Making Inquiries

Upon returning to the Court of Judicial Review from the palace, Zhang Changshen asked his subordinate Zhong Shengrong, "Is Miss Zhao still painting there?"

"Yes, sir," Zhong Shengrong said. "Miss Zhao paints quite quickly; she's already finished four paintings since you went to the palace."

Zhang Changshen nodded, very satisfied with Zhao Ruxi's speed.

This case is a serial murder case, with an unpredictable frequency of killings, sometimes every one or two months, sometimes only ten days. At this point, seven or eight days have passed since the death of Sun Jiawang's master. After the portrait is drawn and sent to Yangzhou, it will take time for the yamen runners to investigate. He is really worried that new cases will emerge by then.

The sooner the portrait is drawn, the sooner the murderer will be caught, and some people will not die in vain. This can be considered a good deed.

Therefore, the sooner Zhao Ruxi completes the portrait, the better.

"Where is Lord Wu Zong?" he asked.

"I don't know. Lord Wu only said goodbye and that he had to go out on business before leaving with his servant. He didn't tell me where he was going."

A smile crept across Zhang Changshen's lips, "This kid, though young, has quite a few tricks up his sleeve."

Zhong Shengrong didn't know what his master meant by those words, nor did he dare to ask. All he needed to know was that his master greatly admired Lord Wu.

"Alright, you can go now." Zhang Changshen said, but as Zhong Shengrong reached the door, he seemed to remember something and added, "If anyone from the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence comes later, please stop them for me. Tell them I have an important case to handle and ask them to wait."

"Yes." Zhong Shengrong bowed and withdrew.

After Zhang Changshen finished dealing with some matters, Zhong Shengrong came to report, "My lord, the Heir of the Marquis of Pingnan has arrived."

Zhang Changshen look up. "Let him wait."

In the reception hall, Fu Yunkai was not surprised to hear that Zhang Changshen handling a case.

Zhang Changshen was extremely skilled at solving cases, and even the Emperor treated him with deference. Fu Yunlang, oblivious to his own mortality, offended him, so it would be a miracle if he gave him a friendly look.

He sat down obediently and asked Zhong Shengrong, "I wonder if Wu Zong Lord Wu is in the yamen? I would like to see him."

He felt that Fu Yunlang had taken the estate from Wu Zong, and while it was right for him to apologize to Zhang Changshen, he should also apologize to Wu Zong and return the estate to him.

"Lord Wu is out on business and is not in the yamen," Zhong Shengrong said with a smile. "I still have other matters to attend to, Young General Fu, please wait here. Our lord will come over once he has finished dealing with the case."

"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Zhong. Please go ahead with your business. I'll wait here." Fu Yunkai politely cupped his hands in greeting, and only sat down after Zhong Shengrong left.

As soon as Zhong Shengrong left, Fu Yunkai gave his servant a wink. The servant understood, went outside, and asked the yamen runners guarding the area, "How do I get to the Court of Judicial Review's outhouse?"

"Turn left after leaving this courtyard, and walk another hundred paces forward, and you'll see it."

"I can't wander around here. Could you come with me?"

"... Okay then."

The servant returned after a while and whispered to Fu Yunkai, "Sir, I've inquired. Lord Zhang is handling official business, and Lord Wu is indeed not in the yamen."

He hesitated for a moment. "I also heard something else, not from this yamen runner, but from the adults passing by. They said that Lord Wu's junior sister was painting in a courtyard in the back, and that 'her paintings look just like the real thing.'"

Fu Yunkai asked in confusion, "Lord Wu sister? Is she the Fifth Miss Zhao from the Earl of Suiping's Residence? What's she doing here?"

The servant shook his head. "I was puzzled too, so I slipped another coin to the constable who led me to the latrine. But the constable, whether he genuinely didn't know or simply didn't want to talk about it, just said he had no idea about it."

Several thoughts flashed through Fu Yunkai's mind at once. His first thought was that Zhang Changshen and Wu Zong had acted out of personal favoritism and sent Fifth Miss Zhao to the death row to torture Lady Wei.

But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he dismissed it.

If that were the case, Zhang Changshen and Wu Zong would never have let anyone know that Fifth Miss Zhao had come to the Court of Judicial Review, let alone spread her whereabouts so widely. Moreover, Zhang Changshen is definitely not such a muddle-headed person, otherwise he wouldn't have stayed in the position of Court of Judicial Review Minister for seven or eight years.

Is she really painting here? Is she painting portraits of criminals for the Court of Judicial Review?

Recalling the story of Mister Kumu taking Fifth Miss Zhao as his apprentice, Fu Yunkai felt that his guess was the closest to the truth.

This Fifth Miss Zhao is probably a very capable person, otherwise she wouldn't have been invited to paint at the Court of Judicial Review, let alone become Mister Kumu's disciple.

He sat there, waiting for a long time, growing increasingly impatient, before Zhang Changshen finally entered. Zhang bowed and smiled, saying, "Young General Fu, I apologize for keeping you waiting. I had some matters to attend to at the yamen; I'm sorry for the delay."

"I apologize for disturbing you, Lord Zhang." Fu Yunkai quickly stood up to return the greeting, his face showing no sign of impatience.

After exchanging pleasantries and sitting down, Fu Yunkai stood up again and bowed deeply. "Yunkai has come to apologize to Lord Zhang. My younger brother offended Lord Zhang today, and Yunkai has already punished him. On his behalf Yunkai apologizes to Lord Zhang."

As he spoke, he bowed again.

"Oh, no need for all that." Zhang Changshen chuckled and gave him a slight pat on the back. "He's just a kid, he doesn't know any better, I understand. There's no need for apologies. Young General Fu, you don't need to scold your younger brother too much, and whipping him is even more unacceptable. As the eldest brother, you're like a father to him, just give him a few words of reprimand. If you hurt him, your elders will be heartbroken, won't they?"

He stroked his beard and said, "His Majesty told me that the Marquis of Pingnan has made great contributions on the frontier and asked me to be magnanimous and not to stoop to the level of a child. If you continue like this, I won't be able to explain myself to His Majesty."

Fu Yunkai: "..."

He had prepared many arguments, ready to receive Zhang Changshen's sarcasm or scolding. But now, he felt like he had punched cotton; Zhang Changshen's kind elder-like demeanor left him speechless.

These old foxes are truly cunning; they've said everything, good and bad. All I could do was bow my head and beg.

Nevertheless, Fu Yunkai still went through the proper apologies and bows.

His performance actually improved Zhang Changshen's impression of him considerably.

If it were someone else, young and impetuous, who said there was no need to apologize, and said it so sincerely, perhaps the other party would let it go. But if this reached the emperor's ears, it would certainly displease him.

But this young man remained unmoved, doing everything he was supposed to do. He was flexible and adaptable, a formidable character. It seems that given time, his achievements will be no less than his father's.

After presenting the gift, and seeing that Zhang Changshen's attitude had become much more sincere and he had clearly calmed down, Fu Yunkai asked, "Where are Lord Wu and Lord Wu junior sister Fifth Miss Zhao? I would like to apologize to them as well."