Chapter 280: Discovery

Bai Ying wanted to kill him.

Zhang Ze’s hazy consciousness gradually cleared. Yes, he remembered. This time, his meeting with Zhou Jingyun and Bai Li had been discovered.

He knew exactly what kind of person Bai Ying was: a woman both vicious and intelligent.

She would kill him sooner or later.

Because he knew too much.

But was her move so swift?

Guo Shun.

Zhang Ze nodded. It was because of Guo Shun’s sudden betrayal.

Previously, Bai Ying had instructed him to threaten Li Chengyuan’s family using the Grand General’s death to force them into her service. But he had stopped it, firstly to show his loyalty to Empress Jiang, and secondly, he wouldn’t allow Bai Ying to further strengthen her forces.

It seemed that Guo Shun had gone ahead and done it anyway.

Then Bai Ying could bypass him and mobilize a portion of the troops through the Li family.

With Guo Shun taking over and having troops at her disposal, Bai Ying immediately made her move against him.

Luring him into a trap.

Zhang Ze looked down at himself, seeing that he was sitting cross-legged on the ground, his limbs intact, with no large jar or charcoal fire.

He looked up at Bai Li standing before him. “Was the previous scene an illusion, or is this the illusion now?”

Bai Li smiled. “This is the same question I asked you earlier. Do you want the previous scene to be the illusion, or this one now?”

Zhang Ze didn’t answer, staring at her face. “Whatever Niangniang needs, I will choose. I am willing to die for Niangniang.”

The face before him did not transform into Empress Jiang’s; it remained the one resembling Bai Ying.

Bai Li laughed, looking down at him. “Dying for Niangniang is easy. Haven’t all those who died at your hands, Zhang Ze, died for Niangniang?”

Zhang Ze remained silent for a moment. “If this is an illusion, I will immediately go and find the parents of the false prince, as well as the midwife who was present at the time. I will bring them into the palace to see His Majesty, confess my crimes, and surrender.”

“Then you must be quick,” Bai Li said. “Guo Shun’s orders today are to prevent you from leaving the capital.”

“That is my lifeline,” Zhang Ze said. “I always carry it with me, within the capital.” He paused. “Besides me, no one can take them away.”

Bai Li smiled. “Good.”

With that “good,” she raised her hand and flicked it at Zhang Ze. The boundless sea seemed to surge with waves, a cresting wave crashing down on Zhang Ze sitting cross-legged on the ground.

Zhang Ze instinctively raised his hands to protect his head and face. Cool water seeped through his clothes. He slowly opened his eyes, seeing that he was still sitting at the table. Bai Li’s hand was still on the table, but the teacup she had pushed towards Zhou Jingyun had been overturned. Tea flowed down the table, soaking him.

Indeed, the previous scene was an illusion.

Zhang Ze looked down at the water on his clothes, cool water. There was no large jar, and he hadn’t been boiled like a frog.

“I wasn’t lying or trying to scare you,” Bai Li said with a smile, pointing outside. “Go down and take a look. Guo Shun is waiting for you. What you saw just now is what Guo Shun has in mind. If you go with him, you will experience what happened in the illusion.”

Zhang Ze glanced at her and stood up.

“Will Marquis Zhou’s Heir accompany me?” he said. “That way, Niangniang can rest assured.”

Zhou Jingyun stood up as well. “Sure.” He then looked at Bai Li. “I’ll go with him.”

Bai Li nodded. “Be careful.”

Zhou Jingyun smiled. “Don’t worry.”

Watching the watery gaze flow between the two, Zhang Ze cleared his throat, interrupting them, and walked out first. Zhou Jingyun followed. Before closing the door, Zhang Ze glanced back inside. Bai Li was sitting at the table, holding the teacup that Zhou Jingyun had refilled for her. A stick of incense on the windowsill emitted curls of white smoke.

He closed the door and went straight downstairs. Standing outside the teahouse, he could hear the boisterous sounds of revelry from the neighboring Xinghua Tower. The afternoon sun was scorching, and the streets were bustling with pedestrians.

Did he want the previous scene to be the illusion, or this one now?

Of course, it would be best if the previous scene was the illusion.

“Inspector General.”

A voice called out.

Zhang Ze’s brows furrowed as he saw Guo Shun approaching.

“Inspector General, you’re here,” he said ingratiatingly. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Zhang Ze stared at Guo Shun.

Guo Shun seemed to feel uneasy under his gaze and couldn’t help but look himself up and down. “I, I know Inspector General is in disguise, and I’m not wearing my official robes either.”

Zhang Ze lowered his eyes. “With our reputation, everyone in the world knows us. It would be disgraceful if we couldn’t be recognized just by changing our clothes.”

