Wang Zhen Wen, as a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Library, naturally used the Wenyuan Library as the place for Grand Secretaries and other officials to conduct their duties.
Inside the hall, Wang Zhen Wen, wearing a crimson robe with graying hair, was bent over his desk working. Other civil officials and clerks were busy with their tasks, occasionally engaging in quiet discussions, but overall maintaining a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
When disagreements arose, the civil officials would go to a side hall to argue loudly and determine a winner. However, when scholars argue, usually neither can convince the other.
In the end, a superior would have to make the final decision.
“Prime Minister, Miss Si Mu has arrived and wishes to see you,” a clerk on duty outside the door entered quietly, speaking in a very low voice.
Prime Minister Wang’s brush paused mid-stroke, causing ink to spread on the paper, forming a blot.
How did she enter the palace… Why has she come to the inner court… These two questions arose in Prime Minister Wang’s mind one after another.
The Wenyuan Library was on the east side of the imperial palace, not within the high walls of the palace itself, but in the layout, it was considered part of the palace. It was heavily guarded outside, and ordinary people couldn’t enter.
The Prime Minister’s daughter was also considered among the “ordinary people.”
“Don’t see her… Let her come in through the back door. I’ll wait for her in the side hall,” Prime Minister Wang put down his brush, placed one hand behind his back and the other on his stomach, and calmly left the main hall for the side hall.
After waiting in the side hall for a few minutes, Wang Si Mu, with her elegant and graceful demeanor, entered carrying a food box. She gently placed it on the table and sweetly called out, “Father!”
Prime Minister Wang maintained a stern face, grunted in acknowledgment, and said disapprovingly, “Weren’t you supposed to be boating with your close friends? Why have you come to the inner court? Who brought you into the palace?”
Wang Si Mu smiled and unhurriedly opened the food box, taking out a bowl of fragrant fish soup. She said in a soft voice:
“While boating, I saw the carp in the lake were plump, so I had a few caught. I brought them back to the mansion while they were still fresh and personally made fish soup for you, Father.”
“You’re so busy with official duties, you must take care of your health. Please drink some nourishing soup.”
Prime Minister Wang’s expression softened slightly. He inhaled the enticing aroma and took a small sip, immediately showing a look of enjoyment. He praised:
“The fish soup mixed with chicken essence is truly a delicacy. The Sky Watching Bureau’s invention of this substance is a blessing for the people of Great Shang.”
After the chicken essence developed by the Sky Watching Bureau entered the market, it immediately gained popularity among all social classes. Now, the nobles and wealthy merchants in the capital couldn’t do without it in their daily meals.
Even commoner households would occasionally splurge and sprinkle some in their dishes to enhance the flavor.
Wang Zhen Wen hadn’t seen the Sky Watching Bureau produce such a good thing in many years.
Wang Si Mu seized the opportunity to say, “I once heard a rumor that this chicken essence wasn’t developed by the Sky Watching Bureau. It was someone else.”
Wang Zhen Wen was taken aback: “Someone else?”
Wang Si Mu smiled and said, “I heard from Princess Lin An that the true creator of the chicken essence was the Silver Gong Xu Qi An. The Sky Watching Bureau merely improved upon it.”
Wang Zhen Wen hadn’t paid attention to such minor matters. Hearing his daughter say this, he was stunned for a moment and didn’t take a sip for quite a while.
“That young man is incredibly intelligent, a rare talent…” Wang Zhen Wen sighed, shaking his head, and continued drinking the fish soup.
Wang Si Mu continued the casual conversation, “I originally wanted to have the Imperial Guards deliver the fish soup to you, but on the way, I encountered Princess Lin An and came into the palace with her.”
With this, Wang Zhen Wen’s two questions were answered.
Wang Si Mu didn’t wait for Wang Zhen Wen to finish the fish soup before standing up to take her leave: “Father, please drink slowly. Remember to bring the bowl back when you finish your shift. Women are forbidden in the Wenyuan Library, so I won’t stay any longer.”
