Chapter 166: The ruler's heart is hard to fathom

The ruler's heart is hard to fathom

Gu Hong's expression was somewhat grave, his words betraying a hint of anxiety. At that moment, upon hearing this, everyone in the room was startled, and Yin Fengzhan couldn't help but his eyes flicker, then he asked in a low voice.

What's the matter?

In reply to the Prince, this old servant doesn't know. However, this old servant sees that something is urgent...

Gu Hong's words were rather tactful; bluntly put, there was nothing good about it. After speaking, Gu Hong couldn't help but lift his head to glance at Yin Fengzhan, then lowered his head again.

For a moment, everyone in the room fell into suspicion and speculation. Shortly after, only the low voice of Zuo Wei could be heard saying.

The Emperor summoning the Third Miss at this time... could it be that he heard something?

Hmm, Minister Zuo, that makes sense. But what could the father emperor have heard to be so anxious?

In response to Zuo Wei's words, Prince Rui Yin Fengxiang also spoke softly. His extremely beautiful face instantly showed a hint of worry. At this moment, hearing the two speak, Mo Yujue beside them also furrowed his brows instantly and turned his head to look at Nie Jinxuan.

Mo Yujue didn't speak, but concern showed in his eyes. At this moment, Nie Jinxuan, who had been keeping her eyes down and silent, pressed her lips and then rose to her feet on her own.

The Emperor summons; clearly there is an urgent matter. No matter what, we must go.

Saying this, Nie Jinxuan turned her head to glance at Yin Fengzhan, then walked straight out.

……

Morning sunlight fell upon the palace's carved beams and painted pillars, revealing dazzling splendor and solemnity. Afterwards, all the way to the palace, arriving at the gate of the Imperial Study, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but pause, lift her gaze to behold the majesty before her, and then secretly sighed.

Nie Jinxuan's expression was calm, but a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes. At that moment, Gao Caiyong hurried out, and upon seeing Nie Jinxuan arrive, he quickly stepped forward and said.

Third Miss, you've come. Please go in; the Emperor has been waiting for you a while.

Gao Caiyong's face bore a friendly smile. But upon saying this, he paused, then took a slight step forward.

However, Third Miss, you must be careful; the Emperor's mood is not good...

Having deliberately lowered his voice, Gao Caiyong spoke very softly. After speaking, he smiled at Nie Jinxuan. When their eyes met—his already lined with wrinkles—Nie Jinxuan was first taken aback, but then she gave a faint smile.

Thank you for the reminder, Senior Gao; I've taken note.

Saying this, Nie Jinxuan politely nodded to Senior Gao, then walked straight into the Imperial Study. Watching her retreating back, Senior Gao couldn't help but sigh, then his expression tightened as he said to the few palace attendants guarding the door.

Alright, you may withdraw as well.

Yes.

Hearing Senior Gao's order, the few palace attendants promptly responded and then quietly withdrew.

……

When Nie Jinxuan entered the Imperial Study, she saw only Emperor Shuncheng seated before the dragon throne, using a vermilion brush to review memorials.

All around was extremely quiet. At this moment, in the Imperial Study, aside from Emperor Shuncheng, there wasn't a single palace attendant.

Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan's heart instantly rose with a bad premonition, but she then composed herself, stepped forward, and spoke softly.

Your servant, Miss Jinxuan, pays respects to the Emperor.

Nie Jinxuan's voice was not loud, but quite clear. Afterwards, Emperor Shuncheng still kept his head down, reviewing the memorial in his hand, as if he hadn't heard.

Emperor Shuncheng made no move, and Nie Jinxuan dared not speak further, keeping her head lowered, maintaining the bowing posture without moving.

Time trickled by, the surroundings remained unusually quiet. Finally, after an unknown length of time, long enough that Nie Jinxuan could barely hold on, only then did Emperor Shuncheng close the memorial in his hand, set down his vermilion brush, and lift his gaze to Nie Jinxuan before him.

At this moment, Emperor Shuncheng wore a deep solemnity; his calm bore an indescribable aura. Even without lifting her head, Nie Jinxuan could feel that piercing gaze, which made her heart sink.

How is the case proceeding?

Emperor Shuncheng finally spoke. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan, head lowered, instantly had a flash of light in her eyes, then replied in a low voice.

In reply to Your Majesty, there has already been a major breakthrough.

Really? Has the culprit been identified?

... Yes.

Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan already somewhat understood. At this moment, upon hearing Nie Jinxuan say that, Emperor Shuncheng's eyebrows twitched instantly.

Alright, rise.

Yes.

Emperor Shuncheng's tone softened slightly, but Nie Jinxuan's heart grew heavier. Afterwards, as Nie Jinxuan had just risen, she indeed heard Emperor Shuncheng ask again.