Guo Shun chuckled, flattering him again. “I don’t have any reputation. It’s all thanks to Inspector General.”

Zhang Ze looked up at him and smiled.

Guo Shun squeezed out a smile in return. “Inspector General, let’s go back. Niangniang is looking for you.”

Zhang Ze made a sound of acknowledgment and glanced around the street. Although the crowd was dense, he could still sense a few auras that were different from ordinary people.

These were the soldiers Bai Ying had gathered.

“No hurry,” he said, looking at Guo Shun. “I need to go somewhere first.”

Guo Shun hurriedly asked, “Where to?”

Zhang Ze looked at him without speaking.

Guo Shun felt embarrassed under his gaze. “Inspector General, I’m not trying to pry. I just want to see if I can be of any help.”

Zhang Ze smiled. “You can. I need your help. Let’s go.”

Guo Shun happily agreed. Suddenly, he looked behind Zhang Ze, seemingly noticing Zhou Jingyun for the first time.

“Marquis Zhou’s Heir?” He sounded surprised.

Zhou Jingyun smiled at him. “I can help too.”

Guo Shun seemed stunned, momentarily unsure how to react.

“This matter is related to him. I asked him to come along,” Zhang Ze said, taking a step forward.

Guo Shun mumbled in agreement and hurried to catch up, chuckling. “Inspector General is truly remarkable to have Marquis Zhou’s Heir helping out.” He added, “Inspector General, Niangniang seems to be having nightmares. She summoned the imperial physician under the pretense of checking on the little prince, but it’s actually because she hasn’t been sleeping well.”

Zhang Ze made a sound of acknowledgment. “Good. I’ll go see Niangniang later.”

“Inspector General, why not go later… Oh.” Guo Shun suddenly realized that Zhang Ze had already said what he was about to say and almost bit his tongue. He stammered, “That’s good, that’s good. Niangniang has been asking about you.”

Zhang Ze rode his horse forward, then asked, “Guo Shun, how long have you been with me?”

✿✿✿

“Inspector General brought me out from my home. It will be five years this winter,” Guo Shun said, his voice filled with emotion. “These five years have been more worthwhile than the twenty-five years I lived before.”

Zhang Ze scoffed. “I actually chose you. Birds of a feather flock together, indeed.”

Guo Shun didn’t understand but it didn’t stop him from praising. “Inspector General has read many books. Everything you say is right.”

Zhang Ze snorted. “How many books have I read?” He looked at Guo Shun with a smile. “No matter. When you become Inspector General, arrest a few more officials and nobles. When they curse you and beg you, their words will flow eloquently. After hearing enough, you’ll be full of knowledge too.”

Guo Shun laughed along, then suddenly reacted. “Inspector General, I, how can I be Inspector General? I’m content to follow you for the rest of my life. My ancestral grave is already emitting green smoke （from good fortune）.”

Zhang Ze glanced at him and said nothing, his gaze fixed ahead.

By now, they had turned into a small alley after several twists and turns. It was far from the main street, with few people around. Only a few children were playing and jumping in front of their houses. Seeing this group of horsemen approaching, the children quickly hid in the doorways, peeking out curiously.

“Is it here?” Zhou Jingyun, who had been quietly silent, seemingly nonexistent, suddenly asked.

Zhang Ze nodded, pointing ahead. “The third house, the one with the laundry sign.”

Guo Shun looked curious. “Who lives there?” He pressed his hand on the knife under his robe and dismounted first. “I’ll go knock on the door for Inspector General.”

But before he could take a step, Zhang Ze called out to him.

“No need.”

Guo Shun turned back, but before he could speak, a blade slashed towards him. Before he could even cry out, his head rolled to the ground.

Zhang Ze looked at the rolling head and couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter.

This scoundrel, he actually wanted to kill him!

His vision blurred with laughter. He didn’t notice Zhou Jingyun’s silence beside him. The children hiding in the doorways didn’t scream in fright either; their somewhat dazed faces mirrored his laughter.

A spark popped from the charcoal fire.

A hand reached out and placed itself under the nose and mouth of the person in the jar.

“What are you doing?” someone asked from the side.

The soldier checking for breath was startled and turned to look at his companion squatting on the ground. “I’m checking if he’s still breathing. Didn’t they say we can’t let him die yet?”

His companion yawned. “Don’t worry. Didn’t the person from the Censorate say that as long as we keep the fire going like this, even if his flesh is boiled to mush, he won’t die.”

There was indeed breath. The soldier withdrew his hand and shivered.

