c39 (1/2)

Chapter 39: A Cornered Beast Will Do Anything

A male walked in behind Gao Jing. He was taller than seven foot, he was lean and although he was wearing an official uniform, the blue robe did not hide his valiant yet refined style. The male calmly walked to the centre of the hall, kneel on one knee and greeted loudly, “This official, Ming Jian, greets the Emperor.”

Yan Hong Tian looked up from a pile of memorandums and took a look at the man before waving his hand in a good mood, saying, “Get up. How did research go?”

The man stood up, stepped forward and whispered in front of the study table, “Reporting to the Emperor, the case is about a bounty hunter who killed Yang Liu, the corporal in the Ministry of Defence, because of a quarrel. Qing family sisters, Qing Ling and Qing Mo was also involved. Qing Ling found clues on the body and confirmed that the fatal chest wound was an uncommon flying dagger seen here. Qing Mo saw through the holes in Yang Liu’s furen and set up a trap to capture the murderer. The murderer was indeed the wife of Yan Liu, Qu Xin, and Qu Xin was the sister of the thief, Qu Ze, that was convicted of robbing the gold. Qu Xin killed Yang Liu first to avenge her other brother, second to arouse the attention of Dan Daren to retrial the gold case.”

There were guards standing on guard outside and there were no one else except for Gao Jing in the hall but the male still lowered his voice so that only Yan Hong Tian could hear it, which show how discreet the matter was.

Regarding the bounty hunter murder case linking to the old gold case, Dan Yu Lan had indicated very clearly in the report but he felt that Dan Yu Lan was hiding something and his interaction with Xi Yan was indeed too much. Because of that, he then let Ming Jian go to investigate. He did not think that the Qing sisters were also involved. No wonder when Dan Yu Lan mentioned about this case, he kept looking at Lou Xi Yan’s expression. Lou Xi Yan is also extremely concerned about this case and the reason behind was actually very interesting.

Yan Hong Tian lost his laughter, “Qing Mo is the youngest sister of the Qing family?” Xi Yan has love Qing Ling till he loves everything that involves her.

“Yes. That female is very intelligent when interrogating the criminals and has good knowledge on finding evidences. In short, she is a independent and unconventional that even Official Dan rather appreciates her.” Ming Jian’s words about this female has made Yan Hong Tian feel that the female is a bit interesting as he disbelievingly smiled, “Not mentioning that she is exceptionally intelligent and unique and independent. For just a mere female, how is she able to go freely in and out of the General’s manor and could a.s.sist Dan Yu Lan on investigations?” If he remembered correctly, the General manor is not as strict as an army camp with military laws but but it did not allow impudent things to happen, let alone a female.

Ming Jian coughed and whispered, “It seems that her position in the General’s manor is not low. Everyone in the General’s manor refer to her as ‘Furen’.”

“Furen?” This time, Yan Hong Tian was shocked and it took a moment to collect himself. He curiously ask, “Did Su Ren and Su Yu acknowledge her?”

The corner of Ming Jian’s eyes showed a faint smile as he replied, “General Su Ren very frequently called her… ‘Sister-in-law’.”

Sister-in-law?! This time Yan Hong Tian was truly stunned. Su Ren’s character is calm and unfl.u.s.tered and his thoughts are meticulous. It is not possible for him to casually call a female as sister-in-law in just a short month’s time. Or… Was it Su Ling’s call?

This is too interesting? Yan Hong Tian suddenly started laughing out. This is much more interesting than Xi Yan and Qing Ling. He did not forget the great bitterness and deep hatred that Su Ling gave when gifted him the youngest sister of the Qing Family. Doesn’t General Su keep his proximity to females? How long did he surrender his weapons? (I think he means how long has it been since he last did it… *wink*) Just what kind of person is this youngest sister of the Qing family?

The guards which were outside the hall all raised their eyebrows. For the Emperor to fill the Imperial Study with such a hearty laugh, Ming Jian must have brought some kind of good news back. The Emperor has not laughed this heartily for a long time.

