Chapter 144

After they boarded the carriage and Xie Qi flicked the whip, driving them away from the bustling marketplace, Aunt Zhao finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Completely confused, Fan Changyu asked, “Auntie, what exactly happened?”

Looking guilty, Aunt Zhao replied, “Changyu, Auntie was foolish. I may have caused trouble for you.”

She recounted the argument she’d had at the fabric stall, too ashamed to raise her head.

“I only heard those women saying that Yanzheng had accepted some Li family’s young lady’s ribbon, and I couldn’t help speaking up… Who would’ve thought things would turn out like this…”

Her rough, calloused hands clenched tightly inside her sleeves before she looked up at Fan Changyu and asked,

“I’ve heard that officials can be impeached very easily. This… this won’t cause someone to impeach you or Yanzheng, will it?”

Uncle Zhao was also worried that his wife’s actions might bring trouble upon Fan Changyu.

Immediately, he pointed at Aunt Zhao and scolded her.

“You, honestly. At your age, why did you have to argue over something like that?”

Filled with guilt, Aunt Zhao remained silent despite being reprimanded.

Fan Changyu quickly intervened.

“It’s not a big deal, Auntie. Don’t blame yourself. Just try not to get into arguments over things like this in the future. It could create unnecessary complications.”

The Emperor, Wei Yan, and even the Li family already knew about her relationship with Xie Zheng.

Once word spread that Xie Zheng had accepted a woman’s ribbon during his triumphant return to the capital, they could easily guess it had been hers.

As for everyone else, she and Xie Zheng would marry sooner or later anyway.

There was no harm in the common people finding out.

The more troublesome issue was probably her status as a widow.

There would undoubtedly be people who thought she wasn’t worthy of Xie Zheng.

But those same people would still think she wasn’t worthy of him even if they learned the man she’d once married had been Xie Zheng all along.

In the past, Fan Changyu might have cared.

But after spending so long on the battlefield, she had already learned to view life and death lightly.

If she still feared gossip, she’d truly be moving backward.

Hearing her reassurance, Aunt Zhao finally relaxed completely.

“No, no. It won’t happen again. Definitely not.”

The carriage returned steadily to the Courier Lodge.

Seeing that Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao had both fallen unusually quiet, Changning sat in Fan Changyu’s lap and asked,

“Big Sister, is Brother-in-law going to the palace to receive rewards from the Emperor too?”

She remembered that after Fan Changyu entered the capital, she had gone to the palace with the other generals.

Fan Changyu lightly nodded.

“Of course he is.”

Officials ranked fifth grade and above who served in the capital were required to attend court daily.

Ministers recalled from outside postings generally only needed to remain at the Courier Lodge or handle official business unless specifically summoned by the Emperor.

Fan Changyu and the other generals who had recently returned from the northwestern battlefield were currently idle.

The Emperor would probably decide their future appointments after the New Year.

Yet the political situation in court had become increasingly treacherous.

The occupant of the Dragon Throne had possessed little real power since his ascension.

Aside from a handful of genuinely loyal officials, most ministers only paid lip service to the imperial family.

Behind the scenes, they aligned themselves either with Wei Yan or the Li family.

The young emperor’s achievements were mediocre, but his ambitions were considerable.

He had previously attempted to use the Li family to overthrow Wei Yan.

Unfortunately, he had acted too hastily.

Before Wei Yan could be removed, the Li family realized that the Emperor’s knife was ultimately aimed at them as well.

As a result, they switched sides and joined forces with Crown Prince’s Grandson Qi Min.

Now the Emperor had no choice but to seek Wei Yan’s protection once more.

The struggle between the Wei faction and the Li faction would likely be decided by the ongoing trial investigating Wei Yan’s collusion with the rebels.

Lately, Fan Changyu had been spending much of her time at the Court of Judicial Review.

She hoped to uncover what role the Sui family had played in the Jinzhou tragedy years ago.

By observing the interrogations, she searched for links between Wei Yan’s current case and the conspiracy behind the Jinzhou massacre.

However, the joint investigation by the Three Judicial Offices was progressing painfully slowly.

The case might drag on for another month or two before reaching a conclusion.

As for the future of the man sitting on the Dragon Throne, no one could predict what might happen in the coming months.

Changning’s eyes immediately brightened.

“Then what reward will the Emperor give Brother-in-law?”

The question made Fan Changyu pause.

Xie Zheng had already been granted a marquisate before reaching twenty years of age.

