RWNEFE -Chapter 215 Going to the Ministry of Justice to Get the Case Files

Before Shen Lanxi left, Cheng Zheng wrote her a neat note.

Once she returned to the city, she went straight to the Ministry of Justice.

The Wei Family Army case was being investigated jointly by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Personnel, so both offices should have case files.

Coincidentally, Che Mingyuan had sent a letter for her to hand to Wei Jie, the chief official at the Ministry of Justice.

She had already had someone check—Wei Jie would be on duty at the Ministry all day.

Wei Jie had been waiting for her ever since Shen Lanxi mentioned she would re-examine the Wei Family Army case.

He had expected her to come directly to him, but instead, she had gone to the Zhen Nan Prince’s mansion to claim her dowry.

What a remarkable woman!

Her thoughts were far beyond what an ordinary person could guess.

When Shen Lanxi saw Wei Jie, she first handed him Che Mingyuan’s letter. Once he finished reading it, she explained her purpose.

Wei Jie had initially maintained a formal, businesslike demeanor, but after reading the letter, his attitude changed.

“The Wei Family Army case files have long been prepared, just waiting for the general to arrive!”

After speaking, he subconsciously glanced toward the door.

Shen Lanxi said plainly: “Everything I do is under observation. Sir Wei, you may speak freely!”

Wei Jie understood—since this had the emperor’s authorization, there was no need for concern.

On the way to the archive room, Wei Jie explained the contents of the files to Shen Lanxi.

“The case files mostly show only surface-level information, largely matching what the public has heard. The only useful part is the records of the Wei Family Army’s grain and fund allocations.”

Wei Jie laid out all the documents and evidence in front of Shen Lanxi.

“These include all officials who handled the pay, including soldiers. Their activities over the past two years have been monitored by the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Personnel—nothing unusual has been observed.”

Shen Lanxi examined each file and asked, “Sir Wei, are all the files here?”

Wei Jie: “This is only a portion. Some remain at the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue. Since these are stamped official documents, each ministry must keep them as evidence. We at the Ministry of Justice cannot hold them all indefinitely.”

Shen Lanxi did not push further: “May I make copies of these documents?”

Wei Jie: “By all means, have them copied!”

She had several people with her, each with a copy, and in about fifteen minutes, all were transcribed.

“Sir Wei, I see there are no witness statements here. Did the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Personnel summon the escorts of the grain funds or interview people who came into contact with them along the route?”

Wei Jie glanced at her, recalling the instructions in the letter from her friend, and spoke truthfully:

“After the Shen family was exiled, there were droughts in the north, then uprisings, followed by unrest in the northwest, and then winter snow disasters coupled with the rebellion of the opposing prince… the chaos never stopped!”

Shen Lanxi nodded in understanding.

“The escorts were originally supposed to be summoned, but due to the unrest and insufficient imperial troops, they were also dispatched elsewhere.”

Shen Lanxi asked: “Dispatched where?”

Wei Jie: “I tracked them—they were all sent to the northwest.”

Shen Lanxi took note. With the names in hand, she could investigate as she traveled to the northwest.

“Sir Wei, I won’t bother you further. I still need to visit the Ministry of Personnel,” she said, preparing to leave.

Wei Jie hesitated, then Shen Lanxi looked at him, understanding some of what he was trying to say.

“Your Excellency, wait!”

Wei Jie clenched his teeth and blurted out: “You may not even be able to see anyone at the Ministry of Personnel!”

Shen Lanxi smiled faintly: “Thank you for the warning. I am already prepared!”

Wei Jie was stunned—he could not understand what she could prepare for if she couldn’t even see anyone.

Why was Shen Lanxi leaving without asking a single question?

“Big sister, what the chief said at the Ministry of Justice—could it really be true?” Shen Yuanjing asked with a worried look.

“Don’t worry. Did you bring the imperial edict I gave you?” Shen Lanxi asked confidently.

Mention of the imperial edict gave Shen Yuanjing and the others some reassurance.

When she arrived, the Ministry of Personnel gates were closed, guarded only by two sentries.

“Who are you? This is restricted territory—civilians may not approach!”

Shen Yuanjing unfurled the imperial edict and read it aloud:

“…All relevant parties must cooperate with Shen Lanxi’s investigation. Any obstruction shall be treated as the true culprit of the Wei Family Army case!”

The two gatekeepers, taken aback by the edict, froze. Once they realized what was happening, they quickly knelt on the ground.

Shen Yuanjing held the edict high with his left hand and shouted: “General Shen wishes to examine the Wei Family Army case files. Will you obstruct her?”

Terrified, the two gatekeepers quickly replied: “General, we do not intend to obstruct. But our minister said, without his order, anyone who dares enter the Ministry of Personnel will put our entire family in danger! We cannot risk it!”

Coincidentally, Minister Qiu Mingjue had just given these instructions yesterday. Less than twelve hours had passed, and they dared not forget them.

Shen Lanxi looked at them: “And I insist on entering?”

The two gatekeepers, crying, were torn: “General, if you truly want to enter, would you rather beat us first so we can justify it?”

Shen Lanxi smiled: “If I actually beat you, no one would understand the reasoning!”

The two men were so distressed they nearly cried: “Please, General, spare us! Minister Qiu gave these instructions yesterday—if we let you enter and you leave unharmed, we would be executed for it. Please, do not make things difficult for us!”

Their pleading was clearly coached—they would never dare say this on their own.

Who dares negotiate when faced with an imperial edict?

They assumed she would be soft-hearted because she was a woman.

“Is the Minister of Personnel in today?”

The two men shook their heads: “No, Your Excellency. He is off duty today.”

“What about tomorrow?” she asked.

The men: “We don’t know. Perhaps you can return tomorrow?”

Shen Lanxi first smiled, then her expression hardened.

“Whoever dares block me will be treated as a thief of the Wei Family Army grain funds—executed without mercy!”

Shen Yuanjing and the others immediately drew their weapons.

The two gatekeepers were terrified. Moments ago everything seemed fine, now their smiles had vanished.

“Please spare us! We dare not!” they cried, stepping aside.

Shen Yuanjing opened the gate and scolded them: “Still not guiding the general?”

The two men were genuinely scared to tears this time.

They had assumed that claiming Shen Lanxi was a woman would be enough to manipulate her, just as Minister Qiu had said.

But reality differed.

Once inside, Shen Lanxi saw the Ministry staff and snorted.

“The officials at the Ministry of Personnel are so bold, daring to openly defy an imperial edict!”

Shen Yuanjing held the edict high: “To defy the emperor and obstruct General Shen’s thorough investigation of the Wei Family Army grain funds case is a crime deserving execution. You are accomplices to the theft of the Wei Family Army funds. Prepare for your households to be confiscated and your families destroyed!”