Chapter 8: Framing the King of Criminal Investigation? You've Met the Master! (Combined)

At the final quarter of the hour of the Boar, the night had deepened. The magnificent and splendid capital of the Great Tang, Chang'an, had also fallen into slumber. The daytime clamor transformed into tranquility; the broad Vermilion Bird Avenue lay deserted.

Suddenly, several dozen figures appeared from afar. The leader, clad in armor and mounted on a tall steed, furrowed his brow with a grim expression. His sharp gaze frequently flicked back at Liu Shuyi, who was tightly guarded by the Imperial Guards behind him. Grinding his teeth, he was furious.

He had yielded to Liu Shuyi after all...

The thought that he, a dignified Left Imperial Guard Commander of the fifth rank, was threatened by a mere minor official of the Ministry of Justice enraged Zhou Mo and filled him with shame. He imagined how he would be ridiculed if this matter became public.

If Du Gou and Cheng Chumo had not just happened to be at Liu's residence, he would never have cared what Liu Shuyi claimed. What truth had been discovered? As long as Liu Shuyi was thrown into prison, Zhou Mo was certain Liu would never see the light of day again. No matter how much truth Liu Shuyi claimed to hold, he would have no chance to speak.

Yet, by coincidence, Du Gou and Cheng Chumo arrived precisely then. Zhou Mo could not act against them or restrict their movements. Consequently, the matter would inevitably reach Du Ruhui and Wei Zheng immediately, and ultimately the emperor’s ears. After much consideration, Zhou Mo had no choice but to compromise.

But even so, he did not truly believe Liu Shuyi was innocent or that Liu had uncovered the truth. He was a trusted confidant of Pei Ji and knew well what Pei Ji held in his grasp. He firmly believed Liu Shuyi was still resisting stubbornly, still deceiving and struggling.

But it was all useless!

Even though Zhou Mo was forced to bring Liu Shuyi to the Ministry of Revenue, once Pei Sikong and the others arrived, Liu would be exposed and would die even more horribly.

Watching the calmness on Liu Shuyi’s face, Zhou Mo bit his lip and sneered coldly: "Let's see how long your arrogance lasts!"

Hearing the cold laughter ahead, Liu Shuyi narrowed his eyes slightly. He had been pondering Zhou Mo’s earlier words—that Zhao Zhuo’s son had been captured and had implicated him.

Why would Zhou Mo say that? Who was this Zhao Zhuo’s son?

Could it be...

He stroked his chin thoughtfully.

At that moment, the group halted.

Liu Shuyi looked up; the characters "Ministry of Revenue" on the plaque, illuminated by the red lanterns, seemed tinged with a sanguine hue.

He was here again.

...

Half an hour later.

The Ministry of Revenue, once silent due to the officials’ off-duty hours, was now brightly lit and bustling.

Officials who had returned home to their beloved wives were summoned back. Yawning and disgruntled, they watched the figures in the main hall, murmuring complaints but dared not raise their voices too loud. After all, few present were people they could afford to offend.

Bang!

Suddenly, a table was struck with a thundering sound.

“Liu Shuyi, what tricks do you still want to play?” Pei Ji, dressed in a crimson official’s robe, looked stern and shouted, “All your schemes have been uncovered by me!”

“You are just as sinister, vicious, crafty, and despicable as your father! The true murderer, yet pretending to be innocent—thieves crying ‘stop thief’!”

“Do you think I will still be fooled by you?”

Seated high above, Pei Ji looked down at Liu Shuyi with eyes full of contempt and disdain. “I should have executed you together with your father years ago! Your father was a calamity—how could you be a good man? You and your family’s lineage are a curse that should have been extinguished long ago!”

His voice echoed like a lingering melody throughout the silent hall.

Wei Zheng, standing upright and proper, frowned slightly, feeling Pei Ji’s words had gone too far. Even in court, he would never insult someone so harshly.

Du Ruhui, paler than during the day, cleared his throat a few times, breaking the oppressive atmosphere Pei Ji created.

“Pei Sikong, let us stick to the facts. Why drag in someone’s father who died long ago?”

He looked deeply at the young man standing in the hall, who, despite Pei Ji’s harsh insult, had not lost his composure. His voice remained gentle as ever. “Pei Sikong says you are the murderer, has sufficient evidence, and you say you have uncovered the truth... Liu Shuyi, what do you say I should do?”

