On her wedding night, she went into exile with her pharmacy arsenal

Chapter 2136 Now he's obedient?

Huo Changhe quietly looked at Governor Ding.

His hair was disheveled, and he was weak all over, yet he showed no fear whatsoever that of a prisoner.

Those eyes were half-open, their turbidity revealing an almost manic arrogance. Even though he couldn't move at the moment, a faint, cold smile still lingered on his lips.

Governor Ding's tone was full of unbridled arrogance: "I'd like to ask you, what do you think of the current imperial court?"

Huo Changhe's eyes darkened slightly, and he did not answer immediately. His gaze was sharp as a knife, as if trying to see through the disheveled appearance and understand the plans in his heart.

The oil lamp suddenly caught fire with a crackling sound.

When Governor Ding saw that he did not answer, he did not press him for an answer. Instead, he continued to speak, his tone gradually becoming more impassioned, and a hint of fanaticism flashed in his eyes.

"The late emperor reigned for thirty years, but he was mediocre and accomplished nothing in his life! Instead, he caused loyal ministers to be wrongly accused. Haven't you ever seen a wrongful conviction?"

He paused, took a breath, and said, "A true man is born between heaven and earth and should assist a wise ruler to bring peace to the land! How could such a foolish and incompetent emperor possess such a vast empire?"

By what right should the world bow down in submission? Such a monarch, such a court, should be overthrown!

"Insolence!" Huo Changhe exclaimed, causing the oil lamp's glow to flicker slightly.

He appeared calm on the surface, but was secretly terrified.

Although Governor Ding's words were treasonous, they accurately pinpointed the ills of the late dynasty.

Rongzhou is more than three thousand miles away from the capital. The mountains are high and the roads are long, so news travels slowly. Even ordinary officials have difficulty knowing the core movements in the capital. How could Governor Ding, a local official who was sent to a remote area, know so thoroughly about the past affairs of the court and the merits and demerits of the late emperor?

He could even talk about those undisclosed wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice.

Who are his sources? And what kind of forces are behind them?

Huo Changhe carefully examined Governor Ding.

Governor Ding seemed to have seen through his thoughts, and suddenly burst into unrestrained laughter: "No need to rack your brains, you'll never guess. I'm not wrong!"

Everything I've done is to pave the way for the new dynasty! If I succeed, I'll be remembered for eternity, a hero who has expanded the territory; if I fail, it's just death—what is there to regret?

His voice suddenly rose, carrying an almost martyr's fervor: "Since ancient times, has there ever been a new dynasty that didn't involve bloodshed? Has there ever been a new dynasty that didn't involve sacrifice?"

What is the price Rongzhou paid? To be a part of it, to witness this transformation firsthand, I have no regrets, no fear, even in death!

Looking at his frenzied appearance, Huo Changhe curled up a cold smile and said with full sarcasm, "New Dynasty? Lord Ding is probably out of touch with the news."

Now, the late emperor has passed away, the new emperor has long since ascended the throne, the people's hearts are with him, and the court is well-governed. Your so-called 'new dynasty' is nothing but a pipe dream.

"Him?" Upon hearing the words "new emperor," Governor Ding reacted as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world. He first sneered, his laughter filled with undisguised mockery and contempt.

Huo Changhe narrowed his eyes, the coldness in them intensifying, and his tone grew even colder: "What? The new emperor has ascended the throne, granted a general amnesty, and is working diligently to govern the country. He will surely eliminate the ills left over from the previous dynasty, and the people will live in peace and prosperity."

Governor Ding smiled without saying a word, only looking at Huo Changhe with an extremely strange smile, like pity and mockery at the same time. His eyes and brows revealed an arrogance that said "you don't understand," as if everything Huo Changhe said was not worth mentioning in his eyes.

This sight completely ignited the anger in Huo Changhe's heart.

"You acted recklessly in Rongzhou, indiscriminately killing innocent people, forcing the people to become homeless, leaving fields barren, and nine out of ten houses empty!"

Huo Changhe's voice was firm and resounding, unable to contain his anger: "How many families have been destroyed because of you, how many people have gone hungry because of you!"

You've brought such harm to the country and its people, and you still have the nerve to call yourself acting for the nation and its people? And you even dare to look down on the new emperor?

Governor Ding was speechless after being bombarded with questions, his face turning pale and then red.

But having held a high position for many years, he quickly regained his composure, his eyes gleaming, and began to argue: "That is incorrect. Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles."

It is a blessing for the people of Rongzhou to be able to contribute to the establishment of the new dynasty!

A little loss is nothing to worry about. Once the new dynasty is established, they will naturally enjoy endless wealth and glory. The sacrifices we make now are all worthwhile!

"Good fortune?"

A crisp, cold voice suddenly came from the doorway.

Yan Ruyu walked in slowly, stood in front of Governor Ding, and looked down at him: "This good fortune, would you like it?"

Governor Ding looked her up and down, then snorted coldly.

Yan Ruyu flipped her right hand, revealing a gleaming dagger that shone coldly in the dim light.

Governor Ding's pupils contracted slightly, and he subconsciously tried to shrink back, but he was too weak to do so and could only watch helplessly as Yan Ruyu took a step forward.

Her movements were fluid and composed, without the slightest hesitation, and the dagger in her hand precisely pierced Governor Ding's shoulder.

With a "whoosh," the blade pierced through clothing and flesh, drawing out a stream of warm blood.

Governor Ding froze for a moment, then let out a shrill scream of pain. His forehead was instantly covered in cold sweat, and his face turned ashen.

His once defiant gaze was now replaced by excruciating pain; his pupils dilated, filled with unbelievable agony and fear.

Yan Ruyu pulled out the dagger expressionlessly, watching the blood gush out, her eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

She took out a plain silk handkerchief from her waist and slowly and deliberately wiped the bloodstains off the dagger, her movements elegant and composed.

"See, isn't he behaving himself now?" She wiped the dagger clean and casually tossed the handkerchief on the ground. "Dealing with this kind of person, reasoning with them is useless. Only when they feel the pain to the bone will they know what fear is and what rules are."

Holding the dagger, she slowly squatted down, the tip of the dagger no more than an inch from Governor Ding's cheek.

A chilling metallic aura swept over him, and Governor Ding could clearly see his pale, distorted face reflected on the blade.

He was trembling all over, cold sweat streaming down his face, and his previous arrogance had vanished.

Yan Ruyu's gaze fell on his pupils, which were trembling with fear, and she asked calmly, "Now, can you speak properly?"

Governor Ding's throat bobbed slightly, his lips trembled, and as he looked at the dagger so close to his shoulder and felt the sharp pain in his shoulder, he nodded repeatedly.

"can……"

Huo Changhe stood aside, watching this scene, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

Yan Ruyu's move was ruthless, but also the most effective.

Yan Ruyu slowly sheathed her dagger and stood up: "Then tell me, who is behind you?"

Prefect Ding endured the pain and pursed his lips: "Actually, I... have never seen his face either."

“Every time he appears, it’s him who comes to find me, wearing a black cloak and a mask.”

"He had a sign in his hand, I think it said Wu Ping'an."