Even after the court session was adjourned and Jiang Ziqi had been escorted back to his cell, the crowd gathered outside the hall continued to buzz with excitement over Ye Zhao’s accusation against him.
Meanwhile, inside the prison.
The moment he saw Ye Zhao enter, Jiang Ziqi could no longer contain himself. "Why did you sue me? And why pin such a massive, black blame on my head?"
Jiang Ziqi was practically bristling with indignation. "Do you think I’ve lived too long? You finally rescued me from one sea of misery, only to throw me into an even deeper abyss?..."
He went on and on, ranting without end.
This time, Ye Zhao did not interrupt him for a long while. Instead, he watched him with a faint smile playing on his lips.
It took some time before Jiang Ziqi realized something was off. He stopped, looking puzzled. "What’s wrong with you? Why aren't you saying anything?"
Seeing that the other man was about to suspect he had lost his mind, Ye Zhao spoke up unhurriedly. "You don't blame me for suing you?"
Jiang Ziqi paused. He didn't look worried at all as he waved a hand dismissively. "I might not know why you did it, but I know you wouldn't harm me."
Ye Zhao would be lying if he said he wasn't moved. He let out a soft laugh and shook his head, retorting with a hint of helplessness, "You’re certainly smart now. Where was that brain of yours earlier?"
Jiang Ziqi choked on his words, grumbling awkwardly, "I was clearly the victim of an unforeseen disaster, alright?"
Ye Zhao sighed. "Do you truly believe that your current predicament is entirely because Wang Xin told you that fatal piece of news?"
Jiang Ziqi nodded with certainty. How else could it be his business?
Ye Zhao looked at him, his expression turning serious. "Then let me ask you: why didn't the mastermind simply kill Wang Xin after he left the village and disguise it as an accidental death? Wouldn't that have been more convenient?"
Jiang Ziqi faltered. After thinking it over carefully, he said, "Because they hadn't discovered Wang Xin's involvement yet?"
Ye Zhao nodded firmly, a stern light in his eyes. "Then how did they later find out that the news about Xiaofeng Village was going to be published in *The Fengyun Press*? How did they know the information was brought back by Wang Xin? And why did they strike at the both of you exactly at the final stage—when Wang Xin was reporting to you—ensuring the information died with the two of you?"
Jiang Ziqi jumped in fright. "Are you saying... I have a mole among my people?!"
"It’s obvious. The leak came from within your ranks." Ye Zhao gestured for him to lower his voice and whispered, "Do you know? I went to check the office space you bought. The ledgers where you record information had been tampered with. Furthermore, the notebook Wang Xin kept on him has vanished, along with the article he had already drafted about Xiaofeng Village."
Every reporter responsible for traveling and gathering news carried such a notebook; it never left their person.
Ye Zhao continued, "The opposition likely didn't expect the cause of Wang Xin's death to be uncovered, which is why they dared to act so brazenly."
They had been certain that Jiang Ziqi was finished this time.
"To be honest, before the body was opened, I wasn't a hundred percent sure I was right either."
Jiang Ziqi’s eyes widened in disbelief. "So that calm appearance of yours... it was all an act?!"
Ye Zhao let out a long sigh. "There was no other way."
Jiang Ziqi was now convinced that Ye Zhao’s feelings for him were true love! He had actually dared to gamble like that for his sake?
If that wasn't true love, what was?!
His eyes welled up with moved tears. Just as he was about to reach out and share a poetic moment of tearful solidarity, Ye Zhao looked at him with utter disgust.
"Ugh, enough. Stop looking at me with that nauseating expression."
In an instant, the atmosphere vanished.
Jiang Ziqi: *Give me back my gratitude...*
The two of them crouched in the corner, continuing their whispered conversation.
Ye Zhao pondered aloud, "From the details we know, this mastermind is formidable and deeply calculating. They must hold a certain status in the imperial court. To have smuggled government salt for so many years without being caught, their position is likely not low at all."
"So, Jiang Ziqi, you must be extremely careful during this time."
Jiang Ziqi’s heart tightened as he looked at Ye Zhao. "Why do you say that?"
The matter of Xiaofeng Village was no longer a secret, and the salt smuggling had been exposed. What other danger was there to be wary of?
"Intuition. For some reason, I have a feeling that the power behind this person is immense. It makes me feel a sense of danger." Ye Zhao glanced toward the outside of the cell. "It feels as though... one of their people is right beside us."
Jiang Ziqi trembled with fear, casting suspicious glances toward the wooden bars. "Don't scare me like that," he whispered.
Ye Zhao snapped out of his thoughts and slapped him on the back, laughing easily. "Don't worry too much. At a time like this, staying in jail is actually the safest place for you."
He joked, "How about I talk to Commander Wei and see if we can transfer you to the Yulin Guard’s dungeon? The security there is even better."
Jiang Ziqi’s face instantly darkened. "Get lost! I’m not going into the Yulin Guard’s dungeon. That place is terrifying!"
Just as he finished speaking, a second before voices could be heard outside, Ye Zhao sensed something and looked up.
"The dungeon of my Yulin Guard is not a place just anyone can enter."
Hearing the voice, Ye Zhao was startled and stood up. He already recognized the newcomer.
