Destined

"This... how do you explain this?"

Liu Yu Ru was somewhat stunned, but Gu Jiusi said, "Think about it. According to Sun He's account, he wasn't involved in the treasury silver matter and had no dealings with Liu Chun, which is why Liu Chun stored the items with him for safety. This shows he's an extremely cautious, or perhaps cowardly, person. So now that Liu Chun is dead, why hasn't he fled? Why is he still staying here in the Eastern Capital waiting for you to find him?"

Ye Shi'an nodded. "Jiusi makes an excellent point."

"Then there's Luo Zishang. Yu Ru only discussed some past matters with him, including the matter of Zhang Huai Li. Even if Yu Ru mentioned Qi Ming, he didn't probe further. He didn't even consider having Yu Ru return while he investigated himself. Instead, he directly told Yu Ru about Sun He's existence. Is he really that easy to talk to?"

"Then what is he after?" Liu Yu Ru frowned. Gu Jiusi pondered and said, "I've thought about this for a long time. But when you told me the Crown Prince is determined to punish me severely, I began to understand. Think about it—who does Lu Yong serve?"

"The Emperor's," Ye Shi'an stated decisively. "He's been urging the Emperor to appoint a new empress and produce more heirs."

"Although Lu Yong takes money, he is indeed the Emperor's man. And while the Emperor allowed Luo Zishang to remain in the Eastern Capital, it was only to deal with him after defeating Liu Xingzhi. Wouldn't Luo Zishang make plans for himself? Luo Zishang's current intention is likely to deceive the Crown Prince, using the pretext of helping him, to plant his own people. Think about it—this time, it must be the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince joining forces to definitely bring down either Lu Yong or me. Once that happens, there will be vacancies in the Ministry of Revenue, and they can install their own people. Yu Ru, think about it—now that you've found Sun He, if we don't think deeper, what would you do?"

Liu Yu Ru hesitated for a moment, then finally followed her heart and said, "I would inevitably seek justice for you."

"Right, you would seek justice. You would bring up the treasury silver case, submit the evidence against Lu Yong, and then the Emperor would investigate. Finding over ten million taels of silver missing from the treasury, with Liu Chun, the Director of the Granaries, dying under mysterious circumstances—such a case would inevitably enrage the Emperor. But if he executes Lu Yong now, what about Lu Yong's subordinates? So most likely, the Emperor would push me out to take the blame, then appease the Empress Dowager and Crown Prince by demoting Lu Yong. With me dead and Lu Yong no longer Minister, the Ministry of Revenue would have two vacant positions to distribute among them. Meanwhile, Lu Yong would be transferred elsewhere, forced to find a way to recover the over ten million taels. As long as he lives, his faction would continue to take root and serve in the court. This is the best outcome for the Emperor in this case. If it truly comes to that," Gu Jiusi looked at Liu Yu Ru with a bitter smile in his eyes, "you, holding the evidence, cannot be allowed to remain either."

"The Emperor wouldn't do that," Ye Shi'an, unable to accept this, immediately said. "Jiusi, you're thinking of the Emperor as one of those vile villains."

"Shi An," Gu Jiusi said calmly, "I don't act as the villain, but I also don't believe everyone in this world is good."

"This was never a clean path to begin with."These words left Ye Shi'an momentarily stunned. Liu Yu Ru stared blankly at the young man kneeling in the prison cell, his calm expression vaguely reminding her of the person who had buried a thousand people alive at Black Wind Fortress. For some unknown reason, her hands trembled slightly, but she forced herself to calm down, clenched her fists to conceal her composure, deliberately suppressing all emotions as she said to Gu Jiusi, "Let's treat this as the worst-case scenario. If it truly comes to this, Jiusi, what do you think we should do?"

"Since Luo Zishang's target is His Majesty, Lu Yong and I are not actually enemies. You've already seen this—the treasury silver case actually started many years ago. If we frame this case as Liu Chun stealing the treasury silver, both Lu Yong and I, being newly appointed officials, couldn't possibly have directed him to steal for so many years. Stealing treasury silver is already a capital offense. We just need to find the highest-ranking official among the criminals to take the blame for Liu Chun's death, and that would settle it. Of course, if we can identify the real murderer of Liu Chun, that would be even better."

Gu Jiusi spoke these words, then paused as if remembering something. After a moment, he corrected himself, "No, I shouldn't meet Lu Yong first. You find a way to let me see His Majesty."

"I'll go see His Majesty," Ye Shi'an said decisively. "Brother Zhou and I will plead with His Majesty together to have you brought for interrogation."

