Learning to Be 'Bad'

Instead of directly demanding the release of her person or tearfully complaining about the injustice, Luo Zhao first stood upon the moral high ground of official duty and the imperial will, questioning the Cabinet's dereliction of duty and the Ministry of Personnel's overstepping of authority.

This move was far more brilliant than simply demanding someone's release.

Cui Shifan's face quickly shifted to a solemn and serious expression. He bowed and said, "Your Highness is absolutely right!"

"The Qingli Bureau's actions this time were indeed too sudden. They did not communicate with the Cabinet in advance, which is certainly debatable in terms of procedure."

"The Cabinet has already sent a formal letter of inquiry to the Ministry of Personnel in the first instance, demanding that they immediately submit the relevant evidence, legal basis, and complete case files for the arrest."

"We have also strictly ordered that if there is no conclusive, legal, and substantial evidence, he must be released immediately so as not to delay the trial of a major court case!"

This statement made it sound entirely as though he were standing on the side of justice, supporting the Crown Princess, and opposing the Ministry of Personnel's reckless actions.

But immediately after, changing the subject, Cui Shifan hesitated and said:

"However, Your Highness..."

Cui Shifan looked up, meeting Luo Zhao's gaze with sincere eyes. "If the Ministry of Personnel can truly produce conclusive evidence to prove that there are indeed major discrepancies in Gu Chengyin's background files, or even suspicion of colluding with the enemy."

"Then according to the laws of the imperial court, it would indeed be inappropriate for him to continue leading the investigation."

"At that time, the Cabinet will have to consider replacing the chief investigating officer and retrying the Xiao Bichang case and related matters."

These words were watertight and high-sounding.

The core meaning was: business is business, follow the law and regulations.

If the Ministry of Personnel has no evidence, our Cabinet will help you pressure them to release him.

But if the Ministry of Personnel really has evidence, then sorry, not only will Gu Chengyin be unable to investigate the case anymore, but he will not even be able to protect himself.

The Cabinet would also have to consider changing the personnel and restarting the investigation to demonstrate fairness.

This was practically holding the banner of neutrality and procedural justice high, absolving himself completely.

At the same time, it faintly sent a signal: Cui Shifan, at least on the surface, would not openly defy the laws of the imperial court for Gu Chengyin in this matter.

If Gu Chengyin was truly proven to have problems, then when it came time to cut ties, he would not hesitate.

Luo Zhao narrowed her eyes.

But since she had come, she never intended to let Cui Shifan stay out of it.

Gu Chengyin had gone to such great lengths to pull him onto their boat, not to let him jump ship at the critical moment.

Her gaze swept over Hu Juzheng and Yuan Zhengqing on the side, who seemed to have heard nothing.

Suddenly, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

"Elder Cui makes a lot of sense."

Luo Zhao's tone softened a bit, carrying a hint of agreement:

"The Ministry of Personnel is an important department of the imperial court, in charge of the selection and assessment of officials, and naturally has its own powers and responsibilities."

"If they act impartially, follow legal procedures, and reasonably, compliantly, and legally verify the files of officials."

"Even if the investigation reaches my Junior Preceptor, I have nothing to say."

Luo Zhao leaned forward slightly, her gaze like lightning, emphasizing every word:

"The laws of the Great Luo are sacred and inviolable."

"As the Crown Princess, I should lead by example, strictly abide by the laws of the state, and maintain the discipline of the imperial court!"

These words were spoken with great righteousness, raising the tone of law-abiding to the highest level.

Cui Shifan was surprised in his heart, not knowing what Luo Zhao was up to.

"However."

Luo Zhao changed the subject and said coldly:

"If someone is fishing in troubled waters, using the name of verification to carry out framing and persecution."

"Or during the interrogation process, using illegal torture to extort a confession, attempting to confirm charges through illegal means!"

Luo Zhao's voice suddenly rose, carrying unquestionable majesty and chilling killing intent:

"Then do not blame me..."