“Damn, the Censorate’s methods are truly creepy,” he muttered. He suddenly leaned closer to the head in the jar, examining it by the light of the torches on both sides, and spat again. “Truly creepy. Even in this state, Zhang Ze is still smiling.”

The night air was stiflingly hot. Bai Ying woke up with a start, suddenly realizing there was someone beside her. She couldn’t help but let out another gasp.

The emperor, who was half asleep, mumbled, “What’s wrong?”

Bai Ying breathed a sigh of relief. She remembered. To avoid falling into an illusion again, she had specifically asked the emperor to stay the night and sleep beside her. Imperial presence wards off evil spirits. Sure enough, she had fallen asleep tonight and probably had a dream, but there was no trace of it upon waking. Clearly, she hadn’t been frightened.

“My hand hurts, Your Majesty. You go back to sleep. I’ll go drink a bowl of pain-relieving medicine,” Bai Ying said softly.

The emperor drowsily glanced at Bai Ying’s bandaged hand. “You too. You’re a grown woman. Bao’er has plenty of toys. If you want something, have them make it. But you, you had to do it yourself and ended up cutting your hand.”

Bai Ying leaned forward and pressed herself against him, saying coquettishly, “I know, I know. Your Majesty, stop nagging. I’m already this old, and you’re still nagging me like you do Bao’er.”

The emperor laughed. “Don’t say that. Zhen would never bear to nag Bao’er.” He patted Bai Ying’s shoulder. “Go drink your medicine quickly.”

Bai Ying made a sound of agreement, apologizing. “I’ve disturbed Your Majesty.” She got out of bed, tucked in the gauze curtain, and walked out.

The eunuchs outside the bedroom immediately approached.

“Has Wang Degui returned?” Bai Ying asked in a low voice.

“Niangniang.”

Just as Bai Ying sat down in the side hall and picked up the prepared medicine, Wang Degui and Guo Shun entered together.

“Please rest assured, Niangniang. Vice-Director Guo has taken control of the Censorate,” Wang Degui said with a beaming smile.

Bai Ying glanced at Guo Shun, seeing that his robe was disheveled and stained with blood, clearly indicating a brutal process of eliminating opposition.

“The Censorate is an institution of the court, not his personal domain. Now that he’s been captured, the rest are just a disorganized mob, easily crushed,” Bai Ying said, looking at Guo Shun. “The books of crimes and evidence are the most important. Have you organized them all?”

Guo Shun hurriedly took out a booklet from his sleeve. “This is a preliminary draft. Please take a look, Niangniang.”

Bai Ying took it and carefully examined it. After a moment, she nodded. “This will do. It’s enough.” She looked at Guo Shun again. “Before dawn, make sure all the evidence is properly prepared.”

Guo Shun agreed, reaching out to take the booklet. “Rest assured, Niangniang.” He stood up to take his leave. “I’ll go and organize it right away.”

Bai Ying nodded as she watched Guo Shun leave.

Wang Degui picked up the medicine. “You’re still not sleeping well, Niangniang. Drink your medicine.”

Bai Ying raised her hand and immediately hissed in pain, looking at her bandaged hand with hatred in her eyes.

“That damned dog,” she said through gritted teeth.

Wang Degui personally fed her the medicine with a spoon. “That damned dog won’t live for more than a day. Niangniang, get some rest and prepare for tomorrow.”

Bai Ying took a sip of the medicine, one hand gently touching her injured hand. Her gaze fell on the night outside, the darkest hour before dawn.

“After tomorrow, I can finally get a good night’s sleep,” she said slowly.

Inside the Censorate, lights blazed brightly in the thick night, yet it seemed deserted.

Bloodstains were scattered across the courtyard, corridors, and offices.

Guo Shun entered from outside, instructing the soldiers following him to close the gate. He went straight to the prison cells. The already overcrowded cells were even more packed tonight, every cell crammed with people, emitting groans, screams, and curses.

Guo Shun paid no mind to the cacophony. He walked to the torture rack, took out the book of crimes that Bai Ying had reviewed, and tossed it into the furnace used for heating branding irons and other torture instruments. Accompanied by plumes of black smoke, the fire devoured the booklet.

Guo Shun straightened his robes, picked up another booklet from the desk, and turned to enter a cell.

This cell was dimly lit, with fewer people inside. Accompanied by the sound of water, a tall figure was washing his hands with his back turned. His robe was covered in blood, evidence of a fierce struggle.

Two people stood beside him, holding a set of clean robes, waiting for him to change.

Guo Shun stopped, respectfully raising the booklet.

“Your Highness,” he said, “please take a look. Is there anything amiss with Zhang Ze’s confession?”