The last question was also answered—she had come to the Wenyuan Library simply to bring fish soup to her old father.
Wang Zhen Wen smiled in response, his tone gentle: “Go on then. Father appreciates your filial piety.”
Father is such an old fox, too difficult to deal with. Playing mind games with him is exhausting… Wang Si Mu inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. She smiled gracefully, turned, and left the side hall. However, she didn’t leave the Wenyuan Library. She waved to her maid waiting outside.
The maid hurriedly approached, carrying another food box. Then, the mistress and servant went to another Grand Secretary’s office.
…
In another side hall, Wang Si Mu placed the food box on the table, took out the fragrant fish soup, and smiled, “Uncle Qian, I went boating today and saw the fish in the lake were quite plump. So I had a few caught and made fish soup for you and Father.”
Qian Qing Shu was a tall, thin old man. Unlike the dignified and steady Wang Zhen Wen, his demeanor was more gentle and casual, giving the impression of an extremely easy-going elder.
Qian Qing Shu and Wang Zhen Wen were classmates and good friends and even took the imperial examinations in the same year. In terms of results, Qian Qing Shu was ranked third in the first class that year. Wang Zhen Wen was in the second class and was later selected to enter the Hanlin Academy as a Hanlin Bachelor.
“‘If the emperor seeks talent, I am but a rotting log; if the emperor seeks fish, I am but dry grain’… A delicacy since ancient times.” Qian Qing Shu took a sip and his eyes brightened slightly: “Mm, delicious.”
Amidst busy official duties, being able to take a break and drink a bowl of fish soup was enjoyable!
“Niece recently heard some news. I heard that the Top Scholar Xu from the spring imperial examinations has been imprisoned for cheating?” Wang Si Mu feigned curiosity.
Qian Qing Shu’s expression paused for a moment, then he slowly nodded: “The newly appointed Left Censor-in-Chief has accused the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Palace, Zhao Ting Fang, of accepting bribes and leaking exam questions to Xu Xin Nian.”
“Moreover, Xu Xin Nian’s ‘Hard is the Journey’ wasn’t written by himself, but ghostwritten by his cousin Xu Qi An.”
Top Scholar Xu’s poem was ghostwritten by Xu Qi An. This matter even involves the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Palace, Zhao Ting Fang… Wang Si Mu’s expression changed slightly as various thoughts flashed through her mind. She concealed her emotions well and asked:
“Uncle Qian, please drink slowly and tell your niece about the intricacies of this matter.”
Qian Qing Shu frowned, hesitated for a good while, then sighed: “Indeed, one’s words are softened by food… But you must promise that not a word of what you hear here will be leaked outside.”
Wang Si Mu quickly nodded: “Of course, I am most trustworthy.”
…
Xu Residence.
In the study, Xu Qi An sat behind the desk, contemplating his next move.
Dealing with the Minister of Justice was nothing. Getting Second Brother exempted from punishment was just the first step of the plan. Next, he needed to find the real enemies among the civil officials.
Knowing both oneself and the enemy is the key to winning every battle.
“Although Princess Huai Qing is of noble birth, she can only watch the machinations of the court officials without being able to intervene. After all, she’s a princess without real power. However, she should have hidden confidants…”
“Lord Wei’s attitude towards this matter isn’t very proactive. He’s more interested in testing my abilities. If I can’t handle it and go to him for help, although Lord Wei would certainly help me, he’d inevitably be disappointed…”
“How can I get some inside information? Governor Zhang would be a good choice, but he’s Wei Yuan’s man. The opposing faction of civil officials would be wary of him, so he might not know too much…”
As he pondered, his ears twitched, hearing footsteps.
“Knock knock…”
The footsteps stopped outside the door, followed by a knock and then a voice: “Big Lang, there’s a young lady here to see you.”
