Chen Huoe’s case had wide-reaching implications. He had been captured by the Internal Affairs Department, but the Judicial Investigation Bureau had intercepted and taken custody of him midway.
They were now brazenly attempting to take him away, showing no regard for Shen Du, the Grand Secretariat, or the Imperial Cabinet. How could Jing Lin accept losing the criminal they had caught to the Judicial Investigation Bureau? How could he explain this to the Grand Secretariat?
“This person was captured by our Internal Affairs Department and should rightfully be interrogated by the Grand Secretariat. Has the Judicial Investigation Bureau become so inefficient that you’ve developed a habit of taking credit for others’ work?” Jing Lin had always looked down on the Judicial Investigation Bureau. In his eyes, they were a bunch of scoundrels who bullied innocent people and loyal officials while hiding behind Lai Luozhi’s authority, treating human lives as a game. It was despicable and hateful that they now dared to steal his achievement and snatch his prisoner.
The Judicial Investigation Bureau members, being of lowly origins, burst into laughter upon hearing this. “How amusing! We captured him, and he’s already in our custody. When did Commander Jing learn to speak such empty words?”
“It seems Lord Shen’s long stay in the palace hasn’t taught you proper manners. Why don’t you come to our Judicial Investigation Bureau? We’ll teach you about propriety and shame. How about that? Haha…”
Jing Lin’s hand gripped his sword hilt, pulling it out halfway. The veins on his temples throbbed, and his eyes turned red with anger. “You dare mock our Grand Secretariat? You’re courting death!”
“Angry? Then why don’t you do something about it?”
At these words, Jing Lin suddenly came to his senses, realizing their ill intentions. He had almost fallen for their trap. That was close.
The Judicial Investigation Bureau members didn’t want to linger any longer. “Don’t worry, our bureau will handle this case just as well. I’ll make sure to explain everything clearly to our Deputy Chief. We won’t steal the credit from your Grand Secretariat.”
With that, they left with their prisoner, swaggering away.
Jing Lin was filled with resentment, his fists clenched tightly, making cracking sounds. He didn’t believe for a moment that these scoundrels from the Judicial Investigation Bureau would be kind enough not to take credit from the Grand Secretariat. He wished he could kill them swiftly with a blade, but such an act would only give Lai Luozhi reason to cause trouble for the Grand Secretariat. He couldn’t allow that.
Walking dejectedly back to Shen Manor, Jing Lin hadn’t yet figured out how to report this to Shen Du when a Local Constable hurriedly approached him with the news.
“Chen Huoe committed suicide, unable to withstand the torture.”
This news struck Jing Lin like a bolt from the blue. He had hoped that capturing Chen Huoe would help solve the case quickly, but now the man had been snatched away, and worse, the Judicial Investigation Bureau had hastily killed him. How could he explain this to the Grand Secretariat?
With no other option, Jing Lin reported everything truthfully to Shen Du, anxiously awaiting punishment.
“I see,” Shen Du responded calmly, waving his hand to dismiss Jing Lin.
Jing Lin was surprised. “My Lord…”
Shen Du glanced at him. “Hmm?”
Shaking his head, Jing Lin withdrew. It seemed the Grand Secretariat had anticipated this turn of events. His strategies were beyond Jing Lin’s comprehension; he could only follow loyally.
In the Great Ming Palace, Lai Luozhi brought Chen Huoe’s body before the Empress, lavishly praising Zhu Yan in the process.
The Empress urgently summoned Zhu Yan. Seeing Lai Luozhi present, Zhu Yan glanced at Shen Du, receiving a reassuring look. She pressed her lips together, withdrew her small hand from his, and turned to enter.
“Your Majesty, in finding Chen Huoe, Inspector Zhu’s contribution cannot be overlooked. If she hadn’t thought of using the old acquaintances from Jinxiu Fang to lure Chen Huoe, this villain might have escaped justice.”
Zhu Yan listened with growing irritation. These words were truly grating. Just as she was about to argue, Lai Luozhi cut in:
“On this point, Inspector Zhu’s strategy was profound, her actions decisive. Using people as bait was indeed brilliant, clearly showing Lord Shen’s influence…”
Zhu Yan suddenly lost the desire to argue.
After Lai Luozhi finished reporting the details of the case, the Empress also seemed to admire Zhu Yan.
“Come closer, let me have a good look at you,” Empress Zhou Zhao beckoned, seemingly ignoring Lai Luozhi’s words laden with implications and sarcasm. Her majestic face even showed a hint of a smile.
Unable to fathom the Empress’s thoughts, Zhu Yan respectfully bowed to her. “Greetings to Your Majesty. Long live the Empress, long may she reign.”
“You’ve done well in solving this case. I’m quite impressed. Tell me, what would you like? I can grant you any reward.”
“Serving Your Majesty is my honor. I dare not ask for rewards.”
Hearing Zhu Yan’s words, the Empress’s face showed a hint of satisfaction. After a moment’s thought, she said:
“While that may be so, a reward is still in order.”
“Inspector Zhu is so modest that I’m at a loss for what to give you. Perhaps it’s best to reward you with some ordinary items as a token of appreciation, along with a promise. If Inspector Zhu thinks of something she wants in the future, she may request it from me at any time.”
“Zhu Yan thanks Your Majesty for the reward.”
After receiving the reward, Zhu Yan thanked the Empress and was about to leave when the Empress suddenly called out to her.
“Zhu Yan.”
The Empress’s tone was deep as if carrying some hidden meaning that Zhu Yan couldn’t quite grasp.
Zhu Yan stopped and quickly turned to bow to the Empress.
The Empress looked at Lai Luozhi. “If there’s nothing else, you may withdraw now.”
Lai Luozhi seemed unable to control his expression. Zhu Yan saw his mouth twitch a few times before he rose and left.
The Empress hadn’t mentioned any reward for Lai Luozhi at all.
Only two people remained in the imperial study.
The Empress walked up to Zhu Yan and lifted her chin, clicking her tongue.
“Such a young face. When I was your age, I had already been in the palace for over two years…”
The Empress suddenly pulled herself out of her reminiscence, her gaze deep and meaningful.
“In this case, what are your thoughts on Minister Lai’s actions?”
Hearing this, Zhu Yan’s heart sank.
The Empress was asking for her opinion on Lai Luozhi, yet she had sent him away. What could this mean?
Staring at the golden phoenix pattern on the Empress’s shoes, Zhu Yan steadied herself and bowed to the Empress, saying, “Your Majesty, in this case, apart from capturing the culprit, Minister Lai did not interfere in other matters. Regarding the various aspects of this case, Zhu Yan will write a detailed report for Your Majesty in the coming days. I humbly request Your Majesty to grant me some time.”
The Empress was very satisfied with Zhu Yan’s response and admired her intelligence. After a few more words of comfort, she dismissed her.
Not far from the imperial study, Zhu Yan saw Shen Du walking with a woman dressed in palace official attire, engaged in pleasant conversation.
Yes, pleasant conversation.
The woman looked proper, though she seemed somewhat older. So this was Shen Du’s type.
Zhu Yan wondered if she should avoid them. It might not look good to cause a scene in front of the Empress if the main wife caught her husband meeting with a mistress.
As she hesitated, the two had already walked up to her. Shen Du looked her up and down. “Are you alright?”
Shaking her head, Zhu Yan winked at him. Shen Du didn’t understand. “Did something get in your eye? Was it Lai Luozhi’s doing?”
“No!” Zhu Yan was nearly defeated by Shen Du’s directness. Giving up on her attempts at subtle communication, she looked at the female official beside him.
“And who might this be?”