Chapter 303: Chapter 303: Thorough Study
Agarwood Pavilion, backyard.
Su Jin drank a cup of tea, Xingxing ground the ink well, and she began to write a prescription.
Looking at the medicine in the drawer against the prescription, she listed the missing parts and handed it to the Hidden Guard.
The Hidden Guard went to buy herbs, and Su Jin planned to rest on the small couch, but she fell asleep.
Xingxing was full of energy.
Seeing Su Jin asleep, the maid began to get restless.
The young lady never gave her poison, so she wanted to concoct it herself.
But the young lady only had her as a maid, who had to be ready at her call.
She never found a suitable opportunity.
Now the young lady was asleep.
Xingxing waved her hand twice in front of Su Jin, calling her name.
After confirming Su Jin was asleep, Xingxing began grabbing the herbs, busily and joyfully.
Not daring to brew the medicine in the bamboo house, she carried the stove to the wall, sat in the shade of the tree, and inhaled the fragrant medicine with a face of ecstasy, making anyone think she was cooking something delicious.
Zilan Garden, inner room.
Xie Jinyu was copying the palace rules, with a maid standing by and grinding ink.
A small maid came in and said, "Miss, Third Miss is here."
"Let her in," Xie Jinyu said.
The small maid went out.
Soon, Xie Jinhuan walked in.
She walked to the desk, and Xie Jinyu said, "Sit for a while, I’m just finishing the last bit."
Xie Jinhuan did not sit but picked up the copied palace rules from the desk and said, "Big Sister doesn’t need to copy anymore."
"What?" Xie Jinyu looked up at her.
Xie Jinhuan put down the palace rules and said, "Doesn’t Big Sister know yet?"
"Know what?" Xie Jinyu felt a bit impatient.
If you have something to say, say it quickly. This kind of secretive behavior that stirs curiosity is most annoying.
She had no time to waste with her procrastination.
Xie Jinhuan said, "Princess Shouning sneaked out of the palace to play, got caught by Sister-in-law, and was sent back to the palace. The Emperor punished Princess Shouning to memorize the palace rules by heart, and your copies of the rules are no longer needed."
If she didn’t memorize the palace rules, she wouldn’t get the Phoenix Seal back from the Empress.
Princess Shouning had no choice but to memorize them.
Since they’re already memorized, is there any need for punishment by copying?
These palace rules were copied in vain.
Xie Jinyu’s face turned a faint shade of green.
She had painstakingly copied the palace rules twenty times.
And now they’re telling her it’s not needed?!
"You’re not lying to me?" Xie Jinyu ground her teeth and said.
"I just came from Qihao Hall, and the maid reported it this way to Grandmother and Big Aunt," Xie Jinhuan said.
A burst of soreness in her wrist.
Xie Jinyu angrily slammed the pen in her hand onto the table.
The page of palace rules she just finished copying was torn to shreds by her.
Ministry of Justice.
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice sat wearily in the chair, and a government official brought him tea.
After drinking a cup of tea, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice took a piece of pastry and gnawed on it, asking, "Where is Marquis Dongxiang?"
"He’s looking at the case files," the official replied.
"Still looking at the case files?" The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice felt like he was about to go crazy.
Never seen someone who loves looking at case files so much.
Marquis Dongxiang plotted meticulously to oust the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice and take his position in the Ministry of Justice, and the Chief of Staff has left the capital too.
Now, in the Ministry of Justice, Marquis Dongxiang reigns supreme.
Ever since he knew Marquis Dongxiang was entering the Ministry of Justice, the Vice Minister hadn’t had a good night’s sleep, always worrying he was entering the Ministry to stir up big trouble.
But since Marquis Dongxiang entered the Ministry of Justice for so many days, he has done one thing—
Read case files.
That’s reading from morning to night, thoroughly enjoying it, never tiring.
Sometimes when his eyes got sore from reading, he had people read to him.
Listening for a while, Marquis Dongxiang would suddenly say, "This sounds like a wrongful case."
"Reinvestigate it."
Sounds like an official dedicated to seeking justice for the people.
But in reality?
Marquis Dongxiang just moved his mouth.
Then, he threw the cases needing retrial to him.
The workload of the Chief of Staff, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and his own work, all pressed on him, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
He was so busy that his feet never touched the ground, not even having time for meals.
Even so, Marquis Dongxiang kept insisting on him overturning cases.
Clearly on equal footing, but the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice felt ten times more exhausted than when the Chief of Staff was present.
A superior moves the mouth, while the subordinate runs until the legs break.
Angry but dare not speak.
The most idle in the Ministry of Justice now is Marquis Dongxiang.
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice had a bit of suspicion that Marquis Dongxiang entered the Ministry of Justice simply to torment the entire department.
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, weary-faced, ate pastries, feeling a rising urge to feign illness that he could not suppress.
Xie Jingchen walked in, and an official said, "Sir, the eldest young master of Duke Mansion is here."
Knowing Xie Jingchen came to look for Marquis Dongxiang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice led him to the case file room.
Inside, Marquis Dongxiang was sitting there, reading case files.
An official carrying a pile came over.
This official was disguised as a servant from Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.
Xie Jingchen stepped forward to greet Marquis Dongxiang, who looked at him and said, "Have you thoroughly read the ’Daqi Law’?"
"Thoroughly," Xie Jingchen replied.
"If you’re idle, come to the Ministry of Justice and assist the Vice Minister, I see he’s quite worn out these days," Marquis Dongxiang said.
Xie Jingchen, "...."
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, "...."
Indeed.
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice was nearly moved to tears.
So Marquis Dongxiang knew he was tired.
Then why does he still occupy the position of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice without working?
Duke Mansion’s eldest young master suffers from illness and should not work hard; how could he manage to ask him for help?
