Reborn Nine Times, the Tyrant Always Wants to Imprison Me - Chapter 21

That night, the city seemed unusually still.

In the Yilan Palace, the candle flames had been dimmed, leaving only a hazy glow in one corner.

Zhou Ling lay embracing Fangru, his arm tightly encircling her waist beneath the brocade quilt—an unmistakable possession, yet also like a drowning man clinging to driftwood in desperate dependence.

The slender cut on his cheek had been carefully treated by the imperial physician, covered with a small, plain piece of gauze that stood out starkly against his majestic countenance—a mark left by her loss of control the previous day.

The next morning, this small bandage stirred silent ripples in the court.

Ministers, catching sight of the injury to the emperor’s face, were all aghast, speculating among themselves about what audacious rebel would dare harm the imperial person. Murmurs of petitions demanding strict investigation and severe punishment quietly surged.

Yet Zhou Ling, seated upon the dragon throne, faced his officials’ shock and admonitions with nonchalance, merely brushing the edge of the gauze with his fingertip. Not only was there no anger in his eyes, but a faint, almost dazed smile flickered across them, as if it were not a scar but some secret badge of honor. The ministers were stunned, not daring to probe further.

After court adjourned, he returned to Yilan Palace to find Fangru standing blankly by the window in only thin sleeping robes, gazing at a parasol tree outside whose leaves were gradually yellowing. A trace of unshakeable melancholy lingered between her brows, as if the entire desolation of autumn had settled upon her shoulders.

Zhou Ling paused mid-step, watching her for a moment. The faint warmth in his eyes gradually gave way to something deeper and more obscure.

He did not approach to disturb her but silently withdrew to the outer chamber, summoning the Imperial Guard Commander Li Zuo.

Li Zuo bowed to receive orders, not daring to breathe heavily.

Zhou Ling’s gaze swept past the slender figure in the inner chamber, his voice lowered but each word clear and icy: “Go to the imperial prison. Interrogate Gu Zhou.”

Li Zuo’s body trembled slightly, clearly aware of the gravity of the matter.

After a moment’s hesitation, he stepped forward and spoke in an even more cautious whisper: “Your Majesty, this humble servant dares to ask… if he uses that matter as leverage, or if he breaks under torture and reveals it…?”

Zhou Ling’s eyes sharpened instantly like blades, stripping away all previous daze and tenderness, leaving only the emperor’s ruthlessness and resolve.

He was silent for a beat, his fingers unconsciously rubbing his jade thumb ring before he finally issued a cold command:

“Go warn him first.” His voice held not a ripple of emotion. “Tell him if he wants to keep his life, he must guard his tongue. Regarding Fangru… regarding that matter, not a single word is to be revealed. Otherwise, I have my ways to make him beg for death but find it unattainable.”

“Yes!” Li Zuo’s heart chilled, and he immediately accepted the order, bowing as he quietly retreated.

Zhou Ling remained standing, his gaze once again turning toward the figure by the window. Deep emotions churned in his profound eyes—an overwhelming possessiveness, cold calculation, and a trace of imperceptible fear that even he might not have been aware of.

Suddenly, he spoke, his voice breaking the silence in the hall: “Change your clothes. I’m taking you somewhere.”

Soon after, the carriage did not return to the inner palace but stopped outside the Ministry of Justice.

Without giving her time to hesitate, Zhou Ling directly led her into the inner hall, where servants respectfully presented a set of prepared, slightly oversized blue official robes of a Ministry of Justice clerk.

“Change into these.” His tone brooked no argument, his gaze sweeping over her unsettled features. “From today onward, you shall observe governance here during daylight hours. I grant you permission to review all documents except those classified as top secret. At the end of You hour, someone will escort you back to the palace.”

Fangru stood frozen in place, scarcely believing her ears.

Remaining at the Ministry of Justice during the day? This was no different from handing her the opportunity she had long coveted! Her heart raced wildly as she suppressed the questions threatening to spill from her lips, quickly changing into the male attire. The oversized sleeves only emphasized her slender frame, yet lent her a stubborn dignity all their own.

Drawing a deep breath, she seized this rare chance and looked directly at Zhou Ling, her eyes burning with intensity: “Since Your Majesty permits this humble subject to observe governance here, I beg to assist in investigating the case of Gu Zhou being falsely accused of colluding with the Northern Di! I firmly believe there is injustice in this matter, and implore Your Majesty’s permission!”

A flicker of understanding passed through Zhou Ling’s eyes, as if he had anticipated her request all along.

