Chapter 225 - 223: Let Him See What It’s Like to Rely on a Woman (Part 2)

Chapter 225: Chapter 223: Let Him See What It’s Like to Rely on a Woman (Part 2)

Before Zhao Jingming could fully comprehend, the door to the room was pushed open, and three men walked in from outside. As they turned, they came face to face with Xu Jing and Zhao Jingming standing by the bed.

Xu Jing barely had time to put the bedding back on the bed before they entered.

The leader, dressed in a bright red official robe, was in his twenties. His fair skin and slightly upturned eyes gave an impression of aloofness and arrogance. Upon seeing Zhao Jingming and Xu Jing, his expression changed slightly. The two men behind him sternly demanded, "Who are you! Don’t you know that this room has been sealed for the Ministry of Justice’s investigation?"

Zhao Jingming instinctively stepped in front of Xu Jing to shield her. The man in the bright red official robe glanced at him and said coldly, "So it’s Zhao Liulang. It seems Zhao Liulang is very interested in this case. Not only has he been sneaking around to gather information, but he’s also come to the crime scene in person."

As he spoke, his eyes nonchalantly swept over Xu Jing, without acknowledging her presence.

Zhao Jingming glared at him and retorted unpleasantly, "I asked you politely about the case before, but since you refused to tell me, I had to send someone to find out!"

"Is Zhao Liulang a member of the Ministry of Justice? Or has he received some secret order to investigate this case?"

The man’s gaze held a hint of disdain as he said, "This is a case for our Ministry of Justice. Even if you called Xiao Qilang over, it wouldn’t matter. If you continue to meddle, even though you’re from the Zhao Family, I can charge you with obstructing official duties."

Xu Jing’s eyes flickered slightly.

This guy must be the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Wang Qilang, in charge of this case.

Just as Zhao Jingming and Zhao Shaohua said, he certainly seemed difficult to deal with.

"You!"

Zhao Jingming gritted his teeth in anger, "If you hadn’t failed to find the culprit, I wouldn’t bother with this case! The Imperial College has lost three people, and who knows if more will die. Mr. Song is utterly exhausted over this matter. If Yanci had taken charge, there wouldn’t still be no culprit."

His words clearly struck Wang Qilang’s sore spot, and the man’s expression twisted, eyes growing darker, as he shouted, "Don’t compare me to those who rely on flattery to rise! You, Xiao Yi, and Xiao He, don’t think you climbed to this position so quickly just because you used to read alongside the Holy Emperor! I heard that Xiao Yi solved several major cases recently, thanks to his ex-wife. He’s truly a useless man who relies on a woman..."

Xu Jing’s brow twitched, feeling a surge of irritation, and she said coldly, "A man who couldn’t solve a case in over three months dares call others incompetent. Moreover, Vice Minister Xiao has solved many cases alone. Are you outright ignoring those?"

Wang Qilang’s sharp eyes immediately glared at Xu Jing, biting his back molars hard, "Who is this arrogant and insolent woman!"

Zhao Jingming didn’t expect Xu Jing to speak suddenly and was momentarily stunned. Xu Jing said calmly, "I am the ex-wife of Vice Minister Xiao you spoke of. Since you claim this case is under the Ministry of Justice, I urge Junior Minister Wang to take responsibility and quickly bring the culprit to justice to prevent more victims."

Wang Qilang’s eyes abruptly widened.

This woman was Xiao Qilang’s ex-wife, recently commended by the Holy Emperor as a so-called female detective!

He couldn’t help but harshly say, "You woman..."

"Enough, Zhao Liulang and I won’t interfere with Junior Minister Wang’s investigation any further."

Xu Jing mercilessly interrupted him, saying, "Since Junior Minister Wang is back at the crime scene five days later, it seems the investigation isn’t going smoothly. We’ll leave, lest Junior Minister Wang blames us if he can’t find the culprit."

Zhao Jingming: "..."

What an insult without a foul word!

No wonder she is Yanci’s wife; they are exactly alike in this respect!

After Xu Jing finished speaking, she didn’t look at Wang Qilang’s increasingly unpleasant expression and walked towards the door.

Zhao Jingming quickly followed, protectively escorting Xu Jing away from that room.

Seeing Xu Jing’s slightly somber expression, Zhao Jingming cleared his throat and said, "Though he’s infuriating, he’s always been like that, you don’t have to mind him. He’s almost thirty and only reached the fourth rank, while Yanci is just twenty-five and already holds a fourth rank, even granted special permission to wear a third-rank purple robe by His Majesty. Many noble family gentlemen are secretly envious of Yanci; that man is just particularly obnoxious."

Xu Jing gave him a sideways glance and said, "I don’t mind. Although his words are infuriating, we really don’t have the authority to investigate this case right now."

In the past, when she worked on cases, she encountered individuals privately investigating. They were either enthusiastically interested in criminal investigation or private detectives hired by victims’ families.

When they met those who knew the rules and didn’t interfere, the officials would usually turn a blind eye. If they had abilities, the officials might even cooperate.

But there were always those who were ignorant and self-righteous, always the most annoying to officials.

Zhao Jingming: "..."

How could you be so calm! And undermine yourself so swiftly!

After pausing, he pursed his lips and said, "I understand, but I just don’t want to see the teacher so troubled. Besides, because scholars have been repeatedly harmed, some have targeted the teacher. If another tragedy occurs at the Imperial College, the teacher will certainly be implicated.

I’m five years younger than Yanci and them. When I first entered the Eastern Palace, I was only six. It was the teacher who tirelessly guided and mentored me."

He’s always genuinely kind to those he considers his own.

Xu Jing amusedly curved her lips and said, "Don’t worry, I didn’t say I wouldn’t help you with this case. After all, no law forbids us from investigating this case.

That guy said Vice Minister Xiao relied on a woman. I’ll show him what it’s like to rely on a woman this time."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she spoke the last sentence.

Seeing her expression, Zhao Jingming was momentarily silent, then couldn’t help but laugh, saying, "When I saw you and Yanci together before, I thought you didn’t seem like you were going to remarry, but you do protect Yanci quite a bit."

Xu Jing didn’t find it anything to fuss over.

Even if she and Xiao Yi were to enter a sham remarriage, they’d be a shared interest group. Besides, Xiao Yi had defended her many times before; she was just reciprocating.

As she walked downstairs, she said, "I took some powder I found on the bedboard earlier. I’ll look into what it is when I get home. The first two incidents occurred at the Imperial College, so we need to find time to visit there soon."

Zhao Jingming immediately said, "My cousin is studying at the Imperial College. Family visits are allowed. Tomorrow, after I get off duty, I’ll take you there."

Zhao Shaohua, sitting in the hall, had been waiting impatiently. Seeing them finally return, she hurriedly grabbed their arms and asked, "How did it go? Did you find anything?"

"Let’s discuss it on the way."

Xu Jing signaled Zhao Jingming to call for the bill. As they stood up to leave, they saw a familiar, tall figure with several men entering the Gui Xiang House—it was Xiao Yi!

Zhao Shaohua’s eyes widened in disbelief, "Why is Yanci here!"

Oh heavens, she had just assured Jing that Yanci would never come to such a place, and now it felt like getting slapped in the face!

This Xiao Yanci is absurd; he’s going to remarry Jing at the end of next month, and he’s here!

Zhao Shaohua frowned, ready to confront Xiao Yi for an explanation. But from a distance, Xiao Yi seemed to sense something, paused, and turned his head, frowning slightly.