A one-in-a-hundred chance of an accidental collision, but a one-hundred-percent chance of touching lips.How is that fair?!But… so soft…So the ice-block face's lips were this soft?Not quite what he'd imagined…Chu Yunxi's breathing unconsciously lightened, the roots of his ears faintly burning.That crisp scent of medicinal herbs brushed against his nose once more."Thump, thump—"His heart pounded wildly, thundering like a drum.Those lips had, at some point, quietly withdrawn, yet he was still lost in a daze.Shi Wuxie returned to his seat and straightened his slightly rumpled collar."Sorry, I lost my balance."His tone was as light as the wind as he bent down to pick up the scattered paper and brush, as if nothing had happened. Head lowered, he wrote while asking without looking up: "That Rebirth Code you mentioned just now—is it the last words a person speaks before dying?"He glanced aside thoughtfully as he spoke: "If I could live this life over, I would definitely…""Definitely what?"Shi Wuxie racked his brains, while The Ghostly Shadow's anxious voice sounded in his ears: 【This brat, cutting himself off mid-sentence!】【I think he's deliberately dangling bait, waiting to drive up the price!】【Otherwise, if it were truly some heavenly secret that couldn't be revealed, why would he have revealed half of it just now?】Shi Wuxie lifted his lashes and looked at Chu Yunxi. "Really not making the trade? There's nothing you want?"Chu Yunxi didn't respond.Shi Wuxie frowned slightly and asked again: "Or is it that you think I can't afford it?"His voice softened. "If it's gold, silver, or riches you want, I truly have nothing. Even my residence is an imperial gift—it cannot be traded."He paused, his gaze growing more resolute: "But anything I do have, I can…"Chu Yunxi blinked slowly.In his line of sight, Shi Wuxie's thin lips were so pale they were nearly colorless, opening and closing as they spoke.What was this little madman… babbling on about?His lips brushed together from time to time, the soft center of his lower lip gently pressed beneath the upper.They looked so soft…Wait a moment—how could this little madman be so calm?Completely expressionless.Could it be… this wasn't his first kiss?Then wouldn't I have gotten the short end of the stick?!"Yunxi?"Shi Wuxie saw that Chu Yunxi was sitting stiffly by the window, his normally bright fox eyes now somewhat glazed, as if his spirit had wandered off to some distant realm.He reached out a hand and waved it before the other's eyes."Chu Yunxi?"Chu Yunxi snapped back to his senses, blinking rapidly twice, and made out several jade-white fingers waving before his eyes.His Adam's apple bobbed slightly.He cleared his throat, corrected his posture, and rested his chin on his hand as he gazed out the window, his voice somewhat distant: "Hmm? What did you say?""I was asking—besides gold and silver, what else would you…" Shi Wuxie cut himself off, for Chu Yunxi's gaze had drifted again. Though he appeared to be looking at the street market outside the carriage window, he was clearly zoning out.Because the other man's face was turned sideways, his jade-white ears were fully exposed to view.From the roots to the rim of his ears, a faint flush spread through them, like a stain of cinnabar.Shi Wuxie pondered quietly for a moment, reviewing what had just happened, then noted in his booklet: 【Eight: Prone to distraction. Suspected to be triggered by lip contact. To be verified…】Seeing that Chu Yunxi was in no state to converse, Shi Wuxie said nothing more.Chu Yunxi stared out the carriage window, his thoughts growing ever more chaotic under the drumming of that thunderous heartbeat, sliding from heart-fluttering into another kind of self-tug-of-war—one called "pettiness."What a loss. An absolute loss! This transmigration had a terrible experience rating!And there was nowhere to lodge a complaint.What was he supposed to say? Ask the little madman: Are you very familiar with this sort of thing? Otherwise how could you be so calm? How many people have you dated? Shouldn't ancient people be less forward than this?But what right did he have to ask? What was he to the little madman?Wait… no, hold on.Chu Yunxi's chaotic thoughts suddenly snagged on one clear idea, and his eyes lit up.He was the spouse!The legitimate spouse, wed with full rites, who had bowed to heaven and earth!Why couldn't he ask?A surge of righteous indignation shot straight to his head. He turned around eagerly, just about to speak—only to find the carriage half empty.Shi Wuxie had already walked to the carriage door, lifted the curtain, and stepped down.His hem brushed the doorframe, his movements calm and unhurried, as if the accident in the