What did the Grand Imperial Advisor wish to discuss privately? Was there more to this case? Or did the Emperor have some private instructions? Jiang Wang’s mind raced with possibilities, and for a moment, he remained silent.

“I heard…” Xie Huaian looked at him and said calmly, “That Qing Yangzi and my good-for-nothing nephew had some misunderstandings?”

A cold sweat immediately broke out on Jiang Wang. You despicable Xie Baoshu, a man of your age, resorting to snitching to your family? Truly detestable, infuriating, and shameless!

“Perhaps… there were a few,” Jiang Wang said cautiously, observing Xie Huaian’s expression.

Xie Huaian waved his hand. “I merely heard vague mentions from my servants and won’t inquire into the specifics of your situation. Young people, you see, are prone to impulse. It’s perfectly normal for disagreements to arise and lead to some friction.”

He smiled. “If there are any misunderstandings, simply clear them up. You have a long future ahead of you. A minor spat in youth, what does it amount to? Years from now, you may look back upon it as an amusing anecdote, perhaps even share a laugh! As the saying goes, ‘one never knows a man till one has eaten a peck of salt with him.’ Perhaps you might even become friends!”

It is said that Xie Huaian regards Xie Baoshu as his own son, and seeing him today, this seems true. For a man of his esteemed position as Grand Imperial Advisor, to personally resolve a private dispute for his nephew, he is indeed exceedingly concerned. It seems I misjudged little Xie Baoshu; he didn’t snitch after all, Jiang Wang thought.

Of course, he dared not put on airs in front of a Grand Imperial Advisor and quickly echoed, “You are quite right. It is best to make peace with one’s enemies. I have always held this sentiment. Today, when I saw Brother Baoshu on the road, I even took the initiative to greet him.”

“Ah, is that so?” Xie Huaian smiled with great comfort. “Qing Yangzi has a broad mind, unlike most. It is my Baoshu who has been spoiled since childhood and has a poor temperament. Though he is older than you! He is far inferior to you. It truly was unfair to you.”

Jiang Wang, after all, was not thick-skinned enough and merely said, “Actually, there was no real unfairness…”

“I know Baoshu’s character,” Xie Huaian promised. “Rest assured, I will teach him a lesson when I return. If that boy dares to be disrespectful to you in the future, I will severely punish him!”

“That’s not necessary,” Jiang Wang said, feeling guilty. He couldn’t let Xie Huaian go back and hit his child, lest he feel wronged and start crying… He quickly added, “Actually, Brother Baoshu is not a bad person, just a bit too straightforward. What happened between us was not a conflict, merely a small misunderstanding that will be cleared up.”

“That’s good then,” Xie Huaian smiled. “Then I won’t delay your handling of the case. This case is under national scrutiny, so you must be extremely cautious.”

Jiang Wang quickly bowed and took his leave. “Thank you for the reminder, Great Advisor!”

One paved the way for his nephew, the other feared being beaten, and thus they had a pleasant conversation.

Leaving the Hall of Constitutional Affairs, Jiang Wang still wiped away a cold sweat. People really shouldn’t get too arrogant. How could the young master of the Grand Imperial Advisor’s residence be easily bullied? This was because Xie Huaian had a good attitude. If it were someone with a bad attitude, they could have just punished him, Jiang Wang, and who would dare say otherwise?

Jiang Wang thought silently… It seems that in the future, when bullying Xie Baoshu, it is still necessary to let Chongxuan Sheng take the lead. That胖子 is thick-skinned and not afraid of being reprimanded, and has a deep background, so he is not afraid of being suppressed.

Lin Youxie, wearing a green headscarf, stood outside the hall. After some time apart, her aura had become much more solid, and her cultivation had improved significantly. However, her expression was distant. She respectfully bowed to Jiang Wang: “Sir Jiang, I am ordered to assist you in investigating in the Yang lands.”

Handling official matters in a businesslike manner was good; Jiang Wang liked it very much.

“Well said,” Jiang Wang casually instructed. “Half an hour’s time, let’s each go back and prepare. We will meet at the Gate of Righteousness in half an hour.”