Then tell me, who is the culprit?

As he spoke, Emperor Shuncheng's expression was very calm, but his eyes fixed tightly on Nie Jinxuan, not blinking. At this moment, Nie Jinxuan lowered her eyes.

In reply to Your Majesty, the culprit is... is Nie Jinhui.

The last three characters made Nie Jinxuan's voice tremble involuntarily. Upon hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng's eyes flashed with a hint of amusement, but then his face instantly darkened.

Nie Jinxuan, do you know your crime?!

The vast Imperial Study was deathly silent. Emperor Shuncheng stared straight at Nie Jinxuan standing before the dragon throne, a hint of anger in his gaze. The air was thick with an indescribable tension, oppressive enough to make one barely breathe.

Nie Jinxuan admits guilt, but she believes that what was done was not wrong.

In the silence, Nie Jinxuan spoke word by word. Upon hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng's originally grim expression froze for a moment, then he actually began to chuckle lightly.

Hah... not wrong?! Good, Nie Jinxuan, since I ascended the throne, no one has dared to say 'not wrong' three words to my face! Good, since you said that, then explain to me where you are not wrong!

Emperor Shuncheng's words were spoken calmly, even with a hint of a smile, yet his tone conveyed an indescribable coldness and gloom. Yet Nie Jinxuan's expression remained unmoved; she slightly lowered her eyes and then spoke softly.

In reply to Your Majesty, I dare not speak falsely before you. The series of shocking blood cases that shook the capital, including a total of seven deaths such as Lady Tong Shufei, and even the recent arson tragedy at Zhang Family Village outside the city that burned many villagers to death, were all orchestrated by my elder sister, Nie Jinhui... And the reason my sister committed such a heinous, heinous crime, with methods shocking to the extreme, was entirely for her fiancé, the son of the late Minister of Revenue Jin Qijin, Jin Jingyuan, who died over two years ago.

As for Jin Jingyuan's tragic death back then, my sister sought revenge out of fury. Although I feel grief, the fact that my sister committed such a heinous bloodbath, killing so many people with extremely cruel means, is undeniable and cannot be erased or forgiven. On this point, I dare not argue.

Furthermore, there is something I must admit: during the investigation of the culprit, I, due to mixing personal feelings, failed to apprehend my sister in time. Even after the truth was revealed and my sister died, I did not promptly report to Your Majesty.

Therefore, summing up, I have two faults, so I admit guilt! But Your Majesty, no matter how heinous Nie Jinhui's crimes, she remains my sister; although we share no blood, she bears the Nie surname, and there is a reason for her actions—how could I not feel heartbroken?! And if, after such an event, I could still cheerfully report the case to You and gain Your favor, would I not become heartless and unrighteous? And if a person lacks even this most basic familial affection, how could they survive in the world?!

Nie Jinxuan spoke sentence by sentence; as she finished, she couldn't help but recall the sight of her sister Nie Jinhui at death, feeling a slight surge of emotion, but then she paused briefly and then regained her previous composure.

Born into an official family, Nie Jinxuan knows the nation's great cause, rites and morality, yet she also knows the preciousness of familial affection. In this case, from the start, her heart held only one belief: to seek the truth. Yet she could not do so without mercy. Therefore, she admits guilt, but if Your Majesty insists on asking whether she did it, she believes she did nothing wrong; indeed, even if time were reversed and she started over, she would still act thus.

Nie Jinxuan's words were firm. Yet upon hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng slightly narrowed his eyes, then instantly a smile appeared on his face.

So you mean, you failed to timely report the facts to Me, and you still think you're justified?

"No, Nie Jinxuan didn't argue. Yet she also spoke her heartfelt words."

"Hehe… Well, what a heartfelt remark. In all these years, His Majesty has never heard such a genuine heartfelt remark! Good, very good!"

The smile on Emperor Shuncheng's face grew increasingly evident, but at this point his gaze shifted.

"So, does that mean your father also knows about this matter?"

"Yes, my father already knows, and he has been deeply shaken. These past two days he claimed to feel unwell and did not attend court, but in fact my father is now bedridden."

Nie Jinxuan spoke the truth. Since the day the truth was discovered, Senior Minister Nie, though still looking fine at the time, fell ill after Nie Jinxuan left. And Senior Minister Nie, being already advanced in age, collapsed and became completely bedridden.

Thus, thinking of Senior Minister Nie at that moment made Nie Jinxuan feel a surge of sorrow. She then let out a "thump" and fell to her knees.

