Reborn Nine Times, the Tyrant Always Wants to Imprison Me - Chapter 11

The cool scent of ambergris hung stagnant in the Zichen Hall.

Fangru knelt below the imperial throne, the chill of the golden bricks seeping through her official robes into her knees. Yet it was nothing compared to the scorching pressure emanating from the gaze upon the throne.

She lifted her head, her neck tracing a delicate yet stubborn arc, her eyes meeting directly those deep, pool-like orbs. “Since Your Majesty is unwilling to release Gu Zhou, would you grant this subject permission to reinvestigate the case of Gu Zhou’s alleged treason? This subject will spare no effort to find evidence and clear his name.”

Zhou Ling did not respond immediately.

He rose slowly, the dark patterns on his black dragon robe shifting in the light and shadow like a lurking beast.

Step by step, he descended the imperial dais. The sound of his boots striking the floor echoed in the silent hall, each tap striking directly at Fangru’s heart.

He stopped before her, so close she could smell his unique, masculine scent—a blend of power and cold intensity.

He leaned forward slightly. His long fingers did not touch her, yet they seemed to carry an invisible heat as they slowly traced the contour of her face in the air, finally brushing the back of his fingers ever so lightly against her trembling chin.

“Fangru,” he spoke, his voice so low it was almost a whisper, tinged with a lazy huskiness, “You always rush so eagerly before Our eyes… for the sake of another man. Do you know that Our patience is not limitless?”

The touch of his fingertips was elusive, like a feather’s tickle, yet burning like a branding iron.

A shiver ran up Fangru’s spine, and her breath caught involuntarily.

She forced herself to steady her mind, even tilting her face up slightly, allowing her eyes, misty yet stubborn, to reflect more clearly in his gaze. “This subject only seeks the truth. Your Majesty once said you admired this subject’s persistence.”

A profound darkness flickered deep within Zhou Ling’s eyes, as if pleased by her direct gaze, yet also annoyed by her stubbornness.

He suddenly let out a soft laugh, his breath brushing her lips. “Fine. We shall grant this persistence of yours an opportunity. One month…” He extended a finger, almost touching the tip of her nose, his tone carrying a cruel, deliberate slowness that spoke of absolute control. “If within one month, you cannot clarify the case, if you cannot find the ‘evidence’ We desire… then Gu Zhou will be executed immediately. There will be no reprieve.”

This was not a favor; it was a high-stakes gamble with Gu Zhou’s life and herself as the wager.

The air was thick with a silent struggle and palpable tension.

In her sleeves, Fangru’s hands clenched into fists, her nails digging deeply into her palms, using the slight pain to maintain clarity.

Meeting his gaze that seemed capable of devouring everything, she clearly saw swirling within its depths not just the pressure of an emperor, but also the thick, aggressive possessiveness of a man towards a woman.

She took a deep breath, her red lips parting slightly as she uttered a single word: “Agreed.”

Zhou Ling’s gaze suddenly turned sharp and profound, as if wanting to completely consume her resolute and captivating appearance at this moment.

He slowly straightened up, his shadow enveloping her, a subtle, inscrutable curve lifting the corner of his lips. “We… await to see your… capability.”

When Fangru retreated from the Zichen Hall, her entire body felt weak. The small patch of skin his gaze had caressed still burned with a lingering heat.

His gaze, filled with possessiveness and lustful undertones, made her heart race more than any overt threat ever could.

She understood that she had stepped not only into the labyrinth of a case, but also into the emperor’s meticulously woven web of affection and hunting ground.

Gu Zhou’s conviction stemmed directly from his minor donations to Ciji Temple, which had once produced the traitor Zhou Jun—a man with whom Gu Zhou shared a close personal friendship.

Fangru had transferred the files on Zhou Jun’s case and spent days poring over them, dark circles forming under her eyes from exhaustion. Yet her focus kept wavering, as Zhou Ling’s scorching gaze—which seemed capable of stripping away her official robes—frequently surfaced in her mind.

The case records were impeccably documented. Irritated, she massaged her temples.

Suddenly, an idea cut through the fog: if she couldn’t directly prove Gu Zhou’s innocence regarding Zhou Jun’s treason, perhaps… if she could uncover Zhou Jun’s accomplices who remained at large, such a monumental achievement might persuade Zhou Ling to show leniency toward Gu Zhou?

Her thoughts suddenly cleared! Fangru immediately stood up, her heart pounding with hope, and prepared to lead her team to Zhou Jun’s former residence for another search.

But as she hurried out of her office, she nearly collided with someone.

