Meng Shuping jumped in surprise. "Well, well? He dares to glare at me? Is he planning to get back at me later?"
"Whoa! I get it now!!!"
"He must be thinking of killing to silence the witness next, right? Look, if the victim's gone, what's there to investigate? The case will just be dropped, won't it?"
"Sigh, it's great to be a prince. Even if you commit a heinous crime, if his dad says it's fine, well, you can still live comfortably!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, why wasn't I born that lucky?"
"Never mind, my current status isn't bad either. At least I won't be easily bullied by those ruffians. One should be content with what they have!"
Emperor Qianyou glanced thoughtfully at Jiang Cian. "As for you, Fifth Prince, you'd better not let me find out you've been up to something behind my back. Otherwise, I'll directly assume you harbor intentions to usurp the throne!"
Jiang Cian immediately cried out in fear, "Your son wouldn't dare!"
Meng Shuping screamed inwardly, "The Emperor is wise!!!"
Jiang Cihe couldn't help but laugh. This Little Bold, when he scolds people, he's truly infuriating, but when he compliments someone, he really knows how to lay it on thick. Look, his father is so pleased he's almost dizzy with it!
The corners of Emperor Qianyou's mouth lifted uncontrollably. After being scolded by Meng Shuping so many times, he finally heard something pleasant. This made him much happier than praises from anyone else.
But the next moment, he heard Meng Shuping think, *Sigh, it's just a pity he has such a good-for-nothing son. That's probably his only black mark, right? Hahahaha!*
Cao Jie and the others struggled to control their expressions, their faces turning red from holding back laughter. If the Emperor weren't present, they would've burst out laughing.
Jiang Cian was so angry his hair stood on end. *Who's the black mark? You're the black mark!*
Emperor Qianyou instantly felt annoyed again. *This definitely isn't inherited from me. Look at the Seventh Prince, isn't he quite good?*
He glanced leisurely at Meng Shuping before turning to Cao Jie. "Beloved Minister Cao."
Hearing Emperor Qianyou call him, Cao Jie quickly wiped the smile off his face. "Your servant is here."
Emperor Qianyou said indignantly, "When I assigned Beloved Minister Meng to the Ministry of Justice, it wasn't to let him be sidelined. If such talent isn't used, wouldn't that be a waste?"
Cao Jie hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes, yes. Your servant will assign him work as soon as I return, ensuring Vice Director Meng can fully utilize his abilities!"
Meng Shuping widened his eyes in shock. "Holy cow! I mean, holy cow! Forcing me into this is bad enough, but he also wants to work me to the bone! Does he think my salary is too easy to earn? Where is justice?"
"Got it, got it. He is the law, right?"
"Damn it! Just because he's the emperor, does that make him so great? Don't think I won't just up and quit!"
Seeing Meng Shuping's frustration, Emperor Qianyou felt much better. Hahaha, he realized for the first time how satisfying it is to bully someone!
Seeing Meng Shuping storm out of the palace for the third time, Minister of Revenue Chen was already quite accustomed to it. Sigh, young people are so full of energy!
Cao Jie quickened his pace to catch up with Meng Shuping. "Vice Director Meng!"
Meng Shuping turned back in confusion. "Lord Cao?"
*Hmph, aiding a tyrant! The emperor's stooge! He's no good either!*
Cao Jie pretended not to hear. He smiled and said, "You're more familiar with this case. How about this—you go investigate the location where the incident occurred. I'll discuss with the other two officials when to start the trial."
Meng Shuping couldn't help but complain, "I knew it! Whenever he calls me, it's never good news! Look, he's assigning me the grunt work, isn't he?"
He glanced at Cao Jie and said shyly, "Well, it's fine, but is there any extra allowance for going out?"
Cao Jie was speechless. "It's not that far. Why would you need an extra allowance?"
Meng Shuping was very disappointed. "So it's just making someone run errands for free? So cheap! Sigh, going out alone is so boring, and I'm in unfamiliar territory. What if I can't make it back?"
Jiang Cihe smiled. "Since Father has also assigned me to assist with the case, why don't I go with you?"
Meng Shuping nodded quickly. "Great, great!"
*Hehe, the prince's carriage must be more comfortable than ordinary ones, right? Can't miss the chance to mooch a ride!*
Jiang Cihe, "..."
He had originally planned to go on horseback for speed, but never mind. A carriage ride it is.
The two returned to their quarters, packed some things, and set off by carriage to the outskirts of the capital. On the way, Jiang Cihe asked Meng Shuping curiously, "Did you really find evidence that Fifth Brother... intended to usurp the throne?"
Why hadn't their Military Hall Department found any clues?
Meng Shuping laughed awkwardly and said sheepishly, "Of course not."
*Who told him to pin a crime on me? Shouldn't I pin a bigger one on him? Look, in the face of a bigger charge, who would care about my little issue?*
But after saying this, he realized it might not be appropriate, so he quickly added, "Of course, I was just making a reasonable inference based on the facts."
Jiang Cihe raised an eyebrow. "And what about Fifth Brother's brother-in-law saying Fifth Brother would ascend the throne..."
