Yan Liu'er stood on her toes with great effort just so she could keep her eyes trained in their direction. Her gaze was completely focused on Baili Jia Jue, reluctant to miss a second of him.
This made Zhang Yu further darkened his eyes. He thought of all the times he had blatantly hinted at Yan Liu'er, but she never gave him a single chance.
Then the moment this toy boy showed up, he was given all of her attention.
Bitterness filled Zhang Yu's heart.
Then again, it was not like he truly loved Yan Liu'er.
It just so happened that she was his type. Additionally, the fact that he was never able to win her heart made him all the more restless.
Now, seeing the demure way she looked at Baili Jia Jue, it felt like a hard slap to his own face.
Zhang Yu let out a heartless laughter. Since this toy boy is such a crowd favourite, he should just go and die. Just by the fact that he dared to challenge me, these two people deserve to be scapegoats!
Lord Zhang's thoughts were much more straightforward. There were so many ongoing cases held at the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, even if Lord Li was investigating the case himself, time was of the essence for these cases of disappearance.
The incident was two days ago.
He was the main officer in charge of the case, if he could carefully altered a few clues, it would be easy to change the proof.
Moreover, these two people did not look like they came from influential backgrounds judging by their attire. They looked like peasants instead. Should they became scapegoats, it probably would not cause any trouble.
Perhaps if they behaved, he would simply release them next year on the basis of insufficient evidence.
However, if they misbehaved like they did today, there would be no need for him to further consider on being righteous. Anyway, there were so many people in the Capital, it would be no big deal if one or two people died.
Lord Zhang thought about how he had plotted a wonderful plan. With the criminals at bay, his beloved son would be free of suspicion and could finally step out from the house. Not only that, he would gain credentials from Lord Li. There was no reason for him to not carry through with his plan.
Zhang Yu knew his father's intention well. Seeing as there were no outsiders, he lowered his voice and asked, "Father, Lord Li would not find out about anything right?"
"Don't you worry, no one dares to tell on you, but Yu'er, after this thing is settled, you better stay grounded for a while, stop interacting with those worthless girls in the alley! I know you enjoy playing around, and I never cared about that, but you saw how that Old Woman Zhang talked. She obviously wanted to put the blame on you. That's how annoying these poor people can get, always dreaming about the impossible without knowing their place..."
As Helian Wei Wei listened to the father and son's conversation, her gaze gradually turned freezing cold until it could almost kill.
Lord Zhang did not notice it since he was completely preoccupied with exhorting his son. On the contrary, he straightened his official headwear and escorted Helian Wei Wei and Baili Jia Jue into the Li Manor confidently.
The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, Lord Li, was in his reading room, feeling like a cat on hot bricks. There was no time for him to rest, not only because he was required to investigate the progress of the case, the princess consort's words were still running through his mind.
He counted the time and thought to himself. His Highness and the princess consort should have been to the alley by now?
None of the men he sent came back with the news.
He could not tell anyone else either, that he had instructed his men to watch the alley at all times mainly to ensure the safety of His Highness and the princess consort.
Then again, His Highness did not really needed any protection.
But what if something really happens to His Highness?
He would not have enough heads to be beheaded, even if he had nine.
There was General Wu Jing who always gushed about his His Highness' battle results with his face flushed with excitement. It was comparable to a maiden who met her lover. If Wu Jing ever finds out that something happened to His Highness within his territory, he would flip this place over with his big axe!
The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs grew more anxious as he thought about it, he grabbed his young valet and asked, "How was it? Did anyone suspicious went to the alley?"
The young valet stared at his collar that was being yanked, "Old master, you've asked this question for seven or eight times." In that short two hours, his ran so much that his legs were about to break.
"So is that a yes or a no?" The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs was normally a gentle person, but he seemed unusually irritable today.
"No." The young valet shook his head and then recalled that he had came in to report another news. He continued in a respectful manner, "Old master, Lord Zhang is requesting to see you. He said he had proof, and the criminals as well. He is currently waiting in the front hall."
When Lord Li heard that the criminals had been captured, his eyes lit up immediately. There was finally a smile on his face as he hurried toward the front hall!
At the same time, Lord Zhang was sitting on a wooden chair with a cup of tea in his hands. As he thought about meeting Lord Li later, he felt that this was his chance to perform well in front of Lord Li so that he could rise through the ranks. There was even a manuscript ready in his head.
Zhang Yu sat right beside Lord Zhang as he looked around politely, completely unlike how absurdly he behaved in the alley. "This is indeed the house of the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs," he exclaimed aloud.
Their family were also affluent, but the higher the rank of an officer, the bigger his house and vice versa.
He knew some young masters in the Capital, but most of them were either of the same rank as his father, or slightly higher in rank. Hence, the size of their houses were similar. This was his first time seeing such a huge mansion like Lord Li's.
