Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 389 Postponing the Retrial, Knowing When to Stop

He quickly stood next to Lin Zhiqing, but instead of looking at Lin Zhiqing, he stared intently at the three officials.

Zhou Chongzheng stood up and looked down at Lu Huai with a condescending gaze:

"Young Master Lu, the Ministry of Revenue is busy. What brings you here?"

Lu Huai smiled slightly: "Lord Zhou is joking. No matter how busy the Ministry of Revenue is, how can it bypass the Court of Judicial Review?"

"I have come today because I have received some new information."

A sinister look appeared between Jiang Liuyun's brows:
"Lord Lu, this is a retrial by the Three Departments. If I remember correctly, the Ministry of Revenue is not among the Three Departments."

"Even if Lord Lu is currently enjoying great influence, shouldn't he be interfering in the affairs of the Three Departments?"

"Is Prince Jiang trying to say that I'm meddling in other people's business?" Lu Huai raised an eyebrow and looked at Jiang Liuyun.

Jiang Liuyun remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Zhou Chongzheng and Wang Yuan both frowned deeply.

“Young Master Jiang is right. Lord Lu has nothing to do with this matter, nor does the Ministry of Revenue,” Zhou Chongzheng chimed in in support of Jiang Liuyun.

Wang Yuan looked displeased: "The affairs of the Three Departments are not the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue. Lu Huai, you have overstepped your bounds."

Lin Zhiqing's throat tightened; she hadn't expected Lu Huai to come.

But speaking up for the Lin family at this time is not a wise decision.

She spoke softly, "Lu Huai..."

"It's nothing," Lu Huai said softly to Lin Zhiqing.

But when he turned his head and spoke again, his voice was very strong and powerful:

"Although the Ministry of Revenue is not among the Three Departments, it is closely related to Lin Congrong's case of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country."

"I am acting on the orders of Minister Xu Yuansui of the Ministry of Revenue to present the grain and fodder records from many years ago for your reference."

“This is physical evidence. Although it comes from the Ministry of Revenue, the Dasheng Code does not stipulate that the Ministry of Revenue cannot provide physical evidence to the Three Departments.”

He explained things clearly in just a few words.

Physical evidence!?
Provisions and supplies records!?
Lin Zhiqing was slightly surprised; Lu Huai would never have sent these things for nothing.

Many years ago, it wasn't just a few people who plotted against Lin Congrong.

Are there even problems with food supplies?

She had previously suspected this and wanted to start from these places, but the Lin family had the title of marquis but no real power, so she couldn't get close to those records.

Now, Lu Huai has delivered it.

Compared to Lin Zhiqing's surprise, the Jiang family father and son were in a much worse mood.

Lu Huai, it's Lu Huai again!
It was just a hair's breadth away from finalizing the verdict on Lin Congrong's treason case.

The sudden appearance of the Ministry of Revenue's grain and fodder records clearly indicates that something from back then has been brought up again!

Jiang Yunhe gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with murderous intent as he looked at Lu Huai.

The matter was quite complicated, but he handled it very discreetly.

I have no idea how this kid managed to find his way to the grain supply.

Moreover, Lu Huai's words were reasonable and logical, leaving no room for argument or refusal.

Even if Zhou Chongzheng, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, intended to silence Lu Huai, he would be prevented by the "Dasheng Code".

Furthermore, the Minister of Justice was more than happy for the Jiang family to suffer a setback, so he spoke up without any hesitation:
"Lord Lu's actions do not violate the laws of the Great Sheng Dynasty."

Before Zhou Chongzheng could speak, Wang Yuan frowned and said:

"The matter of provisions? Bring it here!"

Lu Huai handed the thick stack of documents in his hand to the people from the Censorate.

Soon, the case file was submitted.

The three of them looked relatively normal at first, but the more you look at them, the stranger their expressions become.

Even Zhou Chongzheng frowned deeply, afraid that he might miss the contents of the dossier.

Lin Zhiqing quickly realized something was wrong.

The three men at the head of the table had never shown such a unified expression before.

Their brows were furrowed, and they leaned forward, hunched over the table.

Furthermore, the further they looked down, the higher their eyes rose and the wider they widened, clearly showing their surprise. Even though these movements were subtle, Lin Zhiqing still noticed them.

Even she couldn't help but wonder what exactly was written in that file.
Lu Huai, standing beside her, remained calm and waited quietly.

As time passed, the Jiang family father and son's hearts beat faster and faster.

The situation completely reversed after Lu Huai arrived.

Lin Zhiqing was slightly lost in thought, the current situation reminding her of the first time she met Lu Huai.

She still remembers what Lu Huai said back then.

"If there is no one in your house, I can still help."

When Lin Zhiqing first arrived in Dasheng and was isolated and helpless, these words were like a lifeline, giving her a chance to live.

Similarly, she remembered what Jiang Liuyun had said back then.

However, it was all a lie from beginning to end.

Lu Huai, however, consistently put that statement into practice through his actions.

This couldn't possibly leave her unmoved.

The high wall I had previously built in my heart was beginning to show signs of crumbling.

Before Lin Zhiqing could think it over, Lu Huai spoke again:

"My lords, is this evidence sufficient?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chongzheng and the others slowly straightened up, exchanged glances, and remained silent for a moment.

Jiang Liuyun could hardly contain himself: "My lord, may we take a look at the evidence?"

"No!" Zhou Chongzheng said quickly.

He glanced at the people below the hall and spoke directly:

"This case needs to be adjourned for further trial. The Dali Temple will conduct a supplementary investigation on the doubtful evidence. The court will resume in three days after the investigation is completed."

Ok?
Lin Zhiqing frowned. So sudden?

Jiang Yunhe stared silently at Zhou Chongzheng, and seeing that Jiang Liuyun was about to speak, he interrupted him directly:

"Since Lord Zhou has made his decision, I will naturally comply."

Zhou Chongzheng and the others looked at Lin Zhiqing.

Lin Zhiqing's goal of stalling for time and requesting a recess has been achieved.

Seeing the serious expressions on the faces of the officials, she knew that if she insisted on asking, the outcome would probably not be satisfactory. So she stopped while she was ahead and nodded slightly.

Soon after, Zhou Chongzheng announced the adjournment of the court and began to purge the staff.

Lu Huai was kept behind.

The Lin and Jiang families were politely asked to leave.

As she was leaving, Lin Zhiqing looked at Lu Huai and said softly:

"Lu Huai, once this matter is settled, I have something to say to you."

Lu Huai paused in his steps, turned around, and slightly curled the corners of his lips:
“I don’t want to hear the same old things.”

Lin Zhiqing paused.

"Lord Lu!" Before Lin Zhiqing could react, Zhou Chongzheng's voice came from inside.

Lu Huai said softly, "Never mind, I was just joking with you. I'll come find you once I've finished what I was doing."

After saying that, he hurriedly walked inside.

Lin Zhiqing watched his retreating figure and softly replied, "Not the same things as before."

Her voice was very soft, and almost no one could hear her.

Then she turned and walked out.

Lin Shi'an and Lin Yangyang, who had been waiting for a long time, came forward to greet them. Lin Yangyang's face was full of excitement:
"Sister Qing, the court is in recess! It's actually in recess!"

"I thought our Lin family was doomed today!"

"Sister, what are you saying?" Lin Shi'an asked softly.

Lin Congli then looked into the Dali Temple hall: "Zhiqing, what's this about Lu Huai...?"

"I don't know either." Lin Zhiqing shook her head, her gaze equally distant.