Confrontation

All living things are grass and trees, only you are the green mountain.

During his twenty-three years of life, he had not encountered many outstanding women.

His mother was a very weak woman who cried all day long and died of depression before he learned to show compassion.

His second mother, the complete opposite, is a very capable woman, but his guilt towards his mother prevents him from getting close to her.

The noble ladies of the capital, whether delicate or shrewd, were all the same to him. Each one was as identical as a painting, and the occasional eccentric was quickly tamed into the stereotypical lady of a noble family. Ruthless soldiers refrained from bloodshed, while the kind-hearted couldn't even protect themselves. Some who adhered to their bottom line were hesitant and hesitant, their so-called bottom line ultimately just an excuse to make things easier for themselves.

Having seen so many victims and murderers, he had no interest in those who trembled with fear when they met but still fantasized about being in love with each other. He did not feel any envy when he saw his peers with their beautiful wives and concubines.

If, if he could find the person he was meant for, one would be enough. If they weren't like-minded, then having more would only be a nuisance. What he wanted was a woman he could hold in his heart, to be with her hand in hand, to stay together forever. He never wanted to be like his father, who had the love of his life but lost it for some frivolous reason.

As long as he meets her, as long as he keeps her in his heart, then... he will do anything to get her.

At the base of the mottled wall, there was only a narrow wooden bed with some fallen dead grass at the end of the bed, probably because it had been temporarily moved away. Although the entire cell had been cleaned, it still had a strange smell of mold and rust.

Su Zirui looked at the prison cell with a critical eye, a hint of doubt in his eyes. Given this environment, how could Old Chen be willing to abandon his soft bed at home and stay here?

The sound of light footsteps interrupted his conjecture, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.

This was the scene Luo Ziran saw when he pushed the door open. A man in a moon-colored brocade robe was sitting on the wooden bed with his legs crossed. There was no worry on his face, as if he was still in his own house, leisurely sipping tea.

"Lord Su, you are in a good mood. I wonder what you think of the configuration of the Ministry of Justice's prison in our dynasty?" Since no one else felt aggrieved, Luo Ziran didn't bother with the polite words of comfort.

Su Zirui raised an eyebrow. "It's acceptable. Simple and frugal, in line with the pragmatic style of our Ministry of Justice."

Hearing this, Luo Ziran smiled. "I didn't know you were so humorous."

"My Lord, you are not here to visit me, are you?" The nobles like to show off their elegance, but he was not in the mood to watch the show now, so he asked directly.

Luo Ziran tilted his head and looked at the still cold man in front of him, his eyes darkening.

Who could have imagined that this seemingly elegant and noble man would have the good fortune to uncover the events of the Northwest, using the official silver case to secretly investigate Luo Yin's greedy misappropriation of military funds and lending, and even use Luo Yin's hand to smoothly investigate the matter from the shadows? Even now, many officials still believe that this Minister of Justice was simply unlucky to be involved in this matter.

Su Qing himself is cunning, and his son is also good at playing dirty tricks.

"I'm just curious. Why would Lord Su, such a meticulous person, harm an innocent girl?" Luo Ziran smiled, walked to a place not far in front of him, and looked down at him condescendingly.

"I have no grudge against her, so why bother to do it? I believe that the Marquis will be able to see through this obvious frame-up and will soon clear my name. After all... didn't the Marquis also visit this female doctor before leaving for Yangzhou?" With his eyes slightly raised and no concealment of sarcasm in sight, Su Zirui leisurely looked at his tall and imposing figure.

"You're joking, sir. If he's innocent, he's not guilty." Luo Ziran suddenly felt that there was no point in playing witty tricks with this man. He hadn't come here to see him suffer. Thinking of the words his servants had told him, the eye-catching hug he had shared the day he was taken into custody, Luo Ziran's face darkened. "Recently, I've heard rumors that you and my wife's sister are very close. It doesn't matter since you're a man, but my wife's sister is just an ordinary woman. I'm afraid..."

"Your Majesty is asking too much of her." Su Zirui's eyes turned cold. "She has always been independent and sensible. She has close friends and family to look after her. She doesn't need the Marquis, a brother-in-law you barely meet, to worry about her."

Luo Ziran looked at him as if he were looking at a disobedient child. He had shed all his gentleness, his handsome face devoid of emotion. His eyes and brows suddenly grew cold, his whole demeanor unable to conceal the inherent nobility and aloofness.

The man who had put away his sarcasm sat upright beside the wooden bed, calm and reserved, his cold eyes clear and bright. "My Lord, you are much more pleasing to the eye if you don't pretend to be gentle."

