The concubine is a man, and the illegitimate son of a divine physician has a spatial ability.

Yin Zijing leaned forward slightly, gazing intently at Liu Jun. His once cold and stern eyes had softened, becoming as gentle as the warm spring sun shining upon her. The fear in Yin Zijing's heart gradually dissipated, replaced by an indescribable courage.

He took a deep breath, and with trembling hands, slowly reached out his delicate, jade-like hands towards the jade bowl in Liu Jun's hands. Holding the bowl tremblingly, he said softly, "I'll do it! Thank you, Lord Liu."

Yin Zijing held the jade bowl in both hands. Although his throat was parched, he maintained his innate composure. He gently pursed his lips and sipped the brown sugar ginger tea in the bowl.

He drank quickly, each sip seemingly afraid of being discovered how incredibly thirsty he was. Years of ingrained habits, etiquette, and strict upbringing prevented him from engaging in overly unrestrained behavior.

Just then, Liu Jun inadvertently caught a glimpse of Yin Zijing's delicate, lotus-root-like arm peeking out from her sleeve. In an instant, he felt a surge of panic, and his gaze was involuntarily drawn to it.

Liu Jun remained standing there, his mind filled with the image of that snow-white arm, until Yin Zijing successfully took the jade bowl and began to concentrate on drinking tea.

After finishing the last drop of brown sugar ginger tea, Yin Zijing gently put down the jade bowl and elegantly wiped his mouth with a handkerchief. Suddenly, he noticed that his exposed arm was covered with bright red marks.

These red marks, like menacing little snakes, coiled on his flawless white skin. At this moment, the stinging sensation intensified, and Yin Zijing couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly, a hint of pain flashing across her beautiful face.

Liu Jun suddenly came to his senses, his gaze fixed on Yin Zijin's slender, fair arms. He saw a series of shocking red marks crisscrossing her arms, cruel marks left from being bound by silk for a long time.

He frowned and said in a cold tone, "The red marks on your body will probably not fade away in a short time. If you can't rub them away as soon as possible, they will probably get deeper and deeper in seven days."

As he spoke, Liu Jun quickly turned around, took out a bowl of steaming hot porridge, and slowly handed it to Yin Zijin, saying softly, "This was prepared for you by His Highness the Crown Prince. Please eat it while it's hot. After you finish this, drink a bowl of herbal medicine to dispel the cold."

Yin Zijing nodded slightly, gratefully accepting the bowl of hot porridge, and slowly savored it. Each mouthful was filled with warmth, flowing down her throat and gradually warming her long-cold body.

After he finally finished the bowl of medicine to dispel the cold, his originally pale face gradually regained some color, and his body began to slowly recover.

At this moment, Yin Zijing raised her head and looked at Liu Jun, her eyes filled with worry and anxiety. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "Lord Liu, how is the case progressing now?"

Liu Jun took a deep look at Yin Zijing's current state. Seeing that her spirits had improved slightly, he felt a little relieved. Then, he lowered his voice and explained to her with a serious expression:

Du Lin has been convicted. His entire family of 128 people—all the men—were exiled to the remote and harsh Lingnan region; the women were either enslaved or forced into prostitution. The Imperial Preceptor Xu Run and Granny Li were sentenced to be beheaded at Caishikou in three days. Yuanyang died of postpartum hemorrhage two hours after you were hung at the Imperial Clan Court.

The baby was Du Lin's flesh and blood, and had already been taken to the brothel, where it was likely to be raised as a courtesan..."

Yin Zijing asked with a chill in her heart, "Isn't the evidence Yuanyang mentioned enough to put Du Lin to death? The sins committed by the adults are being suffered by newborn babies..."

Liu Jun chuckled lightly, saying with seven parts mockery and three parts helplessness, "No matter what, Du Lin is still the imperial son-in-law, not to mention that Du Lin and the Empress have an intricate relationship."

The Emperor now heavily relies on the Du family, using them and other humble families to counterbalance the other three powerful clans. Du Lin can be punished, but not killed…”

Yin Zijin gave a bitter smile: "That's true. How could Du Lin die so easily? He has so many people and so much power behind him. How could he die so easily? I was too naive."

Even if the princess personally sought justice for herself, it would be useless, because the princess was a woman, a married woman, a flowerpot admired by all, a tool for political marriage. She was insignificant and dispensable in the struggle for power.

She can sacrifice herself, she can pay the price with her life, but she cannot let it affect the overall situation.

Granny Li and Xu Run can die, because they are just small fry, ants that can be disposed of at will..."

Yin Zijing slowly closed her eyes, her delicate body seemingly shrouded in an invisible weariness, making her appear incredibly haggard and fragile. Time seemed to freeze at that moment; all around was silent, and no one could tell how much time had passed.

Finally, Yin Zijin spoke in a barely audible voice, asking, "What exactly is the evidence that Yuanyang mentioned?" Her words were as faint as a candle flickering in the wind.

Liu Jun, who had been silently watching Yin Zijing, felt a pang of tenderness flash in his deep eyes when he saw her like this. However, this emotion was fleeting, vanishing without a trace in an instant, as if it had never existed.

Liu Jun gazed silently at the woman before him, a complex mix of emotions welling up within him. Recalling his past experiences, he couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness.

He suffered hardship from a young age, his family being destitute. Having lost both parents at a young age, his only relative was his elderly and frail grandmother. Over the years, Liu Jun didn't know how many people he had killed—good people? Bad people? Even Liu Jun himself couldn't tell anymore.

For Liu Jun, he knew all too well that he was nothing more than a sharp blade in the emperor's hand, a cold-blooded and emotionless killing tool.

After listening to Yin Zijin's words, Liu Jun continued to explain: "..."