Chapter 72 Make him despise you; you should despise him now, it's time to let go.
Fangru ignored the deliberately exaggerated comments behind her; her mind was already preoccupied with an even greater crisis.
The emperor's words were like a silent thunderclap, exploding in her mind. Baiyang Society was about to take action, and the court's purge would unfold with overwhelming force.
This means that finding Huang Jiang has become a life-or-death race against time.
We must find Huang Jiang in the Ministry of Justice, especially before the interrogation by the emperor's confidants reaches him, and silence him.
If Huang Jiang falls into the hands of Zheng Yu and his group, under severe torture, there is a high probability that he will confess that she once asked for poison in an attempt to assassinate the emperor.
At that time, it will not only be her personal heinous crime of attempting to kill the emperor, but the entire family, her father, her cousin... will be dragged into an abyss of no return.
In this life, she had no Buddhist prayer beads to accompany her and lost the chance to start over. Every step she took was like walking on thin ice. If she made a wrong move, she would truly perish in the eternal stillness of water.
This sense of urgency, like a constantly tightening spring, drove every nerve in her body.
Huang Jiang's name was screaming wildly in her mind; she had to find him, before anyone else!
Perhaps this raid is the best opportunity to find his trail; she must go herself.
Just then, Zhou Ling ordered a team to personally lead a raid on the newly discovered stronghold of the Baiyang Society, a piece of news that instantly shook the entire Military Command.
For everyone, this was an opportunity to make a name for themselves and achieve great things. The female constables, led by Su Yan, were especially excited. They immediately changed into their smart military uniforms, their eyes full of anticipation, as if they could already see the scene of their triumphant return and reward.
As Su Yan passed by Fang Ru, she deliberately cast a glance at her that was a mixture of contempt and provocation, her expression clearly saying, "How could someone as 'impure' as you participate in such a dangerous matter?"
Fangru ignored the provocation and quickly and silently changed into the same style of military uniform.
The dark fabric of her clothes made her face appear slightly pale, yet it gave her a calm and icy demeanor. She neatly tied up her long hair, her mind racing, trying to figure out if, in the chaos, she could avoid being seen and search for clues related to Huang Jiang, and perhaps... even find him first.
This is a risky move, but it's the only option left to act quickly.
However, as she straightened her cuffs, suppressed her trepidation, and prepared to join the group, a calm yet undeniable voice rang out from behind her, like an icicle, instantly shattering all her plans:
"You shall remain in the White Tiger Hall."
It's Zhou Ling.
He didn't even turn around, his gaze still scrutinizing the crowd who were all ready to go, but his words pierced through the noise and pierced Fangru's ears with precision.
In an instant, the command post was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and everyone's eyes were focused on her. Su Yan was taken aback at first, then her face lit up with undisguised smugness and mockery. She nudged her companion with her elbow and whispered, "See? His Majesty knows everything. He knows who can get things done and who's just a useless pretty face who causes trouble."
She deliberately emphasized the words "embroidered pillow" very much, eliciting a few suppressed chuckles. In Su Yan's view, this was undoubtedly the most direct evidence that the emperor believed Fangru was incompetent and unfit for important tasks.
However, not everyone thinks that way.
Several older, more perceptive civil officials exchanged a meaningful glance. One of them even sighed softly and whispered to the person next to him, "His Majesty is... taking pity on Miss Fangru, isn't he? After all, she is a lady from a respectable family. There are no mercy in the outside world. What if she gets hurt?" Although his words were soft, they clearly reached the ears of the people nearby.
“Yes,” another person chimed in, their tone tinged with undisguised envy, “I heard the capture was extremely dangerous, and many people were injured. His Majesty has placed Miss Fangru in the safest place. This thoughtfulness is truly…”
These discussions, though not loud, were like pebbles thrown into a lake, creating even wider ripples.
