Chapter 59: Talking about the public and private imperial bullfighting uniforms, talking about face and annoying Jia Yucun again
Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The retired emperor with white hair and beard sat in the middle, with the Empress Dowager and Emperor Guangde on either side, and the concubine dowager and Prince Zhongshun sitting next to him.
The five of them were spread out in a row, occupying the main seat in the north, while between the pillars on both sides, there were countless pearl curtains hanging down, with shadowy figures inside, and no one knew how many concubines and palace maids were hiding there.
I have to say, sometimes being too sensitive is not a good thing.
For example, right now, Sun Shaozong felt that pairs of hungry eyes were peeping at him through the bead curtain - some of them seemed to have been lingering between his legs for a long time!
It's no wonder. The emperor and the emperor emeritus are older than each other. The women in the palace haven't seen a strong and vigorous man for who knows how long. Now they are hiding behind the pearl curtain and are not afraid of being seen, so naturally they try their best to look!
But it would be fine if there were some young and beautiful concubines, but if they were all as gray-haired and wrinkled as the empress dowager...
Just thinking about this possibility made Sun Shaozong feel like a thorn in his back!
Fortunately, he was used to giving reports and speeches, so even though he was very nervous, he still managed to keep a calm face and told the story of the "Heavenly Dog Devouring the Heart" case.
The retired emperor listened very seriously and asked a few questions from time to time. The Queen Mother and Prince Zhongshun also raised some questions occasionally. Only Emperor Guangde and Empress Dowager Niu said nothing, like two clay and wooden sculptures.
As the case came to an end and the shocking fate of Minister Ge and his son was revealed, the audience, although they had known about this for a long time, still could not help but sigh.
“Ah~!”
The Emperor also sighed several times and praised: "You were able to solve such a tortuous and absurd case in half a day. No wonder you have earned such a great reputation in such a short time. I only hope that you can work diligently in the future and never let down the word "divine judgment" given to you by the people."
Sun Shaozong knelt down and said respectfully: "I will follow the instructions of the Supreme Emperor and will never slack off!"
"That's good, that's good."
After listening to this long story, the emperor was obviously a little tired. He leaned back and waved his hand to Emperor Guangde and said with a smile: "Give him a banquet. It's rare to see such a strong body, but don't let him starve to death."
Emperor Guangde nodded slightly and prepared to order a banquet.
But Sun Shaozong had been watched for so long that even the thing under his crotch had goose bumps. He wished he could run away immediately. How could he be willing to stay and eat the imperial banquet?
He quickly cupped his hands and interrupted, "Your Majesty, the Supreme Emperor, when I entered the palace, I met a woman who blocked the road and cried out for justice. From what she said, it seemed that there was indeed something hidden, so I promised to rush to Daxing County to review the case as soon as possible. Because this case involves human life, I really dare not stay in the palace for too long."
After hearing this, no one else reacted. Emperor Guangde even nodded in satisfaction. Only Empress Dowager Niu's face darkened and she sneered hoarsely, "If this is really a serious case involving human lives, you should have reported it long ago. Why did you have to wait until now?"
Cut~
This old woman must be unhappy about her nephew's death, so she is deliberately finding fault!
Fortunately, she was unable to lay eggs, and had a very unpleasant argument with the emperor because of the concubine dowager incident, otherwise Sun Shaozong would have died a tragedy long ago.
As for now...
Since Sun Shaozong used this excuse to get away with it, he would naturally be able to deal with even this little bit of doubt.
He bowed calmly and said, "Your Majesty, investigating a case is a public matter, and reporting the case to Your Majesty is also a public matter, so I don't think there is anything wrong with it. Although Your Majesty's banquet is a great honor for me, it is actually a private matter. Since I have just received the teachings of the Supreme Emperor, how dare I sacrifice public affairs for personal reasons?"
"What a person who dares not sacrifice public interests for personal ones!"
As soon as Sun Shaozong finished speaking, he heard Emperor Guangde praise loudly: "In that case, I will save this meal for you first."
As he spoke, he waved his hand and ordered, "Come here, get him a bullfighting suit and let him change into it."
Then he added seriously: "This bullfighting suit is not a reward for your contribution, but for your attitude of serving the public!"
The bullfighting suit is bright yellow all over, similar to the color of the imperial robe, and is embroidered with red ox-horned dragons. It is a symbol of honor bestowed by the court on meritorious officials of the third rank and above. Now that Sun Shaozong, with a mere sixth rank, has been awarded the bullfighting suit, it is even more precious!