carriage had been to him no more significant than a falling leaf.Chu Yunxi came back to himself and realized the carriage had already stopped at the entrance of the Court of Judicial Review.He chased after him. "You—"Shi Wuxie looked back, his voice cool and clear. "Where did you lock the person up? Let him go, return his things, and apologize."The string of questions in Chu Yunxi's throat was choked back by that single sentence.He froze. "Huh?"Shi Wuxie tilted his head, giving him a glance, then patiently reminded him: "You seized someone's badge and official robes, didn't you?"Chu Yunxi, still holding the pose of bending to lift the curtain, stared at Shi Wuxie's serious expression for a moment.The wicked fire burning in his chest felt as if a basin of cold water had been dumped over his head—hiss—and it went out.What had he even been competing over?So childish.He gave a self-mocking snort, then leapt down from the carriage, clutching his head as he headed for the main gate, changing the subject: "Aiya, isn't there still a trial to hold? As a guard, I'd better do my job properly and keep you safe, my lord."With that, he strode through the yamen gate in a single bound and vanished from sight in moments.Shi Wuxie fell silent.He stood where he was, gazing in the direction the man had disappeared, then finally just shook his head lightly and followed him in.The Court of Judicial Review offices.The bluestone-paved courtyard was packed with a dense crowd of people—all servants of the Jing’an Marquis's household implicated in the case, each standing with head bowed and hands hanging.Only one well-dressed steward had eyes darting about, his face showing not a trace of fear—rather, a hint of arrogance.When Shi Wuxie entered the courtyard, the officer in charge of the escort stepped forward with cupped fists. "My lord, the Jing’an Marquis and his son await trial in the main hall. There are seventeen implicated household servants in total. How shall we handle them?""Imprison them all, in separate cells." Shi Wuxie's voice was not loud, but it carried clearly. "Anyone willing to confess truthfully may be brought out for interrogation and a recorded statement. Those who haven't made up their minds can take their time thinking it over in jail."At these words, the steward actually let out a scoffing little laugh.Seeing this, none of the other servants showed any intention of confessing either, and they all followed the steward toward the jail.Chu Yunxi leaned against a corridor pillar, arms crossed, taking in everyone's reactions.His eyes rolled, and in a few steps he was beside the lead officer, quite naturally slinging an arm over the man's shoulder."Hey, brother," he said, lowering his voice with an air of familiarity, "I heard our jail got pretty lively the day before yesterday?"The guard froze, turning his head to size him up. Though the face was unfamiliar, he was wearing a guard's official uniform, so the guard thought nothing of it. After all, the Court of Judicial Review was no small office—new faces were common enough.The guard glanced left and right, then leaned in close. "You can say that again! It's downright eerie! It happened before dawn—there was wailing and howling from inside. Word is a vengeful spirit came dragging its blade to claim lives. It scared several people unconscious on the spot!""And that cook from the Marquis's household—word is his guilty conscience got the better of him. He's been scared out of his wits, bedridden to this day. I'd say his soul's half gone already."He didn't speak loudly, but it was enough for the servants to hear clearly. The more timid among them went pale in an instant.Chu Yunxi clicked his tongue at just the right moment. "The dungeon must be the most yin-heavy place in the whole Court of Judicial Review, no? Who in their right mind would want to stay there? One night in that place, and you'd end up like that cook—two of your three souls lost. Ruined for life!""Tell me about it!" the guard said with a bitter face. "Between you and me, who'd want to stand watch in that godforsaken place? Bad luck! The few brothers on duty that night are still out on sick leave, too scared to come back!"At those words, the very men who had been forcing themselves to stay calm just moments ago now turned deathly pale, their legs trembling.One of them was the first to rush forward and drop to his knees before Shi Wuxie with a thud. "Spare me, my lord! I'll confess everything! I beg you, let me be interrogated first!"That one wail was like a breach in a dam."My lord! I'll confess too! Let me speak first!"Servants threw themselves to their knees one after another, and the courtyard was instantly drowned in