Chapter Twenty-Four: Joining the Court of Judicial Review

"Have you made up your mind?"

In the main hall of the Prime Minister's residence, Su Ming asked Li Yunjie with an expressionless face.

"I have!" Li Yunjie replied firmly, "I will join the Court of Justice!"

"I want to be a detective... No, a judicial investigator!"

The judicial investigator—known as a scout—was the position responsible for investigations and cases at the Court of Justice.

Li Yunjie had pondered for three days and nights before finally making this decision.

As a police academy graduate, Li Yunjie's greatest dream was to join the criminal investigation team.

Yet before he could shine in his chosen profession, he found himself inexplicably transported to this world.

To become a judicial investigator at the Court of Justice was, in a way, fulfilling the wish he’d carried from his previous life.

But more importantly, Zhou Jingzhi’s death was orchestrated by Zhao Heng, and Zhao Heng still roamed free.

The murderer who killed the Imperial City Guard had not yet been brought to justice.

Wu Jin's contract killing, the secret agents from the northern frontier hiding in Drunken Moon Pavilion, the chaos in Northern Burial—what did it all mean?

These matters weighed heavily on Li Yunjie's mind.

To unravel the truth, Li Yunjie knew he must plunge deep into the tiger’s den.

"Very well," Su Ming smiled slightly, "then go to the Court of Justice."

...

On the tenth day of the third month, under a brilliant sun, Li Yunjie, thanks to Su Ming’s arrangements, quickly entered the Court of Justice.

His position was indeed that of a scout, but he was head scout—the Assistant Minister in charge of the Investigation Department.

According to Su Ming, Li Yunjie was the heir to a noble house and the Prime Minister's son-in-law.

Taking a minor investigative role would be beneath his station.

Moreover, because of his recent success in solving a major case, the Emperor had specially permitted the Court of Justice to create an additional Assistant Minister position.

Today was Li Yunjie's first day on the job.

"Assistant Minister Li," in the main hall of the Court of Justice, Xu Changfeng greeted him with kindly eyes, "Does the official robe fit you well?"

Li Yunjie nodded with satisfaction.

The black official robe was crisp and clean, lending him a vigorous air.

"This is Jiang Kui, Chief Inspector," Xu Changfeng introduced the man beside him, "He oversees all matters of the Investigation Department."

"From today onward, he is your subordinate."

"Your subordinate greets you, Assistant Minister Li!"

Jiang Kui, broad and burly, seemed quite sharp.

As soon as Xu Changfeng finished speaking, Jiang Kui knelt with a thud.

"Please, rise!" Li Yunjie hurried to help him up.

"From now on, we’re all brothers here—you’ll have to look after me!"

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Jiang Kui replied respectfully, "Assistant Minister, you overstate it."

"Your subordinate is willing to go through fire and water for you, without hesitation!"

He seemed honest and straightforward, with little scheming.

Li Yunjie's first impression of his subordinate was very favorable.

"Jiang Kui is loyal and strong, and I believe he will become your right-hand man," Xu Changfeng said with a smile. "Jiang Kui, help Assistant Minister Li get familiar with the rules of the Court of Justice."

With that, he took his leave from Li Yunjie.

"Not bad at all," Li Yunjie glanced around, quite pleased with his new post.

"Sir, please follow me to the Investigation Department."

Once Li Yunjie had satisfied his curiosity, Jiang Kui spoke slowly.

"Very well!"

The Investigation Department was located on the southern side of the Court of Justice, serving as the office for the judicial investigators.

Unlike clerks and registrars, who worked desk jobs, the investigators were responsible for criminal investigations and were the busiest group in the Court.

"Everyone, pause what you’re doing," Jiang Kui announced loudly, "This is Assistant Minister Li, Lord Li."

"From today, he’ll be in charge of the Investigation Department."

At these words, everyone froze.

Seventeen or eighteen pairs of eyes instantly fixed on Li Yunjie.

"Boss!" A square-faced man stepped forward, "What’s the meaning of this?!"

"You’re quitting?!"

As he spoke, he threw down the dossier in his hand, his demeanor suggesting, "If you quit, I quit!"

"Don’t talk nonsense!" Jiang Kui laughed helplessly, "I’m still your boss."

"Only, from now on, the affairs of our Investigation Department will no longer be reported to Lord Xu."

"They’ll be managed directly by Assistant Minister Li."

Qin Fang finally breathed a sigh of relief, putting on a standard professional smile.

"Greetings, Assistant Minister Li."

"You are truly a talented and capable young man!"

Li Yunjie chuckled, "You flatter me, brother!"

"Alright," Jiang Kui slapped Qin Fang’s shoulder with his large hand, "Everyone, back to work."

"I’ll take Lord Li on a tour."

With that, he led Li Yunjie to another building.

"What do you think, who is this Lord Li really?" Qin Fang asked, watching Li Yunjie’s retreating figure, his expression turning serious.

"Have you heard about the framing case at Taihu Academy recently?" A round-faced man with a bushy beard rested his elbow on Qin Fang’s shoulder.

"I’ve heard," Qin Fang shrugged off the elbow, "They say the case was solved in a day!"

"Indeed." The bearded man nodded, "But do you know who solved it?"

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Qin Fang shook his head.

"The heir of Northern Burial, the Prime Minister's son-in-law, Li Yunjie himself!" The bearded man said solemnly, "That’s our Assistant Minister Li, Lord Li."

Qin Fang’s eyes widened like bronze bells, "The heir?!"

This was quite at odds with the rumors he’d heard.

In Qin Fang’s mind, Li Yunjie was supposed to be an arrogant wastrel, notorious for harassing respectable women.

"Exactly!"

"Why would he come to the Court of Justice?"

Qin Fang couldn’t understand. Nobles like him, with wealth and honor beyond measure—why wade into the muddy waters of the Court?

"I don’t know," the bearded man shook his head, then continued, "But I’ve also heard..."

"During the tri-court trial, the heir went toe-to-toe with the Crown Prince and held his own!"

"He even arrested Zhou Jingzhi, a student of He, the Imperial Academy’s chief scholar under the Crown Prince."

"The Crown Prince was so infuriated he secluded himself for three days, never leaving the Eastern Palace!"

His tone was full of admiration.

"So it seems, this heir is truly formidable," Qin Fang murmured, "He even dared offend the Crown Prince."

Suddenly his expression darkened, "Offended the Crown Prince?!"

"Yes."

"That can’t be good..." Qin Fang frowned.

The bearded man noticed Qin Fang’s worry and smiled, "True, but Brother Qin Fang..."

"Don’t you feel that Assistant Minister Li and our boss have quite similar styles?"

Qin Fang thought carefully for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Indeed."

"They hate evil, and fear no power."

"In this, they're much alike."

"No wonder the boss is so happy today."

...

"Ah-choo!"

Just as he entered the document archive, Li Yunjie sneezed.

"Lord Li," Jiang Kui asked with concern, "Do you need another layer of clothing?"

Li Yunjie waved his hand, "No need, it’s just the draft blowing through."

He glanced at the dossiers arranged on the desk and asked curiously, "What are these?"

"These are cases from the past few days, not yet filed," Jiang Kui replied, stepping forward.

Li Yunjie bent down to examine them.

Among the scattered files, one instantly caught his attention.

Frowning, Li Yunjie picked it up.

"Zhou Jingzhi, native of Northern Burial!"

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