Chapter 75: That Old Thief Misled Me

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Things weren’t going according to plan.

Zhou Shu predicted that Yin Wuyou would come, but he didn’t expect her to say that.

What does she mean?

Call Miss Hongxiu over for a confrontation?

Is this necessary?

“Grand Minister, is this necessary?” Zhou Shu whispered. “Last night, I was at Lichun Courtyard. Lieutenant Cheng and his group can testify. When I left this morning, someone saw me. I even borrowed a zither from there.”

Zhou Shu couldn’t tell what Yin Wuyou was thinking from her expression.

“Humph!” Yin Wuyou harrumphed without even looking at Zhou Shu and said to Yang Hong, “Aren’t you investigating a case? What are you waiting for?!”

Yang Hong: “…”

“Alright, I’ll get someone to go to Lichun Courtyard to ask.” Yang Hong said. Originally, he thought that since the princess had come and Zhou Shu had given his explanation, everything was over.

He didn’t expect the princess to be so serious. What else could he do but investigate?

But then again, he had heard that the princess was a generous and wise woman. She did look beautiful, but why did he feel that she was a little petty?

Yang Hong cursed silently and was about to arrange for people to go to Lichun Courtyard to inquire when he suddenly heard Yin Wuyou speak.

“Bring her back to ask. I want to hear how you ask her.”

Zhou Shu: “…”

Yang Hong: “…”

“Yes.” What else could Yang Hong say?

The grand minister of the Forging Division couldn’t interfere with the Divine Constable Bureau’s matters, but the princess could.

Yang Hong waved his hand. A constable quick-wittedly ran out and went to bring Miss Hongxiu back.

“The steward of the Mi family, Mi Zhifu, requests an audience.”

Just as the constables ran out, a gentle voice sounded outside the door.

Steward Mi? Yang Hong was stunned again. What’s going on? Why are all of you coming to my place today?

Yang Hong didn’t dare to be negligent and hurried out to welcome him.

Yin Wuyou was also puzzled as to why the steward of the Mi family came, but with her status, she naturally couldn’t go out to welcome him.

The moment Yang Hong ran out, not a single constable was left in the Divine Constable Bureau’s office. Only Zhou Shu, Yin Wuyou, and Haitang were remaining.

Zhou Shu impolitely moved a chair to Yin Wuyou’s side and said solicitously, “Grand Minister, have a seat.”

Yin Wuyou glowered at him and harrumphed coldly without saying anything.

Zhou Shu was confused. He looked at Haitang, who gave him a look that said, ‘You’d better pray for yourself’!

While talking, Yang Hong walked in with a middle-aged man in his forties.

When the middle-aged man saw Zhou Shu, he quickly stepped forward and arrived in front of Zhou Shu. He bowed deeply and said solemnly, “Second Master, I came late. You have suffered.”

The middle-aged man’s behavior stunned everyone.

Second master?

What second master?

“Steward Mi, who is your second master?” Yang Hong asked.

Mi Zhifu smiled but didn’t answer directly. His gaze landed on Yin Wuyou, and he cupped his hands in greeting. “Mi Zhifu greets Your Highness. I apologize for my rudeness.”

Then he looked at Yang Hong with a formal smile on his face. “My second master is Superintendent Zhou Shu.

“Before Master left for battle, he specially instructed me to take good care of Second Master. I didn’t expect a mishap to occur on the first day. Second Master, it’s my mistake. Second Master, please punish me,” Mi Zhifu said to Zhou Shu respectfully.

“Are you my Big Brother’s steward?” Zhou Shu looked at Mi Zhifu. He hadn’t expected Mi Ziwen to make such an arrangement before leaving for battle. Even he was surprised that Mi Zhifu had come.

Yin Wuyou knew about Zhou Shu and Mi Ziwen becoming sworn brothers. Haitang had been present at the time, and she had informed Yin Wuyou immediately afterward.

But Yin Wuyou didn’t expect Mi Ziwen to attach so much importance to Zhou Shu. He had even arranged for his steward to take care of Zhou Shu before setting off.

Yang Hong was the most shocked person present.

What do you mean?

Zhou Shu is the second master of the Mi family?

Isn’t his surname Zhou?

What is the meaning of this?

That old thief is despicable!

Yang Hong cursed Zhu Chuanfeng in his heart again.

That old man, what nonsense was he spouting!

Would the second master of the Mi family personally kill a mere workshop superintendent and a ninth-rank follower?

Also, why would the second master of the Mi family be the superintendent of a small workshop?

No, the 0th Workshop, the 0th Workshop!

I’m such a fool!

How could an ordinary person get the Forging Division to specially establish another workshop?

The Mi family obviously played a part in it!

Yang Hong wished he could slap himself.

How careless!

How had he been so foolish as to listen to Zhu Chuanfeng’s nonsense and go to the Forging Division’s workshops to arrest him?

“That’s right. I have always been by Master’s side to serve him. Before he left for battle, he repeatedly reminded me to take care of Second Master. I originally planned to go see Second Master tomorrow, but I didn’t expect this delay to cause you to suffer.”

“It’s nothing. Thank you for coming.” Zhou Shu waved his hand dismissively.

“Constable Yang, may I know what my second master has done?” Mi Zhifu turned to look at Yang Hong. Although his tone was gentle, his unquestionable aura was stronger than Yin Wuyou’s.

