Feng Chenyi handled matters with the integrity Yun Shen had described.
That very night, he had Zhao Hai seized in front of Zhao Junze.
The boy was sent to the Ministry of Justice's prison.
Zhao Junze was so angry he nearly coughed up blood. The next day, he requested leave and did not attend court.
At court, Bai Yanting submitted a memorial on the matter, his eyes red as he insisted that Wei Zhao see justice done for him.
Wei Zhao's expression darkened, and his gaze fell on the Left Chancellor, Zhao Guofeng.
Zhao Guofeng was Zhao Junze's father and Zhao Hai's own grandfather.
Wei Zhao said sternly, "Minister Zhao, look at what your grandson has done!"
"This old minister failed to raise his son properly, allowing my grandson to bring about such a disaster!"
Zhao Guofeng's expression was ugly as well, but when he raised his eyes and met Wei Zhao's gaze, he knew Wei Zhao was telling him not to sacrifice greater interests for a lesser one.
Just yesterday morning, his daughter had been punished in the imperial harem for disturbing the empress. That afternoon, his grandson had taken the life of a court official's son.
If he insisted on saving his grandson's life, he would be putting Wei Zhao in a difficult position.
If he upset Wei Zhao as a result, things likely would not end well for the Zhao Family either.
At that thought, he knelt and said, "In this matter, this old minister will do everything in accordance with Lord Bai's wishes. I will have my grandson bear the consequences of his mistake and see justice done for the Bai Family's boy."
Seeing that he knew what was good for him, Wei Zhao's expression softened somewhat.
He said, "Since you have said so, I will have the Ministry of Justice take over this matter. Minister Bai will oversee it from beginning to end, until the truth comes to light and everything is settled."
"In addition, Zhao Junze will be fined a year's salary, and you will be fined half a year's salary. It will all be paid to the Bai Family as compensation."
Bai Yanting knew full well that this outcome was largely thanks to the Feng Family's support. Otherwise, given the trust Wei Zhao usually placed in the Zhao Family, his son would likely have died without justice.
His eyes red, he cried out:
"Your Majesty is just and reasonable-"
Yet his gaze fell on Feng Chenyi, his gratitude plain to see.
Zhou Ye had watched the entire proceedings, but he knew the matter would not end so easily.
Judging by how much the Zhao Family spoiled their child, they were bound to make further moves.
When that happened, his opportunity, the Feng Family's, and Wei Mingxiu's would all come.
After morning court, Zhou Ye walked out of the Hall of Diligent Governance, only to feel someone watching him from behind.
He turned and met Feng Chenyi's gaze.
Feng Chenyi frowned, looking as though he wanted to say something but was holding back.
In the end, however, he said nothing and hurried away.
The little system could not help saying, [Host, could he have discovered that you were the one who delivered the letter to him last night?]
[Good if he did.] Zhou Ye chuckled. [I went in person precisely so he would find out.]
The little system did not understand.
Zhou Ye did not explain it to him, either.
He went straight to the Imperial Academy.
As soon as he entered, he saw that familiar figure.
Wei Mingxiu was practicing the sword moves Zhou Ye had taught him yesterday, a wooden sword in hand.
He practiced diligently, and his chops and thrusts looked reasonably convincing.
When he saw Zhou Ye enter, he started to stop, but Zhou Ye said, "Keep going."
Leaning against a tree, Zhou Ye watched him finish the entire set of sword moves and gave him a few pointers before telling him to put away the sword and come over.
"Here are a poison manual, a medical manual, and some tools and medicines for testing poisons. They're all valuable things I tricked an expert into giving me. Your Highness, read them and learn what you can. They might come in handy."
He pulled the books he had hidden inside his robes from his chest, then drew a dagger from inside his waistband and pressed them all into Wei Mingxiu's hands. "I'm afraid the imperial harem won't be peaceful in the days ahead. Keep this dagger for self-defense, Your Highness, and please remember to protect yourself."
Watching from the side, Xiao Wu remarked, "Sure enough, no one cares more about His Highness than you do, Young Preceptor."
Wei Mingxiu hugged the things to his chest, feeling Zhou Ye's lingering warmth on them, and his heart warmed. After a long while, he handed them to Xiao Wu and told him to hide them, then said to Zhou Ye, "I'll do my best to master these, and I'll remember your kindness, Young Preceptor."
Zhou Ye rubbed the boy's head and said, "There's no need for thanks between partners."
"Your Highness need only remember what it is I want."
"As long as you don't leave me waiting in vain, that will be enough."
Later, Wei Mingxiu discovered that Zhou Ye had tricked Yun Shen out of all those things.
His expression was quite a sight~