CHAPTER 618: CHAPTER 618: STAYING AT THE INTERNAL GUARD BUREAU

Before returning to the capital, Cao De had instructed Chen Wei to find these two men and see if Chen Fa had ascertained their backgrounds. If not, he would personally question them. If they didn’t speak or if their answers were incomplete, they would be detained until Cao De returned.

After Chen Wei returned, he told no one about this, not even Chen Fa.

As for whether to bring them into the Internal Guard Bureau, he couldn’t guess the Ancestral Master’s intentions and had no authority to decide.

Seeing him silent, Lian Bao said directly, "I came here with no ill intentions. A few days ago, my uncle and I were tracking the master of the Guo family. My uncle was captured by the Guo family and tortured. Last night, I attempted to rescue him, but unfortunately, the Internal Guard Bureau raided the Guo family and took my uncle as well. You have met my uncle; he is the other person who was with me originally."

Since the Ancestral Master of the Internal Guard Bureau had extended an olive branch, it would be better to speak openly instead of indirectly, which could lead to suspicion.

Chen Wei was stunned, "The person severely injured during torture?"

"Yes," Lian Bao said urgently, "How is he now?"

Chen Wei knew of the man, but did not realize he was the same one who had initially provided the clues.

He said, "The wounds were treated, mostly superficial injuries. However, a few of the cuts were excessively deep, and he is still unconscious."

Lian Bao’s heart tightened, and he asked anxiously, "May I see him?"

Chen Wei suddenly felt that the man before him was genuine and loyal and, after much thought, made a decision.

From then on, Chen Wei knew Lian Bao’s purpose.

While the Emperor’s envoy was summoning Chen Wei, he was taking Lian Bao to see Uncle Ma in a separate prison cell, where Uncle Ma’s wounds had been bandaged, but he was indeed still unconscious.

After seeing the man, Chen Wei asked about Lian Bao’s origins.

Lian Bao glanced at Uncle Ma, made a decision, and frankly said that he came from the south and bore a grudge against the Guo family, hence his keeping an eye on them for revenge.

Regarding other details, Lian Bao was forthright; he intended to ask the Ancestral Master himself if it was true that the Internal Guard Bureau hired without regard to background or origin and, if so, he would reveal everything.

If it were a simple matter like that of Mao Daniu or Old Liu, Chen Wei could directly respond.

But with this young man, Chen Wei felt unable to make a decision. He knew that the Ancestral Master highly valued this individual and would not be at ease unless his background was thoroughly cleared.

Moreover, this young man was too clever, with origins and whereabouts even Chen Fa couldn’t trace. From their first meeting, he had taken the initiative, and Chen Wei was not confident in discerning his truth.

Privately, Chen Wei admired this man’s capabilities, perceptiveness, modesty, appropriate speaking, and straightforwardness. Interacting with such a person made things easy, and he would be more than welcoming if the man joined the Internal Guard Bureau.

He even thought that if this man were by the Ancestral Master’s side, perhaps the Ancestral Master would not be as punishing.

However, publicly, at this critical juncture, information about the private soldiers must not be leaked. Before the Ancestral Master’s return, holding onto such a clever individual within the Internal Guard Bureau was safer.

Moreover, he didn’t know what plans or thoughts the Ancestral Master had for this young man, so it was better to wait for the Ancestral Master to personally supervise the matter.

Having made sense of these thoughts, Chen Wei was no longer indecisive.

Before he could take any further action, someone came to find him.

"Brother Wei," the person sent by the Emperor whispered a few words to him.

Zhang Qing’s complexion changed and he immediately bowed to Lian Bao, "I apologize, but I have matters to attend to now and cannot accompany you."

Without waiting for Lian Bao to react, Zhang Qing pointed to Uncle Ma and instructed an underling, "Go invite a doctor, find a room, move him out, and have the doctor watch over him. He must not be treated negligently."

After giving instructions, he said to Lian Bao, "Your uncle’s injuries are too severe, and it would be inconvenient to move him around. It would be best for him to stay in the Internal Guard Bureau to recuperate. Why don’t you stay as well to take care of your uncle? That way, when our Ancestral Master returns, he can meet him too."

Although he spoke as if consulting, his decision was irrefutable.

The respect Zhang Qing showed was uncommon in the Internal Guard Bureau. He did so because he knew that Cao De highly regarded Lian Bao and wanted to recruit him into the Internal Guard Bureau, which was why he treated him with such courtesy, not neglecting these small matters.

"Alright, thank you, sir," Lian Bao bowed and agreed promptly.

His main purpose in coming to the Internal Guard Bureau was to rescue Uncle Ma, and upon seeing Uncle Ma, he truly realized how seriously he was injured. His heart was both pained and worried. Even if the Internal Guard Bureau did not keep him, he could not be at peace leaving Uncle Ma.

Interacting with Zhang Qing was far less stressful than dealing with the Internal Guard Bureau’s Ancestral Master. From the words exchanged, he instantly guessed that the Ancestral Master of the Internal Guard Bureau had not returned, and that the Guo family was not raided over the issue of food and military supplies.

It also confirmed his guess that the information he and Uncle Ma provided was significantly implicated, which is why the Ancestral Master of the Internal Guard Bureau had personally taken action and had not yet returned.

Naturally, to prevent leaks, Zhang Qing felt more reassured keeping him and Uncle Ma in the Internal Guard Bureau.

After promptly agreeing, Lian Bao then asked, "Could I request that the sir send someone to Qingfeng Tower to say that Uncle Ma and I are all well, so that my family can be at ease?"

Zhang Qing paused, looking at him with surprise. Was this him actively providing information for the Internal Guard Bureau to investigate his background?

This was very rare. Previously, people in the Internal Guard Bureau struggled because they did not know where he came from and could not clear up his background. Now, with Qingfeng Tower as a clue, things would be easier to handle.

Zhang Qing felt a surge of favorability and nodded, acknowledging the request.

Upon leaving the cell and the Internal Guard Bureau, he walked decisively towards the Star Palace.

Upon reaching the Star Palace, he stayed inside for a full two Shichen Chinese Time before emerging, his expressions filled with respect and excitement.

Back at the Internal Guard Bureau, he followed the instructions and wrote a note, tied it to a pigeon’s leg, and threw it into the sky, tossing it towards the north...

Inside the Star Palace.

The Emperor was in a very good mood. The matter of the private soldiers had been conveyed, and what remained now involved Shen Shi and Cao De.

A leader in the field cannot always obey the sovereign’s command; it was Shen Shi’s concern how to complete the task. The Emperor only had to wait for the good news.

Shen Shi was not a pedantic man. With just a few hints, he should be able to deduce and flexibly use the information; the Emperor was confident in him.

After taking a sip of tea, the Emperor remembered something, and it was time.

He pondered for a moment, waving his hand grandly, and sent the examination papers of the Jieyuan from Taiyuan Prefecture, Lian Mu, back to the Ministry of Rites. The Minister of Rites would personally oversee the marking and present the results, with plans to announce them on a scheduled date.

After attending to this matter, he summoned someone and asked, "How is the situation at the Punishment Bureau?"

Zhang Qing bowed low, reporting every detail, "According to His Majesty’s question, Consort Zhen’s confession matches up with that of two servants from Huaning Palace, and also Palace Maid Dong Xue of Canglan Court under Nanny Qi and Xiao Shunzi from the Punishment Bureau, among others. All accusations point to Xia Lei, who previously worked at the Bureau of Palace Attendants and is now the deputy steward in the Porcelain Warehouse. Consort De has never had any contact with him; however, he has been to Huaqing Palace."