Ning Zhiwei sat up and casually stuffed the documents into a drawer. "Bring them in."
Rong Jing, the Chief Minister of the Dali Temple, walked in side-by-side with the Dingyuan Marquis. Rong Jing was tall and elegant, possessing a noble grace. His charming peach blossom eyes were slightly upturned, yet his gaze held a cold detachment that kept people at a distance.
The Dingyuan Marquis was a handsome man. Coupled with his noble birth and the influence of his power, he carried a very imposing aura.
Upon entering, both men looked toward the young girl by the window. She was so thin that she seemed barely able to support the weight of her clothes; her waist was so slender it looked as if it could be encircled by a single hand. Her ink-black hair was gathered into a braid draped over one shoulder. Without a trace of powder or rouge, she looked as pure and elegant as a lotus bud about to bloom.
She did not rise to greet them, but instead gave a slight nod. "My injuries have not yet healed, so I cannot properly greet you both. Please forgive me."
She was poised and dignified, neither humble nor arrogant, exuding the refined composure of a well-bred young lady.
Rong Jing waved his hand dismissively and got straight to the point, briefly explaining that they were there to inquire about the case.
The Dingyuan Marquis stood to the side, watching Ning Zhiwei in silence. His eyes held an incredibly complex expression, as if he were looking through her to see someone else—a gaze that seemed both nostalgic and filled with loathing.
Seeing this, Ning Zhiwei sneered inwardly. It was said that the Emperor was a petty creature, and sure enough, he was getting his revenge already.
It was perfectly reasonable for Rong Jing, the Chief Minister of the Dali Temple, to investigate the case. But the Dingyuan Marquis? He was the Vice Commander of the Left Flank Army, belonging to the Capital Camp responsible for guarding the capital. Since when did he involve himself in criminal investigations?
He was only here to spite her…
Ning Zhiwei recounted everything she knew, including the journey back and forth and the massacre at White Water Beach. She reconstructed the scene as it happened, her eyes reddening as she reached the most emotional parts.
Rong Jing sighed silently. The commander of the Ning Family Army had chosen death over surrender, falling on the battlefield and living up to the Ning family's name as loyal martyrs.
"Fifth Miss Ning, you said you were restless due to nightmares and had a premonition that something would happen to General Ning, so you turned back toward the border. Is that correct?"
Evidence of her movements could easily be found, so Ning Zhiwei nodded candidly. "Yes. I believe there is a connection between kin. I shared a very deep bond with the generals of the Ning family."
Rong Jing remained noncommittal, his brush moving incessantly as he took notes. "And the murder of Old General Ning, as well as the ambush of General Ning Guangzhi’s party at White Water Beach—did you dream of those as well?"
Ning Zhiwei had rehearsed this many times, scrutinizing every detail to patch any possible holes in her story.
"Of course not. The distance between White Water Beach and White City is fifty li. We had to pass through White Water Beach to reach White City, where the Ning Family Army was stationed. That night, we heard the roar of battle from afar, and the scent of blood was overwhelming…"
She let out a soft sigh, her face darkening. "After the incident, we immediately rushed to White City to raise the alarm, but all the city gates were tightly shut and under martial law. It took quite some effort to learn the hidden truth from my grandfather's personal guards."
She cast a glance at Shaoyao, who carefully produced an item wrapped in cloth.
"This is the concealed arrow used to backstab my grandfather. The arrowhead was coated in a poison called Cangdan, a poison used exclusively by the Dajin imperial family."
Rong Jing’s expression shifted slightly as he carefully took the evidence. A poison from the Dajin imperial family used against a border commander of Great Qi—what did that imply?
Some things, once contemplated deeply, were enough to make one shudder.
"Is there anything else you wish to add?"
Ning Zhiwei hesitated, appearing conflicted. "This… will all of this be presented to the throne?"
Rong Jing sensed her apprehension and felt an ill omen, but he still replied, "Yes. Speak freely; the Emperor will see that justice is done."
