Chapter 311 I'm not in the Northwest, so everyone can step on my foot, right?
Shen Lanxi said expressionlessly, "I put them in the Dali Temple for two reasons: first, to lure the snakes out of their holes, and second, to protect their safety."
Who would have thought that even in a place with such impenetrable defenses, someone could still die silently?
Bansicao: "Poison like Duanhun San is not common. The medicinal properties of this medicine are very similar to Duanchang San, but after taking Duanchang San, one will experience severe pain and the person taking the medicine will make painful screams."
Shen Lanxi understood what he meant.
"Do you know where the Soul-Severing Powder comes from?"
Ban Sicao glanced at her, offered no explanation, and simply said, "We'll investigate slowly."
It's likely that the privacy of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect is involved again.
Shen Lanxi: "Can I still trust you?"
Ban Sicao was taken aback, paused, and replied, "If you continue to believe in me, then I am worthy of your trust."
Shen Lanxi: "Alright, the source of the poison is now in your hands!"
Zhou Ruyuan went to question the guards, while Shen Lanxi went to inspect the structure of the Dali Temple prison.
Che Mingyuan: "The people behind this dare to kill these people so openly, either they are not afraid of destroying the spies planted in Dali Temple, or they have used other methods."
Shen Lanxi was preparing to ask for the construction blueprints of the Dali Temple. From Wei Jie, she learned that the blueprints were kept and stored by clerks.
"Lord Shen, the blueprints you requested should be here. This Dali Temple has been built for countless years, and we don't even know if the blueprints are still in existence. We'll have to trouble you to find them yourself, Lord Shen!"
Hearing the clerk's perfunctory and casual tone, Che Mingyuan immediately reprimanded him: "We've come to request the blueprints. Your duty as a clerk is to find them for us. Are you the clerk, or are we the clerks?"
It was one thing for high-ranking officials to look down on Shen Lanxi's status as a woman, but for a mere clerk to dare to spout such nonsense, Che Mingyuan decided to teach this clerk a lesson.
The clerk immediately feigned fear and said, "My lords, please don't misunderstand. I really have some very important documents to organize and file. I was thinking that I don't know when I'll find the blueprints you mentioned. So, I'd like to finish my urgent tasks first, and then concentrate on helping you. This way, we can save time!"
Che Mingyuan: "What kind of document is so urgent that it's even more urgent than the matter His Majesty has entrusted to us? Our lord still needs to write the case details for His Majesty in a moment. If we delay His Majesty's time, can you bear the responsibility?"
The clerk had long disliked Shen Lanxi's status as a woman. How could a woman learn to fight like a man? How could she learn to investigate cases like a man? It was utterly upside down. Women were inherently lowly, and he couldn't stand women who competed with men for destiny.
"It was my fault for being confused. I'll find the blueprints right away. I absolutely wouldn't dare delay the task His Majesty assigned me!" That vile woman, she actually dared to use His Majesty to pressure him! Finding blueprints? He'd search to death and still not find them!
Che Mingyuan was furious at the clerk's obviously perfunctory attitude, but he couldn't find any fault with it.
Shen Lanxi sneered: "Now that I'm no longer in the Northwest, does that mean anyone can step on my foot?"
Che Mingyuan raised an eyebrow.
“This clerk is deliberately delaying my investigation. He must be in cahoots with those who poisoned the witnesses. Che Mingyuan, we must get this man to talk.”
Che Mingyuan raised the corners of his mouth.
This was only possible because it was in the capital. If it had been in Dongchuan or the Northwest, this clerk would have been hanged on the city wall and whipped for dead long ago.
"Quickly, someone come here! This clerk is colluding with bandits! Arrest him immediately and torture him severely. We must extract something from him before nightfall so that our lord can report the progress to His Majesty!"
Upon hearing this, the clerk's face turned pale with fright.
How could a woman who knew nothing dare to abuse torture against him, an official of the imperial court?
How dare she?
"I am innocent, I have not colluded with bandits. Lord Shen, you are wronging me. Guards... I want to see Lord Wei. I am a fifth-rank official of the Court of Judicial Review. You dare to touch me, just try it..."
Che Mingyuan: "Gag him. Once he gets to the capital, he'll forget how clever he was in the Northwest."
The men quickly gagged the clerk and dragged him away.
Wei Jie was processing files from previous years when he heard his subordinate rushing in with a panicked report.
"Lord Wei, Lord Shen has locked up the clerk for interrogation. You should go and see!"
Wei Jie paused, then pondered, "Shen Lanxi is investigating a case by imperial decree. Do you want her to impeach me for obstructing the investigation?"
This subordinate was on good terms with the clerk; otherwise, he wouldn't have been in such a panic to call for reinforcements.
"My lord, are we just going to stand by and watch Shen Lanxi cause trouble in our Dali Temple?"
Wei Jieyi gave him a deep look: "Even the Prince of Zhennan hasn't said anything, and you want me to go and say it?"
The subordinate's eyes darted around, and he quickly said, "Sir, are you saying that this was tacitly approved by the Prince of Zhennan?"
Wei Jie said calmly, "I didn't say that. I only know that those witnesses died mysteriously in our Dali Temple. If His Majesty investigates, he will definitely not investigate Shen Lanxi and the Prince of Zhennan, but only our Dali Temple."
The subordinate understood; this was an attempt to vent anger by pushing the clerk out.
The crime was too serious for a mere fifth-rank official like him to refute. He had done his best, and could say he had a clear conscience.
Zhou Ruyuan also heard the commotion and, after learning the cause and effect, sent four people over.
The Dali Temple had a large number of files, and there was more than one clerk. Che Mingyuan immediately transferred two more clerks over, and Wei Jie also sent two of his men to help.
"Lord Shen, we are sent by the Prince of Zhennan to help you!" Four guards reported to Shen Lanxi.
Shen Lanxi said calmly, "You all go with them to search!"
"Yes!" The four men appeared respectful, but muttered to themselves.
It's obvious that their prince still has feelings for Lord Shen, but Lord Shen doesn't seem to appreciate it at all.
Shen Lanxi returned to the cell where the witness was located.
There were twelve guards in total, divided into three shifts of four people each.
The incident occurred at night, and according to the guards, they were seen eating dinner.
When she arranged for the people to be stationed at the Dali Temple, she specifically instructed that they were not prisoners, and that all their necessities, including food and drink, would be delivered personally by her people.
If it's not a problem with her manpower or the guards, then where could the problem lie?
While I was thinking, someone came to report.
"My lord, a message has come from your residence, saying that your father requests your return!"
Shen Lanxi: "Where is the person who delivered the message?"
"Still waiting outside."
"Bring it in."
"yes."
Shen Lanxi: "Tell me, what happened at the manor?"
The guard told them about the Shen family members being dismissed from the academy.
Shen Lanxi: "Go back and tell my father that I will be back later."
"yes!"
...
"Nu Bai, is there anything unusual in this cell?"
Nu Bai, who had been resting for several days, is back online.
“Master, there is a secret passage here, right under the wall of the opposite cell.”
Shen Lanxi smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
"It's no trouble at all. Nu Bai is very happy to be able to help Master."
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