“Does the gentleman not find it regrettable?” Jing Zhaoyin asked.
Regrettable?
This word struck Ji Yinshu as rather amusing.
She brushed her wide sleeves and asked seriously, “Does Your Honor believe that the classics of the sages can only be read by the sages themselves?”
“This… of course not.”
“Therefore, one does not need to become an official to vindicate injustices for the common people.”
Uh!
Jing Zhaoyin was rendered speechless!
That little manner of hers really was quite similar to Liu Qingping’s.
Ji Yinshu did not linger long at the Capital Prefecture and returned to Zhuxi Garden.
Jingrong had not returned to the Rong Prince Manor and was waiting for her.
So Ji Yinshu told him about the matter.
Jingrong’s expression grew increasingly grave. “You truly intend to go to Yufu?”
“Yes, I must examine Ye’er’s body.”
“What if she really did commit suicide by poison?”
“What if she didn’t commit suicide?” Ji Yinshu countered.
Jingrong’s words were blocked by her response. This woman truly had formidable verbal skills.
But—
“If you go to Yufu, what do you plan to do about the Linjing Case?”
They couldn’t very well bring over a dozen coffins to Yufu, could they?
Facing Jingrong’s questioning, Ji Yinshu had actually already made her plans.
She said, “There are still eleven deceased victims whose portraits haven’t been completed. After I finish investigating that case in Yufu County and return, it will probably take about a month. I should make it in time. The impact won’t be significant.”
“Must you intervene?” Jingrong worried. “You must know that on this journey to Yufu, if something happens, how can this prince feel at ease?”
To put it plainly, Prince Jing Yi’s eyes were constantly watching them, just waiting for one of these two chopsticks—Jingrong and Ji Yinshu—to fall, making it much easier to break them.
So how could Jingrong feel at ease letting Ji Yinshu leave the capital without his accompaniment?
Ji Yinshu looked at him and said lightly, “I know what you’re worried about. Prince Yi has been obstructing us at every turn in investigating the Linjing Case. Now that I’m setting aside the Linjing Case to investigate another case in Yufu County, isn’t this exactly what he wants? Besides, with Zijin by my side, I’ll be fine. If the case is approved, Jing Zhaoyin will also send people to escort me to Yufu.”
Jingrong’s brows were tightly furrowed. “Things won’t be as simple as you think.”
“I understand.”
“This prince truly has no way to deal with you. One day, this prince will definitely have Jing Zhaoyin executed for being such a blabbermouth.”
How domineering!
Ji Yinshu remained silent.
Jingrong continued, “Since you’ve already made your plans, even if this prince wanted to stop you, I couldn’t.”
He had compromised!
Over the next two days, after Jing Zhaoyin organized the case from Yufu County, early one morning he sent it to the Court of Judicial Review.
Minister Yu of the Court of Judicial Review had been Prince Jingrong’s man ever since he helped Jingrong enter the palace on the night Crown Prince Jing Hua rebelled. Seeing the petition stating that Ji Yinshu would take over this case, he agreed without a second thought.
The seal was stamped!
After all, that Gentleman Ji was Prince Jingrong’s person—part of his own camp.
Of course he would agree.
But—
The Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, who usually had to defer to Minister Yu, rejected it.
And with a very troubled expression he said, “Jing Zhaoyin, this case was already closed three years ago. To appeal for a retrial now, isn’t it a bit…”
Before he finished speaking, Jing Zhaoyin took over his words.
“The case may be closed, but there are suspicious circumstances within it.”
“Suspicious? What suspicious circumstances? Just based on a few words from that woman, you conclude her daughter was murdered? Back then, after the coroner examined the body, he also said it was suicide by poison. Jing Zhaoyin, I know you care for the people, but this case has no suspicious points at all. It doesn’t meet the conditions for a retrial. If everyone claimed a case had suspicious circumstances and demanded the court send people to investigate, wouldn’t the Court of Judicial Review be worked to death!”
Jing Zhaoyin said gravely, “There are indeed oversights in this case, and we cannot rule out that the Qiao family bribed the county magistrate and coroner of Yufu County, which is why the case was closed. If there really was no murder, why bribe them with silver?”
A pointed question!
But the Chief Justice countered, “Even so, this doesn’t meet the conditions for a retrial. Without substantial evidence, we cannot reopen the case, and the Court of Judicial Review will not accept it for trial.”
As if he’d swallowed iron, his attitude was extremely firm.
Normally, the Chief Justice was ostensibly the one in charge, but generally speaking, it was Minister Yu who actually managed affairs.
What was going on today?
Before Jing Zhaoyin could respond to these words—
The Chief Justice’s eyes rolled, and he stepped closer, lowering his voice. “The affairs of all prefectures and provinces, though within your jurisdiction and responsibilities as Jing Zhaoyin, are decided by the Court of Judicial Review when it comes to cases from various localities. If this seal is stamped and it turns out to be a false alarm, the responsibility will fall on me. Furthermore, you’re having that Gentleman Ji intervene? That doesn’t seem reasonable, does it? She’s not a court official. So Jing Zhaoyin, aren’t you making things difficult for me?”
A face full of distress!
Before coming here, how could Jing Zhaoyin have anticipated this? Even if the Court of Judicial Review might deflect using improper procedure, he was after all the Jing Zhaoyin. Personally delivering an appeal, surely the Court couldn’t turn it away?
Heaven knows what was wrong with the Chief Justice!
There was no choice—Jing Zhaoyin couldn’t force the issue.
But the Chief Justice suddenly gave him a suggestion.
“Jing Zhaoyin, ever since His Majesty abolished the position of the Prison Review Office in the Ministry of Justice, the authority to retry local cases has been entirely placed on the Court of Judicial Review. Regardless of who wants to appeal, they must follow proper procedure and have sufficient evidence. Otherwise, it cannot be accepted. But if that Gentleman Ji… were to directly strike the imperial drum outside the palace gates and bring this matter before His Majesty, as long as His Majesty agrees, there would be no need to go through the Court of Judicial Review. At that time, Gentleman Ji could also legitimately investigate this case. The case could be reopened, and Gentleman Ji could investigate it. A perfect solution for everyone.”
Truly a wonderful method.
But—
Jing Zhaoyin’s face turned ashen.
He said with displeasure, “Chief Justice, you should know that to strike the imperial drum outside the palace gates, one must endure forty strokes of the staff. An ordinary person might be beaten to death before even touching the drum, let alone Gentleman Ji.”
“Then there’s no other way. As things stand, this is the only method.”
He spread his hands!
In any case, this official has only this one suggestion.
Jing Zhaoyin was furious inside!
With a sweep of his sleeves, clutching the Chief Justice’s words, he could only leave.
Just as Jing Zhaoyin departed, someone entered from outside.
Prince Jing Yi glanced in the direction of Jing Zhaoyin’s departure, snorted, and revealed a sinister smile.
The Chief Justice hurried forward, cupping his hands. “Prince Yi guessed correctly. Jing Zhaoyin indeed wanted that Gentleman Ji to investigate the case. This subordinate, following Your Highness’s instructions, did not agree, and told Jing Zhaoyin to have Gentleman Ji strike the imperial drum.”
Prince Jing Yi sat down in the room, reached out to pour a cup of tea, and leisurely picked up the teacup, spinning it on his finger.
His gaze fixed on the plum blossom pattern on the teacup as he smiled with curved lips. “Gentleman Ji, oh Gentleman Ji, those forty strokes of the staff—you’ll have quite a time enduring them.”