Many of the onlookers, who had initially been watching the spectacle, now looked at Fangru with changed expressions. Their initial disdain for her "impure" status and their doubts about the Emperor's order gradually transformed into a complex mix of emotions: surprise, understanding, deep envy, and even a hint of barely perceptible jealousy.
What an honor it is to be so clearly protected by the supreme ruler!
Su Yan's smug smile froze. She heard the words "pity," "kindness," and "safety," and a flame mixed with humiliation and anger suddenly surged into her heart.
So His Majesty wasn't looking down on her, but protecting her! This realization was even harder for her to accept than a simple denial of her abilities.
Why? Why should a woman with questionable conduct and an unmarried pregnancy receive His Majesty's favor? The sense of superiority she felt due to her "lack of ability" crumbled instantly, replaced by deeper resentment. She stared at Fangru with venomous eyes, as if Fangru had stolen the attention and special treatment that should have been hers.
Fangru took it all in, but her heart was ice-cold. She would rather endure Su Yan's blatant contempt than be roasted in this "protected" furnace.
Zhou Ling's casual remark not only disrupted her plans but also thrust her into the spotlight, making her the target of everyone's criticism. Su Yan and the others' initial contempt turned into resentment; this hostility born of jealousy is often more dangerous and unpredictable.
"Your Majesty..." She subconsciously took half a step forward, her voice not loud, but carrying a tremor she herself didn't realize, a mixture of urgency and pleading, "This humble woman can also participate in the battle. I am familiar with the terrain around the capital, perhaps..."
Zhou Ling finally turned his head, his gaze sweeping over her and also over the various expressions on the faces of the people behind her.
His gaze was as deep as an ancient well, calm on the surface but seemingly containing a vortex that could devour everything, carrying an invisible pressure that silenced all her unspoken reasons and instantly extinguished the whispers.
“The White Tiger Hall needs manpower for coordination, and organizing intelligence is equally important.” He spoke calmly, giving a grand and impeccable reason, but it was like an invisible net that bound her firmly to the spot, confirming the speculations of others about “protection.”
The more businesslike he acted, the more she could sense the undercurrents beneath the seemingly calm surface. The way he looked at her was different from how he looked at Su Yan or anyone else.
It was a focused gaze, scrutinizing and with an indescribable probing, as if examining through her physical form to uncover all the secrets and intentions hidden within her.
This "special treatment," accompanied by the envious, jealous, and resentful gazes around her, felt like countless fine needles pricking her, making her restless and uneasy.
She could only lower her head, her nails digging deep into her palms, forcing herself to remain calm through the pain. "...Your subject obeys." Each word was uttered with immense difficulty.
She watched Zhou Ling turn around and lead a large group of people out of the command post like a tide, their figures disappearing into the light outside the door. She felt as if she had been abandoned on a deserted island, missing the only chance to find Huang Jiang, and at the same time, she had to face the pairs of eyes behind her with complicated meanings.
The ensuing arrest operation was as intense as expected.
When the group returned, they brought back not only many members of the White Sun Society, but also many wounded soldiers covered in blood.
Later, word spread that the emperor had even ordered all his personal guards to join the battle at the crucial moment, leaving no force to protect himself. This decisiveness not only showed the importance he attached to the operation, but also hinted at the danger on the scene.
Fangru looked at the injured female constable being helped in, and a sense of lingering fear swept through her heart. If she had been there at the time, she might have been injured as well... But this feeling of relief was quickly replaced by greater anxiety. What about Huang Jiang? Had he been caught?
Her gaze swept urgently across the prisoners, and her heart suddenly clenched—she saw Wang Shan!
That confidant whom Huang Jiang trusted most, the one who kept watch from a distance when she and Huang Jiang secretly met!
Fangru immediately lowered her eyelids, her fingertips gripping the documents on the table tightly, using the act of tidying up to conceal the turmoil in her heart, feeling as if her blood had turned to ice.
It's him! If he recognizes me during the interrogation, all our previous cover-up will be for naught!
What you fear most is what happens.
