Chapter 193: Full Text Complete

Chapter 193: Full Text Complete

◎Shadow Envoy Xie Guanlan greets the Lord of the Division.◎

"Kill!!"

With the order given, the drums at the city gate tower thundered, and a flood of people surged toward the woman. Luo Wanqing, on her horse with her spear and flag, charged upstream, heading straight for Xie Heng.

She took out gunpowder from her side pouch, using it to clear a path by bombing her way through. On horseback, she wielded her spear, unstoppable.

Reaching the base of the wall, she threw up a grappling hook in a place far from Wang Yunzhi and Wang Lianyang and other experts. By the time everyone reacted, she had already climbed up the wall using the rope, kicked aside the guards, and ran toward Xie Heng like a ghostly apparition.

Seeing her approach, Wang Yunzhi instantly attacked. Luo Wanqing did not dodge but met Wang Yunzhi's swift strike head-on!

The blade carried immense internal energy, forcing Wang Yunzhi to retreat. In that instant, Luo Wanqing grabbed Xie Heng by the rope, cut it, and hoisted him onto her back.

Xie Heng immediately wrapped his arms around her neck. Several long blades slashed at them, but Luo Wanqing bent down, dodging the blows and sweeping her own blade across. Seeing Wang Yunzhi leading a group from behind, she had no time to think and shouted, "Hold on tight," before leaping off the city gate tower, landing on the ramparts, and then jumping onto the rooftops.

Wang Yunzhi yelled, "Chase!"

She led those with martial skills down from the city gate tower, followed by soldiers converging from all directions to intercept them.

Luo Wanqing ran across the rooftops with Xie Heng on her back. He felt limp, lacking any strength, even to hold her tightly.

The Primordial Energy Pill would completely destroy one’s meridians; Xie Heng might not even be able to hold a pen now.

Thinking about this, her heart ached, yet she forced herself to smile bitterly and said hoarsely, "What, you’ve become so weak, Young Master? Didn’t you say you wanted me as your eighteenth concubine?"

"How did you get here? I told you not to come."

Xie Heng’s voice drifted in the wind, carrying a soft, gentle smile. Compared to the past, his breath was clearly much weaker. Hearing this, Luo Wanqing felt her eyes welling up, but she pretended not to notice and said nonchalantly, "Would I listen if you told me not to come? Am I that obedient?"

"You indeed aren’t obedient."

Xie Heng chuckled softly, without any reproach, just leaning against her back and asking, "What’s the plan?"

"There’s an underground passage from Purple Clouds Mountain to East Capital. The prince is digging tunnels, leading troops directly into East Capital to control the imperial city. We just need to hold out until dusk, and everything will be over."

"Is that so?"

Xie Heng laughed lightly, his tone indifferent, showing neither surprise nor excitement.

Luo Wanqing felt uneasy but still said, "When the time comes, I’ll take you away. I’ll take responsibility for everything and bring you to safety."

Blades came slicing at her, and Luo Wanqing bent down to dodge, her voice tinged with longing, "I’ll take you away from Great Xia. We’ll go to Persia, Kunlun, Nanyang... there are many places we can go. I’ll take you away."

Xie Heng listened quietly, his face resting on her shoulder, looking into her determined, bright eyes. He felt a soft flower blooming in his heart, embracing him gently.

But he still had to tell her, "Xiniang, you can’t take Xie Heng away."

"Whether I can or not is my decision, not yours!" Luo Wanqing shouted angrily, "I’m here, and you can’t stop me!"

Xie Heng was silent after her outburst.

In his silence, Luo Wanqing felt her heart tighten. Just as she was about to say something more, Xie Heng spoke, "Go to the Supervision Division."

His voice was calm, "There are traps set up in the back mountain. We can hide there for a while."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing’s eyes lit up, knowing Xie Heng had agreed. She rushed toward the Supervision Division with him on her back.