A young lady? Who could it be?
Ah, I have too many young ladies; it’s impossible to guess… Xu Qi An responded: “Please show her to the inner hall. I’ll be there shortly.”
He reconnected his interrupted train of thought, contemplated for a few more minutes, and then picked up his teacup to moisten his throat before getting up and leaving the room.
Arriving at the inner hall, he saw a pretty maid in a lotus-colored jacket and skirt standing in the hall. Little Bean was circling her, being very friendly and saying:
“Sister, let’s play! Let’s play! I’ll treat you to water chestnut cake.”
The pretty maid forced a smile in response, seemingly not used to dealing with young children.
“Miss Lan Er?”
Xu Qi An stepped over the threshold. Just an hour ago, this maid had visited.
“Master Xu,” Lan Er curtsied, then took out a folded note from her sleeve and handed it to Xu Qi An, saying in a low voice: “My young miss asked me to deliver this to you. This servant won’t disturb you further. I’ll take my leave.”
Not giving Xu Qi An a chance to detain her or open the note, she hurriedly left.
Xu Qi An sat down in a chair, unfolded the note, and quickly scanned it. His face was full of astonishment.
This… His expression gradually became serious because the information on the note was too important. It detailed almost everything about the inside story of this imperial examination cheating case.
The one who submitted the memorial accusing them of “cheating in the imperial examinations” was the newly appointed Left Censor-in-Chief, Yuan Xiong. After taking over the Censorate from Wei Yuan, he had engaged in a fierce struggle with the “remnants of the eunuch faction” led by the Right Censor-in-Chief.
Logically, the Right Censor-in-Chief Liu Hong, as one of the chief examiners, should have been Yuan Xiong’s target. But in this exam cheating case, the one who leaked the questions was the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Palace, Zhao Ting Fang.
The reason was that if Yuan Xiong directly accused Right Censor-in-Chief Liu Hong, he would be directly confronting Wei Yuan. Even under the banner of suppressing the Cloud Deer Academy, the various factions would mostly just watch coldly, offering limited help.
After all, even if Xu Xin Nian was allowed to take the palace examination and enter the court as an official, the court officials would still have ways to suppress and sideline him.
So, the second behind-the-scenes manipulator of this case appeared: the Vice Minister of War, Qin Yuan Dao.
The original Minister of War had his entire family executed due to the Princess Ping Yang case. Originally, the Vice Minister of War Qin Yuan Dao was first in line to inherit the position of Minister of War.
But Emperor Yuan Jing arranged for the leader of a small faction to take over as Minister of War.
With no hope for promotion, Qin Yuan Dao changed his strategy. He planned to enter the inner court and squeeze out the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Palace, Zhao Ting Fang, who had no backing and weak personal influence.
For Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong, the person being suppressed, Xu Xin Nian, was not only a student of Cloud Deer Academy but also the cousin of Silver Gong Xu Qi An.
If Xu Qi An didn’t want his cousin to be ruined, he would inevitably ask Wei Yuan to intervene. As long as Wei Yuan was dragged into the water, there would be no worry about not being able to deal with Right Censor-in-Chief Liu Hong.
Furthermore, the note provided by Wang Si Mu also mentioned that Duke Cao, Song Shan Zhang, was also pushing things along from behind the scenes.
“On the surface, it looks like Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong and Vice Minister of War Qin Yuan Dao are working together, at most with their party members. In reality, setting aside Second Brother’s identity as a Cloud Deer Academy student, just based on him being my cousin, those who were offended by me in the Sang Bo case, Princess Ping Yang case, and Cloud Prefecture case would surely seize this opportunity to retaliate against me. Minister Sun is an example.”
“And adding his identity as a Cloud Deer Academy student… the situation is not good. Moreover, what was Duke Cao’s intention? I can understand civil officials making trouble, but you’re a crude military noble, why are you joining in the excitement? What’s your motive…”
Also, why should I trust Wang Zhen Wen’s daughter? Can I trust the information she provided?
