Chapter 203: Why Can’t I?

Chapter 203 Why Can’t I?

Since Prince Duan took over the case, the case has been handled remarkably well, with outstanding results.

Many cold cases have been meticulously reviewed one by one, with both witnesses and evidence fully collected and presented.

Until this moment, the residents of Changhe County were shocked to discover that the Jade String Gentleman, who had always been upright and incorruptible, was actually guilty of numerous heinous crimes, his hands drenched in the blood of the innocent.

With the downfall of Sun Zhiye, the poisoning of Wang Laoer’s wife was also uncovered.

And Qi Rui, hidden in the secret room, had already withered into a madwoman when discovered.

Prince Duan sentenced Sun Zhiye to execution by beheading under the Daqian law.

In the county jail.

"You’re here?"

Lu Mingchao glanced at Sun Zhiye, her eyes flickering in the candlelight, her gaze shifting between light and shadow.

"Although you have been sentenced to beheading, the execution date has not yet arrived. Dying in prison wouldn’t do the county magistrate any good."

"You called me here with your death, so I had to come."

She had already learned from Prince Duan that Gu Huai was implicated, and his assignment outside the capital was indefinitely delayed, entirely at the emperor’s discretion.

In other words, she and Magistrate Xu would be working together for a long time.

Returning favors is the wisest move.

Sun Zhiye looked up, the light and shadow danced across his face.

Half in the light, half in the shadow.

"Lu Mingchao, I never thought I would lose so miserably, with my family ruined and my life in your hands."

Sun Zhiye’s tone was as unpleasant as the stench of the prison.

Sticky, oppressive, and cold.

Their eyes locked through the bars.

Lu Mingchao smiled, her eyes curving. "The eldest son of the Sun family, after committing all those evil acts, don’t you think it’s pointless to say these things now?"

"Ending at my hands?"

"That’s not quite true."

"The eldest son of the Sun family, in my dealings with your brother and you, I have never had blood on my hands."

As she spoke, Lu Mingchao extended her fair and slender fingers.

"These hands are spotless."

"Feeding the hungry, healing the sick, donating, building roads and bridges, opening bookstores, and supporting students—if these hands had a color, it would shine with gold, not blood."

"The eldest son of the Sun family, I’ve never hurt anyone; I just refuse to be taken advantage of."

Sun Zhiye stared blankly at Lu Mingchao’s smiling eyes.

The winter sunlight streaming into the gloomy prison cell had no warmth.

Yet, to Lu Mingchao, it was blindingly bright.

It shimmered like rippling spring water, lending a touch of life to everything around.

But her smile was neither bright nor joyful.

Instead, it was cold and detached, sending a chill.

It was as if their clashes had left no mark on Lu Mingchao’s heart.

Victory didn’t move her. Defeat didn’t faze her.

At that moment, Sun Zhiye felt Lu Mingchao was beyond the ordinary world.

Fearless—not just from bravery, but from an aloofness he couldn’t grasp.

In truth, Lu Mingchao was like the wind—untouchable.

For now, this wind chose to linger for Xie Yan, simply because he was the first to catch her interest.

At this thought, Sun Zhiye let out a heavy sigh.

A hint of resentment seemed to vanish in an instant.

People change. Xie Yan might not always be to her liking.

Sun Zhiye patted the straw beneath him and smiled ruefully, "I concede. I’m no match for you."

"Lu Mingchao, are you ready to take over the Sun family’s business?"

"That’s the plan," Lu Mingchao nodded.

"Though your father’s determination to turn things around is quite a headache."

Before spring arrived, Chaofu Trading Co. had monopolized Changhe.

Lu Mingchao picked up a handkerchief, covering her nose and mouth lightly, and said, "The eldest son of the Sun family, using your life as a threat, dragged me here just for these trivial words?"

"A dying man’s words are true. Miss Lu, perhaps you could show a little patience," Sun Zhiye feigned ignorance of the edge in her words.

"Even I’ve lost to you, let alone my father. He’s no match."

"Lu Mingchao, you’re the one who brought His Highness Prince Duan to Changhe, right?"

"You’re joking, eldest son of the Sun family," Lu Mingchao raised an eyebrow.

Sun Zhiye ignored her denial, sighing softly and saying, "His Highness Prince Duan was a masterstroke—cutting off all my retreats and support."

Lu Mingchao stayed impassive, "It was just a coincidence. Heaven sees all, and justice prevails."

Sun Zhiye stared intently at Lu Mingchao, "Given our history, I’ll give you a gift to bring down Lu Minghui."

"Don’t say no—we’re bound to clash eventually, right?"

"Lu Minghui wrote to me, demanding I take out the Lu Chunhe family in Dahe Village. After thinking it over, I politely turned her down and had Tiandong investigate the reason."

"So you discovered that Lu Minghui was almost assaulted by Lu Chunhe and his son when she was young?" Lu Mingchao, unwilling to accept Sun Zhiye's favor, responded indifferently.

A flicker of surprise crossed Sun Zhiye’s tired eyes.

"You knew?"

Lu Mingchao shrugged. "It’s pretty clear."

"Know your enemy and know yourself, and you’ll never lose."

"As an observer, you’re well aware the Lu family and Lu Minghui will inevitably clash. How could I go in unprepared, like throwing an egg at a rock?"

With the enmity of Lu Yao and Lu Xin in the past, and Lu Minghui's fear of her in the present, it was always going to be a fight to the death.

Sun Zhiye pursed his lips. "Did you know I really wanted to marry you?"

Lu Mingchao's face turned cold, her eyes frosty. "The eldest son of the Sun family—if a venomous snake is hiding, ready to strike, would you think it wants to stay with you?"

"You’ve got the nerve to say this, but I can’t even bear to hear it."

Sun Zhiye's hand beside him unconsciously clenched the straw. "You hate me this much? What about Xie Yan?"

"You look like a loving couple, but aren’t you just faking it?"

Lu Mingchao: Completely at a loss for words.

"Just because you say it’s fake doesn’t make it true."

"Think what you want. You’re about to die anyway, so I’ll let it slide."

"Got anything important to say?"

"If not, then just sit tight and wait to die."

Sun Zhiye stood up, walked to the fence, and cast a shadow.

"If Xie Yan can do it, why can’t I?"

Lu Mingchao's impatience was almost tangible. "You’re wrong. It’s not that Xie Yan can—it’s that only he can."

Sun Zhiye froze, as if he couldn’t keep lying to himself.

"Truth is, I came because I had too many questions I couldn’t answer."

"How’d you pull off making the Sun house haunted?"

"How’d you keep figuring out my every move?"

"How’d you get my mom to side with you?"

"Did you have something to do with Qu Ying’s pregnancy?"

"I know my mom—she’s vindictive and petty. She’d never let Qu Ying get away with it."

"You chase fame but don’t care about manners—why?"

"Too many questions, but after seeing you, they don’t seem to matter anymore."

"I’ve lost too much. Knowing wouldn’t change a thing."

"Only A Yan’s got what it takes."