pleas for mercy and confessions.The steward's eyes went wide, his face darkening several shades as he roared, "You insolent slaves!"Shi Wuxie casually pointed at the servant who had knelt first. "You. You're first. Take him for interrogation and record his statement."Then he raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the rest. "The others will line up and await questioning. Anyone who has committed an offense may have it offset by exposing the crimes of others.""Do not fear retaliation from the Earl's household. As long as what you say is true, the Court of Judicial Review will guarantee your safety.""But…" He leaned forward slightly, his voice suddenly dropping lower. "This promise holds only for today.""If you insist on remaining stubborn…" He paused, glancing at the steward. "Then you can go sit in that haunted dungeon, and whether you live through the night will be up to your own luck."The steward's eyes darted about rapidly as he muttered under his breath, "Expose… others' crimes?"It was nothing more than the eldest young master being a bit tyrannical and bullying his siblings.Such a simple case—what could Shi Wuxie possibly want them to expose?His eyes spun rapidly, and the more he thought, the more anxious he became. As steward, his own offenses were anything but minor—and they implicated the Earl himself…If these spineless wretches, desperate to save their own skins, scrambled over one another to expose him…How would he ever withstand an investigation?At that thought, a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. This living King of Hell was playing a small hand for a big win! Using the second young master's case as a lever to dig up the Earl's household by its roots!Seeing the steward standing frozen, the guard said coldly, "Since your bones are so hard, come with me, then." With that, he shoved the steward toward the dungeon."Oh, right—I forgot to tell you. There's a specially built cell inside. Four walls, not a speck of light gets through, not a sound gets in. Once the door closes, it's so dark you can't even see your own fingers, so quiet you can only hear your own heartbeat and breathing." He leaned in closer, lowering his voice: "It's perfect for a stubborn one like you. They say that vengeful spirit likes that room best of all—every haunting starts there…"Then came a "thud"—the steward's legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground, his face a ghastly blank.The main hall of the Court of Judicial Review.The Jing’an Marquis, Yan Li, sat on a specially placed chair below the hall, his face livid.At the center of the hall, Yan Mingyu and Yan Mingqing knelt side by side.The swelling on Yan Mingyu's pig-like face had not yet gone down, and now he was pale as paper, his eyes darting evasively.Yan Mingqing, by contrast, kept his back straight, his shoulders dotted with countless flecks of blood left by the nail board punishment he had just endured.As the bailiffs gave a stern, low call, Shi Wuxie stepped through the door, holding a stack of confessions with fresh ink.His pace was unhurried—he even stumbled on the threshold, catching himself after half a lurch—which made the clerk recording the proceedings below the hall lower his head, pretending to tidy his brush.Yet when he reached the presiding judge's position and turned around, his entire aura changed in an instant.Those eyes, which had seemed somewhat naive and harmless when downcast, suddenly belonged to a different person entirely—his gaze cold and sharp as a blade, as if it could pierce through every lie.He stopped in front of Yan Mingyu and tossed the stack of papers to the ground, neither lightly nor heavily."Yan Mingyu, these confessions all identify you as the mastermind—torturing your legitimate younger brother and scheming against his life. What do you have to say for yourself?"The confessions scattered open, the dense red thumbprints and writing making Yan Mingyu's pupils contract sharply. He jerked his head up. "My lord, I've been wronged! It was these treacherous, ungrateful servants! They acted on Yan Mingqing's orders, conspiring together to slander me!"Shi Wuxie paid him no heed and walked around to sit behind the bench."Yan Mingyu repeatedly ordered his household servants to subject Yan Mingqing to flogging, imprisonment, starvation, and other cruel torments, leaving him covered in wounds and nearly dead. He then staged his own drowning to frame his legitimate brother for murder. His conduct was base, his heart vicious—a grave violation of the Laws of Great Zhou and an offense against human decency."His gaze swept over those in the hall as he pronounced sentence in a deep voice: "By law, the principal