But what’s her purpose in deceiving me? From an outsider’s perspective, Second Brother is in deep trouble this time. She should be secretly rejoicing, with no need to do anything extra. That maid also seemed furtive, giving the note and running away. Isn’t that guilty behavior?
Either this Miss Wang is a fool, or she thinks I’m a fool… But according to Second Brother and Ling Yue’s analysis, this young lady isn’t stupid. Damn, does she take me for a fool?
When in doubt, seek Wei Yuan. Hmm, I’ll just say I found out these things on my own, then ask him to verify. This could even make Wei Yuan look at me with new respect. If I’m being deceived, it doesn’t matter. It shows I’m cautious and don’t easily trust others.
…
In the afternoon, as Xu Qi An left the Haoqi Building, Wei Yuan’s words echoed in his mind: Duke Cao and the Northern Border King are cut from the same cloth.
Yesterday evening, after receiving Wang Si Mu’s “secret letter,” he had pondered alone for a long time, feeling it was highly credible, but hadn’t rashly believed it.
Today, after lunch, he sought out Wei Yuan for verification and received an affirmative response.
The Northern Border King and I have no connection whatsoever. This must be Duke Cao’s idea, but I’m equally unfamiliar with Duke Cao. Why is he targeting me?
The Vajra Divine Skill… This thought flashed through Xu Qi An’s mind.
On his way back to the One Sword Hall, he encountered a clerk who happened to be looking for him: “Master Xu, someone outside is looking for you.”
“Who?” Xu Qi An’s gaze flickered slightly.
“Someone from the Prince of Huai’s mansion,” the clerk replied.
Prince of Huai’s mansion… Xu Qi An let out a deep breath: “I see.”
He immediately turned and walked towards the entrance of the yamen. At the gate, he saw a luxurious carriage parked by the roadside. Two rows of heavily armed guards were stationed beside the carriage.
Seeing Xu Qi An come out, a guard immediately came over to relay a message: “Are you Silver Gong Xu?”
Xu Qi An nodded.
As the guard approached, he announced, “General Chu is waiting for you in the carriage.”
After a moment’s contemplation, he followed the guard to the carriage. A deep, commanding voice came from inside: “Come in and let’s talk.”
The tone carried the weight of one long accustomed to authority, more of an order than an invitation.
Xu Qi An boarded the carriage and entered the compartment.
In the spacious interior sat a man with a full beard. He wore a light purple robe and had a square face and dark skin. His gaze was sharp as lightning, exuding a formidable aura.
The bearded man gestured for Xu Qi An to sit and spoke in his resonant voice:
“I hear that Constable Xu’s cousin has become entangled in the imperial examination fraud case.”
Xu Qi An studied him, probing, “General, you are…?”
The bearded man replied concisely, “Chu Xianglong, Deputy General of the Prince of Northern Pacification.”
Deputy General of the Prince of Northern Pacification… Xu Qi An’s eyes narrowed. “Shouldn’t the General be guarding the northern borders? What brings you back to the capital?”
“That’s not something a mere constable should ask,” Chu Xianglong said coolly.
He paused before continuing, “I’ve come to make a deal with you.”
“Please, General, go on.”
“Hand over the cultivation method for the Vajra Dharma, and I’ll help you get your man out of prison,” Chu Xianglong fixed him with an intense gaze.
As expected, it’s about the Vajra Dharma. What warrior wouldn’t covet this body-protecting divine technique? Even Monk Shenshu’s indestructible body incorporated the Vajra Dharma. Even high-ranking martial artists envied this skill…
So, Duke Cao and this man are scheming to obtain my Vajra Dharma, taking advantage of the situation to extort benefits from me…
“The Buddha’s Vajra Invincibility isn’t something an ordinary person can learn. It requires great karmic fortune,” Xu Qi An reminded him.
