Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 119

Chapter 119: Chapter 118: Closing the Case _1

Suddenly hearing footsteps stop in front of his cell door, Qin Dezhao clenched his hand and opened his eyes to look towards the entrance, only to see a person in a cloak standing behind the prison guard.

Qin Dezhao’s heart tightened; he feigned composure, stood up, straightened the diagonal lapel of his robes touched by weeds, and asked, “May I ask who you are, sir?”

“Sir, take your time chatting!” The prison guard respectfully saluted that person and then turned to leave.

The person removed the hood of the cloak. Qin Dezhao saw that it was Gao Sheng from King Liang’s side. Feeling the coldest killing intent from Gao Sheng’s eyes, his heartbeat quickened.

Qin Dezhao composed himself, stood with hands behind his back, and maintained his poise, saying, “Lord Gao, please convey to His Highness, King Liang, that Bai Qingyan has found out the names of those who tampered with the grain supplies. She may seize this opportunity to create trouble. Please advise His Highness to prepare early.”

Gao Sheng glanced at the untouched water and food at the entrance. “Does the Marquis know that Young Master Qin has taken the list you gave him, along with loyal servants of the Qin family, and gone to drum at the Court of Judicial Review? Such swift action. Could it be he was acting under your instruction?”

...

Qin Dezhao’s face turned pale; he had guessed that Qin Lang had been deceived by Bai Qingyan.

“Lord Gao, do not speak rashly. That list was not given to Miss Bai by me. Miss Bai came today, copied the list here, asked no questions, said nothing, and left. The Bai family probably already had this list. Considering Miss Bai’s intellect…His Highness should be cautious!” Qin Dezhao expressed his loyalty, “As for that unfilial son, even if I am interrogated, I will not say a word about it! This matter is unrelated to me. The grain was handed over properly when I delivered it!” _{freewёbnoνel.com}

“So, the Marquis is quite loyal to His Highness?” Gao Sheng’s voice was cold and emotionless.

“That’s right. Not only out of loyalty to His Highness but also to preserve my own life! Admitting the truth means certain death! Denying it, even struggling to survive, is still living.” Qin Dezhao stared at Gao Sheng, knowing that expressing loyalty alone would seem hypocritical in this moment. Appealing for survival seemed more sincere.

Gao Sheng drew a short dagger from his waist. Qin Dezhao, startled, took two steps back, bumping into the wall. “Lord Gao!”

“His Highness once told the Marquis, only the dead can keep secrets!”

As Gao Sheng finished speaking, he moved almost instantaneously in front of Qin Dezhao, the sharp short dagger plunged into Qin Dezhao’s abdomen. Qin Dezhao’s mouth opened wide, but no sound came out, his eyes fixed on the flickering candlelight on the cell wall.

Gao Sheng embraced Qin Dezhao’s neck, slowly helped him kneel down, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

Not until Qin Dezhao’s hand, which was tightly gripping his sleeve, slackened, did Gao Sheng release him. He hid the gem-encrusted sheath of the short dagger into Qin Dezhao’s deerskin boots.

The dagger was a good one; it easily pierced Qin Dezhao’s flesh. The hilt plugged the wound, leaving no bloodstain.

Gao Sheng put on his cloak and turned to leave. The prison guard came to lock the door, acting as if he had seen nothing, and left.