Chapter 23

(Annoyed, really annoyed, too disappointing, if the ranking on the recommendation list advances by one, I will add an update! It's only 200 votes behind the top two, everyone, let's see what we can do!)

---

Wei, the county magistrate, entered the living room, paid his respects to the inspector, and then noticed that Inspector He was also present, so he hurriedly bowed respectfully.

Inspector He wanted to taunt him a bit, but with his superior present, he could only mumble a response.

Zhou, the provincial inspector, asked Wei to sit down and inquired, "What brings you here, County Magistrate?"

Wei looked up at the famous cold-faced and stern Zhou, who indeed had a cold and serious face. Even when he smiled, it seemed like a sneer, making people shudder. "I have a case to report to the provincial inspector."

"You should present the case to the prefectural governor, not come here yourself," Zhou Xin asked.

"I have already reported to Prefect Yu Huangtang."

"There is also the circuit intendant," Zhou Xin said expressionlessly. "If everyone bypassed the hierarchy like you, where would the circuit intendant be?"

"I dare not," Wei said, hardening his resolve. "But because this case is related to Inspector He, I had no choice but to bypass the hierarchy."

"Hmph..." Inspector He finally couldn't hold back and coldly said, "I want to hear what case this is!"

"This..." Wei glanced at Zhou, who nodded, and then said word by word, "The case of Lin Rongxing, a former student of this county, who killed his wife!"

"This case has already been reviewed by the provincial inspectorate and approved by the Ministry of Justice," Inspector He said, clearly displeased. "Why is it being brought up again?"

"Because there is new evidence," Wei said, raising his head to meet Inspector He's gaze. "The previously identified deceased, Lin Zhaozhi, has recently reappeared!"

"Truly a strange tale," Inspector He's heart skipped a beat, but he said dismissively, "The body of Lin Zhaozhi has been identified, and there are witnesses, physical evidence, and confessions. Are you saying all of that is fake?"

"The witnesses, physical evidence, and confessions were obtained through torture!" Wei said sternly.

"I personally reviewed this case," Inspector He's face darkened, cutting him off. "The torture was only used after the evidence was confirmed. How can you talk about forced confessions?"

"Since Lin Zhaozhi is still alive, the witnesses, physical evidence, and confessions must have been fabricated. How could Lin Rongxing admit to murder and forge a bloody weapon and clothes if he were innocent?" Wei, like a young bull, was not afraid and was provoked by Inspector He's arrogance.

"You!" Inspector He slammed his hand on the table in anger.

"Cough..." Zhou Xin coughed, and Inspector He suddenly remembered they were in his superior's living room. He quickly wiped his sweat and said, "I was out of line. This Wei is just a mad dog barking at the sun, spouting nonsense!"

"Ha ha..." Zhou Xin's thick eyebrows were straight and hard, his eyes not large but very sharp. Even though he was smiling, it made people feel cold. "Don't rush to conclusions. Since there is new evidence, we must verify its authenticity." He paused and said calmly, "If Lin Zhaozhi is indeed alive, the case must be retried!"

"But the Ministry of Justice has already approved it!" Inspector He was extremely unwilling.

"There is no reason to treat human lives lightly!" Zhou Xin said coldly and then looked at Wei. "County Magistrate Wei, do you have the case file?"

"It is the result of my interrogation after capturing the suspects," Wei quickly handed it over with both hands.

Zhou Xin took it and read it carefully, page by page. After finishing, he passed it to Inspector He.

Inspector He, already on edge, read a few pages and beads of sweat the size of beans rolled down his face. His mind went blank, and he didn't know what he was reading afterward.

After he finished, Zhou Xin said expressionlessly, "What do you think?"

"It seems... there is more to it..." Inspector He said with difficulty.

"Hmm." Zhou Xin nodded and said to Wei, "The case file you submitted will be sent to Nanjing for the court to decide." Since the circuit intendant made a mistake, the provincial inspectorate could not handle it on its own and had to report it to the Ministry of Justice.

"Whatever the provincial inspector decides," Wei said respectfully.

"You are busy, go back quickly." Zhou Xin nodded and even got up to see him to the door.

Wei was flattered and repeatedly asked Zhou to return. Zhou Xin said coolly, "I only respect good officials."

Wei was moved to the point of tears and bowed deeply, "Provincial Inspector, you flatter me!"

"You deserve it." Zhou Xin's cold face broke into a rare smile.

Wei bowed again, bid farewell to Zhou Xin, and then went to the prefectural governor's office to report. Prefect Yu kept him for lunch and shared many insights on governance during the meal. It was late in the afternoon before he let him go.

During the Yongle period, the bureaucracy had not yet fallen into decadence, and the rules were not yet cumbersome. Wei, the county magistrate, had three meetings with his superiors and still managed to return to Fuyang on the same day.

