Chapter 82: 82. Chapter 82: If the young master doesn't show his might, nobody cares!

82. Chapter 82: If the young master doesn't show his might, nobody cares!

"The gift is light, but the feeling is heavy?"

Xie Zizheng glanced at Madam Cui and asked calmly.

Madam Cui shook her head and said, "Neither humble nor haughty!"

"From that little place Liu Cheng to Jingcheng, at this time, thinking of sending a portion of fish and meat to our mansion is not difficult."

"The hard part is that she thought of it and then did it!"

"The hard part is this innocent heart!"

"Compared to that top scholar, this is much better!"

Many people, many things, what they fear most is comparison.

Comparing people to people leads to death; comparing goods to goods leads to being discarded.

The Zheng Family arrived in Jingcheng and had once visited the Xie Family.

But after that, the two families' contact was almost nonexistent.

Occasionally, it was Madam Cui, thinking of the marital ties, who sent people to deliver some things over.

Madam Cui did not expect the Zheng Family to give any equal return gift, but at least you should have this courtesy. However, there was none.

She knew why.

The Zheng Family felt they were far behind the other family; even a return gift would not be presentable.

But if she looked down on this marital tie, why would she have people send things over?

Of course, perhaps in the eyes of the Zheng Family mother and son, her sending people to deliver things was to bestow a favor.

"Although the top scholar has many shortcomings, after all he is our son-in-law; we should say less of such talk!"

Xie Zizheng did not offer any further comments.

He actually understood his wife's meaning; this was indirectly indicating his dislike for this marriage arrangement.

However, when this marriage was first arranged, he also had other thoughts.

Now canceling the marriage would be simple and would not greatly affect their family, but it's not easy to say that to the daughter.

That girl is stubborn, believing only in what she thinks is right.

Unless she herself confirms that the top scholar is a mere embroidered pillow and willingly dissolves the engagement, otherwise, even if they proceed to cancel the engagement, this stubborn girl will not accept it, only become more obstinate, and may even do something disgraceful to the family.

On this point, Xie Zizheng and Xie Zixian's views happen to be very consistent.

In other words, it's all because he overly pampered this daughter when she was young.

Just the same grain feeds a hundred different people.

Likewise, raised by his indulgence, the dragon-and-phoenix twins Xie Zixian and Xie Zian have both become talented, knowing what they can and cannot do.

"Madam, descendants have their own blessings!"

"No matter what happens to Wan Er in the future, as long as our Xie Family does not fall, she will ultimately not suffer injustice."

Guessing that Madam Cui was worrying about her daughter's future, Xie Zizheng could only comfort her in this way.

Upon hearing this, Madam Cui smiled slightly and said, "I'm not really worried about Wan Er's future. After all, she is a daughter of the Xie Family; she won't be wronged."

"As a concubine, I merely discuss matters; Master, don't overthink!"

"Household trifles, I can naturally handle them properly."

Madam Cui did not want Xie Zizheng to be troubled by court affairs while also having to worry about household trifles; this is not what a qualified wife should do.

"Thank you for your hard work, Madam!"

Xie Zizheng solemnly thanked Madam Cui.

If it weren't for Madam Cui, this capable assistant helping him manage the Xie Family's trivial matters, how could he devote himself to court affairs with peace of mind?

Here the couple lives in harmony; over there, Xie Zian also learned about the fish and meat matter, and felt that his little lovely wife is quite adept at handling things.

"Uncle Lu, you say, what exactly is the Ministry of Rites dawdling about?"

From the emperor's edict bestowing the marriage until now, over half a month has passed, yet the Ministry of Rites has shown no movement at all; this speed has made Xie Zian somewhat displeased.

"Little Ancestor, the Ministry of Rites follows procedures in its work."

"Besides, aside from your matter, the Ministry of Rites has other things to busy itself with!"

"I understand!"

Hearing Xie Lu's words, Xie Zian had a sudden realization and chuckled, "In the eyes of those at the Ministry of Rites, my marriage affair is not considered important at all!"

"So, you don't need to be too anxious; take it slow, don't rush!"

"Little Ancestor, you can't say that!"

Xie Lu was a bit annoyed; if the Little Ancestor went to cause a ruckus at the Ministry of Rites, even if he had a point, it would become pointless.

"Uncle Lu, don't worry, I'm not stupid!"

"Since the Ministry of Rites doesn't take the young master seriously, it's likely that because he hasn't been in Jingcheng for three years, they've forgotten who he is!"

"No problem, the young master will make them remember!"

Seeing Xie Zian about to stir up trouble, what could Xie Lu say?

Stop him?

Don't joke!

His family's Little Ancestor isn't going to do bad deeds; he also needs a reason to stop him!

……

That night, the personnel of Jingcheng's Night Patrol Bureau suddenly conducted a surprise inspection of Jingcheng's pleasure quarters, with sufficient reason: foreign spies had infiltrated Jingcheng.

However, no foreign spies were found; instead, several court officials were arrested.

The charge was offending public morals!

According to Dayong statutes, officials are not allowed to enter brothels; if they need to entertain, they may go to the Music Bureau.

However, the Music Bureau's fees are too high for ordinary officials to afford.

This regulation, when the dynasty was newly founded, was enforced relatively strictly; by now, requirements have become quite lenient, and the Ministry of Rites officials tasked with overseeing its enforcement don't even remember it themselves.

But the Night Patrol Bureau ended up exposing it.

The censors have come to show off!

Officials who violated the prohibition don't need the censors to impeach them; the regulation sits there, they should pursue responsibility, pursue responsibility. They set their sights on the Ministry of Rites, going all out!

Minister of Rites Lü Sheng, as the primary person responsible, surely bore the brunt of the fire.

Lü Sheng never dreamed that he would someday be impeached over such a matter.

Neglect of duty!

Drawing a salary without doing work!

If the beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked!

The censors' mouths and pens are incredibly sharp.

Although Emperor Xihe valued Lü Sheng, after this incident and being goaded by the censors, he could only symbolically punish Lü Sheng.

His official rank didn't change, but he was severely reprimanded and had his salary docked.

This isn't anything.

After all, as the Minister of Rites, he doesn't really care about these.

What's deadly is that the emperor ordered him to rectify officialdom's mores.

This is what drives Lü Sheng to despair.

Is officialdom's mores really that easy to rectify?

This will surely offend people!

If he wants to advance further, he needs public support and mutual assistance.

But as soon as he does this, his future is basically cut off.

As for being a lone minister? Hoping for Emperor Xihe's favor?

Lone ministers have never met a good end!

He, Lü Sheng, hasn't even considered going that far!

After the court audience ended, Lü Sheng returned to the Ministry of Rites, summoned all its personnel, and held a meeting.

Emperor Xihe wants to rectify officialdom's mores, so they have to get it done.

If they don't do it, that's deceiving the sovereign and betraying the superiors, and there will be no outcome.

"Let's hear it, everyone!"

"Our Ministry of Rites has really made a name for itself this time!"

Lü Sheng looked at his left and right Vice Ministers, then at the others, his face dark as if smeared with ink.