Chapter 53 The Person Beside Me "Given our relationship, I'm definitely on your side..."
Ning Lu almost immediately realized that she was the person in charge of the prince that Pan Xingxue had mentioned.
She stood on tiptoe to look at Xie Qinghe, who was sitting upright in the hall.
The man sat upright and steady, all traces of his usual fatigue and weakness vanished.
Hearing the man's desperate accusations, he paused slightly in the act of swishing away the foam from his tea, his face full of mockery for the man's recklessness, and turned his gaze to the courtyard.
Several yamen runners carried boxes inside one after another, each with a stack of red-inked documents on it.
Pan Xingxue's gaze swept over the black and white words on the paper, his body stiffened, and he tensed up silently.
Ning Lu couldn't see Pan Xingxue's expression from where she was standing, so she quickly followed Wei Chun and took two steps forward, finding a corner with a good view and that was inconspicuous to stand in.
"Under your rule, Changzhou levied excessive taxes on the orders of the imperial court to enrich itself, detained men to train troops privately, and abandoned seventeen county and prefectural post stations."
"Falsely conveying the emperor's will, deceiving the emperor and concealing the truth, engaging in corruption and treason. Each and every one of these is beyond the capacity of a mere prefect like you to bear alone."
Xie Qinghe casually brushed past her excited eyes and brows, then coldly looked back at Pan Xingxue, his voice low and deep.
"It won't do you any good to distance yourself from Prince Jing."
As soon as she stood still, she heard this outrageous charge, and Ning Lu gasped inwardly.
Putting aside everything else, the terms "falsely conveying imperial edicts" and "treason" are historically considered capital crimes punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family.
Unexpectedly, Pan Xingxue only panicked for a moment before regaining his composure.
"The increased taxes were to support the border campaign, and the recruitment of men was to protect Changzhou, fill the garrison, and rebuild the post stations in the prefecture and counties."
"If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext." Pan Xingxue glanced sideways at Xie Qinghe: "Everything I have done is for the sake of the country and the world. Lord Xie, you have convicted me based on just a few incidents; I cannot accept that."
Upon hearing Pan Xingxue's explanation, Ning Lu's eyes widened involuntarily.
In her view, the current situation was undeniably clear, leaving no room for argument.
She narrowed her eyes, took a deep breath, and finally understood why Xie Qinghe had said that Pan Xingxue was not as simple as she had imagined.
Their mental fortitude and thick skin are truly astonishing.
She subconsciously looked at Xie Qinghe, and for some reason felt that he was physically weak today, as a thin layer of sweat had appeared on his temples after only sitting for a short while.
Suppressing her unease, Ning Lu heard Pan Xingxue continue his argument: "Moreover, when Prince Xian rebelled, the Emperor did not label him a traitor. Prince Jing was merely misled; how can it be considered treason in Lord Xie's eyes?"
"Now that the Wise Prince has committed suicide and the Jing Prince is imprisoned in the southwest, what else does Your Excellency wish to do?"
Has Pan Xingxue eaten the gall of a bear and the heart of a leopard today?
Ning Lu squinted, trying to make out the unusually calm and logical person below the hall. She looked at him from the left and right and found that he was the same person she had seen in Yan Chunlou. He even had the wound on his head that she had hit.
How can a person have two such completely different faces?
Xie Qinghe, however, did not seem surprised. He leaned back in his rosewood chair, looked him up and down, and then his gaze fell on the memorials on the table, his eyes slightly sharp.
The evidence is conclusive; it's just Pan Xingxue, there's no need to dwell on it further.
The reason for the delay in taking action against him is simply because the list of traitors has not been found, and there might be some clues on Pan Xingxue.
If you're unwilling to speak, then you're of no value...
"In that case, take him away, interrogate him, and then close the case."
Xie Qinghe glanced at Wei Zhan, who was standing below the hall at some unknown time, and the latter immediately obeyed the order.
Pan Xingxue turned around and looked at the person who had come in. He then looked at Wei Chun, who was standing behind Xie Qinghe. As if he realized what he was about to face, half of his face twitched slightly.
Ning Lu had heard many tales about Wei Zhan and Wei Chun while wandering the streets.
Wei Zhan is cold-hearted, straightforward, and ruthless in his actions. He is vicious and cruel.
Wei Chun is a smiling tiger; he's easy to talk to and negotiate with, but he's also the most torturous.
Ning Lu narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at Pan Xingxue with a hint of sympathy.
Of all people to mess with, you've offended the King of Hell.
Xie Qinghe lowered his eyes, leaned on the table, and slowly got up, as if he was about to leave.
Ning Lu was puzzled when she caught a glimpse of Pan Xingxue jumping up from the bench and rushing angrily at Xie Qinghe.
Without thinking, he instinctively braced himself against the table, flipped over, and kicked the person to the ground.
Wei Chun and Wei Zhan stood in front of Xie Qinghe, one protecting him and the other pinning him down.
"Xie Qinghe! I am a third-rank official personally appointed by the Emperor. You have no right to kill me."
