Chapter 144: Ignoring Hurts More Than Confronting
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Assistant Official Li noticed that Yu Zhi Yi was not making any move to handle the case files and couldn’t help but ask, “Official Yu, are you not reviewing cases today?”
Yu Zhi Yi replied casually, “I am, but I’m not dealing with those old cases. A new one will be delivered to us very soon.”
Assistant Official Li raised his eyebrows, clearly skeptical. He thought Yu Zhi Yi was just making excuses to avoid work.
Inwardly, he shook his head and muttered to himself about how His Majesty had entrusted the wrong person.
If it were him, for instance, he would work diligently during his shifts, never shirking responsibilities.
Want to relax? Do it after your duties are completed!
Moreover, he barely had any time to slack off. Yet, here was Yu Zhi Yi, who might have some minor talent but whose character left much to be desired.
As he finished these thoughts, a constable entered the room and respectfully said, “Official Yu, someone from the Court of Judicial Review is here to see you.”
Yu Zhi Yi nodded. “Let them in.”
Soon after, an elderly constable entered and bowed respectfully. “Official Yu, our Junior Minister requests your presence at the Court of Judicial Review.”
Assistant Official Li frowned in confusion. “The Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review are separate entities. Even though Official Yu has been tasked with investigating old cases, she is still part of the Ministry of Justice. Why is your superior summoning her?”
The constable hesitated, evidently unwilling to disclose the reason.
At that moment, Minister Gong entered the room with a stern expression. “Official Yu, you should go with them.”
Assistant Official Li was taken aback, while Yu Zhi Yi remained unfazed, as if she had expected this.
…
One hour earlier, Yu Zhi Yi had not yet arrived at the Ministry of Justice, and most officials had not begun their shifts.
Meanwhile, the Court of Judicial Review was bustling with activity. As an agency dedicated to solving cases, the Court of Judicial Review had no fixed hours of rest.
On quiet days without major incidents, officials and constables could catch up on sleep. But once a major case arose, everyone worked tirelessly until it was resolved.
Recently, many at the Court had barely rested for half a month due to a chilling murder case in the capital.
The victim was an elderly man named Old Grandpa Geng, who lived alone. He had two daughters, both married, and had resided by himself since then.
According to friends, neighbors, and relatives, Grandpa Geng was a kind and gentle man who often helped travelers passing through. He had no known enemies.
Yet, this seemingly harmless man had been found murdered in his own home.
The killer had been meticulous, leaving no trace behind. The crime scene was a locked room, with all doors and windows bolted shut.
However, Grandpa Geng’s body bore eighteen stab wounds. He lay on the floor in the center of the room, his expression serene and devoid of pain. When discovered, his body appeared relaxed, with his hands folded over his abdomen.
The Court of Judicial Review had worked on the case non-stop for fifteen days, yet no progress had been made. The heinous nature of the crime had reached the Emperor, who demanded the case be solved within two weeks.
Now, with the deadline at hand and no significant leads, the Court’s officials braced themselves for the Emperor’s fury.
Desperate, Junior Minister Peng proposed seeking help from Yu Zhi Yi.
Her performance at the palace banquet had been nothing short of astonishing. She had not only uncovered the crimes of the Duchess of Duke Courage but had also pinpointed the exact location of the evidence.
Since conventional methods had failed, why not turn to metaphysical insights?
Hearing this suggestion, both the Minister of the Court and Junior Minister Sun were stunned. Before the Minister could respond, Junior Minister Sun retorted angrily, “Ridiculous! Solving cases is not a game.”
Junior Minister Peng frowned. “We’ve all witnessed Official Yu’s extraordinary abilities. How is this a game?”
Junior Minister Sun countered, “The events at the palace banquet are still subject to interpretation. Don’t forget, Official Yu is the daughter-in-law of Chancellor Du and has long been at odds with the Third Young Madam of the Zhang family. Investigating the Duke’s Mansion was well within her personal motives.”
“But the case of Old Man Wang is already at its final deadline. If we don’t solve it soon, His Majesty will surely mete out punishment. At such a critical juncture, our focus should be on gathering evidence, not bringing in a woman who is clearly a fraud to make a mockery of this investigation,” Official Sun declared, his face creased with indignation.
Master Peng frowned, his tone measured but firm. “I do not believe Official Yu is here to play games. She earned her position through her own merit.”
Turning toward the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, he continued, “My lord, in my opinion, precisely because time is short, we must explore every avenue. Moreover, summoning Official Yu does not mean neglecting other efforts. We need a two-pronged approach.”
“All we require is to assign one or two assistants to help Official Yu investigate the crime scene, interview witnesses, and review testimonies. The rest can continue rigorously probing the case from other angles.”
Official Sun opened his mouth to retort, but the Minister raised a hand, silencing the room. “We shall proceed as Master Peng suggests. Invite Official Yu. We will tackle this from both fronts.”
Although Official Sun begrudgingly agreed to the decision, his displeasure was evident. His discontent stemmed from his close friendship with the former Minister Yu, Official Yu’s predecessor. That connection made this arrangement particularly hard to swallow.
…
Yu Zhi Yi arrived at the Court of Judicial Review.
A plump man with a genial smile greeted her. “Master Peng,” Yu Zhi Yi greeted with a respectful bow.
Master Peng chuckled warmly. “No need for such formalities, Official Yu. We’ve asked for your help with a matter.”
Yu Zhi Yi wasn’t surprised. Earlier, she had performed a divination for herself, and the results had foretold that today’s task would involve assisting others with their difficulties, concluding with great success. While her Heavenly Eye couldn’t read her own face or foretell her future in detail, her divination arts offered glimpses of destiny’s threads.
“Please, Master Peng, do tell me more.”
“Let us discuss it inside,” he replied, motioning her to follow.
As they walked into the building, a tall and thin figure emerged from a nearby room. Spotting Yu Zhi Yi, the man let out a disdainful snort, his nostrils flaring as if the very sight of her was beneath him.
Master Peng, expecting Yu Zhi Yi to react to such blatant hostility, braced himself for confrontation. He planned to use the opportunity to complain to the Minister and have her removed. To his astonishment, she walked past the man without even glancing his way, as though he didn’t exist.
Official Sun, thoroughly ignored, felt his irritation grow. His position as Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, a rank higher than Yu Zhi Yi’s as Fifth-Rank Official, demanded deference.
In the world of court politics, rank and status carried immense weight, and subordinates were expected to bow and scrape before their superiors. Yet, Yu Zhi Yi’s indifference cut deeper than outright defiance. Being ignored—reduced to a mere shadow—was far more infuriating than any verbal sparring.
Master Peng hesitated, unsure how to defuse the tension. Before he could think of anything, Yu Zhi Yi had already strode past, her composure unshaken. The moment hung awkwardly in the air, leaving Official Sun simmering in silent rage.