Lin Youxie opened her mouth. She had intended to say that Bluecoats always carried their tools of the trade with them and there was nothing to prepare. But after thinking for a moment, she only replied, “Alright.”

Jiang Wang said no more, left the North Yamen, and hurried back. He certainly didn’t have anything left at home that he needed to carry with him; instead, he needed to rush back and consult with Chongxuan Sheng! Today’s matter was suspicious. He vaguely saw something, but it wasn’t clear or solid enough. If he went to Zhaocheng rashly, he might step into something. He, Jiang Qingyang, wasn’t a brainless person, but there was no need to struggle with everything himself. Chongxuan Pang was so clever, he should be used when needed! A gentleman is not different in nature, but is good at using things!

Chongxuan Sheng, who had been waiting in the mansion, listened quietly to Jiang Wang’s account. His first reaction was also to frown. “This case is strange.”

“Isn’t it?” Jiang Wang also said. “How could someone like Huang Yixing commit suicide? And yet it is deeply entangled. This matter is truly difficult to handle.”

Chongxuan Sheng glanced at him. “Although this case is strange, it is not difficult to handle.”

This statement seemed contradictory, but coming from Chongxuan Sheng’s mouth, it must have its reasoning.

“How do I handle it?” Jiang Wang urged. “Quickly, I’m leaving soon!”

Chongxuan Sheng pouted, but finally said, “First, you need to know why the Emperor named you.”

Jiang Wang deliberately became a little arrogant. “I am the number one Inner Palace in the world! Looking at the younger generation, who else but me?”

“Then why are you wasting time here with me?” Chongxuan Sheng spread his chubby hands. “Number one in the world, just go there and kill them.”

“Alright, alright,” Jiang Wang soothed. “Tell me why quickly.”

Chongxuan Sheng snorted before saying, “Of course, it’s not that there are no other capable people in the vast Qi Kingdom. It’s because you, Jiang Wang, in a certain sense, should actually be on Huang Yixing’s side!”

Jiang Wang immediately understood and suddenly realized, “So, by my handling the case, it can demonstrate fairness?” The key to this matter lay in his identity. He was not a native of the Qi Kingdom either. In a sense, he represented the “new Qi people”! Huang Yixing was a banner of the former Yang officials who had been assimilated, but the nineteen-year-old Qing Yangzi, a third-rank Golden Gourd Warrior, was an even bigger banner! When he unfurled the Purple Micro Central Heaven Great Emperor Flag at the View River Platform, he himself also raised a banner of “new Qi people.” In the Qi Kingdom, the name “Jiang Wang” can be said to represent the achievements a “new Qi person” can attain and the trust they can receive in the Qi Kingdom.

“And the key to the problem is…” Chongxuan Sheng said, “Why does the Emperor need to demonstrate ‘fairness’?”

“Isn’t that how it should be?” Fourteen, who rarely spoke in front of people, suddenly spoke up. “Isn’t handling a case about being fair?”

She was still懵懂著, but Jiang Wang understood. Because the outcome of the case had already been determined, the Emperor needed to make that “outcome” undisputed. In short, the Emperor wanted to protect Cao Jie and prevent this disturbance from affecting him. Regardless of whether Huang Yixing’s death was related to Cao Jie. Ultimately, it couldn’t be related! That’s why Chongxuan Sheng said the case was easy to handle, because the only person Jiang Wang needed to answer to was the Emperor. And the Emperor’s side had already decided the outcome. All Jiang Wang had to do was make this outcome more convincing. His identity was a part of “fairness.” That’s why the one handling this case wasn’t Yue Leng, or any other famous constable, but him, Jiang Qingyang!

“I understand,” Jiang Wang said. “Then, is Huang Yixing’s death really related to General Cao?” he asked.

“Who knows?” Chongxuan Sheng swayed in the rocking chair, which creaked under the strain. This fat man said meaningfully, “You are the investigator of this case. The truth of the case is in your hands.”

Beside his two friends, the peace was unlike anywhere else. Jiang Wang sat quietly for a while. Then he stood up and said, “I’m leaving!”