Meng Shuping whispered, "He is indeed arrogant. I just exaggerated a teensy bit."
As he spoke, he gestured with his fingers, "Just a teensy bit."
*What's wrong with wanting them to have a taste of jail?*
After gesturing, he suddenly realized—this was deceiving the emperor! Would Jiang Cihe disapprove? He glanced cautiously at Jiang Cihe. "Your Highness, you won't report me, will you?"
Jiang Cihe chuckled, "Of course not."
Meng Shuping breathed a sigh of relief. "I knew it! Your Highness isn't as cunning as I am, hahaha!"
Jiang Cihe laughed inwardly. *Was Little Bold praising himself or insulting himself? Who describes themselves like that?*
*But Fifth Brother is really unlucky. Why did he have to provoke Little Bold? Now he's learned his lesson, hasn't he?*
*Who would have thought that Meng Shuping, who seems so honest, could lie without batting an eye in front of the emperor?*
*Call him bold, yet he knows when to back down. Call him timid, yet he even dares to deceive the emperor. Who knows how such a personality developed?*
After traveling for a while longer, they arrived at Changlin County, not far from the capital. Hearing that Jiang Cihe had come to the county office, the county magistrate Feng Mi quickly put aside other matters to see him. He said nervously, "Greetings, Prince Zhao. May I ask what important matter brings Your Highness here?"
Jiang Cihe said kindly, "Magistrate Feng, there's no need to panic. I've come regarding the recent murder case. I heard you handled this case?"
Feng Mi was surprised that a simple murder case had attracted Prince Zhao's attention. Considering that the forces behind Lu Sheng were also connected to a prince, he wondered if Prince Zhao was the one backing Lu Sheng.
He replied cautiously, "Yes, originally this case should have been handled by me. But since both sides told conflicting stories, and I feared wrongly accusing anyone, I thought it best to let the Ministry of Justice handle it."
Meng Shuping felt something off about his tone and guessed, *Does he think the forces behind Lu Sheng are our prince? Wrong, wrong! Our prince isn't here to threaten him—he's here to investigate the case! Prince Cheng is the one backing that scoundrel!*
Feng Mi was startled. *Who was speaking?* But then he realized—so this prince wasn't here to blame him after all?
He immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Since they were here to investigate, could he finally relax?
Jiang Cihe smiled and said, "Magistrate Feng, you must have had an autopsy performed, right? Could you bring over the relevant case materials?"
Magistrate Feng quickly replied, "Of course, of course."
A moment later, Magistrate Feng had someone fetch the documents. As Jiang Cihe opened the files, Meng Shuping leaned in to take a look. While reading, he couldn't help but remark, "Huh? Magistrate Feng is being too modest. Is he really afraid of wronging someone? More like he's afraid of offending someone and losing his official position! Ah, Magistrate Feng really has a tough job!"
"Still, it must be said, Magistrate Feng is quite a good official! Even knowing the other side has powerful backing, he didn't bow to evil influences!"
Magistrate Feng was so moved by Meng Shuping's words that he couldn't help but feel sorry for himself. Wasn't that the truth? If he handled the case impartially, he would inevitably offend Lu Sheng's family. Once his wife started whispering in his ear, who would care if he was in the right? Being dismissed would be the least of his worries.
But if he bent the law for personal gain, not only would his conscience trouble him, but the case files might also not pass scrutiny at the Ministry of Justice or the Dali Temple, especially since this place was so close to the capital. Being an official here was no easy task!
He glanced at Meng Shuping. But who was this masked young man? If he was an attendant, he showed far too little deference in front of Prince Zhao—he was practically leaning into His Highness's arms!
Jiang Cihe coughed lightly. Only then did Meng Shuping realize that, absorbed in his reading, he had unintentionally squeezed right in front of Jiang Cihe. He quickly pulled back, his face flushing red. "That bastard! Couldn't he have placed it in the middle? Was he only thinking of his own comfort?"
Magistrate Feng was startled. This young man was truly bold, even cursing Prince Zhao so casually!
Jiang Cihe gave Meng Shuping a helpless look. Was this really something to curse about? Ah, his temper was getting worse by the day!
After sighing over Meng Shuping, he turned to serious matters. He instructed Magistrate Feng, "Magistrate Feng, summon the plaintiff of this case. Also, notify the other villagers whose land was seized and have them come to the magistrate's office to write petitions. I will take both the plaintiffs and these petitions with me later."
Magistrate Feng hurriedly replied, "Yes, sir."
Upon hearing that a high-ranking official had arrived at the magistrate's office to seek justice for those oppressed by Lu Sheng, the victims who had suffered under Lu Sheng's abuse flocked over. In no time, a stack of petitions had been written. Meng Shuping was astonished. "Whoa! With these charges, shouldn't he be sentenced to immediate execution?"
After returning, another day passed, and the trial of Lu Sheng was formally scheduled. This session was far more official than the previous ones—even Meng Shuping could only sit in a small corner. But he thought it was just fine there, completely out of the spotlight.
Cao Jie struck the gavel. "Bring in the accused!"