Zhong Li recalled what Hua Yao had told her yesterday.
'A Wu found a stillborn infant in the black market, its belly filled entirely with Chat Grass.'
She looked up absently at A Wu, who was slowly walking out of the room. She wanted to say something but found herself at a loss for words.
A Wu squatted on the ground, wiping the blood from his fingertips with a clean cloth, and looked at the somewhat dishevelled Zhong Li.
After he finished his task, he tucked the cloth into his sleeve, casually picked up the thing he had thrown aside earlier, and said, "Lord Zhong, it's not that A Wu intends to make things difficult for you, but you should know that the Emperor has ordered me to thoroughly investigate the Chat Grass case. I cannot disobey!"
Zhong Li narrowed her eyes, looking at A Wu.
After a long while, she suddenly let out a scoff and said, "Cannot disobey? A Wu, you might be believed by others when you say that, but do you think I would believe you even a little?"
A Wu shrugged, appearing indifferent. "Lord Zhong, ever since I took this position as Director of the Temple, I can understand your predicament. Some things truly do not require others' understanding; as long as one believes they are doing right, it is enough!"
With that, he stopped looking at Zhong Li and stood up. Turning to the four people who had arrived with him, he said, "Two of you go check if the child in the room is still alive. The other two will escort Lord Zhong back to Dali Temple. Be sure to look after her on the way!"
"Yes!" the four responded and began to act.
The effects of the medicine on Zhong Li had not yet subsided, leaving her weak and pliable. She looked at her wrist restraints, feeling like livestock being dragged along by a millstone, forced to stand.
"A Wu, you're too bold. No matter what, I am a fourth-rank official. How dare you..." She tried to struggle, seeing A Wu sneer, but before she could finish, something was placed before her.
"Lord Zhong, you should recognize this."
Zhong Li scrutinized the token in A Wu's hand. After a long moment, she reacted, "You actually have the Empress's personal order?"
A Wu smiled and put the order back into his sleeve. "Indeed. As a fourth-rank official of the court, I am merely a sixth-rank and truly do not have the authority to arrest you. However, firstly, I have received special approval from the Emperor to investigate the Chat Grass case.
Secondly, I have recently solved several cases and gained the Empress's great appreciation. The Empress fears that the Chat Grass incident may taint the court, so she has given me this imperial decree from the harem to ensure I have a smooth path in this case.
Therefore, Lord Zhong, do you see any problem?"
Upon hearing A Wu's earnest explanation, Zhong Li suddenly let out a laugh. She finally understood and nodded, "I never knew you were involved with the Empress."
A Wu straightened his posture slightly. "Lord Zhong can think whatever she wishes. Now that the evidence is conclusive, and Chat Grass was found in your room, with my subordinates as witnesses, I cannot possibly grant you any special treatment.
So, Lord Zhong, please be inconvenienced and proceed!"
As he spoke, he made a bowing gesture.
Zhong Li took a deep breath and bit her lip hard, trying to push herself up. But no matter how she struggled, her body did not move an inch.
A Wu sighed and beckoned.
Two constables approached Zhong Li, pulled her up again, and began to escort her toward the door.
Just as she reached the doorway, she heard a faint infant's whimper from inside the room.
Zhong Li froze as if struck, turning her head to check on Zhong Wuyou's condition.
However, before she could get a clear look, a figure blocked her view.
"Lord Zhong," A Wu whispered close to Zhong Li's ear, "Little Master Wuyou is still alive for now. I advise you to listen obediently, or he might not even see how the moon looks tonight."
"A Wu!" Zhong Li's heart leaped. She turned her head to look at the familiar yet strange face before her. She couldn't fathom how A Wu had changed so much in just a month.
A Wu caught the doubt in Zhong Li's eyes and chuckled, "Lord Zhong, don't look at me like that. I won't feel ashamed, you know?"
Zhong Li sneered, then turned away, obediently allowing the two men beside her to drag her forward. Fortunately, the carriage was not far. She felt her body empty as she was roughly thrown into the carriage.
A Wu followed her, watching her. A glint of vengeful satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
The carriage moved down the road.
Zhong Li lay on the carriage like a lifeless dog, her body swaying gently with the carriage's motion.
She could faintly hear the hustle and bustle of the marketplace outside the carriage, estimating the time of day.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhong Li felt the carriage curtain being pulled open. Blinding sunlight streamed in, and she was dragged out of the carriage.
She looked at everything before her: brick and mud, the stench assaulting her nostrils. At the top were two characters: 'Female Prisoner'. This was the Ministry of Justice!
"A Wu, what wind blows you here?" Zeng Fan of the Ministry of Justice, upon seeing the person approaching, put down the task he was busy with and asked with a smile.
"What do you mean 'what wind'? The New Year is only a few months away. If I arrest more criminals, you'll have more to gain when you go home?" A Wu chatted with Zeng Fan as if they were old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time.
Zeng Fan shook his head. "The ones you arrested a few days ago were alright. But lately, I don't know what's going on. One blow to the head and they don't even spit out water. Where am I supposed to dig for oil?"
"Is that so? Am I to blame?" A Wu teased.
Zeng Fan sighed. "If only you could bring in someone important once in a while, so I could extract something. It wouldn't be a waste of my efforts in holding so many people for you!"
"Here, I've brought one for you today!" As soon as Zeng Fan finished speaking, A Wu stepped aside and winked at him with a smile.
Zeng Fan frowned, looking at the person before him. Judging by her figure, she appeared to be a young woman, but she seemed so listless, perhaps a sickly, dying person? After all, he was guarding ordinary cells and couldn't afford to have anyone die!
"This... this is oil and water? This is adding trouble for me... Oh, my heavens!" Zeng Fan reluctantly walked towards the person, his mind racing to find an excuse to send this prisoner away. But the moment his hand touched the woman's chin and he saw her face clearly, he recoiled as if he had touched a burning stick, retreating far away.
"This... this... Lord Zhong... Lord Zhong? Are you crazy?" Cold sweat was already beading on Zeng Fan's forehead.
A Wu glanced at Zhong Li and then at Zeng Fan, saying, "What? Scared?"
"Quick! You leave! I... I can't handle this!" Zeng Fan's speech began to stammer. "You investigate your case, but why have you brought a fourth-rank minister to me? If the Emperor finds out, my official hat..."
He pointed to the official hat on his head, saying, "And you are all from Dali Temple. Why are you starting an internal conflict? No! No! Go... go..."
Just as Zeng Fan finished speaking, A Wu pulled something out of his robe and thrust it in his face.
At first, Zeng Fan couldn't see clearly and tried to swat it away. But the moment he saw the object in A Wu's hand, his knees buckled, and he almost fell to the ground.
"You... you are someone from the Empress?"
A Wu smiled and said, "Lord Zeng, if I told you that Lord Fu was also involved in bringing this person here, would you believe me?"