Looking up, she saw Su Wanqing holding a small food container, smiling warmly at her.

“Magistrate Shen,” Su Wanqing stepped forward to grasp her sleeve, her tone both concerned and slightly chiding. “You’ve solved several cases recently and brought justice to the people—the capital praises you as a righteous official! But you mustn’t neglect your health like this. I specially prepared ginseng soup to refresh you.”

Preoccupied with the case, Fangru had no mind for soup and hurriedly replied, “Wanqing, I appreciate your kindness, but I have urgent matters now…”

She tried to step around Su Wanqing, but the latter persisted, blocking her path again while pleading softly, “Nothing is so urgent it can’t wait a moment! Look at you, with those dark circles… Fine, if you truly won’t drink it, let me accompany you! At least I can assist you—it’s better than you straining yourself alone.”

Unable to refuse her earnest offer to help, Fangru reluctantly agreed, “Alright, but stay close and be cautious in everything.”

The two women, accompanied by two guards, swiftly headed toward Zhou Jun’s old residence.

Upon reaching the alley entrance, they were stopped by several guards from the Ministry of Justice.

Zheng Yu stood nearby with his hands behind his back, adopting his usual irritating tone:

“So Magistrate Shen graces us with her presence.” He sauntered forward slowly, his gaze lingering briefly on Fangru’s tired yet still bright eyes before shifting away. His voice was strictly official. “How unfortunate—this alley is currently sealed off as the Ministry of Justice is handling a case here. If you wish to visit Zhou Jun’s residence, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a few days.”

Fangru, frantic with urgency, flared up immediately. “Zheng Yu! You’re deliberately obstructing me! Zhou Jun’s case was closed long ago. What business could the Ministry of Justice possibly have here now? You’re clearly impeding the Dali Temple’s investigation!”

Su Wanqing chimed in, her voice sweet yet sharp: “Minister Zheng, your skill at blocking paths far surpasses your talent for solving cases.”

Barraged by both women, especially under Fangru’s furious, gleaming stare, Zheng Yu found himself momentarily speechless, his ears growing warm.

Stiffening his expression, he retorted, “Enough nonsense! The Ministry of Justice need not explain itself to you!”

“You’re clearly feeling guilty!” Fangru stood her ground, stepping forward until she was almost pointing at his nose as she rebuked him, “If you were truly here to investigate, why are there only guards blocking the way and no investigators? Zheng Yu, let me make this clear—I am going in today no matter what! If you try to stop me again, I will report directly to His Majesty and accuse you of dereliction of duty and obstructing official business!”

Zheng Yu’s face turned pale then flushed under her relentless scolding.

He did have some intention to stall, but deeper down, it might have been an unwillingness to see her fight so desperately for Gu Zhou, mixed with… an inexplicable, clumsy desire to capture her attention.

Now that she had sharply exposed him and seeing her resolute attitude, he felt both annoyed and strangely intimidated by her fierceness.

“…Fine!” He finally relented as if defeated, waving his hand irritably to signal the guards to step aside. His tone was stiff, “Go in if you must! But you must remain under the Ministry of Justice’s supervision. No unauthorized actions or tampering with the scene!”

Fangru snorted coldly, unwilling to waste any more words on him, and pulled Su Wanqing inside with her.

When they reached the dilapidated house where Zhou Jun had lived, Zheng Yu couldn’t resist speaking up again, “Hurry up and don’t dawdle. This place—”

“Official Zheng!” Fangru abruptly turned around, cutting him off with a gaze as sharp as a blade, “If you truly want to help, then keep quiet. Either assist in searching for clues or take your men and step back! Is standing around giving orders and chattering nonstop the Ministry of Justice’s way of investigating?”

Zheng Yu was left completely speechless and deflated.

Watching Fangru’s focused, almost fiercely beautiful profile, the knot of irritation in his heart strangely melted into resignation.

He rubbed his nose and actually fell silent, instead gesturing for his subordinates to step back. He quietly followed along and began carefully examining the surroundings, shifting from “supervising” to “assisting.”

Su Wanqing observed all of this and leaned closer to Fangru, hiding a smile behind her round fan as she whispered with a knowing, teasing tone, “Fangru, it seems this Official Zheng… though he’s a bit harsh, acts quite unusually around you.”

Fangru, fully absorbed in her search, didn’t even look up, frowning as she replied, “Don’t talk nonsense. He’s just afraid I’ll actually report him.”

The three of them fell silent and split up to search carefully through the dust-covered abandoned house.

