Chapter 158

Chapter 158

◎He's Dead◎

The moment Yang Chun spoke, the courtyard behind him erupted into chaos.

Luo Wanqing felt a slight heaviness in her heart and followed Xie Heng out to the side hall. Xie Heng’s expression was grim, so Luo Wanqing did not dare to speak.

Once they entered the side hall, Luo Wanqing saw the imperial physicians gathered around Ji Qing. Upon seeing Xie Heng enter, the physicians all knelt down, leaving only an elderly physician sitting by the bed, administering acupuncture to Ji Qing. "The poison from the Toadflax is lethal upon contact, odorless and tasteless. Fortunately, someone sealed his acupoints and infused him with internal energy in time."

"Director Ruan."

Xie Heng nodded in greeting and led Luo Wanqing to the bedside.

The physician looked up at Xie Heng and nodded. "There is no danger now."

"Thank you, Director," Xie Heng acknowledged, then asked, "Can he be moved now?"

As he spoke, Xie Heng explained in a low voice, "His Majesty wishes to have him placed in the Supervision Division."

"No problem." Director Ruan shook his head. "Just bring in a stretcher."

"Thank you, Director."

After Xie Heng finished speaking with the physician, Luo Wanqing had a stretcher brought in, and they carried the unconscious Ji Qing out.

Ji Qing was placed alone in another carriage, guarded by the Vermilion Bird. Once they were alone in the carriage, Luo Wanqing could not help but ask, "Young Master, what does His Majesty mean?"

"What do you mean?"

Xie Heng lifted the teacup on the table, feigning ignorance.

Luo Wanqing glanced towards the direction of the other carriage and whispered, "Why did His Majesty want Ji Qing to return to the Supervision Division?"

Hearing her question, Xie Heng glanced at her and turned away without responding.

He poured two cups of tea from the teapot and pushed one towards Luo Wanqing.

Seeing that Xie Heng remained silent, Luo Wanqing cautiously spoke, "Young Master?"

"Do you have anything to tell me?"

Xie Heng finally asked, and Luo Wanqing paused, understanding his meaning.

After a moment, she softly replied, "With your intelligence, Young Master, do you really need me to spell it out?"

"I'm not a worm in your stomach; how can I know what you're plotting?" Xie Heng swirled his teacup, his tone tinged with resentment. "Director Liu doesn't tell me anything, and I am truly hurt."

"Young Master, please don’t joke," Luo Wanqing said with a bitter smile, seeing Xie Heng acting like this. "Minister Zhang is still in prison; please explain clearly to ease my worries."

"Don't worry about Zhang Yiran."

Seeing Luo Wanqing's concern, Xie Heng stopped joking and said seriously, "His Majesty put him in prison to appease the Zheng family's anger. He is a promising young talent among the literati. With Song Xichao here today, nothing will happen to him. Once the literati ministers receive the news, they will kneel outside the imperial study tomorrow, and His Majesty will release him. This way, His Majesty can also give Zheng Pingsheng an explanation."

As Xie Heng spoke, he glanced at Luo Wanqing, who did not look pleased. She clenched her fists tightly, trying to remain calm as she asked, "What about Ji Qing? Why did His Majesty have the Supervision Division bring him back?"

"Because His Majesty does not know how to handle Ji Qing, and Yang Chun fears someone might die in the palace."

Xie Heng patiently explained, "His Majesty knows the truth of the case. He believes Ji Qing's words are true, and he suspects that either Zheng Bikui or Zheng Pingsheng is responsible."

"Didn't he suspect Li Guiyu?"

"For one, he still has doubts about whether Li Guiyu did it. Li Guiyu grew up under His Majesty's watch, and before he went to the northern border, such actions would have been impossible for him. Now, His Majesty cannot see Li Guiyu clearly."

Xie Heng took a sip of tea. "Secondly, there is no concrete evidence linking Li Guiyu to the case. Ji Qing can only prove Zheng Pingsheng's involvement. Is it worth the effort to kill a witness in the palace?"

"His Majesty is indeed clear-sighted."

Luo Wanqing spoke sarcastically, and Xie Heng sensed her displeasure. After a moment, he said, "Yes, His Majesty understands everything. So he assumes the Zheng family is responsible. Whether it is Zheng Pingsheng or Zheng Bikui, His Majesty cannot truly punish them. If someone is killed in the presence of the emperor, too lenient punishment might encourage others to follow suit, causing His Majesty great distress. But if the punishment is too severe..."

Xie Heng paused, then shook his head. "The cost is too high."

"So His Majesty plans to let this matter go?"

Luo Wanqing understood Li Zong's decision, her tone neutral. "How does His Majesty want the Supervision Division to handle Ji Qing? Should he die in the division, or what?"

"Either way is fine. His Majesty has only one request."

Xie Heng absentmindedly rubbed his fingers and said slowly, "The court will soon issue an announcement about this incident. His Majesty hopes he never appears again to cause any trouble."

"I understand."

Luo Wanqing nodded and thought for a moment. "I'll make the arrangements."

Xie Heng did not say anything more. He remained silent for a long time before looking at Luo Wanqing.

"Xiniang," he said, and Luo Wanqing looked at him. Xie Heng gazed at her, his tone softening. "Don't be sad."

Luo Wanqing paused, realizing she had no strong emotions.

Or rather, she dared not have any emotions.

Zhang Yiran was still in prison, and Ji Qing's fate was uncertain. She could not allow herself any extra feelings.

But hearing Xie Heng say this, she felt a sudden pang of sadness.

She instinctively wanted to say "It's okay," but could not bring herself to speak under Xie Heng's gaze.

