General, you should rest now; the lady is even more ruthless.

When Jiang Qiqi arrived here today, she knew nothing about the situation. Qi Yu and the other waiters in the teahouse knew very little about it, and Cheng Zixian, the only one who might know the whole story, had been arrested and imprisoned.

The other party is in a high position of power, while she is just an ordinary businesswoman. Protecting herself while stalling for time to find out the truth is a troublesome task for her.

However, when she discovered that Lü Jicai was also involved, she almost instantly came up with a solution.

By provoking Lü Jicai, they bought time for the investigation.

Since Lü Jicai was so concerned about not being able to associate with the real noblemen in the capital because of his status as a son of a concubine, he should also care about his reputation outside.

She deliberately portrayed herself as a victim, saying that they arrested people arbitrarily without investigation, implying that Lü Jicai used his power to oppress people and that his victory was unfair.

Gossip spreads fastest in public, and she knew it, as did Lü Jicai.

He refused to take the blame, preferring to wait longer for the Ministry of Justice to investigate thoroughly rather than allow any negative reputation to circulate about himself.

In this way, she successfully completed the first step.

Later, she asked Qi Yu to go back to find Xiang'er. It wasn't that she didn't want him to deliver the message, but the situation was too complicated to explain in a few words.

But as long as Qi Yu goes back, Shen Luo will surely know that she is tied up with other matters and cannot leave.

Given Shen Luo's status, which would attract too much attention if she went out, he would probably send one of the twelve or so of them to check on the situation and help her.

Sure enough, not long after, Nineteen arrived with Xiang'er and the others.

On the surface, the Nineteenth General is known as Tiger General, but in reality, he is using the title of General Shen Luo, the Protector of the Nation.

Just like Lü Jicai using the name of Prime Minister Lü.

With him involved, Lü Jicai was no longer able to act too recklessly.

However—Jiang Qiqi did not expect that Nineteen would intentionally ignore Lü Jicai.

Lu Jicai was already quite angry because he had ignored him, and then he was ignored again when he greeted Nineteen...

When Mrs. Lü, who arrived last, lost her composure in public, which was undoubtedly the last straw that broke Lü Jicai's back.

Composing herself, Jiang Qiqi looked at the dramatic scene unfolding before her.

Mrs. Lü, whose face was already swollen, was slapped to the ground. She dared not resist and could only cover her face and sob softly.

As for Lü Jicai, this self-important man, at this moment, like many incompetent men, he vented all his pent-up anger on his wife.

......

Lu Jicai came to his senses and realized what he had done.

He really lost his mind just now; in a fit of anger...

He looked down at his reddened palm, which was burning with pain, showing how much force he had used.

He closed his eyes, feeling the surrounding noise receding into the distance, and the world spinning around him...

"Young Master Lü, Young Master Lü?" After a ringing in his ears, Vice Minister Gao's words forcibly pulled him back to reality.

Minister Gao remained standing at a distance and asked, "Do you think I should take some men to check the pharmacy first?"

As if he had lost all his strength and ability, Lü Jicai waved his hand weakly and said, "Go."

"Yes!" Minister Gao was overjoyed and quickly gathered his men.

Nineteen turned to look at the lady, waiting for her instructions. As long as she gave the order, Minister Gao would not be able to leave.

Jiang Qiqi simply stood far away in a corner, arms crossed, looking completely unconcerned.

Noticing the gaze directed at her by Nineteen, she waved her hand dismissively.

Cheng Zixian was still imprisoned, so of course she couldn't let the people from the Ministry of Justice leave so easily.

However, it's not necessary for the 19th person to take action.

She calculated the time; Qi Yu had been gone for almost an hour, and should be back by now.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Make way, make way."

Qi Yu, panting, shoved a man through the crowd.

He shoved the man forward forcefully: "Your Excellency, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, I have brought the real suspect who killed Young Master Feng!"

Vice Minister Gao: "?"

All eyes were on the two of them.

Qi Yu brought a man who was extremely thin. He was dressed in decent clothes, but he was hunched over and had a large bundle on his back. He didn't look like a respectable person.

The man was already trembling uncontrollably as if he had done something wrong, and being stared at by so many people at the same time caused his psychological defenses to collapse completely, and his legs went weak and he knelt on the ground.

"My lords, please spare me! I didn't mean to kill Young Master Feng. I only suggested he eat some Poria cocos powder. I never expected him to eat it and die!"

The thin man knelt on the ground like a praying mantis, kowtowing repeatedly while trying to exonerate himself.

After all, Vice Minister Gao had been in the Ministry of Justice for more than a year or two and had seen all kinds of prisoners. At a glance, he knew that this was not an act.

Young Master Feng was probably really killed by this person.

"Silence, prisoners." Vice Minister Gao adopted his usual interrogation posture. "Just answer whatever I ask you."

"Yes Yes."

"Who are you? What is your relationship with Young Master Feng?"

The skinny mantis knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head: "Your Excellency, my name is Liu Tiezhu, and I am a friend of Young Master Feng."

Vice Minister Gao sized him up a few times: "You audacious scoundrel, how dare you lie to me!"

Liu Tiezhu kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Excellency is wise, this humble subject would never dare to lie!"

"You say you're not lying? Judging from your demeanor, you're clearly just an ordinary citizen. How could Young Master Feng, a dignified young master from a prominent family, have a friend like you?"

Liu Tiezhu explained, "Sir, you may not know this, but although I am just a commoner, I am known as 'Liu the Hundred-Taels.' Whenever I enter a casino, I can win at least a hundred taels."

"A year ago, Young Master Feng lost his mind at the casino and bet his left hand on the table. I couldn't stand by and watch, so I used a little trick to help him win that game."

Who would have thought that someone who looks like a skinny praying mantis would have such a chivalrous heart?

Vice Minister Gao glanced at him again: "Go on."

"Later, Young Master Feng realized that I had some ability, so he often took me to the casino. Young Master Feng was not short of money, but he liked to gamble, and he would always give me the silver he won."

“We’ve been playing like this for a year and we’ve gotten to know each other. Young Master Feng treats me like a friend, and sometimes when he’s on a winning streak, he’ll even take me out for drinks.”

"Until recently, Mr. Feng said that his family forbade him from going to the casino anymore, and he disappeared for a while before reappearing yesterday."

"And then?" Minister Gao asked anxiously.

Liu Tiezhu raised his head slightly to look at him: "Then he took the villain to the casino again."

"What does going to a casino have to do with Poria cocos powder?"

"Yes, sir. I haven't been to the casino for several months, and it seems like the place has changed owners. In the past, ordinary people could win a hand or two there, but this time, when Young Master Feng and I went in, we lost all the thousand taels of silver we brought in less than half an hour."