The First Criminal Judge of the Zhenguan Era

Chapter 13 Pei Ji Apologizes!

Liu Shuyi's words, "I have fulfilled my mission," echoed in the silent hall of the Ministry of Justice.

The night wind howled, blowing his blue official robe, the sleeves fluttering and rustling.

Looking at the handsome, young, and composed Liu Shuyi, everyone felt a surge of emotions.

They really didn't expect that Liu Shuyi, who had always appeared weak and incompetent, could actually solve the murder case involving the ghost of Prince Xi, which even the three judicial departments couldn't solve together.

Even more unexpectedly, Liu Shuyi only took less than a day.

Moreover, and more importantly, in one day, Liu Shuyi not only solved the Xi Wang ghost murder case, but also solved the Zhao Zhuo embezzlement case, which had already been closed.

Both cases are shrouded in mystery and shrouded in secret.

Zhao Chengyi, who is also behind the scenes, is even more cunning, treacherous, and extremely cautious...

Even so, Liu Shuyi still managed to unravel the truth within a single day!

Even Zhou Mo couldn't help but grit his teeth and mutter enviously, "What a skill!"
"it is good!"

At this moment, Du Ruhui's hearty laughter suddenly rang out.

He stood up and walked to Liu Shuyi's side. Looking at his subordinate who kept surprising him, he became more and more satisfied.

Du Ruhui patted Liu Shuyi on the shoulder and laughed, "I knew it! The people I've chosen won't be bad! You certainly haven't disappointed me!"

"You deserve a lot of credit for solving this case!"

"Rest assured, I will definitely report your merits to His Majesty. I guarantee that you will never again be 'a person of low status with little influence'!"

He still remembered Liu Shuyi's self-deprecating words from last night, and even more so, the promise he made to Liu Shuyi.

As everyone listened to Du Ruhui's words and looked at Liu Shuyi, they couldn't help but show envy in their eyes.

They could imagine that after tonight, Liu Shuyi would no longer be unknown.

Having gained the appreciation of Du Ruhui and earned a place in His Majesty's court... his day of rising above others is not far off!

Even Cheng Chumo looked on with envy and longing.

Although he came from a noble background, he had never been praised and complimented like this by a great figure like Du Ruhui, nor had he ever been envied by anyone like this.

At this moment, Cheng Chumo began to doubt his choice to learn martial arts for the first time.

He wondered if he chose to study, would he also be worshipped like Liu Shuyi?

If Du Gou, who was standing to the side, knew what Cheng Chumo was thinking, he would definitely tell Cheng Chumo, "You're overthinking it."

Du Gou, for example, learned to read at the age of two, studied at the age of three, composed poems at the age of five, and had his essays praised by great scholars at the age of ten. Wasn't he well-educated enough?

The results of it?
He can only admire and envy him.
"Alright, now that the case has been solved, there's no need to waste any more time."

At this moment, Pei Ji's voice rang out, interrupting everyone's envious thoughts.

The officials from the Ministry of Revenue instinctively looked towards Pei Ji in the direction of the voice, only to see that although the case had been solved, Pei Ji's expression did not seem particularly happy.

"Guards, arrest Zhao Chengyi and throw him in jail!"

"Everyone else, you should all leave now."

After saying that, Pei Ji stood up and left without even glancing at Liu Shuyi.

"Pei Sikong!"

But just then, Liu Shuyi's voice suddenly rang out, neither hurried nor slow.

He looked at Pei Ji, who was about to leave, and said with a half-smile, "Is Pei Sikong in such a hurry to leave because he forgot something?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Ji, whose feet were dangling in mid-air, turned his head and looked intently at Liu Shuyi, saying in a deep voice, "Liu Shuyi, do you really want to cause me trouble?"

"How could you call it causing trouble for Pei Sikong?"

Liu Shuyi raised an eyebrow, showing no fear of Pei Ji's oppressive gaze, and said, "I've heard that Master Pei is very knowledgeable, so Master Pei should know the saying, 'A gentleman's word is as good as his bond.' If Master Pei fails to keep the promise I made in front of so many people, wouldn't others mistakenly think that Master Pei is not a gentleman and is someone who doesn't keep his promises?"

"So, I'm not causing trouble at all. On the contrary, I'm helping Pei Sikong clear his name so that others won't misunderstand him!"

Because of Liu Wenjing, Pei Ji's hostility towards him could not be erased at all.

Whether he humbles himself or confronts Pei Ji directly, it won't change the fact that Pei Ji dislikes him.

If that's the case, why should I endure it?
Not to mention, in ancient times, filial piety was the most important virtue.

Pei Ji repeatedly humiliated Liu Wenjing in front of her, even calling her a scourge and the Liu family bloodline a scourge...

If I don't fight back, how will others see me?

The image that was painstakingly turned around by solving the case could be completely ruined in an instant.

Therefore, from any perspective, he had no reason to let Pei Ji leave so leisurely.

