Chapter 155

Chapter 155

◎Protect Lord Zhang, or protect yourself, the choice is yours.◎

"Have you heard about Miss Luo's ghostly accusation?"

"Who hasn't? The theater troupes are already performing it."

"Do you think she's human or a ghost? Was the Luo family really harmed by the Third Prince and Minister Zheng?"

"It's hard to say if she's human or a ghost, but the case is definitely real," someone whispered. "If the Third Prince could marry Zheng Biyue, would he still choose Luo Wanqing? I wouldn't either!"

"But that doesn't justify ruining an entire family, does it?"

...

In the tavern, people around were talking in various tones, many discussing the most mysterious event in Great Xia recently.

Rumors had it that one morning, on the bulletin board of the Great Xia County, soldiers found a red-colored petition paper hanging there. On the paper, a woman claiming to be Luo Wanqing stated that her family was persecuted to death by Minister Zheng Pingsheng and the Third Prince Li Guiyu.

With supernatural elements and romantic entanglements, involving powerful figures, even though the officials quickly removed the petition, it spread rapidly.

Soon after, people discovered that not only their county but surrounding counties also had similar postings.

Eventually, merchants traveling across the country realized that this wasn't just a few counties; the entire nation of Great Xia was plastered with these petitions overnight.

Although the timing varied, it seemed like it happened all at once.

The supernatural rumors escalated, and the only place spared from the postings was East Capital.

This fit the mystical theory of "dragon qi protection, preventing ghosts from entering," making the situation even more intriguing and fueling discussions.

News spread throughout the nation, and even East Capital, which didn't have any postings, learned about it a month later, spreading through the streets.

Luo Wanqing sat in the tavern, listening to the chatter. Zhang Yiran, hearing the conversation, looked particularly pleased. As he poured wine for Luo Wanqing, he whispered, "These days, my former teachers and friends have been writing to me about the case. I've shared the details with them. They are influential local gentry, so soon this will gain official recognition. Many of them have high-ranking officials in their families, and His Majesty might soon learn about it too."

"There must be someone close to the emperor suppressing the news," Luo Wanqing thought aloud. "Otherwise, he would have known by now."

"It's better late than never," Zhang Yiran said with concern. "We haven't found anything proving it's Luo's father's handwriting, and Ji Qing hasn't talked yet..."

As Zhang Yiran spoke, he suddenly remembered something and turned to Luo Wanqing. "Is he still out there?"

"Still running," Luo Wanqing smiled. "A few days ago, he tried to leave the city but ran into the Southern Office and fled back. He's hiding in an old temple, sleeping for two days now. The spies following him say he might try to leave the city today."

"Maybe we should bring him back," Zhang Yiran frowned anxiously. "If he dies out there..."

"Then let him die."

Luo Wanqing's tone was indifferent. Zhang Yiran looked up in surprise as Luo Wanqing caressed her teacup, watching the bustling street outside. She spoke calmly, "He forged testimonies, assisted Zhou Chun in torture, and perhaps committed many other evils. Refusing to testify now, if he dies at the hands of criminals, it's fitting."

"But..." Zhang Yiran hesitated. "If he dies, what about the case..."

"There's always a way," Luo Wanqing pondered. "There..."

"White Tiger Envoy."

Before she could finish, Fangyuan knocked on the door urgently, whispering, "Ji Qing has returned to the Supervision Division."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran exchanged glances. Zhang Yiran immediately stood up. "Let's go!"

Luo Wanqing nodded, grabbed a veil from nearby, and followed Zhang Yiran downstairs. Together, they rode in a carriage back to the Supervision Division.

Ji Qing had been placed in the reception room of the Supervision Division. When Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran entered, they saw a disheveled middle-aged man sitting at the table, eating voraciously.

His manners were extremely crude, not even using chopsticks, as if he hadn't eaten in days.

The room reeked due to his presence. Luo Wanqing stood at the door, glanced at the attendant, and waved her hand. "Prepare some water and clean him up before we talk."

She then led Zhang Yiran to a side hall to wait.

