Lin Qingge's words immediately drew everyone's attention.
"Your Excellency, you say that inkstone is here in the academy?!"
Zhou Zeli and the others exclaimed in unison.
"Precisely."
Lin Qingge nodded affirmatively and analyzed,
"Sun Yi said the inkstone was still here when he arrived this morning, which means the inkstone was lost in this academy.
In other words, the culprit who stole the inkstone is among you students.
By the way, Zhou Zeli, why did they say you were acting suspiciously this morning?"
"Reporting to Your Excellency, it was my turn to be on duty today. After arriving at the academy first this morning, I used the broom to clean.
Because there were some items in the way at some students' desks, I swept a few extra times, which delayed me.
After finishing cleaning and returning the broom to the corner behind the wall, other students gradually entered.
As my desk is near the door, they mistook my actions as strange."
"An inkstone is clumsy, heavy, and extremely fragile. Without a bag or a wide body to conceal it, it would be difficult to steal it from this crowded and watchful academy.
Although the inkstone is precious, it bears the Emperor's calligraphy, making it highly identifiable. Therefore, anyone with a bit of sense would not want to keep such a thing for themselves.
So, the culprit's motive was likely to frame Zhou Zeli.
How can Zhou Zeli's theft be confirmed?
The answer is: caught red-handed.
Therefore, based on my deduction, the inkstone must still be in this academy."
"But Your Excellency, neither the students' desks nor their seats have any trace of the inkstone."
After hearing Zhou Zeli's words, Lin Qingge's lips curved into a playful arc.
"This is the brilliance of the culprit's framing.
Zhou Zeli, think carefully. Besides your desk, is there anywhere else in this academy that you touched today, but others could not have?"
Zhou Zeli frowned and pondered deeply, his gaze finally falling on the basket holding the broom in the corner, a look of disbelief on his face.
"Your Excellency, could it be..."
"Constable Yan, please go and retrieve the basket from that corner."
Yan Tinghao, though unsure of the reason, obediently replied "Yes" and strode over to fetch the basket.
As expected.
The missing inkstone was found at the bottom!
"'Sun and Moon Shine Together,' it's really the inkstone 'Sun and Moon Shine Together'!"
Sun Yi, overjoyed at the inkstone's recovery, almost cried out in excitement.
Lin Qingge glanced at the so-called calligraphy on the inkstone and pursed her lips enviously, "Tsk, it's nothing special."
Whether it was due to the joy of recovering the heirloom or because they knew it was a false accusation, Sun Yi and the others made no mention of pursuing the culprit.
Lin Qingge questioned Zhou Zeli with her eyes. Zhou Zeli, also wishing to let the matter rest, shook his head at her.
As Principal Ouyang Xiu sternly lectured Sun Yi and others for bringing such a valuable item to the academy and disgracing themselves in front of foreign envoys, Lin Qingge pulled Zhou Zeli aside.
Zhou Zeli first paid his respects with a deep bow and then smiled,
"Your Excellency, you were so certain, did you discover the inkstone thief from the beginning?"
"You could say that.
The slightly overweight student to Sun Yi's left has, since my arrival, glanced at the basket in the corner with his peripheral vision no less than ten times, clearly indicating a guilty conscience.
Furthermore, his left hand has two jagged scratches on the back of it, which are very new, clearly indicating they were inflicted today.
Coincidentally, the edge of the basket is also jagged.
Therefore, it is highly probable that he accidentally scratched himself on the edge of the basket while hiding the inkstone.
Also, I wonder if you noticed that among everyone, he was the most vocal and urgent in accusing you.
And this inkstone, used for display, has not been inked. However, if you wish to verify, coating it with a layer of flour should clearly reveal his fingerprints and palm prints left on it."
"As expected of Your Excellency!
Your observation is meticulous, and you have locked onto the culprit in an instant. This student is truly impressed beyond words!"
After Zhou Zeli's heartfelt praise, Lin Qingge sighed heavily,
"I happened to be here today. If you continue to study here, similar incidents are likely to occur. Are you sure you don't want to pursue this further?"
"Reporting to Your Excellency, it is true that I was negligent today. However, I will never fall into the same pit twice, so please rest assured."
Meeting those unyielding and remarkably resolute eyes, Lin Qingge said no more.
But thinking of Zhou Zeli's background, if Old Master Qian were still alive, as the grandson of the wealthiest man in Great Xia, he would surely not suffer such bullying, and would even be a sought-after figure.
With this thought, she couldn't help but ask,
"Zhou Zeli, if you were to become immensely wealthy one day, would you want to reclaim all the grievances you've suffered today, with interest?"
Although somewhat surprised, Zhou Zeli seriously replied with two words:
"No."
"You are indeed a hopelessly upright young man!
Unfortunately, I am no gentleman, but a petty person who remembers every grievance!"
Lin Qingge said, then cheerfully waved to summon Yan Tinghao and Lin Yan.
"Clerk Lin, is that Grand Master Sun of Guanglu a member of Chancellor Shangguan's faction?"
"Presumably.
Although imperial gifts are not to be transferred, His Majesty was still the Crown Prince at the time, so it wouldn't be considered an imperial gift.
However, even an inkstone bearing the Crown Prince's calligraphy would not be casually gifted to someone with a distant relationship."
"A good relationship is sufficient."
Lin Qingge waved her hand dismissively, a hint of cunning flashing in her eyes, "Regardless of how it happened then, this inkstone now bears the Emperor's genuine calligraphy, making it a treasure.
This Sun Yi privately took the inkstone from his home and then lost it due to poor safekeeping.
Although it has been recovered, if this matter reaches the Emperor's ears, punishing him and his son for negligence would not be excessive, would it?
Of course, as I am a fellow official with Grand Master Sun of Guanglu, I am naturally reluctant to trouble him.
But people must take responsibility for their mistakes."
"Your Excellency, this subordinate understands!
This subordinate will now go to the residence of Grand Master Sun of Guanglu and have him write a leave request and then deliver it to Chancellor Feng's residence!"
Lin Qingge nodded with satisfaction as she watched Yan Tinghao become more understanding.
Thus, Feng Qingchen's workload increased...
As Lin Qingge and her entourage emerged from the Hanlin Academy, a luxurious carriage approached them.
The carriage slowly came to a halt at the entrance of the Hanlin Academy.
Then, a eunuch standing by the carriage loudly announced in a high-pitched voice,
"Princess Yongning has arrived!"