“I don’t need you to remind me. Since you’ve learned the Vajra Dharma, it means you’ve grasped its essence. Inscribe the principles of the Vajra Dharma. Whether I can cultivate it or not is my own business,” Chu Xianglong offered reassurance:
“As long as you inscribe the essence of the divine technique, I have ways to get your man out.”
Not only are you trying to suck the marrow from my bones, but you’re also toying with my intelligence? Xu Qi An sneered inwardly and asked:
“May I ask, General, how do you plan to get him out?”
“I have my ways,” Chu Xianglong replied steadily.
“This case has far-reaching implications and is extremely complex. Those civil officials won’t listen to you. Don’t treat me like a three-year-old child,” Xu Qi An scoffed coldly.
“I only said I’d get him out, not clear his name,” Chu Xianglong fixed his piercing gaze on Xu Qi An and said:
“He’s just a small fry. No one will truly pursue him relentlessly. I’m confident I can get him a lighter sentence. At most, he’ll be delayed for three years before he can take the imperial examinations again.
“With the Cloud Deer Academy’s careful cultivation in Qingzhou, that would be the best place for him.”
Xu Qi An’s eyes flashed as he said, “Fine! But my condition is: save the person first.”
Chu Xianglong nodded, “Agreed.”
After concluding the conversation and leaving the carriage, Xu Qi An stood expressionless on the street.
By now, he could confirm the true purpose behind Duke Cao’s machinations.
“These dogs have long coveted my Vajra Dharma. Before, when my influence was strong, they were wary. Now they’re taking advantage of the imperial examination fraud case to suppress Second Brother, hoping I’ll obediently hand over the Vajra Dharma…
“Very well, just watch how I’ll screw you over.”
After the carriage disappeared from view, he didn’t return to the Night Watchmen’s Office but vanished at the end of the long street.
…
After a day and night of fermentation, spreading, and the push of interested parties, rumors about the imperial examination fraud case exploded the next day.
From nobles to commoners, everyone was discussing the matter, treating it as after-dinner gossip. The most heated debates were among the scholars. Some didn’t believe Xu Hui Yuan had cheated, but more chose to believe and applaud, praising the court for doing well, and saying that those who cheated in the imperial examinations should be severely punished to give all scholars in the world an explanation.
Xu Xin Nian’s reputation plummeted, going from a praised and admired top scholar to a despicable person condemned by thousands.
Meanwhile, Xu Xin Nian, imprisoned, knew nothing of this. He was about to face his first interrogation by the Ministry of Justice and the prefectural government.
“Clang, clang…” The jailer struck the bars with a stick, barking:
“Xu Xin Nian, come out. The officials want to question you.”
At the other end, in the interrogation room, the Vice Minister of Justice and the Deputy Prefect sat behind a table, drinking tea and discussing the case.
“Vice Minister, why can’t we use torture?” the Deputy Prefect inquired.
“Orders from Minister Sun,” the Vice Minister explained briefly, then added disdainfully, “That Xu Xin Nian is just a greenhorn. I’ll give him a shock first, make him lose his composure, then we’ll question him slowly. Deputy Prefect, I’ll trouble you to play the good cop then.”
The Deputy Prefect nodded, “We can also threaten him with punishment. These young scholars might have quick tongues, but they turn pale at the sight of blood.”
The officials smiled. They were all experienced interrogators, and dealing with a young scholar was child’s play for them.
The jailer brought Xu Xin Nian from his cell to the interrogation room. He bowed to the officials inside and said:
“Sirs, the prisoner Xu Xin Nian has been brought.”
With that, he tactfully withdrew.
Xu Xin Nian stood at the doorway, scanning the scene in the interrogation room. Behind the main table sat two officials in crimson robes, the Vice Minister of Justice and the Deputy Prefect.
