Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 189

Gu Zongming had always believed that his illegitimate son was long dead. He had used this non-existent child to threaten Jiang Yi for most of her life, but he never imagined that now, Lu Tang was telling him that the child was not only alive but had reunited with Jiang Yi.

This felt so surreal!

He didn’t really care whether his illegitimate son was dead or alive. It didn’t matter to him at all. But regardless of his indifference, the shock he felt was genuine and profound.

Despite having a metaphorical iron pill in his stomach from the King of Hell’s Hall, he couldn’t help but roar, “You’re lying! It’s impossible! He can’t still be alive.”

Lu Tang grinned, “Believe what you want. Let’s talk about the dams now. Tell us, which dams have problems?”

An hour later, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Punishments, and the Minister of the Judicial Review received a perfect confession.

Looking at the solid confession in front of them, the three officials exchanged wide-eyed glances, utterly bewildered.

They had underestimated the power of excrement.

“Thank you for your hard work, Young Master Lu,” Magistrate Zhao said with deep respect as he collected the confession.

Lu Tang glanced at Gu Zongming and hesitated, “This case is the first major one in my life, and I find it quite significant. So, I have an unusual request. May I?”

Given that the case had been cracked thanks to Lu Tang’s unconventional interrogation methods, Magistrate Zhao was now thoroughly convinced of her abilities. He couldn’t refuse and immediately replied, “Please speak, Young Master Lu.”

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Lu Tang said, “It’s just that… could you give Gu Zongming a dose of medicine to induce diarrhea and then give me that hard iron pellet?”

Magistrate Zhao’s eyes slowly widened in visible astonishment, and finally, a muscle twitched on his face.

“What?”

The officials behind him were also dumbfounded.

Young Master Lu wanted what? Gu Zongming’s excrement?

In their widened eyes, Lu Tang saw four words: “This person is perverse.”

But to retrieve the iron pellet, she had to persist in her persona. “I like collecting things of great significance. This… although disgusting, was crucial to cracking the case. So, if it’s convenient for you and doesn’t affect the archiving of evidence, could you give it to me?”

Suppressing a wave of nausea, Magistrate Zhao took a deep breath and weakly replied, “Very well, please wait a moment, Young Master Lu.”

He then turned and briskly walked out, fearing he might vomit if he slowed down.

Fifteen minutes later, Lu Tang left the prison holding a bowl brought by Magistrate Zhao, holding her breath. As soon as she stepped out, she called for a bucket of water. The officer, thinking she wanted to wash her hands, thoughtfully brought soap as well.

Lu Tang found an excuse to send the officer away, poured the soap into the bucket, and repeatedly rinsed the foul substance. It took a full bucket of water to finally dissipate the stench.

Even so, she held her breath as she tore off a piece of her robe, wrapped it around the iron pellet, and prepared to wash it thoroughly later.

Damn, it was too smelly.

But this thing was truly valuable. Not keeping it would be a waste.

When the confession was delivered to the Emperor, he was talking with Xie Yu. The former Imperial Censor, Zhuang Yu, stood nearby.

Zhuang Yu had left a deep impression on the Emperor, and even the parrot feared him.

Normally boastful, the parrot lay on the ground pretending to be dead under Zhuang Yu’s indifferent gaze.

Xie Yu, on the other hand, was so nervous his hands were shaking.

Seeing Xie Yu’s trembling hands, the Emperor took a deep breath. Why are you shaking? Shouldn’t I be the one feeling nervous?

Clearing his throat to hide his fear, the Emperor said to Xie Yu, “Zhuang Yu has spoken to me about your matter, and Qin Mo has mentioned it several times. I trust in your talent for water management.”

This was Xie Yu’s first time in the palace, his first time meeting the Emperor. He stammered, “Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I have completed the revision of the Liyang Dam. If Your Majesty trusts me, I can depart for the dam immediately.”

Pausing slightly, Xie Yu gathered all his courage. “Additionally, I have a personal request. I hope Your Majesty will allow my mother to join the repair project.”

After speaking, cold sweat dripped from his fingertips as he didn’t dare to look up.

The Emperor was taken aback.

Wasn’t it said that Xie Yu’s parents treated him poorly? Why would he mention his mother now?

Just as he hesitated to ask for the reason, an attendant announced that Magistrate Zhao requested an audience.

Since the case of He Yujiao, Magistrate Zhao had been like a different person, tirelessly working on cases day and night.

His diligence and enthusiasm were so extreme that the Imperial Censor had petitioned the Emperor to allow the Magistrate to relax a bit. Otherwise, his relentless efforts were giving other officials no room to breathe, and the resulting stress could be fatal.

The Emperor had mentioned to Magistrate Zhao to relax a bit, but the Magistrate seemed unable to rest until the case was resolved.

Now, his sudden request for an audience could only mean one thing: Gu Zongming had confessed.

“Quickly, let him in.”

Though Zhuang Yu often criticized the Emperor, he observed protocol more strictly than anyone. He immediately withdrew with Xie Yu to avoid suspicion.

As soon as they stepped out, the parrot on the ground took a deep breath, “Finally, they’re gone. I was suffocating.”

The Emperor had no time to joke with the parrot. As soon as Magistrate Zhao entered, he waived the formalities and asked, “Is there a result?”

Upon receiving the dossier, the Emperor noticed a faint scent reminiscent of a toilet.

Gu Zongming had confessed, which was good news. Now it was time to follow his confession and eliminate the private soldiers and repair the dams.

Qin Mo and the Sixth Princess Consort had already departed to deal with the private soldiers. Due to the urgency, Qin Mo had immediately taken the confession and left with Song Qingzhan.

Now, the Emperor needed to arrange the dam repairs.

He was grateful to have Xie Yu and even more grateful that Xie Yu had been brought to him.

He understood why Xie Yu had mentioned his mother, Jiang Yi, a talented woman oppressed by court officials for their gain.

The Emperor issued two decrees.

First, he appointed Xie Yu as the Special Commissioner for Water Management, giving him full authority over all water-related issues.

Second, he appointed Jiang Yi as the first female official since the founding of the dynasty, assigning her the task of reviewing and correcting all engineering plans from the past five years.

Additionally, the Emperor established the first Water Management School for Women. Any woman interested in this field would have her living expenses covered by the court while studying with Jiang Yi for five years. After five years, those who made progress would receive further assignments, and those who didn’t would return home.