Gu Jiusi shook his head. After some thought, he turned to Liu Yu Ru, "Yu Ru, you go to the palace."

"Me?"

Liu Yu Ru was taken aback. Gu Jiusi continued, "Take the evidence and go to the palace. Report everything to His Majesty, then tell him I have a way to resolve this predicament and request that he interrogate me."

"How can she enter the palace? Now that Uncle Fan has become the Son of Heaven, Yu Ru cannot enter without being summoned. Both my uncle and Lord Zhou are unwilling to get involved in this matter anymore. Brother Zhou and I would also find it difficult to see His Majesty without a summons. We can't just bring this up during the morning court assembly, can we?" Ye Shi'an frowned as he analyzed the situation. Just as Gu Jiusi was about to speak, Liu Yu Ru said, "I have a way."

Liu Yu Ru immediately continued, "I'll go to the Shuntian Prefecture to beat the drum and appeal for injustice, demanding an audience with His Majesty."

"Good idea," Gu Jiusi responded promptly. "Yu Ru goes to appeal, you and Brother Zhou coincidentally pass by, then speak with the Prefect of Shuntian to have him report this matter."

After the three finalized their plan, Liu Yu Ru and Ye Shi'an finally left.

By the time they emerged, it was already deep night. Coming out of the prison, Liu Yu Ru felt the cold wind blow past and couldn't help shivering.

Ye Shi'an glanced back at her and asked, "Cold?"

"Not really," Liu Yu Ru smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear. Her voice sounded somewhat distant, "For some reason, my body isn't actually cold, but I feel an indescribable chill in my heart."

"Not just you," Ye Shi'an smiled faintly, "I feel it too."

As he spoke, Ye Shi'an turned to gaze at the stars along the horizon, slowly saying, "Yu Ru, don't you think Jiusi has changed somewhat."

Liu Yu Ru remained silent, lowering her eyes as she listened to Ye Shi'an continue, "I remember when he was still in Yangzhou, every time I saw him, he seemed so full of vitality. Back then, even the beggars in Yangzhou particularly liked him. I heard he wasn't very bright and was especially easy to fool."

Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru couldn't help but laugh, "Where was he not bright? He was just in a good mood and willingly let himself be fooled.""Now I refuse to be deceived," Ye Shi'an sighed, "but instead have learned to deceive others."

Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru couldn't help but look up. After a long silence, she finally said: "Brother Ye, do you think people can change?"

Ye Shi'an didn't respond. Much later, when a carriage came clattering along, he escorted Liu Yu Ru onto it. As she settled inside, he stood outside the carriage, speaking slowly through the wall: "Yu Ru, is there anyone who doesn't change?"

Liu Yu Ru tightened her grip on the skirt covering her knees, feeling inexplicably fearful. A guard outside asked: "Madam, shall we return to the residence?"

Only then did Liu Yu Ru snap out of her thoughts and murmur: "Let's go back."

Upon returning to the residence, before even reaching the entrance, she heard Shen Ming's voice: "Finally back."

Liu Yu Ru lifted the curtain to see Shen Ming sitting in a carriage, with Ye Yun seated at the other end. Surprised, she asked: "What are you two doing here?"

"It's her," Shen Ming raised his horsewhip, pointing at Ye Yun beside him, "she kept insisting on coming to fetch you, nagging until my head hurt, so here we are."

Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru couldn't help but laugh. Ye Yun maintained a stern expression and said coldly: "You're the one who followed me here."

"Didn't you call for me?"

Shen Ming immediately retorted: "Don't deny it now."

Ye Yun laughed mockingly: "I called for the guards. Who asked you to come running over eagerly?"

"You..."

"Enough," Liu Yu Ru interrupted them with a smile, "let's go back. I have matters to discuss with you, Shen Ming."

After saying this, she dropped the curtain. Ye Yun and Shen Ming exchanged glances, both showing expressions of disdain before turning away.

Back at the residence, Liu Yu Ru immediately briefed Shen Ming on the situation, then said: "I've reviewed the accounts and name list that Sun He provided. Take the ledger tonight and visit each person to record their statements for me."

Shen Ming nodded without hesitation and immediately left.

After a night's rest, when Liu Yu Ru woke the next morning and finished breakfast, she saw Shen Ming place a thick stack of papers before her.

Propping his feet on a stool, Shen Ming declared proudly: "So? Impressed? In one night," he tapped the papers, "see what remarkable capability I have!"

