Lady, escort the emperor! 31
Chapter 31: Opening the Doors for Cases
The next morning, Li Nuo ate breakfast alone. His wife had sent Song Mu Er home last night and, as usual, hadn’t returned. Li Nuo was used to it. His father had left early. Although today was a rest day, the Dali Temple, as the highest court of appeals, received appeals for all cases involving imprisonment or above from every prefecture and county in the nation. Dali Temple officials were busier than those in other departments.
Taking a day off meant extra work—a peculiar agreement between father and son.
After breakfast, Steward Wu took him to the Chang’an County Yamen (local government office).
On the way to the Yamen, Li Nuo suddenly remembered something and asked, “Why didn’t my father go to Grandmother Song’s sixtieth birthday celebration?”
He had heard from Steward Wu that his father and his wife’s father were close friends, which led to his betrothal to his wife. Now, their relationship was even closer. As close friends and in-laws, with even distant Song Family relatives attending the celebration, his father’s absence seemed inappropriate. He had been curious about this since the night before.
Steward Wu cleared his throat, “Um, well…”
He couldn’t tell his young master that his father’s name alone struck fear into the hearts of countless officials in Chang’an. If his father had attended Grandmother Song’s birthday banquet, it wouldn’t have been a surprise, but a shock.
He chuckled nervously and said, “It’s probably because Father is very busy with official duties. As you know, Young Master, Father is the Minister of Justice and also heads the Mingjing Si (a department overseeing officials), a very powerful position. He needs to handle a lot of official business every day and sometimes simply can’t find the time…”
Li Nuo didn’t think much of it. He could understand.
In his past life, countless people missed seeing their parents one last time due to work, often seen in the news; he was used to it.
However, in Da Xia, this wasn’t something to be praised.
Ancient people highly valued filial piety. Even the most important matters couldn’t outweigh attending to one’s parents. An official who failed in this aspect would essentially end their career. Grandmother Song wasn’t his grandmother, so his father’s absence was merely a breach of etiquette and wouldn’t have serious consequences.
Thinking of something else, he said, “I didn’t see Mother-in-law that night either…”
At the banquet, only his father-in-law was there alone among Grandmother Song’s children. Li Nuo had wanted to ask his wife, but he thought better of it. What if it brought up painful memories and she got angry and beat him up?
Steward Wu smiled and said, “Young Master, you don’t know. More than ten years ago, Lord Song and Madam Song separated, and after that, Madam Song left Chang’an…”
Li Nuo had assumed his mother-in-law had passed away, not that they had divorced.
More than ten years ago… his wife is only eighteen this year. Doesn’t that mean she, like him, had barely experienced a mother’s love while growing up?
No wonder my wife lacks femininity…
But it wasn’t her fault. Lacking maternal love in her childhood, and her father seeming like a traditional, stern father who didn’t know how to get along with his children… thinking of this, Li Nuo felt a pang of sympathy for her.
His own past was even more tragic, but he did have a happy childhood.
Li Nuo spent the entire journey talking with Steward Wu, mainly asking about his family background. Besides the Song Family matters, Li Nuo learned from Steward Wu that only he and his father remained of the Li family line. His father’s side had no relatives, and his mother’s side seemed to have died out as well…
Steward Wu sighed, “After the madam passed away, the master didn’t remarry. The future of the Li family depends on the young master to continue the family line, but the young master and the young mistress… well…”
He had watched both master and young master grow up.
He considered himself a member of the Li family, and the lack of intimacy between his master and the young mistress troubled him deeply.
Li Nuo didn’t respond to Steward Wu’s comment.
Having children required a foundation of affection, and he and his wife weren’t that close yet…
They soon arrived at the Chang’an County Yamen.
Although it was a rest day, the yamen runners (government clerks) working overtime were energetic. A day’s work meant half a month’s salary; they could work a year without rest.
But that was impossible. The County Magistrate said that this opportunity should be shared, and a different group would work the next time. Everyone supported Magistrate Pei’s fair arrangement and willingly shared half their extra salary with him.
Those who were unwilling were thoughtfully given the day off by Magistrate Pei.
Before noon, Li Nuo had finished all the cases.
There were no major cases today, only seven minor ones, increasing his life expectancy by only one day.
After handling the last brawl case, Li Nuo looked at the Chang’an County Magistrate again and asked, “Are these the only cases today?”
Pei Zhe sighed, “All the accumulated cases in the county office have been reviewed by the young master. If no one reports a case, there shouldn’t be any cases for the next few days.”
The people generally feared the government.
Unless they suffered a great injustice, forcing them to seek help from the government, most people were unwilling to enter the county office.
Li Nuo frowned slightly. No cases today was fine, but if there were none for the next few days, he would be waiting to die!
No, no, he had to do something.
After a moment’s thought, an idea popped into his mind.
A quarter of an hour later.
On the streets of Chang’an, people passing by the county office noticed something strange.
Two county office runners were carrying a long table from the office and placing it at the entrance. On the table were pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, and a clerk sat upright behind the table.
Many passersby slowed their pace, wondering what the officials were up to.
Someone wondered, “Isn’t today a rest day? The office gate is usually closed on rest days. What’s going on today?”
As everyone was wondering, a runner came out of the county office.
The runner stepped into the street, the crowd quickly making way. He cleared his throat and shouted, “Look, look! Don’t miss it! The County Magistrate is holding an open court today! The county office clerk will write petitions for free, limited to one day only! First come, first served! Those with grievances can redress them, and those without can come and join the fun…”
The runner shouted until his face was red, and the onlookers were stunned.
Some had lived their entire lives and had never seen such a scene.
In their minds, the government should be a serious place, not like a brothel soliciting customers or a market hawker…
They even looked up at the plaque above the entrance to the county office. Was this really the Chang’an County Yamen?
Outside the Yamen, several constables were enthusiastically soliciting business.
Inside the Yamen, Li Nuo stood at the door, observing the scene outside.
In his past life, when he first started work, the court had held outreach events, setting up mobile courts in villages and towns. Providing legal education while practically helping people solve legal problems earned the widespread praise of the local people.
However, the people of Da Xia seemed less enthusiastic about it.
Could it be that under the emperor’s rule, the country was peaceful and prosperous, and the people lived in peace and contentment without any grievances?
Seeing this, Pei Zhe, the Chang’an County Magistrate beside Li Nuo, beckoned two runners and said, “You two, go back and change into civilian clothes, and then…”
(End of Chapter)
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