Chapter 151: Making a Complaint

Cheng Maoming smiled slightly. "I invite Vice Commissioner Zhao to share my burdens."

Zhao Helin cupped his hands, his response airtight. "This official is most willing."

Cheng Maoming's face darkened. "Vice Commissioner Zhao knows Yang Wu, don't you?"

Zhao Helin scanned the idle bystanders and said in a casual tone, "I do know someone named Yang Wu. Why do you ask?"

"Let's speak outside." Cheng Maoming walked toward the adjacent room with his hands behind his back.

Zhao Helin followed. "What does the Grand Commander wish to say?"

Cheng Maoming studied his expression, a mocking curl at the corner of his mouth. "Vice Commissioner Zhao is truly composed."

Zhao Helin remained expressionless. "This official does not understand the Grand Commander's meaning."

"You don't understand? I think you understand all too well!" Cheng Maoming sneered. "Cheng Shu was attacked this morning. The assailant has already confessed to being paid to do the job, and the one who provided the funds was none other than Yang Wu."

Zhao Helin found it amusing. "But what does that have to do with this official?"

Cheng Maoming took a step forward. "Vice Commissioner Zhao, you and I have worked together for many years. Why persist in being stubborn now?"

Zhao Helin spread his hands. "I truly do not understand the Grand Commander's meaning. I ask the Grand Commander to speak plainly."

"Then I shall speak plainly!" A cold light flashed in Cheng Maoming's eyes as he stared directly at Zhao Helin. "The two key prisoners who kidnapped Miss Lin died within the Jinlin Guard. The mole who killed them to silence them was you, and the mastermind who hired Yang Wu to commit the murder was also you, all because you feared Cheng Shu would remember the prisoners' identities!"

"Me?" Zhao Helin laughed. "Is the Grand Commander joking? As a Vice Commander of the Jinlin Guard, why would I go out of my way to trouble a young lady of a private household?"

Cheng Maoming stared him down. "That young lady is also the Consort of Prince Wei."

"But I have no reason to go against Prince Wei either. Furthermore, where is the evidence? Our Jinlin Guard often arrests people without evidence; surely the Grand Commander wouldn't apply such a style to his own people? You claim I instigated Yang Wu, but where is Yang Wu? Did Yang Wu say these words himself? If I am to bear this crime simply because I know Yang Wu, then the Grand Commander knows me as well—would you say the Grand Commander instigated me?"

*Clap, clap.* The sound of applause rang out.

"I only learned today that Vice Commissioner Zhao is such a smooth talker."

Zhao Helin smiled. "This official only learned today that the Grand Commander holds such prejudice against me."

"Hmph!" Cheng Maoming swept his sleeves and walked away.

This display of being overcome with rage pleased Zhao Helin, allowing his racing heart to settle.

It seemed now that Cheng Maoming was merely losing his temper in a war of words.

The Xuanwu Camp was located in the outskirts of the capital, so the Jinlin Guard responsible for the investigation returned by the afternoon.

Cheng Maoming met him privately.

"How is it?"

"Reporting to the Grand Commander, the identities of the two key prisoners have been uncovered. One is named Wang Hu, the other Zhang Shan. They belonged to the same squad, with Wang Hu as the squad leader. However, when we attempted to investigate further, we were obstructed by a superior—"

"Which superior?"

"Vice Commander Dou Qisheng."

Cheng Maoming's expression changed.

In the capital, if the surname "Dou" was mentioned, the first reaction was the imperial in-law Dou clan.

The former Empress was surnamed Dou; though she had passed away early, the Dou family's prestige had never waned. The Dou descendants were well-connected everywhere, and one who was doing quite well was the former Empress's younger brother, Dou Qisheng—the biological uncle of the Crown Prince.

The prospective Consort of Prince Wei had been kidnapped, and the kidnappers were subordinates of the Crown Prince's uncle. This matter was far too delicate.

Cheng Maoming knew the investigation could not proceed. He could not arrest and interrogate the Crown Prince's uncle.

Meanwhile, the Emperor was still waiting for results.