After a long while, Ji Qing came in, burping. Upon entering, he knelt before Luo Wanqing and bowed, saying, "Envoy Liu... burp... Envoy Liu." Then he turned to Zhang Yiran and bowed again, "Lord Zhang."

"Mr. Ji, please rise."

Zhang Yiran immediately stepped forward to help Ji Qing up.

Ji Qing's eyes reddened as he was helped up. Luo Wanqing watched coldly from the side and spoke slowly, "Mr. Ji, did you come back because you've reconsidered?"

At this, Ji Qing stiffened slightly, then nodded with difficulty, his voice hoarse. "Yes..."

"Mr. Ji, you're willing to testify?" Zhang Yiran exclaimed in surprise.

Ji Qing's hand trembled slightly. Luo Wanqing sensed something was off and stared intently at him. Ji Qing avoided Luo Wanqing's gaze and nodded at Zhang Yiran. "Yes."

"That's great," Zhang Yiran released Ji Qing and turned to Luo Wanqing. "Xiniang, please take care of Mr. Ji. I'll submit a report to the emperor right away..."

"Wait."

Luo Wanqing stopped Zhang Yiran and focused on Ji Qing. "Mr. Ji, why did you change your mind suddenly?"

"I... I almost got killed this morning."

Ji Qing spoke vaguely. Luo Wanqing looked at the Si Shi agent who had been following Ji Qing, who explained, "This morning, the Zheng family found us, but we escaped quickly and returned to the Supervision Division."

"Oh."

Luo Wanqing understood and nodded, her gaze returning to Ji Qing. "Mr. Ji, are you afraid?"

"Afraid," Ji Qing admitted sincerely, nodding. "I realized that if the Zheng family isn't brought down, I won't survive. My family is now safe in the Supervision Division, so I have nothing to lose. A worthless life..."

Ji Qing said, looking up at Luo Wanqing, and said seriously, "I'll go with you to report!"

"Like this..."

Luo Wanqing nodded. Ji Qing's words were within her expectations, but she still felt a bit uneasy. She couldn't pinpoint the source of her unease, so she slowly pondered and said, "Alright. You rest first, Lord Zhang." Luo Wanqing turned to look at Zhang Yiran, "Write the memorial?"

Zhang Yiran responded happily, comforted Ji Qing a few words, and then hurriedly left.

After Zhang Yiran left, Ji Qing became noticeably more cautious. He stood in front of Luo Wanqing, trembling slightly.

Luo Wanqing looked up at him curiously and asked, "This time, Advisor Ji seems even more afraid of me?"

"No," Ji Qing hastily replied, "I... I was just scared and am having trouble regaining my composure."

"Then Advisor Ji should rest well."

Luo Wanqing stood up, instructed someone to take care of him, and called over the two Si Shi who had been following Ji Qing. She carefully inquired about Ji Qing's whereabouts over the past month.

"This morning, he mixed into the crowd and left the city. After leaving the city, he suddenly came under attack. We were trapped, and he took the opportunity to run wildly. When we found him later, he was almost killed." The Si Shi explained carefully, "Fortunately, we rescued him in time. We escaped, shook off the pursuers, and returned to the Supervision Division."

"In other words," Luo Wanqing thought aloud, "there was a period when you weren't with him?"

The two Si Shi exchanged glances and cautiously replied, "Yes, Chief, is there something wrong?"

"How long?"

"About... a quarter of an hour?" The two Si Shi recalled.

Luo Wanqing nodded and said, "I understand."

The two Si Shi withdrew, and Luo Wanqing sat in her original spot, thinking about Ji Qing.

He was gone for a quarter of an hour, yet Ji Qing was still alive. Should she say he was lucky, or...

She felt uneasy but couldn't see anything specific. She instructed someone to keep a close watch on Ji Qing and then picked up the cases sent from Si Prefecture to review.

Since taking charge of the White Tiger Department, she had meticulously reviewed all the cases in Si Prefecture.

Under the rule of the Zheng family, Si Prefecture was a mess. Taxes piled up layer upon layer. While the imperial tax rate was three percent, the actual collection rate in Si Prefecture was nearly eight percent. Under such heavy taxation, the wealthy families often treated lives as worthless.

