Chapter 513: Support

Chapter 513: Chapter 513: Support

Early the next morning, Shen Hao did not go to the Ministry of Justice to fetch the forensic report from the Hawkeyes, but instead went first to the Public Office to find Jiang Cheng. In his view, the case of Qin Xiuyuan wasn’t truly complicated—what was complex was the chain reaction behind it. What he needed now was to know Jiang Cheng’s opinion.

As soon as he arrived, Shen Hao heard from the gatekeeper that Lord Governor was already waiting for him.

"You’re here? Quite early. Have you got the case straightened out yet? I hear the Ministry of Justice already has their case file submitted. Surely you didn’t come empty-handed?" Jiang Cheng was already sipping tea, obviously having been there for a while.

"My lord, there’s a preliminary outline to the case, but drafting the file is problematic. I’d like your guidance."

Jiang Cheng smiled, nodding and waving his hand for Shen Hao to speak directly.

"According to your instructions, the case is being investigated independently from the Ministry of Justice, though we gave them nominal jurisdiction."

"Hold it. Did I give you such instructions?" Jiang Cheng’s smile was ambiguous.

Shen Hao also smiled, cupping his fists: "If you say you did not, my lord, then you did not."

"Hahaha! Clever lad, aren’t you. Go on, what have you found?"

"My lord, I believe Qin Xiuyuan was most likely poisoned. Someone tampered with his fragrance bottle in advance, emptied out the usual fragrant candy, and left behind one laced with poison or a poison disguised as candy, then took Qin Xiuyuan’s life. Also, I reckon this poison is more likely a pill that induces asphyxiation or something similar, rather than ordinary medicine that would leave toxic residue in the body."

"So you mean the Ministry’s forensic doctors won’t find anything?"

"Yes, my lord, that is what I believe."

Jiang Cheng neither confirmed nor denied it, but Shen Hao’s deductive skills had long been evident, seldom found wanting. For now, he was inclined to trust Shen Hao’s judgment.

"Who did it?" This was clearly what Jiang Cheng cared for most.

"Unclear, but if we think in terms of maximum benefit, most likely a clansman of Qin Xiuyuan."

"The Qin family killing one of their own?"

"Yes. This explains the motive perfectly, and fits closely with the method of death."

"That simple?"

"Yes, my lord, getting to the truth of this case isn’t difficult. I believe the Ministry of Justice, if they know the full context as I do, could easily draw the same conclusion. Of course, there’s another possibility, that someone from the civil servant group assisted the Qin family, but if so, things become far more complicated, and several necessary conditions are lacking."

"Evidence?"

Shen Hao’s expression became hesitant. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "My lord, are we truly to keep digging into this case?"

"What else? Someone didn’t want Qin Xiuyuan to speak—maybe as you suggest, a Qin clansman or a civil servant, or maybe someone else. The result is, the stain on Xuanqing Guard that should have been completely washed off remains, half-cleansed. The one who took Qin Xiuyuan’s life did so in defiance of our Xuanqing Guard.

If that’s how it is, why should we be polite? Investigate—thoroughly!"

"In that case, we have to factor in Prince Shou’s reaction."

"Prince Shou?"

"Yes, my lord. Once we dig deeper, there’s no way Prince Shou remains detached. Qin Xiuyuan was someone he hid and took out from the Qin Mansion, and now, he’s died in the prince’s residence. There’s no way to avoid including this in the case file; it will certainly provoke Prince Shou."

Shen Hao’s meaning was clear: he needed Jiang Cheng’s explicit order before investigating further. Otherwise, facing a prince alone would be intolerable pressure.

At this, Jiang Cheng’s brows knit together.

Indeed, these princes had always been ones the Xuanqing Guard preferred not to entangle with. Thus far, all that had been done was sending a note of inquiry from the Commander’s Office—there had been no direct contact at all. Should the investigation dig deeper, Prince Shou could no longer feign ignorance—then, inevitably, accountability would have to be pursued with Prince Shou.

In the past this might have been easy enough to manage: hold to procedure, assign responsibility as needed. But now, in these unusual times, with His Majesty apparently content to let the princes feud, matters became far trickier.

"What other thoughts have you? Speak them all." Jiang Cheng glared at the lad before him—it was obvious the boy had come early not to report, but to bargain. Jiang realized he’d been careless in speech; better hear him out now.

"My lord, if you find this matter too troublesome, we might try a different approach. There may be some loss to our credit, however." Shen Hao had mulled it over all last night—he knew all too well what Jiang Cheng was worried about, and he had a solution prepared.

"What different approach?"

"My lord, yesterday I was fortunate to meet someone from the Ministry of Justice Major Case Department—Iron-faced Xue Gui. His uprightness is clear as day, his gaze as sharp as blades—clearly a man who hates evil and brooks no compromise. Add to that, this case is being ’hosted’ by the Ministry of Justice already. So, what if we hand over credit for ’discovering Prince Shou harbored a felon’ to this iron-faced Households Commander?"

Jiang Cheng paused for a second, then a grin crept onto his face: "You’re so sure Xue Gui will pick it up?"

"Though I only met Households Commander Xue once, I’m already impressed. Regardless of whether he wants the credit or not, I’ll make sure to deliver it. I don’t think he’ll mind."

"Are you confident?"

"I am." When it came to giving someone else a poisoned chalice, Shen Hao was always sure-handed. But getting on the bad side of a prince and hurling a mess into the Ministry of Justice’s lap—those were things he absolutely would not do alone. Jiang Cheng’s approval was indispensable.

Hearing Shen Hao’s firm answer, Jiang Cheng’s mind became active as well. Indeed, letting someone else take the heat for antagonizing Prince Shou was the best move.

"Explain in detail."

...

Shen Hao didn’t linger long in Jiang Cheng’s office. He laid out his entire plan, some minor adjustments might be needed as things developed, but the core wouldn’t change. Jiang Cheng, after hearing him out, gave his final approval to the plan.

"Where to now, my lord?" Wang Yiming had arranged a carriage and waited outside the door.

"Where’s Xue Gui? Is he at Prince Shou’s Mansion? Where’s Qin Xiuyuan’s corpse?"

"My lord, Qin Xiuyuan’s corpse was already returned to the Ministry of Justice early this morning. So far, Xue Gui hasn’t visited Prince Shou’s Mansion; he’s likely still at the Ministry of Justice."

"Let’s go find him."

Shen Hao got in the carriage, heading straight for the Ministry of Justice.

When Shen Hao arrived at the Ministry, he found it even grander than he had imagined. Towering gates, at the entrance two stone beasts, each taller than a man, with faint mana waves emanating—impossible as it seemed, they were magical artifacts, though he couldn’t tell what use they had.

"Halt!"

The carriage had just come to a stop and Shen Hao was stepping down, when a shout halted him. Turning, he saw an officer emerge from the sentry post, seemingly a constable by look.

"Here’s my waist token. I seek an audience with Lord Xue of the Major Case Department."