Chapter 640 - 406: Entering the Game

Once it was decided to close the case, Zhu Cheng began to draft the preliminary closing documents. He planned to have them reviewed by Zhu Zhengfu.

Duan Rong and Zhu Peng could only stand by and watch.

Not until the afternoon did Zhu Cheng finally organize the preliminary closing documents. He stood up, stretching his somewhat stiff back.

Zhu Cheng tucked the documents into his sleeves and called Duan Rong to accompany him to Zhu Zhengfu’s residence.

"Don’t I need to go?" Zhu Peng asked in surprise.

Zhu Cheng replied, "No, you don’t. Wait for us here."

Zhu Peng sat back down grumbling but knew it wasn’t Zhu Cheng’s decision; it was because Zhu Zhengfu hadn’t called for him.

In terms of family ties, Zhu Peng had to call Zhu Zhengfu his Seventh Uncle properly.

However, since childhood, his Seventh Uncle has never thought much of him. During Zhu Peng’s years as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, he didn’t gain any advantage, always receiving scoldings.

Now, with Minister Zhu Shizhong dead, his Seventh Uncle had become the head of the Zhu Family in the Mortal World. He didn’t know whether he should be happy or sigh.

Duan Rong and Zhu Cheng left the room, and as they turned into a walkway, a door not far away opened, revealing a figure stepping out, none other than the pockmarked face.

Seeing them, the pockmarked face gestured respectfully, "Master Zhu! Lord Duan!"

Zhu Cheng snorted, brushing past him.

After Zhu Cheng and Duan Rong passed by, the pockmarked face released his gesture and straightened up, leisurely walking to the other side.

Duan Rong sighed lightly.

Although his face was pocked, he had a peaceful demeanor, displaying utmost courtesy, looking entirely harmless.

Who would suspect he was a hidden stake placed in the Ministry of Justice?

Duan Rong was curious but didn’t discuss the pockmarked face with Zhu Cheng. Up until now, Duan Rong didn’t even know the pockmarked face’s name.

Zhu Cheng differed from Zhu Peng. Zhu Peng was straightforward; chatting a bit with him was harmless, but Zhu Cheng was evidently a thoughtful person. If Duan Rong talked about the pockmarked face without reason, and if the pockmarked face were exposed one day, Zhu Cheng would certainly suspect Duan Rong knew all along but didn’t tell him.

It’s better to talk less.

The two rode on two light horses from the Ministry of Justice, trotting along Changle Street towards Zhu Zhengfu’s residence.

They dismounted in front of a modest and secluded estate. Zhu Cheng knocked on the door and handed his visiting card to the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper showed them to a parlor to drink tea while he went to the back courtyard with Zhu Cheng’s card.

The two hadn’t even warmed their seats when the gatekeeper returned, leading them to the floral hall in the backyard.

Entering the floral hall, they saw a casually dressed, bearded middle-aged man in a Grandmaster’s Chair, his face the color of yellow wax, with eyes gleaming with steady cunning.

As Zhu Cheng and Duan Rong entered, they immediately cupped their hands, saying, "Master Zhu!"

With a chuckle, Zhu Zhengfu stood up and said, "This isn’t a formal setting; no need for formalities. Please have a seat."

Upon hearing this, the two sat down on chairs at the side.

Once seated, Zhu Cheng glanced at Duan Rong, then pulled out the documents from his sleeve, looked up at Zhu Zhengfu, and said, "Regarding the case of Minister Zhu Shizhong, after a month of extensive investigation by the Ministry of Justice, I believe it is time to apply for case closure. Here are the closing documents; please review them!"

As he spoke, Zhu Cheng held the closing documents respectfully in his hands.

Technically, these documents should be submitted by the Temple Chief to the Junior Minister, who would review them before submitting them to the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Upon the Minister’s approval and stamping, the case can be declared closed. A copy of the closing documents would then be filed with the Secretariat, and another copy would notify the Adviser of the case closure, marking the end of proceedings.

In principle, matters of criminal justice shouldn’t involve the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, but Zhu Cheng sought Zhu Zhengfu’s review before submission.

Ultimately, the bureaucratic processes were just formalities, as it was the head of the Zhu Family in the Mortal World who had died. For closure, approval was needed not just from Zhu Zhengfu but also from the Elder Hall’s decision.

"Oh?" Zhu Zhengfu’s eyes flickered slightly.

Immediately, Zhu Cheng stood up and respectfully handed the documents to Zhu Zhengfu.

Zhu Zhengfu took them and immediately began to review.

After reading, he closed the documents in silence.

Zhu Cheng and Duan Rong remained quiet, awaiting Zhu Zhengfu’s words.

After a while, Zhu Zhengfu smiled, looked at them, and said, "You’ve both worked hard! Especially young friend Duan, who, despite his youth, was able to uncover the scheme behind the murder with keen insight. It’s not easy!"

"Although we couldn’t apprehend the mastermind due to Zhou Wei being a hidden stake, exposing Zhou Wei is a significant achievement!"

Placing the closing documents aside, Zhu Zhengfu continued, "Since the trail has gone cold, it’s pointless to delay further. As I see it, it’s time to close the case."

At this point, Zhu Cheng’s face remained expressionless.

Then, Zhu Zhengfu glanced at Zhu Cheng, saying, "I’ll report this matter to the ancestor; wait for the news."

"Ah! Much appreciated, sir!" Only then did Zhu Cheng’s eyes brighten as he spoke.

After that, they exchanged a few casual remarks.

Duan Rong and Zhu Cheng then stood up to take their leave.

Suddenly, Zhu Zhengfu stopped Duan Rong, saying, "Young friend Duan, please stay a moment; I have a few words to say to you."