Luo Wanqing spent a month reviewing the cases and still hadn't finished. More tragically, these cases were all still open in the Supervision Division. Most of them involved relatives of the Zheng family. The Supervision Division had no power to investigate the Zheng family in Si Prefecture, and those who insisted on investigating ended up dead—more than ten already. As a result, many cases with clear evidence remained unresolved.

Luo Wanqing patiently finished reviewing the cases. By nightfall, she returned to the mountain and saw that Xie Heng's small house was still lit.

Everyone else had gone to sleep, but Xie Heng was alone, sitting in the corridor, reviewing documents. The candlelight beside him was the only warmth in the night, enveloping him in a soft glow like a firefly dancing in the darkness.

Luo Wanqing couldn't help but stop and quietly watched this person in the night.

Seeing Luo Wanqing return, he looked up and said, "Tonight it's Xiniang's turn to be on duty. Does Xiniang remember?"

Luo Wanqing was taken aback, then calculated the time and quickly entered the courtyard, respectfully saying, "I'm late, sir."

"Being late deserves punishment," Xie Heng said calmly.

Luo Wanqing felt uneasy and was about to ask what the punishment would be when Xie Heng said, "Punishment will be eating this bowl of tangyuan."

As he spoke, Xie Heng looked up and smiled, "I heard you didn't have dinner?"

"Ah..."

Luo Wanqing understood and walked to the corridor beside Xie Heng, picking up the tangyuan from the ground.

The osmanthus sesame tangyuan, sweet and fragrant, filled her mouth. She ate the tangyuan quietly while listening to Xie Heng say, "Ji Qing is back?"

"Yes."

"Zhang Yiran's memorial has been delivered to the palace. The emperor plans to conduct a private trial the day after tomorrow."

"So soon?" Luo Wanqing looked at Xie Heng in surprise.

Xie Heng nodded and continued, "Today, the Chancellor went to the palace to play chess with the emperor and casually mentioned the case of Luo Wanqing's ghost seeking justice. The emperor doesn't believe in ghosts and spirits, but since the matter has escalated to this extent, it's no longer just about ghosts and spirits. If not handled properly, any future natural disasters could be seen as the emperor's failure. The emperor is worried and wants to resolve the case quickly."

"Does the emperor suspect anyone behind the scenes?"

Luo Wanqing wondered, and Xie Heng replied calmly, "Suspect, but what can be done? It could be Zhang Yiran's classmates spreading rumors, leading to posters in every county; it could be the Qin family seeking revenge; it could be the Wang and Sun families trying to divide the Zheng family's assets... With rumors spread across the country, even if the emperor suspects the Supervision Division..."

Xie Heng clearly knew what Luo Wanqing wanted to ask and looked up at her, smiling, "It would remain just suspicion."

Seeing Xie Heng wasn't concerned, Luo Wanqing relaxed a bit and nodded, "Good, as long as it doesn't cause trouble for Young Master."

"There are plenty of troubles, but this is a minor one. I just want to..."

Xie Heng held his brush and slowly said, "Xiniang, in your dream, did the emperor pass away this summer?"

Luo Wanqing was taken aback, then nodded, recalling, "It should be this June."

"Then... now that it has come to this, your family's case won't go any further," Xie Heng lowered his eyes, thinking, "After the day after tomorrow, there should be a resolution, right?"

Hearing his words, Luo Wanqing knew Xie Heng was hinting at something.

She lowered her head, put the tangyuan in her mouth, and found it sweet but somewhat bitter. She spoke calmly and seriously, "Let's see what happens the day after tomorrow."

"I've already sent people with gold and jewels to Kunlun to buy grain and weapons from Persia," Xie Heng looked up at Luo Wanqing, "Xiniang, try and let go. Your justice, I will help you seek."

"Alright."

Luo Wanqing heard this and was completely unperturbed. She looked up at Xie Heng and smiled, saying, "When I seek help from Young Master this time, please don't refuse me again."

"Of course," Xie Heng also smiled, but his eyes were unusually serious, "Xiniang, there won't be a second time."

He had regretted it countless times. In the thirteenth year of Changshun, when she came to him for help with all her might, he should have spared no effort to assist her.