Of course, Liu Shuyi dared to confront Pei Ji head-on partly because Du Ruhui now admired him. From the details of Du Ruhui and Pei Ji's interactions, Liu Shuyi keenly sensed that their relationship was not close. In officialdom, harmony is valued; you give me face, and I give you face... But Du Ruhui's previous agreement to investigate the case was tantamount to directly offending Pei Ji; he didn't even offer Pei Ji a gentler, more acceptable reason or way out.

This is enough to prove that the relationship between the two may not even be able to maintain a superficial peace.

With Du Ruhui looking out for him, what was there for him to be afraid of offending people?

"you--"

Liu Shuyi's sharp tongue infuriated Pei Ji.

But unfortunately, he couldn't refute it.

After all, he did keep his promise.

Everyone is watching me now. If I deny Liu Shuyi's words, wouldn't that prove that I am truly untrustworthy?
That would be a huge blow to one's image.

But if we don't refute it, wouldn't we really have to apologize to Liu Shuyi?
After he defeated Liu Wenjing, no one in the court could rival him, and he rose through the ranks to become a first-rank official, Minister of Works.

Even after the Xuanwu Gate Incident and the change of emperor to Li Shimin, Li Shimin did not take action against him for his position as Minister of Works.

His prestige, the status and power he has accumulated over the years, have meant that he has almost never bowed his head to anyone.

Therefore, for him to apologize to the son of his enemy would be an immense humiliation.

Not apologizing is not an option either...

For a time, Pei Ji found himself in a dilemma unlike any he had faced in ten years.

Seeing Pei Ji standing there with a grim expression, hesitant and indecisive, Du Ruhui narrowed his eyes and said, "Liu Shuyi, don't make things difficult for Pei Sikong. Pei Sikong was just joking with you."

He waved his hand and said, "Alright, that's enough. Don't take Pei Sikong's agreement with Liu Shuyi seriously! And no one is allowed to spread today's events. If I hear any rumors about Pei Sikong breaking his promise or being a faithless person, I will show no mercy."

"How can this be allowed..." Cheng Chumo was waiting to see a good show, but Du Ruhui actually sided with Pei Ji.

"Do not talk."

But to his surprise, Du Gou stopped him as soon as he opened his mouth.

Du Gou lowered his voice and said, "Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand."

Didn't understand?
Cheng Chumo looked bewildered. "It was explained so clearly, how could I not understand?"
Du Ruhui spoke up for Pei Ji, making Liu Shuyi swallow his anger. It was so obvious that he understood perfectly.

That's why he was indignant. Why should his respected Brother Liu suffer a loss?
But what happened next was completely beyond his expectations.

After Du Ruhui finished speaking for Pei Ji, Pei Ji's face darkened considerably, almost as much as Cheng Chumo's.

Then, Cheng Chumo saw Pei Ji's face darken, his hands clenched into fists, and his gaze turned icy as he said to Liu Shuyi in a cold voice, "I was deceived by the murderer before and misunderstood you and your father. I apologize for what I said before."

After saying that, he flicked his sleeve and left.

They were moving so fast they were practically afterimages.

Cheng Chumo was completely dumbfounded: "Wait, wasn't Minister Du speaking up for him? Why is he apologizing instead?"

"Which ear of yours heard me speak up for him?"

Du Gou said helplessly, "If Father doesn't say, it's just a confrontation between Steward Liu and Minister Pei."

“But when my father speaks, it means that my father, and everyone else, are involved.”

"Although my father told Steward Liu not to take it seriously and forbade others to spread rumors... in reality, his words were a reminder to Pei Sikong that everyone remembered the agreement, and that if Pei Sikong did not apologize, rumors would definitely spread."

"Tell me... if you were Pei Sikong, what would you do?"

Cheng Chumo's eyes widened, he opened his mouth, and couldn't help but say, "Are all you scholars so cunning and convoluted?"

How could he have imagined that Du Ruhui's words, which were clearly biased towards Pei Ji, were actually a threat to Pei Ji!

Father was absolutely right; scholars are all so damn treacherous!

Liu Shuyi smiled as he listened to Cheng Chumo's words. Scholars were indeed quite cunning, but if their cunning was to help him, he would quite like it.

He looked at Du Ruhui, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Minister Du."

Du Ruhui laughed heartily: "I didn't do anything. It's just that Minister Pei is of noble character and keeps his promise."

He did put Pei Ji in a difficult position, but while he did it, he couldn't admit it.

Seeing that even after solving such a major case and even making Pei Ji, who was of high rank, bow his head, Liu Shuyi still showed no sign of complacency, Du Ruhui couldn't help but nod again.

This composure is something he probably didn't possess when he was younger.

What an outstanding young man! I wish he were my own child...

Huh?
Your own child?
Du Ruhui's eyes suddenly flashed.

This doesn't seem like it's impossible.

(End of this chapter)