Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 172

Gu Zongming’s visit late at night was something that Magistrate Zhao wouldn’t dare refuse, even if he had a hundred reasons to.

Quickly hiding the case file, Magistrate Zhao threw on an outer robe and hurried to his study.

The cold wind of the night was biting, waking him up and making him shiver. The words on the file formed pictures in his mind, playing over and over.

Gu Zongming must be here to settle accounts.

Worried and with a heavy heart, Magistrate Zhao entered the study and was met with Gu Zongming’s anxious face. He hurriedly saluted, “What urgent matter brings Lord Gu here so late?”

Gu Zongming was momentarily stunned.

He had expected that, given Magistrate Zhao’s fiery temper during the day, the moment he saw him, he would start shouting.

But there were no shouts, only a salute?

Nervously, Gu Zongming tried to gauge Magistrate Zhao’s intentions and cautiously said, “It’s about the case from today. I truly had no idea that He Yujiao was secretly harboring people from Zhao Kingdom. If I had known, I wouldn’t have pleaded for her.”

Watching Magistrate Zhao’s reaction, Gu Zongming smiled bitterly.

“After returning from the office, I was restless, afraid that Lord Zhao might misunderstand something. I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, so I came here.”

Magistrate Zhao was stunned.

Gu Zongming, the Minister of War, was someone even the Emperor feared. When Gu Yunhe’s case in Qinshui County caused such a stir, it hadn’t affected Gu Zongming at all, showing how formidable he was.

Usually, this person never even looked him in the eye when speaking.

Tonight, had he taken the wrong medicine?

Magistrate Zhao was puzzled. Though he didn’t understand why Gu Zongming wasn’t here to reprimand him but instead said such things, feeling guilty, he still replied respectfully, “Lord Gu, you worry too much. What happened during the day was also my fault. No matter what, He Yujiao is a national hero. How could I publicly punish her? At that time, I was impulsive because I was misled by the people from Qiao Family Inn.”

Gu Zongming: ?!

What do you mean?

Staring at Magistrate Zhao, Gu Zongming couldn’t figure out what game he was playing from his genuinely regretful face.

During the day, he had been so upright and unyielding, but now he seemed like a completely different person.

However, the current him was indeed the one he knew.

A scoundrel who grew up in the capital, a cowardly official who avoided any cases involving the capital’s nobles, only handling cases involving common people.

Realizing this, Gu Zongming responded with a slightly aggressive tone, “Indeed, Lord Zhao was too harsh during the day.”

Already feeling guilty, Magistrate Zhao’s face turned pale upon hearing this, and in the unheated study, sweat appeared on his forehead, “It was my recklessness.”

Seeing his reaction, Gu Zongming, convinced he wasn’t pretending, asked, “After He Yujiao was arrested and imprisoned, the Three Judicial Offices interrogated her. What did they find out?”

Gu Zongming already knew about the part involving Princess Zhao Yue, but Magistrate Zhao, nervously, still spoke about this part.

Gu Zongming then asked, “Is there nothing else besides the matter involving Princess Zhao Yue?”

Feeling guilty made Magistrate Zhao sensitive, and he immediately caught the hidden meaning in Gu Zongming’s words, “No, aside from that, it’s just her seizing the orders and goods from Qiao Family Inn. Nothing else. Regarding the Three Judicial Offices’ interrogation…”

Thinking about the case file, Magistrate Zhao remembered that he had somehow been placed above the Minister of Justice and the Chief Justice as the lead interrogator!

His legs trembled, his teeth chattered, and Magistrate Zhao stammered, “I don’t have much say in the Three Judicial Offices’ interrogation.”

Gu Zongming raised an eyebrow, “Not much say?”

Magistrate Zhao smiled bitterly, “Though I am the lead interrogator, as you know, the other three officials have higher ranks than me. I am just a figurehead. Besides, the Crown Princess and the Sixth Princess are also involved in the case, so I have even less authority.”

The meaning was clear: if you want to influence the case, you won’t find a way through me—I don’t have that much power.

Gu Zongming eyed him suspiciously, “As far as I know, you were appointed as the lead interrogator by His Majesty,” pausing strategically, Gu Zongming added, “I don’t want to make things difficult for Lord Zhao, but we have been colleagues for many years. If the case involves me, I hope you can inform me in advance.”

Saying this, Gu Zongming took out a leather envelope from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

“I won’t let Lord Zhao suffer.”

Magistrate Zhao instantly felt a chill down his spine, “No, no, Lord Gu, you are too kind. I can’t accept this. If there’s anything, I will inform you, but I can’t take the gift.”

Gu Zongming patted Magistrate Zhao on the shoulder, interrupting his refusal, “Currently, there is an open spot in the top class of the Imperial Academy. I’ve heard your son is diligent in his studies but hasn’t had the opportunity. I happen to have some influence with the head teacher of the top class. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for your son to join.”

Magistrate Zhao froze on the spot.

His biggest worry was his useless son.

A lazy scoundrel, unwilling to study or work, just wasting time. He never got the opportunities needed.

If he could join the top class at the Imperial Academy, at least he could eventually become a scholar.

Perhaps he could even secure a local official post through donations.

Magistrate Zhao was tempted.

Gu Zongming knew Magistrate Zhao was tempted, which reassured him, “I won’t disturb you any further. No need to see me off; I’ll leave through the back door.”

As soon as Gu Zongming left, Magistrate Zhao collapsed into a chair in the study, his face pale.

After a long while, he finally picked up the leather envelope Gu Zongming had left on the table.

It was thick, and inside were not silver notes, but property deeds.

One was for a shop on Drum Tower Street, which Magistrate Zhao knew to be a very profitable business.

Another was for an estate in Shanxi. Magistrate Zhao couldn’t tell its quality just from the deed, but it seemed large.

The third was for a private residence in Jiangnan.

Magistrate Zhao had always thought about moving to Jiangnan after retirement and finding a job for his son there, far from the capital, where his son’s incompetence wouldn’t cause too much trouble.

But houses in Jiangnan were expensive, and his salary wasn’t enough to buy one.

As for his corruption over the years, he hadn’t embezzled much due to his cautious nature.

Gu Zongming’s three gifts were enough to ensure his comfort after retirement, not to mention the top class spot at the Imperial Academy.

Holding the envelope, Magistrate Zhao let out a long breath, made his decision, and left the study.

Meanwhile, at Gu Zongming’s residence, Huang Bangyuan was anxiously awaiting news. Hearing movement in the courtyard, he rushed out, “Lord Gu, how did it go?”

Gu Zongming looked calm and told Huang Bangyuan, “You can sleep well tonight. Magistrate Zhao accepted the gifts.”

Accepting the gifts was a good sign!

Accepting the gifts meant Magistrate Zhao would work for them.