Soon, Zheng Yu, a senior official in the Ministry of Justice, personally interrogated Wang Shan.
Fangru stood in a corner of the command post, where she could clearly hear the faint shouts and muffled sounds coming from the torture chamber next door. Each sound struck her nerves like a heavy hammer.
She knew she had to do something, but she dared not act rashly. Any unusual move could arouse more suspicion and push herself and her family into a desperate situation.
Just as she was racking her brains for a solution and was almost overwhelmed by anxiety, Zhou Ling's voice rang out again, breaking the busyness of the command center and making her pause abruptly: "All subsequent interrogation records shall be handed over to Fangru for sorting, filing, and analysis."
The moment the order was given, the command center fell into a suffocating silence.
The rustling of turning over files, the whispers of conversation, the soft clanging of armor—all sounds vanished abruptly, as if the air had frozen.
The next second, countless gazes—astonished, inquisitive, incredulous—all focused on Fangru, pinning her to the spot.
Everyone knows that this kind of job, which allows access to all the key testimonies and clues, is a "golden opportunity" in the current tense situation.
She wouldn't have to face swords or the elements; simply sitting firmly at the center would allow her to grasp the overall situation. It was also an excellent opportunity to showcase her strength and accumulate merit before His Majesty. A storm raged in everyone's hearts. His Majesty's actions weren't just simple protection; he was clearly handing Shen Fangru a ladder to advancement!
What abilities does this woman, whose background is unclear, possess that make His Majesty look at her with such special regard?
Su Yan, standing at the edge of the crowd, turned deathly pale in an instant. Her eyes, which were fixed on Fang Ru, were almost bursting open, burning with flames of humiliation and resentment.
She had just been fighting hard outside, and the credit she had finally earned was mostly taken by her colleagues. She was worried that she had no chance to turn the tables. Now, seeing Fangru obtain the position she had always dreamed of without lifting a finger, her bone-deep jealousy and resentment almost overwhelmed her reason.
Why? How can a woman with a messy past have the upper hand?
Fangru, who was at the center of the storm, was experiencing a mix of emotions.
Being able to directly access the interrogation transcript did ease her tension a little. This way, she could find out the progress of the interrogation and find clues about Huang Jiang without having to risk getting close to Wang Shan, which was undoubtedly the safest option at present.
But Zhou Ling's repeated "special treatment" was like a net slowly tightening, making it hard for her to breathe.
In this life, is he ultimately destined to be...? This thought had barely surfaced when she abruptly cut it off, daring not to dwell on it any further.
She lowered her eyelashes to avoid those burning gazes, her slender fingers gently brushing over the first batch of transcripts that had been delivered.
The cool touch of the paper calmed her chaotic thoughts slightly. The most important thing right now was to stay calm and find Huang Jiang, which was the only way out for her and her family.
But this peace lasted only for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
A figure, exuding both intense malice and an air of absolute confidence, suddenly loomed over her desk.
Su Yan returned, a cold smile playing on her lips, and slowly stopped in front of her like a viper flicking its tongue.
“Miss Shen, you truly have remarkable skills.” Su Yan’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for those around to hear clearly. “One moment you’ve managed to get His Majesty to make an exception and retain you, and the next you’ve seized control of the core secrets. But I wonder…” Her tone suddenly shifted, becoming sharp and venomous, “If His Majesty knew that someone had repeatedly deceived him at the Princess’s residence, denying her pregnancy on two separate occasions when it was actually confirmed, would he still consider this person ‘capable of shouldering great responsibilities’?”
Fangru paused slightly as she held the pen. She slowly raised her head, her gaze calm and unwavering as she met Su Yan's provocative stare.
Su Yan even found out these details?