If such a scene were to happen again, as long as she reached out, he would certainly pull her back.

Xie Heng informed Luo Wanqing in advance. The next afternoon, Zhang Yiran came to see her, excitedly saying, "The Emperor said that tomorrow afternoon, he will set aside time specifically to hear the case in the Imperial Study."

"Hear the case..." Luo Wanqing looked at Zhang Yiran, "How exactly?"

"The Emperor said he would have Zheng Pingsheng, Li Guiyu, and me confront each other, and have Si Shi Master Xie, Chancellor Song Xichao, and Minister of Rites Xie Guangcheng listen to the proceedings together."

Chancellor Song Xichao comes from a noble lineage, has many disciples, and enjoys an excellent reputation both in and out of court;

Xie Guangcheng is even a veteran of three dynasties, always adhering to the laws, and is considered a symbol of fairness by everyone.

These two individuals have a good relationship with the Emperor. Their presence can ensure a fair reputation externally, but if something unexpected happens, there is room for negotiation.

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing nodded and then said, "I'll go with Young Master. If anything unexpected happens, I can still help."

"Alright."

Zhang Yiran nodded, looking quite pleased, "With so many people present, the Emperor probably wouldn't dare to show favoritism."

"After all, this is something that needs to be explained to the world; the Emperor cannot handle it casually."

Luo Wanqing spoke nonchalantly, and Zhang Yiran agreed, "That's true. And after all, the Emperor is the ruler; how could he truly disregard the people?"

Luo Wanqing smiled without speaking. Zhang Yiran suddenly remembered, "Oh, by the way, can I come over tonight to have dinner with Ji Qing?"

"What for?"

Luo Wanqing was puzzled. Zhang Yiran smiled a bit embarrassedly, "It's his birthday."

Luo Wanqing was taken aback, considering her words carefully, "Just a birthday... Master Zhang," Luo Wanqing thought for a moment, "Ji Qing... isn't exactly a good person, right? He was Zhou Chun's advisor, and Lu Qushu wasn't the first person he harmed."

"I know."

Zhang Yiran's expression turned somber, and he slowly said, "He has indeed done many bad things, but... regarding Lu Qushu, he approached me on his own."

Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised. Zhang Yiran recalled, "At that time, I was investigating the matter and had no leads. I noticed him following me suspiciously every day. He followed me for seven days, and I knew about it but let him be. Later, one day, he secretly hinted to me to re-examine Lu Qushu's confession."

"Why did he do that?"

Luo Wanqing couldn't understand. Zhang Yiran smiled bitterly, "His wife is ill, and the medical expenses are a huge burden. He told me that initially, he became Zhou Chun's advisor because of the generous pay. Zhou Chun valued his efficiency and later deliberately set up schemes, making him an accomplice in a case. Then he used his family's lives to threaten him into doing more. Each time, he tried to avoid it, and fortunately, Zhou Chun didn't do too many major things until Lu's father..."

Zhang Yiran sighed, "He said that after Lu's father died, he often had nightmares. When he heard that the Lu family was gone, he felt even more regretful. But since the people were already dead, he couldn't do anything. Xiniang, he has indeed done evil, but people have both good and evil sides. For his wrongdoings, he will naturally face punishment, but for his good side, I am willing to give him some kindness. Since I brought him to East Capital, consider him my friend."

Saying this, Zhang Yiran looked into the distance, "I wonder if he'll be able to celebrate another birthday in the future."

If this matter is exposed, as someone who helped Zhou Chun coerce confessions, the Emperor might even execute him in anger.

Luo Wanqing thought about it and nodded, "Alright, then I'll have the kitchen make him a bowl of longevity noodles tonight."

"I'll do it."

Zhang Yiran smiled, "I'll use your kitchen this afternoon as his birthday gift."

"You can cook noodles?" Luo Wanqing was surprised.

Zhang Yiran nodded, "Of course, when my mother was ill, I used to cook noodles for her. If you want to try, I can make an extra bowl tonight."

"Forget it," Luo Wanqing waved her hand, "Wait until my birthday."