Though Xie Heng had lost his martial arts, his experience remained. He directed their path, while Luo Wanqing fought their enemies. They battled their way to the Supervision Division.

Many people surrounded them, dense and numerous. They fell and climbed back up, leaving Luo Wanqing no time to think about their escape route or where they were, only following Xie Heng’s instructions.

By the time they reached the Supervision Division, both she and Xie Heng were covered in blood, having changed swords three times.

Breathing heavily, she carried Xie Heng into a small courtyard, opened the secret chamber door, and pushed him inside, panting, "Go in, don’t come out."

As she was about to close the door, Xie Heng grabbed her hand and said seriously, "If death is inevitable, come in and die with me."

Luo Wanqing paused, lifting her eyes to meet the calm gaze of the young man before her. Her eyes flickered, then she said, "You won’t die, and neither will I."

With that, she pushed him into the secret passage, closed the door, and turned to rush outside, activating the mechanism.

The entire back mountain of the Supervision Division came alive with mechanisms, and countless screams echoed. Luo Wanqing sat dejectedly by the door, leaning against it, holding her sword and catching her breath.

However, the mechanisms could only hold them back for a moment. Soon, explosions rang out from below, shaking the back mountain of the Supervision Division. Luo Wanqing calmly watched the swarm of people rushing up like locusts.

She sat cross-legged at the courtyard entrance, her sword resting on her shoulder, watching the crazed crowd surge forward. Then, she rose, facing them and shouted, "Come!"

She stood guard at the entrance, blocking all paths.

The sun slowly set, and the courtyard entrance was littered with corpses. Luo Wanqing could no longer distinguish how many people there were or who they were. Wang Yunzhi lay fallen at her feet, surrounded by familiar and unfamiliar faces. Everyone feared death and dared not advance, and Luo Wanqing was almost exhausted. At that moment, a voice slowly emerged from the front.

"Luo girl, your skills are better than I imagined."

At these words, everyone around her froze.

Luo Wanqing lifted her blood-stained eyes to see the person approaching from below.

Yang Chun wore red eunuch robes, holding a whisk, smiling as he approached. Looking at Luo Wanqing, he said, "Luo girl, you’re at the end of your strength now. Why not make a deal with me? If you leave now, we won’t pursue you. What do you say?"

Luo Wanqing smiled palely, "If I were to leave, I wouldn’t have come."

Hearing this, Yang Chun was unsurprised and simply said, "Then there’s no choice. I must offend you."

In an instant, Yang Chun’s figure moved like an eagle, rushing toward her!

Several eunuchs rushed at her from all directions, and Luo Wanqing dared not meet them head-on. However, her escape routes were all sealed off, leaving her to dodge in the narrow space.

Yang Chun's godsons were responsible for blocking her escape, while Yang Chun himself attacked with lethal moves. After a few rounds of intense combat, Luo Wanqing was momentarily distracted and struck by Yang Chun's whisk!

She hurriedly raised her sword to block but still couldn't prevent herself from being sent flying by his force. She quickly flipped back up, spitting out a mouthful of blood, feeling as if her internal organs had shattered.

However, she had no time to rest. The moment Yang Chun stepped into the courtyard, she lunged at him again.

Again and again, she intercepted him, only to be sent flying each time. Finally, Yang Chun struck her to the ground with a palm, and Luo Wanqing felt her ribs shatter as she lay there, struggling to get up.

Seeing her subdued, Yang Chun did not dare to provoke her further and coldly ordered, "Kill her, let's go!"

Luo Wanqing lay on the ground, watching as Yang Chun moved forward, calculating his steps.

Everything seemed to slow down, and every sound became crystal clear. She watched him move forward and push open the gate.

The instant he pushed the door, a white-clad figure descended upon him with a sword, but the sword lacked any inner strength. Yang Chun struck the person, sending them crashing into the courtyard!