Seeing her momentary hesitation, Su Yan felt even more pleased. She slowly pulled a neatly folded piece of paper from her sleeve and unfolded it before her like a trophy: "Didn't you go to great lengths to investigate my past engagement with Commander He of Hexian Town, trying to find something on me? Coincidentally, I also investigated you. Guess what I found?" Before she finished speaking, she slammed the paper onto Fangru's desk, making the pen holder shake. "So, the esteemed Miss Shen is already secretly pregnant, two months along! This is the doctor's diagnosis you secretly consulted! It's in black and white, irrefutable evidence! Completely different from your previous denials before His Majesty!"
Fangru's gaze fell on the familiar receipt, and her heart felt as if it had been hit hard by a hammer. This was indeed the receipt she had obtained from a doctor in private to confirm her physical condition, and she had no idea when it had ended up in Su Yan's hands.
A chill ran down her spine, but in that instant, a bold, almost insane thought flashed through her mind: could this crisis become an opportunity? An opportunity to completely sever Zhou Ling's hopes and make him despise her?
If this facade were torn away in public, and the fact that he had been "deceived" were laid bare in the sunlight, his imperial status would make it impossible for him to tolerate such mockery!
Seeing that she remained silent, only her eyes had deepened slightly, Su Yan assumed that she had been completely controlled, and felt even more pleased.
She leaned forward, almost touching Fangru's ear, and threatened in a voice only the two of them could hear: "If you don't want me to immediately present this to the Emperor and charge you with the serious crime of 'repeatedly deceiving the Emperor,' and bring ruin upon you, your unborn child, and your entire Shen family, then you'd better be sensible and proactively inform His Majesty that you are 'lacking in talent and learning,' and obediently hand over the task of compiling the records to me."
Fangru's fingertips curled slightly inside her sleeve. She could clearly feel the subtle, prying gazes around her, and she could also sense the oppressive aura of Su Yan's determination to win.
She raised her eyes, looking over Su Yan's shoulder towards the center of the hall, where Zhou Ling was listening to several officials' reports with his hands behind his back. His profile was sharply defined in the flickering candlelight, and he exuded an undeniable aura of authority.
At that moment, Fangru made a decision. Rather than being manipulated by Su Yan, she would rather detonate it herself.
She wanted to use Su Yan to completely sever Zhou Ling's unsettling "attention".
Under Su Yan's victorious gaze, Fangru slowly stood up.
There was no panic, no anger, not even the slightest emotional fluctuation. He simply calmly straightened the slightly wrinkled hem of his clothes, and then, amidst Su Yan's suddenly frozen smile and the astonished gasps of those around him, he took a step forward.
She walked steadily and unhurriedly through the automatically parted passage of the crowd, heading towards the center of power.
He stopped five steps away from the emperor, curtsied respectfully, his posture as elegant as an orchid, his voice clear and melodious as a jade chime, interrupting the report from the other side: "Your Majesty."
Zhou Ling shifted his gaze from the official to her: "What is it?" His voice was not loud, making the entire hall even quieter.
Fangru straightened up, not looking at Su Yan, but turning her head slightly, and said in a clear and steady voice: "Captain Su seems to have something urgent to report to His Majesty immediately."
She kicked the "ball" back precisely and without hesitation, pushing herself to the edge of a cliff in the process.
All eyes, including Zhou Ling's extremely imposing gaze, instantly focused on Su Yan, who was still standing there, clutching the diagnosis report tightly in her hand.
Su Yan's face instantly turned from red to white, and then from white to green.
She hadn't expected Fangru to turn the tables on her like this. Clutching the paper that seemed to have suddenly become scalding hot, she walked forward stiffly, her scalp tingling under Zhou Ling's icy gaze, stammering, "Your Majesty...it's...it's about Fangru...she's pregnant, and it's probably not advisable for her to overwork...I...I'm worried about her health, and I wanted...I wanted to share her burden..." In the end, she didn't dare to directly accuse him of "deceiving the emperor."
Zhou Ling's gaze suddenly darkened, like a frozen lake.
He first lingered on Su Yan's flustered and helpless face for a moment, then glanced at the receipt in her hand, and finally, his sharp, hawk-like gaze locked onto Fang Ru, who stood quietly beside him with her eyes lowered.