She paused, her gaze like a knife, scraping past the faces of the three Cabinet Elders, and finally fixing on the long rosewood table that symbolized the authority of the Cabinet:

"For not leaving any face for the Cabinet."

These words could not be clearer.

Since your Ministry of Personnel arrested the person according to procedural rules, fine, I accept it.

I will not entangle over whether the arrest itself is reasonable; I will talk to you about procedural justice.

The subsequent interrogation must be one hundred percent legal and compliant.

As long as there is the slightest deviation or a tiny sign of abuse of power found.

Then I will no longer talk to you about procedural rules, and I will directly smash the place.

Moreover, it will not just be a small Qingli Bureau of the Ministry of Personnel that is smashed, but the entire Cabinet.

Among all the Cabinet Elders present, not a single one can stay out of it.

Because you are in charge of government affairs; your poor coordination and dereliction of supervision.

Led to the abuse of the imperial court's laws and the illegal persecution of the Crown Princess's close minister!

This was a naked threat and a transaction with the cards laid on the table.

I accept your reason for arresting the person as official business, but you must also ensure that the subsequent official business can withstand inspection.

Cui Shifan sighed silently in his heart.

He could feel that the Luo Zhao in front of him was already very different from the Crown Princess who, although proud, often suffered setbacks in the court's political struggles.

She had begun to know how to use explicit rules to package her demands, using the banner of legal principles raised by the other party to counter them, rather than clashing head-on with anger and status.

These methods... no matter how you look at it, held Gu Chengyin's shadow.

Sure enough, he who lies down with dogs must rise up with fleas. After associating with that kid for so long, Her Highness has also learned to be 'bad'.

He turned his head and quickly exchanged a glance with Hu Juzheng and Yuan Zhengqing beside him.

Hu Juzheng was expressionless and nodded slightly.

Yuan Zhengqing's eyes were deep, and he also nodded gently.

The three instantly reached a tacit understanding.

Cui Shifan turned back to face Luo Zhao, bowed and cupped his hands, his tone becoming more solemn:

"Your Highness's sincere heart to protect the law fills us ministers with admiration!"

"Please rest assured, Your Highness. The various departments of the imperial court have always enforced the law impartially, and there is absolutely no reason to abuse illegal torture!"

"Although the Qingli Bureau's actions this time are suspected of being hasty, since the investigation procedure has been initiated."

"The Cabinet will naturally fulfill its responsibility of supervision and coordination to ensure that the entire process is legal and compliant, and can withstand inspection by all parties."

He paused and threw out a proposal:

"Given that this matter involves a close minister of the Crown Princess, and it is at a sensitive moment when the conclusion of the major Xiao Bichang case is undecided, to demonstrate the court's fairness and dispel the doubts of all parties."

"I propose: immediately dispatch special envoys from four departments the Cabinet, the Censorate, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Justice to form a joint supervision group."

"To be stationed at the Qingli Bureau of the Ministry of Personnel, to conduct full case supervision over the investigation and interrogation process of Gu Chengyin's case!"

"To ensure that the entire process is legal, compliant, transparent, public, and recorded, ready for inspection by Your Highness and the imperial court at any time!"

Regarding the proposal put forward by Cui Shifan, Luo Zhao nodded faintly:

"This is very good."

Before her voice had completely faded, she immediately added, "In addition to these four departments, the Imperial Household Department and the Golden Feather Guards must also be involved."

The Imperial Household Department? The Golden Feather Guards?

Cui Shifan's expression instantly froze.

It was not surprising to request the involvement of the Imperial Household Department.

But the Golden Feather Guards?

The Golden Feather Guards usually did not participate in the affairs of the outer court, let alone intervene in the specific case investigation of a certain department.

Luo Zhao's request for the Golden Feather Guards to intervene at this moment had a symbolic meaning and deterrent power far exceeding any actual supervisory role.