Chapter 76: I Have No Intention of Humiliating You

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Constable Yang, are you alright?” Zhou Shu asked with concern.

Although Yang Hong had ordered his men to torture him before, Zhou Shu didn’t actually hate him that much.

In essence, Yang Hong didn’t have any selfish motive. It was just for the sake of handling the case.

To a certain extent, Zhou Shu still had to thank him. For such a fair and impartial constable, people shouldn’t doubt the outcome of his investigation.

As long as Yang Hong concluded that he wasn’t the murderer, who else could say anything?

“I’m fine!” Yang Hong shouted and jumped up from the floor.

Before he could continue speaking, Eunuch Zhao said, “Oh right. Why is Superintendent Zhou in the Divine Constable Bureau? Did something happen?”

Plop!

Hearing this, Yang Hong, who had just jumped up, sat down on the floor again.

This time, before anyone could ask, he hurriedly got up.

“Misunderstanding, Eunuch Zhao. It’s all a misunderstanding.” Yang Hong explained, “A workshop superintendent was killed last night. Because Superintendent Zho worked with the murdered superintendent before, I asked him to come back to help with the investigation.”

Xiao Zongshui was no longer worthy of a name.

As for Zhen Cai, a dignified ninth-rank martial artist, he was actually not even worthy of mentioning here.

“Superintendent Zhou is suspected of murder?” Eunuch Zhao said seriously, “In that case, I will have to report this to His Majesty.”

Yang Hong jumped in fright, his entire body drenched in sweat. Is there a need to alarm His Majesty over such a small case?

If this really alarmed the emperor, regardless of anything else, he would definitely be deemed incompetent in handling this case.

“No, he is not a suspect!” Yang Hong hurriedly said. “We invited Superintendent Zhou back only because he knows the murdered superintendent. We want to know more about the deceased.

“Furthermore, Superintendent Zhou has an alibi for last night. He can’t be the murderer!” Yang Hong said firmly.

He was now certain that Zhu Chuanfeng had used him as a tool. Zhou Shu couldn’t possibly be the murderer. The second master of the Mi family was someone whom the emperor valued. How could someone with such status possibly kill a mere workshop superintendent and a follower?

Besides, he had an alibi.

Yang Hong didn’t even want to interrogate the woman from Lichun Courtyard anymore. Zhou Shu couldn’t possibly lie about something like this.

“That’s good.” Eunuch Zhao nodded. “His Majesty can rest assured since the Divine Constable Bureau is handling the case. I believe that you will definitely be able to find out the truth and not malign the innocent.”

Eunuch Zhao wasn’t interested in understanding the case. The death of a mere workshop superintendent wasn’t enough to arouse his interest.

If not for the coincidence today, he wouldn’t even ask.

“Your Highness, there are other matters in the palace. I will take my leave first.” Eunuch Zhao bowed respectfully to Yin Wuyou.

Yin Wuyou nodded.

As Eunuch Zhao walked out, he passed by Zhou Shu and chuckled. “Superintendent Zhou, I think very highly of you too. Work hard and do not let His Majesty down.”

With that, he left the Divine Constable Bureau with his followers.

It wasn’t until Eunuch Zhao left that Yang Hong let out a long sigh of relief. He was the person by the emperor’s side. If something went wrong, it would directly reach the Imperial Court. This pressure…

He forgot that Yin Wuyou was also someone who could reach the Imperial Court.

But in comparison, Yang Hong was more afraid of Eunuch Zhao.

“Yang Hong, what are you doing? Why have you not brought back the witness?” Yin Wuyou’s displeased voice sounded.

“Soon. Soon,” Yang Hong hurriedly replied. He signaled with his eyes for someone to rush over to hurry them.

Although he didn’t want to investigate anymore, since the princess didn’t want to give up, he decided to go through the motions.

Zhou Shu looked at Yin Wuyou strangely. Why is she being so serious?

Yin Wuyou didn’t even look at Zhou Shu. Her expression was as cold as ice as he said, “Zhou Shu, have you done what I asked you to do?”

“Done what?” Zhou Shu was confused.

“Hmph!” Yin Wuyou harrumphed coldly. “You have time to visit brothels, but you don’t have time to do proper business? Now that I’m here, if you still can’t hand over the poem, then you don’t have to hand it over anymore.”

Zhou Shu finally realized that the grand minister, the princess, was angry.

Is it that she doesn’t like her subordinates visiting brothels?

It makes sense. Which woman would like a man visiting a brothel? Perhaps only women from brothels like it…

But then again, is it really appropriate to mention the poem here?

Could it be that the grand minister is a cultured young woman?

Zhou Shu couldn’t figure it out no matter how hard he tried. This was truly a woman’s thoughts.

“Okay, let me think. Let me think.” Zhou Shu didn’t want to anger Yin Wuyou. After all, she was still the grand minister of the Forging Division.

He knew that he could no longer avoid it. He pretended to think for a moment before slowly saying, “If time could stop at the moment when we first met, what caused the sorrow of the painted fan in the autumn wind? Your heart changed in the blink of an eye, but you say it was bound to happen.

“Grand Minister, that’s all!” Zhou Shu said. “There’s really nothing more!”

“If time could stop at the moment when we first met, what caused the sorrow of the painted fan in the autumn wind? Your heart changed in the blink of an eye, but you say it was bound to happen.” Yin Wuyou didn’t pay any attention to Zhou Shu. She murmured to herself with an indescribable expression on her face, her eyes filled with splendor.

