Chapter 1547: Chapter 1544: Provocation
Zhang Zhi and Liu Ruying hurried over upon hearing the news, both with unpleasant expressions.
Liu Ruying was the most agitated, punching the wall, “Damn it, only fifteen minutes and already something happened. I was so foolish to send someone to the Ministry of Punishments’ prison.”
“Enough, stop being foolish. You know how many people want to bring you down.” Zhang Zhi slapped him on the head, grabbed his arm, and pulled him away. “Let’s go to Lu’s Medical Hall first.”
When Zhang Zhonghai hurriedly arrived, he saw the bailiffs of the entire prison separated and locked up, while guards diligently sealed the prison, so tight that not even a fly could escape.
“Magistrate Zhang, you’ve arrived.” The Deputy mander stood at the prison entrance, not allowing Zhang Zhonghai to enter.
Zhang Zhonghai forced a smile, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and asked, “What exactly happened? I need to go in and take a look.”
The Deputy mander raised his hand to block him, immediately souring Zhang Zhonghai’s expression.
He was the Minister of Punishments, a top-ranking official, yet he couldn’t even enter the Ministry of Punishments’ prison. What are these eunuchs trying to do?
The Deputy mander noticed his displeased expression but remained formal and serious. “Magistrate Zhang, there’s trouble inside. We need to interrogate all the bailiffs before allowing you access. The Imperial Guard treats all cases equally, and I hope you’ll understand. Tea is already prepared in the adjacent tea room, please.”
Though the invitation was seemingly respectful, the attitude was firm.
The guards in front of the prison wore swords at their waists, exuding an intimidating aura, as if ready to act against anyone forcing their way in.
Zhang Zhonghai was quite unhappy but wished to avoid suspicion. He snorted angrily, asking, “Where is Lord Chu? He invited me over, yet leaves me waiting here?”
“Lord Chu is waiting for you in the tea room.” The Deputy mander stepped back, ignoring his anger.
Zhang Zhonghai flicked his robe, turning to stride quickly to the tea room.
Though called a tea room, it was quite simple — merely a small shelter against the wind. As Zhang Zhonghai arrived, he saw Chu Heng sitting on a cushion, with fragrant Tea leaves and wisps of smoke on the low table, adding a touch of elegance to the scene.
Snowflakes drifted outside, falling on the window, crunching under their weight. Evergreen Leaf planted outside was covered in snow, leaving only a patch of green.
“How can Lord Chu have the leisure to drink tea here?” Zhang Zhonghai thought about how Chu Heng’s hard-sought witnesses were now gone, feeling schadenfreude, especially since the other party seemed to ignore him, wishing he’d fail.
His words were mockingly playful, but the real meaning was understood by both.
Chu Heng poured him a cup of tea. “Magistrate Zhang, I’m waiting for you.”
“Oh? Waiting for me?” Zhang Zhonghai walked over, sat heavily on the cushion, removed his shoes, and shook off the snow deliberately hard, almost wishing to splash mud in his face.
The atmosphere in the room became quite indescribable.
Chu Heng paused his movements, giving him a glance, “Magistrate Zhang, where did you go to get so much mud on your shoes?”
Zhang Zhonghai’s previously smug smile instantly froze, like a cat whose tail was stepped on, squinting his eyes, “Lord Chu, what do you mean by this, suspecting even me?”
“Magistrate Zhang, no need to rush. I’m just routinely asking. After all, this incident in the Ministry of Punishments’ prison, at best is poor management, at worst could be someone deliberately provoking you.”
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