Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

"What? You're unwilling to come with us to the county government to act as witnesses and sue the Cui family?" Major General Xu shouted at the top of his lungs.

The miners, who had just emerged from the mine, sat cross-legged on the ground, but no one answered.

"Why? Didn't I just tell you that the Prince has been ordered to come to Linchuan? You just need to follow us to the county government office, right?" Major General Xu earnestly persuaded him.

“We just want to go home. We don’t want to complain,” someone blurted out.

Immediately afterward, someone else shouted, "Yes, there's a ton of stuff going on at the county government office, we don't want to cause trouble."

“This isn’t about causing trouble; this is something the Cui family has done wrong!” Chengfeng explained from the side.

"Don't you want the bad guys to be punished and for you to seek justice?" Doctor Luo Yan was also there and even offered his help.

"That's right, with Prince Jin standing up for you this time, what are you afraid of?" Major General Xu asked, puzzled.

“The Cui family are relatives of the Dowager Consort; even the Prince of Jin has to address them respectfully,” one miner retorted.

"You can give us a lot of empty threats and little real punishment. Once you leave, we'll be the ones suffering. Can't we at least avoid you if we can't afford to offend you?"

The crowd raised their questions one after another, and the scene froze. No matter how Major General Xu and Chengfeng explained and tried to persuade them, they were largely unconvinced, and the attempt to resolve the issue ended inconclusively.

"Miss, would you like to try and persuade them?" Zhu Ling asked.

"Do you think I should try to persuade them?" Ye Xingchen asked rhetorically.

"Shouldn't it be? It's obvious that the Cui family are bad people. Shouldn't bad people be punished? The imperial court has the rule of law," Zhu Ling said forcefully.

"What good would it do if they went? If we can't cut them down completely, who can guarantee their safety? If we can't guarantee it, why force them to fight for justice?" Ye Xingchen said with a wry smile.

"Miss," Zhu Ling said, puzzled.

"Don't think about it, this isn't something we should be worrying about." Ye Xingchen patted Zhu Ling's head.

As night fell, bonfires were lit all around, and everyone sat in front of them to warm themselves and ward off the chill of the night.

Chengfeng, perhaps angered, was silently roasting naan for his master.

General Xu irritably poked at the sweet potatoes in the fire, muttering, "I just don't understand why they don't stand up and resist. Isn't the Prince here?"

"Don't think about it. You and Chengfeng tried to persuade them for a long time, but they didn't listen. But at least we caught a few of the Cui family's servants, which is evidence." Luo Yan comforted him, then got up and added some water to the kettle, which he then placed over the fire to roast.

"Yes, I need to have someone keep a close eye on these guys." Major General Xu picked up some firewood and threw it into the fire, sparks flying everywhere.

He turned his head and noticed Ye Xingchen warming herself by the fire. He couldn't help but say angrily, "Miss Ye, you came out of the cave with them and risked your life together. Why didn't you try to persuade them to stop?"

Ye Xingchen held his palms out over the fire, looking at the firelight shining through his fingers, and said, "What are you trying to persuade them to do? Persuade them to risk their lives for the political achievements of those in power?"

"Hey, Miss Ye, why are you saying such things about the Prince?" Major General Xu said anxiously, and they both stood up.

Luo Yan quickly stopped her, "Miss Ye, please be careful what you say."

"Did I say something wrong?" Ye Xingchen raised his head. "For these powerless people, their greatest wish is to live well, not only for themselves but also for their families. So they endure as much as they can, hoping to avoid trouble and increase their chances of survival."

“But this time it’s the Prince himself who’s here,” Major General Xu emphasized.

"Do you think they were trapped in the cave for so many years because they didn't want to resist? No, perhaps initially they all wanted to resist, but they were caught and beaten again and again. Then later, people who came in told them that the once passionate official had fought against the Cui family to uphold justice, only to have his entire family wiped out. Do you think they could still see hope, still believe in hope? Perhaps working hard in the mine to ensure the safety of their families outside was their reason for staying there."

"We will definitely stand up for them, with His Highness here," Major General Xu said loudly.

"They made a good point today: the Dowager Consort is also the Prince's nominal grandmother. If the Prince goes against her, he will be unfilial. Therefore, the punishment of the Cui family in the end will not damage the foundation of the family."

Ye Xingchen looked up at Major General Xu, interrupting his attempt to interject, and continued, "Yes, you can keep an eye on the Cui family, but what happens after we all pack up and leave? The emperor is far away, do you think we'll know what's happening thousands of miles away? Will we be able to save them in time? So, without the ability to protect their lives, what gives you the right to force them to risk their lives for some legendary justice?" Ye Xingchen's words were resolute and cold.

Yes, that's how it was in the past life. Gu Ruoxiao solved a major case in Linchuan and severely punished the Cui family, but the foundation of the Dowager Consort was not damaged. Later, when she was trying to curry favor with the Dowager Consort with Gu Chengjie, she inadvertently learned that all the miners that Gu Ruoxiao had rescued from the Cui family had disappeared without a trace, along with their families.

So even if Gu Ruoxiao wanted to save him, it was beyond her reach. Ye Xingchen felt empty and helpless.

"But doesn't justice matter?" Major General Xu's voice lowered.

"Justice can only be served because of the courage of those in power. Do you think these people who just want to live well care who becomes emperor? No matter who it is, they just want to be fed, clothed, and alive. How to uphold justice is something for those in power to consider," Ye Xingchen said calmly.

"Miss Ye, please be careful what you say," Luo Yan quickly advised.

"Zhu Ling, I'm sleepy, let's go back to the carriage." Zhu Ling, who was beside her, helped her young mistress up and hurried towards the carriage.

The remaining people fell silent, and the kettle on the fire bubbled softly. Luo Yan gazed at the kettle reflected in the firelight, lost in thought; something seemed different.

Two people, one large and one small, stood beside numerous carriages bathed in moonlight.

"Brother, although I didn't quite understand what Sister just said, I think she's right." Erdan, holding an orange in his hand, looked up at Xu Li. "Brother, should we give the orange to Sister?"

"Don't call her 'elder sister' anymore. She's a young lady from a wealthy family. You can keep these oranges for yourself," Xu Li said.

Just as they were shouting about finding the girl who came out with them, Xu Li led Erdan to search everywhere, but unexpectedly overheard these words.

A cool breeze suddenly rose in the darkness. Chiwu, who had been hidden in the shadows for a long time, spoke up, "Master, should we still try to persuade those miners?" Chiwu had just handed over the medical bureau personnel and the support troops to the people in the city and rushed back without stopping.

Gu Ruoxiao was lost in thought, but she didn't show it. "Let's go back," she said, turning and leaving.