Although Jiang Lan lacked much education and could only write beautiful characters, he was still someone eager to learn. The difference between “the murderer is Yu Wang” and “the suspect is Yu Wang” seemed to be just two characters, but the meaning between them was vastly different.

One couldn’t determine guilt, the other could.

One meant life, one meant death!

So their effect when written in the case file would also be different.

Jiang Lan hesitated to put brush to paper.

His heart full of doubts.

He turned to ask Ji Yunshu, “Lord Ji, why do you want me to write ‘suspect Yu Wang’ instead of ‘murderer Yu Wang’?”

Ji Yunshu remained silent.

“According to what the witness Mumu said in this case, shouldn’t the evidence be conclusive and solid? Why not write it as ‘murderer’? Then this case could be closed immediately.”

Ji Yunshu’s hand, which had been grinding ink, paused.

Her brow furrowed tightly.

She said, “Mumu’s testimony appears to be so, but there are still doubtful points within it, so the conclusion cannot be drawn so early.”

Hm?

Jiang Lan said, “Please enlighten this subordinate, Lord Ji.”

Ji Yunshu explained, “She said she only saw Yu Wang strangling Hualing’s neck and pressing her down on the bed, but in the end, the most crucial point of the case has never been answered—the fatal wound on the back of Hualing’s head. According to the skeletal autopsy results, Hualing died from the back of her head striking a sharp object, not from being strangled to death.”

She voiced the doubt in her heart.

Jiang Lan thought carefully and speculated, “Could it be that after the witness left, Yu Wang pushed Hualing down, causing her to hit the corner of a table?”

Ji Yunshu lowered her eyes, stood up, and walked two steps in the room, pondering. “I thought the same thing at the time, but when all is said and done, there’s still no real evidence proving that Yu Wang is the murderer.”

Without conclusive evidence, she didn’t dare make a decision so quickly.

However, Jiang Lan held a different opinion. He simply put down the brush in his hand and spoke in a persuasive tone. “Lord Ji, if I may speak frankly, what was your original purpose in taking on this case? Wasn’t it to clear Master Yu’s name? Now it’s good—as long as this case file is submitted, Master Yu can be released without charges. But if you write ‘suspect Yu Wang’ in the case file, then this case will never end. Who knows when the investigation will conclude? It might be a bottomless pit altogether. Moreover, this case is from three years ago, with extremely few clues. Yu Wang, who was related to the case, is also dead. Although we can’t directly prove he’s the murderer, we also can’t prove he isn’t the murderer. There’s no use investigating further! After all, the person is already dead and the clues are severed. Our Ministry of Justice can’t very well dig up his skeleton and then hold a trial waiting for the white bones to speak, can we? This… this is impractical!”

Helpless.

Hearing these words, Ji Yunshu began to hesitate.

She actually felt that Jiang Lan’s words made sense too.

Seeing that his words seemed to have had an effect, Jiang Lan continued, “I say, Lord Ji, stop being so stubborn. Close the case sooner rather than later. Don’t drag it out too long. You know that cases that drag on too long aren’t good. What if it ends up being a waste of time drawing water with a bamboo basket? In any case, as long as Master Yu is fine, that’s enough.”

Sigh…

Ji Yunshu glared at him fiercely and scolded, “Lord Jiang, cases involve human lives—how can you say it’s a waste of time? If we can’t apprehend the murderer and bring them to justice, we might as well not be officials anymore.”

“…”

Jiang Lan looked embarrassed.

“We officials exist to solve problems for the common people. If everyone finds it troublesome, where’s the fairness in that?”

“Yes, Lord Ji’s reprimand is correct.”

But Jiang Lan still wouldn’t give up. He swallowed and raised his cautious eyes, making one last attempt at persuasion. “However, Lord Ji, setting aside everything else, let’s just talk about this case. There’s really no way to investigate further. In the end, this isn’t just your matter alone. If it’s not closed, then it becomes the entire Ministry of Justice’s matter. I’m afraid people with ulterior motives will create complications. If in the end it’s proven that the murderer is someone else, that would be fine to say, but what if the result proves that the murderer is Yu Wang? Lord Ji will have worked in vain, the Ministry of Justice will have worked in vain, and then… it will invite trouble. After all, being an official is difficult!”

Everyone said Jiang Lan lacked education.

But this fellow spoke quite logically.

Even Ji Yunshu had to acknowledge it.

Indeed, closing it was better than not closing it.

Ji Yunshu remained silent for a long time, thinking that it would be good to close it first. Later she could privately investigate the situation, and if there were clues, she could reopen the case.

So—

In the end, she still nodded.

Finally, Jiang Lan wrote in that case file “the murderer is Yu Wang, deceased”!

The case was considered closed.

After this case file was completed and organized, Jiang Lan directly delivered it to the Minister of Justice’s residence.

By this time it was almost the hour of mao. Lord Li was preparing to enter the palace for morning court. He had just reached the door when Jiang Lan intercepted him.

“Lord Jiang? What is this…”

The sky isn’t even light yet—are you here to catch some more sleep at my place?

“Minister, this subordinate has organized a new case file.” Jiang Lan quickly presented the new case file.

Lord Li was surprised.

He took it and looked.

His expression became greatly pleased.

“As expected, Master Yu is not the murderer.”

Jiang Lan said, “The witness has already confessed, and everyone in the Yu residence can testify. There’s no doubt anymore.”

“Good, this official will immediately enter the palace and present it to the Emperor.”

Without further delay, he immediately brought the new case file into the palace.

At the same time, Jingrong also changed into official robes and entered the palace.

The Imperial Palace.

Inside the Golden Throne Hall.

Jingrong’s attendance at court this time caused quite a stir.

The various ministers whispered behind him but didn’t dare make a sound.

Everyone was speculating in their hearts that Prince Rong’s reason for entering the capital this time must be because the Emperor had dismissed his people, so he was unwilling to accept it and had rushed back to the capital in haste.

Unexpectedly, though Prince Rong seemed to have no interest in the throne and planned to leave the capital to live freely, it turned out he had always wanted to be a “regent prince.”

Controlling the court!

Of course, no one dared say this directly.

The eunuch shouted loudly, “The Emperor arrives.”

Wei Yi entered the hall in dragon robes and sat on the dragon throne with an imposing expression.

“We pay respects to the Emperor.”

“Beloved ministers, rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Wei Yi looked at everyone below, his gaze finally landing on Jingrong. “Prince Rong, We are very pleased that you can return to court. With you presiding in court, We can feel much more at ease.”

It sounded heartfelt.

Jingrong clasped his hands. “This minister’s return to court this time is to help Your Majesty stabilize the realm and solve difficulties.”

“It’s rare that Prince Rong has such intentions. With you here, Our realm will naturally be stable and prosperous.”

“This minister only fears that some in court have scales and armor in their chests, preventing unity.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the court officials stirred.

All felt somewhat panicked.

They all felt that Jingrong’s four words “scales and armor in the chest” struck at their backbones.

As if he were speaking about them.

Wei Yi maintained his smile. “Prince Rong exaggerates. The various ministers in court devote themselves wholeheartedly to Da Lin. They are all loyal ministers!”

Heh heh!

Jingrong raised his eyes to look at him, his gaze serious. “This minister’s words are not blind stabs in random directions, but rather good medicine for prevention. Those without such intentions should take it as reassurance; those with such intentions will naturally feel guilty.”

Uh!

Several ministers among them could be seen hanging their heads, trembling fearfully.