Chapter 129 - 102: Case Closed at Light Speed

Chapter 129: Chapter 102: Case Closed at Light Speed

"Young Master!"

A foolish-sounding voice rang out from behind Zeng Anmin. Soon enough, Dachun was seen jogging over. His running posture was incredibly strange. Tall and burly, he kept his arms clamped tightly to his sides, and his hips—wide enough to fit two people—twisted awkwardly with every step.

"Are you not going to the Imperial College today?" Dachun wasn’t flushed or panting when he arrived. He looked at Zeng Anmin with a foolish grin.

"No, there is an important case to handle today." Zeng Anmin turned his head to glance at Bai Ziqing.

At the moment, Bai Ziqing’s eyes were vacant; he looked heavily burdened by his thoughts.

"I’m going to help Ziqing with a case."

"Oh, then should I go to the Imperial College and request a leave for you?" Dachun asked, scratching his head as he looked at Zeng Anmin.

Zeng Anmin’s face filled with disbelief. His eyes went wide as his voice suddenly rose. "What do you mean, request a fee? What fee??"

Dachun’s eyes, brimming with ’wisdom’, grew even more bewildered. "Huh? I meant..."

"I’m helping my brother solve a case, and you want to request a fee? Am I such a materialistic person?!" Zeng Anmin looked at Dachun in bitter disappointment and took a deep breath. "Ziqing and I are as close as brothers! How can you measure that with money?"

"I didn’t..." Dachun was already stammering incoherently.

"Shut up! One more word, and the Young Master will execute the family law on you!" Zeng Anmin looked furious. He then turned his face to Bai Ziqing with an apologetic smile. "Please don’t mind him, Ziqing. This servant of mine comes from a merchant background, so it’s inevitable that he’s a bit materialistic. I’ll properly discipline him once we return home."

Bai Ziqing finally snapped out of his daze, his expression turning serious. "I indeed cannot let you accompany me for nothing, Quan Fu. How about this? Once this case is over, whether you manage to help me or not, the drinks are on me. You can pick any place in the Capital City, and I’ll cover all the expenses!"

"Ah! With our relationship, there’s no need for that!" Zeng Anmin put on a highly friendly display and stepped a little closer with a chuckle. "Let’s go. We’ll head to the Assistant Minister’s Mansion and see exactly what kind of monsters and ghosts are stirring up trouble."

"Alright." Bai Ziqing didn’t hesitate anymore. He mounted his horse, and the group of three headed into the streets.

Outside the Vice Minister’s Mansion.

As the sound of the horses faded, the residence of Lou Yingqi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, appeared before Zeng Anmin’s eyes.

"WHOA!"

He brought his cyan horse to a halt, dismounted, and looked at the mansion before him. At this moment, two Directors from the Imperial City Department stood guard on either side of the entrance, their gazes stern.

Bai Ziqing had now hidden the anxiety on his face, his gaze turning steady. After dismounting, he headed straight for the mansion. Zeng Anmin and Dachun followed closely behind him at a brisk pace.

"Director Bai." The two Directors saluted in unison.

"Mhm." Bai Ziqing nodded impassively and continued inside.

As they walked, Zeng Anmin deeply observed every corner of the courtyard. To him, every structure at a crime scene held the potential for clues. His eyes were like those of a falcon, meticulously hunting for any possible information.

"The crime scene is in the inner courtyard." Bai Ziqing naturally noticed Zeng Anmin’s actions. He took a deep breath and said, "The room of Lou Yingli’s son, Lou Tong, and the room of Lou Yingli’s primary wife are in the same courtyard.

"After the incident, doctors came over, as well as people from our Imperial City Department.

"Lou Tong was poisoned by snake venom and remains unconscious. I locked down the crime scene immediately.

"All the servants in the courtyard have been confined, and this has continued up to today."

"Mhm." Zeng Anmin nodded in gratification upon hearing this.

Bai Ziqing’s professionalism in knowing to secure the scene immediately after the incident would absolutely be of great help to his current investigation. Although it wasn’t a murder case yet, since Lou Yingqi was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, his son being poisoned would naturally be classified as a top-priority major case by the Imperial City Department. Attempting to murder the son of a Third Grade official in the Capital City was absolutely a severe crime.

"Anyone poisoned by the Cyan Viper will not survive past three days. However, since Lou Yingqi has worked diligently for His Majesty for so many years, His Majesty specially granted him a Life Pill from the palace treasury," Bai Ziqing explained the basic details of the case to Zeng Anmin as they walked. "But the Life Pill can only extend his life by seven days at most, which means..."

Bai Ziqing stopped speaking there.

"Which means Lou Tong won’t live past tomorrow," Zeng Anmin said, his eyes narrowing.

When they had first met, Bai Ziqing had already mentioned that the only antidote for the Cyan Viper’s venom was the snake’s gallbladder. But the Cyan Vipers had been completely eradicated during the Yin Wu demon-slaying war seven years ago. This meant... Lou Tong was beyond saving.

"Yes. The best outcome right now is to find the poisoner to give Assistant Minister Lou and His Majesty an explanation." Bai Ziqing sighed.

Zeng Anmin’s expression remained unchanged. He didn’t say anything more and simply followed Bai Ziqing toward the crime scene.

By now, the two had reached the entrance of the inner courtyard. Sure enough, a squad of Imperial City Department Directors stood guard at the gate. Everyone had a solemn expression, standing there meticulously. No one moved an inch.

"Tsk." Zeng Anmin raised an eyebrow.

Regardless of the Imperial City Department’s fierce reputation or their efficiency in solving cases, their attitude toward handling investigations alone was worthy of praise for being highly professional.

"Director." A young man with sword-like eyebrows bowed incredibly respectfully to Bai Ziqing.

"Mhm." Bai Ziqing nodded calmly and led Zeng Anmin into the courtyard.

Zeng Anmin didn’t speak, simply following Bai Ziqing into the yard. He cast a sweeping glance over the layout of the courtyard. The entire arrangement was quite similar to his own courtyard at the Minister’s Mansion.