Chen Yan Yun accompanied Zhang Ju Lian to the Capital Prefecture office.

Xu Chang, the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture, personally came to welcome them and invited them to the reception area behind the government office for tea.

“This humble official heard that someone was causing trouble at the Drunken Immortal Tavern, so I dispatched officers to make arrests. Who would have thought it would be Minister Zuo… It wasn’t a major issue initially, but unfortunately, someone died. So we brought Minister Zuo back and were preparing to transfer him to the Ministry of Punishment.”

As the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture, he was a third-rank official, equal in rank to Zuo He De, and thus could not handle his case directly. Xu Chang also knew that Zuo He De was Zhang Ju Lian’s man, so before notifying the Minister of Punishment, he had first sent someone to inform Zhang Ju Lian, giving him time to intervene and protect his man.

A death or two… in normal times, this would hardly be considered a significant matter.

Unfortunately, the Drunken Immortal Tavern was the largest restaurant in the capital, frequented by many dignitaries, and always crowded with onlookers. Zuo He De had beaten the server until his skin split open with just a few punches, then picked up a copper pot and struck him, causing blood to splatter everywhere. Many people present were frightened by the scene.

Moreover, this occurred at a critical moment for Zuo He De’s promotion. With such an incident, even if Zhang Ju Lian could protect him, his promotion prospects were likely ruined. Although Minister Zhang wielded considerable power in court, he didn’t have complete control. Not to mention the Chang Xing Marquis Ye family, at least the Minister of Rites Lord Gao and the Minister of Punishment’s He family remained neutral. Additionally, many noble families were involved in the power dynamics—the Zheng Guo Gong Chang family, the Ding Guo Gong Fan family, and the Wu Ding Marquis family were all deeply rooted and extremely difficult to deal with.

Now that Zuo He De was in trouble, it would be challenging for their faction to put forward another candidate.

After understanding what had happened, Zhang Ju Lian’s face darkened as he instructed Chen Yan Yun: “Go examine the corpse first and see if there’s anything unusual.” He would personally question Zuo He De.

Chen Yan Yun agreed. Xu Chang led Zhang Ju Lian to the prison cells, while Deputy Prefect Lord Wang invited Chen Yan Yun to the morgue.

The coroner unwrapped the hemp cloth for Chen Yan Yun to see.

Chen Yi, with his rich experience, stepped forward to examine the body: “…No other wounds. Bruising on the abdomen, likely suffering from internal injuries. Hand me a knife.”

The coroner was somewhat surprised. Being a coroner was considered the lowest form of work; he was originally an undertaker who had been invited to serve as a coroner. He hadn’t expected that this official would personally conduct the examination. He hurriedly handed over a pointed knife.

Chen Yi was familiar with these coroners, most of whom were undertakers looking to earn extra money. Their descendants were barred from taking imperial examinations. Most coroners had little skill in examining corpses. In his early years, Chen Yi had studied under an old coroner and knew how to perform autopsies.

Chen Yi first instructed the coroner: “Just watch from the side. But remember, all these procedures were performed by you, not by us. Understand?”

The coroner nodded repeatedly, then couldn’t help glancing at Chen Yan Yun standing to the side.

This official didn’t seem to mind the situation. He was reportedly the current Grand Secretary of the East Hall… he just stood there silently, not saying a word.

Chen Yi quickly completed his examination of the corpse. A guard brought hot water for him to wash his hands.

Chen Yan Yun glanced at Jiang Yan, signaling him to step forward. Jiang Yan gave the coroner a bag of silver, and the group left the gloomy morgue.

As they walked, Chen Yi spoke to Chen Yan Yun: “Third Master, even if this server hadn’t suffered a severe blow to the head, he probably wouldn’t have lived long. Minister Zuo struck with tremendous force; the spleen was ruptured. What’s strange is that this person had consumed alcohol before death and enjoyed a fine meal…”

It wasn’t surprising that Zuo He De had a heavy hand, given his illustrious reputation from the days of resisting Japanese pirates.

