Tang Dynasty Prison Administration

Chapter 120: The Collection of Fragrance

However, after Zheng Xian said that, Su Wen hesitated for a moment. After all, just asking around wouldn't be of much use. Su Wen wanted to carefully check Pei Yinnu's house to see if the other party had left any clues.

Investigating and searching the home of a high-ranking official of the third rank, the Minister of Revenue, is no small matter. If handled poorly, it could have a very significant impact and could even be directly deemed an act of usurpation.

The prison office is not yet open, and a mere document from the Prefect of Yongzhou is insufficient. Even requesting his assistance would be an overstepping of authority, as it requires the Emperor's decree.

The prison warden has the power to act expediently, but the problem is that the prison warden has not yet officially started to carry out the work. At present, Su Wen is only in a nominal position and has no real power, so he cannot ask the Minister of Revenue for assistance.

Thinking of this, Su Wen had no choice but to leave the Chang'an County government office and go home to ask Cui Lingyu if she could help him.

Although these powerful families belonged to different groups with different interests, they were all powerful families in the end, and since they all lived in Chang'an, they should all know each other to some extent.

Su Wen had no choice but to let the constables leave for the time being and return to his residence.

Cui Lingyu was sitting to one side playing chess with Cui Bi. When Cui Bi saw Su Wen return, she hurriedly stood up and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Young Master Su!"

Su Wen remained silent, unsure how to begin. Seeing his expression, Cui Lingyu stood up and asked, "Su Lang, what's wrong? Is this case difficult to investigate?"

Su Wendao said, "There aren't many clues at the moment, but there might be some leads with Pei Yinnu in the Hedong Pei family of Yanfu Ward. However, I don't have the authority to investigate. The Prison Warden hasn't officially started handling cases yet, nor does he have any case-handling authority. Going there rashly might cause a very big impact!"

Cui Lingyu asked with some doubt, "Didn't you go to Qinglongfang? How could you be related to Pei Yinnu of Yanfufang?"

Su Wen recounted the entire story to Cui Lingyu. After listening, Cui Lingyu pondered for a moment and said, "The deceased was actually Li Xinyue, the daughter of the Jiangnan military governor?"

Su Wen nodded: "This case is very serious. If we're not careful, we might offend the Jiangnan military governor. The magistrate of Wannian County has really given Xu Ge a lot of trouble!"

Cui Lingyu said, "This case concerns the daughter of the Jiangnan Military Governor, Su Lang. If it's not handled well, it will be a huge problem. But if it's handled well, it will undoubtedly enhance the reputation of the Prison Administration!"

Cui Lingyu, quick-witted, said, "Young Master Su, when you attend the morning court tomorrow, inform the Emperor of this case in its entirety. The Court of Judicial Review will definitely want the authority to handle this case. At that time, you will need to do your best to secure this authority. This is an opportunity to quickly establish the reputation of the Prison Administration in Chang'an, but this opportunity can only be seized, not lost. I wonder if Young Master Su is confident?"

Su Wen didn't answer immediately. Instead, he hesitated for a moment, then looked at Cui Lingyu and said, "I need to see Pei Yinnu first and ask her some questions before I can know if I have the confidence!"

Su Wen is neither a god nor a superman. In ancient times, there was no surveillance or modern equipment, and many things were very unpredictable. If there were clues, Su Wen would still be confident, but now there are few clues and no suspects, so Su Wen dared not nod.

Although modern society has the principle that all murder cases must be solved, there are countless unsolved murder cases, and Su Wen dares not make any guarantees.

In particular, the victim in this murder case was Li Xinyue, the daughter of the military governor of Jiangnan, making it an extremely significant case.

If he were to agree directly, and the case were not solved, Su Wen's official career would be over. Su Wen dared not gamble. Along the way, Su Wen had put in a lot of effort and experienced many hardships.

Su Wen is not a saint. In his previous life, he was just a forensic doctor. He is not such a lofty and glorious figure. He has selfish desires. He is a human being, an ordinary person!