...

“It’s simple.”

Upon hearing Du Ruhui’s words, Liu Shuyi finally spoke slowly. His gaze swept over Pei Ji, his voice colder than usual.

“Pei Sikong claims I am the murderer. If so, produce the evidence—I will confront you here and now!”

“If I am truly guilty, then I have no right to refute anything you say.”

“But if the evidence Pei Sikong presents is insufficient to prove my guilt, and the truth I reveal gains unanimous approval, then it means... I am innocent, and Pei Sikong is mistaken!”

Then...

His eyes fixed on Pei Ji’s cold face as he said solemnly, “I hope Pei Sikong will apologize for the insults just now.”

“Apologize to you? Dream on!”

Pei Ji retorted without hesitation, “What right does a murderer like you have to bargain with me?”

“Is Pei Sikong afraid?” Liu Shuyi glanced at him, calmly saying, “Or is it because Pei Sikong knows I am innocent that he dares not accept this challenge?”

“Nonsense! Do you think I would wrong you? Don’t spit false accusations!”

“So Pei Sikong knowingly refuses to admit his mistake? So this is the ‘Pei Sikong’ the world knows?”

“You—”

Pei Ji’s eyes blazed with fury, veins bulging on his forehead. He had not expected the usually meek Liu Shuyi to be so eloquent. Unwittingly, he had been trapped, and worse, he could not counter.

“Hmph!”

After hesitating briefly and seeing Wei Zheng and Du Ruhui silently watching, Pei Ji snorted coldly. “Since I am arresting you, naturally I have sufficient evidence. Why would I fear you?”

“Good!”

Liu Shuyi had been waiting for this. Arguing back and forth with Pei Ji was meaningless; only by making Pei Ji swallow his words could he truly lose face.

“Then let Du Pushe and Wei Daifu bear witness, so that when the truth comes out, Pei Sikong cannot deny or avoid apologizing.”

Pei Ji’s face darkened further.

“Don’t get too cocky!”

He cut Liu Shuyi off, then looked outside. “Bring him in!”

Soon, a man dressed in coarse hemp cloth, his face marked with numerous scars and his body thin as a skeleton, was pushed into the hall by Zhou Mo. Zhou Mo kicked his knee, forcing him to kneel.

Zhou Mo’s cold gaze swept over Liu Shuyi, then he saluted Du Ruhui and the others. “Zhao Zhuo’s son, Zhao Feng, has been brought in.”

“Zhao Feng?”

“Zhao Zhuo’s son?”

Cheng Chumo and Du Gou, who had not yet spoken, exchanged glances. Previously, on the carriage to the Zhao residence, they had suggested sending someone to confirm if anyone from the Zhao family had gone missing, but Liu Shuyi had refused, citing lack of time.

Unexpectedly, the person they had no time to verify now appeared here.

Considering the Zhao family was the only party with motive, and Pei Ji’s certainty, Cheng Chumo and Du Gou felt a bad premonition.

And as they feared...

“According to Liu Shuyi’s earlier judgment, the murderer’s target was Zhao Ci and three others who reported Zhao Zhuo’s corruption. So obviously, the murderer sought revenge for Zhao Zhuo!”

“Who else but his kin would avenge Zhao Zhuo? Undoubtedly, only his family!”

Pei Ji spoke calmly, his tone full of unshaken control.

He looked at the kneeling Zhao Feng and said coldly, “I know Liu Wenjing well; how troublesome he is, I am fully aware. So I watch his son closely.”

“After we left, I secretly ordered men to monitor Liu Shuyi and his residence to see if he was scheming behind our backs.”

“As a result... my men caught Zhao Feng sneaking around the back gate of Liu’s residence!”

“They immediately arrested him and subjected him to harsh interrogation, and the outcome...”

Pei Ji’s gaze shifted to the handsome figure he detested and he said coldly, “Zhao Feng confessed everything! He said he bought you over with the Zhao family heirloom to collude with you. Together, you killed Zhao Ci and the others!”

“He came to your back door today, fearing you would betray him upon hearing you were investigating the case, and tried to ask for details. But he was caught by me!”

...

“Liu Shuyi!”

Pei Ji raised his voice sharply. “There’s the witness, and there’s the jade pendant you left at the Zhao residence... both witness and physical evidence are here. What more do you have to deny?”

