Chapter 368: The Marvelous Kitchen, Chapter 369: Releasing the Person

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Song Miao

"It's already autumn, cool mornings and evenings. I made several sets of clothes to wear inside the house. Taking advantage of these two days of good weather, I'm not completely old yet and can still walk, so I'll deliver them myself. Otherwise, those people would take them, not say a word, stash them in the box cage at the very bottom, and never take them out again."

Hearing this, the Changshi dared not agree to a single word, and could only smile along: "Who would dare to press the clothes you sent? The Wang Ye always keeps you in mind and asks about you from time to time!"

The old woman shook her head, sighed, and said: "I haven't heard any news from the fu for many days, and no one has come to talk to me. I don't even know how the Wang Ye is doing."

She then requested to see Lu Wang.

The Changshi said: "The Wang Ye has gone out to receive guests, and the Wang Fei has gone to Ji Xiang Si to pay respects to the Buddha. Why don't you go inside first, sit down, and have some tea?"

The old woman actually went inside and sat down.

She sat until afternoon, the tea was changed four or five rounds, she ate a lunch at Lu Wang Fu, didn't see anyone, saw that it was getting late, and still had no intention of taking leave.

This old woman was naturally Wu Yuanwai's mother and Lu Wang's wet nurse.

She was nearly eighty, walked unsteadily, her hair was white, and her teeth had fallen out, but her spirit was very good. After sitting for half a day, her mouth never stopped for a moment, constantly inquiring about the situation in the fu, and asking about Lu Wang's recent routine, preferences, health, and so on.

The Changshi heard the tone and understood there was a matter, and hurriedly asked about the other party's purpose.

The old wet nurse then explained the matter.

"My son's fu has a steward who has always been very efficient and honest, someone I've watched grow up since childhood. Today, for some reason, he was suddenly taken away by the Capital Prefecture Office, claiming he was involved in some case."

"I sent someone to inquire, and they all said there was nothing to it, just someone slandering him, the officials making a show of arresting people, very cleanly done."

"His old mother is two years older than me, anxious out of her mind, came to my door. I'm just an old person here, what can I do? I can only come to ask the Wang Ye, see if we can find the person. It must be fast, otherwise, once locked in the cell, even if there's nothing, they'll interrogate something out of him!"

Such a tiny trouble, the Changshi could decide on his own. He smiled and said: "I thought it was something, actually troubling you, Elder, to come in person!"

He also said: "The Capital Prefecture Office is really too much, daring to arrest anyone, without even inquiring first. Once I report back to the Wang Ye, I'll go get the person released."

That evening, Lu Wang returned to the fu drunk on wine.

He was no longer young, had made too much of a scene at the banquet. At this time, when walking, his feet floated, he could hardly exert any strength, and from his temples to the back of his head it throbbed with pain.

The Changshi came in at this time to report the matter of the wet nurse.

Not to mention that Wu Yuanwai had always been sensible, sending tribute every few days and during holidays and festivals. Even looking at the old wet nurse's face, Lu Wang wouldn't ignore it.

He didn't think much of it and casually gave orders, frowning as he said: "Just a steward, why is it brought to my head? Just handle it as you see fit from now on."

Having received the assignment, the Changshi didn't delay, and went straight to the Capital Prefecture Office without stopping.

Early the next morning, Qin Jie, who had just come out of Prefect Zheng's office, called over a subordinate.

That subordinate hurriedly went to find the Censor in charge of this case.

After the time it takes to drink a teacup, Wu Guanshi, who had been arrested because of the suspect's confession and was being interrogated in the government office, walked out of the cell openly and aboveboard.

Such a practice naturally dissatisfied the subordinates in the Military Censor's Court.

The Censor couldn't control his subordinates, and actually didn't agree himself either. He took the dossier to find Qin Jie.

Qin Jie asked: "You arrested him, did you get any evidence from the interrogation?"

The Censor gritted his teeth in anger: "Sir, you should give us a chance to interrogate and search carefully first, before there can be evidence!"

He also cursed: "He was arrested just a moment ago, and released the next. You didn't see his arrogant look when he was caught, or what he said when he left! When the brothers who went to release him came back, they almost hit me!"

Qin Jie was an official, not a busybody.

Being interfered with sideways, he was naturally not happy either, but the higher-ups had already made the assignment, and he couldn't disobey.

As far as he was concerned, he had already arrested a group of fugitives, enough to earn merit. One more steward or one less steward didn't matter.

Sometimes, one must know when to stop while ahead. Otherwise, if the matter gets too big, what was originally merit would instead become a hot potato. Even if the work is done, the higher-ups won't appreciate your kindness, but say you're meddling.

Everyone says "be an official, be an official." Under the hat of the word "official," one must have two different mouths.

Facing Zheng Boqian, he was obsequious. But at this time, facing his subordinates, he changed his tune.