"Su Zirui, she is not the person you can ask for help." Luo Ziran's tone was as cold as ice.

"Oh?" Su Zirui raised his eyes, not showing any weakness even though he was in a low position. "I haven't proposed marriage yet, so how do you know she can't ask for it?"

Ever since their time in Yangzhou, he'd felt this man was strange. He'd originally thought Luo Ziran was interested in the girl out of emotional transference from his deceased wife. But that wasn't the case. When he mentioned her, there was no warmth or affection in his eyes, as if he were referring to a stranger. Yet, the possessiveness in his eyes was unmistakable.

Originally it was just strange, but after the Sizhou incident, he began to understand. Dingbei Hou's target was A Ruo, but he didn't want A Ruo.

No wonder that girl has not been as decisive as before since she came to Yangzhou, and she doesn't even have much desire to survive when encountering problems. No wonder Yiyuan doesn't have much friendship with Qi Shaozhen and his wife.

"She is mine." Luo Ziran said this with a calm expression, neither happy nor angry.

Watching the figure stroll out of the cell, Su Zirui slowly raised his eyes, unable to conceal the bloodthirsty murderous intent in them. A faint fire slowly ignited beneath the ice, no longer able to hide the intense possessive desire. The corners of his lips curled slightly, revealing a mocking smile, and his handsome face revealed a bit of evil in the dim light.

his?

It's ridiculous. How could the girl that Su Zirui holds in his heart belong to someone else?

Is it something else that he can ask for?

Then...what if it was her that he was asking for?

Aruo didn't understand why she had to spend money to visit their boss in the prison of the Ministry of Justice? Thinking of the ten taels of silver she had just given, she frowned with heartache.

"Ruoruo?" A soft and gentle voice sounded. When Aruo looked up, she saw Luo Ziran in a dark purple robe.

After a moment of hesitation, Aruo folded his hands in front of him, bowed and made a formal greeting, "My Lord."

"Why are you here?" Luo Ziran's handsome face turned slightly cold.

Isn't this obvious? There are only two cells at the end of this passage. One is the one that Chen Lao has reserved for a long time, and the other is where the big boss of the Ministry of Justice is imprisoned.

Aruo lowered his eyes, "I came to see Master Su."

Luo Ziran's expression turned cold, and his tone became heavy. "Ruoruo, the capital is not like Yangzhou. You and Lord Su are different in gender. The Su family has always favored noble ladies... You'd better not get too involved with him. Otherwise... your reputation will be ruined."

Sarcasm flickered across her eyes as Aruo smiled, her eyes clear. "Marquis' Mansion, I'm just a common girl, naturally I can't compare to those daughters of high-ranking families. But... for me, dating doesn't necessarily mean marriage. The people of Da Qi aren't that conservative. We talked about this before, when my sister was here, that if we don't want to get married, we can just marry someone in like men. As for me, I don't want to get married, but I want to marry a virtuous man home. I'll take care of the outside affairs while he cooks. Lady Su is as beautiful as a flower, and it's worth my effort. If it succeeds, wouldn't it be a wonderful story?"

Luo Ziran opened his eyes slightly, and seeing that she was not joking at all, he immediately became angry, "Nonsense. You are Mr. Shen's disciple, how can you ruin the Shen family's reputation?"

"As long as the Marquis doesn't say it, no one will know about my relationship with the Shen family." Aruo raised her eyes and looked at him directly, her gaze sharp. "You should know that I have never wanted to have anything to do with the Shen family."

This was the first time she had challenged him so directly. Luo Ziran's face darkened. "No matter what you wish for, you are still Nan'er's sister, and you will always be with her through thick and thin. Also, the capital has been a bit volatile lately. If you need anything, feel free to come to me."

As if it was a warning or a reminder, Luo Ziran looked at her quietly for a long time before walking past her and leaving.

Aruo chuckled and walked inside without much concern, his steps lighter than before.

"Master Su, Brother Xu is so disloyal. He actually accepted ten taels of silver from me! Ten taels! That's a month's worth of my luxurious food..." Aruo puffed out his cheeks, grabbing the iron bars and accusingly said, "I never thought I'd actually spend ten taels on a beautiful woman."

"You're going to succeed." His eyes softened as Su Zirui walked to the door and knocked her forehead. After hearing her feigned cry of pain, he rubbed her forehead softly. "I'll ask him to pay you double later."

His eyes lit up instantly, and Aruo said thoughtfully, "That's not nice...just give it to me privately."

Su Zirui scoffed and took the oil-paper package she handed over. "Pumpkin pie? Sweet?"