Recognizing Xie Heng, Yang Chun immediately delivered a second palm strike with full force toward Xie Heng's head. Seeing this, Luo Wanqing sprang up and stabbed at Yang Chun. Yang Chun turned around and thrust his whisk like a sword. Luo Wanqing did not dodge; instead, she allowed the whisk to pierce through her body and then grabbed it firmly. At the same time, Xie Heng, who had just hit the ground, activated a hidden mechanism without her needing to say a word.

Arrows burst forth toward Yang Chun's back, piercing him before he could react.

Zhao Shun, nearby, reacted with shock and shouted, "Godfather!"

With that, Zhao Shun's blade fell toward Luo Wanqing. She could not evade, but Xie Heng stumbled over and shielded her. Just as the blade reached her, a sword suddenly flew in from outside, piercing Zhao Shun and throwing him away with great force.

Xie Heng pulled Luo Wanqing to the ground, and they both heard the urgent voice of the Vermilion Bird outside: "His Highness is purging traitors. Everyone kneel down; those who surrender will not be killed!"

At the sound of this, the Vermilion Bird arrived at the mountain gate, panting heavily. The three exchanged glances, and Luo Wanqing, ignoring her injuries, pulled out the whisk from her body and dragged Xie Heng into the small house, closing the door and leading him toward the secret passage, gasping, "Let's go, we have to leave."

Li Shengzhao had come, giving them an opportunity. She had to take Xie Heng away quickly, avoiding any connection with Li Shengzhao.

But after taking just a few steps, Song Xichao's clear voice rang out from outside: "Your Highness."

Hearing this, Xie Heng stopped, and Luo Wanqing realized that many people had arrived. Then she heard Song Xichao's solemn voice: "Xie Heng is inside the house. He is a traitor who murdered the emperor. Since Your Highness has taken control of East Capital, you must avenge the late emperor and clear your name."

This was a threat. Luo Wanqing instantly understood that Song Xichao and his men were not here to help Xie Heng.

Her face changed, and she whispered urgently, pulling Xie Heng along, "Young Master, we have to leave now. We must go."

Xie Heng had little strength left, and neither did she.

She couldn't pull him, but he gently held her hand, placing it on her pulse.

Luo Wanqing sensed something and looked up in panic, "Xie Heng?"

"You need to heal."

Xie Heng spoke earnestly, looking at her with tenderness, "You didn't hit any vital points. You should use your cultivation to recover. Let me bandage your wounds first?"

"Do you know what you're saying?!"

Tears welled up in Luo Wanqing's eyes as she whispered, "If we delay any longer, you won't be able to leave!"

"Xiniang," Xie Heng looked at her, his eyes filled with countless emotions, "you can't take me away."

Luo Wanqing remained silent, staring at the calm young man before her, who seemed to have already accepted his fate. He patiently explained, "Someone has to bear the blame for regicide. If I leave today, the blame will fall on His Highness."

"I'll do it."

Luo Wanqing's tears fell as she immediately said, "You leave. Go through the secret passage. I'll confess that I killed him. With Yang Chun dead, there's no evidence. I'll confess..."

"Xiniang," Xie Heng softly said, "no one will believe you. This is my doing, my sin. I must face the consequences."

"But it was for me!"

Luo Wanqing raised her voice, looking at the clearly stunned person before her, "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have killed Li Zong, right?"

Xie Heng remained silent, gazing at Luo Wanqing with a pained expression. She reached out and gripped his arm, breathing heavily. Her wounds throbbed painfully with each muscle twitch. Pale-faced, she pleaded, "You said you were looking forward to the future. You said you wanted to live. You said you would follow me. You said your life belongs to me... Xie Lingshu..."

Luo Wanqing felt her vision blur with tears, "I came to save you. I came to save you! Come with me... We can leave, everything will be fine..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Song Xichao's voice echoed from outside, trying to persuade Li Shengzhao, "Your Highness, all the officials are gathered below. I came alone to tell you that the loyalists have made their choice. But we have risked our lives to follow you. Please do not disappoint us and distance yourself from these rebels to clear your name."