Liu Yu Ru smiled gently: "Young General Shen is naturally capable."

As she spoke, she picked up the statements and scanned through them page by page - all containing confessions from the warehouse workers about how they had embezzled treasury silver.

After verifying there were no inconsistencies in the statements, she had them copied, placed the duplicates in a box, then dressed in an elegant blue cloud-patterned satin robe embroidered with cranes, adorned her hair with gold hairpins, and carried the duplicates out.

The carriage rocked along its journey to Shuntian Prefecture. Holding the evidence copies, she contemplated how to present her case.

Meanwhile, Shen Ming had gone to find Ye Shi'an and Zhou Ye, and they were also heading toward Shuntian Prefecture.

Liu Yu Ru arrived first. Pedestrians came and went outside Shuntian Prefecture, where the great drum at the entrance was overgrown with vines.

She stepped forward and forcibly extracted the drumstick from the tangled vines. As she did this, bystanders began to stop and watch.

"Who is she?"

"Dressed so luxuriously, must be from a wealthy family."

"But why would someone wealthy come to Shuntian Prefecture?""See that carriage?" someone pointed to a nearby carriage. "It's from the Gu Family."

"The Gu Family? Which Gu Family?"

"You don't know? The one from a while back - that extremely young Vice Minister of Revenue who came from Youzhou. Wasn't he imprisoned because of Minister Liu's case?"

"Minister Liu? You mean Liu Chun?"

"That's the one."

......

People around were whispering among themselves. Liu Yuru held the drumsticks, striking them one after another against the drum surface.

The long-unused drum emitted deafening vibrations. Liu Yuru, with her slender frame, seemed to be exerting all her strength as she struck the drum repeatedly. Her clear voice cried out loudly: "This humble wife, Gu Liu Shi, seeks an audience with His Majesty to appeal for my husband's injustice!"

As her shout echoed, more and people gathered. By this time, Ye Shi'an, Zhou Ye, and others had arrived. Qin Wanqing stood beside Zhou Ye, watching Liu Yuru as she said: "Can't you just ask the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture for help directly? Must she take this risk?"

"This procedure must be followed," Zhou Ye whispered. "Yuru is appealing to the emperor through Shuntian Prefecture - the Prefect would have to report it anyway. We're just going with the flow, asking Shuntian Prefecture not to make things difficult for her. But without this process, Shuntian Prefecture has no obligation to help her."

Qin Wanqing understood and nodded. Zhou Ye looked around and said to her: "Keep watch for me, I'm going to find someone."

After speaking, he left the crowd, went around to the back door, and privately found a guard. He told the guard: "Please inform the Prefect that the person beating the drum outside is my friend. I hope he will show her consideration."

The guard, seeing the token with the character "Zhou", didn't dare delay and quickly entered Shuntian Prefecture to inform the Prefect.

After doing this, Zhou Ye returned to the main gate. Just then, the gates of Shuntian Prefecture finally opened. The guard opened the door and said to Liu Yuru: "Come in, the Prefect is calling for you."

Liu Yuru put down the drumsticks, bowed to the guard, and walked through the main gate. At that moment, a clear female voice came from outside: "I didn't expect to encounter drum-beating at Shuntian Prefecture," the voice said. Then a woman lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down from an ornate carriage, speaking softly, "I shall go and take a look."

Hearing this voice, Liu Yuru, Ye Shi'an, and the others were stunned. However, Liu Yuru quickly regained her composure and was the first to bow: "Your Highness."

Li Yunshang walked to the entrance, looked at Liu Yuru, and hurriedly helped her up, saying gently: "So it's Madam Gu. Why are you here?"

As she spoke, Li Yunshang showed an understanding expression: "I see, it must be for Lord Gu's matter, right? Don't worry, I will definitely keep an eye on this matter. Since I'm here today, I'll ensure this case is handled fairly."

Hearing these words, Liu Yuru's heart sank. But Li Yunshang took Liu Yuru's hand and said to everyone: "This is Lord Gu's wife. Madam Gu and I are old acquaintances - you must treat her well."

After Li Yunshang spoke these words, people outside began whispering: "If she's on such good terms with the princess, why come to Shuntian Prefecture to seek an audience with His Majesty? Couldn't she just ask the princess for help?"

"Just putting on an act to gain a good reputation."Though Liu Yuru could not hear the words spoken by the crowd outside, she could roughly guess their content. She was led into the courtroom by Li Yunshang. The moment the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture saw Li Yunshang, he froze briefly before hurriedly stepping forward and bowing, saying, "Your Highness."