In terms of military achievements, no one in the court could compare with him.

The last time she attended court alongside Tang Peiyi, the Emperor had spoken suggestively about granting Xie Zheng the Nine Bestowments.

The court officials had all fallen silent at the mention.

At the time, Fan Changyu had found it strange and later asked Tang Peiyi what the Nine Bestowments were.

Tang Peiyi had replied carefully:

“Throughout history, the Nine Bestowments have only been granted when an emperor has no higher honors left to bestow upon a minister. They include gifts such as chariots, ceremonial robes, court music, imperial steps, battle axes, bows, and arrows—symbols of supreme imperial authority.

“But those who received the Nine Bestowments throughout history rarely met a good end. Most were infamous and powerful ministers.”

At present, the court was evenly divided between the Li faction and the Wei faction.

Had the Emperor deliberately pushed Xie Zheng into the spotlight that day?

Was he hoping Wei Yan and Grand Tutor Li would deal with Xie Zheng for him?

The thought inevitably worried Fan Changyu.

As she adjusted Changning’s collar, she simply said,

“How would your sister know what the Emperor intends to reward him with?”

Changning was clearly dissatisfied with that answer.

She buried her face in Fan Changyu’s embrace and pouted.

Occasionally, the wind lifted a corner of the carriage curtain.

Gently patting Changning’s back, Fan Changyu gazed through the window toward the direction of the imperial palace.

A faint frown appeared between her brows.

—

Imperial Palace.

“His Majesty summons Marquis Wu’an, Xie Zheng, to an audience!”

The announcement echoed through the long palace corridors.

The sound rebounded countless times between the towering gatehouses on either side of the Meridian Gate, carrying an imposing sense of majesty.

Rows of armored Imperial Guards stood at attention before the gate, their expressions stern and solemn.

The sun hung high overhead.

Even the glazed roof tiles shimmered with a golden sheen.

Clad in armor and carrying a sword, Xie Zheng strode through the vast palace gates.

His black cloak billowed behind him, dragging with it an aura of blood-soaked slaughter.

His expression was indifferent yet sharp.

The qilin-headed pauldrons on his shoulders looked especially ferocious beneath the blazing sunlight.

Though qilin were auspicious creatures, these seemed stained by years of drinking blood on the battlefield, radiating brutality and menace.

No one dared meet his gaze.

For a brief moment, even the red walls and golden roofs lining the palace avenue seemed to lose their usual grandeur.

Instead, they appeared subdued before him.

When Xie Zheng entered the Golden Throne Hall, every official turned to look.

The foremost position among the military officials remained vacant for him.

Standing at the head of the civil officials, Grand Tutor Li cast him a brief glance.

His wrinkled brows furrowed slightly.

The wolf cub Wei Yan had raised at his side had finally matured.

In terms of ruthlessness and methods, he was every bit as formidable as Wei Yan had been in his youth.

Grand Tutor Li withdrew his gaze and resumed looking forward.

Xie Zheng ignored all the scrutiny.

He lifted his eyes toward the young emperor seated on the throne.

The moment their gazes met, Qi Sheng’s smile became visibly strained.

The corner of Xie Zheng’s mouth curled into something between mockery and amusement.

He couldn’t even be bothered to perform a proper kneeling salute.

Merely inclining his body slightly, he cupped his fists.

“This subject greets Your Majesty.”

As a marquis, he no longer needed to refer to himself as a general before the emperor.

Qi Sheng feared him while secretly grinding his teeth in hatred.

Maintaining a forced smile, he replied,

“Rise, Minister Xie.”

Then he turned to the assembled officials.

“Minister Xie is a pillar of Great Yin. I hereby grant him the privilege of entering court with sword and shoes, approaching the throne without haste, and being addressed without naming taboos.”

These privileges had been granted when Xie Zheng was first ennobled.

Even then, Qi Sheng had already been plotting ways to drive a wedge between Wei Yan and his nephew.

The civil and military officials remained silent.

Looking at the quiet court, Qi Sheng’s resentment over the decline of imperial authority deepened.

Yet there was nothing he could do.

With a forced smile, he continued,

“Minister Xie risked his life suppressing the rebellion in Chongzhou and earned the greatest merit. The Northern Frontier remains secure thanks to his defense. Therefore, I bestow upon him the Nine Bestowments.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he clapped his hands lightly.

Several eunuchs stepped forward carrying trays covered in yellow silk.

The trays held a variety of exquisite treasures.

Xie Zheng’s gaze swept over them.

