Have You Written Your Will Today?
Chapter 69: Lovers in the world, where do they come from to eventually become destined partners?

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Lovers in the world, where do they come from to eventually become destined partners?

After venting her emotions, Shen Hua was lost in a daze for a moment. She sniffled, as if it took all her strength to utter each word.

Her voice was faint, as if a breeze could disperse it.

"After brother left, and Sister Xiao fell severely ill once, she originally wished to lead a monastic life henceforth. She no longer wanted... to marry."

Her love for brother was so deep.

Shen Hua dragged her heavy body to stand, letting the bedding fall to the ground, and slowly walked to the candlelight.

Under the flickering light, her face appeared even paler. The girl gave a desolate smile.

"There are lovers in the world, but who says they end up together? There are men with righteous appearance, and those who are heartless and unfaithful too. But my brother was foolish. Clearly, he later achieved his aspirations by becoming a scholar, a young talent rare in this world. Mama even had a Taoist schedule auspicious dates, just lacking a matchmaker to knock on the Xiao Family’s door."

Who would have thought, what Shen Family prepared to celebrate, ended up turning into a funeral feast.

The room was lit with charcoal fire, Shen Hua’s body was not covered in mink, the lady’s gentle demeanor and graceful figure standing out.

The room fell into a silent stillness, with only the crackling candle fire burning, infiltrating the heaviness.

Without any hesitation, she raised her hand, letting the light devour the paper that bore the address of the Wei Family.

Yicui softly exclaimed, "My lady."

Shen Hua’s eyes, however, were clear and bright: "The Wei Family is not a prominent noble family, it’s not hard to investigate. It just costs some silver."

She spoke lightly, yet firmly: "But I will not investigate."

Yicui was taken aback.

Shen Hua weakly continued: "If Sister Xiao is doing well, I will pray for her. If her days are not good, I won’t meddle simply out of sentiment. How would she manage then? My surname is Shen, hers is Xiao, what position do I have to help her? As Shen Zhi’s sister? If her husband’s family finds out, her situation would be even more difficult."

She spoke slowly, yet it was a thoughtful deliberation.

"Even if the back house is filled with concubines, Sister Xiao is the principal wife, registered in the family records. The concubines must respectfully greet her and serve her tea. If she is wise, why should she keep pining for a deceased man?"

A lifetime is too long, it’s unnecessary to linger in the past with her; one should look forward.

"She is good-looking and behaves elegantly, such a girl, as long as Wei Family’s eldest son is not blind, wouldn’t mistreat her."

This matter, she must consider Xiao Sesu. After all, Xiao Sesu is now a wife of the Wei Family.

How can she be appeased?

How many things in the world happen as one wishes?

She couldn’t afford to keep hitting this southern wall, just for the sake of relief.

Shen Hua pretended to be light-hearted: "Go fetch the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone."

She had to reply to Zheng Qianyu’s letter.

Estimating about 15 minutes, Shen Hua approached the writing desk. The incense burner was lit, with curling smoke and a subtle fragrance wafting.

Yicui ground the ink while Shen Hua spread out the Xuan paper.

Shen Hua wrote in elegant, compact script, delicate and clear.

First, she advised Zheng Qianyu not to bother about Xiao Sesu anymore.

Then, she extended a rare greeting to Zheng Qianyu’s sister-in-law, and casually mentioned, the rice sold to Shen Qu and the second wife could be priced 10% higher.

Followed by, an unsparing mockery.

— You might as well hire a beggar from the streets; he might write better than you.

— Upon seeing my reply, do you not feel ashamed?

— I advise you to find a handwriting copybook, practice well. It’s fine writing to me, but if you ever write to a man you fancy, you’ll never marry in this lifetime, just keep selling rice for the Zheng Family.

As harsh as that.

Lastly, she mentioned something about the customs and culture of Shengjing.

Upon finishing the writing, she paused slightly to decide whether to leave a phrase at the end.

— Stay healthy, no need to worry.

