With the affairs of Liangzhou finally settled, Lu Jingze did not rush back to the capital. Instead, he spent several days personally leading a thorough investigation of Qingzhou.
Although Qingzhou, as a neighboring prefecture of Liangzhou, was not directly affected by the epidemic, the collusion between its officials and Liangzhou had already come to light.
If these parasites are not completely eradicated, the peace and tranquility of Liangzhou will not last long.
Lu Jingze led a team of elite soldiers, traveling day and night, heading straight for the Qingzhou government office.
The prefect of Qingzhou still held onto a sliver of hope, thinking that Lu Jingze would show leniency because he was an official appointed by the imperial court.
However, when he saw the detailed evidence of the crimes in his hand, he turned pale and collapsed to the ground.
"Your Highness, I'm innocent!" The prefect of Qingzhou said in a trembling voice, trying to explain.
Lu Jingze didn't even glance at him, but coldly waved his hand, "Take him away and interrogate him tonight."
With the downfall of the prefect of Qingzhou, a large number of officials who colluded with him were also exposed.
Corrupt officials were escorted to the execution ground every day, and the guillotines at the market street were washed until they gleamed before autumn was over.
The people were initially filled with anxiety, fearing that they would be implicated.
However, as time went by, they gradually discovered that these things did not affect their lives, but instead cleansed the atmosphere of Qingzhou.
On the streets, people set up their stalls again, and the air was filled with the aroma of cooking.
In the teahouse, the storyteller pounded his gavel, recounting how this high-ranking official from the capital had swiftly and decisively reformed Qingzhou, drawing applause and cheers from the crowd.
"This is truly our upright and just official!" an old man exclaimed, stroking his beard.
"That's right, those corrupt officials should have been dealt with long ago!" The vendor next to him chimed in.
Wang Xiuxiu sat in a corner of the teahouse, listening to the discussions of the crowd, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
She looked up at the window and saw Lu Jingze riding past on horseback through the street.
He was dressed in a black brocade robe, with a cold and stern face and eyes like knives. Wherever he went, the people would give way, but they couldn't help but secretly peek at him.
Wang Xiuxiu lowered her head and gently stirred the tea in her cup, a feeling she couldn't quite describe welling up inside her.
During this time, Lu Jingze was almost always by her side.
Whether it's a trinket she casually mentions or a piece of fine silk she glances at, he will buy it without hesitation and deliver it to her.
He would send people to search far and wide for gold and silver jewelry, rare medicinal herbs, and even a book she occasionally mentioned, just to make her smile.
Although I felt a vague unease about this generosity, I could barely convince myself to accept it.
What truly broke her was Lu Jingze's attitude towards her.
When the two were together, Lu Jingze maintained a good sense of propriety.
He would occasionally make some intimate gestures, but as soon as Wang Xiuxiu showed any sign of rejection, he would immediately retreat back beyond the red line.
She could sense Lu Jingze's feelings, because the emotions hidden in his deep eyes were no longer concealed.
Even so, this affection was not enough to change her determination to leave.
Wang Xiuxiu constantly reminded herself to remain calm and to always be mindful that the gifts she received were merely a temporary act of charity.
A man's love is the least reliable, especially in such an unequal relationship.
This kind of love, perhaps more accurately described as an interest, can disappear or be transferred to someone else at any time.
Here, in this era, she loves herself, and can only love herself.
Wang Xiuxiu had already prepared to leave at any time.
She carefully kept all the valuable items Lu Jingze had given her, intending to return them to him intact when she left.
However, a slight hesitation remained in her heart—should she go to the capital with Lu Jingze?
The capital city, a place that everyone talks about, is prosperous and bustling with powerful and wealthy people.
After traveling to various places for so long, Wang Xiuxiu was filled with curiosity about the legendary capital city.
She wanted to see if the city was truly as magnificent as described in the book.
However, as a frail woman traveling alone, she was inevitably in danger.
As for Lu Jingze, since the Liangzhou matter has been properly resolved, the subsequent disaster relief work and other follow-up matters will be handed over to other officials.
Therefore, their plan was to return to the capital as soon as possible.
After thinking it over, Wang Xiuxiu temporarily put aside the idea of leaving and decided to travel with them for a while.
She secretly planned to devise a plan to escape when she was almost at the capital.
If Lu Jingze can keep his promise, that would be the best outcome.
If he refuses to let me leave, the capital city, as a transportation hub, has roads that connect in all directions.
In the capital, a place of great importance, Lu Jingze was a high-ranking official in the court, so he probably wouldn't dare to act too recklessly.
However, the journey back to the capital was far more difficult than Wang Xiuxiu had imagined.
The situation along the way was completely different from the attacks they had experienced on their way to Liangzhou.
This time, the mastermind behind it all clearly put in a lot of effort.
The assassins are elusive and ruthless, even using ordinary people as bait to set up numerous traps.
Even Wang Xiuxiu, a complete novice, could clearly sense that the assassins who had come to kill her were no ordinary people.
Although the assassins who came were ruthless, their target was clear: Lu Jingze alone.
Now, their target has expanded to include Wang Xiuxiu.
During a night raid, the assassins silently infiltrated their camp.
Wang Xiuxiu was awakened by the sound of fighting. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw a cold light aimed directly at her face.
She had no time to react and could only watch helplessly as the dagger approached.
At the critical moment, Lu Jingze pulled her into his arms and used his other hand to wield his sword to block the fatal blow.
Lu Jingze's movements were swift and decisive, his eyes cold and sharp as knives, like a fierce beast guarding its prey.
"Stay behind me and don't move."
Wang Xiuxiu gripped his sleeve tightly, her heart pounding like a drum.
At that moment, Wang Xiuxiu realized with such clarity that she had already been drawn into a huge conspiracy.
That night, although the assassins were repelled, Lu Jingze's arm was injured.
Wang Xiuxiu's fingers trembled slightly as she bandaged his wound.
She lowered her head, not daring to look him in the eye.
"Why did you save me?" she asked softly, her voice trembling with a sob she herself was unaware of.
Lu Jingze raised his other hand and gently stroked her cheek, his tone tender yet firm: "Because you are mine."
Wang Xiuxiu's heart skipped a beat.
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