The Imperial Palace, Zhaoming Hall.
"Deqing, go see if Youqi has—oh, you're here?"
Xie Hui stood still in the hall and bowed to the Emperor above. However, before he could even finish bending his waist, he was told to rise.
"There are no outsiders here, why so formal?"
Xie Hui followed the suggestion and called him "Uncle," which finally made the Emperor smile with satisfaction.
"Deqing, serve the meal."
Once the uncle and nephew were seated, the Emperor asked, "Are you settling in well at the Dali Temple?"
Xie Hui had gone to the military for training at the age of eighteen. Upon his return to the capital, the Emperor had originally intended to place his nephew in his own personal guard. He hadn't expected Xie Hui to tell him that he wanted to go to the Dali Temple.
Facing his imperial uncle's question, Xie Hui thought about the words he had heard during lunch at the Dali Temple and curled his lips slightly. "The Dali Temple… is quite interesting."
This sentence piqued the Emperor's interest. "Oh? How so?"
"Minister Wang's second son is a cut-sleeve."
"Truly?" The Emperor's eyes widened instantly.
Xie Hui nodded. This matter regarding Minister Wang's family would likely spread throughout the entire capital by tomorrow.
"This, this, this… no wonder I felt that Minister Wang's gaze toward me has been a bit off lately. Perhaps it's a case of 'like father, like son'!"
Xie Hui's eyelid twitched. For the first time, he harbored a somewhat treasonous thought.
"Uncle, even if Minister Wang were a cut-sleeve, he wouldn't dare covet you."
"Reasonable point." The Emperor nodded, feeling somewhat relieved. But after a moment, he added urgently, "Youqi, you are so handsome; you must be careful when walking outside. How about I assign two more hidden guards to you?"
"Uncle, I am full. My father and mother are waiting for me at home, so I shall take my leave." Xie Hui stood up, gave a bow, and walked out.
"Youqi, you mustn't do that sort of thing! Your mother only has you as her son; you must carry on the family line, Youqi—"
Xie Hui's pace quickened after leaving the hall. The little eunuch following behind actually had to jog to keep up.
"Why is Lord Xie in such a hurry? Does the Emperor have another urgent task?" The guards at the palace gate watched Xie Hui's retreating figure and couldn't help but wonder to themselves.
The sixth day of the third month, Morning Court.
"Your Majesty, this official has an important matter to report."
Lately, the weather had been favorable, the people lived in peace and contentment, and there were no incursions at the borders. Therefore, there wasn't much to discuss during the morning court. The most heated debates were usually about censors impeaching a certain consort for indulging her family's tax evasion, or a certain official favoring a concubine over his wife.
But today was different. As soon as Li Shilang stood forward, the various officials straightened up. Even the drowsy old officials opened their eyes.
Holding back a smile, the Emperor asked knowingly, "What important matter does Beloved Official Li have?"
"This official wishes to accuse the Wang family of concealing facts with the intent of marriage fraud!"
Minister Wang fell to his knees with a thud. "Your Majesty, please discern clearly. This official truly had no intention of marriage fraud, Your Majesty."
"You still won't admit it?! Your son is surrounded by nothing but beautiful young valets—how could you not know? And yet you wanted to trick my daughter into your house to live like a widow? Wang Liang, I think you might as well change your name to Wuliang!"
Li Shilang was built like a black iron tower and had a voice like a booming bell. Frightened by him, Minister Wang's face flushed red, and he was speechless.
The Emperor, having seen enough of the show, spoke up. "Minister Wang has failed in his son's upbringing. He is fined three months' salary and suspended for one month."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Although Li Shilang wasn't entirely satisfied with the result, he knew when to quit while he was ahead. He wished the entire Wang family would be exiled to Lingnan to pick lychees, but he knew that was impossible. Minister Wang did possess genuine talent and learning; the Emperor wouldn't strip him of his rank entirely.
Wang Liang also kowtowed to thank the Emperor for his mercy. He felt extreme hatred in his heart—hating Li Shilang for being relentless, and furious at his own worthless son.
The Emperor's punishment seemed trivial, but in reality, it wasn't. Because he was fined and suspended for his son being a cut-sleeve, this matter would spread throughout the entire Great Zhao within three days. It might even reach the ears of the foreign tribes.
The rest of the officials, having finished watching the excitement, began to calculate in their hearts whether their own sons had beautiful valets around them. At the same time, they thought that if this happened to them, they might have to resign and return to their hometowns overnight.
Shen Yun, a fourth-rank official, stood in the middle of the formation during the court session. Throughout the entire morning court, he kept his hands tucked in his sleeves, looking calm and composed.
Although Xie Hui was the Emperor's nephew, in the official world, he was currently the Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. His standing position was naturally the same as Shen Yun's. Xie Hui also stood there expressionlessly.
The officials nearby who were unaware of the details looked on, admiring them in their hearts. The Dali Temple was indeed the Dali Temple—truly experienced and knowledgeable!
After the court session adjourned and they exited Zhaoyou Hall, the Dali Temple was located just outside the east gate of the palace.
As Shen Yun and Xie Hui were both Assistant Ministers of the Court of Judicial Review, they naturally walked back together.
"Does Lord Xie have any insights regarding the case submitted yesterday?" Shen Yun was referring to a family massacre that occurred in the capital's suburbs two days ago. Because the case was extremely heinous and the murderer had not been caught, it was reported to the Dali Temple yesterday for trial.
"I wouldn't call it an insight, but I believe the fact that Madam Chen and her three children all died of poisoning, while Madam Chen's husband happened to be away on business and escaped, is far too coincidental. It should be investigated deeply."
Shen Yun nodded with great appreciation. "Lord Xie is absolutely correct."
Despite being a member of the imperial family, Xie Hui showed no arrogance in his position at the Dali Temple. Instead, he was very humble and could provide piercing analysis regarding cases. Shen Yun thought very highly of him.
While Shen Yuan's father was busy investigating cases, she wasn't idle either. She couldn't accomplish great deeds, but there were many small things to do.
"Boss, the meat in your steamed buns is from a diseased pig, isn't it? …Hey, hey! Let's talk things through properly!"
"Boss, there's something wrong with your scales, isn't there?"
"Oh, don't fight, don't fight! Just report it directly to the Street Administration Office!"
"Boss, your braising sauce isn't very clean."
Bai Shao and Bai Zhi both looked nervous. The two guards from the Shen estate following Shen Yuan were also on high alert, fearing that their young lady might be beaten by an angry street vendor if they weren't careful.
Shen Yuan walked from one end of the street to the other, pointing out every shop that cheated on weights or ignored food hygiene along the way.
Most shopkeepers saw her attire and the guards following her, knowing she was a girl from a wealthy family. They didn't dare to argue, and since they were indeed guilty, they could only curse her silently in their hearts.
Shen Yuan didn't know that her every move was being observed by one person.
That person was—the Head of the Capital Street Administration Office, Lord Fan Lutong!
"I am Fan Lutong of the Street Administration Office. May I ask how to address you, Miss?"
"My surname is Shen." Shen Yuan looked at the man in the green official robe, unsure of his intentions.
"Miss Shen, a word in private, please."
Both Bai Shao and Bai Zhi, who were with Shen Yuan, knew martial arts, and they had guards with them, so she wasn't worried about any foul play. She followed him to a quiet corner of the street.
"This may be somewhat abrupt, but would you be interested in taking a position at my Street Administration Office?"