"The rebels have already fled. What does it have to do with me?" Li Shengzhao replied coldly, "Are you threatening me, Lord Song?"

"Your Highness, you arrived too conveniently today," Song Xichao continued, "If Xie Heng isn't dealt with, how will you silence the masses? The masters from various sects are watching. If you let Xie Heng go today, there will be chaos and rebellion tomorrow."

"Blasphemy!" Li Shengzhao shouted, "If they rebel, it's because they harbor ill intentions. Even without Xie Heng, they would find other reasons!"

"How do you plan to explain this to the ministers?"

...

Outside, the arguments continued. Luo Wanqing turned in fear, looking at the resolute Xie Heng before her, listening to him ask, "Would you be happier if I went with you?"

Luo Wanqing couldn't speak. Xie Heng looked at her with gentle sorrow, "In the next hundred years, every disaster and turmoil caused by this decision, would you not feel guilty or regretful?"

"You would."

Xie Heng spoke with certainty, "You would see all the consequences as your fault, living a life burdened with guilt. You saved my life, but you destroyed your heart."

"What am I supposed to do?!"

Luo Wanqing cried out, unable to hold back, "Watch you die? I can't do it." She covered her chest, shaking her head, "I can't do it. Every time I think about seeing your death notice, every time I dream about it, I feel... I feel pain. I can't do it."

"I've tried so hard," Luo Wanqing looked up at Xie Heng, shaking her head, "I don't understand. Why, no matter how hard I try, can't I change Nine Ran's fate? Can't I change yours? Why... why..."

Luo Wanqing backed away, eventually leaning against a pillar, sliding down to sit, trembling and closing her eyes, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Xie Heng... Xie Heng..."

She only knew to call his name, unsure of what else to say.

Xie Heng stepped forward, reaching out to embrace her, but she struggled, resisting his touch.

Outside, many voices argued, ministers repeatedly advising.

In the end, Xie Heng held her firmly, pressing his forehead against hers and sternly saying, "Xiniang!"

Luo Wanqing's movements froze. Xie Heng softly said, "Don't be afraid."

Luo Wanqing's body trembled slightly. Xie Heng spoke calmly, "Xie Heng was always destined to die. To have your affection has been the greatest fortune in my life. No matter what happens next, I will not consider it a loss. I know you can't make a decision, so let me do it."

Luo Wanqing looked up at him, seeing Xie Heng looking at her earnestly and saying, "Life is mine, Xie Heng's; death is also mine, Xie Heng's. Xiniang, you need only remember one thing."

Luo Wanqing listened, her voice strained, "What?"

"I love you."

Xie Heng gazed at her as if taking one last look, speaking seriously, "Xie Heng's fate is tied to the people, but my heart belongs only to Xiniang."

As he finished speaking, Xie Heng suddenly struck Luo Wanqing, immobilizing her with a pressure point.

Luo Wanqing's eyes widened, fearfully asking, "What are you doing? What is Xie Lingshu going to do?"

Xie Heng smiled, taking bandages from nearby and wrapping her wounds. Luo Wanqing, frightened, said, "Xie Lingshu, don't do anything foolish, don't go outside... what will I do without you?"

"You still have your sword."

Xie Heng spoke calmly, "Xiniang, your pain comes from your compassion. This is your sword. If you can love one person, you can love all people. Whether I am here or not, your love will find its place."

"No, I don't want that," Luo Wanqing cried, "I don't need to love many people; I just want you, my father, Jiuran... I want everyone around me to be safe."

Xie Heng listened quietly, looking at her for a long time before saying, "Then let's take a chance."

Luo Wanqing looked at him through tears, confused. Xie Heng spoke seriously, "Zhang Chunzi is waiting at the foot of the mountain. Soon, you'll take me down there, hand me over to him, and make sure no one sees. Tell them you've buried me. Remember," Xie Heng gently pressed his forehead against hers, "I will always live for you."

Luo Wanqing listened to these words, staring at him blankly.