Li Yunshang released Liu Yuru and said with a smile, "Lord Wang, it has been a long time. Today, I happened to see this lady beating the drum outside the gate and grew curious, so I came to observe."

As she spoke, Li Yunshang was guided by the clerk to a seat. She raised her hand and said, "Lord Wang, do not mind my presence. Proceed as usual."

The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Ah! Then this humble official will begin the trial."

After speaking, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, his plump body trembling, returned to his desk. He adjusted his hat, cleared his throat lightly, and looked at Liu Yuru kneeling on the ground, asking, "Who is kneeling before this court?"

Liu Yuru lowered her gaze and calmly replied, "This humble woman is Gu Liu Shi, wife of Gu Jiusi, Vice Minister of Revenue."

"What brings you here?"

"To seek justice for my husband." Liu Yuru kowtowed and said, "My husband has been wrongfully accused and is now imprisoned. I have accidentally learned the truth, but the matter is not suitable to be disclosed to you directly. I implore you to report this to the Emperor so that I may present the evidence in my possession."

"Uh, then—"

"What evidence is it that cannot be presented here in Shuntian Prefecture?" Li Yunshang suddenly interjected. The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture was taken aback. Li Yunshang, sitting in her chair and fanning herself, said, "Could it be that Lady Gu fears Shuntian Prefecture might destroy this evidence of yours?"

Hearing this, Liu Yuru looked up toward the front table. Li Yunshang was fanning herself, a faint smile playing on her lips. Liu Yuru remained silent for a moment before turning to the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture and asking, "Sir, what is my husband's official rank?"

"Fourth rank..." The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture did not understand Liu Yuru's meaning. Liu Yuru continued, "And what was the rank of the deceased Lord Liu?"

"Fifth rank." The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture frowned. "What are you implying?"

"Sir, are you certain you wish to preside over this case?"

Liu Yuru looked calmly at the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture. "If you insist on presiding over this case, I will present the evidence."

"Then present it," Li Yunshang promptly interjected. The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, however, grew anxious and hurriedly said, "Wait!"

As he spoke, sweat beaded on his forehead. He pondered for a moment before turning to Li Yunshang and saying, "Your Highness, the rank involved in this case is beyond this humble official's jurisdiction."

"Then let Lady Gu take her case to where it can be handled."

Li Yunshang leaned back in her chair, fanning herself, and said, "Actions must always follow the rules."

"Then may I ask," Liu Yuru declared loudly, "what are the duties of Shuntian Prefecture in Great Xia?!"

Without waiting for anyone else to speak, Liu Yuru decisively continued, "To oversee injustices within the Eastern Capital. My husband's case occurred in the Eastern Capital, and he is now imprisoned in the Eastern Capital's jail. I have a grievance and have come to beat the drum and seek justice. If Lord Wang can preside over this case, he should do so here. If he cannot, according to the rules of Shuntian Prefecture, he should report it to the Emperor and let His Majesty decide. I seek an audience with the Emperor, and Lord Wang can relay my request on my behalf. What is irregular about that?!"

With that, Liu Yuru raised her eyes to Li Yunshang. "As for you, Princess, what is your official position that allows you to overstep the Prefect's authority here in Shuntian Prefecture, interfering and giving orders? What rule justifies your presence here at this moment?!""You!" Li Yunshang gripped her chair and shot to her feet, but then she remembered the commoners craning their necks outside and the bailiffs nearby. She took a deep breath and slowly sat back down, turning to the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture. "Lord Wang, I have overstepped my authority."

"Not at all, not at all," the Prefect quickly waved his hand in dismissal, then looked at Liu Yuru. Liu Yuru gazed calmly back at him, her eyes resolute and clear. After a moment of internal deliberation, he finally said, "Then I shall draft a memorial to present to the palace. However, whether His Majesty grants an audience will be up to him."

"Wait!" Li Yunshang spoke again. Liu Yuru frowned. "What does Your Highness mean?"

"I just recalled," Li Yunshang twirled her fan, "that those who beat the drum at Shuntian Prefecture to appeal for justice must undergo punishment. Men receive thirty strokes of the cane, women undergo finger-pressing torture. If the punishment is not endured, Shuntian Prefecture will not accept any case. Lady Gu," Li Yunshang smiled, "are you willing to undergo the punishment?"

Liu Yuru froze. Ye Shi'an and Zhou Ye, who had squeezed into Shuntian Prefecture and stood not far away, immediately changed expressions upon hearing this. Qin Wanqing frowned and whispered, "Call Yuru back. There must be another way."

