From the moment he received the imperial edict, Lin Zihan knew that Fang Qinhu's case wouldn't be so simple. However, he never expected that the first person to try to dissuade him would be his own teacher.
"Zihan, I think you're clearer than me about who is behind Zhu Chengjie. Even so, do you still want to continue the investigation?"
Recalling his teacher's persuasion during lunch that day, he sighed and shook his head.
As the vice - minister of the Supreme Court, his duty was to find out the truth. As for the intricate relationships behind the case, it was beyond his authority.
Thinking this way, Lin Zihan felt a bit more at ease. But before he could relax, bad news came.
"Vice - minister Lin, Captains Sun and Yang both said they were too busy with official duties and didn't want to come to the Supreme Court."
Four years had passed since the battle between the Great Qi and the Southern Chu in Zongyang. The soldiers who knew the situation at that time either died on the battlefield or retired to their hometowns, making them impossible to find.
So the only witnesses Lin Zihan could still find were the four captains who had once served under Zhu Chengjie: Fang Qinhu, Zhou Kou, Sun He, and Yang Shi.
The latter two had become Zhu Chengjie's men. They had played a part in the court's judgment that Fang Qinhu was a deserter. Now they didn't even want to step into the Supreme Court.
There was no need to think about Fang Qinhu. So the only one left was Zhou Kou.
Zhou Kou!
Tapping his fingertips lightly on the table, the vice - minister fell into deep thought.
Meanwhile, in the Prince Jing's Mansion
Chen Guang still didn't bring good news today. That man named Zhou Kou was still missing.
"Your Highness, the news from Zhou Kou's hometown says there's no sign of him. These days, I've sent out all the available men. If we still can't find him..."
Shang Luoshu understood what he meant. If they couldn't find him any longer, Zhou Kou might be in great danger.
But the man still felt very strange. Like Fang Qinhu, Zhou Kou was just an ordinary person, and his ancestors had no background. However, several groups of men sent out not only failed to find him but also couldn't even see the shadow of his family.
Had he missed something?
Unconsciously, he rubbed his index finger and thumb nails together. After a moment of silence, the man said, "Chen Guang, do you still remember how Fang Qinhu described Zhou Kou at that time?"
Time went back a few days ago. Lu Yinxi, who was almost recovered, negotiated with Fang Qinhu in the prison.
"Miss Lu can go and find Zhou Kou. Now he may be the only one who knows the whole truth and is willing to tell it."
"Zhou Kou?"
Hearing the unfamiliar name, a look of curiosity flashed across the girl's face.
"Yes, Zhou Kou."
Fang Qinhu affirmed, with a touch of nostalgia in his words. "He's a very capable man. His fighting skills and military strategies are better than mine, and his military achievements are countless. But I don't know why he, like me, was just a sixth - rank captain."
"Although I didn't have much friendship with him, I know that this man is extremely upright. If you can find him, maybe my charges can be cleared."
"Got it. I'll try my best to find him for you."
After Chen Guang finished speaking, Shang Luoshu fell into silence again. After a long while, he said, "Zhou Kou has always been a sixth - rank captain?"
Chen Guang: "The information we've found shows that's the case."
Shang Luoshu: "He has always been a soldier under Zhu Chengjie?"
Chen Guang: "Yes."
"Recall the men and search the capital city with all your might."
The man seemed to have figured something out. He relaxed for a moment and leaned back on the chair. "If I'm not wrong, Zhou Kou should be in the capital, or rather, still in the army under Zhu Chengjie."
In the capital?
Chen Guang didn't hesitate and immediately took the order: "Your subordinate obeys."
Although there was no evidence, his intuition told Shang Luoshu that Zhou Kou was very likely to be hiding in the capital incognito.
Obviously, his abilities were better than Fang Qinhu's, and he also had military achievements. But Zhou Kou's official position was the same as Fang Qinhu's. All these signs combined made the man suspect that someone was suppressing Zhou Kou and didn't want him to get ahead.
Generally speaking, there were two purposes for doing this.
One was to deliberately suppress, and the other was to make this person disappear without being noticed.
Just then, a name suddenly flashed into Shang Luoshu's mind!
Shang Mozheng!
He should have thought of it earlier.
The man's face visibly cooled down. The intentions of the Assistant - regent were no longer a secret to him. He wanted that throne.
As the emperor grew older, it was impossible to seize the throne peacefully. So his only choice was to rebel.
Soldiers and capable generals were indispensable for a rebellion.
All the clues almost formed a line. Shang Luoshu even suspected that the defeat in the Zongyang Battle a few years ago was also manipulated by the Assistant - regent.
After giving the order, Chen Guang returned to the study.
"Your Highness, do we need to disclose the information about Zhou Kou to Vice - minister Lin?"
"No. If he can't figure out that Zhou Kou is the breakthrough point of this case, he doesn't deserve me to vouch for him in front of the emperor."
The imperial edict had been issued for several days, and there was no more news about Vice - minister Lin from outside, not to mention the case of Fang Qinhu. However, Lady Lu allowed the girl to go shopping in the streets of the capital.
Pulling Hongrui to change into more convenient clothes, the mistress and the maid left the prime minister's mansion hand in hand.
"Hongrui, are you sure Vice - minister Lin will pass by this road later?"
Behind the corner, the girl secretly peeked at the movement in the distance while asking. After thinking for a long time, she still wanted to tell Lin Zihan the news about Zhou Kou.
But as a young lady from a good family, it wasn't very appropriate for her to swagger into the Supreme Court. So she planned to intercept him on the road.
"Don't worry, miss. Your maid sent someone to inquire. These days, Vice - minister Lin will pass by here at this time."
As soon as the words fell, the figure of a young man appeared in their field of vision. The indigo official robe shimmered slightly under the refraction of light.
The girl observed the surrounding situation, steadied her mind, took a deep breath, and then stepped forward boldly.
"Vice - minister Lin, please stop!"
Half an hour later
The plain - bottomed blue - and - white teacups were emitting curling tea fragrance. Opposite the table sat Vice - minister Lin, whom all the young ladies in the capital wanted to marry. For a moment, Lu Yinxi felt a bit nervous.
"Miss... you said you had something important to tell me. Now you can say it."
It had to be said that Lin Zihan really had good self - restraint. When he was walking on the road and suddenly intercepted by a girl, he not only didn't blame her but even brought her to a teahouse where they could talk conveniently.
Lu Yinxi nodded and said directly, "I've heard that Your Honor is currently investigating Fang Qinhu?"
The fact that the vice - minister of the Supreme Court was investigating Fang Qinhu had already been announced to the world, so Lin Zihan didn't deny it. He just said, "That's right. Since you mentioned this, do you have any clues to provide?"
"Yes, Zhou Kou. As far as I know, he knows what happened back then."
Hearing this, the hope on Lin Zihan's face dimmed a bit. He had already known about Zhou Kou. The current problem was whether he was still alive.
If he was alive, how could they find him?
"I'm sorry, miss. I already know about Zhou Kou. The current problem is how to find him?"
Already known?
Lu Yinxi was a bit surprised. Did Shang Luoshu tell him, or did he discover it by himself?
Her light - brown eyes rolled a few times. After hesitating for a moment, the girl said seriously, "What I mean is, Your Honor, you will definitely find Zhou Kou."
Just as her voice faded, the guard of the Supreme Court rushed in in a hurry.
"Your Honor, His Highness Prince Jing is here. He said he's found Zhou Kou!"