"That Yang Wu—has he been found?" Cheng Maoming asked another subordinate.

"We have found clues that he left the city; the pursuit is ongoing."

"Increase manpower! Do whatever it takes to find Yang Wu!"

The Xuanwu Camp could not be touched for the time being; he could only seek a breakthrough through Zhao Helin.

Cheng Maoming's display of being overcome with rage in front of Zhao Helin was intended to stabilize the other man. After two days of feeling relieved, however, the more Zhao Helin thought about it, the more suspicious it became.

Over the past two years, he had provoked Cheng Maoming's authority many times, and the man had always endured it. Why had he impulsively torn faces this time?

Could he be trying to paralyze him?

No, he had to strike first!

Zhao Helin reported the matter directly to Emperor Taian.

The Emperor loathed those who acted on their own initiative. Knowing that Cheng Maoming had concealed this news, he would surely be furious and might even allow Zhao Helin to temporarily take over his duties and handle the case.

Once the case was in his hands, the results would be whatever he wished them to be.

As expected, Emperor Taian's face darkened upon hearing the news, and he immediately summoned Cheng Maoming to the palace.

After hearing the eunuch's message, Cheng Maoming said politely, "Please allow me to give instructions to my subordinates, Eunuch."

The eunuch quietly weighed the heavy purse in his hand and reminded him, "Then the Grand Commander must hurry. It won't be good if His Majesty grows impatient."

Cheng Maoming whispered a few instructions to his confidant and followed the eunuch into the palace.

Passing through the common halls and pavilions and seeing familiar palace faces, Cheng Maoming clearly felt the oppressive atmosphere. Seeing the grim expression of Emperor Taian confirmed his suspicions.

He hurriedly bowed to the Emperor.

Emperor Taian fell silent for a moment before asking calmly, "Regarding the two prisoners who kidnapped Miss Lin, how did their interrogation go?"

Cheng Maoming knelt without hesitation, his voice trembling. "This official deserves death!"

"Oh?" Emperor Taian uttered a single, simple word.

Cheng Maoming kept his head low, appearing ashamed and self-reproachful. "The two prisoners died within the Jinlin Guard. It was all due to this official's failure in management!"

"Died?" Emperor Taian's voice rose slightly. "When did they die?"

Cheng Maoming buried his head even lower. "Four days ago."

"Four days ago? A fine 'four days ago' indeed!" Emperor Taian slapped the dragon desk. "If I hadn't asked today, how long did you plan to hide it?"

Cheng Maoming raised his head, his face full of terror. "This official would not dare to deceive Your Majesty. I had intended to come to the palace to report this to you today."

Emperor Taian naturally did not believe him and sneered, "Is that so? Was it not because I summoned you that you could no longer hide it?"

"Even if given the greatest courage in the world, I would not dare to deceive the Emperor! The reason I waited until today is because there is a mole in the Jinlin Guard. I feared that acting too soon would alert the enemy and break the trail..."

"A mole? Who is it?"

Cheng Maoming's lips moved, and he spoke word by word: "Jinlin Guard Vice Commander, Zhao Helin."

A sharp light flashed in Emperor Taian's eyes, and he laughed out of sheer anger.

One claimed the other was concealing information, while the other claimed the first was a mole. They truly were a fine pair of partners.

"Bring Zhao Helin here," Emperor Taian commanded the eunuch coldly.

He wanted to see for himself which of these two was loyal and which was treacherous.

Zhao Helin was still in the palace and soon arrived following the eunuch.

Emperor Taian did not bother with pleasantries and said flatly, "Zhao Helin, Cheng Maoming says that you arranged for those two prisoners to be killed. What do you have to say?"

Zhao Helin immediately knelt. "Cheng Maoming is slandering me! Your Majesty, please see through his lies!"

He took the initiative to mention his acquaintance with Yang Wu. "Your Majesty, simply because this official knows this person, Cheng Maoming has pinned the label of 'mole' on me. He clearly wants to use this opportunity to eliminate a subordinate with whom he has a mediocre relationship!"

Seeing Emperor Taian look his way, Cheng Maoming said calmly, "Yang Wu has been found."