In the Northern Song Dynasty, he started by marrying the eighth daughter of the Su family.

Zhang Xun was taken aback for a moment, then said, "But... Minister Han, please forgive my impertinence."

"explain."

Han Zhi didn't look up; he was looking at the case file. Zhang Xun then spoke again, saying, "But Han Shaoqing, we don't know either. Can we find out if Wei Shaoqing touched the ritual objects?"

“Yes,” Han Zhi put down the dossier and said, “Many people come into contact with ritual objects, but not many people have touched counterfeit ritual objects.”

"Your subordinate is dull-witted," Zhang Xun realized now that his superior was about to come up with some novel ideas. "I hope Minister Han can enlighten me."

Han Zhi then explained, "It's made of iron powder. Let me ask you, what are these ritual objects made of?"

Zhang Xun paused slightly, scratched his head subconsciously, and after a moment's thought, respectfully replied, "Replying to Minister Han, most of the ritual vessels used in this sacrifice are made of bronze, with a few made of jade. Minister Han, you mean..."

Han Zhi nodded and continued, "Copper is magnetic, and when it comes into contact with iron for a long time, it will leave traces of iron filings. If Wei Shaoqing touched the genuine ritual object and it was later replaced with a fake, there is a high probability that iron filings will remain on the genuine object."

“We sprinkle iron powder on the ritual object. If it adheres to the object, it proves that Wei Shaoqing touched it. Conversely, if the fake does not adhere to the object or the adhesion is different, it proves that the ritual object was tampered with after he inspected it.”

Zhang Xun suddenly realized, and his face showed admiration: "Young Master Han is brilliant. I really couldn't have thought of such a clever method."

Han Zhi smiled and continued, "Not only that, but die-hard fans can also detect fingerprints."

"Fingerprints?" Zhang Xun had never heard of such a thing, so he asked, "Han Shaoqing, what exactly are 'fingerprints'? And what is their connection to this case?"

Han Zhi patiently explained, "Fingerprints are the unique patterns on each person's fingers, just like a person's face. No two people have exactly the same fingerprints."

“When we touch objects in our daily lives, the oils and sweat on our fingers leave fingerprints on the surface of the objects. When iron powder is sprinkled on the object, the powder will adhere to the fingerprint ridges, thus revealing the fingerprint shape.”

Zhang Xun listened intently, his eyes wide with wonder and amazement: "Such a miraculous thing! I understand now!"

"Tell me about it," Han Zhi said with a smile.

Zhang Xun said, "According to Han Shaoqing's testimony, after he finished the Qingming Festival sacrifice to Heaven and put the ritual objects back into the storeroom, he never touched them again. That means he never came across the counterfeit ritual objects."

"If Wei Shaoqing's fingerprints are found on the counterfeit ritual object, it means that he either lied or had already been in contact with the counterfeit before the ritual object was switched. This could very well mean that he is closely related to the switching of the ritual object."

"But if his fingerprints are not found, it can at least prove that he did not touch the fake ritual objects after the Qingming Festival, which would greatly reduce his suspicion."

Han Zhi nodded and said, "That's right, and there's one last bit..."

Zhang Xun immediately bowed and said respectfully, "I would like to hear the details."

"Tell me, besides you and me, who else knows or understands this so-called fingerprint?" Han Zhi smiled slyly.

Zhang Xun shook his head and said, "No one knows."

Han Zhi clapped his hands and said, "Isn't that it? Since no one knows about 'fingerprints,' then no one knows to wear gloves when touching things. In that case, can't we get the criminal's fingerprints?"

Zhang Xun was taken aback at first, then his eyes lit up and he said excitedly, "Young Master Han is brilliant! In this way, when those perpetrators come into contact with the fake ritual objects, they will definitely leave fingerprints without any precautions, and these fingerprints will be the irrefutable evidence of their crimes!"

Han Zhi nodded slightly, a satisfied expression on his face: "That's right, we need to act quickly before they realize this. You go and arrange for all personnel related to the preparation, safekeeping, and transportation of the ritual objects to be summoned to the Dali Temple under the pretext of assisting in the investigation."

"Remember, do not reveal your true purpose. Just say that you need their cooperation in some routine questioning and recording."

Zhang Xun accepted the order and was about to turn and leave when Han Zhi added, "Be careful when collecting fingerprints, and don't arouse their suspicion. Prepare clean paper and ink pads, and have them put their fingerprints in turn, saying it's part of the investigation process."

"After the collection is completed, carefully compare these fingerprints with the fingerprints on the ritual objects. If a match is found, report to me immediately."

"Yes, Vice Minister Wei." Zhang Xun nodded, but then asked, "But Vice Minister Han, what if someone objects?"

“Anyone who objects must have something to hide. Investigate directly!” Han Zhi said, then suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, “By the way, where is Wei Shaoqing being held?”

“Wei Shaoqing is imprisoned in the innermost cell of the Dali Temple dungeon, guarded by special personnel and under heavy security,” Zhang Xun replied quickly.

"After you've arranged everything, come find me and take me to see him. I'll personally collect his fingerprints—and finally, don't tell anyone about the fingerprints except for you and me, understand?"

Zhang Xun bowed and said solemnly, "Don't worry, Young Master Han, I will keep my mouth shut and arrange things properly."

After saying that, Zhang Xun quickly left.

......

Once everything was initially arranged, Zhang Xun hurried back to find Han Zhi, and the two then went to the dungeon together.

Upon entering the dungeon, a damp, putrid stench assaulted their senses. In the dim light, flickering torches cast menacing shadows. Han Zhi and Zhang Xun proceeded along the narrow passage, their footsteps heavy and uneven on the rough stone slabs.

They arrived at the cell where Wei Shaoqing was being held. Wei Xiping heard the noise and slowly raised his head. His once bright eyes were now bloodshot, and his face looked haggard.

But those cloudy eyes suddenly lit up when they saw Han Zhi—

"So you are...Han Zhi, the Junior Minister of Han?!"

Han Zhi nodded, signaling the jailer to open the door, and then went inside.

Wei Xiping was so excited he was almost crying. He opened his mouth to speak, but far beyond Han Zhi's expectations, he didn't say "help me," but rather:

"Please take care of Yu Ru for me!"

Han Zhi reached out and gently took Wei Xiping's hand, saying, "I can't help you..."

Upon hearing this, Wei Xiping became anxious, tears welling in his eyes. He gripped Han Zhi's hand tightly, refusing to let go: "Han Shaoqing, I have always considered myself to be upright and honest, and I never imagined that I would be framed like this. Now that I am imprisoned, my biggest worry is Yu Ru."

"She's been bound by many rules at home since childhood, and has a gentle nature. I'm afraid my actions will cause her a lot of suffering. If I leave, her mother will surely make things difficult for her..."

"I don't want... I don't want Yu Ru to become like her mother, a woman who only knows how to adhere to ethical and moral norms!"