"Didn't you say there was an injustice?" Li Yunshang looked at Liu Yuru. "The crimes Lord Gu is accused of warrant execution with his entire clan. Since you claim to suffer such a great injustice, what does a mere finger-pressing torture matter?"

Liu Yuru quietly watched Li Yunshang. Qin Wanqing, standing in the crowd, couldn't bear it any longer and called out loudly, "Lady Gu, let's go! Finger-pressing torture is no joke. We'll find another way!"

Liu Yuru lowered her eyes, but Li Yunshang laughed. The round fan in her hand turned over and over as she looked at its pattern and mocked, "Does Lady Gu know that Shuntian Prefecture isn't a place one can come and go as they please? If there truly is a heaven-shaking injustice, one wouldn't fear cruel punishment. Did Lady Gu come today prepared to undergo torture?"

As she spoke, Li Yunshang raised her eyes to look at her. "I suppose not? Lady Gu, Lord Gu could be called a rare genius. At such a young age, he rose to the position of Vice Minister of Revenue. He excels at understanding people's hearts and assessing situations. How could someone like him be truly pure and untainted? Do you truly dare to guarantee under the clear mirror of Shuntian Prefecture that Gu Jiusi has been wronged? Do you dare believe he has not a single stain, not the slightest involvement in this case?"

Hearing these words, Liu Yuru lifted her head and looked into Li Yunshang's eyes.

Liu Yuru's expression was too calm, so calm it was unsettling. Li Yunshang couldn't help but pause in surprise.

Yet Liu Yuru didn't know why, but as she listened to Li Yunshang's words, she suddenly remembered last night, remembered her own moment of hesitation, remembered the over thousand lives at Black Wind Fortress, remembered Gu Jiusi's calm demeanor as he spoke in the night.

She stared at Li Yunshang, but for some reason, when she couldn't find the words, she suddenly recalled how Gu Jiusi had stood wounded on Yangzhou's streets long ago, turning back with that spirited, brilliant smile.

"I believe."

Suddenly, boundless courage welled up within her, and she spoke calmly yet firmly.

Li Yunshang was taken aback. Liu Yuru knelt on the ground, kowtowed deeply, and said peacefully, "This humble woman is willing to undergo finger-pressing torture. I beg Your Honor to report to the Son of Heaven!"

"Yuru!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Shi'an could no longer restrain himself and shouted out in a low voice. A bailiff stepped forward and blocked his path.Zhou Ye furrowed his brow as he gazed at Liu Yu Ru in the main hall.

Liu Yu Ru seemed not to have heard Ye Shi'an's words. Kneeling on the ground, her expression remained composed. The magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture was momentarily stunned, hesitated briefly, then waved to his clerk before taking up brush and paper to draft a memorial on the spot, ordering it delivered to the palace.

Subsequently, guards brought forth the finger press. Looking at Liu Yu Ru, they felt some reluctance in their hearts and couldn't help saying, "We apologize for the offense, Madam."

Liu Yu Ru lifted her head toward them and smiled gently, yet responded: "My apologies for the trouble."

The guards dared not look at her further, feeling this woman was as gentle as a lotus flower, maintaining extraordinary composure even as she faced imminent torture.

The finger press was clamped onto Liu Yuru's hand, and the Prefect of Shuntian still felt somewhat reluctant. He couldn't help but say, "Madam Gu, His Majesty may not necessarily agree. Would you like to reconsider? I can have someone retrieve the memorial."

"Sister-in-law!" Shen Ming outside cried anxiously, "Don't be foolish, sister-in-law!"

Liu Yuru didn't speak, only shook her head, then said clearly: "I believe my husband is fair and selfless."

As she spoke, the finger press suddenly tightened. Liu Yuru clenched her teeth sharply, the pain instantly draining the color from her face. Her body trembled slightly, yet she still spoke, her voice shaking but clear: "I believe my husband has lived up to the emperor's boundless grace above, and has been worthy of the common people below."

"My husband," Liu Yuru took a deep breath, sweat pouring down in large drops from the pain. She tensed all her muscles and declared loudly, "is a good official!"

He was a good official.

A good husband.

A good friend.

A good person.

Even if he had his calculations in mind, he was without shame before his sovereign, without shame before his friends, without shame before the people, without shame before his family, and especially without shame before her, Liu Yuru.

She believed.

Liu Yuru breathed deeply, feeling the finger press suddenly release.