Isn’t this just as good as giving him nothing?
At this moment, an official came in from outside.
Hmm, still disguised as a servant from Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.
The servant walked to Marquis Dongxiang’s side, whispered a few words in his ear.
Xie Jingchen clearly saw a fierce light flash in Marquis Dongxiang’s eyes.
Putting the case files down, Marquis Dongxiang said, "After waiting all these days, there’s finally some news."
He stood up and put on his official hat.
He started to leave the room, placing his hat on.
A servant brought a stack over.
This servant was dressed like a servant from the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.
Marquis Dongxiang walked towards a pile of case files in the room.
Another official brought in a pile.
Xie Jingchen went up to greet Marquis Dongxiang, who looked at him and said, "Have you thoroughly studied the ’Daqi Law’?"
"...Yes," Xie Jingchen replied.
"Then do me a favor and deliver this to the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion," Marquis Dongxiang said, glancing at Xie Jingchen.
Xie Jingchen, "...."
The Vice Minister looked at him with a hint of doubt when he heard that the case files were to be sent to Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.
"Make sure to give it to Duke Chong’s eldest grandson," Marquis Dongxiang ordered Xie Jingchen.
Xie Jingchen took the case files and left the room.
Watching Xie Jingchen’s back, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice shook his head.
He couldn’t help but regret.
He was somewhat hesitant, for fear that he would be caught up in trouble alongside Marquis Dongxiang.
He felt a bit regretful for the first time now.
"Is it really for Duke Chong?" the Vice Minister kept muttering, contemplating the actual intent.
He had a sudden urge to feign illness, struggling to suppress it.
Meanwhile, Marquis Dongxiang was the most unoccupied one in the Ministry of Justice.
The whole purpose of Marquis Dongxiang entering the Ministry of Justice seemed purely to trouble everyone in the department.
The Hidden Guard entered as quietly as he could, serving tea to the Vice Minister.
After a cup of tea, the Vice Minister took a piece of pastry and chewed it, asking, "Where is Marquis Dongxiang?"
"Reading the dossiers," the official replied.
"Still reading the files?" The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice felt like he was going crazy.
He had never seen someone who enjoyed reading file after file like this.
Marquis Dongxiang had orchestrated to remove the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, seized his position, and took control when the Chief of Staff left for the Capital.
Now in the Ministry of Justice, Marquis Dongxiang ruled with an iron hand.
Since finding out that the Marquis was entering the Ministry, the Vice Minister hadn’t slept a single good night, always worried he was going to cause a big mess.
Yet after so many days, Marquis Dongxiang has only done one thing—
Read case files.
From morning till night, reading tirelessly, sometimes making people read them aloud when his eyes grew tired.
While he listened, Marquis Dongxiang would often comment, "That sounds like a miscarriage of justice."
"Reopen the investigation."
Sounds like a good official wanting justice for the people.
But in reality?
Marquis Dongxiang only had to say a few words.
Then he would throw the case needing a retrial at the Vice Minister.
The workload of the Chief of Staff, the now departed Vice Minister, and his own duties all weighed on him, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
He was so overwhelmed, with barely time to eat.
Even so, Marquis Dongxiang kept demanding that he overturn cases.
Though they stood on equal footing, the Vice Minister felt ten times more burdened than when the Chief of Staff was around.
The superior only had to speak; the subordinate ran his legs off.
Dare to be angry, but dare not speak up.
Now the one most relaxed in the Ministry of Justice is none other than Marquis Dongxiang.
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice had his suspicions that Marquis Dongxiang was here just to stir up chaos within the entire Ministry of Justice.
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, wearied, contemplated feigning illness, entertained the thought because he couldn’t suppress it.
The Hidden Guard brings the Prefect of Wangzhou back to the Ministry of Justice.
Seeing Xie Jinyu, the Minister of Justice is slightly surprised, asking, "Young Master Xie, what brings you here?"
Knowing Xie Jingchen was looking for Marquis Dongxiang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice led him to the case file room.
Inside the room, Marquis Dongxiang was sitting there reading case files.
A government official carried a pile over.
This official was dressed as a servant from the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.
Xie Jingchen went up to the Marquis Dongxiang to pay his respects, and the Marquis looked at him and said, "Have you studied the Daqi Law thoroughly?"
"Yes, I have," Xie Jingchen responded.
"Then, assist the Vice Minister at the Ministry of Justice. I noticed he’s quite burdened," the Marquis said.
Xie Jingchen, "....."
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice realized that the Dongxiang Marquis probably came to the Ministry of Justice just to shake things up.
Feeling weary, the Vice Minister thought of feigning illness, a thought he couldn’t suppress.
Xie Jingchen walked in, and the official said, "Sir, the Duke Mansion’s eldest young master is here."
Knowing Xie Jingchen was here to see Marquis Dongxiang, the Vice Minister led him to the case file room.
Inside the room, Marquis Dongxiang sat reading the case files.
An official came in carrying a pile.
This official was dressed as a servant from Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.
Xie Jingchen went up to pay respects to the Marquis, who asked, "Have you thoroughly studied the ’Daqi Law’?"
"Yes, I have," Xie Jingchen responded.
"Then take these to Dongxiang Marquis Mansion and give them to Duke Chong," said the Marquis, glancing at Xie Jingchen.
Xie Jingchen, "..."
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice’s face turned slightly green.
Just moments ago, didn’t he say he wanted my help?
But instead, he gives this task to someone else as if it’s nothing.
Wasn’t this equivalent to not giving a task at all?
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who was clearly under a lot of stress, ate his pastries thinking of a ploy to feign illness to escape this burden.
Filled with suspicions about the ulterior motives of Marquis Dongxiang and growing increasingly anxious at the uncertainty.
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