“Condemned prisoners also receive a good meal and wine before execution,” Chen Yan Yun sighed. “Zuo He De has been framed.”

By the time they returned to the reception area, Fan Hui had also arrived.

Fan Hui rose and cupped his hands toward Chen Yan Yun: “Lord Chen, you’ve arrived early.”

Chen Yan Yun smiled: “Not as early as Lord Fan. I heard you were present at the Drunken Immortal Tavern when Minister Zuo injured someone?”

Fan Hui appeared somewhat embarrassed, his handsome face showing signs of awkwardness: “At the time, I was hosting guests at the Drunken Immortal and heard commotion downstairs. When I went to look, I found Minister Zuo grabbing the server by the collar and beating him. I wanted to intervene, but being a mere scholar with no physical strength, I couldn’t. There were other dignitaries at the tavern then, so the incident likely spread quickly. I had no choice… I could only come here as a witness.”

Chen Yan Yun sat down to drink tea and asked: “Who was Lord Fan entertaining? What a coincidence to encounter Minister Zuo.”

“…It was the Director of the Imperial Academy, Lord Li,” Fan Hui smiled. “We were fellow examination graduates and often drink together at the Drunken Immortal.”

Xu Chang returned with Zhang Ju Lian, and everyone rose to pay their respects to Zhang Ju Lian.

Zhang Ju Lian nodded and sat beside Fan Hui: “After Minister Zuo had been drinking, did he appear sober?”

“This official observed that he was not in his right mind and extremely agitated. Even when people tried to restrain him, he wouldn’t stop.”

Why was he asking like this?

Chen Yan Yun glanced at Zhang Ju Lian.

Zhang Ju Lian’s expression remained grim.

Fan Hui hurriedly said: “This official could testify that the server accidentally hit the copper vessel, which shouldn’t be a major issue.”

Chen Yan Yun paused with the teacup in his hand. This Fan Hui was too eager for quick success…

Sure enough, Zhang Ju Lian became alert and smiled faintly: “That won’t be necessary. Lord Fan should just tell the truth.”

Fan Hui’s face paled, but he forced a smile: “Yes, yes, I was overthinking the matter.”

Just then, representatives from the Ministry of Punishment and the Court of Judicial Review arrived. Zhang Ju Lian and Chen Yan Yun promptly boarded their carriage and left the Capital Prefecture office.

Once in the carriage, Zhang Ju Lian spoke to Chen Yan Yun: “Fan Hui is overly eager to help, suggesting he has something to hide. Keep a close eye on him.”

Chen Yan Yun nodded: “The student also felt something was suspicious. Lord Fan’s encounter with Zuo He De seems too coincidental.”

Zhang Ju Lian gave an affirmative grunt, closed his eyes, and leaned against the cushion, asking: “Jiu Heng, did the corpse show anything unusual?”

Chen Yan Yun replied calmly: “There were indeed severe internal injuries from the beating, but nothing else notable.”

“Useless…” Zhang Ju Lian sighed. “He’s been framed and doesn’t even know it. Even if we could elevate him to Minister of War, I fear he wouldn’t last in the position.”

Zhang Ju Lian had indeed guessed that Zuo He De had been framed.

Chen Yan Yun now had reservations about Zhang Ju Lian and naturally didn’t want to reveal everything. Even if Zhang Ju Lian had guessed correctly, with the man dead, there was no way to prove it. This was probably for the best; if Zhang Ju Lian secured the position of Minister of War, he would truly control the court. For now, he still needed to be wary of many people, especially those with military power.

Although Zhao Yin Chi was neutral, he leaned toward the Chang Xing Marquis family, as the old Chang Xing Marquis had shown him great kindness. Years ago, when the Rui Prince’s palace coup attempted to suppress the Chang Xing Marquis, Zhao Yin Chi immediately dispatched troops to save him. Losing Zhao Yin Chi would certainly impact the Ye family.

Chen Yan Yun asked: “We didn’t have suitable candidates to begin with, and without Zuo He De, I’m afraid we’ll have to let someone from the Chang family take the position… Do you have any other plans?”