At the moment of release, the pain shot through her like an electric shock straight to her brain. She lost all strength and collapsed to the ground.

Qin Wanqing could no longer hold back. She pushed aside the people next to her, rushed into the courtroom, and helped Liu Yuru up, asking anxiously, "Yuru, are you alright?"

The Prefect of Shuntian also stood up and hurriedly said, "Call the physician."

Liu Yuru couldn't speak. She leaned in Qin Wanqing's embrace, breathing weakly. Her fingers had turned completely purple and were trembling uncontrollably. Ye Shi'an and Shen Ming also rushed in. Li Yunshang quietly watched Liu Yuru for a long time before standing up and saying calmly, "Take her to the back courtyard to rest first."

After saying this, Li Yunshang led her people out. Liu Yuru lay in Qin Wanqing's arms as she was carried back to the rear courtyard.

When the physician arrived, he could only look but couldn't touch. However, the bones needed to be set, so they had to be fixed one by one while gritting their teeth.

This pain was even harder to endure than the finger press torture. Liu Yuru finally couldn't hold back and cried out in pain.

Ye Yun and Yin Hong also rushed over. Hearing Liu Yuru's cries, Ye Yun rushed forward and pulled Liu Yuru into her arms, saying in a hoarse voice, "That beast Li Yunshang, sooner or later I'll..."

"Yun'er," Liu Yuru spoke weakly in a low, hoarse voice, "I'm thirsty."

Ye Yun's eyes reddened. She knew Liu Yuru had no strength left and that she wasn't really thirsty but just wanted her to stop saying reckless things.

Yin Hong hurriedly poured water nearby, and Ye Yun fed it to Liu Yuru. She stopped saying reckless things.

After Liu Yuru's fingers were bandaged, a message finally came from outside. A eunuch stood at the door and said respectfully, "Madam Gu, His Majesty requests your presence in the palace."

"Another day..."

Before Ye Shi'an could finish speaking, Liu Yuru said, "Help me up."

But as she said this, she had already gotten up on her own.

Qin Wanqing and Ye Yun hurried forward to support her. Supported by them, Liu Yuru walked weakly to the eunuch. She smiled, her face pale, and said softly, "Eunuch, please lead the way."

The pain was still in her fingertips, but she was gradually getting used to it.Liu Yu Ru restrained herself and, supported by others, walked to the outside of Shuntian Prefecture before boarding a sedan chair. She could not endure much jolting at the moment and could no longer ride in a carriage, so Ye Yun had arranged for a sedan chair in advance. Liu Yu Ru was helped into it and carried all the way into the palace.

The eunuch, seeing her poor condition, had someone report ahead to seek special permission, allowing her to be carried directly to the outside of the imperial study.

When Liu Yu Ru arrived, Fan Xuan was practicing calligraphy. Seeing her, he froze for a moment. Liu Yu Ru followed palace etiquette and bowed properly to Fan Xuan.

Only when he saw her trembling as she knelt did Fan Xuan snap out of it and hurriedly step forward to help her up, asking anxiously, "How did you end up like this?"

"To file a lawsuit at Shuntian Prefecture, one must undergo the thumb-press punishment."

Liu Yu Ru knelt on the ground, completed a full kowtow, and only then rose, her voice hoarse as she said, "This common woman has lost composure due to the punishment and begs Your Majesty’s forgiveness."

Fan Xuan looked at Liu Yu Ru, momentarily at a loss for words. He had someone help her to a seat, sighed, and said, "Back in Wangdu, it always seemed so easy for you to see me. Now in the Eastern Capital, I realize how difficult it has become for you to meet me."

"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven now."

Liu Yu Ru replied calmly, "The Son of Heaven is naturally different."

Her words made Fan Xuan pause. He lowered his gaze, let out a dry laugh, and then said, "You’re here to plead for Jiu Si, aren’t you?"

"Your Majesty," Liu Yu Ru said coolly, "if I were here to plead, I wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to request an audience."

Fan Xuan looked up at Liu Yu Ru, who continued, "This common woman has already uncovered the mastermind behind Liu Chun’s case, and I have evidence."

Fan Xuan tightened his grip on the brush in his hand, watching Liu Yu Ru with some tension. She acted as if she knew nothing and went on, "But I know that Your Majesty is unwilling—or unable—to bring this mastermind to justice, because the cost is too high. I have come to see Your Majesty for two reasons: first, to inform you of all the details, and second, to beg Your Majesty to summon my husband for questioning. He says he has a solution to the predicament Your Majesty currently faces."