“No, no!” Yang Hong shook his head firmly. “Superintendent Zhou didn’t commit any crime! We invited him back to help us investigate a case! Superintendent Zhou’s suspicion has been cleared, and he can leave now!”

He couldn’t even handle a princess, and now the Mi family was here.

Yang Hong was just a lowly constable. Even a divine constable wouldn’t be able to withstand this.

“His suspicion has been cleared?” Yin Wuyou suddenly said coldly.

“The witness hasn’t arrived yet, so how did his suspicion get cleared?

“Yang Hong, is this how you handle cases?

“If the real murderer escapes, can you bear the responsibility?”

Yang Hong: “…”

You’re the one who asked me to release him, and you’re also the one who asked me to investigate thoroughly. What am I supposed to do? Yang Hong was speechless.

Mi Zhifu also looked at Yin Wuyou in surprise, but he was experienced and didn’t oppose her. Instead, he smiled and said, “It’s good to investigate thoroughly. My second master cannot be framed.”

Mi Zhifu looked at Zhou Shu. “Second Master, what do you think?”

“I’ve never done anything wrong in my life. My conscience is clear.” Zhou Shu shrugged. “I didn’t do it, and I’m not afraid of being investigated.”

He appeared calm on the surface, but he was entwined in his head.

Last night, Hongxiu was unconscious. This was more or less a loophole.

He couldn’t guarantee if the martial artists in this world had any special methods to make Hongxiu reveal the truth.

Mi Zhifu pulled Yang Hong to the side and whispered for a moment before he finally understood what was going on.

Then he walked over to Zhou Shu’s side and said in a low voice, “Second Master, don’t worry. Nothing will happen to you. No one will be able to wrong you in this world, not even if Zhu Chuanfeng comes personally!”

Mi Zhifu was full of pride. He was confident because he wasn’t alone.

The Mi family had a thousand years of history and a deep foundation. Even though Zhu Chuanfeng was a Grand Craftsman, the Mi family wasn’t afraid at all.

Zhou Shu nodded. He had never been worried.

He didn’t regret killing Xiao Zongshui and Zhen Cai at all.

Even if the matter was exposed, he wasn’t afraid. At worst, he would just leave Great Xia.

If he really wanted to leave, unless Great Xia sent out a third-rank grandmaster, who could stop him?

A third-rank grandmaster?

Such martial artists were not easily found everywhere. For a mere workshop superintendent, the Great Xia Imperial Court would have to be crazy to mobilize a third-rank grandmaster.

“Is Superintendent Zhou here?”

While everyone was waiting for the constable to bring Hongxiu over, a voice suddenly sounded outside the door.

For some reason, Yang Hong’s heart skipped a beat. Who is it now?

He subconsciously glanced at Zhou Shu. Just who is Zhou Shu?

He was considered well-informed. Why had he never heard of his name? Was his level too low?

Yang Hong fell into deep self-doubt.

Zhou Shu shrugged when he saw Yang Hong looking at him. Why is he looking at me? I don’t know who’s outside.

“Your Highness, Steward Mi, I’m going out to take a look,” Yang Hong said.

Yin Wuyou and Mi Zhifu both nodded.

A moment later, Yang Hong returned with a look of hopelessness. Beside him was a person dressed as a eunuch.

“Eunuch Zhao?” Yin Wuyou was surprised. “Why are you here?”

“Greetings, Your Highness.” Eunuch Zhao chuckled and bowed to Yin Wuyou. “His Majesty ordered me to deliver a decree today. The people from the 0th Workshop said that Superintendent Zhou came here, so I came to find him.”

“A decree?” Yin Wuyou said.

“Yes,” Eunuch Zhao said with a smile. “I am afraid of delaying His Majesty’s matters, so I have to deliver this decree to Superintendent Zhou today.”

While the two conversed, Yang Hong looked up at the sky with tears streaming down his face.

What a sin!

That old thief tricked me!

Even His Majesty has issued a decree. Yet you told me he’s the murderer who killed Xiao Zongshui and Zhen Cai?

What did Xiao Zongshui and Zhen Cai do to have such a great person kill them?

Even if you, Zhu Chuanfeng, failed to accept a disciple and flew into a rage out of humiliation, you shouldn’t cheat me!

F*ck your ancestors!

“You must be Superintendent Zhou Shu.” Eunuch Zhao looked at Zhou Shu and smiled. “His Majesty has a decree for you. This is urgent. Please accept the decree.”

Accepting a decree was originally a very grand matter. There was even a need to burn incense and set up a table.

But now that they were in the Divine Constable Bureau, these procedures were definitely unrealistic.

Fortunately, Eunuch Zhao didn’t force him to do so. He immediately started reading the imperial decree. “We have recognized that Zhou Shu of the Forging Division has outstanding talent and merits. We specially permit him to participate in Grand Xia’s military parade!”

The imperial decree was very simple, and Eunuch Zhao read it in one breath.

“Superintendent Zhou, His Majesty has high expectations of you. I hope that you will not let down the grace of His Majesty and continue to work hard.”

Eunuch Zhao looked at Zhou Shu and smiled. He rolled up the imperial decree and handed it to Zhou Shu.

Before he could finish doing so, a loud thud resounded. Everyone turned around and saw Yang Hong sitting on the floor.

Everyone: “…”

Tears were streaming down Yang Hong’s face as he roared furiously in his head, That old thief misled me!