Zheng Yu took the bedroom, Su Wanqing checked the main hall, and Fangru went straight into the study.

The rooms were adjacent, separated only by tattered screens or curtains.

While searching, Zheng Yu spoke to Fangru through the barrier in his characteristic, provoking tone, “Magistrate Shen, search carefully. Don’t miss any crucial clues and end up having to beg the Ministry of Justice for help later.”

Without looking up, Fangru retorted, “Official Zheng should focus on your own area first. If you actually find clues the Ministry of Justice missed, I will personally bring a generous gift to thank you.”

She emphasized the words “generous gift” meaningfully.

Zheng Yu seemed to chuckle softly and was about to say more.

Suddenly! A dull thud echoed, followed by a muffled groan of pain from the bedroom!

Fangru’s heart jolted, and she immediately looked toward the adjacent room, “Zheng Yu?”

There was no response.

A sense of foreboding instantly seized her.

She sprang up and rushed toward the bedroom door, just about to peer out when—

A ghostly black shadow dropped unexpectedly from the ceiling beam!

A cold glint flashed in the shadow’s hand, and in an instant, Zheng Yu was already on the ground, his shoulder and back soaked in crimson. The steel blade rose once more, descending toward Fangru with lightning speed!

Everything happened too fast!

Fangru didn’t even have time to scream—the chill of death was already upon her!

At that critical moment, Su Wanqing, who had been in the living room, let out a sharp cry and threw herself forward without a second thought, shoving Fangru aside with all her might!

Thud! The blade struck deep into Su Wanqing’s back, cutting to the bone! A piercing scream tore from her lips as blood gushed forth. She crumpled to the ground like a broken kite, instantly losing consciousness, her fate unknown.

“Wanqing!” Fangru, shoved aside and stumbling to the floor, watched in horror as her friend suffered a grievous injury for her sake. Her eyes widened in anguish.

Without hesitation, the assassin raised his blade again and swung it toward her! Fangru scrambled backward helplessly, closing her eyes in despair…

But the expected agony never came.

Instead, a sharp, metallic clang rang out, followed by a muffled grunt of pain from the assassin.

Trembling, Fangru opened her eyes.

A figure in dark robes had descended like a deity, appearing out of nowhere to stand precisely in front of her.

Zhou Ling held a gleaming longsword, its tip quivering slightly. It was he who had effortlessly parried the fatal blow.

His tall frame loomed over her like a mountain, the wide sleeves of his dragon robe stirring as if by an unseen wind, radiating a chilling aura of killing intent and unassailable authority.

The assassin, shaken by the sudden interception, felt his hands go numb, his eyes widening in shock.

Zhou Ling didn’t even glance back at Fangru, who lay disheveled on the floor.

His gaze, cold as millennia-old ice, locked onto the shadowy figure ahead. His voice was low and steady, yet carried the force of thunderous fury—directed at Li Zuo, the guard who had just rushed in, and as a decree to all within that confined space: “I want him alive. If he dies, you will answer with your heads.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Li Zuo and his men surged forward like wolves.

Only then did Zhou Ling slowly turn around.

He looked down at Fangru, who sat pale and trembling on the floor, her dress stained with dust. In his deep eyes swirled emotions hard to decipher—fear and anger at the risk she had taken, relief at seeing her unharmed, and a profound, almost consuming possessiveness.

He extended his free hand—slender, strong-fingered, marked by a martial artist’s strength—and held it out to her.

His voice was slightly softer than before, yet still carried the unyielding authority of an emperor: “Get up.”

When Fangru, stunned and worried about Su Wanqing, didn’t move immediately, he bent slightly and took her arm, pulling her firmly to her feet with a single, steady motion.

The warmth of his palm seeped through her clothing—resolute and searing.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, his eyes quickly scanning her to confirm she was unharmed before turning to Su Wanqing, unconscious and blood-soaked beside them. His brow furrowed. “Li Zuo, summon the imperial physicians at once! Do everything to save her!”

His sudden appearance, his intervention, his undisguised concern and control—all carried an intensity that was palpably overwhelming.

It was as if he had anticipated her peril and descended just in time to pull her back from the brink of death, drawing her under his own wing.

Fangru leaned against Zhou Ling’s solid frame. The residual vibrations from his sudden exertion in his chest, along with the warmth mingling with ambergris, the scent of blood, and pure masculine essence, enveloped her like an invisible net.

Her unsettled heart had yet to calm, yet it beat even more erratically from the close proximity and overwhelming sense of protection. An indescribable tremor coursed through her entire body.