Chapter 146: Speak Boldly or Never Rest

Yun Zui maintained a steady gaze, refusing to look away. After Chi Mie took his seat, he didn’t trouble them but immediately said, “Let us pretend I don’t exist. You may continue.”

With that, he leaned back, wearing an expression of complete indifference.

But how could his arrival ever be truly ignored?

His presence was impossible to overlook.

A cough from the officials of the Ministry of Justice interrupted the silence, and one of them asked Yun Zui, “Grand Dowager, may we continue with what you were saying earlier?”

Yun Zui set down her teacup and seemed to slip back into the previous state of recollection.

“The first assassination attempt happened at an inn. That night, I went to bed early, but the would-be assassin was incredibly incompetent. I discovered his trail, and in the end…”

Yun Zui deliberately paused, mischievously drawing all eyes toward her.

“What happened in the end?”

Everyone watched her intently, minds racing with the question.

Seeing their curiosity piqued, Yun Zui continued without hesitation, “In the end, I castrated him.”

She spoke as if it were nothing, leaving everyone embarrassed. Could someone of her status as Grand Dowager really say such things? It was utterly unbecoming…

Chi Mie’s face darkened especially. If Yun Zui’s spirit had possessed Su Yantong, would it corrupt her as well? The thought was genuinely worrisome.

“Ahem, and then?” the Ministry official asked awkwardly.

“The second attempt was at the General’s residence. At first, I thought the attackers were common thieves, but each bore the tattoo of Ling Youtang.”

The implication was clear: those assassins belonged to Ling Youtang.

However, the Ministry of Justice could not investigate Ling Youtang, a shadowy assassin organization—they were merely merchants in death. If anyone were to be held accountable, it would be the buyers.

This time, Yun Zui didn’t keep them in suspense and continued, “The third attempt happened at a hunting ground, with twenty-five assailants in total. But the killers from Ling Youtang were utterly incompetent.”

She skipped over their fates without explanation and went straight to the fourth attempt: “The fourth assassination also occurred at the hunting grounds. The grass there was thick and tall, so they never saw me. Instead, I spotted them first. From their conversation, I learned that the buyer who wanted me dead was actually among the people present at the hunt.”

Her words were bold and striking, immediately prompting the Ministry officials to fix suspicion on the nobles present at the event.

“Grand Dowager, do you have any enemies?” they asked. To attempt an assassination, there must be some grudge, right? It couldn't be without reason.

Without hesitation, Yun Zui answered, “Before I turned fifteen, I never left the estate’s gates. How could I have enemies? If I offended anyone, it would be after my rebirth, when I punished each member of the Prime Minister’s household with thirty strokes. Also, Consort Yun in the palace, and those at the General’s residence. This is common knowledge across the continent; you need not hear it from me.”

She spoke openly, without concealment or hesitation.

The Ministry officials exchanged glances before saying, “We understand.”

Yun Zui rose from her seat and said, “I have said all I need to. Please keep me informed of any developments.”

“We will take our leave,” the officials replied, bowing respectfully to Chi Mie before withdrawing.