Yang’s Father didn’t notice the peculiarity in Zhen Shicheng’s tone and sneered, “Is Prefect Zhen perhaps trying to shield his subordinate?”
“That’s not the case. However, I must warn Brother Yang that my subordinate has absolutely no connection to your son’s unfortunate passing.”
“Let’s meet the person first before we talk!” In Yang Father’s view, Zhen Shicheng’s words were purely an attempt to defend his subordinate.
No connection?
If he could save that youngster from the Dongping Earl’s Manor at that time, why couldn’t he save his son?
Even if there was no connection, he would find one!
Yang’s Father was determined to find fault and waited with a gloomy expression.
At this moment, Yu Jin was still in the civilian residence in Quezi Hutong.
Having gained the favor of his future father-in-law, Prince Yu Seven was in a good mood and leisurely brushed Er’niu’s fur with a small brush.
Er’niu lay contentedly under the tree, his eyes half-closed.
Not long after, a yamen runner came to invite him to the Shuntifu yamen.
“Someone from the Yang family specifically asked to see me?”
Although Yu Jin wasn’t particularly good-tempered, he had a good relationship with these yamen runners. The one who came warned him, “The master from the Yang family believes you’re connected to the young master’s death. It seems he’s coming to pick a fight. You should be careful.”
“Pick a fight?” Yu Jin’s eyes narrowed, and he said lightly, “Let’s go.”
Huh, why did he feel so eager? He wasn’t usually one to seek trouble.
Thinking of Jiang Si soaking in the water last night and then killing someone, Yu Jin felt a pang of distress.
If it weren’t for that scoundrel Yang Shengcai, how could A’si have dirtied her hands?
Thinking of this, he felt Yang Shengcai got off too lightly.
Hmm, when his relationship with A’si improves in the future, he should tell her to leave the killing to him. A’si could just hand him the knife.
Imagining the bright future ahead, Yu Jin’s lips curved into a smile.
It was with this smile that he walked into the hall of the Shuntifu yamen. Seeing this, Yang Father was infuriated and coldly stared at him, asking, “Are you the yamen runner who saved the Second Young Master of the Dongping Earl’s Manor?”
Yu Jin had no intention of teasing Yang Father and frankly said, “Uh, yes, I saved him, but I’m not a yamen runner. I’m Prefect Zhen’s assistant. Has this gentleman come to reward me?”
Yang’s Father ignored Yu Jin’s explanation of his identity. Having confirmed the other party’s identity, he directly challenged, “Why were you at the Golden Waters River last night? When you rescued the Second Young Master of the Dongping Earl’s Manor, didn’t you notice anyone else?”
Yu Jin looked at Zhen Shicheng in surprise, “Prefect Zhen, this is—”
“This is Young Master Yang’s father.”
“Uh, did Prefect Zhen invite Master Yang to assist with the investigation?”
“Not exactly. Brother Yang, as the aggrieved party, is here to understand the case.”
“I see.” Yu Jin raised his hand to rub his nose, saying casually, “I thought Prefect Zhen had gained another assistant.”
“Prefect Zhen, aren’t you too lenient with your subordinates? A mere yamen runner dares to speak to you in such a manner!”
Yu Jin frowned, a layer of frost immediately covering his handsome face, “How I interact with Prefect Zhen is none of your business. Since you’re not here to assist with the investigation but to understand the case, mind your attitude!”
“Insolent! For a small yamen runner to be so disrespectful, you must be extremely audacious. I have reason to suspect you had other motives for appearing at the Golden Waters River last night. Perhaps you are that arsonist male prostitute!”
Yang’s Father was very familiar with this tactic of putting people down.
Of course, he knew this person wasn’t the arsonist male prostitute, but with his status, confronting a mere yamen runner would surely make the runner’s superior sell him some face and make things difficult for the runner.
And it wouldn’t end there. Once his son’s matter faded from public attention, for the prestigious Minister’s residence to crush such a small figure would be simplicity itself.