The chill in his eyes deepened.

Still, he merely inclined himself slightly.

“This subject thanks Your Majesty for your gracious favor.”

—

The court session concluded without incident.

The Wei faction remained unusually quiet due to Wei Yan’s prolonged absence from court under the pretext of illness and because they thoroughly understood Xie Zheng’s temperament.

The Li faction, meanwhile, regarded Xie Zheng with considerable caution.

But since Grand Tutor Li never spoke, none of his followers dared provoke him.

Only the eunuchs who had personally delivered the imperial gifts to Xie Zheng were still trembling afterward.

Grand Tutor Li departed early alongside his eldest son and several trusted disciples.

As they crossed the Golden Water Bridge and found themselves surrounded only by allies, Li Yuanting finally spoke.

“Father, Marquis Wu’an’s influence has already surpassed Wei Yan’s. As long as he remains in the capital, our plans…”

Despite his frustration, he dared not finish the sentence.

Grand Tutor Li’s crane-embroidered robes shimmered beneath the sunlight.

Unlike his impatient son, his pace remained steady and calm.

“What are you panicking for? Things will work themselves out when the time comes.”

No sooner had he spoken than a lazy yet oppressive voice sounded from behind.

“Grand Tutor, a moment.”

Grand Tutor Li stopped and turned.

Xie Zheng was descending the white marble steps toward them.

“What guidance does the Marquis wish to offer?”

The old man’s tone revealed nothing.

The corner of Xie Zheng’s mouth lifted slightly.

“Nothing so grand. I merely have something I’d like to return to the Grand Tutor.”

As he approached, the officials gathered around Grand Tutor Li visibly tensed.

Several swallowed nervously.

Perhaps it was only their imagination, but as Xie Zheng drew near, they felt as though a faint scent of blood accompanied him.

Some of the more timid officials even turned pale.

Grand Tutor Li alone remained composed.

His aged but sharp eyes rested upon Xie Zheng.

“The Marquis and I have little personal association. What item could you possibly wish to return?”

Xie Zheng stopped three paces away.

With a flick of his wrist, a jade pendant suspended from a red cord dropped from his fingers and swayed gently in the air.

The character “An” was carved into its surface.

The moment Li Yuanting saw it, his expression changed dramatically.

“That’s… that’s Huai’an’s jade pendant!”

Xie Zheng loosened his grip.

The pendant nearly fell to the ground.

Fortunately, Li Yuanting reacted quickly and caught the cord.

“Returning property to its rightful owner,” Xie Zheng said lazily.

Li Yuanting’s concern for his son overwhelmed him.

“What have you done to my son?”

Xie Zheng slowly raised his eyes and looked at the Minister of Revenue.

“Didn’t I already say? Returning property to its rightful owner.”

Li Yuanting’s face turned red with anxiety, but Xie Zheng ignored him entirely.

Instead, he looked toward Grand Tutor Li.

Sunlight reflected in his eyes, making them impossible to read.

“The item has been returned. I’ll take my leave.”

As soon as Xie Zheng walked away, Li Yuanting immediately turned to his father.

“Father, Huai’an has fallen into Xie Zheng’s hands. What does he mean by this?”

Grand Tutor Li stared at the departing figure of the young marquis.

Several glimmers of understanding flashed through his aged eyes.

“He’s threatening me.”

—

Li Yuanting still didn’t understand the meaning behind those words.

Yet before he could ask further questions, he saw his father already continuing toward the palace gates.

He hurried after him.

“What does he want us to exchange for Huai’an?”

Grand Tutor Li lowered his wrinkled eyelids, concealing the darkness in his eyes.

“Huai’an would never betray the Li family.”

Li Yuanting froze where he stood.

He would never betray the Li family.

Did that mean that even if Li Huai’an had fallen into Xie Zheng’s hands, he would never reveal the evidence concerning the rebellion that the Li family had secretly engineered—the rebels’ escape from Chongzhou and their near capture of Lu City?

Was Xie Zheng using Li Huai’an’s jade pendant precisely because he couldn’t pry open his mouth and therefore wanted to negotiate?

The Li family’s official sedan chairs had already been carried outside the Meridian Gate.

As Grand Tutor Li was about to step into his sedan, Li Yuanting hurriedly blocked his path.

His emotions were visibly agitated.

“Father, are you planning to abandon Huai’an?”

Grand Tutor Li gave his eldest son a calm look.

“Do you think the Li family has any other path left?”

