The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 1114

Chapter 1114: 539 Young Master (Part 3)

Meanwhile, another story unfolded. The Minister of Punishment led Xiao Hen out of the city overnight to investigate a case. Xiao Hen’s official position at the Ministry was that of Magistrate of the Imperial Library; logically, he should not be involved in case investigations. Nevertheless, the Minister had specifically requested him for his case-solving abilities.

The title of Magistrate was merely a front.

The Minister of Punishment was named Xing Shuwen.

Such a name hardly seemed befitting of a high-ranking minister, yet Xing Shuwen indeed held the position.

Xing Shuwen was one of the few ministers who came from a humble background. He had suffered many hardships before finally entering the Ministry of Punishment.

Lacking the backing of a powerful family made his ascent through the ranks much harder than it was for those born of nobility. He faced two external appointments: one for offending someone, and the other for meddling with forces he shouldn’t have touched.

But perhaps his fate was unusually tenacious, as he had survived it all.

He was a man of integrity with a respectable family, meeting the Emperor’s standards for selecting officials—the primary condition being that the Emperor took notice of him.

"It really was a coincidence. I was assigned to a small county near Fengdu Mountain during my second external appointment when I handled a case where the victim was from the Princess Residence," the Minister recounted to Xiao Hen as they rode in the carriage.

Xiao Hen was unaware of this matter.

Before he left the Capital City, he hadn’t anticipated joining the Six Ministries, so he didn’t pay particular attention to their affairs. Princess Xinyang kept an eye on the goings-on within the court, so he’d occasionally heard about certain officials’ misconduct—such as Zheng Siye from the Guozijian accepting bribes.

But it was clear that the Minister of Punishment didn’t belong to the list of those who had skeletons in their closet.

He was a clean and honest official.

The carriage traveled along a bumpy trail, causing both of its occupants to jostle about.

As he swayed, the Minister continued, "To tell you the truth, the victim was just an insignificant servant, bullied by a local gentry who happened to have distant relations in the Capital City. Do you know what most people would do in that situation?"

Xiao Hen understood that the question wasn’t directed at him.

Indeed, the Minister went on, "They would trivialize a major issue to a minor one. Sometimes the lives of the common people, and those of servants as well, are not valued highly. Princess Xinyang asked me then, ’Magistrate, do you dare to investigate this case?’"

Xiao Hen could almost picture Princess Xinyang’s expression at the time.

"I asked the Princess, ’If I investigate and things go awry, can you guarantee the safety of my family?’ She said, ’I can’t. Your case is not for me; it is your duty. You have the choice to be a good official or a corrupt one, and you must bear the consequences of your decision.’ My goodness, how impersonal, I thought. Hm... Even now, I think the Princess was too harsh. She’s a princess. How hard could it be for her to protect a few people? She put me on the spot without offering any escape for my family..."

"But Liulang, that’s how the world works. From the day I chose to become an official, I put the fate of my family on an unpredictable path. No one forced me; it was all my choice."

"The case made it to the Capital, and you know what? That gentry was related to the Duke Residence. I nearly died, but heaven spared me, and when the Emperor heard about the case, he brought me back to the Capital. That was how I was saved."

"She helped you," Xiao Hen suddenly intervened.

"What?" The Minister looked at Xiao Hen, puzzled.

Xiao Hen said, "Princess Xinyang, she helped you."

The Minister was taken aback.

Xiao Hen dusted off his wide sleeves, "Otherwise, how could the Emperor have heard about your case, and why would he suddenly call you back to the Capital? There are so many cases involving murder."

"Ah... this..."

The Minister was overwhelmed by the revelation; to be frank, he had considered the possibility, but having met Princess Xinyang several times afterward, she never gave him any indication that he should be grateful to her.

Indeed, she wouldn’t even speak to him.

Could one do good deeds so anonymously?

What was Princess Xinyang after?

Did she want him to be a good official?

Did she want this face of his?

There were rumors that Princess Xinyang had many faces.

The Minister touched his rough face, recalling that once upon a time, he had been considered the handsome man of their county...

"Sir! We’ve arrived!" The coachman brought the carriage to a halt.

The reason the Minister had chosen to share his story with Xiao Hen during the carriage ride was his sense that this case was not simple, involving forces greater than they might imagine. He feared Xiao Hen would hesitate to delve further into the investigation, so he sought to inspire Xiao Hen with his own experience, encouraging him to aspire to be a good official who would not fear power, even without anyone to protect him, and who could soar to great heights no matter the obstacles.

However, it seemed that his plan had somewhat backfired.

"Ahem," the Minister cleared his throat, "Let’s get going."

This was the residence of the third witness they had tracked down.

Regrettably, they came up empty-handed.