They chatted for a while, and then Zhang Yiran went to prepare the materials for the next day. That evening, Luo Wanqing went to Ji Qing's courtyard to have dinner with him.

Ji Qing didn't expect Luo Wanqing to come. Sitting down at the table with her, he couldn't help feeling uneasy, "Did Supervisor Liu come to have dinner with me because... there's something you need to tell me?"

"Yes," Luo Wanqing propped her chin, looking at the courtyard, tapping the table, "You probably won't live through tomorrow, so I came to chat and see if you have any last wishes."

Hearing this, Ji Qing's face turned pale, his voice trembling, "I... can I still have wishes?"

"Of course," Luo Wanqing nodded, "Our Supervision Division is very humane. Zhang Yiran will bring the poison soon. After you take it, you'll die painlessly tomorrow. Your wishes, I can help fulfill them, as long as they're not too excessive."

"R... really?"

"Tell me your wish?"

Luo Wanqing was curious. Ji Qing's lips trembled slightly, about to speak, but then he sighed, "Forget it... never mind."

He added unconsciously, "The Supervisor won't help me."

"How do you know I won't help you if you don't say it?" Luo Wanqing sensed something was off.

Ji Qing gave a bitter smile, "The Supervisor has always seen me as a sinner. How could you help me?"

Luo Wanqing thought about it and remained silent. Ji Qing's expression gradually calmed down, and he respectfully asked, "What is the real reason you came to see me, Supervisor? Please be direct."

"To wish you a happy birthday."

Luo Wanqing said it calmly, and Ji Qing was stunned.

At that moment, Zhang Yiran's voice came from the door, laughing, "Why did you say it before I arrived?"

Ji Qing turned around and saw Zhang Yiran entering with a bowl of noodles, complaining to Luo Wanqing, "I wasn't here yet!"

"Master Zhang..."

Ji Qing's gaze fell on the noodles in Zhang Yiran's hand, and he spoke in a daze, "This is..."

"I made you some longevity noodles."

Zhang Yiran placed the noodles on the table and looked up at Ji Qing with a smile. "Didn't you say it was your birthday today? I had Xiniang prepare something. I don't have much to give you, but my noodle-making skills are decent, so consider this your birthday gift."

"I don't have much to give you either," Luo Wanqing took out a jade rabbit pendant from her sleeve and put it on the table. "I heard your little daughter is born in the year of the rabbit, so I got this for her. It can be considered... as a reward for your confession about Zheng Pingsheng."

Ji Qing stared blankly at the items on the table, unable to utter a word. He seemed to be struggling to control his emotions, sitting motionless.

"What are you waiting for?"

Luo Wanqing urged, "Eat your meal. After eating, I have things to do. We need to prepare for tomorrow's entry into the palace."

"Indeed."

Zhang Yiran pushed the bowl towards Ji Qing and urged, "Eat while it's hot. If there's a chance..."

Zhang Yiran pursed his lips, a hint of apology in his voice. "I'll make it up to you with a proper banquet later, Mr. Ji."

"No need."

Ji Qing snapped back to reality, suppressing the moisture in his eyes, and smiled. "Your thoughtfulness is enough. I'm very grateful."

With that, Ji Qing picked up his chopsticks, somewhat anxiously saying, "I'm hungry, I'll eat first."

He seemed genuinely hungry, devouring the noodles with great enthusiasm.

It was as if he wanted to use the noodles to silence any further conversation. Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran exchanged glances and began to encourage him.

He just smiled and continued eating.

After finishing the noodles, the moisture in his eyes dissipated, and he became slightly more normal. Luo Wanqing started explaining the matters to be aware of when entering the palace. They chatted briefly before Luo Wanqing, having other matters to attend to, prepared to leave with Zhang Yiran.

As they were leaving, Ji Qing suddenly called out, "Minister Zhang!"

Zhang Yiran and Luo Wanqing turned around at the door. Ji Qing, sitting at the table, seemed nervous, clutching his clothes tightly, and asked cautiously, "Minister Zhang, do you have any wishes?"

"Wishes?"

Zhang Yiran found it odd but didn't think much of it. He pondered for a moment and said, "My wish... is to be a good official, acting with integrity."

"A good official?"

