing military power and causing chaos in Si Prefecture," and "Murdering the entire Zheng clan."

She remembered these because they were related to the Zheng family.

Si Prefecture was where the Zheng family resided. In the past life, for some unknown reason, after Zheng Pingsheng was assassinated in East Capital, Xie Heng led an army to attack Si Prefecture and exterminated the entire Zheng clan.

At the time, she was elated and couldn't sleep all night.

It was precisely due to the intimidation of the Zheng and Wang clans' destruction that neither Li Guiyu's ascension nor the implementation of the Great Xia Law faced significant threats afterward.

If she remembered correctly, these should have been his major charges, but she still felt there was another significant charge she could not recall.

She sat at the desk, thinking for a long time, finally deciding to give up on recalling.

Indeed, as Xie Heng said, if someone wants to accuse you, they will find a way. She no longer naively believed that any charge could be used to judge him. There must have been other reasons for him reaching that point.

Instead of dwelling on what happened in the past life, she should do more for the present Xie Heng.

Do something.

For example, hiding their relationship would be the best protection for Xie Heng.

Cui Heng was good, but he was a weakness Xie Heng should not have, especially if Li Guiyu discovered this. Given Li Guiyu's nature, he would surely pursue Xie Heng relentlessly.

Thinking about protecting Xie Heng made her want to laugh.

Someone like Xie Heng, and she dared to think of protecting him.

She gave a self-deprecating smile, lit a candle, and held the corner of the paper with his charges and future event dates, placing it over the flame. The blue flames licked at the paper, consuming each charge, as if devouring his life.

Luo Wanqing watched quietly. After the paper burned completely, she couldn't help but glance at the neighboring room.

She knew Xie Heng was lying in the next room, but she could not go directly to him. When Xie Heng was severely injured, no one except the Four Messengers could approach him, and she was no exception.

This realization made her feel a momentary sadness. She thought for a moment and decided to go out for dinner first. When she returned, she would meditate in bed until late at night. Hearing the vermilion bird yawn outside, she got up and climbed over the wall, catching a stray cat outside.

Luo Wanqing took the stray cat to a nearby spot and threw it onto the roof. Then, she stayed on the wall closest to Xie Heng's window.

Soon, the cat started meowing, and the vermilion bird, seemingly bored, immediately perked up upon hearing the cat's cries, starting to "meow" back in response.

Seeing this as an opportunity, Luo Wanqing immediately stood up and, taking advantage of the vermilion bird's distraction, controlled every muscle in her body and leaped to Xie Heng's window.

Arriving beside Xie Heng's window, she checked around and confirmed that only a common Supervision Division mechanism was set on the window. She then took out the Thousand Mechanisms tool and easily dismantled it before lightly jumping inside.

The room was dimly lit, and the soft carpet on the floor further muffled her footsteps. She hurried to Xie Heng's bedside, lifted the bed curtain, and saw that he had not yet woken up.

Luo Wanqing suppressed her racing heart, held her breath, and raised her hand to feel his pulse.

Although his pulse was still weak, it was steady, indicating a stable condition. Luo Wanqing felt relieved and finally allowed herself to look at his face without any distractions.

In his sleep, he carried the usual coldness that Xie Heng kept at a distance from others. However, due to his recent weight loss, this coldness now seemed to carry a hint of vulnerability, like a thin layer of ice, crystal clear but fragile.

His complexion was pale, and his lips were not as rosy as usual. Luo Wanqing quietly looked at him, and her hand, which had been checking his pulse, unconsciously moved to hold his hand.

The moment their palms touched, Luo Wanqing suddenly felt calm, and the agitation that had been raging within her all day vanished. She silently watched the person in front of her, listening to the vermilion bird and the cat arguing outside.

Young Master.

Cui Heng.

She silently repeated these titles in her mind, looking at his face, feeling these two identities slowly merging into one.

In that instant, she recalled a dream from her past life, standing among the crowd reading an announcement. Thinking about it, the handsome face in front of her seemed to bleed.

During her time with the Supervision Division, she had seen similar tortures, and at that moment, she could vividly imagine the sight of his flesh being torn apart.

Just thinking about it made her heart tighten.

She couldn't let him die.

She calmly looked at him, holding his hand as if it were the sheath of her sword, and gently kissed it.

Xie Heng slept peacefully, but when she kissed his hand, he seemed to sense it, and his fingertips trembled slightly.

After kissing his hand, Luo Wanqing heard the cat run away, and the vermilion bird called for it to return. Realizing she couldn't stay long, she quickly withdrew her hand and slipped out of the window while the vermilion bird was distracted.

Before leaving, she wiped clean the fingerprints on the window lock, acting as if she were a thief.