On either side were several officials assisting with the interrogation, clerks taking notes, and a white-robed mage from the Bureau of Astronomy.
“Slam!”
The Vice Minister of Justice grabbed the judge’s wood block and slammed it on the table, saying sternly, “Xu Xin Nian, someone has reported that you bribed the chief examiner Zhao Tingfang to participate in examination fraud. Is this true?”
Xu Xin Nian shook his head, “Nonsense.”
The Vice Minister of Justice sneered and continued, “You bribed Zhao Tingfang’s steward with three hundred taels of silver, using the steward as a middleman to obtain the exam questions in advance.
“Zhao Tingfang’s steward, Zhu You, has already confessed. Here is his statement. Read it yourself.”
Saying this, he took out a confession from his sleeve and had a clerk hand it to Xu Xin Nian.
Xu Xin Nian accepted it and read it carefully. The confession was very detailed, even specifying the exact time of their “transaction,” leaving almost no loopholes.
“As expected of the Ministry of Justice, even I, the person involved, can’t find any flaws. However, I also have a piece of evidence. Would the officials like to see it?” Xu Xin Nian said.
“What evidence?” the Vice Minister of Justice asked.
“Bring brush, ink, paper, and inkstone,” Xu Xin Nian said calmly.
Immediately, a clerk brought a small table and set up the writing materials.
Xu Xin Nian, wearing handcuffs and shackles, stood by the table, dipped the brush in ink, and began writing rapidly.
In a moment, the paper was filled with tiny characters. Xu Xin Nian dipped his thumb in ink, pressed it on the paper, tossed the brush aside, and said, “Please, take a look, sir.”
The Vice Minister of Justice ordered someone to bring it over. As he looked closely, his expression suddenly froze, and then his breathing gradually became heavy. Suddenly, he tore up the paper and pointed at Xu Xin Nian, shouting furiously:
“Torture him, torture him now!”
The Deputy Prefect was stunned. This wasn’t what they had discussed earlier. The prisoner hadn’t lost his composure, but the Vice Minister had?
The officials present instinctively looked at the torn pieces of paper, wondering what Xu Xin Nian had written that could enrage a Vice Minister to such hysteria.
“See? The Vice Minister also thinks I’m talking nonsense?”
Xu Xin Nian spread his hands and sneered disdainfully, “If writing down the time, place, people involved, and specific process, then adding a fingerprint, is enough to prove I bribed some steward.
“Then, Vice Minister, no, my son, call me father and let me hear it. What you and your mother did, I’ve written it all down, clear as day.”
The officials looked at the scraps of paper again, seemingly understanding what was written on them.
“Torture him, torture him! I’ll make this arrogant scholar beg for death!” the Vice Minister of Justice was livid.
A mere student dared to insult his late mother. A mere candidate dared to publicly humiliate him, a fourth-rank Vice Minister.
Blood rushed to the Vice Minister’s face, his anger boiling over.
“Vice Minister, please calm down. Minister Sun has ordered that no torture is to be used,” an official from the Ministry of Justice hurriedly went to pacify him, whispering in his ear.
“Hmph!” The Vice Minister of Justice took a sip of tea, forcing himself to control his anger, but he spoke no more.
The Deputy Prefect coughed, taking over the interrogation, and asked, “Xu Xin Nian, did you cheat in the examination?”
Xu Xin Nian replied righteously, “No, I have always acted with integrity and would never cheat.”
Hearing this, the Deputy Prefect looked at the white-robed mage from the Bureau of Astronomy.
This man was Young Master Xu’s cousin. Young Master Xu had already warned the Bureau of Astronomy this morning that whatever Xu Xin Nian said would be the truth… The white-robed mage nodded, “He’s not lying.”
The Deputy Prefect asked again, “That poem ‘The Hardships of the Journey,’ was it your composition?”
Xu Xin Nian straightened his chest, “Indeed, it was this humble student’s work.”