Hearing this, the expressions of those present changed. Zhou Mo grinned, looking at Liu Shuyi with glee and mockery, clearly implying: See? Even coming to the Ministry of Revenue won’t save you!

“It’s over! Liu Shuyi is finished! Is he really the murderer?” Cheng Chumo’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Du Gou frowned deeply, his scholarly face grave. From Liu Shuyi’s requests for investigation, he knew the case was not simple, but now with all evidence presented, he had no idea how to help Liu refute it.

Pei Ji never intended to give Liu a chance to overturn the case!

Wei Zheng’s gaze deepened, his look towards Liu Shuyi filled with authority.

Only Du Ruhui remained calm from beginning to end, as though he had expected this outcome.

After Pei Ji finished speaking, Du Ruhui asked, “Liu Shuyi, what do you say to Pei Sikong’s accusations?”

All eyes turned to Liu Shuyi.

Surprisingly, despite the ironclad evidence Pei Ji brought forth, Liu Shuyi showed no panic—his calmness alone was extraordinary.

But calm would not save him!

“I understand what Pei Sikong means. Ultimately, he believes I am the murderer mainly because of Zhao Feng’s confession.”

Liu Shuyi’s tone was steady as he looked at the thin young man kneeling, battered and exhausted.

He slowly said, “Zhao Feng, am I really your accomplice? Were all these crimes truly committed by you and me together?”

“Hmph! What good is asking again?” Pei Ji sneered. “Do you think you can still intimidate Zhao Feng into silence before us?”

Liu Shuyi ignored Pei Ji and calmly looked at the man.

Zhao Feng lowered his head, lips pressed tight. After a moment, he barely nodded: “Yes, these crimes were committed by you and me.”

“Oh?”

Liu Shuyi narrowed his eyes. “I have two questions for you.”

“What?”

“First, you said you bought me over with the Zhao family heirloom. What heirloom? Where is it now?”

“A golden crown passed down from our ancestors, priceless... As for where it is now, I gave it to you—I wouldn’t know where you hid it.”

“A fine claim to not know where I hid it!”

Liu Shuyi sneered. This statement made Zhao Feng’s confession unverifiable. To outsiders, Liu was the bought culprit; if he did not hand it over, it was only natural they could not find the heirloom. And Liu’s stubborn denial would appear as obstinate concealment.

But would this stump someone who had solved countless cases?

Liu Shuyi looked at Zhao Feng, still bowing his head: “I remember your Zhao family was raided before exile. All property was confiscated. When you left, you wore only a thin garment. So I’m curious...”

He smiled faintly, “How did this so-called heirloom evade the raid? How did you take it with you?”

“I...” Zhao Feng suddenly raised his head. After hesitating, he said, “Before the raid, I hid it in advance. I only retrieved it after sneaking back to Chang’an.”

“Oh? Hidden?”

Liu Shuyi nodded, feigning admiration. “The Zhao Zhuo corruption case was personally overseen by His Majesty. You’re impressive...”

“To hide your family’s most valuable heirloom right under the noses of the emperor, the Ministries of Justice, Punishments, Censors, the Capital Magistrate, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Imperial Guards, with no one noticing! Not a single servant or child betrayed you, even under torture, holding their silence to death! Honestly, I admire you!”

This sarcastic remark made even straightforward Cheng Chumo uneasy.

The emperor had subjected Zhao Zhuo and his family to stringent interrogation to recover fifty thousand strings of disaster relief funds. Under such scrutiny, the Zhao family could not have concealed a single coin.

If the heirloom truly existed, how could no one have leaked any information?

Even if Zhao Feng withstood torture, servants and children unrelated to the family could not.

But no one ever mentioned such an heirloom—something was clearly amiss.

If even Cheng Chumo thought so, how could others not?

The atmosphere in the room shifted abruptly.

Even Zhou Mo’s smirk faltered slightly.

He glanced at Pei Ji, who twitched his eyelids sharply; his usually confident and refined expression showed cracks.

Du Ruhui saw this and a faint smile flickered in his deep eyes. He leaned back slightly, completely relaxed, his gaze on Liu Shuyi deepening with amusement.

Liu Shuyi wasted no time. His voice continued:

“Now, the second question.”