“But if you let me act freely, won’t the relationship between our Great Zhou and Great Wei…”

Now Suzhen was losing her composure, running back to Lian Yu’s side.

“I haven’t given you a reply because I’m working on something. If this matter succeeds, regardless of how the national case is judged, our Great Zhou can still maintain the original grain and oil prices with the Wei Kingdom.”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Suzhen was overjoyed. What method had he thought of to find a way out of this desperate situation, allowing her to handle the case smoothly while not affecting Wei-Zhou trade relations?

“The matter may not succeed. I’m also not in the habit of making noise beforehand, but tonight is an exception. What I’m telling you, you absolutely cannot speak of first. Understand?”

Suzhen nodded vigorously. Since this man was stubbornly secretive and unwilling to say more, she wouldn’t ask either. Wasn’t the hope of an anticipated tomorrow the most exciting thing?

While Suzhen was on her way back to the Huo Manor’s annex, the Prime Minister’s residence was brightly lit.

Minister of Personnel Xia Yida, Minister of Justice Xiao Yue, Capital Magistrate He Sai, Chao Huang, and Li Zhaoting—these influential figures in the capital were now gathered in the Prime Minister’s main hall.

Even Wang the coroner from the capital’s yamen had been invited over and was now sitting in the grand chair with a face full of pleasant surprise.

Everyone was seated on either side, with Quan Feitong in the center. On the tea table before him lay a record of the murder case proceedings.

Everyone had already thoroughly reviewed this dossier.

Quan Feitong set down his tea cup and swept his phoenix eyes over the crowd. “The matters entrusted to you gentlemen—have they been completed?”

Liang Yida and Xiao Yue stood up and bowed. “Prime Minister, we have not failed in our mission.”

Quan Feitong then looked at Coroner Wang, who immediately knelt down trembling, smiling ingratiatingly. “My lord, this humble one has handled everything properly. That thing has been returned to the yamen. My lord may rest assured.”

Quan Feitong nodded. “Coroner Wang has worked hard. Go to my accounting office and collect some silver to buy wine.”

This Prime Minister didn’t directly give a specific amount as payment, but let him report the sum himself. Coroner Wang was overjoyed and kowtowed in gratitude.

Quan Feitong concealed a trace of mockery in his eyes, his gaze finally falling on Chao Huang.

But Chao Huang frowned slightly. “Elder Brother, this time all the ministers have been effective, but younger brother is ashamed. I’ve sent many people to investigate openly and secretly, but all without results.”

“Press harder.” Quan Feitong’s smile didn’t diminish, but a rare look of concentration appeared between his brows. “Brother Chao, this time, the most crucial link is in your hands.”

Chao Huang nodded. Li Zhaoting, knowing Quan Feitong’s plan, picked up his tea bowl and considered briefly. “Senior Brother, perhaps Zhaoting can find someone to inquire about the relevant matter.”

“Oh? Who?”

“An old acquaintance.”

Everyone exchanged pleased glances.

“Excellent!” Quan Feitong slightly raised an eyebrow, tapped the court record, and smiled as the lamplight dimmed.

Outside the Quan residence, a carriage happened to pass by leisurely.

The driver was a young man and a middle-aged man. Both dressed casually. Seeing the lights of the Quan residence, the young man said, “My lord, have you received any news from the young master recently?”

The middle-aged man smiled. “No. The young master is busy and has many inconveniences. It’s just as well—you and I can take advantage of this opportunity to watch two tigers fight, with one good show after another.”

In the end… the fisherman profits. The young man nodded, then saw the man’s eyes reflecting the lamplight, slowly concealing the rarely seen sinister killing intent.

When Suzhen returned to the annex, everyone was in the courtyard… barbecuing.

Seeing her stunned expression, Zhuiming quickly explained, “Some small birds flew over our eaves. We happened to hunt a oriole, Leng Xue shot a sparrow, Tieshou caught a crow, and I shot a partridge.”

“Come quickly, we saved them to eat together with you.” Leng Xue patted her head.

Suzhen was so moved, excitedly running over to look. In the dish lay four birds, and she burst into tears: “These four are carrier pigeons, carrier pigeons, carrier pigeons, and carrier pigeons. What if there’s urgent military intelligence?”

Everyone: “…”

Suzhen said seriously, “No more eating. Everyone go do your work.”

Seeing her energetic spirit, everyone was pleased. Someone asked how things went with His Majesty. Suzhen smiled and just said it was fine. “This case—the circumstances of the corpse’s death are the key point. Though I’ve examined it, that has no public credibility.”

Tieshou said, “Then what do we do? That He Sai and Coroner Wang can’t possibly change the autopsy report. After all, if you handle this according to the facts, they’ll be charged with crimes!”

Suzhen pulled everyone over and whispered some instructions.

Watching several young men disappear agilely over the wall, she went inside to find the court interrogation records and autopsy reports He Sai had sent earlier, studying them carefully once more.

The next evening, people from the palace’s Internal Affairs Bureau came—sent by Lian Yu to help her pack and officially move into the Chief Justice Residence. Accompanying them was Lian Qin, who said Sixth Brother had instructed that since matters were urgent, the ceremonial procedures of receiving the seal and offering sacrifices could be postponed for now. She was now officially in office, and the bailiffs of the Chief Justice Yamen were at her disposal.

She had few possessions, so the matter was quickly completed. Lian Qin said with particular disdain, “Bah, your five people’s belongings are so few even thieves would be disgusted.”

Tomorrow would be the day of trial—this was Suzhen’s first time opening court for a case. How could her heart not be nervous and anxious? After moving was finished, she invited Lian Qin to go with her to look at the yamen. This psychology was like students who must visit the examination hall before a big test to feel at ease. Lian Qin had already been unwilling to act as a moving supervisor and would never have done so if not for Lian Yu’s orders. Now she was even less interested and went back on her own.

Suzhen didn’t mind. The residence was close to the yamen. With Leng Xue and the others not yet returned, she settled Mochou and went over by herself.

Unexpectedly, quite a crowd of common people had gathered outside the Chief Justice Residence—like her, they had come early to see the excitement.

Seeing her, many people called out, “Chief Justice Li, well done! Tomorrow judge that Wei barbarian to death and let out some anger for us Zhou people!”

“That’s right, why should they bully us like this!”

Seeing people’s righteous indignation and hateful expressions, Suzhen was puzzled: These capital people were too amazing—she wasn’t even wearing official robes, yet they could still recognize her?

“Hey, Li Huaisu.”