While Zhang Yu was lost in thought, a person marched in vigorously from outside, still wearing the same official uniform.
Lord Zhang instantly stood up and bowed respectfully. Zhang Yu copied his father as they greeted in unison, "Lord Li..."
The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs gave them a quick wave before he replied in a cheerful voice, "Let's skip the pleasantries, Lord Zhang, I heard that you caught the criminals behind the cases of disappearance in the alley, where are the criminals? Where are they?"
Chapter 693 - The Fourth Form Of Slapping Oneself In The Face, Close Reasoning
Seeing how excited the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs was, Lord Zhang knew he had placed the right bet, and replied instantly, "They're outside, I'll ask my men to bring them in right now." Lord Zhang glared at the official beside him. "Hurry up and bring the criminals in now!"
The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs was so happy that there was a clue that could solve the case. "How did you capture the criminals, Lord Zhang? This case has been giving me a headache for the past few days."
Lord Zhang wanted to recommend his son to the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, thus he patted Zhang Yu's shoulder. "It was all because of my second son. He has been a clever boy since he was young, and this time it was him who noticed something suspicious, which allowed me to capture the criminals."
"Oh?" The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs settled his gaze on Zhang Yu, then praised him courteously, "What a young genius."
Zhang Yu was flattered by the compliment, and although he said that it was nothing, he had a wide grin on his face. This incident was indeed a blessing in disguise that he had found two scapegoats. Who knows, he might even get a raise in his offici
al career, since the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs had commended him.
Lord Li did not notice the intentions of the Zhang father and son, as his mind was filled with the joy of cracking the case, and he could finally give an explanation to His Highness and the Princess Consort...
While the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs was thinking about these things with his head bowed, the officer who had just went out brought in two people. Their hands were cuffed together with a long metal chain, but it did not affect the charisma of the two people. They appeared casual with an inherently subtle nobility, nothing like arrested criminals.
Lord Zhang opted to remind the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, "Lord Li, the criminals have been brought in."
The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs pulled himself out of his deep thoughts, and glanced towards the wooden door.
The moment he saw the appearance of those two people, the Secretary widened his eyes as he jumped up from his wooden chair. His violent reaction caused him to spit out the tea that he had just drank!
"Your High..." Before the Secretary finished his words, he suddenly recalled the order of the Third Princess Consort, and he gulped his words back forcefully. A single thought echoed in his mind as he trembled at the sight of the icy metal chain.
Damn it, this Zhang guy should go to hell on his own!
Why must he drag me along!
Does he know what kind of moronic thing he has done?!
What's more, he brought him to the Li Manor!
In that moment, all the Secretary wanted to do was cry!
His eyes looked at Baili Jia Jue's side profile that was perfect to the point of making one abstinent, desperately shouting in his heart, Your Highness, I'm innocent, you must believe my loyalty toward you!
Watching the situation unfold from the side, Helian Wei Wei wanted to laugh. She opened her mouth to speak, easing the Secretary's awkwardness. "Lord Li, we have been framed."
The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs finally found his voice, and nodded heavily at Helian Wei Wei. "I believe that!"
Helian Wei Wei cleared her throat, reminding him to maintain his composure, after all, no officer should behave like this upon meeting a criminal.
The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs did not want to be like this, but whenever he saw His Highness' face, his legs could not help but wobble.
The Zhang father and son sensed something strange about the secretary, and they raised their eyebrows. "Lord Li?"
The Secretary forced himself to calm down. He turned his head away so he would not look into the eyes of His Highness. Mustering up the courage in his heart, he questioned the Zhang father and son, "Lord Zhang, proof is the most important thing when investigating a case, how can you arrest someone without any proof?!" And you even captured a King of Hell, do you have a death wish?!
Upon hearing his question, Lord Zhang answered calmly, "There are other proof that are still being investigated, but these two were behaving suspiciously. All the missing people shared the same trait, which was being unmarried maidens. Right now, the only maiden left in the alley is the Yan family's daughter. These two went to the alley disguised as Feng Shui specialists and immediately visited the Yan family, the reason was clear enough, these two definitely have something to do with the missing people case in the alley!"
The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs took a deep breath, holding in the urge to wring Zhang's neck!
His Highness and the Princess Consort went there to investigate the case, you dumbass!
Helian Wei Wei grinned in objection. "Lord Zhang, all the missing people from the alley shared the same characteristics. Not only were they unmarried maidens, but all of them had complicated relationsh.i.p.s with your son, why didn't you tell Lord Li about this?"
"What?" The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs looked toward the Zhang father and son, his eyes darkening. "Lord Zhang, shouldn't you explain to me, what is the relationship between your son and the missing people?"