"Are you pregnant?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion, but each word was like an ice bead falling onto a jade plate, carrying a chilling coldness.
These five simple words, connecting her two clear denials of both the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and the Princess's Mansion, now carry immense weight.
Fangru raised her head and met his unfathomable gaze without fear.
She didn't flinch, nor did she feel ashamed. Her red lips parted slightly, and she uttered a clear and firm word:
"yes."
That "Yes" was like the sharpest dagger, not only piercing through Su Yan's threat, but also fiercely striking the man on the throne.
She admitted it! In front of everyone, she overturned all her previous denials!
Su Yan was dumbfounded, and everyone around her gasped.
Fangru clearly saw that Zhou Ling's usually calm and composed eyes suddenly surged with intense emotions, first shock, then disbelief, and then a deep displeasure at being offended and deceived. The emotion was so strong that it almost broke through his usual calm and composure.
Her feigned composure and denial at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, and her distant explanation at the Princess's Mansion banquet, now seem like the sharpest irony.
His jawline was taut, and the oppressive aura emanating from him caused nearby officials to instinctively take a half-step back.
And this was exactly the effect Fangru wanted. She even felt a cruel sense of pleasure. Look, this is the woman you looked at differently, nothing more than a "fallen flower" who has already lost her virginity and is carrying another man's child.
You should be disgusted by it now, and you should let go.
Zhou Ling stared intently at her, his gaze seeming to burn two holes in her face.
His chest heaved almost imperceptibly, and finally, the surging anger seemed to be forcibly suppressed, turning towards the trembling Su Yan. His voice was so cold it could freeze blood: "When did I need you to interfere or arrange the tasks I personally assigned?" His words lashed at Su Yan like a whip, "The duty of a constable is to apprehend criminals, investigate cases, and uphold justice, not to spread rumors and pry into the privacy of colleagues! Such behavior is no different from that of a gossipy woman in the marketplace. Get out!"
Su Yan was so shocked by the harsh reprimand that she lost all color in her face. No longer caring about anything else, she hurriedly stuffed the troublesome diagnosis back into her sleeve and practically tumbled out of the White Tiger Hall, her back view showing utter disarray.
After dealing with Su Yan, Zhou Ling's gaze returned to Fang Ru.
His gaze was deeper and more chilling than before. The anger he had just displayed had vanished without a trace, leaving only a cold calm that seemed to see through everything, like a frozen pool with no bottom in sight.
He didn't ask who the child's father was, didn't question why she had kept it a secret, and didn't even mention the word "pregnant" again.
He just looked at her deeply, very deeply.
That one glance, like an invisible shackle, instantly gripped her soul. It held the fury of being deceived, the scrutiny of her now "frank" admission, and a chilling certainty, as if saying, "You think you can get rid of me like this?"
"Do your job well." In the end, he only uttered these six words, his voice as low as thunder buried in the clouds, devoid of any emotion, yet more suffocating than any harsh words.
As soon as he finished speaking, he withdrew his gaze, turned around and continued to listen to the officials' report, as if the earth-shattering storm had never happened and her presence was as ordinary as air.
Fangru stood frozen in place, clearly feeling the lingering pressure, like a brand, even after that gaze had left. She forced herself to remain calm, turning around with an air of composure as she walked back to her desk—only she knew that her fingertips inside her sleeves were already icy cold, and her back was soaked with cold sweat, clinging to her clothes and radiating chill.
She won against Su Yan, but in the most tragic way, she personally handed Zhou Ling the evidence of "deceiving the emperor," hoping to earn his disgust.
But Zhou Ling's last glance was like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing all her hopes. Things would not end so simply.
That look in his eyes clearly declared silently: Shen Fangru, I have remembered all your deception and your scheming.
The current turmoil has not yet subsided. Once the dust settles, we will settle our scores slowly.
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