Proud Feather

Chapter 102 Retrial
Lin Wenyu could no longer see the words on the file before realizing it was already dark.

The clerk lit a candle and asked, "Sir, it's time to leave the office. Can we do these things tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow what tomorrow?" Lin Wenyu said irritably. "Gao Mian went back to rest? Definitely not! That kid is determined to find fault with me, no way! Hurry up and complete the evidence and confessions, the sooner the case is closed, the sooner! Get to work, everyone get back to work!"

Under the leadership of their superiors, the Ministry of Justice was unusually brightly lit.

However, this scene was quickly interrupted by an envoy from the palace.

"His Majesty has decreed that there are still doubts in the case of the Crown Prince's murder, and Minister Lin is requested to bring witnesses and evidence to the Funing Palace for an audience with His Majesty!"

Lin Wenyu was taken aback for a moment, then pulled the eunuch who was delivering the imperial decree aside and asked in a low voice, "Is there any doubt about this? Your Excellency, has something changed in the palace?"

The eunuch subtly accepted the purse he was offered and replied with a smile, "The princess said she didn't understand this morning and needs to figure it out before the case can be closed."

"There's no need to rush, it's already night..."

"This is also what the princess said: some things are better left unresolved. Debts should be repaid sooner rather than later, and grudges should not be left unresolved overnight."

"..." Lin Wenyu scoffed. What debt or grudge? It sounded so menacing, was it really necessary? It was just that he solved the case, while Gao Mian, whom he valued, was sidelined. The princess was really childish; she couldn't bear the slightest grievance.

"What about Your Majesty?"

The eunuch smiled and said, "His Majesty feels sorry for the princess..."

Alright, let's make the princess give up completely, so that His Majesty can be at ease.

Lin Wenyu politely saw the eunuch off and then mobilized all the officials in the yamen: "Quickly, quickly, gather the evidence and go to the palace to see the emperor!"

The evidence was readily available, and the people hadn't dispersed yet, so it was quick and easy to pack up. From this perspective, Lin Wenyu was quite grateful to the princess for getting it done today, saving him the trouble of gathering everyone again.

Just as the officials were leaving their offices, the Ministry of Justice personnel once again mobilized en masse, attracting officials from various offices to stop and watch.

"What's going on now? Why is the Ministry of Justice making such a big commotion again?"

"I don't know? Has a major case happened somewhere?"

"Look, the Dali Temple has come out too!"

Everyone turned to look, and sure enough, Gao Mian, leading a large group of officials from the Court of Judicial Review, was following closely behind the Ministry of Justice, creating a tense atmosphere!
Someone with good connections inquired around and returned, saying, "It's about what happened this morning. It seems they've found more evidence. The case of the Crown Prince being poisoned is going to be closed today!"

"Really? They said this morning they had a lead on the real culprit. Can the case be closed so quickly?"

"Judging from the appearance of the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review, it should be true."

"Why do they look like they want to fight? Didn't they solve the case together?"

"Even if we break them together, there should be a primary and secondary responsibility, right? We're all in charge of criminal justice, who wants to be inferior to the other?"

"That's true. I heard this morning that the Ministry of Justice arrested the suspect. Could it be that the Court of Judicial Review has new evidence this time? I wonder if the Ministry of Justice has won, or if the Court of Judicial Review has turned the tables."

Some people lamented, "I hope the real culprit is brought to justice, so the Crown Prince can rest in peace..."

At the palace gate, at the very hour when the gates should have been locked, the area was now packed with people.

The Ministry of Justice is on the left, and the Court of Judicial Review is on the right; the two are clearly distinct.

Lin Wenyu greeted him with a smile, "Lord Gao, have you found any new evidence? Why don't you tell me? It's so late, it wouldn't be good to disturb the princess and His Majesty!"

Gao Mian returned the greeting formally without the slightest smile: "This humble official is merely following orders."

