After being forced to marry as a substitute, I became famous in the limbo

Chapter 174
The sound of the rain was getting louder and pouring down, and Jiang Ning's thoughts gradually drifted away amidst the sound of the rain. In the end, she only heard a sentence left by Pei Yu, "Le Yin, everything in this world has a cause and effect. This is our own choice, and the corresponding consequences should be borne by us. You must not plead for us and hurt yourself. Everything must be yourself first."

His tone is sincere, and he looks like an elder.

And when Jiang Ning came back to his senses, there was only one person left in the room.

The heavy rain was still falling wantonly, she looked out of the house, in a side room with the door closed, Mu Jingzhao and Lin Zheng went out one after another, their brows were still tightly furrowed with solemn expressions on their handsome and cold faces.

Jiang Ning was startled, then left the room and ran towards the two of them.

Seeing that Mu Jingzhao and Lin Zheng were about to open the door and enter the room, she quickly said, "Your Majesty!"

Both of them paused, and looked up at her. Mu Jingzhao's eyes fell on her face, and the sadness between his brows and eyes slightly dissipated.

"Let's talk in the room." Mu Jingzhao said.

Mu Jingzhao took the lead in taking a seat at the table in the house. The doors and windows in the house were closed, and the windows were rattling by the strong wind. Under the dim light, Jiang Ning kept walking back and forth in front of the window, with undisguised anxiety and uneasiness on his face.

"Sit down." Mu Jingzhao's tone was gentle and light, as if he would be drowned by the sound of rain if he didn't pay attention.

Jiang Ning paused, and finally sat down.

Mu Jingzhao poured a cup of tea and handed it to her, "You have lost a lot of weight these days."

Jiang Ning was taken aback for a moment, then reached out to take it, but did not answer Mu Jingzhao's words.

The teacup in his palm was slightly hot, but Jiang Ning's tired thoughts gradually cleared up.

Mu Jingzhao held the teacup to his lips, and blew gently, "It's my fault after all."

Jiang Ning didn't answer, the worry and anxiety in her heart were like a huge stone pressing down on her heart, making her almost breathless.

She didn't know that she and Mu Jingzhao were just two strangers who were forced to unite because of a farce, not even friends.It was a blessing that she was not involved in this incident. She shouldn't have pleaded for Pei Yu and his party recklessly.

She is neither capable nor qualified.

But Jiang Ning always felt in her heart that she should do that, and she should work hard for these people no matter what.

"Your Majesty." Jiang Ning said eagerly.

Mu Jingzhao turned the teacup slightly in his hand, instead of looking at Jiang Ning, he turned to look at Lin Zheng beside him.

"Ah Zheng, how is the interrogation going?"

Lin Zheng's voice was still deep and serious, without any waves, "These people are the descendants of the salt dealers back then. All their families were wiped out, and they survived. They occupied the mountain as kings and robbed them to make a living. Later, because the county magistrate was killed, they were slandered and blamed. They made mistakes and started to avenge the perishing family. They have done evil in Qingshui County for a long time."

"What should we do in accordance with the laws of the Gong Kingdom?"

Lin Zheng glanced at Jiang Ning subconsciously, with a bit of distress on his face.

"Robbery, execution of court officials, indiscriminate killing of innocent people, killing the king, and punishment for several crimes, should be punished with capital punishment, and the nine clans will be implicated."

Jiang Ning felt that the boulder in his heart was getting heavier and heavier, almost making him unable to breathe.

"What if the crime of regicide is put aside?"

Lin Zheng took a deep breath, looked at Jiang Ning, with a look of unbearable expression on his face, "Should be beheaded to show the public."

Jiang Ning's heart finally sank, and her back, which was originally strong and straight, finally relaxed.

Mu Jingzhao turned his head to look at her, with pain on his face, "As for your elder brother Pei Yu, I can spare him from death because of his meritorious service in saving him."

"But the murder of the court officials is a false charge! Since they didn't do it, why let them bear it?"

"Ning'er." Mu Jingzhao's tone was filled with earnest compassion, "There must always be someone responsible for the life and death of the county magistrate's family. If this matter is unknown, the people will be outraged."

Jiang Ning's eyes were full of disbelief, "So, you mean, let them bear this responsibility?" She raised her voice a little, "Even if you know it's not their fault at all?"

Mu Jingzhao's tone was still flat, with a hint of consolation, "That's not the case. Of course I know that this crime was not committed by them, but now everything needs to be explained to the local people. Even if they are charged with crimes, it is only a temporary helpless act, and they will definitely be vindicated in the future."

Jiang Ning took a deep breath, really not knowing how to respond.

She was just an ordinary woman, she didn't have so many great talents, and she didn't know so much about the righteousness of the family. She really couldn't be sensible and courteous in front of such things.

"Ning'er!" Mu Jingzhao's voice suddenly became a little low, "Even if there is no such crime, those people will inevitably die."

Jiang Ning's figure flickered, and she stumbled up, with a strange smile on her face, but her voice was icy cold, "If the emperor has made up his mind, why bother to pretend to be righteous and inform his concubine?"

She smiled even more, and her face was full of sarcasm, "Since the emperor is convinced that what he did is not at fault, why should he come to my concubine to seek peace of mind. Concubine is just a little-known storyteller on the street. She can't represent the salt merchant who died in vain, and can't bear the so-called righteousness of the country."

With these words, his tone was cold, and his expression was surly, they exposed Mu Jingzhao's selfishness so unscrupulously.

Even Lin Zheng, who had always been calm, was taken aback by Jiang Ning's sudden surly expression.

Mu Jingzhao's face was ugly, but there was no anger in his eyes when he looked at Jiang Ning. On the contrary, there was a bit of regret and pity.

She took a deep breath, but still didn't say anything more presumptuous.

A thunderstorm rolled outside the house, and the lightning made Jiang Ning's face pale.

She stumbled up and walked towards the door. She staggered, as if she would fall to the ground in a second.

Jiang Ning pushed open the door, this action seemed to have exhausted all her strength, she swayed and almost fell, Lin Zheng was shocked, and subconsciously stepped forward to help.

He just stretched out his hand, but he had to stop and take it back.

The door made a muffled sound and then closed.

Inside the room, Mu Jingzhao looked downcast, as if he had been drained of all his strength.

Outside the house, Jiang Ning stumbled and walked aimlessly along the long corridor. Thunder rolled in the sky, making her pale face even more haggard. The rainwater fell in strings along the eaves of the long corridor, forming a natural rain curtain to isolate Jiang Ning from the outside world.

Occasionally, cold rainwater splashed on her skirt, leaving a muddy patch, but she still walked forward as if she didn't smell it.

Aimless but tireless.

In the end, her eyes turned black and she fell to the ground.

(End of this chapter)