"I've already tried every method and done my best to strive for it. But you also know that the Wu family's background is not simple. Now the situation in the court is complex, and Prefect Zheng isn't having an easy time either. Today I've already fought and fought for it."

Qin Jie said, patting the opposite person's shoulder: "Arresting those fugitives already counts as a great merit. As for this steward—right now you don't have anything in your hands that can be produced. Wanting to detain him really doesn't stand to reason. I don't blame them for being arrogant."

"If you're not convinced by this Wu surname, investigate again. If there is something, come tell me, and I'll immediately go find the Zhifu!"

He gave a round of comfort.

But how could the opposite Censor not hear that this was perfunctory?

This person left the room, returned to his own office, told the brothers everything, and the one who went to release Wu Guanshi from the cell immediately had eyes red with anger.

Someone couldn't help but say: "If we had known earlier not to tell Song Xiaoniangzi about this, we previously told her to rest assured, saying good news would come soon!"

"The case isn't even solved. Who would guarantee something in advance? I'm afraid you're not stupid! Is this your first day as a chai guan?!"

The chai guan knew he was wrong, but was also annoyed: "Song Xiaoniangzi asked, shouldn't I answer? It's not like I don't know the background of a stranger! She wouldn't care about these things!"

"Then what about this case? Are we really not caring about him? Is it just concluded?"

Just as they were speaking, the guan cha who went to release Wu Guanshi suddenly stood up and walked out resentfully.

"Feng Er, where are you going?"

Feng Er turned back: "I'm going to find Style!"

"Go find Lao Xin for what! He's only been back a few days!"

"Style isn't a Censor anymore. Quick, don't go find trouble for him. With his temper, he'll definitely start a fight. Arguing with superiors, who doesn't suffer a loss!"

Feng Er said: "Didn't Guan Jie Qin say that as long as we find evidence, he'll help us talk to Prefect Zheng? We can all see that the Wu family's steward definitely has something. Investigate once and it's certain. I don't believe we can't find a flaw by watching him. Style is the most formidable at solving cases. Now he's cooped up in the room all day. I'll go find him and have him help sort it out!"

"Guan Jie Qin's words were just for show. You actually took them seriously?!"

Feng Er said angrily: "If he doesn't keep his word, I! I'll go find Brother Han and ask him to help write an article to scold him!"

The crowd tried to stop him to no avail, and could only hurriedly follow.

When Feng Er went to knock on Xin Feng's door, the latter was holding his brush, leaning in close, his two thick brows furrowed, writing and tracing over an official document stroke by stroke.

Xin Feng had been hot-tempered for half his life; although he had long said he would change his nature, how could his temper be so easily changed?

After hearing the full story of the case and hearing that Wu Guanshi had left, he glared furiously, slammed down his brush, stood up, and was about to go find Qin Jie.

Feng Er had originally been angry, but seeing Xin Feng's reaction, he was instead frightened and hurried to stop him, saying: "Brother Feng, your waist and legs aren't healed yet! Don't start a conflict with your superiors over such a small matter!"

The people chasing after him also hurried to chime in.

"That's right! Old Xin, you've finally won praise from the Emperor and Empress Dowager and risen to prominence—why go looking for trouble for yourself!"

"It's no use going to your superiors over this either; I heard it's someone from Lu Wang Fu, and Qin Jie is as cunning as a monkey—without some benefit, he won't bother! Didn't you see that Prefect Zheng has already spoken!"

"Unless you go find Zhao Fuyin! But isn't Zhao Fuyin related to Lu Wang? They're family—how would they casually grant this face!"

Xin Feng sat back down with furrowed brows, sighed, and said: "They say they're promoting me, but spending all day with these documents, I'm bored to death—actually, not being promoted is fine! Running a few cases with everyone, at least we'd be doing real work!"

Everyone didn't respond.

After so many years as brothers, who didn't know Xin Feng's nature?

If it weren't for the way he was and his wholehearted dedication to work, everyone wouldn't have gathered around him; now seeing someone detained in a room, wronged and helpless, they couldn't bring themselves to speak up.

Feng Er took the opportunity to explain the case details.

The people nearby added to it one sentence at a time.

Xin Feng immediately perked up, analyzed with everyone for a moment, and within a short time listed several clues they could investigate, urgently saying: "It's come to this, and you're still letting him go? This manager is involved in the case—isn't that obvious?!"

Feng Er then mentioned Qin Jie's promise, saying: "Brother Feng, I was thinking that since Qin Jie has said such things, let's find the evidence first; even if we can't make an arrest in the end, we can at least give Song Xiaoniangzi an explanation!"

He added: "Otherwise I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep for many more days!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone around sighed at him.

Someone else said: "You're always like this—you might as well not be a Censor in the future!"

