As if amused by Lin Qingge's words, Leng Ningyue's lips curved into a slight arc.
"Going by your logic, wouldn't Shangguan Wan'er be the most innocent?
Not only was she used as a tool for your brother's return to modern times, but she was also killed by your brother's 'wife.' She's even more wronged than Dou E."
"That being said, based on the current situation, it's highly likely that...
Although I hate to admit it, the male protagonist of this book is Lin Moyuan, and the female protagonist is you, Ningyue sister, not Shangguan Wan'er.
After all, Shangguan Wan'er, as the Prime Minister's daughter, had no small number of interactions with Lin Moyuan.
Yet, Lin Moyuan was indifferent to her, but the moment he saw you, Ningyue sister, he eagerly approached you like a bear encountering honey.
So, could it be that you, Ningyue sister, were supposed to transmigrate six years ago, or even earlier?
But due to some reason, such as my brother's butterfly effect, Shangguan Wan'er didn't follow her original storyline and managed to survive.
This forced you, Ningyue sister, to remain in a dormant state within her body?
Regardless, Shangguan Wan'er was indeed a pitiable soul.
Once we leave here, we'll erect a longevity tablet for her, praying that she too can transmigrate to another place and start anew, just like us."
Leng Ningyue nodded, but her beautiful brows remained furrowed:
"Whether it's Shangguan Wan'er, or me who has taken over her body.
The fact that your brother Lin Jingxing and his wife both met their end at my hands is an undeniable truth."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingge reached out and tilted Leng Ningyue's lowered head towards her, saying solemnly,
"Ningyue sister, I know you feel guilty because you believe you killed your brother's only loved ones in both lives.
You feel indebted to me and can't face me.
But my so-called brother was the one who actively sought death.
With his peculiar way of thinking, even a modern judge would impose a lighter sentence on the killer.
If you add a powerful legal team and evidence like a suicide note, a suspended sentence or even an acquittal would have been possible!"
Lin Qingge's words were, in fact, somewhat exaggerated.
Although it conflicted with her oath as a police officer back then, this was not a world where everyone was equal under the law.
When in Rome, one must do as the Romans do.
Seeing Leng Ningyue's expression waver slightly, she continued to comfort her:
"Ningyue sister, precisely because the departed are gone, shouldn't we cherish our lives more?
Moreover, along the way, Ningyue sister, you've saved me countless times. If we were to calculate it, I should owe you several lives.
However, I have nothing to offer in return, so I can only offer myself.
Of course, it's useless even if you, Ningyue sister, dislike me; I'm clinging onto you anyway."
Leng Ningyue couldn't help but tap her smooth forehead with her hand:
"You're so glib."
"How can it be me being glib?
If you, Ningyue sister, still feel uneasy, then give yourself to me, take my brother's place, and be my family in this world, alright?"
Looking at the woman before her, whose eyes were curved with a smile and a sly glint, Leng Ningyue nodded firmly and replied with a single word:
"Okay."
"Then my dearest Ningyue sister, are you willing to elope with me like this, and from now on live a life of splendor, riding horses and roaming the world with a sword?"
A gentle breeze blew.
Although Leng Ningyue did not answer, her eyes, which seemed to hold the vastness of stars, reached out and encircled the other's waist, using her Qinggong to carry her away into the distance.
A month later.
The new Emperor posted an imperial decree announcing to the world that the Prince of Wu Cheng and the Fourth Prince had colluded with remnants of the former dynasty, plotting rebellion, and had all been suppressed.
However, during the suppression, Empress Shangguan Wan'er was gravely injured and fell into a coma while engaging with the rebels.
Anyone who could save the Empress would be rewarded with a thousand qing of fertile land and ten thousand taels of gold.
Furthermore, Lin Jingxing, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, was honored for his meritorious service in quelling the rebellion and was specially enfeoffed as the Prince Xingguo Yu.
Simultaneously.
In the free school of Jiugou Village, Changzhou County, Lin Qingge, who had been promoted to Prince Xingguo Yu, was lying on a rattan chair in the courtyard, leisurely cracking melon seeds and basking in the sun.
But the next moment, the melon seeds in her hand were snatched away.
"Eating too many melon seeds makes one's throat dry and prone to drinking more water.
It's almost noon, and Xiao Cao has stewed your favorite chicken. You should save some room for it."
