After arriving at the yamen, Lin Ji walked into the main hall only to find it completely empty.
Questioning the yamen runners yielded no information.
With a hint of confusion, Lin Ji made his way to a side hall to wait there.
As he approached the study, he heard voices coming from inside.
"Is this all there is? Where is Lord Lin? Hasn't he arrived yet?" It was Lu Zhao'er's voice.
Frowning, Lin Ji pushed open the door to the study, only to be stunned.
Inside the study, Lu Zhao'er was holding the simplified documents that Lin Ji had reviewed just yesterday, with Zhou Ying cautiously responding across from her.
And to his surprise, Zhan Chengfeng was also present.
"Lord Zhan?" Lin Ji was increasingly puzzled.
"Lu Youxing wants to investigate the old cases in Liangzhou. I can't stop him, so I'm leaving it to you," Zhan Chengfeng patted Lin Ji's shoulder and made to leave.
Quickly following Zhan Chengfeng out of the study and closing the door behind them, Lin Ji asked, "What's going on, my lord?"
Zhan Chengfeng looked helpless. "That girl is full of energy, and Lu Youxing does have supervisory responsibilities, so I can't say much."
"It may be true, but in all these years, I've never seen Lu Youxing come down to do such menial tasks," Lin Ji couldn't understand. In his few years at the Celestial Supervisory Bureau, he had never seen Lu Youxing come down to investigate such trivial matters.
The jurisdiction of Lu Youxing was extensive, including the old cases in various regions of the Nine Provinces.
If they encountered one, they would investigate.
But why now?
"Since childhood, that girl has had this personality. Be more tolerant of her," Zhan Chengfeng softened his tone, a rare occurrence.
"My lord, who is she?" Lin Ji inquired.
"Her surname is Lu, she's from the capital," Zhan Chengfeng looked at Lin Ji with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
Lin Ji was unfamiliar with the capital, but then he thought of the Lu that Zhan Chengfeng mentioned.
"Marquis Zhen Guo, Lu Guangmu?"
"That's the one. So it's up to you now. Don't let that girl cause trouble in the capital," Zhan Chengfeng said before hastening his steps and disappearing.
Left with no choice, Lin Ji returned to the study.
Seeing a pile of new files on the desk, Lu Zhao'er was meticulously examining them. Lin Ji didn't want to disturb her but had nowhere else to go.
He could only brew a pot of tea, take a seat beside her, and quietly observe Lu Zhao'er.
This continued for the entire afternoon until Lin Ji's gaze began to wander, lost in thought.
Suddenly, Lu Zhao'er's voice brought him back.
"Lord Lin?"
Lin Ji raised his head, refocusing his gaze.
"Has Lu Youxing finished reviewing? There seem to be no old cases in Liangzhou for you to investigate."
"There may be none in the files, but that doesn't necessarily mean there are none in reality."
"The subordinates may want to conceal the truth. Even if you go, they won't speak a word of truth."
"Even so, should we still investigate?" Lin Ji continued.
"We should," Lu Zhao'er replied.
At this point, a smile crept onto Lu Zhao'er's face.
It was the first time Lin Ji had seen her smile, and it was unexpectedly charming, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Her beauty had been overshadowed by her white armor and perpetual cold expression, but Lu Zhao'er was naturally beautiful.
"Are you smiling because this is something you take pride in?" Lin Ji asked after a while.
Lu Zhao'er looked at him in surprise. "Can you guess?"
"I can," Lin Ji nodded.
"Many have advised me not to waste my efforts, but I have shared all the cases I've handled with others," Lu Zhao'er continued. "After sharing, I would question them, 'How is this a waste of effort?'"
"Exactly!" Lu Zhao'er was somewhat excited.
Lin Ji knew this was her passion.
Lu Zhao'er went on, "I also know that going from county to county to investigate, putting in so much effort, facing so many obstacles, may not yield results."
She looked at Lin Ji, her eyes shining.
"But if everyone finds it troublesome, if everyone refuses to do it, then who will take on this task?"
"Are we supposed to rely on the biennial demon hunts to control everything in the capital?"
"Or on those officials in the Ministry of Personnel, those idle lords who rise through the ranks by nepotism? Every year, the Ministry of Personnel's assessments are filled with those who have connections."
With that, Lu Zhao'er sat back down in the seat that originally belonged to Lin Ji.
"I can't stand it, so I've taken on the role of Lu Youxing."
Facing Lu Zhao'er's radiant gaze, Lin Ji breathed a sigh of relief.
He stood up, bowed slightly, and said, "Where should Lu Youxing start the investigation?"
Lu Zhao'er's lips curved into a smile.
"After visiting Lianghe County, you will come from Qingyang County. Start with Qingyang County."
"When do we depart?"
"Early tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow morning, I'll wait at the South Gate."
With a hint of a smile on his lips, Lin Ji left the study.
The moon was already rising outside.
The next morning, Lin Ji was waiting at the South Gate.
It didn't take long for Lu Zhao'er to appear on a white horse, leading a black horse.
"Still riding horses?" Lin Ji raised an eyebrow.
Before he cultivated, he couldn't go anywhere. After cultivating, he could go anywhere on foot.
He hadn't ridden a horse many times.
And horses get tired, but he rarely did when traveling.
At least his stamina was better than a horse's, and he was faster.
"Get on. As an official, you need to look the part," Lu Zhao'er said.
Lin Ji mounted the black horse, looking at Lu Zhao'er in confusion.
"When dealing with subordinates, you have to maintain your dignity and look stern."
Lin Ji chuckled.
"From experience?"
"Exactly."
(End of Chapter)