With the death of Madam Wang-Ning, Minister Gu breathed a small sigh of relief.
“We should still investigate this,” It seems that Long Xuan was determined to keep up the charade, “Let’s see if this woman had any help.”
Gu Jun stood, “Your humble servant shall investigate this carefully.”
Zhao Jun Yi spoke, “And what are we going to do about the fact that the lot of you brought outsiders into the camp? Are we supposed to just let it go?”
“I shall seek proper punishment from the emperor for my actions,” Gu Jun replied, “I made a mistake in not investigating this woman fully, I hope General Luo will forgive my incompetence.”
Luo Ze didn’t know whether to sink his teeth into Gu Jun or not. This man had been allied with Liu Shuang Shi for years, and had given the Luo family their fair share of problems. Was this his chance to get rid of Gu Jun? Luo Ze looked at Luo Wei subconsciously.
Luo Wei shook his head.
Luo Ze swallowed the words brimming in his throat and said nothing more.
Zhao Jun Yi asked Liu Wu Sheng, “And what did you come here for? The minister and the prefect came to investigate this case, were you here to investigate the case too?”
Liu Wu Sheng answered, “I came here to protect the minister and the prefect. Who knows what goes on here on the daily?”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Zhao Jun Yi pointed at Liu Wu Sheng, “Are you trying to say that imperial soldiers at the commandant’s camp would hurt ministers of the imperial court? Do you know how to talk like a human being?”
“Big brother Zhao,” Luo Wei spoke up, “It’s fine.”
Long Xuan stood, looking as if he was ready to leave, “Minister Gu, I suggest you go and seek forgiveness from my father.”
“Is Your Imperial Highness leaving?” Luo Wei followed suit with everyone and stood as well.
“You’ve all shown me quite an interesting play today.” Long Xuan’s words were meant for everyone, but his eyes were locked on Luo Wei alone.
“A shame that this woman dirtied Your Imperial Highness’ sight,” Luo Wei put on a false politeness, “Pity that she ruined the day. What a curious string of coincidences, wouldn’t you say?”
“I would,” Long Xuan passed by Madam Wang-Ning’s corpse, casting his eyes down at the lifeless body, “If only this woman had been content with living a farmer’s life, she wouldn’t have met her end like this.”
Luo Wei chuckled, “There will always be people who are not content with their lot in life. Far be it from me to guess what she was after, but I doubt it was more than wealth and fortune. I wonder if this woman understood before her death, that certain things can’t be forced, especially when it doesn’t belong to you. Your Imperial Highness should revel in your success in the hunt, don’t let a woman like this bring you down.”
“True,” The corner of Long Xuan’s mouth tugged upward, “Certain things can’t be forced. You’re right about that.” After that, Long Xuan took Liu Wu Sheng with him and left without a backward glance.
“What are we going to do about her corpse?” Zhao Jun Bo asked Luo Ze.
Zhao Jun Yi shrugged, “Throw it out back and let the dogs have at it.”
“Let’s bury her,” Luo Wei suggested instead, “She’s paid the debt with her life, let her rest peacefully.”
Gu Jun had nothing else to say, and excused himself as well.
“I’ll come see the senior chancellor tonight,” Jiang Yun Si left that as his last word, and excused himself after Gu Jun.
A few soldiers arrived to take Madam Wang-Ning’s body out of the hall, to be buried in the back hills.
“So that’s it?” Zhao Jun Yi was still a little frazzled, “Didn’t we let them off too easy?”
“What else do you still want to do?” Luo Ze asked.
“Prosecute the shit out of Gu Jun!” Zhao Jun Yi said, “We shouldn’t just let that old asshole off like that!”
“Madam Wang-Ning is already dead,” Luo Wei said, seated, “The most we can get Minister Gu on is that he’s failed to investigate her. Big brother didn’t lose anything valuable in this exchange, and it’s likely that Minister Gu wouldn’t miss whatever money the emperor is going to dock from his salary for this misstep.”
Zhao Jun Yi groaned with anger, “Why is this so frustrating?!”
“Anyway, you guys should be careful in the next little while,” Zhao Jun Bo warned both Luo Ze and Luo Wei, “I don’t think it’s this simple.”
“Don’t worry, righteous men have nothing to fear in the shadows,” Luo Ze answered, “Even if they searched the camp today, I wouldn’t be scared.”
“It’s late,” Luo Wei got up, “I should head back.”
“I’ll see you out,” Luo Ze quickly got up.
Zhao Jun Yi was about to get up to follow, but his older brother stopped him.
“They were here for Ning Fei,” On the way out of camp, Luo Wei expressed his thoughts to Luo Ze.
“A common martial artist, why is he so important to the second prince?” Luo Ze asked.
“Who knows,” Luo Wei kept his head down and watched the road underfoot as he walked.
“Let’s get this Ning Fei thing sorted as soon as we can.”
“It’ll be sorted once his family reaches the capital. Big brother, I’m counting on you for that.” At this moment, Luo Wei felt that he was right in deciding to let Ning Fei live. He wanted to see if Ning Fei would fall for Long Xuan the same way as he did in the past life, even if he didn’t owe the second prince a single thing.