Then they heard a sigh outside the door.

“Your heart changed in the blink of an eye, but you say it was bound to happen.” A female voice sighed deeply. “This poem speaks the heart.”

Yin Wuyou looked at the door. “Who’s there?!”

“Greetings, everyone. I am Hongxiu from Lichun Courtyard.” A woman in red walked in from outside and bowed. “May I know why you have summoned me?”

Hongxiu’s gaze fell on Zhou Shu, and a hint of surprise flashed across her face. Then her cheeks flushed slightly, causing her already beautiful face to become even more radiant.

In this room, there was already a beautiful character. In terms of appearance, although Hongxiu was absolutely beautiful, she was far inferior to Yin Wuyou.

But her various charms weren’t something a young girl like Yin Wuyou could compare to.

Her arrival attracted Yang Hong’s and Mi Zhifu’s attention.

Yin Wuyou harrumphed coldly and then asked, “Let me ask you. Did Zhou Shu stay at Lichun Courtyard last night?”

Hongxiu looked at Yin Wuyou in surprise, and astonishment flashed in her eyes.

This woman is too beautiful.

Who is she? Why is she the one speaking in the Divine Constable Bureau?

But seeing that no one reacted, Hongxiu naturally knew what to do.

“Young Master, your name is Zhou Shu?” Hongxiu looked at Zhou Shu in surprise and said very frankly, “Young Master Zhou did stay in my room last night.”

Shameless! Yin Wuyou thought. How can a woman say such words so calmly?!

“I understand,” Yin Wuyou said. “Yang Hong, the matter is already clear. You can release him now.”

She stood up and walked out. While walking, she said without even turning her head, “Zhou Shu, within three months, I want to see the 0th Workshop produce results. If you only know how to frequent brothels and can’t do proper work, then you forget about being a superintendent!”

Yin Wuyou left without even looking back, not bothering to listen to Zhou Shu’s reply at all.

Zhou Shu shrugged. Am I not doing my work properly?

The 0th Workshop just produced the Spring Embroidered Saber.

But it’s fine. You just want to see the 0th Workshop develop new weapons, right?

I don’t need three months to show you the results.

Grand Minister, you’re underestimating me!

Zhou Shu looked at Hongxiu approvingly before looking at Yang Hong. “Constable Yang, can this prove that the murders have nothing to do with me now?”

He had actually been a little worried that she would say that she didn’t know. After all, she had actually been unconscious all last night.

He didn’t expect her to be so cooperative. This was an unexpected surprise.

What else could Yang Hong say?

“You have nothing to do with this indeed,” Yang Hong said. “Please.”

Right now, Yang Hong only wanted to send Zhou Shu out. If such a bigshot stayed here, who knew who else he would attract?

He really couldn’t take it anymore.

Zhou Shu shook his head and said, “There’s no hurry. Constable Yang, is Commander Ma here today? I’ve almost settled the matter we spoke about last time. I want to update him.”

Plop—

Yang Hong fell to the floor once more. If you really know our commander, you should have said so earlier!

You didn’t say it, so I thought you were bragging when you wanted to see him!

You’re merely a superintendent of a Forging Division workshop. What right do you have to speak to our commander? Just because you’re good-looking?

Yang Hong felt that life was meaningless.

…

In the end, Zhou Shu didn’t see Ma Fengzhang.

It wasn’t because he didn’t have the qualifications but because Ma Fengzhang wasn’t in the Divine Constable Bureau. He had gone out to handle some matters. As for where he went, it wasn’t something a mere constable like Yang Hong could know.

After leaving the Divine Constable Bureau, Zhou Shu was accompanied by two people—Mi Zhifu and Hongxiu, who hadn’t left yet for some reason.

Zhou Shu glanced at Hongxiu. “Miss Hongxiu, are you still not going back?”

“Young Master Zhou, are you chasing me away?” Women were all born actresses. Hongxiu looked pitiful when she said this.

Zhou Shu felt a headache coming on. Although he had stripped Hongxiu naked last night, he hadn’t taken advantage of her.

With her expression now, those who didn’t know would think that he was a heartless man.

Zhou Shu braced himself and said, “No, thank you for what you did today, Miss Hongxiu.”

Then his gaze shifted. He pulled Mi Zhifu aside and whispered, “Steward Mi, please lend me some money!”

Without hesitation, Mi Zhifu took out a banknote from his pocket. “Is this enough?”

“Yes!” Zhou Shu didn’t even look at it.

He held the banknote in his hand and walked to Hongxiu. “Thank you very much for today, Miss Hongxiu. This is a small gesture of my thanks. Please accept it.”

He handed over the banknote.

Hongxiu’s expression changed. “Young Master Zhou, do you think I’m not leaving because of money?

“In your eyes, is Hongxiu just a shameless woman greedy for money?”

A bitter expression appeared on her face. “It makes sense. I’m just a prostitute after all.

“Sorry to bother you. Goodbye.”

Hongxiu turned around and left. As she turned around, Zhou Shu saw two streams of tears flowing down her face.

“That’s not what I meant!” Zhou Shu was anxious and grabbed Hongxiu’s arm. “I don’t mean to look down on you! I just… Forget it. I don’t know what to say. Anyway, I don’t have any other intentions.. This banknote is just a simple thank you. I definitely have no intention of insulting you!”

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