"Oh..." Lin Wenyu drawled, his heart filled with disbelief. Obey orders? Obey whose orders? The princess? Ha! What does the princess know? She's just been fooled by him! This poor kid really knows how to put on an act!
Winter days are short and night falls early. As dusk settles, sedan chairs arrive one after another at the palace gate. The people who emerge force Lin Wenyu to composed himself and greet them respectfully.

"Zhang Xiang!"

"Li Xiang!"

"Zhang Zhongcheng!"

The same team as in the morning made him realize that the little princess seemed to be serious.

……

The tavern by the small bridge was booked out again tonight. A handsome young man sat in his familiar spot, the blindfold fluttering gently in the night breeze.

The Taoist priest sitting opposite him stroked his beard and said, "It's almost time. I should go. Is there anything else you need to tell me?"

Xiao Yu smiled gently: "What can an outsider like me explain? I'm just telling the insiders the clues I know."

Master Lingxu snorted: "Too much modesty is fake! You were a great help this morning, otherwise the princess would have had to wait several days to retaliate."

Xiao Yu calmly replied, "It's only a few days later. She will definitely succeed in what she wants to do."

Master Lingxu couldn't help but laugh: "You have a very good impression of the princess! Everyone else thinks she's naive and just fooling around."

"I call it empathy," Xiao Yu said. "Don't others also think I'm young, inexperienced, and incapable of handling such a heavy responsibility?"

Master Lingxu sighed inwardly as he thought of his predicament.

He finished the last sip of tea, stood up decisively, and said, "Alright, I'm off."

After saying that, he turned around and strode away, his sleeves fluttering, and disappeared into the night in the blink of an eye.

Gongsun Hong walked over, his face showing concern: "Young Master, do you really think the princess can succeed? I have a feeling the truth isn't so simple."

Xiao Yu slowly stirred the teacup on the table and replied calmly, "Of course it's not simple. We might catch the murderer tonight, but it won't be easy to uproot the mastermind and find the mastermind."

"Then you still..."

“Nothing in this world can be accomplished overnight,” Xiao Yu said. “If you don’t take the first step, you’ll never reach the other side.”

Gongsun Hong couldn't help but think of his own family's situation. Yes, weren't they also slowly struggling to move forward? Perhaps there were countless thorns blocking their way, but as long as they were cut down one by one, the road would become wider and wider.

He raised his wine glass: "To the young master."

Xiao Yu smiled slightly, raised his wine cup, and said, "To the princess."
-
Xu Shi.

The Funing Palace was brightly lit.

When Lin Wenyu and Gao Mian entered, everyone was already in their places.

The emperor sat in the main seat, while the princess sat to his side.

The ministers and Vice Minister Zhang were also given seats, with guards standing on both sides, creating an atmosphere even more solemn and dignified than in a public hall.

The two were infected by the atmosphere and their spirits were lifted.

"Greetings, Your Majesty; greetings, Princess; greetings, gentlemen."

"No need for formalities," the Emperor said calmly. "Minister Lin, Minister Gao, the princess said there are still some unclear points in the case, and she has summoned you here for questioning. Are you prepared to answer the princess's questions?"

Lin Wenyu spoke first: "Yes! I wonder what the princess does not understand? I will do my best to answer the princess's questions."

Gao Mian followed up: "I agree."

All eyes were on Chu Ling, who calmly said, "Minister Lin, you still believe Zhu Fan is the murderer, don't you?"

Lin Wenyu naturally couldn't refute his own conclusion and replied, "Yes."

"You believe your evidence is flawless, is that right?"

"...Yes." At this point, he couldn't very well say there was a problem, could he?

“Alright.” Chu Ling nodded gently. “I have different clues here, and I need to compare them with Minister Lin again.”

After saying that, she turned and instructed, "Please call the first witness."

The palace attendant announced loudly, "The princess has ordered that the first witness be summoned—"

The palace doors opened, and Zheng Qiu quickly led the people inside.

"Princess?!"

Everyone, please be patient. There are some things that need to be explained to create a proper atmosphere.