“Hehe.” Yu Jin chuckled lightly.
Yang’s Father was stunned by his laughter.
Yu Jin’s eyes crinkled with amusement, and his gaze towards Yang Father suddenly became gentle.
He couldn’t help it; he was always tolerant towards the intellectually challenged.
“Master Yang, you’re free to suspect if you have reasons to. Is the Shuntifu yamen run by the Minister’s residence now?” Yu Jin didn’t bother to waste words with Yang Father and glanced at him sideways, slowly saying, “I’ve already said I’m not a yamen runner. I’m quite surprised that Master Yang doesn’t know Prefect Zhen has a new assistant.”
Although Yu Jin hadn’t revealed his identity when he came from the Ministry of Justice to the Shuntifu yamen, the fact that the Emperor had sent several princes to gain experience in the Six Ministries was already known to many. Given the Yang family’s status, his identity couldn’t be hidden, so he might as well speak frankly.
Moreover, having the Emperor as his father wasn’t something to be ashamed of!
Yu Jin only concealed his identity for one person: Jiang Si.
He feared that appearing as a prince would make it difficult for his beloved to accept him. As for others, their feelings were not his concern.
Yu Jin’s words made Yang Father pause, and he couldn’t help but look at Zhen Shicheng.
“Brother Yang, this is Prince Yan.”
Yang’s Father’s eyes widened instantly, and he exclaimed in disbelief, “Prince Yan?”
“Yes, Prince Yan was gaining experience in the Ministry of Justice. Since the Shuntifu yamen has been busy lately, he came to assist me. For convenience, his identity wasn’t disclosed publicly.”
Yang Father looked at Yu Jin with utter disbelief, his face quickly changing from white to red, then from red to black, as colorful as a palette.
At this moment, he deeply experienced what it meant to be shocked and embarrassed.
Of course, he had heard his father mention that several princes were gaining experience in the Six Ministries, but Prince Yan rarely appeared in public, so he hadn’t seen him before.
He never expected Prince Yan to be this “small yamen runner”—
Yang’s Father’s expression was extremely complex as he awkwardly smiled at Yu Jin, “So it’s Your Highness. My apologies for the disrespect.”
Yang’s Father’s daughter was the Crown Princess, putting him a generation above Yu Jin. After the initial shock, he naturally wouldn’t lose his composure. After all, compared to the Crown Prince, a mere Prince Yan wasn’t much.
Yu Jin smiled, “Master Yang, you don’t still think I’m the arsonist male prostitute, do you?”
Yang Father coughed, “Of course, that was a misunderstanding. I hope Your Highness won’t take offense.”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
Yang’s Father regained his composure and began to regard Yu Jin with even less concern.
After all, he was the Crown Prince’s father-in-law. Privately speaking, Prince Yan should address him as Uncle.
Yu Jin, being extremely perceptive, became annoyed as soon as he saw Yang’s Father’s expression.
Did this fool think that becoming the Crown Prince’s father-in-law allowed him to act high and mighty in front of him? Utterly ridiculous.
Yu Jin bowed to Zhen Shicheng and said seriously, “Prefect Zhen, Master Yang’s suspicion of me was a misunderstanding, but I have a situation to report to you, which is not a misunderstanding.”
“Oh? What does Your Highness wish to say?” Zhen Shicheng’s fox-like eyes narrowed.
From experience, he knew the show was about to begin!
Yu Jin glanced at Yang Father, his gaze cold and indifferent.
For some reason, Yang Father felt a chill run down his spine, and a sense of foreboding arose in his heart.
“When the Second Young Master of the Dongping Earl’s Manor fell into the water last night, I saw something.”
“What did you see?” Zhen Shicheng immediately asked.
Yang Father’s heart inexplicably rose to his throat.
“I saw a pair of hands push the Second Young Master of the Dongping Earl’s Manor out of the window,” Yu Jin said calmly.