"Being a Censor—how can every single case be solved? Things need to be done, but you have to live your own life too! If you keep thinking like this, your life will be cut in half!"

"Not only are you uncomfortable, we're uncomfortable too, but now that things have come to this, we can only accept it! You're just too young!"

Feng Er lowered his head, sighed, and sat without speaking.

Having been at the Capital Prefecture Office for over two years, whenever a case had no result, he most feared dealing with the victim and the victim's family—afraid of being grabbed and asked why nothing was found, afraid of seeing disappointed expressions and looks, afraid of hearing about their hardships.

Song Xiaoniangzi was actually half a victim now; the other party was kind and would most likely only thank him, not blame him at all. But Feng Er thought of the noodles, buns, and the roast pigeon he had eaten at her food shop, and how she had specially paired a drink with it, remembering his taste, adding a bit more salt to the salty soup every time.

The more he thought about it, the more miserable he felt; he looked up, about to find Xin Feng, when his shoulder was weighed down. He looked up again—it was Xin Feng's hand resting on him.

"Don't mind them! I'll investigate with you—when I can't solve a case, big or small, I feel miserable every day! I can't sleep well all night!"

He added indignantly: "He's at least a prince, acting like this! Doesn't the Emperor care at all!"

But someone nearby sighed and said: "After all, he's an uncle and elder, and separated by a residence—maybe it's not easy to manage?"

"His Majesty himself was adopted, and now has no sons or daughters—perhaps he's afraid that in the future he'll still need to adopt Lu Wang's incense offering, so he dare not act?"

At this very moment, the childless adopted Emperor Zhao Yu, whom everyone spoke of, was in Chui Gong Dian listening to the report of an Imperial City Office official.

"I've asked several times, but since Your Majesty said not to force it, I had people go to the door and speak nicely—yet they still refuse to let it and refuse to tear it down..."

Zhao Yu heard this and was somewhat helpless, but said: "It's only to be expected—now they can open many tables, and every day there are many more places to entertain guests, so it's no wonder they're unwilling. Was compensation offered?"

"It was, and from the start it was said that the money for the expansion losses would be covered by the Imperial Palace, but he just won't agree!" The official was also somewhat helpless. "Your Majesty, why not send a few from the Palace Front Department to take a look?"

The Imperial Palace's money was just a lump sum, but business money—if the place was bigger, they could earn endlessly.

Zhao Yu shook his head and did not send the Imperial Guard to join the fuss, but said: "The Palace Front Department are all big and imposing—why bother? It might scare people!"

"Go persuade them again, speak nicely—that house really is built too high. That night when I looked up, I saw their lights on. If someone had ill intent, went to their wine shop, climbed upstairs, they could watch the palace day after day. It's really not good."

He added: "I've delayed his business; when the time comes, I'll naturally give more compensation."

The official agreed repeatedly, then added: "There's also this: Mid-Autumn is approaching, and the ward masters have pooled silver, saying they want to hold a grand lantern festival. Using Yu Jie alone might not be enough, so they ask if the palace gates can be opened, and the front outer court taken for the lantern festival..."

He said this far and felt the request was somewhat improper, and couldn't help but secretly glance at the Emperor's face.

Zhao Yu didn't think anything of it; he only thought for a moment, then smiled and said: "Fine, open it. It only happens once or twice a year. I'll take this opportunity to join the fun and see how their lantern festival is!"

The official was somewhat surprised, but not too surprised.

Since the founding ancestor, the Zhao family's emperors have been very close to the people—especially the current one.

He quickly agreed, then hesitated a moment, and said: "There's also Lu Wang... he's been receiving guests often lately, not only associating with various clansmen, but also entertaining civil and military officials—only saying it's to celebrate his grandson's birthday."

Zhao Yu heard this, his expression unchanged, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He only asked a few questions, then sent the person across from him away.

He had been reviewing memorials for half a day. Seeing it was late, he first went to Ciming Palace to pay his respects, then returned to the palace.

That evening, he only casually ate a few bites.

Deng Empress said: "Eat at least half a bowl of rice, or a steamed bun or biscuit!"

Zhao Yu shook his head, pointed to his own belly, and said in a low voice: "The fish sashimi I ate at noon didn't agree with me. I've been uncomfortable all afternoon and have no appetite."

Deng Empress couldn't help but scold him: "Everyone told you not to eat it—fish sashimi easily upsets the stomach. Something bought from outside the palace, carried all the way—even though it's autumn, it still has some residual heat. This can't be kept. If you really want some, why not have the Imperial Canteen make it?"

Zhao Yu waved his hand and said: "If it's really wanted, the Imperial Canteen will definitely have it ready at all times, and will need to keep it ready often in the future. Though I don't know how much, it certainly won't be just one or two fish. By then, it would truly burden the people and waste money."