————

Ministry of Justice

The prison was dimly lit, with only a few weak lamps on the walls. An official dragged a stiff, smelly corpse past Cui Yun, respectfully calling out, "Sir."

Cui Yun nodded slightly, his eyes fixed forward as he headed inside, eventually entering the interrogation room.

Jiang Zhao looked worried. Hearing the movement, he looked up to see who it was and hurriedly stood up.

He was old enough to be Cui Yun’s father and usually kept a stern face, but it was only in front of Cui Yun that he could smile as bright as a chrysanthemum.

This showed his genuine respect and joy towards the young Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

"I was just about to report to you that the Minister of the Ministry of Justice personally delivered the case file of Zhong Chu at noon. You were not around, and I pondered over the intention, thinking that as long as our Ministry of Justice turns a blind eye, the Imperial Examination Hall won’t cling on to it either."

Cui Yun slightly lifted his eyelids, a hint of sarcasm tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Zhong Chu, a subordinate of the Crown Prince, filled his pockets unlawfully. Guilty of corruption and bribery.

The case should have been handled by the governor, who did not dare to offend the Crown Prince, smoothly transferred it to the Ministry of Justice.

And the Ministry of Justice, bending its spine, was keen to curry favor with the Eastern Palace.

Cui Yun, cool and detached, stated, "The crimes Zhong Chu committed, according to the laws, warrant execution. How can there be partiality?"

"The Crown Prince attempts to cover the sky with one hand, but the Ministry of Justice follows the Emperor’s decree."

"The Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Justice, and the Imperial Examination Hall stand together, solely to check the officials and clarify grievances. Even if the Crown Prince finds a scapegoat, how can we release a criminal without proof of innocence? Zhong Chu’s case requires a thorough re-examination."

His attitude was clear; rigid yet strictly adhering to the rules.

The previous Minister of the Ministry of Justice, though the one who promoted Jiang Zhao, could not deny that his ways could also be biased.

The path through officialdom is murky and dirty, who can remain unsoiled?

Since his appointment, Cui Yun has been true to his conscience, but how long can he hold on?

Jiang Zhao didn’t know, but at least at this moment, working on cases under Cui Yun, there was no need for pretense. Even those of higher rank who tried to intimidate him into botching cases found Cui Yun shielding him.

All he had to do was resolve the cases! Expose all the ugliness.

Cui Yun stated his purpose, "Zhong Chu’s matter is not urgent. Let it sit for a while."

The one anxious about this would only be Crown Prince Ji Zhui.

His expression calm, his words, however, made Jiang Zhao shudder.

"The daughter of the Minister of Ministry of Industry, Yingying, has gone missing, and the drug ’Buhuo’ was found in her room."

Jiang Zhao gasped, "Not Buhuo again!"

It’s no wonder he reacted so.

Buhuo had surfaced in the palace over a decade ago, and he was investigating it alongside the former Minister of the Ministry of Justice, thus aware of some palace secrets.

That investigation led nowhere; back then, countless officials were demoted in anger, and even the former Minister of the Ministry of Justice was reprimanded for incompetence by Emperor He in front of key officials.

Jiang Zhao could already imagine: "The Emperor must be furious."

Cui Yun nodded, "Indeed, thus the Emperor specifically ordered the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Justice to drop all else and focus on this investigation."

Jiang Zhao: "This subordinate understands."

After Cui Yun gave further instructions, Jiang Zhao reported several more cases, neither too big nor too small for the Ministry of Justice, but he didn’t stay long. After leaving the Ministry of Justice, just as he was about to return to his residence, he was blocked by Eunuch Peng who wore a deeply sly expression."

"Marquis Cui, the Crown Prince wants to see you. Please."

What he said was a demand, not a request.

Cui Yun remained calm.

If talking about composure, Ji Zhui certainly couldn’t compare to the Fourth Prince Ji Wang. So rash in his actions.

If talking about means, even less so.

It’s no wonder Emperor He favored the Fourth Prince more.