offender is sentenced to eighty strokes of the cane. The servants involved shall be judged separately according to their crimes.""Eighty strokes?!" The Jing’an Marquis shot to his feet, pointing at Shi Wuxie and raging, "Shi Wuxie! You intend to beat my son to death?""You dare abuse your power! I will impeach you!"Shi Wuxie's expression did not change. He drew a punishment tally and flicked his wrist.The tally traced an arc through the air and landed on the ground with a "clack.""Carry out the sentence."The bailiffs stepped forward at the command, hoisted up the limp Yan Mingyu, and dragged him mercilessly out of the hall.The Jing’an Marquis trembled with fury. "Shi Wuxie, you are utterly reckless! My House of Jing'an has held merit from the Emperor's rise since the days of my great-great-grandfather—generations of noble title! A mere fourth-rank Deputy Minister—how dare you so humiliate my Yan family name!"Only then did Shi Wuxie slowly lift his lashes to look at the Jing’an Marquis.Seeing him react, the Earl assumed his threats had taken effect and sneered coldly, "Release my son now, and there's still time for regret!"Shi Wuxie reached out once more and drew a punishment tally from the tube, his voice without a ripple. "Yan Li, Jing’an Marquis—shouting in court, showing contempt for the law of the realm. Fifty strokes."Jing’an Marquis: ?!He could hardly believe his ears. "Shi Wuxie, have you gone mad? You dare flog me, an earl?!"He laughed in fury. "Fine! What a living King of Hell! You think I'm some soft persimmon you can squeeze at will? Just you wait—I've already sent someone to the palace. Within the hour, His Majesty's edict will arrive at the Court of Judicial Review. Let's see how you talk your way out then!"He grew more and more worked up, as if he could already see Shi Wuxie kneeling and begging forgiveness, a smug smile spreading across his face. "Shi Wuxie, you're nothing but a poor scholar with no roots, no backing. How many days have you even sat in that Deputy Minister's seat? Dare to offend an earl's household? I'd say your career as an official is finished!"These words fell on Yan Mingqing's heart like ice water.He jerked his head up, the resolve in his eyes replaced by overwhelming panic and guilt. He looked at the young superior in crimson official robes behind the bench, his voice trembling. "This commoner… this commoner never meant to drag Your Honor into this…"He knocked his head heavily against the floor. "This commoner withdraws the complaint… all right?"Shi Wuxie's gaze passed over the bench and settled on the young man.His pitch-black eyes held no emotion at all. His thin lips parted, and though his voice was not loud, it rang clearly through the courtroom. "Yan Mingqing, this is the Court of Judicial Review.""From imperial relatives to the lowliest commoner, all who break the law may be judged here. A prince who breaks the law is punished the same as a commoner. In this place, there is no such thing as 'my lord earl.'""Besides, I told you—I accepted your complaint. Having accepted it, there is no turning back in fear."Yan Mingqing's whole body shook. He stared at Shi Wuxie in disbelief as two streams of hot tears rolled down his face.The Jing’an Marquis looked as if he'd heard the most hilarious joke in the world. "A prince punished the same as a commoner? Shi Wuxie, do you believe that yourself? Without His Majesty's edict, you won't touch a single hair on my head today! You have no family, no connections in the capital—I could crush you like an ant!""Who says he has no connections?" A clear, melodious voice suddenly swept into the hall, cutting off the Jing’an Marquis's roar.Everyone turned toward the sound and saw that at some point, someone had appeared leaning against the doorway of the courtroom.The man had changed out of his guard's uniform. He wore a black Hangzhou silk robe patterned in red, with a gold-woven cloak over it, his hair bound by a golden crown and a jade pendant at his waist—every inch of him spelled out the word "noble."Meeting everyone's gaze, he strolled in leisurely, paid no mind to anyone, walked to an empty chair, flicked up his robe hem, and sat down.His brilliant fox eyes curved slightly, a roguish smile playing at the corner of his lips as he looked at Shi Wuxie. "Isn't 'my husband's' family none other than my household of Marquis Anping?"With that, he unhurriedly turned his head, and when his gaze swept over the Jing’an Marquis, the smile vanished completely, leaving only mockery and disdain."Like we're not nobility ourselves.""Husband, the marquis's household has your back. Don't be afraid—I said so. Go get him!"
Chapter 11
My Cold-Faced Wife Wants to Kill Me Again