Zhang Ju Lian opened his eyes to look at Chen Yan Yun and said calmly: “Jiu Heng, since your marriage, your temperament has softened considerably.”

Chen Yan Yun smiled: “Teacher jests. I never had much fighting spirit to begin with.”

“Last time, I caught a glimpse of your wife from afar,” Zhang Ju Lian said. “Truly a peerless beauty. You’re quite fortunate.”

When had he seen Gu Jin Chao?

Chen Yan Yun could only respond modestly: “My humble wife is simple-minded and often requires my care. She gives me much to worry about.”

“With such a woman, you naturally should cherish her like a treasure. When your son is born, I will personally come to offer congratulations,” Zhang Ju Lian smiled. “At that time, I’ll bring a red envelope gift.”

The two parted ways at Huichun Lane, and Chen Yan Yun boarded his carriage.

He rubbed his brow wearily.

Compared to Zhang Ju Lian, his self-control was lacking.

Zhang Ju Lian’s mind was as deep as the ocean. Besides himself, who could guess a fraction of his thoughts, others couldn’t even make heads or tails of them.

Jiang Yan brought him a cup of Emei Snow Bud tea and asked: “Third Master, shall we return now?”

Chen Yan Yun shook his head: “Go to Academy Lane. If anyone asks, say we left something behind. Send someone to Willow Lane to deliver a message that I wish to see Ye Xian.” Academy Lane and Willow Lane were adjacent, with Willow Lane being the location of the Chang Xing Marquis mansion.

The carriage clattered back to Academy Lane.

Ye Xian was in his study, playing with his tiger-striped parrot.

Zhi Shu was helping by handing over bird food.

“Young Master, last time you raised a parrot that could recite the ‘Analects of Confucius.’ What will you teach this one?” Zhi Shu asked curiously.

Ye Xian teased the bird’s beak with his fingertip, saying slowly: “This parrot is smarter than humans, so I’ll teach it to recite ‘Mencius.’ When it learns, you can take it to the Madam and let her learn alongside the parrot.”

Zhi Shu had been squatting and watching for a while and was getting tired.

“Please don’t make the Young Mistress cry again. Last time when you made her recite the ‘Analects,’ she cried for two whole days. The Marchioness even summoned you for a talk. The Young Mistress is illiterate; you’re being too hard on her…”

Ye Xian’s fine eyebrows furrowed as he took a handkerchief and meticulously wiped his fingers one by one, appearing aristocratic.

“Mother wants me to accompany her, but what can I talk about with her? It’s either about what she said to Mother today, or what flowers she embroidered, or what delicious food she ate. It’s infuriatingly dull. If she doesn’t want to study, tell her not to bother me.” He tossed down the handkerchief and walked out of the study without looking back.

Zhi Shu followed him out with a forlorn expression. Everyone knew that the Young Master disliked the Young Mistress. The two hadn’t even consummated their marriage… If people didn’t know about the Young Master’s eccentric temperament and his general disinterest in women, the Young Mistress would surely be ridiculed.

Of course, the Young Mistress was already being ridiculed.

The Young Mistress was also thin-skinned and spent her days crying, which made the Young Master dislike her even more.

Zhi Shu sighed. The Young Mistress was so beautiful, yet the Young Master didn’t like her. Who knows what kind of woman he would like…

Just as Ye Xian left the study, Li Xian Huai caught up with him: “…Young Master, everything has been arranged. The server’s family has been taken care of. Zuo He De has been detained and will likely be transferred to the Ministry of Punishment this afternoon.”

Ye Xian gave a slight nod and asked calmly: “Has Fan Hui sent any message yet?”

Li Xian Huai shook his head: “Not yet, but someone outside wishes to see you. He calls himself… the Huai’an Hermit, seeking your guidance on poetry. He said you would understand immediately.”

Upon hearing “Huai’an Hermit,” a cold light flashed in Ye Xian’s eyes.

Chen Yan Yun… what did he want with him?