Court of Judicial Review

All suspicious persons from Saixian Tower had been brought here for questioning.

Lord Huang didn’t interrogate them one by one. Instead, he first invited Su Ziluo and Old General Wen into the inner hall, where they were seated and served tea.

“General Su, Old General Wen, there are no outsiders here now. This matter is of great importance and involves many people. As far as I know, your two families were also old friends in the past. Even if there were unpleasantries, it shouldn’t have come to such vicious methods, to taking someone’s life. I’m afraid there truly is a misunderstanding in this matter, and the real culprit behind it is someone else.” Lord Huang’s words carried the intent of defending Su Ziluo between the lines, as well as some meaning of reconciliation.

Inviting the two men into the inner hall clearly had the intention of mediation.

Old General Wen glanced at Su Ziluo sitting calmly across from him and said: “Just as Lord Huang said, our two families have been friends for many years. I watched Nephew Su grow up—I know his character better than anyone. Even though our two families stopped associating years ago, I still believe such a vicious act would not be his doing. Lord Huang, you must investigate thoroughly and quickly find the true culprit who intended to harm me, and bring them to justice.”

“I will certainly do so.”

When Su Ziluo heard their words, the corners of his mouth lifted imperceptibly.

Old General Wen took a sip of tea, then said: “It’s somewhat cold.”

Lord Huang immediately summoned someone in and ordered: “Bring a fresh pot of hot tea.”

The minor official was stunned—this was clearly tea that had just been served. Only a moment had passed—how could it already be cold?

But he said nothing, quickly responded, changed to a cup of hot tea, and withdrew.

From beginning to end, Su Ziluo hadn’t said a word.

Everyone said that member of the Su family was taciturn and quiet—it was truly accurate.

And because his legs were inconvenient, he hadn’t attended court for many years. Lord Huang had barely dealt with him at court, and the few times they exchanged words were always polite. He turned his gaze to Su Ziluo and asked: “General Su, although Old General Wen and I both trust your character, the details still need you to explain carefully once more to see if anything was overlooked.”

He thought for a moment before saying unhurriedly: “Actually, what needed to be said has already been explained clearly to Lord Huang. That wine was indeed brought by me. I even drank a little, then ordered someone to deliver it to Old General Wen. As for what happened during the delivery process, I don’t know.”

“Is there anyone who can prove the wine you sent was not poisoned at that time?”

“The question you’re asking seems to have no meaning whatsoever. At the time in the warm pavilion, there were only myself and a maid from the estate. I’m afraid even if you believe what we say, others may not necessarily believe it.”

“Then this makes things difficult for me.”

“Since I came to the Court of Judicial Review, naturally I had no intention of leaving immediately. You might as well confine me to the prison, and when the truth comes to light, it won’t be too late to release me.” He didn’t care at all about being imprisoned in the Court of Judicial Review.

On the contrary, staying here was much safer than returning to the estate.

Lord Huang’s expression turned ugly. Since he had said so, according to procedure, he truly should handle it this way.

So he ordered someone to take Su Ziluo to the prison and arrange a good cell, forbidding severe torture to extract confession.

Old General Wen said nothing more, only urging Lord Huang to solve the case quickly.

Old General Wen and Su Ziluo came out of the inner hall one after the other. The latter suddenly stopped and asked coldly: “Has Old General Wen never suspected that perhaps the pot of wine I sent… was truly poisoned?”

Old General Wen froze, his eyes darkening.

Of course he had suspected—no, he had believed it all along!

Someone who secretly sent people to kill his son could of course also come to kill him.

It was just that due to his position and the current situation, he could only choose to trust Su Ziluo.

Su Ziluo saw everything in his eyes, smiled faintly, and had the two elite guards push him away.

Old General Wen watched his retreating back, his hands involuntarily clenching tightly within his sleeves.

During the battle between Qujiang and Dalin years ago, between loyalty and survival, he had chosen survival…

Which led to Old General Su being killed by Ji Yunshu’s older brother, Ji Li!

He had felt guilty about that matter for many years.

But he never expected that after all these years, Su Ziluo still hadn’t forgiven the Wen family, and instead repeatedly tried to put the entire Wen family to death.

This knot would probably never be untied in this lifetime!

The elite guards from the Court of Judicial Review pushed Su Ziluo toward the prison. Along the way, though his expression was calm, his heart was equally full of doubts.

He couldn’t figure out who exactly wanted to kill Old General Wen.

In this Yanjing City, who would dare to do such a thing?

More precisely, who wanted to use his hand to kill someone? To eliminate both the Wen and Su families’ power in one strike?

Just as he was thinking, crying sounds came from nearby…

He looked in that direction and saw Liu Yunzhu sitting in a corridor to the side, crying. Several rough men from the Court of Judicial Review couldn’t console her no matter how they tried.

They had headaches.

Su Ziluo said to the elite guards behind him: “Could you push me over there? It will only take a moment.”

The two elite guards looked at each other, then pushed him over.

When the elite guards there saw him approach, they immediately straightened up: “General Su.”

“What’s going on?”

“This little girl is the deceased’s younger sister, so she keeps crying. We’ve already sent someone to notify her relatives—they should arrive soon.”

He hummed in acknowledgment and had the wheelchair pushed in front of Liu Yunzhu.

Liu Yunzhu looked at him fearfully, her body shrinking back.

“Are you very afraid of me?”

She sobbed: “They said you were the one who killed my sister.”

Su Ziluo didn’t refute, only said gently: “You’re called Liu Yunzhu, your sister is called Liu Yunyan, your home is in Minnan, and among your traveling companions is someone called Uncle Qiao.”

Eh!

Liu Yunzhu’s reddened eyes looked at him: “You… how do you know?”

“Last time your sister was poisoned in the bamboo house outside the city, people from my estate sent her into the city, so naturally I know.”

“You know Sister Yunshu?”

“I do. She’s an old friend of mine.”

“Then you… truly didn’t harm my sister?”

“No.”

For some reason, Liu Yunzhu believed him completely. She also let down her guard against him in her heart. Wiping her tears, she asked: “Then can you save my sister again? I don’t want her to die. I don’t want… if Sister dies, I’ll be all alone.”

She cried sourly again.

Su Ziluo reached out to ruffle her hair but didn’t say anything, turning to leave…

On the other side, at the Su Estate.

News of the Saixian Tower incident reached the estate. Ji Yunshu was both shocked and worried.

Qi’er relayed Su Ziluo’s words verbatim: “The young master told Miss not to worry and to stay safely at the estate.”

Ji Yunshu paced a few steps in the room, then turned to ask: “What about the corpse?”

“It’s already been taken to the Court of Judicial Review.”

“What did the coroner say?”

“Only that the wine was poisoned, and the wine in the cup was also poisoned,” Qi’er said.

“Have the details been investigated?”

“The people from the Court of Judicial Review are still investigating. From what we can see so far, it’s very unfavorable for the young master.”

Ji Yunshu fell into thought, pondering in her heart.

Qi’er instructed Ah Yi and Ah Jiao to take good care of her, then left.