Seeing Su Wen hesitate, Cui Lingyu instantly guessed what he was thinking. She stood up, walked to Su Wen, looked at him, and said softly, "Su Lang, are you afraid that if you fail, you will lose everything?"

Su Wen didn't answer, but stared at Cui Lingyu, took a deep breath, and nodded slightly. Cui Lingyu said, "Then I have a way to get Su Lang to contact Pei Yinnu first. If we can get some clues from her, will Su Lang be confident in solving this case?"

Su Wen nodded slightly, and Cui Lingyu smiled, then turned to Cui Bi and said, "Xiao Bi, go prepare the wedding gifts. Su Lang and I are going to the Pei residence!"

Cui Bi nodded in agreement.

Before long, Su Wen, along with Cui Lingyu and Cui Bi, arrived at the Pei residence in Yanfu Ward by carriage, carrying wedding gifts.

Cui Bi stepped forward and gently knocked on the door. As the door slowly opened, an elderly man, around fifty years old, saw the three people who had arrived. They were dressed in rich clothes, especially Su Wen, who was wearing a bright red official robe. He immediately recognized them and bowed to Su Wen and Cui Lingyu, saying, "I am Pei Yu, the steward of the Pei family. May I ask what brings you two distinguished guests to the Pei family?"

Cui Bi handed a red wedding invitation to the old man and then said softly, "My young lady is Cui Lingyu, the eldest daughter of Cui Lin from the Cui family of Boling. This is Su Wen, the current Minister of the Prison. He has come today to deliver the wedding invitation and gifts. My young lady's engagement ceremony will be held by the Emperor himself on the tenth of next month, and we would like to invite Miss Pei to attend!"

Upon hearing this, the old man hurriedly pushed open the door and said, "Please come in, esteemed guests!"

Su Wen and Cui Lingyu bowed to the old man and then stepped into the Pei residence.

The wedding gifts were all handed over to the steward, who would handle them. As for Xiao Bi, she took a brocade box from the carriage and held it in her hand.

The three entered the mansion. The steward instructed several servants to carry the wedding gifts inside, while he himself hurriedly went to the three, respectfully leading them to the inner hall. He then ordered a maid to serve tea to the two, and bowed, saying, "Please, esteemed guests, have a seat. I will go and inform the Madam and Miss to come out immediately!"

The two nodded in agreement. Su Wen and Cui Lingyu sat on a chair to one side, while Cui Bi stood behind Cui Lingyu.

A moment later, a woman who looked to be in her early forties, dressed in brocade and exuding an air of refinement and knowledge, came out. Behind her followed a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old, who was rather thin and short, with a delicate, scholarly air about her.

The noblewoman, her face beaming with joy, bowed to Su Wen and Cui Lingyu upon seeing them, saying, "I was unaware of your presence today; I am truly sorry for the neglect. Please forgive me!"

Cui Lingyu stood up, and Su Wen, seeing this, quickly followed suit. The two bowed to the noblewoman, and Cui Lingyu said softly, "We apologize for our abrupt arrival and for disturbing Aunt Pei!"

Madam Pei smiled slightly and said, "There's no need to trouble you, Lingyu. I remember the last time I saw you was several years ago. It's hard to believe you're almost married!"

Cui Lingyu said, "The Emperor has bestowed this marriage upon me, granting me a worthy husband; I am truly fortunate!"

After speaking, Cui Lingyu turned slightly, and Cui Bi behind her quickly brought out the embroidered box. Cui Lingyu took the box and walked to Pei Yinnu, saying, "When my sister Yinnu came of age, I was far away in Youzhou and was unable to send a congratulatory gift in time. I've come today to make up for it. I don't know what my sister Yinnu likes, but I recently saw a very exquisite Hundred Beauties Box in the East Market. I wonder if my sister Yinnu would like it!"

As she spoke, Cui Lingyu opened the brocade box, inside which was a bright green hair ornament, a floral hairpin, and some rouge and face powder.