Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 517 Royal Secrets
Ministry of Justice, Qingli Division.

On a sweltering summer day, in the cramped duty room, Ji Bin, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, sat leaning against his desk.

His slightly overweight figure made him unable to withstand the sweltering heat; his back was drenched in sweat, soaking a large patch of his official robes.

The cicadas chirping outside the window disturbed his mind, and the ink he had just written seemed to be absorbed by the paper, instantly drying into a black spot, making the writing blurry and difficult to decipher.

Upon seeing the lines appear between Ji Bin's brows, the clerk beside him hurriedly fanned himself more vigorously, swallowing nervously.

"Lord Ji, this is the Yangzhou smuggled salt case you requested."

The registrar of the Ministry of Justice followed closely into the room and respectfully presented the official documents to Ji Bin at his desk.

"It's all sorted out; I'll show it to you, sir."

The Yangzhou salt smuggling case was the last case Lin Ruhai handled after arriving in Beijing.

Ji Bin had been working in the Ministry of Justice for several years and was well aware of its intricacies.

Every case file has flaws; nothing is perfect.

Now that Yue Ling is secretly investigating him, he must try his best to grasp the other party's weaknesses in order to seize a chance to turn the tide.

Therefore, Ji Bin summoned his subordinates to expedite the compilation of the case involving Yue Ling.

However, targeting Yue Ling would be too obvious, so they opted for a less obvious approach and turned their attention to Lin Ruhai.

Glancing at the document, the sharp-tongued Ji Bin was even more irritated. Even though it suited his tastes, he couldn't escape a scolding.

Ji Bin slowly picked up his iced tea, took a sip, and without even lifting his eyelids, snorted coldly and tapped the corner of the table, saying, "Put it down."

"Yes, my lord."

The registrar hurriedly stepped forward, then stepped back, maintaining an extremely respectful attitude as he awaited further instructions.

The higher the rank, the more powerless one becomes, especially in the Ministry of Justice, a place that values ​​order. Coupled with the ruthless Ji Bin, even the registrar, with sweat dripping from his forehead to his neck, dared not wipe it away.

As the registrar watched Ji Bin slowly pick up the case file, his heart sank.

Sure enough, after only turning the first few pages, Ji Bin's brows furrowed again. He pointed at the paper with his pen and said, "Registrant Zhou, you've been working in our yamen for many years. How come you're even worse than the newcomers?"

"What did you write the character '叁' in '叁佰两'? The ink blot is so big, it's smudged the paper! And the spacing between the characters is inconsistent, what kind of decorum is this? The court's records represent the face of the Ministry of Justice! If the Minister reviews the records with such carelessness, how will you explain it to your superiors?"

Before he finished speaking, his colleagues all looked at him with pity.

Everyone knows that the so-called format and handwriting are just nitpicking and deliberately finding fault.

In other words, even if you accomplish something for your superiors, don't expect them to remember your good deeds.

Feeling the scorching gazes around him, Zhou, the registrar, was truly embarrassed. He inwardly groaned and bowed repeatedly, saying, "Your Excellency is right. I was negligent. I will take it back and make a clean copy right away."

"Recopy it?"

Ji Bin snorted coldly, slammed the file shut, and threw it on the table. "Easy for you to say! Who will take responsibility if the ministerial meeting is delayed? Can you, a mere sixth-rank clerk, bear that responsibility?"

Clerk Zhou was sweating profusely and said hastily, "This humble official dares not! This humble official will..."

Ji Bin leaned back, his bulky body looming over him, and adopted an even more arrogant tone, "Fine, considering your usual diligence, I'll let your mistake slide this time."

"But the government emphasizes clear distinction between right and wrong, and rewards merit. Here's what we'll do: give you a chance to make amends."

As he spoke, Ji Bin waved to Zhou, the registrar.

Clerk Zhou lifted his official robe and stepped forward. He then heard Ji Bin say in a low voice, "It's terribly hot today. My ladies must be suffering from the heat too. There's an icehouse in the south of the city that's said to have the best iced drinks. Go and buy some and send them to my residence."

"Now?"

Clerk Zhou asked in surprise, "I still have several important documents on hand..."

"Hmm?" Ji Bin's face darkened. "What? Do you not understand what I'm saying, or do you not want to hear it?"

His eyes glanced at the case file at just the right moment.

Clerk Zhou's body trembled, whether from anger or fear, he could only suppress his emotions.

"It's clearly just a matter of filial piety; no wonder they made me do this job."

Zhou, the registrar, was still processing what had happened, but dared not contradict his superior. He swallowed his anger and said, "This humble official... dares not. This humble official will take care of it immediately."

Ji Bin stroked his beard, smiled and nodded, watching his figure disappear into the distance, feeling as if he had cooled down considerably.

Just before leaving, the absent-minded Registrar Zhou tripped on the threshold, causing his colleagues to put down their work and look up.