"His Majesty, Nie Jinxuan is at fault. Therefore Nie Jinxuan comes today without expecting Your Majesty's leniency. Yet my father is old, and although my elder sister is not my blood, she raised me from childhood. Now that this incident has occurred, my father is pained on one hand, and on the other does not know how to explain to Your Majesty, feeling deep guilt. So Nie Jinxuan asks nothing else of Your Majesty but that, in consideration of my father's many years of devoted service to the nation, you refrain from further punishing him."

This was Nie Jinxuan's first time kneeling before Emperor Shuncheng. At that moment, looking at Nie Jinxuan kneeling before him, Emperor Shuncheng couldn't help a flicker in his eye, and after a moment finally spoke.

"Enough, stand up."

"Yes!"

Emperor Shuncheng did not state anything explicitly, but from the meaning he understood it as agreement. As soon as Nie Jinxuan stood, the emperor added.

"You, girl, are truly sharp‑tongued and speak so directly… Well, now no one in the court dares to speak to His Majesty like that. I hope you do not disappoint My expectations of you. It's just a pity you are merely a woman…"

In the end, Emperor Shuncheng still admired Nie Jinxuan. Only then did Nie Jinxuan silently sigh in relief. She then proceeded to recount the case details to Emperor Shuncheng at length, and while listening, the emperor could not help but feel a sigh of lament.

"It seems your elder sister is also exceedingly clever; such a scheme would make any ordinary man feel inferior! If Jin Jingyuan had not died back then, perhaps now there would be a match of talented scholar and beauty… Anyway, considering her devoted affection, and since Jin Jingyuan was also a pitiable case, His Majesty will not pursue further. Return the bodies to them. As for your father, go tell him that His Majesty has never blamed him, but hopes he can trust His Majesty."

Emperor Shuncheng's words were indeed generous. Upon hearing them, Nie Jinxuan's heart swelled with joy, and she knelt again.

"Nie Jinxuan, on behalf of my elder sister and my father, thanks Your Majesty for the great grace!"

"Hmm, stand up."

"Yes."

Nie Jinxuan rose again, but shortly after she stood, Emperor Shuncheng, as if recalling something, suddenly asked.

"By the way, there's something I almost forgot. Since the murderer has now been executed, have the previously missing Wang Tianhai and Huang Boqi been found? Also, didn't you tell me before that this case is linked to Jin Qi's case? Have you discovered any issues with Jin Qi's case now?"

When Emperor Shuncheng mentioned Wang Tianhai and Huang Boqi, Nie Jinxuan's brows twitched, then she slightly narrowed her eyes, and calmly raised her gaze to speak.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the two elders have been found this morning."

"Oh? Found them?"

"Yes! The two elders are still alive, but in poor condition, heavily wounded all over, and have been secretly sent back to the Ministry of Punishments."

Originally, Nie Jinxuan did not wish to disclose the whereabouts of Wang Tianhai and Huang Boqi. But now that Emperor Shuncheng has raised it, she must speak, lest future exposure be a crime of deceiving the ruler!

At that moment, upon hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng, seated behind the dragon desk, flashed his eyes, then after a brief silence rose from behind the desk and walked slowly toward Nie Jinxuan.

"…You just said the two were secretly sent to the Ministry of Punishments… What does that mean?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, because the two elders are closely linked to the case of Lord Jin back then. Otherwise my elder sister would not have spared their lives, so Nie Jinxuan believes my elder sister kept them alive hoping that one day they could serve as witnesses!"

"Oh? To testify?!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! My elder sister was consumed by vengeance, so everyone she captured was brutally killed. Wang Tianhai and Huang Boqi, the two elders, directed their son and were the masterminds behind Jin Jingyuan's death; thus, under normal reasoning, my elder sister would never have spared them. Yet now they are still alive, so this is the only explanation…"

"Moreover, there is another matter Nie Jinxuan wishes to report to Your Majesty! When my elder sister was on her deathbed, she handed Nie Jinxuan a ledger, saying it was evidence."

"Ledger? What ledger?!"

"It records, from Lord Jin's case back then, the list of persons who bought official posts and the amounts of silver!"

"What?!"

Obviously, the appearance of the ledger shocked Emperor Shuncheng; he turned his head instantly, then stared straight at Nie Jinxuan, a hint of surprise flashing on his solemn face.

Facing Emperor Shuncheng's gaze, Nie Jinxuan nodded.

"Yes, Your Majesty. When my elder sister learned of her fiancé Jin Jingyuan's death, perhaps linked to Lord Jin's case, she kept investigating. No one knows what methods she used or how far she probed. Yet she left behind a crucial ledger. Because of that, my elder sister was eventually assassinated, and even now Nie Jinxuan has been pursued multiple times; someone even placed a huge bounty in the jianghu to claim Nie Jinxuan's life."

Nie Jinxuan spoke calmly, while Emperor Shuncheng narrowed his eyes slightly, paced to the doorway, and after a moment whispered.