"You accuse me of being a traitor, of conspiring with Prince Jing to commit treason. You should provide evidence!"
Hearing this, Ning Lu realized what he was struggling with.
He admitted to the bad things he did because, in his eyes, harming the people and wrongful convictions and imprisonment were insignificant.
However, being labeled a traitor could be a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family.
She silently tightened her grip on the soft whip wrapped around her waist, turned her head and glared fiercely at Pan Xingxue's face, fearing that this man might do something dangerous again in desperation.
Xie Qinghe's physique probably couldn't withstand such torment.
“Prefect Pan, you haven’t grasped the situation yet.”
The voice of the person behind him drifted over, carrying a barely perceptible hoarseness.
The smell of medicine on him was stronger than usual.
Ning Lu wanted to turn around and look, but then she heard Pan Xingxue struggling.
"Now Lord Pan only has two paths before him: either become his loyal and unwavering henchman, or reveal everything you know."
“I know?” Pan Xingxue’s eyes darted around, as if he realized something: “You haven’t received the list yet.”
"Xie Qinghe, you haven't even gotten the list yet, but you dare to make accusations."
"What do I have to be afraid of?"
He strolled around the desk, and Ning Lu, seeing this, stepped to the side of him, blocking him from Pan Xingxue.
Xie Qinghe stopped in his tracks, hesitated for a moment, and slowly raised his hand to support himself on her shoulder for leverage.
A chill seeped down her shoulders, and Ning Lu's heart pounded.
His hands are so cold.
It's cooler than usual.
"It seems that woman wasn't telling you the truth either."
Pan Xingxue reacted quickly today, immediately realizing that Xie Qinghe had not denied his statement.
In other words, he had not yet obtained the list of rebels.
"Xie Qinghe, you keep that woman by your side, don't you know that the item was transferred to the southwest through Liu Yunying?"
"I thought you were so clever, Lord Xie. Women can't be tamed."
Pan Xingxue's head was pressed firmly to the ground by Wei Zhan, and he didn't expect that the woman he was talking about was standing in front of him.
Ning Lu wanted to rush forward and whip him twice, but the hand on her shoulder tightened slightly. She gritted her teeth, calmed herself, and obediently became his walking stick.
"Take him away."
The voice behind her lowered even further, and the hand holding her clothes trembled slightly.
"yes."
Wei Zhan cupped his hands and was about to leave with his men when he heard Xie Qinghe say to Wei Chun, "You go too, and interrogate them immediately."
Upon hearing this, Pan Xingxue knew that he truly could not escape today. He twisted his body and struggled to lift his head, his words becoming increasingly harsh and terrifying.
The person had already been pulled around the corner, but the curses still echoed in their ears.
Ning Lu heard him say that Xie Qinghe was lawless, disrespectful to his father and ruler, and had betrayed his teachers and friends.
He said that the Xie family was full of loyal and righteous people, and that he was a disgrace to the Xie family for producing such a treacherous person.
Those words were so harsh that she couldn't bear to listen to them anymore and began to complain in frustration.
"Why does this person bite everyone they encounter?"
The fingers resting on her shoulder tightened silently, and the figure behind her swayed.
Ning Lu sensed something was wrong and quickly turned around. Sure enough, she saw Xie Qinghe with his eyes closed, brows furrowed, and his hand pressed against his chest.
"Xie Qinghe?"
His lips were slightly parted, and his chest rose and fell very faintly.
The guards on either side had already retreated at some point, and she quickly stepped forward to support his body.
How are you?
He looked like he was in a lot of pain.
Thinking back to before he left last night, he was somewhat dazed. Ning Lu felt even more confused and quickly half-dragged and half-carried him to a chair.
I habitually searched his chest and pockets for the porcelain medicine bottle, but I couldn't find it no matter what I did.
"Xie Qinghe, where's the medicine?"
While she was tugging at his collar to catch her breath, Ning Lu asked him in a trembling voice, only to see the weariness and purple aura between Xie's brows growing stronger, his thin body looking as desolate as a fallen leaf in the wind.
"cough……"
The cough was extremely soft, like the instinctive tremor of the body after completely losing strength.
Immediately afterwards, a trickle of blood oozed from the corner of his mouth.
Unlike last time when blood gushed out continuously, this time it only splattered as he coughed.
"Xie Qinghe."
Ning Lu cupped his face and wiped it, looking around as if trying to call out for help.
Those icy hands finally climbed onto her wrists and gripped them tightly.
"Don't be afraid..."
"Where's your medicine? I'll send someone to stay with you, and I'll go get you a doctor, okay?"
His clasped hands were loosely gathered at his chest, and Xie Qinghe's neck slumped limply downwards.
Completely bewildered, Ning Lu knelt on the ground, pressing her forehead against his lowered head to support it.
It's so cool.
"Don't alert anyone... I'm fine..."
He was almost delirious, but he held her hand tightly, repeatedly telling her to speak softly and not to panic.
How could Ning Lu possibly believe him when she saw him like this all by herself...?