Xie Heng observed her for a moment, then stood up and walked behind Luo Wanqing, wrapping his arms around her.

Luo Wanqing felt a pang in her heart as he held her, and she couldn't help but whisper, "Young Master."

"Hmm?"

"You're so annoying."

Xie Heng glanced at her, noticing Luo Wanqing's lowered eyes and trembling lashes, as if she were suppressing some emotion. He gently rocked her in his arms and said, "Then I'll tell you another thing that will annoy you."

"If it's going to be annoying, don't say it."

"News from the palace will soon spread with embellishments," Xie Heng continued despite her warning. "Whether it's His Majesty, Zheng Pingsheng, or Li Guiyu, they all want a good reputation. But to prove they are right, they can only say Zhang Yiran is wrong. The words might not be pleasant these days."

Luo Wanqing had anticipated this and nodded lightly. "I know."

"Be prepared," Xie Heng held her from behind, offering a steady support should she falter. Yet, Luo Wanqing kept her back straight as she listened to him say, "If it becomes too much, let me know."

After leaving the palace, Luo Wanqing took Ji Qing back to his original room and arranged his and his family's identities.

By the afternoon, Ji Qing finally woke up. He was surprised to find himself conscious, lying on the bed with a dazed expression, still not fully realizing he was alive.

Luo Wanqing sat beside him, peeling an apple slowly. "Awake?"

Ji Qing turned his head in disbelief, his voice hoarse. "Si Shi Liu?"

"Rest well. Your poisoning wasn't severe; you can get up in a couple of days. Tomorrow, I'll announce your death and give you a new identity. When you're better, return to Yangzhou."

Luo Wanqing cut a piece of the apple and offered it to him. "Want some?"

"Si Shi Liu..."

Ji Qing stared at Luo Wanqing, disbelievingly. "You're letting me go?"

"What else?"

Luo Wanqing looked puzzled. Ji Qing's thoughts were muddled. "You... didn't you say I deserved to die for my mistakes?"

"You chose life."

Luo Wanqing gazed at Ji Qing calmly. "If you had chosen to frame Lord Zhang or abandon him, I wouldn't have given you a chance to live. But since you chose to protect him, I respect your conscience."

She lowered her eyes and whispered, "I forgive you."

Ji Qing didn't quite understand. He didn't know in what capacity Luo Wanqing was saying "forgive him," but he had many questions and asked the most pressing one: "How is Lord Zhang?"

"He's still in prison." Luo Wanqing took a bite of the apple and briefly explained the situation.

After finishing, Ji Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing him relax, Luo Wanqing stood up. "Rest well. Once your documents are ready, I'll send you off."

Ji Qing then remembered something. "What about the case?"

Luo Wanqing turned to look at him, seeing his anxious gaze. "What about the case if I leave?"

"I'll find evidence with Lord Zhang." Luo Wanqing smiled. "Don't worry, live your own life."

With that, Luo Wanqing bid farewell to Ji Qing and returned to the White Tiger Department.

She took out the case files and reviewed them carefully.

Without Ji Qing, there was no way to convict Zheng Pingsheng or overturn her father's case.

If they continued investigating, there were only two paths left.

One was for her to personally testify against Zheng Pingsheng and Li Guiyu, using her father's letter and the love charm to prove he could read, thus refuting his confession, and corroborating her testimony with Ji Qing's previous statements.

The other was to let Zhang Yiran continue the investigation to find new evidence.

The first option involved too many complications. If she testified, it would be a mutual destruction, and even if she managed to bring down Zheng Pingsheng, she would face questioning about the prisoner swap, which was a capital offense.

The best solution was to let Zhang Yiran continue the investigation.

To do this, she needed to secure Zhang Yiran's release and find new evidence.

Luo Wanqing composed herself and called someone over to spread the news in the teahouse about Ji Qing's execution and Zhang Yiran's detention.

However, news about Zhang Yiran spread faster than expected. By evening, the White Tiger Department received various reports.

Almost immediately after the incident, people began spreading different versions of the story throughout the East Capital, but they differed from what Luo Wanqing wanted.

Some said Zhang Yiran coerced Ji Qing into framing Zheng Pingsheng, and Ji Qing refused to comply, leading to his suicide in the hall.

Others claimed Ji Qing refused to testify, so Zhang Yiran killed him to shift the blame.

There were also rumors that Zhang Yiran misunderstood Zheng Pingsheng and forced Ji Qing to testify, who refused, causing Zhang Yiran to kill him in anger...

The rumors grew more outrageous, even suggesting that Zhang Yiran loved her and abused his power as an imperial censor to frame Zheng Pingsheng because Zheng Pingsheng wanted to kill her.

Regardless of how they were spread, in all these rumors, Zheng Pingsheng was innocent, and Zhang Yiran, whether intentionally or unintentionally, was accused of false accusations.

On the second day, Luo Wanqing sent people to spread the news that Zhang Yiran was fighting for justice but was suppressed by the aristocratic forces and remained in prison.

By the next day, the younger officials of the upright faction gathered outside the study, demanding Li Zong to release Zhang Yiran.

These officials knelt all day, and on the third afternoon, Li Zong decided it was time to release Zhang Yiran.

Upon hearing the news, Luo Wanqing hurried to meet him.

She couldn't go to the prison, so she waited in the square. Zhang Yiran had already been informed and emerged from the prison early.

The iron shackles were heavy, and Zhang Yiran hadn't seen the sun for several days. When he finally stepped out, he saw sunlight dappling the branches.

He raised his hand to shield his eyes. His first words upon stepping out were a hoarse inquiry to the guard: "How is Ji Qing?"

The guard was taken aback and didn't have time to answer when a voice sounded from behind.

"He's dead."