Back in the county, the greatly encouraged county magistrate focused on administrative reforms and eagerly awaited the court's response...

---

Wang Xian was also eagerly awaiting the court's response.

After returning from Sanchaizhen, he stayed at home, reading and recovering, and his life returned to normal.

The only change was in Yiling's attitude. She now knew that her second brother was injured while trying to clear his father's name. Her heart was overwhelmed with guilt and regret, and she cried profusely, insisting that Wang Xian beat her to punish her for wronging a good person.

From Lin Qing'er, she also learned that her second brother firmly believed that her sister-in-law was still alive and cleverly devised a plan to dig out Zhaozhi from the He family... So, according to Lin Qing'er, all the credit went to Wang Xian. But it was understandable because she didn't know about the letter from Wang's father.

Regardless, Yiling's perception of her second brother had completely changed. From looking down on him, she now looked up to him with admiration, even a bit of worship. Her eyes sparkled whenever she looked at Wang Xian...

There was just one thing: she often held a door bolt, measuring it against her head, wondering if a blow to the head would also make her smarter.

"Ah..." She was hesitating whether to take the plunge when she suddenly heard her second brother sigh. She quickly threw the door bolt and hopped to the west room, earnestly saying, "Second brother, are you thirsty? Or are you bored? Let me sing a little song for you?"

"Cough, cough..." Wang Xian was sweating and said with a bitter smile, "Yiling, your change is so big, I'm not used to it."

"Before, I was a naughty sister, making you suffer," Yiling's big eyes blinked. "Let me be good to you, or I'll feel guilty."

"You're making me feel awkward." Wang Xian buried his head on the table and said helplessly, "Go out, I need some peace."

"Yes, sir." Yiling quickly left. As soon as Wang Xian looked up, he saw her peeking in. Their eyes met, and Yiling squinted and smiled, "One last thing, what do you want for lunch?"

"Is there a choice?" Wang Xian rolled his eyes. The family ate rough rice and vegetable soup three times a day, and he no longer had any special treatment, making his stomach feel empty.

"Of course, you can choose whether the rice is more watery or drier..." Yiling said earnestly.

"Out!" Wang Xian threw his book to the door, and Yiling finally disappeared, leaving a series of clear sounds, "Then neither too watery nor too dry..."

What a noisy sister! Wang Xian shook his head and smiled bitterly, leaned on the table to stand up, slowly walked to the door, bent down to pick up the book, and immediately felt a headache.

Actually, the poor Yiling had hit a nerve. Wang Xian was just feeling frustrated. The reason for his frustration was the book in his hand, "The Analects of Confucius," which he had asked Lin Qing'er for.

After the excitement of finding Zhaozhi, Wang Xian felt lost. As someone used to a fast-paced, goal-oriented life, he couldn't stand a purposeless, idle existence.

Previously, all his attention was on clearing his father's name. Now that Zhaozhi had been found, the case was settled, and Wang Xian didn't know what to do next...

What should he do next? Studying was the best option. Although he was a bit old, he could still study for ten years, combining work and study, and become a scholar, which would be excellent.

Wang Xian had already begun to understand what a hierarchical society meant. The Ming Dynasty was a pyramid with each level. The higher you stood, the more privileges you enjoyed. The higher you went, the more your status and privileges increased. Those at the lower levels were trampled by those above, and this was considered natural and justified.

Wang Xian didn't want to oppress anyone, but he didn't want to be trampled either. His family had struggled from the lowest level of criminals to restore their status as commoners. Although commoners were still trampled, at least they had the opportunity to pursue higher levels!

From a peasant to a scholar, and then to a high official. Thank you, Emperor Yang of Sui, for opening a path for the children of commoners. The way to achieve this was through studying and taking the imperial exams!

Although military officers had higher status than civil officials during the Yongle period, joining the military was a privilege of the military households. Even if he wanted to "recover fifty states," he wouldn't have the chance to "carry a Wu hook." What could he do?

For the children of commoners, the imperial exams were the supreme golden path. And Wang Xian knew that the status of scholars would continue to rise, and in a few decades, they might even surpass military officers!

With this path, Wang Xian naturally considered studying first. According to his thinking, although Wang Er was uneducated, he had read books for over ten years in his previous life. Even if it wasn't the same, starting from scratch wouldn't be too difficult.

So he enthusiastically got a copy of "The Analects of Confucius" and prepared to start his studies, aiming for a grand comeback.

But as he read... Uh, the book was wet in one area. Hmm, did I fall asleep? I only read a few pages? No, no, I must continue. "Confucius said: I did not try, so I did not succeed." Uh, what does this mean? "Confucius said, I did not try?" Is this a romance novel?

Finally, he remembered that he only scored 105 points in Chinese on his college entrance exam... What was the full score? 150 points, I think.

This... basically, it's very difficult...

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