From the moment the Li family threw their full support behind Crown Prince’s Grandson Qi Min, they had become rebels in the Emperor’s eyes—traitors he wished to eliminate as soon as possible.

Qi Min also possessed written correspondence proving their dealings with him.

Their lives were effectively in his hands.

The Li family had no choice but to continue supporting him.

Abandoning Li Huai’an was the only way to preserve the family’s interests to the greatest extent possible.

After Grand Tutor Li entered his sedan chair, Li Yuanting remained standing there for a long time.

Even though he understood the family’s situation, he still couldn’t believe his father had so casually discarded the most talented and promising young member of the Li family’s generation.

One of the servants waiting nearby cautiously asked,

“My lord, shall we depart?”

Thinking of his son, now reduced to a disposable pawn, grief surged through Li Yuanting’s chest.

His face turned ashen.

He stepped into the sedan chair.

“Let’s go.”

—

Imperial Palace.

After leaving the Golden Throne Hall, Qi Sheng didn’t even return to Taiqian Palace before smashing countless vases and jade ornaments to pieces in a side hall.

Only after exhausting himself did he brace both hands against a table and gasp for breath.

His eyes were fixed viciously upon the shattered porcelain littering the floor.

“Does that Xie Zheng still have even the slightest respect for me as emperor?”

The eunuchs serving nearby remained silent as cicadas in winter.

No matter how skilled they normally were at flattering others, none of them knew how to appease the temperamental emperor now.

After panting for a while, Qi Sheng suddenly let out a sinister laugh.

“Let him be arrogant a little longer. Xie Zheng’s good days are almost over.”

Apparently recalling something, his mood abruptly improved.

He even adjusted the dragon robes he’d disheveled during his outburst.

Smiling, he said,

“Return to Taiqian Palace.”

Yet the moment he stepped out of the side hall, he let out a short scream.

A pool of blood spreading across the white marble steps had terrified him.

Qi Sheng collapsed directly onto the threshold.

Reflected in his horrified eyes was the corpse of one of his trusted eunuchs, eyes still wide open in death.

Beside the body was a bloodied saber still dripping red.

Looking toward the armored man standing below the steps, sword in hand, he stammered,

“M-Marquis Wu’an… are… are you planning to murder your sovereign and rebel?”

Xie Zheng casually flicked his wrist.

The remaining blood on the blade scattered away.

Unhurriedly, he returned the saber to the empty scabbard of a nearby Imperial Guard.

Ignoring the guard’s deathly pale face, he looked calmly at Qi Sheng.

“Your Majesty wrongs this subject. I heard that this eunuch was deceiving and misleading Your Majesty. Since Your Majesty granted me the authority to punish and execute at will, I took the liberty of removing this threat on your behalf.”

The dead eunuch was the very same imperial envoy who had supervised the campaign in Chongzhou.

Following Qi Sheng’s secret orders, he had intended to target Fan Changyu on the battlefield.

Only because the Li family later allowed Wei Yan and Crown Prince’s Grandson Qi Min to pull off their diversionary scheme and attack Lu City instead had that plan failed.

Even then, when Tang Peiyi attempted to send cavalry reinforcements to Lu City, the eunuch had interfered repeatedly.

Had Tang Peiyi not stood firm, most of the cavalry would have been dragged back to the capital under the pretext of delivering reports.

In that case, Lu City might truly have fallen.

After returning to the capital, the eunuch had continuously exaggerated and distorted events from Chongzhou in his reports to Qi Sheng.

Had Tang Peiyi and the others not achieved victory, Qi Sheng would certainly have found an excuse to punish them.

When Fan Changyu and the others entered the capital, they would have suffered greatly, if not lost their lives altogether.

Previously, Xie Zheng hadn’t had time to deal with these vermin.

Now that he had officially returned to the capital, it was time to settle every account.

Watching Xie Zheng stroll toward him as casually as if he were taking a walk in his own garden, Qi Sheng’s face turned deathly pale.

He wanted to call for guards.

Yet throughout the enormous palace hall, only a single Imperial Guard remained.

The rest had somehow disappeared.

The realization only intensified his terror.

His hands shook uncontrollably against the floor.

Staring at the steadily approaching Xie Zheng, he barked weakly,

“Y-You… what are you trying to do?”

There wasn’t a trace of imperial dignity left in him.

A hint of mockery flashed through Xie Zheng’s eyes.

Bending slightly, he extended a hand.

Blessed with handsome features to begin with, he looked particularly charming when he smiled.

