Chapter 7
Ying Jiuque blinked and nodded.
“No need for that. We’re both working for His Majesty; let’s just encourage each other.”
At this moment, Xie Mingchen also spoke up, his expression heavy from what he had observed.
“Top Scholar Yu… was poisoned to death.”
Not only that, Xie Mingchen had found a blood-stained morning glory flower tucked inside Yu Lang’s clothing. Upon closer inspection, it was just a very ordinary morning glory—though slightly early for the season, one could still find such flowers if one searched carefully.
Ying Jiuque sighed. Things were clearly more complicated than they appeared. Thinking of the still-imprisoned Investigator Xin, she made a hand signal.
“Perhaps he knows something about the inside story.”
Investigator Xin had initially been full of indignation, but upon hearing the news of the Top Scholar’s death, he laughed three times, almost eager to see the corpse with his own eyes. Clearly, something was off.
Ying Jiuque exchanged a glance with Chunyu Shuang, silently asking:
“You were close to Top Scholar Yu?”
“Close?”
Investigator Xin stopped laughing, spat violently on the ground, and snarled:
“Bah! That dog! I wish I had nothing to do with him! Who’s close to him?”
“Well, you seem pretty worked up. By the way, I just realized… you and that Top Scholar look somewhat alike? Maybe it’s your eyes…”
Investigator Xin was someone who had fought through countless scholars across the land. Even if his behavior had been excessive in a moment of anger, he had since calmed down. He glanced at the newly appointed County Lord before him, and without hesitation, revealed his connection to Top Scholar Yu:
“Yu Lang… is my biological father!”
Hiss—
Ying Jiuque felt a sudden ache in her teeth. Good heavens—this young scholar had bravely attacked, only to stab his own father? Was she sinful in thought for imagining someone daring such an act in the palace?
“May I ask what deep grudge you two have, that you resort to such extreme measures?”
Though she admired his bravery, in this era, striking one’s own father was considered utterly disgraceful! Especially for a scholar, whose tongue was as sharp as a blade—if outsiders knew, no matter the reason, he would be condemned.
Perhaps he had decided to throw caution to the wind. Xin Nan adjusted his clothing, speaking deliberately as he recounted his past:
“Yu Lang used to be a destitute man. Using his education and somewhat decent looks, he deceived my mother with sweet words—and had me. After cheating all of her wealth, he ran off. My mother waited for him for twenty long years! Had I not taken the imperial exams today, I would’ve thought he had already died in some remote mountains. But now… it’s not too late, because he’s dead!”
“County Lord Ying, let me tell you: there’s no need to investigate further. Just consider it retribution. I’m sure many in the court are waiting to see you humiliated, even ready to trip you up. If you don’t want the scorn of thousands, it’s better to stop now.”
Though the young investigator was handsome, Ying Jiuque did not like hearing this. She carefully studied Xin Nan, and when his expression darkened, she suddenly laughed.
“Seems like Investigator Xin knows something we don’t; otherwise, he wouldn’t obstruct my investigation. Or are you deliberately protecting someone? If not, then you’re trying to mislead us. But you clearly underestimate me—I’m stubborn. If you hadn’t spoken, fine; but now that you’ve rambled on, how can I let this go?”
Xin Nan’s face darkened as if someone had stepped on him, but Ying Jiuque didn’t notice—or rather, she didn’t care. She had long ceased to fear death. Life and death were insignificant; if she was to defy, she would act regardless. Her life was expendable; if she died, so be it.
She had thought this young investigator was different from the rule-following officials, yet he still tried to intimidate her into retreating.
“Tsk tsk tsk, the late emperor was better. At least in his eyes, men and women alike were just beasts under his control. Men… even when hiding it, still hold disdain for women.”
The hidden Jingtai Emperor struggled to raise a corner of his mouth—unsure whether to laugh or be angry. Did this sound like a compliment or not?
A tall figure in the corner watched the emperor’s amused reaction silently, puzzled at why His Majesty found this case so intriguing. The case could have been handed to the Ministry of Justice or the Censorate, yet it was entrusted to an unmarried young woman. Even the outraged ministers would find this hard to understand.
At this moment, Jiufu, standing beside the emperor, slightly turned and signaled to restrain herself. The shadow immediately fell silent.
Xin Nan hadn’t expected Ying Jiuque to be such a formidable person and fell silent.
Seeing his uncooperative attitude, Ying Jiuque sighed:
“Very well. Looks like I won’t be able to find the real culprit. Yu Lang can continue enjoying the title of Top Scholar, perhaps even be given a separate entry in the family genealogy—as a man who brought honor through the imperial exams!”
“You dare?!”
Ying Jiuque chuckled.
“What am I afraid of? Top Scholar Yu hasn’t troubled me. If I say I don’t know him, there’s no need to get entangled. Failing to find the truth may be embarrassing, but admitting defeat isn’t shameful.”
Shrugging, her action wasn’t typical of a refined young lady. Because of this, Xin Nan was uncertain whether she would actually follow through. If he had to watch Yu Lang return in glory, he’d rather die! That scoundrel didn’t deserve to live!
Looking at the three in front of her, Ying Jiuque didn’t need to say much. The supposedly fragile beauty was clearly shameless. Chunyu Shuang, a rare female official in the court, stepped back slightly, letting Ying Jiuque take the lead. The only man among them was a useless scholar. After so long, he hadn’t made a move, and in the end, he still obeyed Ying Jiuque.
Xin Nan’s face shifted through a spectrum of emotions. Several times he tried to speak, only to hesitate. As Ying Jiuque was about to leave, he finally couldn’t hold back:
“Wait! I—I’ll speak!”
Ying Jiuque stopped, sighing sincerely.
“Why not do this sooner? You’ve exhausted yourself… sweating even.”
“Yu Lang doesn’t have a formal wife, but he has a private residence in Tonghua Alley…”