"To use my abilities to benefit more people, to find a way for the living and justice for the dead." Zhang Yiran couldn't help but smile. "It wouldn't be in vain for all the books I've read."

Hearing this, Ji Qing remained silent, only watching Zhang Yiran. After a long pause, he said, "You will, you will be a good official."

"Thank you for your kind words."

Zhang Yiran bowed with a smile. Luo Wanqing glanced at the two and reminded Zhang Yiran, "Minister Zhang, let's go."

Zhang Yiran nodded to Ji Qing and left with Luo Wanqing.

Once they entered the alley, Zhang Yiran frowned, feeling puzzled. "What's wrong with Ji Qing? He's acting strange."

"I agree," Luo Wanqing thought for a moment and then said, looking back, "But don't worry, I'll have someone keep an eye on him."

Zhang Yiran nodded, thanked Luo Wanqing, and bid farewell.

After Zhang Yiran left, Luo Wanqing glanced back at Ji Qing, her expression becoming more composed. She waved over a guard and instructed, "If he does anything, just watch him without interfering."

"Yes," the guard responded.

Luo Wanqing returned to her room. In the middle of the night, she was half asleep when someone knocked on the window urgently, shouting, "White Tiger Envoy, something has happened."

Luo Wanqing instantly opened her eyes, hearing the urgent voice, "Ji Qing has escaped!"

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing quickly got out of bed, whispering to Xie Heng, "Go back to sleep."

She rushed out, leading the guards down the mountain.

"How did he escape?"

"He used a sedative to knock out the guards, took their tokens, and jumped over the wall in the backyard. As per your instructions, we just watched and followed him."

The guard explained clearly, and Luo Wanqing understood the situation immediately.

He had a sedative.

He had memorized the map of the Supervision Division.

But what he intended to do was still unclear to Luo Wanqing. Regardless, she would know once she saw him.

Luo Wanqing hurried along, and by the time she arrived, Ji Qing had reached the cliff. Hearing the pursuing footsteps, he stumbled and ran towards the cliff.

Seeing this, Luo Wanqing shouted urgently, stopping in her tracks, "Stop! Ji Qing, I won't chase you anymore, stop!"

Hearing Luo Wanqing's voice, Ji Qing stopped and turned around, panic-stricken.

Luo Wanqing reined in her horse, stopping several dozen feet away from Ji Qing. Everyone halted with her, watching Ji Qing standing nearby.

"Ji Qing," Luo Wanqing caught her breath and asked directly, "What are you doing? Aren't you here to testify?"

"Envoy Liu, I can't hurt anyone else..." Ji Qing's face pale, he shook his head. "Please let me go. I beg you, let me go. Keeping me here will only harm Minister Zhang..."

"I'm not here to testify!"

Ji Qing saw that Luo Wanqing didn't understand and shouted anxiously, "I came back to frame Lord Zhang. If you let me go to court, the only way for me is to retract my testimony and falsely accuse him. Don't you understand this yet?"

Luo Wanqing was stunned and asked urgently, "Why? Why do you have no other choice but to retract your testimony and falsely accuse him?"

"Because we can't win!"

"How do you know we can't win if you haven't even tried?!" Luo Wanqing exclaimed sternly, "Even now, don't you trust us?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Qing slowly calmed down.

The night wind was cold, and he stood at the edge of the cliff, looking somewhat desolate: "It's not that I don't trust you two; it's that you two are too young. How do you define winning?"

This question stumped Luo Wanqing, and Ji Qing laughed, "Cases like Lu Qushu's are countless in Yangzhou, and I've seen them before. Every time people from the Supervision Division or the imperial court come to Yangzhou to rectify and overturn cases, what happens after the cases are overturned? Even if the case is won, those people won't die. They will make amends for their crimes, find a scapegoat, or buy someone's life and change their names to escape. When the storm passes, the victims can't escape their fate."

Luo Wanqing understood Ji Qing's concerns and listened as he continued, "I believe you two can win the case, but will Zheng Pingsheng die? Will the Zheng family fall? Can the Supervision Division protect my family forever? What will happen to me and my family after the case is over?"