“Because this subject was eliminating a servant who misled his sovereign, Your Majesty was unfortunately startled. My crime deserves death. Allow this subject to help Your Majesty up.”

To Qi Sheng, however, the handsome face before him was more terrifying than any demon.

He didn’t dare accept the offered hand.

Bracing himself against the doorframe, he tried to stand on his own.

Suddenly, a hand like an iron clamp seized his elbow.

For the first time, Qi Sheng truly understood how terrifying a warrior’s strength could be.

A muffled groan escaped him.

It felt as though his entire arm was about to be crushed.

Cold sweat poured down his temples.

Yet Xie Zheng still wore that faint smile.

Slowly, he asked,

“When Your Majesty spoke disrespectfully of General Yunhui in court before, was that also due to this servant’s instigation?”

Qi Sheng’s heart shook violently.

At last, he understood.

Everything Xie Zheng was doing today was to vent Fan Changyu’s grievances.

Both shocked and furious by Xie Zheng’s complete disregard for imperial authority, a twisted hatred surged within him.

Yet fear overwhelmed everything else.

A large bead of sweat rolled down his face.

Pale and trembling, he hurriedly agreed.

“Y-Yes… it was that dog of a servant who slandered her before me.”

Xie Zheng lifted his lashes slightly.

Only then did he release his grip.

“Good.”

The threat hidden within those words was unmistakable.

Xie Zheng had come today to warn him.

Never target Fan Changyu again.

No matter how much hatred simmered within him, the pain in his arm kept Qi Sheng rational.

He didn’t dare utter a single inappropriate word.

Xie Zheng glanced at him indifferently.

With a perfunctory salute, he said,

“The villain has been eliminated. This subject shall take his leave.”

Only after Xie Zheng completely disappeared from sight did Qi Sheng finally collapse against the doorway.

Though it was the dead of winter, his clothes were soaked through with cold sweat.

The chief eunuch, who had barely dared breathe throughout the entire encounter, finally approached and helped him up.

His shrill voice trembled with anger.

“That Xie Zheng truly harbors wolfish ambitions! The Xie family has produced generations of loyal heroes, yet he dares disregard law and order. Isn’t he afraid of disgracing his ancestors?”

Qi Sheng’s face darkened.

He shoved the chief eunuch aside and stared in the direction Xie Zheng had left.

“I cannot allow him to live.”

—

Back when Xie Linshan served as the capital’s commanding general, the Xie family had maintained a residence in the capital.

There was naturally no need to arrange new accommodations for Xie Zheng.

Not long after court ended, palace servants delivered the Nine Bestowments to his residence.

Xie Zheng only returned long enough to change into ordinary clothes.

He couldn’t even be bothered to meet the eunuchs delivering the gifts.

Instead, he went directly to the Courier Lodge to find Fan Changyu.

Unfortunately, he arrived too late.

Shortly after Fan Changyu returned with Aunt Zhao and the others, Tang Peiyi had already summoned her.

The progress of the Three Judicial Offices’ investigation was something Tang Peiyi watched just as closely as Fan Changyu did.

Determined to clear He Jingyuan’s name, he paid constant attention to developments at the Court of Judicial Review.

Today, while interrogating captured officers and servants of the Sui family, the Court of Judicial Review had once again beaten a prisoner to death.

For now, the matter had been suppressed and had not yet reached court.

Tang Peiyi feared that Wei Yan still had people within the Court of Judicial Review.

If all the key witnesses connected to the Sui family conveniently died during the investigation, proving Wei Yan’s guilt would become impossible.

Another round of interrogations was scheduled for the afternoon.

Worried that something else might go wrong, Tang Peiyi decided to bring Fan Changyu, He Jingyuan’s eldest son, and Zheng Wenchang to observe.

—

Court of Judicial Review.

The weather grew colder by the day as winter deepened.

As a third-rank general, Fan Changyu now had an assigned seat among the observers.

A brazier filled with charcoal sat beneath the low table to her left.

At the front of the courtroom sat the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review.

Representatives from the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate sat beside him.

Their desks were also warmed by braziers, making their seats far more comfortable than those below.

The captured rebel remnants kneeling before them wore only tattered prison uniforms.

Their hair was disheveled.

Their faces and hands had already turned blue from the cold.

Veteran officials of the Court of Judicial Review understood that winter was the ideal season for interrogations.

Sometimes torture wasn’t even necessary.

