The temperamental white moonlight is back, and the entire Marquis's family obediently calls him

"My lord!"

Chu Yuan'er's expression finally changed.

"You can't treat me like this! It's one thing if you don't trust me, but my father entrusted me to you, how can you torture me!"

"If my father could know this from beyond the grave..."

"Then let him come to me."

Zhou Ningchuan's tone was completely calm, his eyes dark and chilling.

"I've done my best to repay what I owe him; the rest I'll slowly repay in the underworld."

Chu Yuan'er's eyes widened slightly: "No...you can't do this to me...Lord Marquis!"

Several jailers came in and carried Chu Yuan'er out; her voice grew fainter and fainter.

The interrogation room fell silent once more.

Zhou Ningchuan closed his eyes.

Not enough, not nearly enough.

Compared to what Chu Yuan'er did, the punishment she is receiving now is far from enough.

If he hadn't been at a critical juncture and couldn't afford to give anyone leverage over him, he would never have needed to obtain a confession before killing Chu Yuan'er.

Unfortunately, in his attempt to stay in the capital, he offended too many people.

Not long ago, after the morning court session, he took the initiative to tell the emperor that he wanted to stay in the capital for a few more days to spend with his wife and children.

The emperor was naturally displeased, but Zhou Ningchuan quickly offered a condition that the emperor could not refuse—he was willing to serve concurrently as an imperial censor, acting as the emperor's henchman to suppress the unruly officials in the court.

The emperor had long intended to do so, but the previous censor had recently been dismissed after being impeached for some improper private matters.

The emperor needs a new knife.

Zhou Ningchuan had been in the Northwest for so many years that these people in the capital couldn't find any mistakes he had made.

He is the most suitable candidate.

So the emperor gave him a chance.

If all goes well, he will be appointed as an imperial censor next month.

That's why he can't be caught at this time for not following the rules and for "disregarding human life".

Zhou Ningchuan pressed his temple.

He really regretted it.

Compared to the near destruction of his hard-won family reunion, even the death of Chu Yuan'er could not bring him any joy.

Why? He had finally waited for his Zhaozhao to come back, and they had finally regained the possibility of happiness. How dare Chu Yuan'er do this?

Zhou Ningchuan no longer wanted to know why Chu Yuan'er did this; he just wanted this trouble that was looming over their home to disappear completely, the sooner the better.

"Squeak—"

The cell door opened, but it wasn't Chu Yuan'er who entered.

Zhou Ningchuan looked up at the man.

The man had a cool and aloof demeanor, a tall and slender figure, and was as beautiful as a celestial being who had stepped out of a painting. When his gaze shifted, it always gave the impression that he didn't care about anything and nothing could catch his eye.

"...Lord He, are you going to interrogate a prisoner too?"

Zhou Ningchuan never expected that He Ling, the self-righteous head of the He family, would appear here.

The entire He family has this otherworldly appearance, and there are even rumors that the He family keeps the soil clean.

How could He Ling end up in a dark, damp, and filthy place like a prison?

Zhou Ningchuan sensed something was amiss, but remained polite: "I'm already using this interrogation room, Lord He, please move on."

He Ling didn't move.

He glanced at Zhou Ningchuan and said softly, "Unfortunately, Marquis Zhongjing."

"I've come here to find the prisoner you interrogated."

"..."

Zhou Ningchuan's face darkened.

"Do you know Chu Yuan'er?"

He Ling smiled slightly and remained silent.

Zhou Ningchuan's attitude was firm: "No matter what your relationship with Chu Yuan'er is, she is now my prisoner, and you cannot take her away until my case is closed."

He Ling lowered his eyes and said, "Lord Zhongjing, I am not here to argue with you."

"You can name your terms. As long as the He family can meet them, I will not refuse. If we cannot resolve this properly... then I will have to offend you."

Zhou Ningchuan sneered: "Lord He, do you think I'm afraid of you?"

"Your He family is indeed a prominent and prestigious clan, but my title of Marquis Zhongjing was not given for nothing."

Zhou Ningchuan is not afraid of threats.

After all, for the current emperor and the entire country, this invincible general is indispensable.

Even if this matter reached the emperor, he was not afraid.

What is the He family anyway?

"...Your Excellency misunderstands," He Ling said with a faint smile. "I did not mean to threaten Your Excellency."

"I just want a mutually beneficial relationship."

"I know the Marquis wants to kill Chu Yuan'er, but her death won't help the Marquis in his current situation, will it?"

"If Your Excellency wishes to remain in the capital, you don't actually need to offend many people to achieve this."

Zhou Ningchuan paused, a hint of wariness appearing in his eyes as he looked at He Ling.

He discussed this matter privately with the emperor.

How did He Ling find out?

Either He Ling has spies in the palace.

Either the He family has amazing observational skills and can perceive his intentions from his actions.

Regardless of the possibility, it all tells Zhou Ningchuan one thing—the power of the He family should not be underestimated.

Zhou Ningchuan: "What if I don't agree to your conditions?"

He Ling sighed: "That would probably result in mutual destruction, which wouldn't be good for either of us."

"Your eldest son is at Dali Temple, and your second son and youngest daughter are about to get married... Perhaps the biggest drawback of having a large family is that there are too many responsibilities."

Zhou Ningchuan asked expressionlessly, "Don't you have any ties?"

In other words, isn't He Ling afraid that Zhou Ningchuan will also target his family?

Unexpectedly, He Ling laughed when he heard this.

"My parents passed away a long time ago. I am an only child and I have never married or had children."

"As for the others... Lord Marquis should know that the He family has a large population."

"Unfortunately, I don't care about any of them."

"Even if they all die, it has nothing to do with me."

These words are far too decisive and frightening.

What's even more terrifying is that these words came from the head of the He family.

"My lord, I do not intend to harm you. Chu Yuan'er has something I need, and I have no choice but to protect her."

"Consider it a favor to me; I'll definitely repay you when I have the chance."

Zhou Ningchuan closed his eyes.

"Do you know that Chu Yuan'er almost ruined my entire family?"

He Ling said softly, "Don't worry, my lord, I won't let her cause any more trouble."

"If I get what I need, I will return this person to the Marquis, and then the Marquis can do with him as he pleases."

"As for why I took Chu Yuan'er away... there are some things that even I am not entirely clear about, and further verification is needed, so please forgive me for not being able to tell you."

Zhou Ningchuan remained silent for a moment, then said nothing more.