—Wei Feng.
He was still dressed in the standard uniform of the Yulin Guard. Ye Zhao, having grown accustomed to his appearance, was the first to offer a greeting. "Commander Wei."
The other man was not as polite as Ye Zhao. His cold gaze swept over Jiang Ziqi before he spoke expressionlessly, "Aren't you coming out?"
The words sounded like, "If you don't come out now, you can stay locked in there for the rest of your life." Combined with his fierce, menacing face, the tone carried a distinct scent of intimidation.
Ye Zhao turned back to give a final instruction. "I’m leaving now."
"Yeah, be careful!" Jiang Ziqi shouted one last time as Ye Zhao left.
The moment they were out of Jiang Ziqi’s sight, Ye Zhao heard a cold sneer escape the lips of the man beside him. "Ye Zhao, it seems you are well aware of the massive mess you’ve stirred up this time."
The two walked side by side. Ye Zhao kept his eyes fixed forward. "No, I have helped the court identify a massive loophole."
"Hmph." Wei Feng let out an ambiguous scoff. His expression remained cold and detached, looking as though he were in a very foul mood.
"Was it not simply to save that useless friend of yours?" He cut straight to the truth of the matter.
Ye Zhao’s footsteps paused. He tilted his head to look at him. "Am I not also helping Commander Wei mend the gaps? The Yulin Guard are the Emperor’s personal guards, tasked with the responsibility of monitoring the officials. Now, because my friend was harmed by a villain in the court, this scandal has been exposed by sheer coincidence."
"What? Could it be that Commander Wei already knew about the salt smuggling in the court? Or perhaps you had already begun an investigation?"
Despite the string of questions, Ye Zhao did not look angry at all. However, his words were clearly a subtle mockery of the Yulin Guard’s incompetence—failing to notice such a glaring loophole in the court.
And why? Simply because Wei Feng had called his friend useless.
Wei Feng’s expression turned icy. "You certainly are sharp-tongued."
Ye Zhao bowed slightly, replying with mock humility, "Commander Wei flatters me."
*Heh...*
Seeing Ye Zhao’s feigned modesty, Wei Feng almost wanted to laugh. But considering the official business at hand, he had no desire to continue bickering.
As they spoke, the two had already walked out of the prison. Only then did Ye Zhao see Eunuch Babao waiting outside, with a line of Yulin Guards standing beside him.
Ye Zhao was taken aback. His gaze fell upon the imperial decree in the eunuch's hand, and he immediately understood the purpose of the visit.
"Master Ye, His Majesty has issued a decree."
Ye Zhao lifted the hem of his robe, preparing to receive the decree formally.
Eunuch Babao stopped him with a gentle gesture. "Master Ye, there is no need for such formality. You may simply take this."
"Oh... I see."
Ye Zhao nodded, took the decree, and opened it.
The general meaning was that since Ye Zhao had discovered the matter, he was ordered to assist the Ministry of Justice in investigating the salt smuggling. All other departments were to provide full cooperation as needed. Additionally, the Crown Prince and Prince Rong were assigned to assist in the case.
The Crown Prince? Prince Rong?
After reading it, Ye Zhao was momentarily bewildered. Why were the Crown Prince and Prince Rong being dragged into this?
While Ye Zhao was pondering the reasons behind this, he heard Eunuch Babao call his name softly. "Master Ye."
"Ah... yes?" Ye Zhao was startled for a moment before coming back to his senses.
Eunuch Babao smiled faintly. "Master Ye, let us head to the palace immediately. His Majesty and the others are waiting for you."
"Very well." Ye Zhao couldn't figure out the meaning behind Emperor Wei’s move, so he decided to set the question aside for now. "Let's go then."
...
Ye Zhao was taken directly to the offices of the Ministry of Justice within the palace. There, he found that the Crown Prince, Emperor Wei, and the others had already gathered; he was the last to arrive.
After Emperor Wei finished his exhortation and stepped out, the several men who had gathered under the same decree looked at one another.
The Crown Prince was the first to speak. He cleared his throat and said warmly to the Minister of Justice, "Lord Du, we shall have to trouble you this time."
Having said that, he turned to look at Ye Zhao. "And Master Ye as well."
Among those present, Ye Zhao was the only commoner. Since the Crown Prince was being so courteous, Ye Zhao didn't dare put on airs. He immediately cupped his hands in return. "Your Highness is too kind."
A moment of silence followed. Before things could get awkward, the Crown Prince spoke again. "I heard that the salt smuggling was discovered by Master Ye. I wonder if you could explain the situation to us in detail? I was summoned here immediately upon receiving the decree and haven't had the chance to investigate the full story."
The others were in the same boat. They knew something had happened, but they hadn't had time to look into the details before being called over. Now that they were tasked with investigating the case, they were all quite confused.
Ye Zhao replied, "I shall obey your command."
Then, Ye Zhao dutifully began the story, starting from the moment Jiang Ziqi was framed for murder.
...
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Ye Zhao finally finished his narration. "That is the gist of it. I only know this much."
The others fell into silent contemplation.
The Minister of Justice, being a veteran investigator, didn't waste a word. He immediately prepared to summon
