Сhaptеr 167: Сhеn Нuо'e Is Dead
Вut аt this moment, this рerson wаs dеерlу invоlved and hаd been captured bу him. Nоt onlу had thе Judiсiаl Аffairs Вurеаu intеrсeрted halfwaу аnd takеn the readу-made рrize, but theу wеrе аlsо sо brаzenly trуing tо takе thе рersоn baсk. Тhey сlеarlу had no regаrd for him, no regаrd fоr thе Greаt Pavilion Соmmаnder, аnd nо rеgаrd fоr thе Grand Саbinet. Нanding оver the сaрturеd сulprit tо thе Judiсiаl Affairs Burеau—how could he аcceрt this? How сould hе еxрlain it to the Great Pavilion Commander?
"This person was captured by our Inner Guard Pavilion and should rightfully be handed over to the Grand Cabinet for trial. Could it be that your Judicial Affairs Bureau is too slow and inefficient, so you’ve developed the habit of picking up ready-made prizes and snatching others’ achievements?"
Jing Lin had always looked down on the people of the Judicial Affairs Bureau—a motley crew who hid behind Lai Luozhi, bullying the innocent and harming loyal officials, treating human lives as a joke. Despicable and hateful, they even dared to steal his credit and snatch his prisoner. Disgusting.
The people from the Judicial Affairs Bureau, all of them scoundrels by nature, burst into laughter upon hearing this: "How ridiculous! It was clearly our Judicial Affairs Bureau who captured him. The person is in our hands now. Since when did Lord Jing learn to talk nonsense?"
"It seems Pavilion Commander Shen didn’t teach you proper rules during his years in the inner court. If you can’t learn, why not come to our Judicial Affairs Bureau? We’ll teach you all about propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. How about that? Hahaha..."
Jing Lin’s hand gripped the hilt of his sword, half-drawing it. The veins on his temples throbbed, and the whites of his eyes turned red. "Dare to mock our Great Pavilion Commander? You’re asking for death."
"Angry? Then make a move."
At these words, Jing Lin instantly sobered up, realizing their malicious intent. He had almost fallen into their trap. How dangerous.
The Judicial Affairs Bureau clearly had no intention of lingering. "Don’t worry, our Judicial Affairs Bureau will handle the trial just the same. And I will report everything truthfully to our Deputy Minister, without stealing any credit from your Grand Cabinet."
After saying this, the Judicial Affairs Bureau wasted no more time and swaggered away with the prisoner.
Jing Lin was filled with resentment, his fists clenched so tightly they made cracking sounds.
He didn’t believe for a second that these scoundrels from the Judicial Affairs Bureau would be kind enough not to claim credit from the Grand Cabinet. He wished he could just kill them all and be done with it, but such an act would only give Lai Luozhi a reason to cause trouble for the Grand Cabinet. He couldn’t do it.
Walking dejectedly back to Shen Manor, Jing Lin still hadn’t figured out how to report the matter to Shen Du when an Unrighteous Agent hurried over, recognized Jing Lin, and delivered a new piece of news.
"Chen Huo'e couldn’t endure the torture and committed suicide."
This news struck Jing Lin like a bolt from the blue. He had thought that after ambushing and capturing Chen Huo'e, the case could be closed sooner. But now, not only had the prisoner been snatched away, but the Judicial Affairs Bureau had also grown impatient and killed him. How could he explain this to the Great Pavilion Commander?
With no other choice, Jing Lin could only report the matter truthfully to Shen Du and anxiously await his punishment.
"Understood." Shen Du’s reaction was indifferent. He waved his hand, dismissing Jing Lin.
Jing Lin was taken aback. "Pavilion Commander..."
Shen Du glanced sideways at him. "Hmm?"
Shaking his head, Jing Lin withdrew. It seemed the Great Pavilion Commander had anticipated this outcome. Shen Du’s strategies were beyond his reach; all he could do was remain loyal and follow.
