With just that one sentence, she instantly incinerated all the sorrow in Xiao Jin Yu's heart, turning it to ashes that vanished like a wisp of black smoke.
After that, Chu Chu would often compare their son to Xiao Jin Yu, concluding that their son ate more obediently than Xiao Jin Yu, slept more obediently than Xiao Jin Yu, and even took medicine more obediently than Xiao Jin Yu. This led to the little one learning to call "Dad" and then clearly blurting out "Dad not obedient," leaving Xiao Jin Yu torn between laughter and tears for quite some time.
Gu He Nian looked at Chu Chu, who was clearly very different from two years ago. Back then, this young girl would only stand to the side wiping her tears. He had originally worried that his words might make her cry again, but he never expected to hear such a remark. If it weren't for considering Xiao Jin Yu's paper-thin pride, Gu He Nian would have surely burst out laughing.
"Wang Ye and Imperial Concubine, rest assured. This old man will spare no effort."
The sweet smile on the girl's face and her clear voice remained unchanged. "Thank you, Mr. Gu!"
"Imperial Concubine, you're too kind..."
After Gu He Nian administered a round of acupuncture to Qing Ping, the child's fever broke that very night, and he slept exceptionally soundly in Chu Chu's arms. Relieved, Xiao Jin Yu went to his study to handle the official documents that had piled up over the past few days.
Although he hadn't personally taken on cases for two years, considering that he himself had occasionally made oversights or errors when handling cases, he still reviewed all cases involving human lives or matters of great importance. If any doubts arose, he would send them back for reinvestigation.
Over the past few days, the case files had piled up into a full stack on his desk.
Xiao Jin Yu had just sat down behind the desk, his hand not yet touching the case file box, when the half-open window suddenly swung wide. A figure in moon-white robes flashed in, silently closing the window before the cool breeze of the late autumn night could reach Xiao Jin Yu. The figure brushed off the thin dust on his clothes and took a seat in the chair by the window.
The flame on the desk lamp remained perfectly still.
This person's lightness skill was not as refined as Jing Yi's, but his martial arts depth and breadth of eccentricities far surpassed Jing Yi's.
Without even looking, Xiao Jin Yu knew who it was and couldn't help but sigh silently.
The man sitting by the window was tall and slender, dressed in luxurious moon-white robes with a soft silver-fur trim at the collar. His skin was fair and delicate, his face sharply defined with distinct features, and a clear expression of annoyance. His pale, slender hands were interlaced and casually resting on his abdomen, clearly reflecting a life of long-term privilege and comfort.
Under heaven, no one else but his sixth elder brother, Rui Wang Xiao Jin Li, who was immersed in wealth day and night, could possess such wealth, leisure, looks, and audacity.
Xiao Jin Li narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing the person behind the desk who had already begun reviewing the case files as if no one else were present. Xiao Jin Li's voice carried a faint anger, as cool as the autumn air. "Three years ago, when I came to you, you said you were proposing marriage at your in-laws' house. Two years ago, you said your wife was pregnant. Last year, you said your son was sick. Now, even the Medical Sage is staying at your home. What excuse are you going to give me this time?"
Without looking up, Xiao Jin Yu replied, "Wait... I'm still making one up."
Xiao Jin Li choked, his jade-like face instantly darkening as if covered by a layer of black smoke. "...I'm asking you to handle a case, not commit a crime. Why are you avoiding me?"
Xiao Jin Yu picked up a brush and circled an error in the case file he was holding. "I never said I wouldn't handle it for you... It's just that you refuse to let Wu Jiang take it over."Xiao Jin Yu's voice lowered a notch and deepened a degree. "This concerns your sixth sister-in-law's background. I don't trust any outsiders to meddle in it—only you can investigate it personally."
Xiao Jin Yu faintly furrowed his brow at the word "outsiders" and replied indifferently, "I don't have time."
Xiao Jin Yu grabbed the teapot from the side table next to the chair and poured a cup of tea. He had intended to take a sip to suppress his anger and maintain his composure, but unexpectedly, as soon as the tea entered his mouth, he had to spit it out.
Frowning, Xiao Jin Yu pulled out a fine silk handkerchief to wipe the residue from his lips. "Seventh Brother... what kind of tea is this?"
"Overnight tea," Xiao Jin Yu said, then added nonchalantly, "It's been several nights old... There have been case files piled up here these past few days, so I haven't had anyone come in to clean up." Lifting his eyes and seeing Xiao Jin Yu's expression as if he had swallowed a fly, Xiao Jin Yu smiled faintly and pushed a cup of warm water from his side forward. "If you don't mind it being dirty, you can drink this one."
Xiao Jin Yu rolled his eyes. This person clearly knew he had been fastidious since childhood and would never use cups, plates, or utensils that others had touched...
Xiao Jin Yu took a deep breath in and slowly exhaled. "Seventh Brother... if you still refuse to investigate, you'll have to find a way to cover the Three Law Divisions' expenses this year yourself."
Xiao Jin Yu was the one who earned and managed money for the Emperor. Though he was elusive and unpredictable in his daily movements, the annual tax revenue of the entire country couldn't match the money he alone earned. If he said he wouldn't allocate funds to the Three Law Divisions, the Ministry of Revenue wouldn't dare contribute a single copper coin.
And the annual expenses of the Three Law Divisions were far from something that the yearly income of Prince An Manor alone could cover.
Not a trace of panic showed on Xiao Jin Yu's face as he curled his lips slightly. "Do you know Tang Yan?"
Xiao Jin Yu was taken aback. "What salt?"
"Tang Yan..." Xiao Jin Yu said calmly and steadily, "The constable under Prince An Manor. In his early years, he was a chivalrous thief, most skilled at robbing the rich to aid the poor."
Xiao Jin Yu's face darkened. "Seventh Brother..."
Xiao Jin Yu coughed lightly, masking the smile at the corner of his mouth. "I can investigate the case... but I have conditions."
As soon as Gu He Nian arrived, Xiao Jin Yu's heart, which had been unsettled for a year, settled back into place. In truth, when he saw the letter sent by Xiao Jue, he had already prepared to start investigating the matter. He just hadn't expected this person to be so impatient and deliver himself to his doorstep. In that case, he couldn't be blamed for putting on airs in front of this wealthy and influential figure.
"Speak."
"One hundred thousand taels of gold."
"...One hundred thousand taels?!"
Xiao Jin Yu glanced up at the person who had jumped up from his chair, wide-eyed. Though this man was wealthy enough to rival a nation, he was a true miser, nitpicking over every trifle in daily life. One hundred thousand taels of gold was no different from asking him to slit his wrist and bleed... Perhaps, in this person's view, bleeding from the wrist would be more cost-effective.
Xiao Jin Yu wasn't short on money; he simply wanted to retaliate against this person's habit of showing up uninvited.
He deserved it, especially since he had caught Xiao Jin Yu in a particularly good mood.
Xiao Jin Yu gritted his teeth. "Fifty thousand taels..."
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