Leng Ningyue said as she shared the melon seeds in her hand with passing children.
After leaving Dalin Village that day, the two of them traveled around the mountains and waters before returning to Changzhou County, where they settled down at the school they had established together.
However, after Leng Ningyue personally cooked twice, Lin Qingge decisively sent a message to Hua Jinrong at Renjitang, asking him to pack up Xiao Cao and send her over overnight.
Of course, more than just Xiao Cao arrived.
According to Hua Jinrong's explanation in his letter, Investigator Yan, who had been guarding the Lin residence daily, learned that Xiao Cao was coming to find Lin Qingge and the two of them.
Immediately after, everyone in the capital knew that the newly appointed Prince Xingguo Yu of the Great Xia had resigned from his position as the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, a fourth-rank official, and gone to the countryside to become a teacher...
"Your Excellency, the student truly didn't deliberately leak your whereabouts to Investigator Yan~"
Seeing the figure in dark purple appear at the courtyard entrance, Lin Qingge rolled her eyes towards the sky and chided with annoyance,
"You didn't do it deliberately; you did it intentionally!
I just left without saying goodbye!
But my identity is awkward. If I had stayed there, would I have waited to be imprisoned along with you all?"
With Lin Yan's downfall, the entire Xiaolin Village was razed to the ground.
Her identity as a descendant of the previous dynasty's royal family could no longer be hidden.
Rather than being impeached by others, it was better for her to resign herself, essentially quitting her job with the new emperor.
"Your Excellency, you're overthinking it. Lin Da probably can't wait for you to return to the capital~"
Hua Jinrong's gaze swept over Leng Ningyue, his unspoken meaning quite evident.
But Lin Qingge shook her head repeatedly.
"As the saying goes, accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger.
What if one day, he gets kicked by a donkey and decides he dislikes me, or rather, my identity as a remnant of the previous dynasty's royal family, and decides to execute me? Who would I complain to?"
"Your Excellency is right. The imperial family is the most heartless.
Their Xia family is known for being petty and always likes to strike from the shadows against their love rivals."
Murong Bai, who had just finished his class, emerged gracefully from inside and casually sat down on the rattan chair to Lin Qingge's left.
Feeling that continuing this topic was pointless, Lin Qingge looked at Hua Jinrong, who was supposed to be in the capital, and raised an eyebrow:
"Why are you, who should be the Prime Minister, running to Changzhou County?"
"Replying to Your Excellency, Feng Si has been assisted by Zhou Zeli, who has been enlightened by you and is wholeheartedly devoted to national governance.
And the female officials led by Xu Siyun have also made their debut in the officialdom due to their effective handling of the flood disaster.
Yan Liang, following Lord Yan's orders, has sent the Silver Dragon Guards to Lin Da.
The Great Xia country is rich in talent, and the nation is peaceful and prosperous.
Your student can now legitimately return to his hometown and be a leisurely prince~
By the way, Your Excellency, Ling Han has chosen to remain in the capital, stating that he will return to serve you once the young master has completed his apprenticeship~
Lu Mingxuan and Lu Huaiying, having avenged their great enemy, have returned to the Lu family ancestral home with Lu Sanniang to pay respects to their ancestors. Wu Suowei has also gone home and will return shortly.
And Ye Shengxiao asked me to give you a message.
He said that once his brother successfully wins back his sister-in-law, he will come to find you and asked you to definitely save him a room.
If that's not possible, squeezing in with Xiao Hei is also an option~"
Xiao Hei, who returned to the school with Xiao Cao and is currently responsible for guarding the gate: ?!!!
At this moment, Yan Tinghao came running in from outside, shouting noisily,
"Your Excellency, something's wrong, something's wrong!"
Hearing the all-too-familiar words, a line of black lines appeared on Lin Qingge's forehead.
Despite this, she still stood up from the rattan chair and, with a smile, beckoned,
"Let's go, everyone!"
The group exchanged smiles and, in unison, stepped forward to follow the figure in white clothes and jade attire, elegant and upright like bamboo, heading towards a new case.
(The End)
Author's Note:
Hahaha~ It's finished~ Hooray!
Cases are never-ending~
So it's an open ending, and the crime-solving squad must be complete~
I'll take a day off tomorrow, and start releasing side stories the day after tomorrow, focusing on Qingge~
Love you all~ Sending hearts~