Noble Lady

Chapter 248 Obstruction of Public Service

Furongju, main hall.

"Meet Aunt Xue."

When Master Chen saw Xue Chenyu, he was polite and smiled slightly, which was completely different from the ruthless look he had shown to Liu just now.

"Master Chen, thank you for your courtesy. Please take a seat." Xue Chenyu raised her hand, then turned to Yuzhu and said, "Bring the tea."

"Grandma Xue, I'm here on the orders of Master Mei..."

"Don't be in a hurry. Wait for them to bring up the food and drinks, and then talk while eating." Xue Chenyu said softly.

It is not advisable to hit a smiling person, let alone such a well-educated, gentle and considerate lady. Naturally, Master Chen had no reason to refuse.

Xia He accompanied Yuzhu out, and in the blink of an eye, she brought up food and drinks.

However, what was served was not tea, but iced sour plum soup.

Master Chen did not come alone, so Yuzhu brought a few extra teacups for them to use.

There are also fruits such as lychees and bayberries that are only available in the south, all of which are chilled.

"Aunt Xue, aren't you too polite? We are just here to pass on a message." Master Chen felt a little embarrassed to take action.

Xue Chenyu said nonchalantly, "My mother sent these here. Master Chen, just consider this as helping us share some of the burden."

She spoke politely, but Master Chen didn't think that she really asked them to help share the food because she couldn't finish it. She just wanted them to accept her kindness.

"Then I will respectfully obey your command."

Master Chen drank a sip of iced sour plum soup, and his eyes lit up. The weather was so hot, and taking a sip of iced soup made him feel refreshed.

The four Jingzhao Prefecture officials behind them got the chilled lychees and couldn't wait to taste them.

They ate them one by one.

This thing is produced in the south, and only the rich and powerful can eat it in Shengjing.

Not to mention it's so fresh, even if it's not so fresh, it's still expensive. Just a few bites can cover the family's food expenses for several days. How can they afford it?

Master Chen was a little embarrassed to watch, "I'm sorry, Aunt Xue, they haven't eaten anything good."

"It's okay. If you don't feel comfortable inside, there are tables and benches in the yard. You can eat there."

The officers looked at Master Chen, asked for his consent, and then left with the fruit plates.

Master Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but did not dare to look at the furnishings in the main hall any longer.

It is said that the Marquis of Wu'an's Mansion is wealthy, and today he finally saw it.

A married lady could easily give such precious fruits to those who ran errands, so it can be imagined that she never lacked these things.

There was no trace of contempt or pity on her face, and she looked at everyone with the same calmness.

"I'm sorry to have caused trouble to Aunt Xue today." Master Chen apologized.

Xue Chenyu waved her hand and said, "Please trouble Master Chen to come here in person. I am the one who has caused trouble for Jingzhao Prefecture."

"If these foods can please Master Chen, please bring some back to share with Master Mei and the other officers."

These things are valuable but not real gold or silver. You don’t have to worry about people gossiping about you if you have some food. It’s really a good idea.

Master Chen stood up and bowed, "Then I, Chen, would be honored to refuse."

Having said that, we got to the point.

"Grandma Xue, I'm sure you've heard something about He's uncle Cui Hua reporting He Minzhi to Jingzhao Prefecture yesterday, right?"

"I heard something."

Master Chen continued, "Cui Hua is accusing someone of murder and mutilation. Since He Minzhi is under the imperial court's jurisdiction, this matter is of great importance. Our family's masters will need some time to investigate the whole matter. I'm afraid the case originally scheduled to open in the next two days will have to be postponed."

"I understand. I wonder how long it will take?"

"Three days from now, please ask Aunt Xue to come to the hall on time."

"I understand. Thank you, Master Chen."

After some pleasantries, Master Chen ate and drank with a few officers, then moved some more things and left with a food box.

……

"Mother Huang, go and see if Master Chen and his men have come out of Furongju." Mrs. Liu anxiously urged Mother Huang several times.

Mother Huang had no choice but to run to the door again and then shook her head.

Ever since Master Chen and his party went to Furongju, Liu has been sulking and feeling dissatisfied.

But she changed her mind and realized that her son had been imprisoned in Jingzhao Prefecture. She had tried every means to visit him in prison before, but could not see him. Now that Master Chen had come to her door, how could she miss this great opportunity?

So he waited in the flower hall.

"What could Master Chen have to say to Mrs. Xue? Why haven't they finished talking for so long? They are a man and a woman alone in broad daylight. They can't be doing something shameful, right?" Mrs. Liu grumbled dissatisfiedly.

Mother Huang looked out the door for a while, and finally sighed in surprise, "Madam, Master Chen and the others are here."

Liu couldn't wait to go out, thinking that she had to get Master Chen to reveal something today no matter what.

Unexpectedly, Master Chen, who had returned from Furongju, gave her another blow.

"Master Chen comes and goes in a hurry. I don't know when my daughter-in-law and her husband and wife have so much contact?"

Isn't it implied that Xue Chenyu has poor personal ethics and is having an affair with another man?

Master Chen sneered, "Madam He, please be careful with your words. Although I am only a master, I am also from Jingzhao Prefecture. I am carrying out the orders of Master Mei when I go out."

"The four yamen runners that Chen brought with him are certainly not just for show. If Madam He continues to speak so foul language, don't blame me for accusing you of obstructing public service and sending you to the Jingzhao Prefecture jail to eat court food for a few days."

“…” Liu was badly defeated.

I didn't expect that a legal advisor from Jingzhao Prefecture could be so tough. I could only grit my teeth and swallow it.

"Oh, right, Madam He stopped me because she wanted to inquire about He Minzhi's news. There are some things that Madam He should not ask about. I'm afraid that you are too old and your body cannot bear it."

Mrs. Liu's face turned completely green. "What do you mean, Master Chen? Jingzhao Prefecture has taken my son away, and there's still no explanation. Don't I even have the right to ask?"

"Master Chen, don't forget that even though my son is only a seventh-rank official, lower in rank than your Lord Mei who is in charge of Jingzhao Prefecture, he is also a member of the Hanlin Academy."

"My son has been in jail in Jingzhao Prefecture and we haven't heard from him since. We wanted to visit him but were not allowed in. We still don't know what happened. What? You still want to settle the case in such a muddled way?! He is an official appointed by the imperial court."

Liu's words were sonorous and powerful.

Master Chen couldn't help but look at her. She was old but still spoke with such confidence. She didn't look like a bedridden patient.

It doesn't seem like she needs a weak woman like Aunt Xue to kneel at the door of Jishan Hall for three days and three nights to ask for medical treatment for her.

"If Madam He feels that He Minzhi has been wronged, she can just beat the drum to protest and go to the Jingzhao Mansion lobby to speak to Lord Mei. However..."

He paused deliberately, and Liu's heart was in her throat.

"According to the laws of our dynasty, those who commit murder are subject to life imprisonment at the very least, and beheading and exile at the worst. Your son, an official, knowingly broke the law, causing Madam He of Young Master Cui to suffer a miscarriage and nearly losing her life. Now that the Cui family has filed a complaint, Madam He should consider how to save her life."

As an official, if he knowingly breaks the law, his crime is even more severe, and his family will also be implicated.

It’s hard to say whether the He family’s house can be preserved by then.

Having said that, Master Chen’s goal has been achieved.

"Goodbye." He bowed lightly and left with his men.

After all, he was a man of few words and would certainly not betray Aunt Xue.

But since Madam He is so unreasonable, we can't let her have it easy.