Seeing Xie Heng and confirming his safety, Luo Wanqing finally felt her heart settle, and she had a good night's sleep.

When she woke up the next morning, Cui Heng brought Wei Qianqiu to check her pulse.

Her injuries were all external and not severe. After a brief examination, Wei Qianqiu left.

Once they were alone, Luo Wanqing noticed that Cui Heng had something to say. She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Minister Cui, is there something?"

"Oh," Cui Heng hesitated, then after a moment, said, "That... you and Lingshu..."

Luo Wanqing guessed what Cui Heng was getting at and waited a moment before hearing him whisper, "What is your relationship now?"

Luo Wanqing raised her eyes and gently asked, "Why does Minister Cui ask?"

"He instructed Wei Qianqiu to give you contraceptive medicine before he fainted. You two..."

Luo Wanqing paused, feeling a bit awkward but maintained her composure. Lowering her gaze, she lied, "It happened suddenly. I acted to save someone, offending Young Master."

"Huh?" Cui Heng looked surprised, as if he couldn't quite grasp it, "You offended him?"

"Young Master was severely injured, and I needed to cultivate the Yin Meridian to heal him. It was a temporary measure. I hope Minister Cui and Doctor Wei can keep it confidential and not spread it."

Luo Wanqing spoke formally, leaving Cui Heng speechless.

He didn't know how to explain to Luo Wanqing or understand the situation between her and Xie Heng, so he didn't dare say more.

Seeing that he couldn't speak, Luo Wanqing thought for a moment and asked officially, "How is Xingling doing?"

"Oh," Cui Heng responded immediately, "She's still in the cell. Don't worry; I'm watching over her. But with so many people around, we need to wait for Lingshu to wake up to handle it."

Luo Wanqing nodded, and Cui Heng added, "Don't worry too much about Lingshu either. He could have woken up earlier, but Qianqiu said his worries were hindering his recovery, so he's been kept asleep with medicine. Once he's better, he'll wake up."

Luo Wanqing nodded, understanding that patients like Xie Heng were the most challenging for doctors, and she agreed with Wei Qianqiu's approach.

They chatted casually for a while, and Cui Heng probed her thoughts. Having other matters to attend to, he got up to leave.

Before he left, Luo Wanqing suddenly called out, "Your Highness."

Cui Heng froze, and Luo Wanqing looked up calmly, saying, "No one likes being deceived. Take good care of Xingling."

Cui Heng instantly understood what Luo Wanqing meant.

He had hidden his death, causing Xingling six years of pain, using those years to seek revenge. Even though there were reasons, Xingling's suffering was real.

Cui Heng paused for a moment, then smiled bitterly and softly said, "Understood."

With that, he left without saying more.

For the next two days, Luo Wanqing spent her time meditating and recuperating. Zhang Yiran brought over copies of her father's case files and discussed the cases with her.

At night, she would secretly visit Xie Heng.

She couldn't quite explain why she went to see him, perhaps to confirm his safety, or perhaps just to see him.

On the third day after waking up, her injuries had healed enough for her to walk, and Zhang Yiran brought news.

He visited all the people who had given testimonies and made the final confirmation today.

"They're all gone," Zhang Yiran said solemnly. "The salt vendor who confessed to selling salt to him died in prison. The laborer transporting the salt was killed in a dispute on the riverbank at the beginning of the year. The shopkeeper went overseas for business and vanished... None of the relevant individuals can be found anymore."

Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised by this revelation.

She wasn't surprised that Zheng Pingsheng and Li Guiyu would frame her father, but to kill so many people for this case—although they were commoners, if they could kill them so easily, why did they need to frame her father?

Her father was already implicated in the Cui family's case; any excuse would have sufficed. Why did Zheng Pingsheng go through such lengths?

Was it because her father sheltered Li Guiyu? If he died mysteriously, it might damage Li Guiyu's reputation. But wouldn't his death at Zheng Pingsheng's hands also raise suspicions?

Luo Wanqing couldn't quite understand and said, "Why did they frame Luo Qushu?"

"Who?"

Zhang Yiran responded instinctively.

Luo Wanqing didn't answer but thought for a moment before turning to Zhang Yiran. "The officials recorded the testimonies. Have you looked into the customers mentioned in those testimonies, Lord Zhang?"

"No." Zhang Yiran, reminded by her, immediately recalled, "The shopkeeper did mention a woman buying salt from him. I should look into it."

"I'll go with you, Lord Zhang."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing stood up.

Zhang Yiran turned around instinctively. "Your injury?"

"It's fine."

Luo Wanqing grabbed a coat from the side, put it on, and said, "I've recovered enough these past few days. It's time to get moving."