Then, they all looked at Ji Bin's face at the same time.

Ji Bin sneered, "What? Someone wants to do errands for Registrar Zhou?"

Everyone shrank back and quickly picked up their pens again, focusing solely on the documents in front of them.

Before they could finish, footsteps echoed in the corridor again.

"This way, this way."

It was Zhou, the registrar, who made everyone in the room involuntarily raise their eyelids to pay attention to the change at the door.

It would be too late to complete Ji Bin's instructions in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Everyone thought that it was Clerk Zhou who had returned, but after a shadow flashed by, Clerk Zhou actually welcomed in another person.

If Ji Bin, who was standing in front of the hall, was pot-bellied and looked quite greasy, then the person who came in was very clean-cut, with a strong waist and excellent proportions.

The official robe, a dark blue one embroidered with pythons, had a white jade plaque with dragon patterns hanging on one side of his waist and an emperor's sword with a gilded scabbard on the other. He exuded an awe-inspiring and majestic presence.

Ji Bin frowned and looked over as well, but when he saw who it was, he couldn't help but rub his eyes.

But it wasn't that he was seeing things; the man had really come to the Ministry of Justice.

For some reason, Ji Bin suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

He was terrified that the man before him would draw his sword and behead him right there in the courtroom, and his body trembled slightly.

After swallowing hard and calming down, Ji Bin realized that his previous thought was absurd.

Even if Yue Ling's power is unstoppable, he wouldn't do something so illogical.

But now, Ji Bin still can't afford to offend him.

Before Yue Ling could speak, she stood up and came out to greet him. "Lord Duke? What brings you to my Ministry of Justice today? Is the Du Zheng Hall short of ice? There are some left in the Ministry of Justice's warehouse. I'll have someone send them to you."

Yue Ling frowned slightly and walked into the room without saying a word.

The sweltering summer heat seemed to carry an icy chill, making everyone in the cell tremble with fear.

He went straight to Ji Bin's desk and sat down with an air of authority.

The guards behind him quickly entered and replaced the two minor officials who were fanning themselves, standing guard on either side.

As Yue Ling casually flipped through the documents on his desk, a slight smirk appeared on his lips. "Oh, what a coincidence," he said. "Minister Ji is investigating my father-in-law's case."

Sweat beaded on Ji Bin's forehead as he humbly stepped forward and explained, "Not at all, the previous documents were reviewed, and we re-examined them. However... we simply re-transcribed the worn parts."

"I see. I thought it was Minister Ji who was changing my father-in-law's case file."

Yue Ling smiled coldly, his expression extremely threatening.

Clearly, Yue Ling came here today to cause trouble.

Ji Bin was even more subservient than the registrar had been, his legs shaking uncontrollably, as if he wanted to kneel down.

"Even if the Duke of Dingguo gave me a few more lives, I wouldn't dare to alter the case files without permission. That's a capital offense."

With a bang, Yue Ling slammed his sword on the table, startling Ji Bin so much that he stumbled back a few steps, his face turning pale. Seeing this, Yue Ling smiled and said, "I'm sorry to have disturbed you, Minister Ji. This imperial sword is a bit heavy to carry at your waist, so I'll put it on the table for a bit."

Only officials of the fourth rank or below, like Yue Ling, could execute first and report later. Logically speaking, Ji Bin shouldn't be anything to fear.

After thinking for a moment, Ji Bin smiled again, "Yes, Duke Dingguo, please feel free to do as you please. I just wonder, what important matter brings you here today, Duke Dingguo?"

Yue Ling weighed the case file in his hand and said, "Some time ago, I had someone review a few old cases. Are you aware of that?"

Ji Bin shook his head repeatedly and said, "This humble official does not know."

Yue Ling frowned and said, "Bullshit! You, a vice minister of the Ministry of Justice, don't even know that the case files have been accessed? You wouldn't even know if they were lost!"

The surrounding people stared intently, even the registrar Zhou, whom he had just troubled, looked at him. Ji Bin's face flushed red and turned a deep liver color.

"I...I do know."

Yue Ling put down the document in his hand and said, "You know? If you know, then it's easy. Bring me the case of Tuji Khan's suicide again."

Suppressing his inner horror, Ji Bin hurriedly called to his men, "Didn't you hear me? Quickly go and fetch the case from the Duke of Dingguo."

Taking advantage of the break while the case files were being delivered, Yue Ling casually asked, "Is Grand Secretary Chai not at the yamen today?"

Ji Bin shook his head, feeling like he wanted to cry.

If he had an older brother, he wouldn't be so afraid of Yue Ling.

Yue Ling is known for not following the rules. One second she's laughing and joking with you, and the next she's asking about your daughter's age.

Bah, I mean I'll chop off your head.

"Old Chai is not at the yamen today. The dog days of summer are too hot, and Old Chai's body cannot withstand this heat."

