The fall of Bin Rin shocked the entire capital.
By morning, rumors had already grown wings.
"They say Miss Bin tried to poison someone."
"No, no— she framed Lady Lei Hua!"
"She knelt for three hours before being taken away…"
Lei Hua listened to the whispers as she sat inside the carriage, hugging her knees.
(*Yesterday I was an office worker. Today I'm a walking disaster magnet.*)
Lei Yue sat opposite her, eyes closed, calm as ever.
Lei Hua peeked at her.
(*How is she so peaceful when the whole capital wants to eat me?*)
---
### AT THE JUN ESTATE
Jun Hao had just returned from court.
He placed his books down quietly and poured himself tea.
Before he could take a sip—
CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.
Applause echoed from the doorway.
Jun Lin stepped in slowly, smiling warmly.
"Big Brother… still pretending to be the perfect scholar?"
Jun Hao's fingers tightened slightly.
"What do you want?"
Jun Lin laughed softly.
"I only came to remind you…"
He leaned forward.
"That even if you returned after sixteen years…"
"This family is still mine."
Jun Hao stood.
"This estate belongs to Father."
Jun Lin smirked.
"Oh? Then why is it always my name on the ledgers?"
Jun Hao's face darkened.
Jun Lin turned and waved his hand.
Servants rushed in—
Carrying stacks upon stacks of account books.
"All under your name, Big Brother," Jun Lin said sweetly.
"Embezzlement. Bribery. Illegal tax redirection."
Jun Hao's breathing stalled.
"You framed me."
Jun Lin tilted his head.
"Of course."
Jun Hao clenched his fists.
"If Father sees this—"
Jun Lin laughed.
"You think he will believe you?"
Jun Hao felt the cold truth sink in.
He would never be believed.
---
### BACK AT THE PALACE
Lei Hua suddenly felt a chill rush through her chest.
(*Why do I feel like someone just ruined someone's whole life?*)
The Gossip System chimed quietly.
[DING. Host. Jun Hao has been framed. Arrest order is being prepared.]
Lei Hua froze.
(*WHAT?! NOT THE QUIET GOOD ONE—*)
She bolted upright.
"LEI YUE—!"
Lei Yue opened her eyes.
"Speak."
Jun Hao's arrest order is already being written! Jun Lin framed him with fake account books!"
The carriage shook as Lei Hua stood up in panic.
"They're going to destroy him before nightfall!"
Lei Yue's eyes sharpened.
"So he moves first."
Lei Hua grabbed her sleeve desperately.
"We have to save him!"
Lei Yue looked at her.
"You are not ready to break into the palace."
Lei Hua almost cried.
"THEN YOU DO IT— YOU'RE VERY READY—!"
Lei Yue stared.
Then said calmly:
"Turn the carriage."
The guards froze.
Lei Hua blinked.
"…Huh?"
Lei Yue repeated:
"To the Ministry of Finance."
Her voice was cold.
Decisive.
The carriage immediately changed direction.
Lei Hua's heart pounded wildly.
(*ARE WE REALLY GOING TO CRASH A GOVERNMENT ARREST—*)
---
### AT THE MINISTRY GATE
Storm clouds gathered.
Guards already stood waiting.
Inside—
Jun Hao knelt before the officials.
Account books thrown at his feet.
"Jun Hao! You are accused of seven crimes! What do you say?!"
Jun Hao straightened his back.
"I have done none of these things."
Laughter rang out.
Jun Lin stepped forward from the crowd.
"Brother, lying at this moment only makes things worse."
Jun Hao's eyes burned.
"You forged everything."
Jun Lin smiled gently.
"Then prove it."
Jun Hao fell silent.
How could he?
And then—
A voice cut through the hall like ice.
"Proof has arrived."
Everyone turned.
Lei Yue walked in.
Lei Hua rushed behind her, nearly tripping.
Lei Yue glanced at the floor.
Then at Jun Lin.
"Your fake ledgers… lack soul."
Jun Lin's smile stiffened.
Lei Hua's system chimed sharply.
[DING. The real ledgers are hidden beneath the west garden stone well.]
Lei Hua shouted:
"CHECK THE WEST GARDEN WELL!!!"
The hall erupted.
Officials rushed out.
Minutes later—
Soaked guards returned.
Carrying the REAL account books.
Jun Lin's face finally cracked.
Jun Hao stared in disbelief.
His hands trembled.
The official in charge slammed the table.
"Jun Lin! Explain this now!!"
Jun Lin stepped back slowly.
His smile vanished.
His eyes turned dark.
"So you interfered… again."
Lei Yue looked at him calmly.
"Yes."
Jun Lin suddenly laughed.
A dangerous laugh.
"Good."
"Then I will no longer pretend."
Guards rushed.
But Jun Lin vanished into the crowd.
Jun Hao collapsed to his knees in shock.
Lei Hua ran to him.
"You're safe now! You're safe!"
Jun Hao looked up at her like she was a miracle.
And far away—
Zhen Ruo received the report.
He crushed the paper in his palm.
"So Jun Lin failed…"
His eyes burned.
"Then we escalate."
Lei Yue stepped out of the ministry.
Her cloak fluttered in the wind.
She spoke softly:
"The chessboard is fully open now."
Lei Hua swallowed.
(*WHY DOES THAT SOUND LIKE THE WORLD IS ABOUT TO END—*)
END OF CHAPTER 14