Zhong Li and Guo Xin emerged from the Jinzhou restaurant as dusk settled.
Guo Xin, no longer displaying the sorrow from the private room, ascended her carriage with the assistance of her maid, much like any other noble lady.
Zhong Li walked to the carriage window, intending to see Guo Xin off.
Guo Xin lifted the curtain and gazed at the woman opposite. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Actually, I sought you out with selfish intentions, Miss Zhong."
Zhong Li raised an eyebrow, looking at her.
Just as Guo Xin prepared to continue, Zhong Li reached out and placed a finger on her lips, stopping her. "I understand what you wish to say, but some things are best kept hidden in one's heart.
Let's go!"
Guo Xin's voice choked slightly. She nodded, instructed the driver, and lowered the curtain, departing.
Zhong Li stood at the restaurant entrance, watching the receding carriage, and exhaled softly.
"What, feeling used and unhappy?" a man's voice sounded from behind.
Zhong Li knew who it was without turning around.
With her hands clasped behind her back, she walked forward. "Not unhappy. Isn't it natural for people to utilize each other? Being utilized means having value, doesn't it?"
"Indeed!" Lu Wuxie quickened his pace to her side, taking her slightly cool fingertips. "It's best that you think this way."
Zhong Li held his hand, watching the small stalls setting up for the night market along the street. "I know. Guo Xin appears innocent, but she is Guo Qi's daughter. How could someone who grew up in such a twisted family be a simple person?
The reason she sought me out today is merely to inform her in-laws that she knows me, an official of the court. If the Li family wishes to pursue the path of imperial merchants, they will surely show her deference.
It may not change the Li family's intention to take a concubine for young Master Li, but at least her position as the primary wife will be unshakable."
"You see it clearly!" Lu Wuxie gave her a thumbs-up.
Zhong Li smiled and took his other hand in hers. "Actually, I am certainly not someone who would abuse my position for personal gain. Her true objective is beyond what she's saying..."
As she spoke, she focused on Lu Wuxie.
"You're referring to me?" Lu Wuxie pointed at his own nose.
"Who else?" Zhong Li smiled. "Everyone knows the Prince of Nan Yue is unrestrained and disregards the law, yet he holds influence in court. I am also yours, so her closeness to me is tantamount to being close to you."
"Hmm..." Lu Wuxie narrowed his eyes, looking at Zhong Li. After a long pause, he said, "Disregard the law, I truly haven't. After all, I am from the Judicial Inspection Office, and abiding by the law is the paramount principle.
As for... what you said later, that you are mine..."
He leaned in close to Zhong Li's ear and whispered, "It seems to be just a little bit short."
Zhong Li's ears warmed. She shyly dodged his gaze and shot him a look. "You have quite the imagination."
"Yes!" Lu Wuxie pulled her along as they walked towards the post station. "Sometimes I yearn for all this to happen quickly, then to end quickly, so we can be together forever.
Other times, I'm afraid."
"Afraid of what?" Zhong Li asked.
Lu Wuxie's expression turned slightly serious. "Afraid that things will be beyond my control, and everything will vanish into nothingness."
"It won't happen!" Zhong Li answered him decisively without hesitation. "Mo Cang, no matter what happens, even if you lose everything, I will stay by your side."
The next day, the Jinzhou yamen.
Zhong Li sat in the Disciplinary Office, observing Wu Zhong and Wu You kneeling on the ground. Lu Wuxie sat beside her as an observer.
Having not consumed khat for a full day and night, the two appeared exceptionally listless.
Wu You, in particular, seemed disoriented, his body curled up and trembling.
Seeing them in this state, Zhong Li knew she couldn't get anything from them. She exchanged a glance with Ah Wang.
Ah Wang nodded, took two bowls filled with medicinal soup from the table, and administered them to Wu Zhong and Wu You.
Shortly after, Wu Zhong's spirits seemed to improve slightly, though his eyelids remained heavy.
Zhong Li glanced at Ah Wang again.
Ah Wang produced a small bottle and applied a few drops to Wu Zhong's nostrils.
Wu Zhong immediately became alert, his eyes widening.
"What is this?" he asked, looking around in panic.
"Mustard powder," Zhong Li replied concisely.
Wu Zhong's gaze finally settled on Zhong Li. He snorted coldly. "Since we've been captured, do as you please, kill us or flog us!"
Zhong Li curled her lips. She had encountered many like Wu Zhong. "When did I say I was going to kill you?" she asked casually.
Wu Zhong froze.
Upon hearing this, Wu You, who had been in a state of dejection, opened his eyes wide. "The official isn't going to kill us."
Zhong Li casually tossed a case file onto the floor. "Do you know why I came to Jinzhou?"
Wu Zhong frowned and pondered for a moment before picking up the case file and reading it.
"The body of Tian Lianxue, the courtesan of Hua Man Lou, was discovered in An Ding County. Following the clues, we found you.
The laws of Nan Yue clearly stipulate that for people like you, imprisonment is the maximum penalty. Death... is not on the table.
Unless..." Zhong Li paused, her eyes sweeping over Wu Zhong and Wu You.
As expected, Wu You couldn't hold back and asked, "Official, unless what?"
"Unless it's a life for a life. Tian Lianxue was killed by you..."
"Tian Lianxue wasn't killed by us, we..."
"Silence!" Wu Zhong snapped, reacting before Wu You could finish his sentence.
After being yelled at, Wu You swallowed the rest of his words.
Seeing this, Zhong Li pondered for a moment. "Since you won't say, I won't force you. You saw just now that Tian Lianxue's case is linked to you both. However, based on the evidence I've gathered, the killer of Tian Lianxue should be a woman..."
Indeed, Wu Zhong's pupils contracted.
Zhong Li continued, "You've been at the Wu family's silver bank for so long; you must have had some contact with the higher-ups and understand how the court handles cases, especially complex ones.
If the real culprit cannot be found, a scapegoat is also acceptable, isn't that right, Lord Lu?"
She glanced at Lu Wuxie.
Lu Wuxie nodded. "Yes, one of you will take the fall anyway. Since Wu You is hesitant to speak, let Wu Zhong speak."
As he finished speaking, he gestured with his hand.
Ah Wang approached Wu You and began to drag him out.
"What are you doing?" Wu You asked, agitated and desperately trying to resist.
Lu Wuxie stretched lazily and slowly stood up. "Since the outcome is already known, I'll leave this to Official Zhong. This Prince will go back to rest for a while."
Zhong Li nodded and picked up the gavel from the table, preparing to continue the interrogation.
Wu You was dragged away, and the door to the Disciplinary Office was promptly closed as Lu Wuxie exited.
Yawning, Lu Wuxie walked away, remarking casually, "I wonder what Wu Zhong will say. Regardless of what Ah Wang says, let's conclude the case like this, with one of them taking the blame."
"Yes!" Ah Wang nodded, preparing to pull Wu You into another cell.
"I'll speak, I'll speak, I'll say it all! The one who killed Tian Lianxue wasn't anyone else, it was Shen Ying, it was Shen Ying!"
Lu Wuxie turned back, seeing Wu You shouting with his neck craned. He smiled and walked over to Wu You. "Are you telling the truth?"
"It's absolutely true, I swear an oath," Wu You said, holding three fingers to his ear.
Lu Wuxie reached out and patted Wu You's face. "Your oath is worthless. Let's go."
With that, he walked to another cell, and Wu You was also led inside.