He didn’t respond immediately, instead studying the familiar, unyielding light in her eyes—much like appreciating a songbird attempting to escape its gilded cage, admiring its vitality while knowing the futility of its efforts.

After a moment, he spoke leisurely, his tone even yet carrying both indulgent testing and invisible warning: “Granted. But remember, Fangru, all things have their limits. Do not overstep your bounds.” The word “bounds” was uttered softly yet carried immense weight, clearly demarcating the boundaries of her permitted activities.

On her first day of “observing governance,” as Fangru buried herself among piled-up documents, searching for clues within the voluminous paperwork, an uninvited figure came to stand beside her temporarily assigned desk.

The arrival was none other than Zheng Yu, Director of the Ministry of Justice.

Clad in proper official blue robes with rank badges, his expression stern and chin slightly raised, he didn’t bother to conceal his disdain and mockery after his eyes swept over the clearly ill-fitting blue official robe she wore—so oversized she had to roll up the sleeves.

“Tsk,” he didn’t bother lowering his voice, drawing sidelong glances from nearby clerks, “Since when has this important Ministry of Justice become a place for nepotism and power-seeking? Such an official robe—without someone’s ‘strong assistance’—would be difficult to obtain, wouldn’t it?” His words were like fine needles dipped in poison, precisely targeting Fangru’s most sensitive situation. Though unspoken, the phrase “services rendered to the ruler” hung in the air like a slap across her face.

Fangru’s fingers gripping the documents tightened abruptly, her knuckles turning white, while her gentle features instantly frosted over.

Had she relied on the half-imprisoned, half-pampered temperament Zhou Ling had cultivated in her, combined with the pressure to urgently investigate the case, she would have immediately retorted.

Yet, as her anger surged, a memory from her third life suddenly surfaced—back then, when she wanted to search Zhou Jun’s residence, it was Zheng Yu who had offered her a glimmer of warmth and assistance.

That past kindness, spanning life and death across reincarnations, now clearly suppressed her rage.

She took a deep breath, and when she looked up again, her eyes held a surprising calmness, even the corners of her lips lifting in a faint, unreadable smile.

She didn’t rise, remaining seated as she met Zheng Yu’s provocative gaze with peaceful composure.

“Commissioner Zheng’s dedication to his duties and keen perception are truly admirable,” she said, her voice soft yet clear and steady, as if his earlier sarcasm had been directed at someone else. “Though my own abilities are limited, I am honored by His Majesty’s trust in allowing me to observe and learn here. I shall fulfill my duties diligently and dare not betray this sacred favor.”

Her tone shifted subtly, remaining even but casting a stone into the pond of his thoughts: “However, you yourself seem troubled by domestic matters recently. I’ve heard your younger brother, with his free-spirited nature, has plans to visit friends in Jingchuan? With the autumn rains persisting and mountain paths treacherous, the slopes along Jingchuan’s roads may loosen after being soaked. As an elder brother like a father, I hope you will advise caution to prevent any mishaps that might lead to lifelong regret.”

In her previous life, around this same autumn season, Zheng Yu’s unrestrained brother—who loved immersing himself in nature—had indeed met with an accident on Jingchuan’s slippery, perilous mountain path. He survived a fall but broke his spine, leaving him disabled for life.

Zheng Yu’s mocking expression froze instantly, shifting to uncertainty and suspicion, his pupils contracting almost imperceptibly.

His brother did have such plans—a private arrangement never publicly disclosed!

He stared intently at Fangru, searching for any trace of mockery or prying in her calm face, but found nothing.

It felt as if the most hidden corner of his home had been briefly illuminated.

His Adam’s apple bobbed; all prepared retorts stuck in his throat, ultimately dissolving into a vague, cold snort. With a complex glance, he turned and strode away, his retreating figure oddly hurried.

Two days later, when Zheng Yu approached Fangru again, his expression was complicated, all former arrogance gone.

He had actually heeded her words and stopped his brother—and that very afternoon, news arrived of rockslides blocking the official road in Jingchuan. Had he not intervened, his brother would have faced disaster.

He bowed deeply to her. “…Thank you for the warning. I will remember this kindness.”

Fangru sidestepped the gesture, her demeanor unchanged. “There’s no need for courtesy, Commissioner Zheng. My assistance wasn’t free.” She met his gaze directly. “I wish to reinvestigate the case of Liu Sui, branch leader of the White Sun Society’s Qingmu Altar. I need access to all case files and interrogation records. I request your cooperation.”