With that, she walked out. "Let's go."

As they stepped out of the Xie residence's main gate, Cui Junye, Bai Li, Xuanshan, and Zhuque were gathered around Xie Heng's bed, watching Wei Qianqiu insert needles into Xie Heng's body with great concern.

When the last silver needle was inserted into his wrist, Xie Heng vomited a mouthful of blood, then began coughing, slowly opening his eyes as he caught his breath.

"He's awake! He's awake!"

Zhuque exclaimed, visibly excited.

Wei Qianqiu calmly began removing the needles, explaining, "Young Master, with the last clot expelled, you should be fine now."

Xie Heng listened, panting slightly, and took a handkerchief from beside him to wipe the blood from his lips.

Having experienced this too many times, he paused for a moment before speaking hoarsely, "Where is Liu Xiniang?"

"Liu Si Shi is fine. She woke up three days ago and can move freely today."

Xuanshan answered calmly, providing a report without further prompting: "Young Master, you've been asleep for five days. Now, Lord Cui and Zhuque are both fine. The phoenix feather hairpin has been found. Ji Ruifang is captured but unconscious. Xiangsizi Cuilü is safe and awaiting trial. Xingling is already imprisoned. Qingya from East Capital wrote that the Third Highness has returned to East Capital, and everything else there is well."

Xie Heng closed his eyes, relieved to hear she was unharmed. With Zhuque's help, he sat up, took a cup of water from Bai Li, and calmly said, "Tell me more."

"I will."

Cui Heng, eager to speak, quickly interjected, "I'm more familiar with these matters than Xuanshan. Let me tell you!"

He started recounting the events from when Xie Heng fell into the water, detailing the movements of the Supervision Division.

"When you fell in, Liu Xiniang jumped in after you without hesitation..."

"Tell me the important things."

Hearing this, Xie Heng's heart skipped a beat. His controlled demeanor was momentarily disrupted by Cui Heng's words. Suppressing his urge to see her, he emphasized, "Start with the crucial details."

Cui Heng's enthusiasm dampened, and he reluctantly began recounting everything Xie Heng missed.

Xie Heng listened carefully as Cui Heng described how Luo Wanqing entered Xueling Mountain alone to draw maps and kill, then entered Ji Rui Palace to rescue someone.

He heard about the negotiations with Ji Ruifang, taking the iron box to her, and how the entrance to the valley was destroyed by an explosion, burying the passage.

He learned about Xingling returning to save him and Zhuque, escaping through ventilation shafts, being rescued by Xiangsizi Cuilü, and waiting for Xuanshan to lead reinforcements into the valley...

After listening for a long time and confirming no details were missing, Xie Heng turned to Wei Qianqiu. "Can Ji Ruifang wake up?"

"At most two days."

Xie Heng nodded and said, "Arrange for Xingling's interrogation tomorrow. Once Ji Ruifang wakes up, interrogate her along with Xiangsizi."

"Yes."

After finishing the instructions, Xie Heng waved everyone away, leaving only Cui Heng by his side.

Cui Heng was puzzled. "Why did you keep me here?"

"The conversation you were interrupted," Xie Heng lifted his gaze, "you can continue. Tell me everything."

Cui Heng sneered, stood up, and said, "I won't say anything. If you want to know, ask her yourself!"

Xie Heng nodded, not particularly concerned, and asked, "Where is she?"

"Oh," Cui Heng seemed pleased, not bothering to open the door, and turned back, "Today, Si Shi went out."

Xie Heng's expression remained unchanged as he unfolded a scroll. Cui Heng smiled smugly, reminding him, "She went out with Lord Zhang."

Xie Heng's movement paused, and he looked up coldly.

Cui Heng crossed his arms and said with a smile, "Si Shi Liu said you two have no relationship. She was just afraid you would die and wanted to cultivate the Yin Ming Scripture with you to save your life. Now that you're alive and well, do you think she'd still bother with you?"

Xie Heng remained silent, only tightening his grip on the folded document in his hand.

Cui Heng looked at him curiously. "Why aren't you reacting? You knew about this, didn't you?"

"After you dare to ask her such things again," Xie Heng finally spoke, lowering his eyes and restraining himself, "go soak in the lake yourself and don't come up."

Cui Heng drew a sharp breath. Xie Heng looked down at the documents in his hand and said calmly, "Zhuque, bring Xiangsi and Xingling over, and call Xiniang back. Tell her—"

Xie Heng paused, adjusting his tone before continuing, "I'm awake, I need her."

Author's note:

"Side scene"

Cui Heng: "You're done for, your wife doesn't want you anymore!"

Xie Heng: "If my wife doesn't want me, bury you in the lake."