Xie Heng kissed her forehead and then stood up to leave.

Fear filled Luo Wanqing's heart as she watched his departing figure. Suddenly remembering something, she shouted, "My life is still in your hands!"

Xie Heng paused, and Luo Wanqing recalled, excitedly saying, "There's still poison in my body that you gave me. You haven't given me the antidote. You can't die; if you die, I won't survive. You can't..."

"Foolish girl."

Xie Heng chuckled, turning his head slightly towards her, "Those were sugar pills."

Luo Wanqing was stunned. The man before her took the verdict he had written earlier from the desk, walked to the door, and opened it.

As the door opened, sunlight flooded in, bathing him in the golden glow of dusk. Luo Wanqing watched him walk out.

The sound of the door opening startled everyone. The arguing officials and Li Shengzhao were taken aback, staring at the young man in blood-stained white robes. After a long moment, Li Shengzhao reacted, shouting, "You dare come back?!"

He frantically signaled to Xie Heng, "Where are your accomplices?!"

"Your Highness," Xie Heng smiled, speaking seriously, "Xie Heng has come to confess."

This statement stunned everyone. They watched as the young man, weak and frail, approached and knelt before Li Shengzhao, saying, "Xie Lingshu, since childhood, has been arrogant and disrespectful, disregarding laws and authority. Therefore, committing regicide and murder has incited universal outrage. By law, I deserve execution, but circumstances led to this. I beg Your Highness to hear me out."

Li Shengzhao clenched his fists as Xie Heng spoke calmly, "Years ago, when I was young, I worked with the Cui family to promote the Great Xia Law, aiming to limit officials' powers and ensure fairness. However, this led to disaster. The Cui family was falsely accused by Wang, Zheng, Sun Zhengli, and Yang Chun, leading to the fall of ten border cities and the destruction of the Cui clan. Tens of thousands of soldiers were forced into exile. Back then, I was powerless and could only pretend to be a traitor, biding my time to avenge my family. I know my crimes are unforgivable, but I humbly request three things."

"What are they?"

Li Shengzhao frowned, and Xie Heng calmly continued, "First, please investigate the injustice done to the Cui family and restore their honor."

"Of course."

"Second, today, Luo Wanqing acted out of marital duty. Please consider her contributions and do not punish her."

"Agreed," Li Shengzhao nodded, hurriedly adding, "Actually, I..."

"Third," Xie Heng did not give him a chance to speak, calmly stating, "Please fulfill the Cui family's wish and reinstate the Great Xia Law. The failure of the Great Xia Law years ago was due to a lack of knowledgeable individuals to enforce it. Now, the Supervision Division has trained tens of thousands of Si Shi, ensuring smooth implementation."

"What about you?"

An official sneered, "If you want to enforce the law, how should your crimes be judged, Master Xie?"

"Silence!"

Li Shengzhao shouted, turning to look at the kneeling Xie Heng, considering, "I agree to your requests. Given the circumstances, you..."

"Should be sentenced to death."

Xie Heng spoke calmly, interrupting Li Shengzhao, "Though I sought justice, according to the law, I committed numerous crimes deserving death. The crime of regicide must be punished. Today, Xie Heng offers himself as an example for the Great Xia Law..." He looked up at Li Shengzhao, determination in his eyes, "Starting with Xie Heng."

As he finished speaking, he suddenly drew his sword. Before anyone could react, the blade flashed across his neck.

He fell like a solitary crane, his robes stained with blood, and everyone stared in shock.

Xie Heng collapsed straight onto the ground, his gaze fixed on the room.

Inside, Luo Wanqing sat against a pillar, shocked, tears streaming down her face.

A moment later, she erupted, screaming.

She was trapped in place, watching as Xie Heng fell into a pool of blood. She couldn't move, she couldn't speak, unable to utter a word, only able to scream in agony: "Aaahhhhhh—!!!"

