Chapter 71: Awe at First Sight
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On this day, dark clouds gathered overhead.
A fine drizzle fell from the sky.
Chang’an was somewhat desolate.
Yet there were still townsfolk hurrying about their business.
A carriage rolled down the street.
The driver was none other than Luo Tong.
“Your Highness, shall we head to the tavern first, or to the county office?” Luo Tong asked, glancing back.
“Let’s go to Cheng Yaojin first!”
“Huh? Why?”
Li Zhi replied, “There are many obstacles to investigating this case. It might involve some important officials in the court. Our status isn’t enough, and it would be hard to get things done. If we bring Cheng Yaojin along, it will be much more convenient!”
“Your Highness is a prince. Isn’t that status enough? Haha...”
“What of it? In everyone’s eyes, I’m just a child—who takes me seriously?” Li Zhi waved his hand dismissively. “Enough nonsense, head straight to the Duke of Lu’s residence!”
“As you command!”
“Giddy up!”
Luo Tong cracked the whip sharply.
The horse, stung, galloped forward at great speed.
In no time, they arrived at the Duke of Lu’s residence.
Cheng Yaojin stood at the gate, arms akimbo, as if waiting for something.
Seeing Li Zhi’s carriage approach, he beamed and came forward. “Your Highness, it’s been a while. I have been awaiting you for some time!”
“You were waiting? Did you know I’d be coming?”
Li Zhi poked his head out of the carriage.
“Haha... His Majesty told me to assist Your Highness in this case. Surely he told you as well? How could Your Highness not come?” Cheng Yaojin replied.
Li Shimin actually sent Cheng Yaojin to help with the case?
This was news to Li Zhi.
“If Father has so ordered, then there’s no need for me to say more. General Cheng, shall we go?”
“Are we heading to the county office now?”
“Yes, the sooner the better. Otherwise, if those with ill intentions have time to prepare, it will be much harder to uncover the truth.”
...
Cheng Yaojin nodded and hopped into the carriage.
On the way to the county office, Cheng Yaojin asked with some doubt, “Your Highness just mentioned ‘ill-intentioned people’—who do you mean?”
“I don’t know yet. But I’m certain that anyone able to orchestrate such a large-scale assassination must wield considerable power. It’s likely an official from one of the Six Ministries, but as for whom exactly, that remains unclear.”
Cheng Yaojin hesitated, then lowered his voice, “Could it be... that person...?”
He gave a meaningful look.
Li Zhi understood but shook his head. “I know who you’re suspecting, but I don’t think he would go so far as to kill me. Don’t forget, my mother is his own sister. How could he do such a thing?”
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“That’s not for certain,” Cheng Yaojin replied. “Everything in the palace revolves around interests—there’s no room for kinship. After the way you’ve crossed him lately, it’s clear you’re at odds. Why should he show you any courtesy?”
“And besides...”
“You’re not the Empress’s only child!”
These words gave Li Zhi pause.
From the moment the case began, he had never suspected Zhangsun Wuji, for he was the Empress’s own brother and would surely never harm his nephew.
But now, on reflection, he could no longer vouch for him.
Perhaps Cheng Yaojin was right.
There was no kinship in the palace—only interests.
Empress Zhangsun had more than one son: there was also Crown Prince Li Chengqian and Prince Wei, Li Tai.
Both had a chance at the throne. And compared to him, Li Chengqian and Li Tai were obedient, never talking back or opposing Zhangsun Wuji.
He, on the other hand, had deliberately provoked Zhangsun Wuji.
By contrast, Zhangsun Wuji would surely favor Li Chengqian or Li Tai.
For the sake of long-term plans, it was entirely possible he might try to eliminate him.
“You’re right. We can’t rule him out as a suspect so easily,” Li Zhi nodded.
Before long, they arrived at the county office.
Once they had seen the captured assassins and confirmed they were unharmed, they returned to the main hall. Li Zhi said, “This case may implicate those of high rank and great power. I hope you all understand—there must be no favoritism or bending of the law. Whoever is found guilty must be brought to justice!”
“With General Cheng and Your Highness backing us, I fear no one!” Sun Jiali was the first to declare.
“Whoever dared send assassins after a prince is as good as dead!”
“Indeed!” Cheng Yaojin agreed. “Magistrate Sun, with me supporting you, do your job boldly! As long as the evidence is solid, I’ll guarantee your safety before His Majesty—and perhaps even earn you a promotion.”
“Thank you, General!”
Sun Jiali was immensely pleased.
Among all officials below the fourth rank, who else could boast the favor of both Cheng Yaojin and Li Zhi? Perhaps only him.
A bright future was no longer out of reach!
...
To ensure no information leaked, the investigation was kept secret.
All ordinary cases from Chang’an County were transferred to Wannian County.
The county office was closed to the public.
All efforts were focused on the assassin case.
At noon,
Li Zhi dozed for a while in the rear offices. In his half-sleep, he heard the system’s prompt in his mind: “Mischievous Child System, side quest triggered: Solve the assassination case. Reward: +10 Intelligence.”
Host: Li Zhi.
Gender: Male.
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Age: 3 years.
Martial Prowess: 15
Intelligence: 119 (Extraordinary state)
Speed: 41
Politics: 66
Charm: 72
System Function: Unlimited Healing
Title: King of Culinary Arts (Increases culinary achievement by 10%)
...
Li Zhi sprang up and quickly checked his status panel.
His intelligence had already reached 119!
If he gained another 10 points, his intellect would be truly unparalleled.
“Sun Jiali, Sun Jiali... get to the investigation!” Li Zhi hurried to the main hall.
Sun Jiali was already prepared.
“Reporting to Your Highness, all personnel from the Wuhou Office have been arrested—over three hundred in all. Each has some connection to the case. Now we just need a breakthrough... Once one of them talks, things will go smoothly!” Sun Jiali was full of confidence.
With so many people, some were bound to know the truth.
“General Cheng and I are only here to support you; we won’t interfere in the details. We want results. Proceed boldly!” Li Zhi said.
“Yes, Your Highness!”
That was exactly what Sun Jiali wanted.
He sent men to interrogate those from the Wuhou Office.
He himself began to question the assassins captured the previous night.
Inside the county office’s prison, various instruments of torture were laid out.
Li Zhi and Cheng Yaojin watched from the side.
Sun Jiali took the central seat and, saying nothing, immediately ordered, “Gag their mouths to prevent them from biting their tongues!”
The bailiffs obeyed.
“Put all of them on the finger-squeezers—until their fingers are broken...”
Sun Jiali was ruthless indeed—not even asking a question before ordering the prisoners’ fingers broken. It was almost beyond belief.
Cheng Yaojin frowned at such brutality and was about to intervene.
But Li Zhi grabbed his arm. “These assassins are all deserving of death. Breaking a few fingers is a light punishment! If they refuse to confess, a thousand cuts and execution by slow slicing would be entirely justified!”
Hiss—
Cheng Yaojin could hardly believe such words came from the mouth of a three-year-old child!
“Ah...!” The torture had already begun. More than a dozen assassins had their fingers crushed by the clamps; the cruelty of the punishment was enough to chill the bravest heart.