Chapter 571: Herbs Stolen

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Ministry of Justice.

Standing at the entrance of the Ministry of Justice, Chu Xujin looked up at the stern and imposing characters above the door, feeling a bit nervous. “Brother Jinghong, are the people in the Ministry of Justice easy to get along with?” Tang Jinghong patted Chu Xujin’s shoulder and comforted him, “Don’t worry, no one will make things difficult for you.”

Ge Lihua also said, “We are here to help. They shouldn’t reject people who come to assist.”

“Yeah.” Chu Xujin suddenly felt somewhat ashamed for being less courageous than a woman. Lihua was so open and confident; why was he feeling so nervous?

After giving himself a mental pep talk, he quickly caught up with Tang Jinghong’s steps.

Inside the room, Ren Buqing was engrossed in his work. A guard hurried in and saluted, “My lord, General Tang has arrived.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Buqing immediately stood up. “Please invite him in.”

“Yes.” The guard turned and left, with Ren Buqing following swiftly behind.

The two parties met in the corridor.

Ren Buqing greeted with a bow, “General Tang.”

“Vice Minister Ren, please, no need for formalities.” Tang Jinghong reached out to support Ren Buqing’s arm, helping him to stand.

Ren Buqing glanced at the three people and asked curiously, “General, you must have something important to discuss, coming here in person.”

Tang Jinghong politely said, “Sorry to trouble you.” He then introduced Chu Xujin and Ge Lihua, “They are constables from Shuiyun County, looking to learn from your experience. Would that be convenient?”

General Tang had personally sent those two over. Even if it was inconvenient, it had to be convenient. Ren Buqing smiled and said, “It’s convenient. I wonder what the two of them are good at?”

His question was meant for Tang Jinghong, inquiring how to arrange for the two newcomers.

Tang Jinghong gestured for Chu Xujin and Ge Lihua to speak for themselves.

Chu Xujin looked up to Ren Buqing with admiration and bowed, “1 am Chu Xujin, usually handling minor cases in Shuiyun County. Please provide me with your guidance, sir.”

Ren Buqing thought to himself that this meant that he wanted to work on the cases with him. “Then, when I’m working on the case, how about you follow me and work on the case with me?”

Chu Xujin was excited, “Yes, sir.”

Ge Lihua also bowed, “Greetings, sir. I am Ge Lihua, usually assisting Xujin in handling cases.”

Ren Buqing said, “Then, during the case, you two will follow me.”

Ge Lihua gratefully responded, “Thank you, sir.”

Tang Jinghong told the two, “You will accompany Buqing during this time.

When you return, treat him to a meal as a token of gratitude.”

Chu Xujin immediately agreed, “Understood, Brother Jinghong.”

“I won’t disturb you with your important work,” Tang Jinghong said, glancing at the three before leaving the Ministry of Justice.

“You two, come with me,” Ren Buqing said, leading them to his office.

Just as they reached the door, a guard came to report, “My lord, there has been a theft at the Imperial Hospital. Chief Physician requests your presence.” “Theft at the Imperial Hospital?!” Ren Buqing frowned. With such strict management in the Imperial Hospital, how could there be a theft?

The guard said, “Sir, the people from the Imperial Hospital are waiting at the entrance. You can ask them for details.”

Ren Buqing gestured to the two to follow him, and called for a few assistants to accompany them to the entrance of the Ministry of Justice.

The comer was a guard from the Imperial Hospital. Seeing Ren Buqing, he bowed and said, “Sir, the Imperial Hospital has lost a very important and valuable item. We request your assistance in locating it.”

Hearing this, Ren Buqing sensed the seriousness of the matter and after a moment’s thought said, “Let’s go to the Imperial Hospital and discuss further.”

On the streets, a junior physician from the Imperial Hospital stopped Chu Qingzhi, speaking hurriedly, “Miss Qingzhi, there has been a theft at the Imperial Hospital. Someone said it was Chu Qingning who did it.”

Everyone’s expression changed.

Chu Qingzhi’s face turned slightly solemn, “Let’s go to the Imperial Hospital.”

Li Qingyu grabbed Chu Qingzhi’s hand and said nervously, “We’ll go too.”

Chu Qingzhi, not wanting to alarm them, declined, “Mother, please continue shopping for sister’s wedding items. I will handle Fourth sister’s matters.”

Li Qingyu didn’t let go of Chu Qingzhi’s hand, “But I’m worried…”

Chu Qingzhi reassured her, “Mother, trust me, I can handle it.”

Li Qingyu didn’t insist further, knowing her daughter’s capabilities. If she couldn’t handle it, others would be even less likely, “Then be careful, and send someone to report back if anything happens.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded. “Okay.”

The Chu family watched as Chu Qingzhi left, feeling as if a heavy stone lay in their hearts.

Chu Qingyue said, “Father, Mother, why don’t we come back tomorrow to shop?”

Li Qingyu held Chu Qingyue’s hand, “Your marriage is also important and cannot be neglected. We will continue shopping. With your fifth sister handling your fourth sister’s matter, there shouldn’t be any issues.”

Chu Qingyue forced a smile, “Okay.”

Imperial Hospital.

Everyone gathered in the main hall; despite the crowd, it was eerily silent.

Chu Qingning, Yuan Hongjun, and Bao Linjiang stood in a corner.

Ren Buqing’s group and Chu Qingzhi arrived at the Imperial Hospital almost simultaneously.

Ren Buqing held great admiration for Chu Qingzhi. He greeted her with a respectful bow, “Miss Qingzhi, we meet again.”

Chu Qingzhi returned the greeting. “Sir, please clear my Fourth Sister’s name.”

Ren Buqing assured her, “Rest assured, Miss Qingzhi, 1 will do my utmost.”

Chu Xujin and Ge Lihua greeted Chu Qingzhi.

Chu Qingzhi whispered to them, “Be careful later, don’t fall into any traps. This matter seems minor, but it’s actually complicated.”

They both nodded to her, indicating they understood.

The group entered the main hall of the Imperial Hospital, breaking the quiet atmosphere.

Chu Qingning, Yuan Hongjun, and Bao Linjiang finally relaxed a little when they saw Chu Qingzhi.

Chu Qingzhi walked towards them.

Ren Buqing started the investigation procedure.

Chu Qingzhi came in front of the three of them. “Tell me what happened.”

Ren Buqing also inquired about the incident from Yuan Zheng.

The story unfolded as follows:

This afternoon, Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang, out of kindness, brought Chu Qingning to visit the Imperial Hospital. They visited every room, always accompanied by others, never alone.

However, just as they were about to leave, Yuan Zheng ordered the place to be sealed off. The reason was that a crucial medicinal herb, meant for the Empress Dowager’s medicine, had gone missing.

Since Chu Qingning was the only outsider who had visited the hospital today, she naturally became the prime suspect.

Amid the unresolved dispute, Yuan Zheng sent for Ren Buqing, striving to find the missing herb as soon as possible.

Chu Qingzhi and Ren Buqing asked at the same time, “Where are the herbs placed?”

Yuan Zheng instructed a junior physician to show them the place.

The herbs were stored in a special room for valuable and important medicinal materials, containing many medicine chests. The chests were locked, with locks on both layers.

There were two keys. One was with the chief, and the other with the deputy chief. Both were required to unlock the chests and access the contents.

The situation was peculiar today; there were no signs of the medicine chest locks being tampered with, yet the contents had vanished..

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