Leaving prisoners exposed to the freezing cold for a night or two was enough to make many confess voluntarily.

Fan Changyu had already been observing for some time.

The judges mostly followed standard procedure, asking routine questions.

Yet before answering, every prisoner was first dragged outside and beaten with thirty strokes.

The executioners showed no mercy.

After thirty blows, flesh was torn open and blood flowed freely.

Tang Peiyi explained,

“That’s called the intimidation beating. Once they’ve suffered enough, they’re less likely to lie.”

Unfortunately, the prisoners being questioned that afternoon were all insignificant underlings.

Despite the blood pooling beneath the punishment bench outside, no useful information emerged.

When the session paused midway, the observing officials either retired to side rooms for tea or stepped outside for fresh air.

Only after confirming no one else was nearby did Tang Peiyi lower his voice.

“A prisoner died under interrogation this morning. Yet this afternoon they’re only questioning insignificant servants. Even while claiming illness at home, Wei Yan’s reach is still long.”

Fan Changyu frowned.

“If Wei Yan has people within the Court of Judicial Review, should we strengthen protection around that adviser from Prince Changxin’s estate?”

He Jingyuan’s eldest son, He Xiuyun, replied,

“The Li family is more anxious than we are. They won’t let him die.”

Tang Peiyi nodded.

“Exactly. The Li family is still struggling to find physical evidence against Wei Yan. They’ll probably interrogate Sui Yuanhuai’s concubine next. With her child as leverage, she likely won’t be able to hide much.”

Fan Changyu suddenly asked,

“Have they already questioned Sui Yuanhuai’s concubine this morning?”

She naturally knew the imprisoned concubine was a fake.

The woman had merely been used by Qi Min to replace Yu Qianqian and her child.

Even if she truly belonged to the Sui family, Qi Min would never send someone who knew his secrets into government custody.

Torture might fail to uncover evidence against Wei Yan.

But would it expose the fact that Sui Yuanhuai was still alive?

That was another matter entirely.

The Emperor already feared Xie Zheng.

He had even tried to undermine Tang Peiyi and the Jizhou generals on their very first day in the capital.

If news surfaced that a major rebel leader had survived, none of the generals involved in suppressing the rebellion would receive rewards.

Instead, they might all face punishment.

The situation would become extremely unfavorable.

Fan Changyu clenched her fists.

Her expression grew grave.

So this was another trap Qi Min had prepared.

If the Three Judicial Offices’ investigation proceeded smoothly and Wei Yan was eventually brought down by the Li family, then they themselves could be accused of falsely reporting the extermination of the rebels in order to claim military merit.

It was a perfect scheme to eliminate two birds with one stone.

Seeing her expression darken, Tang Peiyi explained,

“They didn’t get that far. Before summoning the concubine, they interrogated one of Sui Yuanhuai’s personal attendants first. That was the man who got beaten to death.

“When the concubine later arrived in court and saw his corpse on the punishment bench, she fainted on the spot.

“The Court of Judicial Review feared she might die from shock, so they summoned an imperial physician. That’s how news of the incident spread.”

“I see,” Fan Changyu said.

But with these worries weighing on her mind, she could no longer focus on the proceedings.

Finding an excuse, she left the courtroom.

Wandering through the compound, she eventually arrived near the prison area.

A guard at the entrance saw her third-rank military uniform and stepped forward, cupping his fists.

“My lady, this is a restricted area. You may not proceed any further.”

With her hands clasped behind her back, Fan Changyu merely lifted her eyelids slightly and gave a cool nod.

The demeanor of a seasoned general concealed all emotion.

She turned away as though she had simply wandered there absentmindedly while lost in thought.

State criminals awaiting trial by the Three Judicial Offices could not be privately interrogated or visited without authorization.

Fan Changyu intended to familiarize herself with the layout and defenses of the Court of Judicial Review before sneaking in after dark.

As she followed the outer wall, discreetly studying the terrain and troop placements, something suddenly struck her shoulder.

Looking down, she saw a tightly wrapped plum blossom bud lying on the ground.

She looked up.

There sat Xie Zheng atop the gray-tiled wall.

One leg was bent casually beneath him.

With one hand, he brushed aside a branch of red plum blossoms extending across the wall.

Tilting his head slightly, he looked down at her.

His face was as flawless as jade, and even against the brilliant plum blossoms, he lost none of his radiance.

His phoenix eyes lowered lazily as he asked,

“You’ve been inspecting this place from the south wall all the way to the north wall. Planning to become a thief?”