Fortunately, Wei Chun returned and relieved her from her predicament. Together, the two helped Xie Qinghe onto the carriage back to the post station.
Seeing the person who was usually a light sleeper leaning against the soft couch, eyes closed and seemingly undisturbed by her surroundings, Ning Lu didn't dare to breathe loudly.
She somehow found a hot water bottle, pushed the man's hands aside, and stuffed it into his arms.
Then I noticed his right hand was curled up. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that the wound on his palm had inexplicably started bleeding again.
She sighed, pulled his right hand into her arms, and gently rubbed his fingertips.
"She was perfectly fine last night."
I just asked Wei Chun and learned that the pills in that white porcelain bottle were prescribed by Physician Luo from the capital before he went south.
That was an extremely effective and rare medicine; only a two-month supply was prepared.
He has been stuck in the southwest for more than three months, and the medicine he prepared has long been used up.
"I've never seen anyone so reckless with their life."
He seemed utterly exhausted, remaining completely still despite her scolding.
However, cold sweat was constantly seeping from his temples, which terrified her. She would lean in every now and then to check his breathing.
After the carriage had been traveling for a while, Xie Qinghe's body slumped slightly. Feeling uneasy, she pulled him to her side and straightened her shoulders to lean on him.
"Childish ghost."
Looking down, she saw his lips pressed tightly together in pain, and silently took his left hand in hers as well.
This person is like someone you can't warm up no matter what you do.
"cough……"
"Xie Qinghe?"
The carriage slowly came to a stop. I glanced down and noticed that the person leaning on my shoulder had opened their eyes at some point and was staring blankly at the incense table in front of them.
Ning Lu patted his back and shook his fingertips, trying to bring him back to consciousness.
Are you feeling better?
"Where..."
"Just arrived at the inn."
Xie Qinghe forced himself to sit up straight, his gaze fixed on the person in front of him, feeling a sense of unreality and disorientation.
"How are you? Does it still hurt?"
The crease between his brows remained unchanged, suggesting he wasn't in pain, yet he shook his head.
Ning Lu sighed and rubbed his fingertips together a couple of times: "We're here. Shall we go down now, or sit for a while longer?"
She was unusually gentle.
Xie Qinghe lowered his eyes and looked away.
I sensed something was wrong this morning; I thought I could hold on...
I still felt weak and my mind was foggy.
Seeing that he seemed about to close his eyes again, Ning Lu became a little nervous and pleaded softly, "Xie Qinghe, Ji Amin, let's go back to our room to sleep, okay? We'll catch a cold here."
“Pan Xingxue…”
"Wei Zhan and the others are interrogating them."
She's not saying anything again.
Ning Lu assumed he was exhausted, so she stood up, rolled up her sleeves, and pretended to pick him up in her arms.
“Ning Lu…”
"I'm here, what's wrong?"
Thank you.
"You have so many things to thank me for today, I don't even know which one you're referring to."
“Every single one.”
This guy...
Intimidated by his appearance, Ning Lu's soft heart kicked in again. She sighed resignedly and sat down close to him.
"I'll say it again, your body really can't handle strenuous activity. You see, when we were in Zhujia'ao, we rarely coughed up blood or vomited blood, we almost never had such frightening episodes."
"You can't put in so much mental and physical effort."
"Um."
"You found out?"
"Um."
"Knowing it won't work, you still have to remember it. Practice what you preach." Ning Lu then remembered something else: "Also, don't take what others say to heart. If Pan Xingxue insulted you, it's only because he was desperate that he spoke recklessly."
She thought...
He was angry and furious.
Xie Qinghe was enveloped by the unguarded concern. The tingling and numbness in his heart subsided, and he tilted his head to one side to look at her intently.
Why don't you ask whether those things are true or false?
"Those ones?"
How could she dare?
She still remembers the sorrow in Xie Qinghe's eyes when he first told her that he was the only one left in his family, and the tenderness in his mother's eyes when he occasionally mentioned her.
“You once told me that there’s no smoke without fire, and that everything has a grain of truth.” She lowered her head, rubbed her hands together to warm them, and covered his purple-tinged fingertips, trying her best to remain gentle. “I thought about it later and realized that what you said wasn’t entirely true.”
“In our time, the information density was very high. Some people could make up completely unrelated stories from a single painting or video. The painting was real, but the story was not.”
He didn't quite understand what a video was.
Listening to Ning Lu speak was one of the few times he could relax, so Xie Qinghe didn't have the heart to interrupt.
“I’ve been thinking about this. Although people outside say you’re bad, they rarely talk about how you treat the people. Even Lord Cen, who loves the people like his own children, is willing to talk to you. So I think that the Grand Chancellor might be different from what I imagined.”
“You didn’t say that before.”
Xie Qinghe chuckled.
Seeing that he had the energy to tease her again, Ning Lu's eyes lit up. She gently shook his sleeve and continued to tease him: "A wise man submits to circumstances! I'm not the kind of woman Pan Xingxue talks about who can't be tamed. Given our relationship, I'm definitely on your side."
"Us? What's the relationship?"
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