In an instant, she completely broke free from her restraints, stumbling forward and pulling Xie Heng into her arms. She held him tightly, like a wild beast, howling in grief.

For a moment, it felt as if she had returned to that dream from years ago.

She stood amidst the snow in June, looking at the notice with his name, his death sentence, his crimes.

And once again, she held him, standing before those accusations, facing an irreversible fate, crying in despair.

Xie Heng looked at the woman before him, listening to her cries. His vision was blurry, and he seemed to see her pulling him out of the Dungeon in Jiangnan.

Under the influence of the Datura, the world was filled with dazzling colors, and she pulled him through the brilliance, running forward.

That was the first time he followed her away, under the identity of Xie Lingshu.

"Take me with you..."

He used all his strength to grab onto Luo Wanqing's sleeve. She froze, turning back to look at him, seeing a smile in his weak eyes, full of hope: "Xiniang... take me with you..."

"Yes... yes..."

Luo Wanqing reacted instantly, hurriedly picking him up and saying, "I'll take you with me, Guanlan," tears falling from her eyes, "let's go."

No one stopped her.

Carrying him, covered in blood, she walked step by step down the mountain from the backyard of the Supervision Division.

Ministers, nobles, soldiers, and commoners watched as if it were a ritual, seeing her carry him down the mountain.

Once they left the Supervision Division, she saw an old man wearing short-sleeved linen clothes, his hair loosely tied with a twig, looking particularly thin.

Seeing them come down, the old man sized her up and called out, "Liu Xiniang?"

Recognizing his voice, Luo Wanqing spoke hoarsely, "Senior Zhang?"

"Hand him over to me."

Zhang Chunzi extended his hand, smiling, "There might be a chance for survival."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing carefully placed Xie Heng down.

Without delay, she handed Xie Heng over to Zhang Chunzi, who had already prepared a carriage. As he turned to leave, Luo Wanqing couldn't help but call out, "Senior!"

Zhang Chunzi turned around, and Luo Wanqing hesitantly asked, "Where... where are you going?"

"To the Dao Sect."

Zhang Chunzi didn't hide anything, placing his hand on Xie Heng, "I gave him a thread of true qi to keep him alive. If he survives the journey, we'll find a way."

"Can he survive?"

Luo Wanqing probed, and Zhang Chunzi shook his head, "I don't know. This is the first time trying this method. Whether he lives or not depends on how much he wants to live. However, he asked me to tell you to take care of yourself and wait for him to return."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn't help but laugh, crying and laughing, finally saying, "Okay... I'll wait for him."

She nodded, as if clinging to the last straw, "I'll wait for him to return."

Xie Heng left and was gone for a long time.

In the first year of Changxing, Crown Prince Li Shengzhao returned from the Northwest. After a series of struggles, he ascended the throne smoothly, changing the era name to Changxing, initiating the Great Xia Law, and promoting Luo Wanqing to the head of the Supervision Division.

On her first day in office, Prince Guangcheng Li Guiyu surrendered himself, and Luo Wanqing personally presided over his trial.

His case files were sealed by the Supervision Division. No one knew what crimes he committed or what he did, except that someone last saw him in Yangzhou.

Luo Wanqing accompanied him to Yangzhou's Luo Residence to identify the crime scene. Li Guiyu walked with her through Yangzhou, identifying the entire process of how he and Zheng framed Luo Qushu in the salt trafficking case.

Afterward, Luo Wanqing sentenced him to death and imprisoned him in Yangzhou Prison.

When he was incarcerated, he was placed in the same cell where she had been held. Luo Wanqing escorted him into the cell, and Li Guiyu looked up at the wall filled with "Jiang Shaoyan," softly asking, "What were you thinking then?"

"I was thinking, waiting for you to save me." Luo Wanqing said, laughing softly, "But now I realize that one can only save oneself."

Li Guiyu remained silent, pondering for a moment before turning to look at the sword at her waist, softly asking, "I haven't seen your final strike. What is your final strike?"

Her final strike?

