The Killer's Cleansing Manual

Chapter 150: Duke Sui fell

After returning to Beijing, Duke Xingguo immediately submitted a memorial stating that when he was returning to Beijing, he passed through Tianmen Pass. The Tianmen Pass Guard Captain Chang Lingyue summoned private soldiers, took him into a remote alley, and attempted to harm him.

When this incident was made public, all the civil and military officials in the court were shocked. Duke Sui immediately knelt down and cried out for justice.

"Your Majesty! It's true that my son is naughty, but even if he had the guts, he would never dare to do such a thing!"

The others began to whisper upon hearing this. Qi Yili nodded, "I've also heard that Duke Sui's son and Duke Xing's son have always been at odds. A while ago, he was nearly assassinated in Sun Yuze's own restaurant. Chang Lingyue happened to be there at the time. Does Duke Sui know about this?"

Duke Sui was stunned and subconsciously looked at Duke Xing. Duke Xing stood straight and didn't even look at him.

Duke Sui stole another glance at Ji Shihan, who shook his head obscurely at him. "Don't worry about this kid anymore. With your military achievements, you can get a lenient decree that will spare you from being implicated." As long as the green mountains remain, there will be no shortage of firewood.

But the Duke of Suiguo misunderstood: "This old minister has no idea!"

Ji Shihan: ...

Qi Yili was waiting for this sentence: "I was also worried that I had wrongly accused Chang Lingyue and upset Duke Sui, so I sent people to investigate and arrested the assassin."

Upon hearing this, Xiaodunzi shouted, "Bring the assassin to the palace—"

Speaking of this assassin, there is no coincidence in the world.

He should have left after receiving the money, but it was his first time doing such a thing and he did not have such good professional qualities. After receiving the money, he immediately went to Chunyin Tower to have fun.

He started talking nonsense when he was drunk, and was overheard by Qi Zhen and Bai Shu who were listening to music together.

"...You still dare to look down on me? I! Does the little bully Sun Yuze know about this? I just shot an arrow in his arm, and you guys want me to shoot a hole in yours too?"

The two men looked at each other, and immediately arrested the man without hesitation and brought him back to the Qingzheng Division for detailed questioning.

This question actually revealed the answer. The man was a subordinate of Chang Lingyue. He had no father, mother, wife or children. He worked for Chang Lingyue and then took the money and left the capital.

It's a pity that he is a coward. Not only is he not very cautious, but he also doesn't have much backbone. He will tell everything if he is easily scared.

Now kneeling in the court, being stared at by all the civil and military officials, he trembled like a sieve and started to confess.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, spare my life! I've told you everything! Please don't kill me! I—I was working for Chang Lingyue! The fifty taels of silver he gave me were all found by the officials of the Ministry of Justice!"

Duke Sui looked at the man kneeling beside him and really wanted to kill him right now. He also blamed himself for not checking in advance. Time was urgent and he only had time to think of a way to rescue Chang Lingyue. He had no time to inquire about this matter.

Qi Zhen quickly brought up the confiscated stolen silver. Excluding the money the assassin had spent that day, there were still more than forty taels left.

According to the assassin's usual monthly salary of several hundred coins, it would take him forever to save up the money. This would become the most crucial evidence.

And now that the evidence has been seen by everyone, there is no point in hiding the silver.

"Your Majesty! This man... this man is trying to frame someone! This is absolutely not the case! He... he doesn't know where he came from. Who can prove that he is the assassin? Perhaps..."

Duke Sui was already in a state of panic. He said whatever he thought and tried his best to shift the blame.

Upon hearing this, the Duke of Xingguo sneered, "So, the arrow wound on my child's arm is fake?"

really have!

Duke Sui was stunned, not knowing what to say for a moment. Duke Xing seized the opportunity and continued to report: "Your Majesty! Since Duke Sui feels that Chang Lingyue has been wronged, why not have him confront him in court!"

Duke Sui clenched his fists tightly - he spent a whole day and night trying but failed to get his son out. Where on earth did Lin Shanjuan hide him?

Qi Yili gladly accepted the Duke of Xingguo's proposal: "Okay."

Xiaodunzi waved his whisk and said, "Tell it to the commander of Tianmen Pass, Chang Lingyue."

Lin Shanjuan was standing outside the hall, pulling the bald Chang Lingyue. When they heard the voice and were about to leave, Chang Lingyue suddenly sneered.

"Lin Shanjuan, you're just a female consort. How long do you really think you can be protected? My family is a family of meritorious service, personally conferred by the late emperor. We have titles! At worst, you can sacrifice your titles to save my life. If I can survive, you can forget about living a peaceful life. When you are driven out by the princess, I will kill you!"

Lin Shanjuan turned his head to look at him, then his gaze moved down to his arm. The wound there was still wrapped in gauze. The pain from a day and a night had made Chang Lingyue very numb.

"W-What are you going to do?"

Chang Lingyue tried to retreat, but Lin Shanjuan pulled him in front of him by the rope and then pressed hard on his wound.

"Ah—" Chang Lingyue screamed miserably. Lin Shanjuan raised the corner of his lips and said, "I thought the pain had gone numb and I couldn't feel it anymore, so I had the time to talk dirty again. Now you still feel the pain, don't you?"

She patted Chang Lingyue's face and said, "It's not your family's title that's protecting you. If you weren't useful, you would have died long ago."

She saw the fear in Chang Lingyue's eyes and scratched his throat with her nails: "I thought Ye Lang would tell you that I used to be a killer, didn't you know?"

Chang Lingyue knew it, and because he knew it, he was afraid.

"you--"

Lin Shanjuan dragged him into the hall. "Actually, I don't want you to be sentenced so quickly. Rather than seeing you die, I'd rather you live. At least... it's still fun."

These words made Chang Lingyue's hair stand on end. He was lightly pulled into the hall and knelt on the ground as if he had lost his soul.

Duke Sui looked at the bald man in shock, then looked at his son's dazed look, anger rising from his heart:

"Lin Shanjuan! What on earth did you do to my son?"

Lin Shanjuan snorted coldly, not taking his outward appearance of strength seriously. "I've been an interrogator questioning a prisoner. So, Duke Sui Guo wants to learn from you too?"

Duke Sui was so angry at her sarcasm that he lost his mind. The anxiety of a day and a night mixed with the worry of being isolated and helpless at this moment found an outlet for venting:

"Lin Shanjuan! You're just a prince consort, what right do you have to speak to me like that?"

"Duke Sui, have you forgotten that I am not only the Prince Consort, but also the Imperial Inspector appointed by His Majesty?"

Duke Sui was furious: "You—then tell me, why is Yue'er like this? Just interrogate him, why did you cut his hair…"

Lin Shanjuan sneered, "Don't you know how many people the Duke of Sui has sent out since yesterday? If you don't know, then I'll bring them up here for you to count."

Xiaodunzi received the signal: "Bring witnesses——"

Bai Shu stumbled in leading a few people in different clothes. At a glance, the five or six people were all strong and powerful, and they were obviously good escorts.