The sound of the rain gradually became louder, and gradually there was a downpour, Jiang Ning's thoughts gradually drifted away in this shower, and in the end, she only heard the sentence left by Pei Yu, "Le Yin, everything in this world has cause and effect, this is our own choice, and the corresponding consequences should be borne by ourselves, you must not hurt yourself by interceding for us, everything must be done first." ”

His tone was earnest, and he spoke like an elder.

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

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 handsome faces were still frowning, and their expressions were solemn.

Jiang Ning was stunned, then walked out of the house and ran quickly towards the two.

Seeing that Mu Jingzhao and Lin Zheng were about to push the door into the house, she hurriedly spoke, "Your Majesty! ”

Both of them were stunned, and when they looked up at her, Mu Jingzhao's gaze fell on her face, and the sadness between her eyebrows and eyes dissipated slightly.

"Let's go inside." Mu Jingzhao said.

Mu Jingzhao took the lead in taking a seat at the table in the house, the doors and windows in the room were closed, the wind blew the windows whirring, and in 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 voice was gentle and light, as if he would be drowned out by the sound of rain if he was not careful.

Jiang Ning's steps paused, and finally sat down.

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

Jiang Ning was stunned for a moment, then stretched out his hand to take it, but did not answer Mu Jingzhao's words.

The tea cup in the palm of his hand was slightly hot, but it made Jiang Ning's somewhat tired thoughts gradually clear.

Mu Jingzhao picked up the teacup and put it to his lips and blew it gently, "It's my fault after all." ”

Jiang Ning didn't reply, the worry and anxiety in her heart were like a boulder pressing on her heart, making her almost out of breath.

She didn't know that she and Mu Jingzhao were just two strangers who were forced to unite because of a farce, and they weren't even friends. This time, it was already a blessing in misfortune that she was not implicated, and she shouldn't have interceded for Pei Yu and his party at all.

She is incapable and unqualified.

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 spoke a little eagerly.

The teacup in Mu Jingzhao's hand turned slightly, he didn't look at Jiang Ning, but turned his head to look at Lin Zheng beside him.

"Ah Zheng, how is the interrogation?"

Lin Zheng's voice was still low and cold, without the slightest wave, "These people are the descendants of the salt sellers back then. Later, because the county order was killed, he was slandered and carried the black cauldron, and he made a mistake and began to avenge the extinct family, and did evil in Qingshui County for a long time. ”

"What if it's according to the laws of Gongguo?"

Lin Zheng subconsciously glanced at Jiang Ning, and his face was a little embarrassed.

"Robbery, killing of court officials, indiscriminate killing of innocents, killing kings, and punishment for several crimes should be punished with capital punishment, and the nine clans will be punished."

Jiang Ning felt that the boulder in his heart was getting heavier and heavier, almost pressing him to the point that he couldn't breathe.

"What if you put aside the crime of killing the king?"

Lin Zheng took a deep breath, looked at Jiang Ning, and couldn't bear it, "Be beheaded to show the public." ”

Jiang Ning's heart finally sank, and her whole body, which was originally holding up a straight back, finally relaxed.

Mu Jingzhao turned his head to look at her, his face seemed to be painful, "As for your brother Pei Yu, I can spare him from death because of his meritorious service in saving him." ”

"But killing the court officials is a false crime! If they didn't do it, why should they bear it? ”

"Ning'er." Mu Jingzhao's tone was a little more serious and compassionate, "There must always be someone responsible for the life and death of the county order's family, if this matter is not clear, it will be difficult for the people to be angry." ”

Jiang Ning's eyes were full of disbelief, "So, you mean, let them bear the responsibility for this crime?" Her voice rose a little, "Even if you know it's not their fault at all?" ”

Mu Jingzhao's tone was still flat, with a bit of comfort, "No, of course I know that this crime is not committed by them, but now everything needs to be explained to the local people, even if it is a temporary helpless move, it will definitely be rehabilitated in the future." ”

Jiang Ning took a deep breath, but he really didn't know how to respond.

She is an ordinary woman, she doesn't have so many eloquence, and she can't know so much about the righteousness of the family and the country, in the face of such a thing, she really can't be sensible and polite.

"Ning'er!" Mu Jingzhao's voice suddenly became a little low, "Even if there is no such culpability, those people are inevitably guilty of capital crimes." ”

Jiang Ning's figure flickered, she stumbled to her feet, a strange smile bloomed on her face, but her voice was as cold as frost, "If the emperor has already made a decision, why should he pretend to be aware of the righteousness to inform the concubine?" ”

She smiled even more, and her face was full of mockery, "Since the emperor is convinced that there is no fault in what he has done, why should he come to the concubine to ask for peace of mind." The concubine is just a little-known storyteller on the street, who can't represent the salt merchant who died in vain, and can't afford the so-called righteousness of the family and country. ”

This word by word, the tone was cold, and the expression was obedient, so unscrupulously exposed Mu Jingzhao's selfishness.

Even Lin Zheng, who had always been calm, was taken aback by Jiang Ning's obedience that he suddenly revealed.

Mu Jingzhao's face was ugly, but there was no angry color in his eyes when he looked at Jiang Ning, but he had a little pity and pity.

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

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

She stumbled to her feet and walked in the direction of the door, her steps staggering, as if she would fall to the ground in the next second.

Jiang Ning pushed open the door of the house, this action seemed to use all her strength, her body shook, and she almost fell, Lin Zheng was shocked, and subconsciously stepped forward to help.

As soon as he stretched out his hand, he had to pause and withdraw it.

There was a muffled sound from the door, and it shut.

Inside the house, Mu Jingzhao's expression was depressed, as if all his strength had been drained.

Outside the house, Jiang Ning stumbled, walking aimlessly along the corridor, the thunder was rolling in the sky, illuminating her pale little face even more haggard, and the rain fell in strings along the eaves of the corridor, forming a natural rain curtain to isolate Jiang Ning from the outside world.

Occasionally, the icy rain splashed on the edge of her skirt, leaving a muddy patch, but she still walked forward as if she hadn't heard it.

Aimless but tireless.

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

(End of chapter)