Upon hearing this, many faces flashed through Luo Wanqing's mind.

Zhang Jiuran, Xie Minran, Ji Ruifang, Xing Ling...

And Xie Heng.

Thinking of him falling in the blood, of saving him repeatedly, of the music festival where the young master sat high on the stage, of their first meeting in Yangzhou, when he smiled and said, "I am Qin Jue."

She gripped the hilt of her sword, speaking hoarsely, "It is compassion."

Li Guiyu didn't understand, and Luo Wanqing calmly explained, "It is loving one person and extending that love to all people; it is pitying one person and thereby pitying all beings. My final blow is wishing for a world without injustice, suffering, despair, or pain. He told me," her eyes moistened, "this is compassion."

Li Guiyu quietly looked at her, and in that moment, he suddenly realized.

During their five years together, she had always been behind him.

But during the two years with Xie Heng, she shone brightly.

He slowly smiled and softly asked, "May I see your final strike?"

Luo Wanqing looked up at him for a long time before nodding, "Yes."

She went to East Capital for the first time and could only block three of his arrows during their initial encounter.

This time, they chose the lakeside in Yangzhou where they had once been before. When she drew her final strike, she severed his hairpin.

After returning to the prison, Luo Wanqing bid him farewell one last time. Without saying much, she looked at this old acquaintance before her and finally nodded gently: "Rest well."

Li Guiyu gazed at her, silent.

Watching her silhouette fade into the light, he finally couldn't help but call out, "Miss!"

Luo Wanqing turned around in the glow and saw Li Guiyu smiling. "I like you. But in the next life," his lips trembled slightly, "we don't have to meet again."

Hearing these words, Luo Wanqing softly replied, "In the next life, may your wishes come true."

Li Guiyu responded with tears in his eyes, "Thank you."

Seeing her expression, she sensed something, yet didn't turn back.

When Luo Wanqing left the prison, she received news from the jailer that after she left, Li Guiyu had taken his own life in the cell filled with "Jiang Shaoyan's" name, using the dagger he had given her.

The manner of his suicide, as Luo Wanqing read in the case file, was strikingly similar to her father's.

With debts settled, everything came to an end.

Later, Luo Wanqing, under the emperor's orders, thoroughly investigated the case involving the Cui family. This case was extensive and took a long time; it took her a whole year to clarify, resulting in the execution of over three hundred people involved and the exile of seven hundred more.

Among them was Li Guiyu's mother, the former Empress Wang Lianyang.

On the day of the verdict, Luo Wanqing brought her a cup of wine. She asked curiously, "When you gave birth to him, didn't you ever think of treating him well?"

Wang Lianyang remained silent for a long time before saying, "If I kept him, there would always be a risk of being discovered. It was better to find a suitable opportunity to let him go. Since he was destined to leave," she raised her gaze, "how could I dare to give my heart? Actually... why did I care so much about Shangwen?"

Wang Lianyang smiled bitterly, then thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps it was because when I wanted to hold Guiyu for the first time, I didn't dare to. I was afraid of developing feelings, so I doubled my love for Shangwen instead."

Luo Wanqing listened to this absurd reason, chuckled softly, and turned to leave.

Once everything was settled, Luo Wanqing visited Dao Sect every month.

Xie Heng was placed in the forbidden area of Dao Sect, where no visits were allowed. No one knew whether he was alive or dead.

She couldn't see him, so she waited every month. After a year, two years, she began to suspect that Dao Sect might be deceiving her.

He had already passed away, but they feared she would be sad and gave her false hope.

So she stopped visiting, focusing instead on taking care of Lian Qing and writing letters to him, which she burned in the brazier.

During the New Year of Changxing, she spent it in the palace. Xingling was pregnant with a child, and everyone was delighted.

Li Shengzhao gave gifts to everyone. When it was Luo Wanqing's turn, Li Shengzhao handed her a red envelope and smiled, "Wan Qing, you've been so busy lately. Why not find a shadow envoy to help you? At least someone to write documents for you."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty," Luo Wanqing shook her head and refused, "but I'm used to working alone and don't need a shadow envoy."

