Liu He’s reasoning was not without merit.

If someone wanted to forge something, they surely couldn’t have started planning years ago, right?

That completely defied logic!

Hearing him say this, Nayan’s expression couldn’t help but stiffen.

And Xue He, who was carefully observing his expression from the side, also stiffened!

His heart broke out in a cold sweat.

Nayan placed the three items in his hands to the side, then said to Liu He with an even more serious expression: “If someone has the intent, it’s possible they could have started planning years ago! Moreover, this prince just said that although this handwriting is similar to Xue He’s, there’s no name on it, much less his handprint. Nothing can prove this was written by Xue He. So Minister Liu, you must weigh this case carefully, lest you judge it wrongly and end up with the same fate as Minister Huang and Minister Zhong.”

Though the words were spoken calmly, they carried an oppressive and threatening force underneath.

If it had been the previous Minister Huang or Minister Zhong, perhaps with one bang of the gavel, they would have truly dropped the matter!

But who was Liu He!

He was the Ministry of Personnel’s famous stubborn ox!

He could drill down to the root of a matter.

Until he got to the bottom of it.

Not only that, he was also the upright official spoken of by Gaoding’s common people—not only did he not take bribes, but he also worked tirelessly for the people’s affairs. How could such a person yield because of Nayan’s current words?

He stood firm against this pressure, saying: “Even if Your Highness’s words have some merit, they cannot negate this minister’s viewpoint!”

Well, well, the young fellow has learned to talk back!

Nayan stared at him: “Liu He, this prince knows you have a stubborn nature, but you need to clearly grasp when to be stubborn and when not to be.”

“This minister only knows one thing: to fulfill one’s duties according to one’s position! The court has appointed me to temporarily assume the position of Minister of Justice, so there’s no reason to handle matters carelessly.”

“What fine words—’fulfill one’s duties according to one’s position!’ Having a loyal minister like you in our court is truly Huyi’s good fortune.”

“Your Highness is too kind.”

Nayan snorted, stood up, and looked at him: “Don’t be too quick to thank this prince. In any case, whether this case is related to Xue He cannot yet be concluded.”

Actually, Liu He had already understood!

He knew that with the Second Prince stepping in, this matter would become very thorny.

Wanting to arrest and convict Xue He would be extremely difficult.

But maintaining an attitude of fairness and integrity, he couldn’t just let it go, much less yield before power and authority.

So he said: “Since that’s the case, then let’s summon Bingzheng, Fang Tong, and Jiang Wen to the court. What does Your Highness think?”

Nayan’s eyes tightened.

He secretly glanced at Xue He beside him.

Xue He quickly said: “Minister Liu, I absolutely never did this!”

“Since you’ve never done it, what does it matter if we summon those three to confront you?”

“…”

As the saying goes, if you haven’t done anything wrong, you need not fear ghosts knocking at your door!

Xue He felt somewhat guilty after all.

That flickering look in his eyes was completely captured by Liu He, so Liu He became even more certain that not only did Xue He have problems, but that incident back then must have been instigated by him!

He gave orders to the Ministry of Justice people with even more confidence: “Go bring Bingzheng from the prison, then make a trip to the City Department and bring Fang Tong and Jiang Wen as well for questioning.”

“Yes!”

Two junior officials of the Ministry of Justice responded and left.

But just as they exited the main hall, they saw City Department guards escorting Fang Tong and Bingzheng arriving.

Those two also knew that Bingzheng had confessed and reported them!

Their faces were full of fear. Once this matter came to light, they feared it wouldn’t be as simple as just being permanently barred from taking the examinations—they would surely face imprisonment.

Liu He asked: “What’s going on?”

The City Department junior official replied: “Minister Liu, our Minister Li knew you would definitely want to question these two, so he escorted them here, saving your Ministry of Justice people a round trip and wasting time.”

“Minister Li is very thoughtful.” Liu He looked at the two people being held. “Bring them in.”

As soon as Fang Tong and Jiang Wen entered, they were pushed to the ground to kneel.

“Minister, we’ve been wronged!”

“This matter has nothing to do with us!”

“Yes, we beg Minister to investigate clearly.”

They began wailing like ghosts and howling like wolves.

The word “wronged” was carved all over their faces.

When the two entered, Xue He involuntarily took a step backward.

These were all signs of guilt.

All falling into Liu He’s eyes.

Nayan narrowed his eyes and glared fiercely at Xue He.

Signaling him not to panic.

Xue He then composed himself and boldly moved a step forward.

At this point, Liu He had already begun interrogating: “Fang Tong, Jiang Wen, this official asks you, back then, did Xue He bribe you to falsely accuse Du Mubai or not?”

Uh!

Their faces turned waxen.

“Right now Bingzheng has already confessed and written a statement, and produced evidence. He said Xue He bribed you, and you, for money, pressured him to join forces with you to falsely accuse Du Mubai. Is this true?”

At this question, both of them simultaneously turned their gazes toward Xue He.

As if somewhat afraid.

And Xue He glared fiercely and said: “You’d better not speak nonsense. Although you and I were all examination candidates back then, we had no dealings, much less any instigation. You… had better tell the truth.”

He emphasized the two words “tell the truth” extremely heavily.

The meaning behind the words was naturally quite obvious.

Fang Tong understood perfectly and quickly answered Liu He’s earlier question, saying: “Minister, we never did such a thing! Much less any bribing! We already said before that it was because we thought Bingzheng was honest that we believed his words, and as a result we indeed wrongly accused Du Mubai.”

Jiang Wen quickly added: “That’s right, Minister must not wrongly accuse us. We never did such things.”

Refusing to admit it even unto death!

If they admitted it, they would surely die.

Liu He: “You need to think carefully. This is the Ministry of Justice court. If you don’t tell the truth, your crime will be increased!”

“We… are telling the truth.” Jiang Wen’s voice trembled. “We don’t know why Bingzheng would say such things. Minister, you must believe us! I think… Bingzheng must be dissatisfied with being imprisoned, so he wants to take revenge on us. Please investigate clearly, Minister!”

The two kowtowed!

Liu He’s expression was poor.

These people wouldn’t shed tears until they saw their coffins.

If they wouldn’t tell the truth, naturally he couldn’t pry open their mouths.

Nayan watched from the side, his brow furrowed tightly.

Yet the corner of his mouth curved in a faint smile.

He said: “Minister Liu, all of this is just the word of Bingzheng alone. The things he’s produced are all useless and completely insufficient as proof.”

“Your Highness…”

“Enough, Minister Liu. If you have no direct evidence to prove this, then this matter can only be temporarily dropped. When you have direct evidence, it won’t be too late to arrest people.”

Liu He: “…”

Seeing him speechless, Nayan said to Xue He: “Let’s go.”

Xue He’s earlier panic had now transformed into triumphant pride.

Sure enough, it still required the Second Prince to step in to save himself!

He cupped his hands: “Yes.” And followed Nayan out.