Yue Ling said coldly, "That Minister Chai has a pretty easy job, unlike us who are busy with all sorts of things and have people spying on us behind our backs."

Ji Bin couldn't reply, so he could only respond with a wry smile.

After a while, the minor official who had gone out returned, carrying a thick stack of files, and ran in breathlessly.

The document was presented to Yue Ling, who nodded slightly in acknowledgment. "Thank you for your hard work. Go and get back to work."

"Yes, my lord."

Yue Ling turned to a page and began reading it in front of Ji Bin.

Ji Bin nervously swallowed, his hands twisting awkwardly together. He tried to appear calm, but his eyes involuntarily drifted towards where Yue Ling was looking.

Yue Ling suddenly stopped, pointed to a spot, and asked, "Minister Ji, this 'Corpse Examination Record' states that Tuji Khan died at '3:45 PM', the cause of death being 'sudden heart palpitation'?"

Ji Bin said in a trembling voice, "Yes, yes. After a detailed examination by the coroner, it was indeed a sudden onset of palpitations, caused by a relapse of an old illness."

Yue Ling then asked, "Then why is there no record in the prison cell or the case files of anyone visiting the cell that day?"

Ji Bin asked in surprise, "Then perhaps no one went to see him that day?"

Yue Ling sneered, "Why do you suddenly feel palpitations when there's nothing exciting going on? Where is Tuji Khan's body buried? I want to open the coffin and see the corpse!"

"The body, the body..."

Ji Bin became increasingly nervous, "So many years have passed, even I can't remember very clearly."

Yue Ling then asked, "Is it gone, or was it hidden away?"

"Your Excellency is joking. In such a major case, with a joint trial by three courts, who would dare to cover up a corpse?"

Yue Ling pointed at the file and said, "Do you really think I'm an amateur?"

"Come and see!"

Ji Bin had no choice but to bite the bullet and move closer to Yue Ling, reading in the direction she was pointing.

"The deceased's face was bluish-purple, his lips were slightly open, and his hands were slightly clenched. A minor abrasion and subcutaneous hematoma, about the size of a coin, was found on the back of his head, presumably caused by hitting a hard object when he fell. No skull fracture or intracranial injury was found."

"My lord, what's wrong with this?"

This was a perfect match for his expertise. Yue Ling, a veteran police officer who had participated in many criminal cases, couldn't help but angrily say, "If someone falls backward due to palpitations, the point of impact should be the higher part of the back of the head or the back of the parietal bone."

"But this injury is located slightly below the center of the back of the head. Is it due to the coroner's incompetence, or is someone deliberately concealing it?"

Ji Bin panicked. The Emperor's Sword on the table was now even more dazzling. His legs went weak and he knelt on the ground.

Yue Ling pinched his chin and said, "I have found the coroner from back then, but he has already passed away. Normally, a coroner should inherit his father's profession, but his son is now in business."

"I'll give you a few days' grace, but you'd better give me a reasonable explanation. Otherwise, not only will you lose your official position, but I think it'll be time to rescind your head!"

Yue Ling strode out the door.

The surrounding officials didn't even dare to look up, nor did they dare to look at Ji Bin, who was kneeling and panting heavily in front of the hall.

For some reason, they felt a sense of relief...

"My lord, should we still send the frozen dessert to your residence?"

Registrar Zhou stepped forward and helped Ji Bin up.

Ji Bin squinted slightly and said weakly, "Never mind, it's not like the heat will kill anyone..."

……

The sun was setting in the west, fifteen miles outside the city.

Miaoyu followed her master to a place surrounded by mountains on three sides and embraced by water on the south side.

Even though Miaoyu had no expertise in feng shui, she could tell that this was an excellent feng shui location, with the appearance of a gathering dragon vein.

After walking several hundred steps, you will see a lush and verdant landscape.

After passing through a white marble archway, Miaoyu finally realized where she was.

"Imperial Mausoleum?"

Sure enough, guards appeared the next second, blocking their way and asking warily, "This is a royal forbidden area; unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter!"

Miaoyu looked horrified, but the old nun remained calm. "This humble monk is looking for someone."

The guard said coldly, "What a joke, who can you possibly be looking for here?"

The old nun added, "We are looking for both the living and the dead."

"You're spouting nonsense! Get out of here, or don't blame me for being rude to a monk like you!"

The imperial mausoleum, which was usually quiet only with the chirping of insects and birds, is now bustling with noise, unsurprisingly attracting people to come out of the mausoleum.

The visitor was old and frail, with an aged face, and seemed to be struggling with every step he took.

What's most strange is that he has no beard.

"This is no place for noise!"

The sound was deep and resonant, yet incredibly penetrating. The guards couldn't help but lower their weapons and step aside.

But when the old man got closer, he showed an even more surprised expression.

"why you?"

"Ha, why not me?"

(End of this chapter)