"He thinks your documents are poorly written."

Beside her, Vermilion Bird, munching on sunflower seeds, directly said, "Do you really think he cares so much about you?"

"Go away."

Li Shengzhao shooed Vermilion Bird away and then seriously said, "Really, you can't handle everything alone. I'll assign someone specifically for document work and send them to you tonight."

"No, really, it's not necessary."

Luo Wanqing repeatedly declined but couldn't resist Li Shengzhao's enthusiasm, planning to send the person away when she returned.

Everyone ate and drank, and Luo Wanqing drank until late into the night. She stumbled back up the mountain alone.

It snowed that night. She walked on the stone steps, stepping through the accumulated snow, listening to the crunching sound beneath her feet.

With each step up the mountain, she thought of Xie Heng.

She remembered carrying him down the mountain that day.

She remembered countless times walking up this path, seeing the brightly lit courtyard and the figure sitting at the desk, buried in endless documents and official duties.

As she walked, she suddenly felt something was off. Instinctively, she gripped her sword and looked up, only to see a figure standing under a frost-covered, snow-laden peach tree, looking up at the branches.

He wore a dark blue cotton robe, tied with a red cord at the waist, carrying a soft sword and a wine flask. His long hair was half-tied with a blue and white ribbon.

Originally looking up at the branches, he turned his head with a smile upon hearing her voice.

His beautiful eyes reflected the starlight, and he respectfully raised his hand, smiling slightly.

"Shadow Envoy Cui Guanlan greets the Master."

Luo Wanqing stared at the person before her, and seeing her stillness, he finally sighed.

He approached, took her hand, and looked down at her.

"Xiniang," he called her by the name only he used, "I'm back."

Xie Heng was fated to die.

But Cui Guanlan could live for her.

Xiniang, he's back.

I will send out a big red envelope to celebrate the completion of this chapter.

This story has taken a long time to write.

For everyone, it's been a year; for me, it started at the beginning of 2023, and I accumulated over two hundred thousand words before starting to publish. I was enthusiastic about it because in the past, I couldn't finish a long story without readers. Without reader interaction, it felt very dry. Previously, with "A Finite Life," I had the entire manuscript ready but ended up rewriting it after publication. Inspiration and emotion need to be sparked.

But fortunately, through the repeated torture of revising, I finally learned to keep writing without needing feedback. The next book will be fully drafted before publication.

This one took too long, so the emotional attachment is deep. But it's time to say goodbye to Qing Qing/Xiniang, Xie Heng/Cui Guanlan, Li Guiyu/Jiang Shaoyan, and many other beloved characters.

Writing this story was challenging. On one hand, the initial setup of Luo family's case and the world-building were not solid enough, leading to constant issues as the story progressed.

On the other hand, I have deep feelings for the characters, and building the relationships between Luo Wanqing, Xie Heng, and Li Guiyu was particularly difficult. I wanted each character to be precisely constructed, which led to frequent revisions.

Of course, there are still many regrets. The chapters from when they regained their memories until the wedding and the assassination attempt on Zheng Pingsheng were somewhat dragging, but since they didn't affect the character development, I left them alone.

Revising is painful for readers, so I must especially thank all of you who have accompanied and tolerated me throughout this journey.

Through this story, I've learned a lot.

Actually, I don't like writing too much plot; I prefer writing about emotional connections. But most of the time, without those plot elements, the characters wouldn't be well-established.

At heart, I want to write about good people falling in love.

Fortunately, this story gradually helped me find some direction and learn a lot.

Whether it's about developing emotional tension, setting up events, or reflecting on how to move forward as an author, I feel that I've grown a lot.

I hope the next story will be more concise. In the next story, "Snowy Cangshan," we'll meet again. Love you all. (づ￣3￣)づ╭?～

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