Proud Feather

Chapter 89 Case Solved
Lin Wenyu, the Minister of Justice, is a slippery old fox.

He came from a prominent family; his grandfather was a renowned Confucian scholar with countless students. Although his own talent was average, he benefited from his family's influence and enjoyed a successful official career.

He has a good relationship with the Prime Minister and also gets along well with the Vice Prime Minister. In short, he is popular with both sides and has some connections with both.

Therefore, Gao Mian was very anxious about the investigation deadline, while Lin Wenyu was quite relaxed. If they really couldn't find out the truth, they could just take a term or two in local government and maybe even get promoted when they came back.

Chu Ling had long seen through this old man and didn't take him seriously. It was best if he stayed put; if he dared to cause trouble, she could just get rid of him.

—In his previous life, after Chu He ascended the throne, he cleaned up the court, and Lin Wenyu seized the opportunity to become the prime minister. He was known as the "White Rice Prime Minister" because he did nothing but eat rice. The rapid southward invasion of the Northern Hu was largely due to his inaction as prime minister.

But Chu Ling didn't expect Lin Wenyu to be so bold this time. After she clearly handed the matter over to Gao Mian, he actually dared to interfere and snatch people away.

On the carriage, Jiang Shijun, who had rushed over, reported what had happened.

"According to Lord Gao, Miss Zhu was taken away by the Ministry of Justice not long after she returned. They interrogated her all night without rest. In addition, a large number of managers and servants of Xianle Tower were arrested."

"Their timing was perfect. The Dali Temple had been busy all night and was finally able to rest. By the time Lord Gao found out in the morning, it was too late."

"Oh, right, and some of the witnesses we investigated before, like the river workers... are all in the Ministry of Justice now."

Chu Ling's brows furrowed more and more as she listened.

"Lin Wenyu came prepared."

Jiang Shijun said, "Princess, I have a bad feeling. Minister Lin's mobilization of such a large force is a complete break with the enemy. If he has a purpose, he will surely strike decisively!"

Chu Ling agreed. Lin Wenyu's grand gesture showed a complete lack of consideration for the future.

"What exactly did he find? He can't possibly overturn all our evidence, can he?"

Jiang Shijun couldn't understand what Minister Lin's purpose was. If he wanted to steal credit, he could have simply taken it and made a show of it; even the princess would have had to help him. But he was clearly wary of the princess as well, and one could even say he was on the opposite side of her.

Is he tired of living? As long as the princess doesn't lose the emperor's favor, he's the emperor to him. How can a subject compete with the emperor? He has absolutely no self-awareness.

Minister Lin is not that kind of person; he established himself in the court by being slippery and cunning!
“Anything unusual must be suspicious,” Chu Ling instructed. “We’ll go to the Ministry of Justice first and try to get everyone we can out. Then you go back to the East Palace to meet with Lord Zhu and protect the leads and witnesses we’ve found…”

Jiang Shijun nodded repeatedly.

Qingcha hesitated for a moment and asked, "Princess, aren't we being too nervous? Maybe Minister Lin just wants to steal the credit? There are only a few days left in the deadline. It would be a good thing if he could solve the case."

Chu Ling said, "I wouldn't dare to dream of such a good thing."

She had a suspicion in her mind, but it wasn't appropriate to voice it yet.

Of course, there is no benefit in a subject fighting against his ruler, but what if Lin Wenyu were fighting on behalf of another ruler?

When the carriage arrived at the Ministry of Justice, Chu Ling got off and, as expected, saw Gao Mian at the gatehouse.

He's been here so long, and he still can't get through the door.

"Princess!"

Officials swarmed in, saying, "Greetings, Princess."

"Rise," Chu Ling said calmly, and then walked inside. Gao Mian immediately followed behind her.

"Princess!" An official stepped forward to stop her, smiling obsequiously. "The imperial carriage has arrived suddenly, and the yamen is in chaos. We're afraid it might be disrespectful to you. Would you please wait here for a moment while we tidy ourselves up?" "No need, this princess doesn't blame me." She walked around him.

"Princess!" The official still blocked her way. "Minister Lin is currently handling a case and is probably unavailable for the moment..."

"It's alright, I, the princess, will go see him too!"

"Princess……"

The man was about to speak again when Chu Ling, having lost her patience, instantly changed her expression: "How dare you! Who do you think you are, daring to block this princess's path! Guards, seize him!"

The guards shouted in response and came forward to drag him away.

The man persisted: "Princess! Princess, please wait a moment, I only..."

The guards swiftly gagged him, silencing him completely.

The Ministry of Justice was deathly silent; no one dared to step forward. But they couldn't disobey their superiors' orders, so they could only follow closely, hesitant and uncertain.

At that moment, a sound came from inside.

"Princess!" Lin Wenyu greeted her with a broad smile and strode out. "Princess, what brings you here? I was just about to send someone to invite you over."

"Is that so?" Chu Ling stopped and looked at him with a half-smile. "I just interrogated this person last night, and you arrested him overnight. I thought you had some kind of grudge against me!"

Lin Wenyu hurriedly replied, "Your Highness is too kind. How could I possibly be dissatisfied with you? I have been ashamed because I have made no progress for so long! After your reprimand last time, I ordered them to investigate more thoroughly. They have been working day and night for the past few days and have finally made some progress."

"Oh?" Chu Ling asked with interest. "What did you gain, Miss Zhu?"

"I was just about to report to the princess!" Lin Wenyu said solemnly, "This woman is highly suspected. She probably lied to you last night. I have ordered her interrogation and we will get her confession soon."

What lie did she tell?

Lin Wenyu smiled and said, "It's hard to explain in a short time. Why don't you rest in the back room for a while, Princess? I will inform you as soon as the interrogation room has any results."

Chu Ling frowned, and Gao Mian stepped forward to speak: "Minister Lin, Zhu Fan is a weak woman. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to send her directly to the torture chamber? If she is tortured into confessing, her testimony may not be credible."

Lin Wenyu gave him a cold shoulder: "What do you mean by this, Lord Gao? Is Zhu Fan someone only you can interrogate, but I can't? Come to think of it, you're being too distant. This case is supposed to be a joint investigation for us. Why didn't you let me know when you had a lead?"

Gao Mian naturally couldn't take the blame, and said, "Minister Lin seems to have forgotten that when we found the poison ingredients, we asked you to investigate together, but how long did you keep making excuses? What's the logic behind turning around and blaming us now?"

Lin Wenyu sneered: "When did we make excuses? If we can't find it, we can't find it. Aren't you the same? Don't try to bully the princess just because she's young!"

"you……"

Gao Mian was about to speak again when Chu Ling interrupted him: "Alright, let's leave the lawsuit for later. Where is Miss Zhu? This princess wants to see her now!"

The Ministry of Justice is simply stalling for time; the official earlier was, and now Lin Wenyu is doing the same. This inexplicably filled Chu Ling with panic. No, she had to see Zhu Fan as soon as possible!

"Princess! Please wait a moment..." Lin Wenyu wanted to delay any longer, his eyes frequently glancing outside.

The person he was waiting for arrived quickly. A flurry of footsteps sounded outside the yamen, and a bailiff dragged someone over: "Reporting—Sir! The prisoner has been brought!"

Upon recognizing the person, Lin Wenyu breathed a sigh of relief and turned back with a smile, saying, "Princess, I have good news to report. The case has been solved, and the real culprit has been found!"

I'm coming.