Zheng Yu’s face tightened. “You’re too late. Liu Sui… took his own life in the imperial prison the day before yesterday.”

Fangru’s heart sank—another lead severed!

Her nails dug into her palms.

But Zheng Yu hesitated, then added, “However… though Liu Sui is dead, three of his key subordinates captured with him remain in the Ministry of Justice’s prison. Although…” He shook his head. “They’re tough cases—endured severe torture without revealing anything useful. You’d likely be… wasting your time.”

Fangru’s eyes narrowed. Her intuition told her this was far from a waste of time.

She insisted on observing the interrogations personally.

Unable to dissuade her, Zheng Yu arranged for his subordinates to comply.

In the grim interrogation room, the three prisoners were brought in separately, each covered in wounds. Facing the guards’ routine threats and promises, they either remained silent or cursed defiantly—truly unyielding.

Yet, amidst the repeated interrogations, Fangru keenly noticed one man—the short, sturdy fellow named Wang Wu—whose eyes would uncontrollably flicker upon hearing the name “Gu Zhou.” He would subconsciously lick his chapped lips, and his fingers would curl involuntarily.

Though he quickly masked it, that momentary wavering did not escape Fangru’s watchful gaze.

“I want to question him myself,” Fangru declared firmly, pointing at Wang Wu.

Zheng Yu felt it was inappropriate, but recalling past favors, he agreed, staying by her side.

Fangru did not choose the torture rack. Instead, she had Wang Wu brought to a relatively clean interrogation room and even ordered a cup of warm tea for him.

Wang Wu eyed her suspiciously, his bloodshot eyes filled with wariness.

Fangru did not rush to question him. Instead, she spoke calmly, engaging in casual conversation and even mentioning his hometown.

Meanwhile, in the adjacent torture chamber, the “interrogation” of the other two prisoners abruptly intensified. The dull thuds of whips striking flesh, the sizzle of hot irons searing skin, and the barely suppressed, agonized screams pierced through the stone walls, striking Wang Wu’s eardrums and nerves with each sound.

Wang Wu’s hand holding the teacup began to tremble uncontrollably, and cold sweat beaded on his temples.

Seizing the moment, Fangru leaned forward, her voice lowered but carrying a strange, compelling allure: “Wang Wu, you’re a smart man. Liu Sui has already ‘committed suicide’—there’s no one left to testify against you. Who do you think will be next? You’ve risked your life for them, but have they ever considered sparing yours? If you’re willing to tell the truth, I might plead for mercy, spare your life, and even… help you escape this den of trouble.”

Another excruciating howl erupted from next door!

Wang Wu shuddered violently, and the teacup clattered to the floor, shattering into pieces.

His face turned deathly pale, his psychological defenses crumbling completely. His lips quivered, and he finally rasped out, “…I’ll talk… I’ll tell you everything! Please, spare my life!”

Fangru’s heart leaped into her throat as she stared intently at him.

Yet, the words Wang Wu uttered were like ice spikes, instantly shattering her hopes: “Gu Zhou… Gu Zhou really is a member of the White Sun Society! It… it was the Society that arranged for him to infiltrate the army! Contacting the Northern Di… that was also an order from above! The White Sun Society… the White Sun Society aims to use the Northern Di’s strength, to collaborate from within and without, to overthrow… overthrow this Great Xia empire!”

“Impossible!” Fangru cried out reflexively, her face instantly paling. “You’re lying!”

But Wang Wu, as if clutching at a lifeline, kowtowed, tears and snot streaming down his face: “I dare not lie, my lady! Every word is true! Heaven above and earth below, if I speak even half a falsehood, may I be struck by lightning!”

Zheng Yu, standing nearby, stepped forward with a grave expression and said solemnly, “Miss Fangru, these words… though shocking, are his own confession. Combined with the previous circumstantial evidence, the charge of Gu Zhou colluding with the enemy is likely… irrefutable. Moreover,” he added meaningfully, glancing at Fangru, “this is the result of your own interrogation, not a forced confession extracted through torture by us.”

The other officials nearby chimed in, their gazes toward Fangru growing complex—mingling pity with a sense of “as expected” relief.

Fangru stood frozen in place, feeling only an icy chill throughout her entire body.

She personally pried open the witness’s mouth, only to obtain testimony that pushed the person she most wanted to save into an even deeper abyss!

This immense irony and blow made her almost unable to stand steady.

Was Wang Wu still lying? Or… had the injustice she believed in been false from the very beginning?