—
In the Daming Palace, Lai Luozhi brought people carrying Chen Huo'e’s body to present it and lavishly praised Zhu Yan before the Empress.The Empress urgently summoned Zhu Yan for an audience. Seeing Lai Luozhi present, Zhu Yan couldn't help but glance back at Shen Du. Receiving Shen Du's reassuring look, she pursed her lips, withdrew her small hand from his palm, and turned to enter.
"Your Majesty, in this case of capturing Chen Huo'e, Commander Zhu Yan's contributions cannot be overlooked. If she hadn't thought to apprehend an old acquaintance from the Brocade Workshop to lure Chen Huo'e, this villain might have escaped justice."
Zhu Yan listened with rising anger, finding these words truly grating. Just as she was about to argue, Lai Luozhi cut in:
"In this regard, Commander Zhu Yan's strategy was profound, her actions decisive, and using someone as bait was indeed ingenious—quite reminiscent of Commander Shen's teachings..."
Suddenly, Zhu Yan no longer wished to defend herself.
After Lai Luozhi finished reporting the entire sequence of events, the Empress expressed great admiration for Zhu Yan.
"Come, step closer. Let me have a good look at you."
Empress Zhou Zhao beckoned, as if oblivious to the implied meanings and sarcasm in Lai Luozhi's words. Her majestic phoenix-like countenance even revealed a faint smile.
Unable to discern the Empress's thoughts, Zhu Yan respectfully bowed: "I pay homage to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years."
"You have performed meritorious service in this case, and I am greatly pleased. Speak, what would you like? I can grant you any reward."
"Serving Your Majesty is this humble official's honor. I dare not presume to seek rewards."
Hearing this, the Empress showed a hint of approval and pondered briefly:
"Though you say so, rewards must still be given."
"Commander Zhu Yan is so modest that I cannot immediately think of what to bestow upon you. Perhaps it would be best to reward you with some ordinary items as commendation, along with a promise from me. If in the future Commander Zhu Yan decides what she truly desires, she may bring it to my attention at any time."
"Zhu Yan thanks Your Majesty for the reward."
After receiving the reward, Zhu Yan expressed her gratitude and prepared to leave. But just as she reached the door, the Empress suddenly called her back.
"Zhu Yan."
The Empress's tone carried a certain depth, as if laden with meaning, leaving Zhu Yan momentarily unable to grasp its significance.
Zhu Yan halted, quickly turned, and bowed deeply to the Empress.
The Empress looked at Lai Luozhi: "If there is nothing else, you may withdraw immediately."
Lai Luozhi struggled to control his expression. Zhu Yan watched as the corners of his mouth twitched several times before he rose and departed.
The Empress had not mentioned any reward for Lai Luozhi at all.
Only two people remained in the imperial study.
The Empress walked up to Zhu Yan, lifted her chin, and clicked her tongue:
"What a youthful face. When I was your age, I had already been in the palace for over two years..."
Suddenly pulling herself from her reverie, the Empress's gaze grew profound:
"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 of Lai Luozhi but had sent him away. What did this mean?
Staring at the golden-threaded, twisted-flower pattern of phoenixes singing in unison on the Empress's shoes, Zhu Yan steadied her mind, bowed again, and replied, "Your Majesty, in this case, Minister Lai only apprehended the culprit and did not interfere in other matters. Regarding the various details of the case, I will submit a detailed written report to Your Majesty in the coming days. I humbly request Your Majesty grant me some time."
The Empress was very satisfied with this answer and admired Zhu Yan's intelligence. After offering a few more words of consolation, she allowed her to leave.
Not far from the imperial study, Zhu Yan saw Shen Du walking with a woman dressed in official court attire, engaged in a lively conversation.
Yes, a very lively conversation.He looks decent, just seems a bit older. So this is Shen Du's type.
Zhu Yan wondered if she should step aside. Would it be awkward if the wife caught her husband meeting his confidante and made a scene in front of the Empress?
While she hesitated, the two had already walked up to her. Shen Du looked her up and down: "Are you alright?"
She shook her head, blinking at him. Shen Du didn't understand: "Were your eyes injured? Did Lai Luozhi do this?"
"No!" Zhu Yan was nearly defeated by Shen Du's bluntness. Giving up on subtle hints, she turned to the female official beside him:
"And who is this?"
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