His tone was his usual one of disdain, and his eyes held a hint of accusation towards her.

"I did it." Aruba blinked and put his hand in to show him, "Look, it's burned."

"The same trick won't work if you use it twice." Su Zirui patted her palm lightly, then pinched her red fingertips gently. Finally, he opened the oil paper. The pumpkin pie inside was a little squeezed and deformed, but it smelled good.

Under her eager gaze, Su Zirui took a bite, a look of surprise flashing across his eyes. The pumpkin pie's filling wasn't bean paste, but meat and vegetables.

Aruo raised his eyebrows and said, "I changed it to a salty taste for you."

So that he wouldn't always say that she didn't remember his preferences.

"The boy is teachable." Su Zirui nodded with satisfaction, but when he saw her smile fade, he couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

Aruo bit her lip and glanced at him, feeling a little aggrieved. "You don't tell me anything because you think I can't help?"

Su Zirui put down the pumpkin pie in his hand and looked at her seriously, "No."

"Then why didn't you tell me all this? You obviously suspected that Xiaoman's death was not an accident. I went to Jinglan to ask him for a small favor, but he said we had the same idea. That means you..." Aruo frowned and guessed.

"Miss Qi, you know too much." There was admiration and pleasure in Su Zirui's eyes. The girl in front of him shared the same ideas as him, which made him in a good mood.

"What should we do? Are we going to silence him, Lord Su?" Aruo stretched her neck forward to make it easier for him to strike. "Are you willing to do that?"

Reluctant. Su Zirui pinched her small chin with a half-smile, "You can't kill her, but you can seal her mouth..."

"Ahem," Aruo's heart skipped a beat as he was stared at by those shimmering eyes. He turned his face away uncomfortably. "What I want to say is, you obviously have a faster way to deal with this, so why did you still make this trip?"

Although officials had impeached the Sizhou incident in the capital, it was a local case after all. If they really insisted, the trial should be held in Sizhou. When she asked Jing Lan about it, he only said that Su Zirui had his own plans. She could guess some of his actions, but she couldn't guess his intentions.

As if a little surprised that she would notice this, Su Zirui raised his eyebrows and said after a moment's hesitation, "Do you still remember what you said at the Sizhou Posthouse?"

Aruo blinked. She had been talking all day long in Sizhou, so how could she remember a single sentence?

Shaking his head with a smile, Su Zirui reached out and smoothed down her hair, which kept sticking up unruly. "The rules of this world should be based on morality and the rule of law, not on fighting violence with violence, and certainly not on the powerful being able to disregard anyone's life."

Whether it was the case of the missing baby or the Sizhou Fang family's spirit-calling banners, even if these were fully investigated, they wouldn't necessarily be made public. Great Qi banned witchcraft, but since the founding emperor's reign, no truly notorious cases had occurred. Does this mean there weren't any? No, it's simply that everyone covered up these matters with simple cases to avoid causing panic or misleading people. To this day, Great Qi law doesn't explicitly stipulate the penalties for those involved in these forbidden practices.

"I understand what you mean. It's better to open up than to block. Our ancestors were indeed very taboo about these things, and didn't even dare to speak out. But things that exist won't disappear just because no one practices them openly. Laws should serve not only as punishment but also as a warning." Only by making everyone aware that such practices violate morality and criminal law can they serve as a warning. Those who see them will know to report them, and those who would like to do the same will be wary of the potential penalties and not act rashly.

“But even if there are laws prohibiting it, it cannot guarantee people’s hearts.”

"If an individual is above the law, then the law loses its meaning." The people who make these laws are themselves representatives of power, and they will not allow such exceptions to happen too often.

Ah Ruo knew that he had done so much behind her back, and she felt guilty, distressed, and even more powerless. If Xiao Man's matter was really as she expected, then it was her fault... If she hadn't been afraid to face it, Xiao Man might...

There was a pain in his forehead, and Aruo suddenly raised his eyes, "It hurts!"

"If it hurts, you'll wake up." Su Zirui couldn't bear to see her dejected look, but he couldn't change his tone. "The matter with Constable Li... can only be said to be an accident. She and the maid from the Fang Mansion just happened to meet certain requirements. In the entire Sizhou City, there is probably only one such pair... Some things are beyond your control."

Of course she knew, but she hadn't expected that person to be so cruel. There was no point in saying more now. She was just afraid that the people around her would get hurt again.

"The review will be held in front of the palace tomorrow. You... will be fine, right?" He covered the hand holding the iron railing, and the originally cold hand was warmed by his warmth.

"Just stay here and be good."

A group of lunatics with brains can easily get hurt accidentally when they act out a scene.