About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense later, Li Cheng arrived at the Huang Manor.

As soon as Li Cheng got off the carriage, he hurried inside.

He didn’t even have anyone announce him!

At this time, Minister Huang was drinking tea in his room.

Because he had caught a cold, he hadn’t been to the Ministry of Justice for several days. Although he had been recuperating for a few days, his complexion remained pale and sickly.

He sat facing the door, with a bowl of medicinal soup that a maid had just brought in placed before him.

But he had only drunk half of it!

The cushion across from him seemed to have just been sat upon—there were still some creases that hadn’t smoothed out.

Yet no one had been seen leaving the room.

Apart from Minister Huang, there was no one else in the room!

Strange!

Li Cheng entered the courtyard, walking through the accumulated snow.

Before he even entered the room, he called out, “Minister Huang.”

Minister Huang was about to stand to greet him.

Li Cheng stepped through the doorway and raised his hand. “Minister Huang is unwell, so there’s no need to stand.”

So Minister Huang sat back down and asked, “Young Lord Cheng? What brings you here?”

“Because one doesn’t visit the temple without reason!” Li Cheng sat cross-legged across from him, then directly picked up the overturned cup in front of him and poured himself some tea without ceremony.

Just as casually as if he were at his own home.

Minister Huang wasn’t surprised. This young tyrant’s reputation in Gaoding was well known.

Even if he brought people today to tear down his manor, it wouldn’t be surprising!

Li Cheng gulped down a cup of tea before finally catching his breath. He propped his elbow on the low table, leaning his body forward, and said very seriously, “Minister Huang, I won’t beat around the bush with you. Let me tell you directly. The case I’m currently responsible for now requires Du Mubai’s case files from back then, but Vice Minister Zhong absolutely refuses to open the archives, saying he must first report to you. I see he’s not handling matters efficiently and don’t know how long he’ll drag this out, so I came myself. What do you say about this matter?”

This tone—where was the manner of someone coming to ask a favor?

It clearly had the air of coming to give notice.

Vice Minister Zhong’s man had actually arrived a few steps ahead of Li Cheng and had already informed Minister Huang of the situation.

But he pretended not to know!

He said, “The case Young Lord Cheng mentioned—is this the stone case discovered at the city gate?”

“That’s right!”

“But what does it have to do with Du Mubai’s case? One is from six years ago, one from three years ago.”

The same question as Vice Minister Zhong.

So Li Cheng explained the reason again.

This Minister Huang wasn’t a difficult person to deal with. He said, “If that’s the case, Young Lord Cheng, go ahead and retrieve Du Mubai’s case files.”

“Minister Huang is indeed reasonable.”

“It’s not being reasonable. It’s just that this case is also related to my Ministry of Justice, and since it’s connected to Du Mubai’s case from six years ago, it should naturally be thoroughly investigated.” After speaking, Minister Huang coughed laboriously.

His complexion grew even paler.

Li Cheng then stood up. “Seeing that Minister Huang is unwell, I won’t disturb you further. Rest well, and if there are other matters, I’ll come again.”

“Then I won’t see you out!”

“Farewell!”

Li Cheng then left.

He came quickly and left quickly too.

When his figure disappeared from the courtyard, someone suddenly emerged from behind the screen in the room.

That person…

Was the Second Prince, Na Yan!

He had come early in the morning. Knowing Li Cheng would come, he had hidden behind the screen.

He looked outside and smiled. “This is getting more and more interesting!”

Saying this, he sat down where Li Cheng had been sitting earlier.

Minister Huang was extremely respectful toward him. “Your Highness, what do you think?”

“Let him investigate! I also want to see what really happened with Du Mubai’s case back then. Perhaps he can uncover something advantageous for us.”

“Advantageous? Your Highness means?”

“In any case, if Li Cheng investigates the case from back then, the Marquis of Pingyang naturally won’t be able to sit still, since Du Mubai was his student back then. It would be best… if the matter could become even bigger! At this critical time, whoever makes the biggest commotion will be at the greatest disadvantage!”

Minister Huang nodded.

Naturally he understood.

Na Yan instructed, “So you must keep a close watch. Once this case reveals any connection to the Marquis of Pingyang’s side, you must notify this prince immediately.”

“Yes!”

…

Having received Minister Huang’s approval, Li Cheng immediately returned to the Ministry of Justice.

He retrieved Du Mubai’s case files.

Vice Minister Zhong repeatedly cautioned, “Minister Li, you mustn’t lose or damage these files, or we won’t be able to bear the responsibility.”

“Put your heart back in your stomach.”

Waving his hand, he left.

Vice Minister Zhong broke out in a sweat!

…

At this very moment, Ji Yinshu went to the City Magistrate’s Office prison.

She wanted to ask the merchant some questions!

That old merchant had been locked in prison ever since being arrested at the city gate.

His workers had also been arrested together.

All confined in the same cell!

Everyone sighed and moaned, looking worried all day long!

They had come to Gaoding to do business but failed, got locked up here unable to go anywhere, and might even be convicted as murderers.

A young fellow huddled in the corner, his face covered with stubble. He asked his boss, “Seventh Uncle, when exactly can we leave?”

The person called Seventh Uncle was the old merchant who had transported the gambling stones.

He let out a sigh.

Just as he was about to say something—

He heard footsteps from outside the cell, getting closer and closer.

He saw the jailer leading a man inside.

The people in the cell all stood up.

They crowded against the wooden bars.

“Officer, we didn’t kill anyone. Please release us.”

“What’s all this noise? Every time you make such a racket.”

“But we really didn’t kill anyone!”

“Whether you killed anyone or not will be known once the case is solved.”

Every time the jailer came to bring them food, these people would repeat the same words, so having heard it many times, the jailer was naturally somewhat impatient.

Those people fell silent, and the jailer introduced Ji Yinshu. “This is Master Ji, specifically responsible for investigating this case. Master Ji has questions to ask you. You must answer honestly. If you knowingly conceal information, don’t expect to leave this prison.”

Ji Yinshu walked forward a few steps, nodded to the jailer, and said, “Thank you for your trouble.”

“Master Ji, we’ll be nearby. Call us if you need anything.”

“Yes.”

The jailer left.

The old merchant recognized Ji Yinshu. Previously, when his gambling stones had rolled and fallen, they had damaged the wheel of the carriage behind.

Among the people sitting inside was Ji Yinshu.

“It’s you?”

“The old gentleman still remembers me?”

“Of course I remember. I damaged your carriage—I feel terrible about it.”

“That matter has passed.”

“I didn’t expect you were from the government office, sir.”

This…

How to explain?

She simply didn’t answer.

The old merchant said again, “Sir, you must believe me. I really didn’t kill anyone.”

“Regarding this case, I have questions for you all. If you didn’t kill anyone, naturally nothing will happen to you.”

“Good. Whatever we know, we’ll tell you everything.”