The white-robed mage mechanically replied, “He’s not lying.”
The Deputy Prefect and the Vice Minister of Justice exchanged glances, and the former pondered, “This case is complex and intricate. Perhaps we should set another day for further questioning?”
The Vice Minister of Justice nodded, “Very well.”
The two left the prison and entered a side room to drink tea and talk.
“As expected, the Bureau of Astronomy is indeed favoring Xu Xin Nian,” the Vice Minister of Justice said gravely.
The Deputy Prefect smiled without speaking. In this “imperial examination fraud case,” the prefectural government had adopted a wait-and-see attitude, going with the flow.
“We won’t need the Bureau of Astronomy’s mage today,” the Vice Minister of Justice said.
“Agreed,” the Deputy Prefect nodded.
…
The next day, the Deputy Prefect came to the Ministry of Justice to participate in the interrogation of prisoner Xu Xin Nian but was led by a clerk to see Minister Sun.
“Deputy Prefect, please sit,” Minister Sun, seated in a large chair, smiled in greeting.
“This humble official pays respects to Minister Sun,” the Deputy Prefect clasped his hands in salute before sitting.
Minister Sun took a sip of hot tea, holding the cup as he sighed, “His Majesty is extremely concerned about this case and has repeatedly ordered us to uncover the truth as soon as possible.
“Now that Zhao Tingfang’s steward has confessed, we only need to crack Xu Xin Nian’s mouth, and this case can be concluded. Don’t you agree?”
The Deputy Prefect sat up straight, somewhat nervously saying, “This… Minister Sun won’t allow torture, so how will Xu Xin Nian confess?”
Minister Sun smiled gently, “Getting someone to confess doesn’t always require torture.”
The Deputy Prefect understood but showed a troubled expression.
Minister Sun smiled warmly, “No rush, no rush. Go back and ask Prefect Chen, then make your decision.”
…
The Deputy Prefect returned to the prefectural office and relayed Minister Sun’s words to Prefect Chen.
Prefect Chen didn’t hesitate for a moment: “Very well, let’s do as Minister Sun says.”
The Deputy Prefect said worriedly, “Sir, this isn’t proper. If Xu Xin Nian is innocent…”
Prefect Chen, seated behind his desk, sneered, “Whether Xu Xin Nian is innocent or not doesn’t matter. He’s just a minor character. What those people want is ‘evidence of guilt,’ not the truth.
“With evidence of guilt, they can battle it out in court; with evidence of guilt, they can claim to be in the right. His Majesty will also think they’re right. Tomorrow in court, there will be quite a show.
“If we don’t agree, this case will be stuck here, and then, that hat on your head won’t be able to bear the weight.”
What else could the Deputy Prefect say? He clasped his hands and said, “Sir, you have great insight.”
Prefect Chen shook his head, “It’s strange that Duke Wei hasn’t made a move… Send Lü Qing to the Night Watchmen’s Office and discreetly leak this information to Xu Qi An.”
The Deputy Prefect left the prefectural office and went to the Ministry of Justice. He still didn’t interrogate the prisoner but only relayed Prefect Chen’s response to Minister Sun.
Minister Sun smiled with satisfaction, “Deputy Prefect, after this case is closed, I’ll host a banquet at my residence. You must attend. Several officials wish to make your acquaintance.”
…
The next day, at the crack of dawn.
The civil and military officials maintained silence, entering the Meridian Gate in an orderly manner to attend the court session.
A quarter of an hour later, Xu Qi An, dressed in the uniform of a night watchman, approached slowly. On his left was Huai Qing, wearing a plain palace dress, as cold and beautiful as a fairy in a painting.
On his right was Lin An, in a fiery red dress, charming and alluring, with captivating eyes.
“How confident are you?” Huai Qing turned her head slightly to look at Xu Ning Yan beside her.
Xu Qi An bowed towards the sky, murmuring, “Fifty-fifty, bless me.”