"Where is that ledger?"

"It is still in Nie Jinxuan's hands."

"So you originally did not intend to bring it out?"

"Your Majesty, Nie Jinxuan would not lie, but she did not intend to hand it over immediately, rather she did not want to give it up right away!"

"What does that mean?"

Turning his head slightly, Emperor Shuncheng, standing at the doorway, faced Nie Jinxuan, and without waiting for her reply, spoke again.

"Do you wish to risk your life to investigate Jin Qi's case?"

"Your Majesty, Nie Jinxuan indeed risks herself, but she has no intention of investigating the case. After all, Lord Jin's case was far‑reaching; Nie Jinxuan, being just a woman, is neither a court official nor a strategist, how could she arrogantly investigate it? Therefore, whether Lord Jin's case should be re‑investigated depends on Your Majesty's will. Without Your Majesty's permission, no one has the right to pursue it! Nie Jinxuan understands this, but since her elder sister sacrificed herself to restore justice for Lord Jin's clan, and now her elder sister is dead, Nie Jinxuan cannot remain silent, so she wishes to gather more clues, and once the evidence is solid, hand it over to Your Majesty."

Narrowing her eyes, Nie Jinxuan boldly voiced her inner thoughts. Upon hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng sneered.

"Hmph, it sounds nice, but frankly you're just afraid of the people I sent, and you're a fool who can't investigate, so you act like this! Still, I once trusted Pei Yaoguang, and now I see he's no better; having such thoughts is no crime!"

"No, Your Majesty. Regarding Lord Pei, Nie Jinxuan has met him privately; though he appears unruly, Nie Jinxuan believes he has never betrayed any of Your Majesty's kindness. Thus, Your Majesty did not choose the wrong person. However, there must be a reason: the mastermind behind it was too cunning, which is why Lord Jin was so easily framed back then!"

"Heh… you girl, if you didn't know, you'd think I took a favor from that Pei lad, which is why I speak for him; but having only met him, how can you be so certain?!"

Raising an eyebrow slightly, Emperor Shuncheng suddenly found Nie Jinxuan a very interesting person. He then smiled, turned his head, and cast his gaze again at the palace walls and blue sky beyond.

"However, your reasoning is sound, girl. Though I trust you and believe that letting you investigate Jin Qi's case would be better, you are still a woman without office or rank, which makes handling difficult. So after this, I will consider it carefully and will see that Jin Qi's case is thoroughly resolved."

Emperor Shuncheng's words gave Nie Jinxuan an answer. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan repeatedly thanked him, and the emperor then asked more questions about Jin Qi's case, which Nie Jinxuan answered one by one.

In the blink of an eye, it was noon. After learning all the details, only then did Emperor Shuncheng say.

"Alright, you may leave for today."

"Yes, but Your Majesty, that ledger…"

"Keep the ledger for now; later I will inform you separately."

"Yes."

Unaware of Emperor Shuncheng's intentions, Nie Jinxuan did not ask further, replied respectfully, and stepped away… Yet just as Nie Jinxuan had just stepped out of the imperial study, Emperor Shuncheng suddenly called her back.

Oh right, I heard you've been staying at the Fourth Prince's residence lately… Is that true?

When Emperor Shuncheng said this, he was very casual, as if he were just talking about today's weather. But upon hearing it, Nie Jinxuan felt an inexplicable jolt in her heart, immediately drew back the foot she had stepped out with, and then spoke in a low voice.

"In reply to Your Majesty, yes."

"Hmm, did you return on your own, or did the Fourth Prince send you back?"

"It's because at that time, Nie Jinxuan was repeatedly pursued by bandits, so she was forced to temporarily stay at the Chen Wangfu."

With her head lowered, Nie Jinxuan spoke calmly, but as she said this, she slightly lifted her head.

"Of course, if Your Majesty objects, Nie Jinxuan will immediately return to the Nie residence."

"That won't be necessary. If anything happens to you, I truly wouldn't be able to explain it to Senior Minister Nie… All right, you may go. However, you don't need to worry about the Jin Qi case anymore."

"Yes."

In respectful reply, Nie Jinxuan then quietly withdrew. At that moment, standing at the entrance of the imperial study and watching her retreating back, Emperor Shuncheng, whose expression had been natural, unconsciously sank a little.

Nie Jinxuan returned to the Chen Wangfu. Then that afternoon, word came that someone had gone to the Ministry of Punishments and taken Wang Tianhai and Huang Boqi away. But where they were ultimately taken, no one knows.

By this point, Nie Jinxuan had been completely cut off by Emperor Shuncheng from further investigation of the Jin Qi case.

Today's two updates are posted together; this chapter is a transitional one, and the next chapter will bring new dangers… See you tomorrow!