My brother was here

At Princess Kangning's words, Jiang Xingbang, who had been screaming over the destruction of his manhood, suddenly fell silent like a chicken seized by the throat.

Once Princess Kangning left the Court of Judicial Review's prison and climbed into her carriage, her tough exterior shattered. She hated Jiang Xingbang for deceiving her and treating her like a fool, but she could not erase the feelings built over all those years.

After so many years of marriage, of standing by each other through hardship, a shadow had fallen over everything in a single day. How could she not be devastated?

Seeing his mother's distress, Jiang Bin put aside his own pain and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Don't cry, Mother. You still have me."

Her son was the only comfort Princess Kangning had left. Fortunately, this ordeal had helped him mature considerably. He had even learned to shelter her from life's storms.

Jiang Bin realized that he could not keep living as an idle wastrel. He had to start planning for his own future and his mother's.

Shen Shixu's skill in solving the case secured his footing at court. The ministers regarded him with both admiration and wariness. At first, they had only worried that the system attached to him might uncover their secrets. Now, they admired how quickly he investigated cases. At this rate, Great Qian might well gain a legendary judge!

Emperor Wu'an was the happiest of all. Shen Shixu's system had already helped him catch a parasite at court, and now Shen Shixu himself had proven just as capable.

Two excellent helpers for the price of one salary—how could he not be pleased?

Jiang Xingbang's case caused an uproar at court. Beyond the deeds that had overturned everyone's impression of him, there was another question: with his execution scheduled for after autumn, what would happen to his posts?

A keen gleam appeared in many ministers' eyes. What official did not want to rise another rank? Unfortunately, before they could make their bids, Emperor Wu'an announced his choice for the new Minister of Personnel.

"Ahem. With Jiang Xingbang removed, someone must take over as Minister of Personnel. I already have a candidate in mind." Hearing that Emperor Wuan already had a candidate in mind, the ministers lowered their heads, each trying to guess who it could be.

Then they heard a name that was unexpected yet perfectly reasonable: the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor, Zheng Yusheng.

He had been Emperor Wu'an's study companion and was also the Empress Dowager's nephew on her birth family's side. A gifted scholar, he had handled several cases admirably since entering government service. But he was rather laid-back. He preferred teaching and reading to working for the emperor.

This time, Emperor Wu'an had no other choice. The previous evening, he had specially summoned Zheng Yusheng to the palace for a heart-to-heart, hoping he would take on the burden of the post. He simply could not trust anyone else to serve as Minister of Personnel.

Zheng Yusheng had never liked attending court, finding it dreadfully boring. But after hearing about Shen Shixu, he had become positively enthusiastic about it, purely for the fresh gossip he could hear from him. That was why he had agreed to Emperor Wu'an's request.

With the Minister of Personnel settled and no other business to discuss, the morning court session was adjourned.

Shen Shixu had barely left the Hall of Heavenly Purity when Xiao Jinyi called him over. He wanted to celebrate the resolution of the case and invited Shen Shixu to the Heavenly Fragrance House at noon.

Although the case had taken only two or three days to resolve, they had put no small amount of thought and effort into it. Now that it was over, they deserved a proper celebration.

Shen Shixu agreed. Seeing his acceptance, Xiao Jinyi's lips curved slightly. "Good. I'll come pick you up at the Court of Judicial Review at noon."

Shen Shixu nodded and returned to his office at the Court of Judicial Review to look through old case files, both to learn from them and to see whether any points remained unclear.

Just as he was becoming absorbed in his reading, Zhang Ming, the clerk who had shown him the way before, came in. Through connections and favors, he had managed to secure a position under Shen Shixu.

"Deputy Chief, there's someone outside who says he's your servant. His name is Xiaoshi, and he says he has something important to tell you. I've already brought him inside."

Shen Shixu set down the file in his hands, puzzled to hear that Xiaoshi had come looking for him. Why had he come at this hour? He told Zhang Ming to bring him in.

It was not Xiaoshi's first time seeing his young master in official robes, but this time they were in a government office.

Seeing him here made him seem far more like an official than he did at home. Yet because Shen Shixu was so young and handsome, he looked less like a judicial official and more like a prince's tutor.

"Young Master, the eldest young master is here."

Shen Shixu sprang to his feet, bracing both hands on the desk before him. Delight and astonishment filled his face. "My brother is here? Didn't I only ask you to send that letter two or three days ago? How did he get here so quickly?"

Seeing his happiness, Xiaoshi brightened too. "Young Master, the eldest young master hasn't received the letter I sent home. He set off before that. Jin Bao, who serves him, said he was worried you wouldn't be used to living alone in the Capital.

"He made an excuse to Master and Madam, saying he wanted to do business in the Capital, but he actually came specifically to see you."

The thought of Shen Zexi filled Shen Shixu with genuine happiness. He had been an orphan in his previous life. In this life, not only did he have both parents, but he also had an older brother.

And his brother loved him more than anything, doting on him even more than their parents did. Throughout his childhood, he had never suffered the slightest grievance. Even his food, drink, and daily necessities were always the best his brother could provide.

Shen Zexi had wanted to accompany him to the Capital for the imperial examinations, but he had been handling a very important business deal at the time.

Shen Zexi had intended to abandon it. In his eyes, no business deal, however important, could compare to his younger brother. Only Shen Shixu's persuasion had made him stay behind to finish the negotiations.

Since he had arrived in the Capital today, he must have hurried over without stopping as soon as the deal was settled.

"That certainly sounds like my brother. Go back and tell him I'll come see him after my shift." Then Shen Shixu suddenly remembered his lunch appointment. "Oh, and tell him I'll be bringing a new friend home."

Shen Shixu neither wanted to give up seeing his brother nor stand Xiao Jinyi up, so his only option was to take Xiao Jinyi home and have him meet his brother too.

Xiao Jinyi arrived at the Court of Judicial Review fifteen minutes early. Shen Shixu was marking a case file with a red brush. Seeing him, he thought he had run late and grew flustered.

"Wait a moment. I'm almost finished here."

Afraid he would rush, Xiao Jinyi quickly said, "Take your time. I came early. Your shift doesn't end for a little while yet!"

Only then did Shen Shixu relax. After finishing with the case file, he went to the back to change into everyday clothes.

"I'm ready. Let's go. Oh, my brother came to see me. Come home with me first so I can talk to him for a bit, then we'll go to the Heavenly Fragrance House together!"