“This prince has come to help you.”
When Na Tuo said these words, Li Cheng was deeply skeptical.
And somewhat confused!
“Help me with what?”
“Aren’t you trying to overturn a case?”
“That’s right! I came here precisely to have the Ministry of Justice reopen Du Mubai’s case.”
“So this prince is here to help you! Right now Minister Huang is absent, which means the Ministry of Justice has no one in charge, but this prince can be.” Na Tuo looked utterly proud, the imperial aura unmistakable on him. He extended his hand toward Li Cheng. “Give this prince the case file you wish to submit so I can look at it first.”
Li Cheng paused, truly uncertain whether to trust him or not.
This man was his enemy’s friend, after all!
Seeing him holding the case file and unwilling to let go, Na Tuo stepped closer and whispered in his ear, “Li Cheng, you know the relationship between this prince and your Li family. Even if you and I have had unpleasantness between us for certain reasons, it has nothing to do with this matter. Now that this prince is helping you, I’m also helping your father. You should think this through clearly.”
Li Cheng’s brows tightened.
He swallowed hard.
He said nothing.
Na Tuo continued, “Why must you be stubborn with this prince?”
With important business at hand, he truly had no need to be stubborn.
After considering it, he handed the case file to Na Tuo.
Na Tuo took the case file, turned to face the officials still kneeling on the ground, and waved his hand. “All of you, rise.”
Only then did the officials stand up one by one.
Then Na Tuo opened the case file and began reading it.
The further he read, the more intense surprise and admiration showed in his eyes. Finally, he gave Li Cheng a meaningful look.
Thinking to himself: This youngster actually wrote a case file so methodically organized, with smooth content flow, and every single reason cited for overturning the case hit exactly the right points, without a trace of flaws or unnecessary elaboration.
If this case file were presented before Prince Huyi, Prince Huyi wouldn’t be able to find even half a fault with it and would certainly order Du Mubai’s case from years ago to be reopened.
Li Cheng seemed to detect admiration in his gaze and, not wanting to claim this credit for himself, said directly, “This was written by the Master Ji I hired.”
Immediately, Na Tuo’s expression became one of “I knew you didn’t have this ability.”
He added, “This prince observed that the handwriting is so clean and neat—it really doesn’t look like your writing.”
“…” Li Cheng was speechless.
Just how poor was his handwriting?
How unclean and messy?
Setting these matters aside, Li Cheng didn’t want to continue arguing with him about this and said, “Then would Your Highness please handle the proper business quickly.”
“You don’t need to remind me.” Turning around, Na Tuo addressed those Ministry of Justice officials, “Before this prince came, I had already learned the general details of this case. Now the content written in this case file is sufficient to prove Du Mubai was murdered! The evidence is solid—the case should rightfully be reopened and thoroughly investigated.”
The Department Director said, “Third Prince, this case…”
“This prince has already decided to reopen the case. You need not say more.”
“But…”
“Aren’t both your Minister Huang and Vice Minister Zhong ill? Just because they’re sick, should the case be delayed indefinitely?” Na Tuo challenged.
The Department Director had no response and turned his gaze toward his colleagues, wanting to know their thoughts.
But how would those colleagues dare oppose the Third Prince?
Each one retreated several steps backward, not daring to speak.
Na Tuo observed everything, laughing coldly. “This case caused a sensation throughout all of Gaoding back then. By rights, you people at the Ministry of Justice and various departments should have paid even more attention to it, not letting any detail slip by. Instead, you hastily closed the case, and only six years later does the City Patrol Department come to appeal for an overturn. If word of this spreads, where is the dignity of the Six Ministries? What you can do now is fully cooperate with Lord Li of the City Patrol Department, thoroughly investigate this case as quickly as possible, and redeem yourselves through service to mitigate your dereliction of duty. Otherwise, even if this prince doesn’t pursue the matter, the Prince will hold you accountable.”
Everyone trembled in fear.
They all knelt on the ground.
“Yes, we will certainly assist Lord Li in thoroughly investigating this case as quickly as possible.”
Each person’s voice was very firm.
After all, the Third Prince had spoken, telling them to redeem themselves through service.
This was equivalent to giving them an opportunity.
Seeing how obedient they became under Na Tuo’s intimidation, Li Cheng felt angry that those officials didn’t take him seriously, but he also felt grateful. If not for Na Tuo, Minister Huang and Vice Minister Zhong might have locked their doors and taken extended leave overnight, and this case would probably truly have been delayed further.
After this matter was resolved, Li Cheng left the Ministry of Justice gates together with Na Tuo.
The two walked side by side.
Outside the gate, two carriages were parked.
One was Li Cheng’s, one was Na Tuo’s.
Although Li Cheng was a little tyrant, he was ultimately someone who clearly distinguished between gratitude and grudges.
He stopped at the entrance of the Ministry of Justice.
Looking at Na Tuo beside him, he said, “Thank you.”
Na Tuo smiled and exhaled a cold breath. “You need not thank this prince. In any case, remember this—this prince didn’t help you this time, but rather helped your father. After all, over the years, your father has consistently assisted this prince at court. By rights and reason, helping you today is only proper!”
“Regardless of how you put it, you helped me, so naturally I owe you. In the future, if there’s anything at all, feel free to ask.”
“Good, this prince will remember those words!” Na Tuo patted his arm, his expression serious as he said, “Actually, this prince knows about the matter between you and Shilin. He has a gentle temperament and isn’t good at quarreling with others. This prince also knows your nature is straightforward, so some things—once they’ve passed, let them pass. Don’t keep dwelling on them.”
This was him playing peacemaker!
Last time, Li Cheng had asked Gong Shilin to help him write an official order so he could legitimately take Ji Yunshu and Jingrong to the Ministry of Revenue to investigate things. At that time, he’d said that if Gong Shilin would help him, then all the unpleasantness from years past could be forgotten.
But the problem was that Gong Shilin still hadn’t given him an answer.
So—
Li Cheng said directly, “Whether I can shake hands and make peace with him depends on him.”
Depends on him?
Na Tuo didn’t think much about it and glanced at the heavy snow falling outside. “Alright, this prince must now hurry to the palace to report what just happened to Father Prince, lest someone accuse this prince of abusing private power.”
“Someone” naturally referred to the Second Prince, Na Yan.
Today he had indeed used his princely status to pressure the Ministry of Justice officials into reopening the case.
As the saying goes, those not in position should not meddle in politics. This matter belonged to the Ministry of Justice and various departments and had nothing to do with him, Na Tuo. His overstepping to interfere would naturally invite someone to make a big issue of it, so he must first enter the palace and explain this matter to prevent future troubles.
Li Cheng watched him leave, then also boarded his carriage and departed!
Little did he know—
Not long after he left, that case file was sent to the residence of Minister Huang of the Ministry of Justice.
The feigning-illness Minister Huang, upon seeing that case file and learning it was the Third Prince who had applied pressure at the Ministry of Justice, tidied himself up, took the case file under his arm, and two hours later arrived outside the Second Prince Na Yan’s residence gates.