Ning Zhiwei furrowed her brows, looking deeply troubled. "Prince Yijier said before he died that a prince of Great Qi betrayed the Ning Family Army…"
Let's hurt each other then; no one is getting away unscathed.
Before she could finish, the atmosphere in the room froze instantly. The Dingyuan Marquis’s heart skipped a beat, and his face twisted in horror, as if the sky were falling.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Slandering a prince is a crime punishable by the execution of nine generations!"
Why did he have to hear this? Why did he have to come on this trip?
Ning Zhiwei looked at him with a strange expression. "I am merely relaying Prince Yijier's words. As for whether they are true or false, that will naturally be determined by our wise and martial Emperor and the civil and military officials."
"Why is the Dingyuan Marquis so agitated? Could it be… your house is also involved?"
In her previous life, the Dingyuan Marquis had kicked her while she was down in secret, while on the surface, he had used their "kinship" to manipulate her when she was at her most vulnerable. He had ground her bones and sucked her marrow, draining every last drop of value from her to pave a path to success for his precious daughter…
The Dingyuan Marquis had only one thought: he had to shut her mouth. "You are speaking utter drivel and slandering my Marquis estate. You will bear the consequences of your words!"
The young girl’s long eyelashes fluttered, her pale face looking utterly innocent. "Boldly hypothesize and carefully verify—is that not the principle of handling a case? Chief Minister Rong, am I wrong?"
"Ning Zhiwei, you wretched girl!" The Dingyuan Marquis gnashed his teeth in rage, his face flushed red as he glared at her. She was definitely doing this on purpose!
She knew who he was, and she was intentionally digging a pit for him!
A cool voice rang out. "Marquis, you are merely here to assist."
It was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head. The Dingyuan Marquis regained some of his senses. He ground his teeth, forcing down the urge to curse her out.
This dead girl was exactly like that tactless woman; she was born just to spite him.
Rong Jing asked many more questions. Facing his repeated interrogations, Ning Zhiwei answered tirelessly, showing no signs of impatience. She was organized, calm, and composed.
Suddenly, Rong Jing spoke up unexpectedly. "By the way, did you see the military tally?"
He stared intently at Ning Zhiwei’s face. She blinked blankly. "What military tally? The military tally of the Ning Family Army? It should have been in my grandfather's hands. It might have fallen into the hands of the traitor by now…"
She sighed, looking lost and sorrowful. Her expression was natural and sincere, with not a single flaw.
Rong Jing looked at her deeply, his eyes flickering with unreadable emotions.
"Then there is nothing more. We shall take our leave."
"Wait a moment," Ning Zhiwei called out to them. "Chief Minister Rong, I have prepared a gift for the Emperor. Please present it on my behalf. Tell him it is a tribute from our Ning family for the Emperor's Birthday Festival, wishing His Majesty longevity and eternal life."
She waved her hand, and Shaoyao approached, holding a gift box in both hands.
Because she was so composed and hadn't looked at the Dingyuan Marquis directly even once, a surge of irrational anger rose within him. "Hmph, I have always looked down on those who resort to flattery."
Ning Zhiwei’s gaze hardened slightly. It was laughable—who exactly was the most shameless cur here? The things he had done in the dark had truly surpassed the limits of human decency.
How exactly did her mother die? Under what circumstances did she end up with the surname Ning? Did he really think she didn't know?
Though many years had passed, the old people who knew the truth hadn't all died out yet.
She looked over with a faint smile. "Dingyuan Marquis, I must trouble you to inspect it first to ensure there are no prohibited items inside."
Anything sent before the Emperor had to go through layers of inspections, and this fell within the Dingyuan Marquis’s scope of duty.
The Dingyuan Marquis, naturally seeing it as his responsibility, carelessly took the gift box. He flipped the lid open casually, but what he saw inside caused his vision to go black with terror. "Aaahhh!"
The box crashed to the floor, and a gruesome severed head rolled to his feet. Scared out of his wits, he retreated repeatedly, roaring in a fit of panicked rage, "You wicked daughter!"