However, the eunuchs hurriedly brought out a largest-sized "brocade over-the-shoulder bullfighting suit" and asked Sun Shaozong to put it on. Immediately, in addition to his majestic and sturdy temperament, he also added a bit of majestic and noble air.
But Sun Shaozong had mixed feelings - getting the bullfighting suit was certainly a pleasant surprise, but if Jia Yucun knew about it, he would probably be even more jealous.
Stop talking nonsense.
However, he thanked the emperor for his grace and received some instructions to work diligently, and then he was released from the palace.
When he arrived outside Xihua Gate, Sun Shaozong looked at his bright yellow and red clothes, and thought about going back home to put away the bullfighting suit first, and then going to Daxing County to investigate the case.
Before he could even leave, he heard someone calling out, "Brother, come over here and talk!"
Sun Shaozong looked in the direction of the voice and saw a man jumping out of the carriage opposite. Who else could it be but Jia Yucun?
Yes~
Now it's hard not to stimulate him!
Sun Shaozong had no choice but to step forward and pretend to be surprised and said, "Why is he here? Did you come here specially to wait for me?!"
As soon as he approached, Jia Yucun's eyes were firmly attracted by the bullfighting suit, and he sighed: "It is indeed a bullfighting suit! Many third-rank officials can't ask for this grace, and you, my dear brother, have got one with your sixth-rank status. It is really enviable."
The tone was much softer than in the morning.
It seems that Jia Yucun is waiting here to repair the relationship between them.
Sun Shaozong also said modestly: "It's just luck, it's nothing..."
"Haha, you've been able to solve many strange cases, it 's not just right?"
Jia Yucun laughed, stepped forward and held Sun Shaozong's arm, and said earnestly: "Brother, I have never seen the emperor since I came to the capital. I thought I could finally show my ability in front of His Majesty this time, but who knew... Alas!"
He sighed with regret and added, "I lost my mind for a moment and took my anger out on you, my dear brother. I hope you won't take it as an offense."
Sun Shaozong really couldn't tell whether his words were sincere or he was just showing off his acting skills in front of him out of consideration for his own interests.
But considering the current situation in Shuntian Prefecture, the two would both benefit if they work together and both lose if they separate.
So he smiled and said, "Brother, what are you talking about? If you are unhappy, why don't you just turn your face to our family members? Why do you complain to others? Besides, we are brothers, so what's wrong with that?"
Jia Yucun then put on a smile again, pointed at the carriage behind him, and said without question: "In that case, how about accompanying me to Dingxianglou to get drunk? First, to celebrate your winning of the bullfighting suit, and second, to let me, your brother, complain about my grievances!"
"this……"
If it was nothing important, Sun Shaozong would definitely not refuse, but he had just said in front of the emperor that he was going to investigate an unjust case, so how could he go and get drunk with Jia Yucun now?
So he hurriedly explained the whole process.
Who would have thought that after hearing this, Jia Yucun's face changed drastically, and he stamped his feet and said, "My dear brother, how can you be so reckless? The magistrate of Daxing County is fine, but his wife's family, the Zhen family of Jiangnan, are not easy to mess with! Especially since the Zhen family and the Rongguo Mansion have been related for generations. If you offend him, wouldn't you also offend the Rongguo Mansion?"
The Zhen family and the Jia family have been related for generations?
Wouldn't that mean she should be called 'Zhen Jia' or 'Jia Zhen'?
Just when he was thinking the names of the two families were interesting, Jia Yucun approached him, tiptoed and whispered in his ear: "Since there are both witnesses and evidence, why don't you just check it out and just say that there is no doubt in this case - anyway, with your reputation as a 'divine judge', others won't dare to question you randomly, and this way you won't lose face as the son-in-law of the Zhen family."
Upon hearing this, Sun Shaozong's face suddenly darkened, and he blurted out a retort: "Does he want two innocent people to die in vain just to save his face?!"
"Keep your voice down! What are you yelling about?"
Jia Yucun looked around and saw that no one was paying attention to him, so he said seriously: "Brother treats you as one of his own, so I can tell you what I want to say. In this officialdom, other things are fine, but the most taboo thing is to offend your patrons and benefactors! If you bring disgrace to the Rongguo Mansion because of a few lowly people, who will help you if someone else is taller than you in the future?!"
Sun Shaozong looked at him for a long while, then suddenly smiled and reached out to gently brush the bullfighting suit a few times.
Jia Yucun was puzzled at first, but then he seemed to understand something and frowned, "Are you trying to count on the emperor to back you up?"
"No."
Sun Shaozong shook his head and laughed, "What I mean is, if I sacrifice two innocent lives just for the sake of someone's son-in-law, how can I have the face to wear this bullfighting suit in the future?"