Luo Wanqing listened, raised her hand slightly, and everyone exchanged glances before retreating.

Only the two of them were left on the cliff. Luo Wanqing felt the mountain wind penetrate her bones, cold and chilling.

"Do you fear retaliation?"

"Who wouldn't?" Ji Qing smiled bitterly, "Si Shi Li Guiyu found me yesterday..."

Luo Wanqing's pupils constricted as she understood, "You came back because Li Guiyu ordered you to?"

"Yes," Ji Qing trembled slightly, "I didn't want to come back. I knew I couldn't testify against them. If I didn't testify, I would die. But once I testify, they won't spare my family. He made me come back and told me to retract my testimony in front of His Majesty, saying that Lord Zhang and the Supervision Division forced me to testify against Lord Zheng! I had no choice... he threatened my family's lives..."

"Then why did you come back?"

Luo Wanqing looked at him with a hint of pity in her eyes, "You're already back. Tomorrow, when you testify against Lord Zhang, you can return to Yangzhou after he and I are arrested."

"Because I can't bear it!"

Ji Qing spoke with emotion, "Lord Zhang is such a good person. How can I harm him like this..."

Tears welled up in Ji Qing's eyes, "He is such a good official, such a good person. Why do they have to harm him like this?! I can't harm anyone anymore... I can't harm him..."

Ji Qing panted heavily, unable to support himself, and slowly knelt on the ground, sobbing, "He remembers my birthday... He feels guilty for bringing me to the East Capital... But actually, that's not my real birthday. I've been lying to him all along... I can't harm him... Si Shi Liu..."

Suddenly realizing something, Ji Qing staggered forward and knelt in front of Luo Wanqing, "I beg you, let me go. I can't testify, and I don't want to harm him. Please let me go... I beg you to let me go..."

Luo Wanqing stood still, and Ji Qing began to bang his head frantically, "I beg you! Pretend you never saw me! Please let me go..."

"But you've done wrong."

Luo Wanqing looked at the man on the ground, her gaze flickering. She recalled the words written in her father's final autopsy report.

He was covered in wounds, not a single spot left unscathed.

"You collaborated with Zhou Chun to torture and coerce Luo Qushu..."

Ji Qing froze; Luo Wanqing looked down at him, "You've wronged someone. Now you feel remorse and think leaving is enough?"

"What do you want me to do?" Ji Qing raised his head, agitated and tearful, "I've done it, there's no turning back. What can I do?! Are you asking me to sacrifice my family for your dreams, your sense of justice, to atone for my sins, and let them die? I made a mistake, but what did my family do wrong?"

"They did nothing wrong. You don't have to testify."

Luo Wanqing spoke, and Ji Qing was taken aback. She half-knelt down, took out a medicine bottle from her sleeve, and offered it to Ji Qing.

"What is this?" Ji Qing looked at Luo Wanqing, bewildered.

Luo Wanqing tightened her grip on the bottle and calmly said, "This is a choice. Tomorrow, will you protect yourself or Lord Zhang?"

She pushed the bottle forward, "It's up to you."

---

"Side Scene"

Zheng Bikui: "Li Guiyu, have you arranged everything?"

Li Guiyu: "Don't worry, it's foolproof."

Then—

Ji Qing: "I'm all about rebellion."

Zheng Bikui: "Didn't you say it was foolproof?!!"

Li Guiyu: "It was supposed to be fine, but he has a fatal flaw."

Zheng Bikui: "What is it?"

Li Guiyu: "He loves noodles. They cooked him some noodles."

Zheng Bikui: "…"

A moment later—

Zheng Bikui (beating Li Guiyu): "I told you not to send a foodie! I told you to send someone reliable! How can someone who loves noodles accomplish anything!!!"

Vermilion Bird: "If you talk like that, we won't be happy. Who in East Capital doesn't love noodles?"

Qingya: "Me."

Luo Wanqing: "...Young Master, can I discuss something with you?"

Xie Heng: "Hmm?"

Luo Wanqing: "In this life, always speak in official language with me, and never use dialects, alright?"…

Xie Heng: "I understand now."

Luo Wanqing: "Shut up ahhhhhh!!!"