Chapter 1213: "New Qi People"

The Great Official of the Court Council lingered behind alone. What was he to say?Was there another angle to this matter?Or perhaps a private instruction from the Emperor?Jiang Wang's mind was in a jumble, random thoughts swirling. For a moment, he remained silent."I hear..." Xie Huai'an looked at him, his voice soft, "That Qing Yang Zi and my useless nephew had... some misunderstanding?"Cold sweat instantly beaded on Jiang Wang's brow.That Xie Bao Shu! How could someone his age still resort to tattling to his elder?Truly hateful, truly despicable.Shameless!"Perhaps... a little." Jiang Wang, watching Xie Huai'an's expression, cautiously replied.Xie Huai'an waved a hand. "I merely overheard a servant mention it vaguely. I won't ask you for the specifics. Young people, ah, they are prone to impulsiveness. Disagreements can arise from a single word; a little friction is only natural."He chuckled. "If there's any misunderstanding between you, it's best to speak openly. The days ahead are long. What do a few small squabbles in youth truly amount to? Look back ten, twenty years from now, and they'll be amusing anecdotes, perhaps even shared with laughter! There's a saying, 'You don't truly know each other until you've clashed.' Perhaps you might even become friends!"They said Xie Huai'an viewed Xie Bao Shu as his own son, and seeing him now, it was undeniably true. With the dignity of a Great Official of the Court Council, he was personally intervening to resolve a private dispute for his nephew. His concern was truly profound.It seemed he had wrongly blamed Xie Xiao Bao. The boy hadn't tattled. Jiang Wang thought to himself.He, of course, dared not put on airs in front of a Great Official of the Court Council. He quickly agreed, saying, "You speak truly. Enmities should be resolved, not tied. I, too, often harbor this thought. Today, encountering Brother Bao Shu on the road, I even took the initiative to greet him.""Ah, is that so?" Xie Huai'an smiled, greatly comforted. "Qing Yang Zi possesses a broad mind, truly exceptional. It is my own Bao Shu who, spoiled since childhood, has a poor temper. He is even older than you, yet not as sensible. You have truly been wronged."Jiang Wang, whose face was not yet sufficiently thick-skinned, could only say, "Actually, it wasn't such a wrong...""I know Bao Shu's character." Xie Huai'an promised, "Rest assured, I will scold him soundly upon my return. If that boy dares to show you disrespect again, I will punish him severely!""It truly isn't to that extent." Jiang Wang's conscience prickled. He couldn't have Xie Huai'an return to strike his child, lest the boy be wrongly punished and cry to his elder...He quickly amended, "Actually, Brother Bao Shu is not a bad person, merely a bit straightforward in temper. Between us, it was not a conflict, just a small misunderstanding. It is best to speak it openly.""That is good." Xie Huai'an chuckled. "Then I shall not delay you in handling the case. This matter has the attention of the entire nation; you must be cautious, ever so cautious."Jiang Wang quickly bade farewell. "Many thanks for the Great Official's reminder!"One was paving the way for his son or nephew, the other was fearful of being beaten. Yet, they conversed quite amicably.Leaving the Constitution Hall, Jiang Wang still wiped cold sweat from his brow.One truly could not become too complacent. How could the young master of a Great Official's mansion be casually provoked? It was fortunate that Xie Huai'an's demeanor was amiable. Had it been otherwise, and he chosen to discipline Jiang Wang, who would dare utter a word of dissent?Jiang Wang pondered silently...It seemed that in the future, when provoking Xie Bao Shu, it would be best to let Chong Xuan Sheng take the lead. That plump fellow had a thick skin, feared no scolding, and possessed a deep background, fearing no suppression.Lin You Xie, wearing a green headscarf, stood just outside the hall.It had been some time since they last met. Her aura had solidified considerably, and her cultivation had made great progress. However, her expression was distant. She offered Jiang Wang a proper, formal bow. "Great Official Jiang, this humble official is ordered to assist you in the investigation in Yang Ground."Handling public affairs publicly was excellent; Jiang Wang greatly appreciated such straightforwardness."Very well." Jiang Wang casually