"Qin Xi." Lu Huai walked over and sat down next to her. "That case is closed."
She nodded. "The government offices are quite efficient."
Lu Huai frowned. "Do you know who the murderer is?"
Qin Xi was taken aback, then frowned and said, "Isn't it some young master?"
Could it be someone else? She witnessed that person verbally and physically abusing her, which led to this situation. But Lu Huai asked her who she was...?
Lu Huai sighed and shook his head, saying, "Do you still remember that little beggar who came out to testify?"
"Remember."
His body was completely filthy, even his hair was matted together. Yet his body trembled, but his eyes shone brightly. Even after several hours, Qin Xi still remembered it vividly.
"Could he be the murderer?" Qin Xi twitched the corner of her mouth, somewhat incredulous.
Lu Huai nodded, his brows furrowed. "Exactly. I don't know what they've done, but the authorities have determined that the little beggar is the murderer, and now they're just waiting for him to sign the document."
He sighed softly, "Although he is somewhat resistant now, I'm afraid he still can't escape being tortured into confessing."
"Forced confession?" Qin Xi had never been in contact with government offices before, and had only been to the Dali Temple with her father. She was truly puzzled by this.
"Isn't the purpose of the yamen to maintain public order? Shouldn't it be to seek the truth according to the law?" Qin Xi found it somewhat absurd.
Lu Huai held her hand reassuringly, "You're right. But people in this world all crave stability. It's even more difficult for officials; a higher rank can crush you. If that person didn't have powerful connections, the government should have dealt with him properly."
"I don't quite understand." She curled her lips into a sneer. "Forced confessions and acting against one's will—is this what the prosperous era of Yuming is all about?"
That's quite outrageous.
Lu Huai glanced around and saw that A Yu and her maid had tactfully left, taking the other servants with them as well. Then he patted her head, his eyes deep, and said, "It was once a golden age, now it is corrupt, and in the future it will be tyranny."
Qin Xi didn't quite understand what he was saying, nor did she want to. The meaning was too profound, and might even backfire. She simply lowered her head and said, "I can't do it."
"Hmm?" Lu Huai tilted his head and leaned closer. "What can't you do? Do you need my help?"
“I can’t stand by and watch someone die. If it were a bad person, that would be one thing, but this little beggar is clearly a rare and sincere person.” She raised her eyes, pursed her lips, and said earnestly, word by word, “If he finds a discerning eye, he will surely become a fine steed.”
Seeing her serious expression, Lu Huai was suddenly stunned, and the words he had spoken to Lu Chuan suddenly flashed into his mind.
'You've been pretending for so long, what are you trying to do? Is there some unfulfilled ambition you've been harboring?'
"If I encounter a wise ruler, I'd gladly be a pampered young master; if I encounter a foolish one, I'd rather be a ruthless hero in troubled times!"
However, seeing Qin Xi's serious expression, Lu Huai felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and though he hesitated, he couldn't utter a single word.
Seeing that he didn't answer for a long time, Qin Qi slumped her shoulders dejectedly. "Is it not okay?"
"Huh?" He snapped back to reality, his voice slightly hoarse. Lu Huai coughed twice, cleared his throat, and said, "Okay, I'll help you."
Qin Xi then smiled and said, "There's no time to lose, take me to the yamen first."
She didn't know why she had this inexplicable trust in Lu Huai, as if his promise meant he would definitely succeed. Lu Huai was just a playboy in the capital; what use could he possibly be?
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