Cold sweat appeared on Lord Zhang's palms, but he remained composed. "Lord Li, I thought it was an insignificant thing, since it wasn't a secret at the alley, so I didn't report it to you. However, if you want to hear it, then I shall tell you the whole truth. My son was always a ladies' man, and I do not mean to belittle the civilians, but those girls from the alley were quite outrageous in their behaviour. Every time they saw Yu'er, they would come and chat with him, some even asked their servants to send letters to Yu'er. Yu'er is still young after all, he couldn't resist it, so it was only normal to have love affairs. But now, someone has used this against him. Actually, those careless girls were the ones to blame, coming out late at night, that's why they were targeted, what does that have to do with Yu'er?!"
Helian Wei Wei hated this kind of men the most. Everybody knew that the incident happened because of how much a playboy the second Young Master of the Zhang family was. If he did not deliberately seduce them, none of the things after that would have happened. Now he was putting all the blame on the women, what a worthless sc.u.m!
"Since Lord Zhang won't stop harping on the fact that the missing people came out late at night, I want to ask Young Master Zhang, why did your lovers come out late at night?" Helian Wei Wei glared at Zhang Yu sharply. "It was all because of you, right? You asked them to go on dates with you late at night, didn't you?"
Zhang Yu's body froze instantly, he did not know that she knew this as well!
"Ling'er was the first missing maiden, and her mother stated that she never came back after meeting you that night," Helian Wei Wei said with a faint smile. "Let me guess, you actually didn't want to see her anymore, am I right?"
Zhang Yu's face suddenly paled because she guessed the truth correctly. "Don't you lie!" Nobody knew that he had wanted to break up with Zhang Ling'er for a long time, not even Old Lady Zhang, how would this random fellow know such thing?!
Chapter 694 - The Culprit Is An Elderly Person! Overhaul!
"The reason you didn't want to meet Zhang Ling'er was simple. It was because you were busy with the other girls," Helian Wei Wei said as though she did not notice Zhang Yu's expression. She continued flatly, "You thought of Zhang Ling'er as a burden, because she was overly ambitious. She was just a plaything to you, so you never expected that she wanted to marry you that badly, to the point where she even plotted to ruin your dates with other girls."
To Helian Wei Wei, these were all just general reasoning. The things she heard when other people were quarreling as she stood quietly in the alley were not for nothing. She collected the information, sorted out the clues and deduced the facts.
The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs had witnessed Helian Wei Wei's meticulous deduction before. Listening to her words now made him idolize her even more.
Zhang Yu stared at Helian Wei Wei as if he saw a ghost. Somehow, this person, this person even knew what was in my mind!
"You didn't want to meet her, but you still went that day, because you wanted to end things with her once and for all." Helian Wei Wei stared right at him, her clear pupils seemed to see through everything. "People from the alley said they heard a couple arguing that day, even the town crier had heard the commotion. In fact, that was not any couple, it was you and Zhang Ling'er arguing. You warned her not to keep pestering you, but she refused since she broke off her engagement for you. Yet, you told her that it was never going to happen, abandoning her just because you felt like it. Therefore, it sounded like a couple fighting."
Zhang Yu's fists clenched tightly while his heart pounded in fear. However, disdain filled his face. "Your storytelling is amazing, after all that talk, where's your proof? I do not want to argue with peasants like you, trying to push all your suspicions onto me, do you think that the jud
iciary of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs was for nothing?"
"Seems like I guessed correctly." Helian Wei Wei judged his expressions, giggling suddenly.
Zhang Yu narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice so that only the two of them could hear. "I know you barely have any proof, so I'll advise you to know your place. This way, I can still spare your life, or else, our Zhang Family is not to be messed with!"
"Oh?" Helian Wei Wei curved her lips playfully as she looked straight at Zhang Yu. "Speaking of proof, well, I have limited time, so I won't bother to go and find it. Since you like to bully people with your status, then I shall take p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e…" With that, she looked at the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs with a smile, her eyes were freezing cold. "Lord Li, drag Zhang Yu out, give him a hundred beatings first. If he still refuses to admit it, continue beating till he does."
Zhang Yu huffed loudly. "Who do you think you are?! Do you think Lord Li will listen to your one-sided statement?"
However, he never expected that the Secretary would bow respectfully to the person before him. Then, with a loud and clear reply, "Yes, Princess Consort!"
Princess… Princess Consort?!
Zhang Yu swallowed his unfinished words! He turned back and looked at Helian Wei Wei in disbelief!
Upon hearing the reply from the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, even the cunning Lord Zhang was so shocked that all the color drained from his face.
This, this person was the Princess Consort?
Then...then...the other one...
Baili Jia Jue had remained silent the whole time, only now he started to speak slowly, his voice as melodious as usual. "A hundred beatings is too light of a punishment, might as well castrate him, so Lord Zhang would never forget this as well."
Upon hearing that, Lord Zhang instantly kneeled on the floor with a thump. He had never met the Third Prince before, but he had heard of his cruel punishments, this was obviously one of the things that he indulged in.
The Anarchic Consort c1-1376 Page 298