instructed, "We have half an hour to return and prepare. Half an hour from now, we shall meet at Yi Character Gate."Lin You Xie opened her mouth, intending to say that those with Blue Cards carried everything they needed with them. What was there to prepare?But after a moment's thought, she merely replied, "Understood."Jiang Wang said nothing further and left the North Yamen, hurrying back.He himself didn't have items to retrieve from his mansion and carry; rather, he needed to rush back and seek counsel from Chong Xuan Sheng!The matter today was peculiar. He had vaguely discerned something, but it was neither clear nor concrete.Traveling to Zhao Heng City rashly might well lead him to step into some snare.He, Jiang Qing Yang, was not a witless individual, but there was no need to shoulder everything himself. That clever Chong Xuan Fat should be utilized whenever possible!A gentleman's nature is not inherently different, but he is adept at borrowing from things!Chong Xuan Sheng, who had been waiting in the mansion, quietly listened to Jiang Wang's account. His first reaction was also to frown. "This case is peculiar.""Is it?" Jiang Wang echoed. "How could someone like Huang Yi Xing commit suicide? The implications are vast, and this matter is truly difficult to handle."Chong Xuan Sheng glanced at him. "Though this case is peculiar, it is not difficult to handle."These words seemed contradictory, but coming from Chong Xuan Sheng's mouth, they undoubtedly had their reasoning."How is it to be handled?" Jiang Wang urged. "Quickly, I must depart immediately!"Chong Xuan Sheng curled his lip but eventually said, "First, you must understand why the Emperor specifically named you."Jiang Wang deliberately puffed out his chest a little. "I am the world's foremost Inner Mansion cultivator, am I not! Among the younger generation, who else could it be?""Then why are you delaying here with me?" Chong Xuan Sheng gestured with a plump hand. "World's foremost, you should just kill your way there.""Alright, alright." Jiang Wang smoothed his hair. "Just tell me why."Chong Xuan Sheng let out a hum and then said, "Of course, it is not that vast Qi Country has no capable individuals. But it is you, Jiang Wang, who, in a certain sense, should be on the same side as Huang Yi Xing!"Jiang Wang's mind clicked, and he suddenly exclaimed, "So my handling the case can embody fairness?"The crux of this matter lay in his identity. He was not a native-born, native-bred Qi Country person. In a sense, he represented the 'new Qi people'!Huang Yi Xing was a returning official, a banner for the old Yang faction. Nineteen-year-old Qing Yang Zi, a third-grade Golden Melon Warrior, was an even greater banner!When he unfurled the Zi Wei Zhong Tian Tai Huang banner at Guan He Terrace, he himself became a banner for the 'new Qi people'.In Qi Country, the name "Jiang Wang" represented the achievements and trust that a 'new Qi person' could attain."And the key problem lies in..." Chong Xuan Sheng said, "Why does the Emperor wish to embody 'fairness'?""Shouldn't he?" Seldom did Shi Si speak in front of others, but she suddenly interjected, "Shouldn't handling a case always be fair?"She was still innocent, but Jiang Wang understood.Because the outcome of the case was already determined, the Emperor needed to make that 'outcome' indisputable.To put it plainly, the Emperor wanted to protect Cao Jie, to prevent this storm from staining him.Regardless of whether Huang Yi Xing's death was related to Cao Jie.Ultimately, it could not be related!Thus, Chong Xuan Sheng said this case was easy to handle, because Jiang Wang only needed to answer to the Emperor. And on the Emperor's side, the outcome was already set.All Jiang Wang needed to do was make this outcome more convincing.His identity was simply one link in achieving 'fairness'.So, the one to handle this case was not Yue Leng, nor some other renowned constable, but he, Jiang Qing Yang!"I understand," Jiang Wang said."Then, was Huang Yi Xing's death truly related to General Cao?" he asked."Who knows?" Chong Xuan Sheng rocked back and forth in his chair, the rocking chair creaking under the strain.The plump fellow said meaningfully, "You are the one handling this case. The truth of the matter is in your hands."In the company of his two friends, there was a peace different from other places.Jiang Wang sat quietly for a while.Then, he rose and said, "Let's go!"