Catching his breath, Yan Hong Tian picked up the tea from the table and drank a mouthful. The smile on his face faded as he looked at the case file to approve on the study table. He lowly instructed, “Since Dan Yu Lan wants to retrial this big case and found ‘experts’ to help, for the time being, you do not need to disturb them and let Dan Yu Lan investigate. When the Prime Minister manor and General manor get involved in this case, some people will not be able to endure quietly. You only need to keep an eye on them.”

“Yes.”

Yan Hong Tian put down his hot tea and continued to deal with reports from other counties and Ming Jian did not neglect that flash of cold look from the Emperor’s eyes.

Ming Jian quietly retreated out of the hall and when he was just about to leave, he saw a familiar figure around the corner. Ming Jian strode over and heartily called out, “Ming Ze.”

Hearing the male’s call, Ming Ze was slightly startled before he cupped his hand and greet in a respectful but estranged manner, “This guard greets Commanding Officer Daren.”

“You…” The smile on Ming Jian’s mouth stiffen and his hand which was about to be placed on Ming Ze’s shoulders also awkwardly stop midway. Looking at that outstanding yet cold and aloof younger brother, even though Ming Jian has so much more words, he could only turn them into sighs. Ming Jian put his hand down and turn to leave.

Ming Ze slowly straighten up his body and look straight ahead. As for that figure who was implicitly angry but could only leave helplessly, he turned a blind eye to him. The red-clad lieutenant, who was standing beside him, could not tolerate and softly sighed, “I say Ming Ze, Daren is in any case your older brother. You don’t need to…”

“Do not bother about my matters.” A cold voice interrupted Lu Tong earnest and well-meaning advice. Swallowing the rest of the words, Lu Tong patted his checks and spit lowly, “All right. All right. All right. My mouth is worthless! Is it right!” Honestly he was finding a scolding for himself, the relations.h.i.+p between other people brothers are of no link to him! Besides, Ming Ze have a Commanding Officer older brother to cover for him and behind him, he also have the entire Ming family supporting. Of course he can do as he pleases. He was courting a snub!

*****

In the midsummer afternoon, the sun has penetrated layers of leaves and yet it was still blinding to the eyes. Qing Feng sat on the couch in front of the window and there was a book in her hands. Qing Feng did not mind the wind blowing the pages of the book from time to time as it has been a long time since she last read. In fact, she was not reading. By holding the book and dazing off, she will not look so restless.

Light footsteps sounding from outside and in a short while, Fu Ling has already quickly walked to her side and without waiting for her to ask, Fu Ling whispered, “Mistress, Princess Chao Yun has returned to the Palace.”

Qing Feng’s hand that was holding the book tighten, “Why?” Wasn’t it only yesterday that she reached the Prime Minister manor? And it was the Empress Dowager who personally sent her there. The Princess has returned to the Palace but Qing Feng did not feel happy at all, instead she felt more frustrated. Qing Feng put the book down and urgently questioned, “What exactly is going on?”

“Early this morning, Princess Chao Yun had already returned to the Palace. Not sure for what reason, after her return, the Princess did not want to see anyone.” The Imperial Physicians and the Empress Dowager were all blocked outside the hall. As of now, everyone in the entire Imperial Palace wanted to know what did the Princess suffered in the Prime Minister manor.

“How is it like at the Prime Minister manor? Was the Emperor and Empress Dowager angry about it?” It was only Lou Xi Yan that could make the Princess back out of the situation. Qing Feng’s heart was happy but also worried. She was happy that her Elder Sister did not misjudge him and she was worried because the other party is the Royal family’s pampered daughter. Can they really afford to provoke them?

“Prime Minister Lou went to court as per usual and the Emperor was busy with the affairs of the state thus he did not make things difficult for Prime Minister Lou. The Empress Dowager went over to Qing Xuan Hall in the morning but was stopped at the main door by the Princess and returned back to her palace after a while. As for the rest, this servant really unable to inquire any more.”

“I understand, you can withdraw.” Qing Feng could only rely on Fu Ling to bring back some news now and could not be too demanding. Even though she is anxious and felt worried, she could only wait and observe.

“Yes.” Retreated to the door, Fu Ling gently closed the door. The Mistress most likely will be sitting here for the entire day.