Ministry of Justice.
After concluding the interrogation of the prisoner, Cui Yun stepped out of the interrogation room.
It was alti already, and outside, Jiang Zhao was chatting with the Chief Clerk.
The food Jiang Zhao ate was prepared within the Ministry, by a cook who was advanced in years and heavy-handed with salt; it was truly sickeningly salty.
A lot of people needed to be fed, all from the sa big iron pot, producing dishes that were utterly unremarkable and rather unappetizing.
But not eating was not an option, and he wasn’t picky either. He filled his bowl with rice to the brim.
"I heard you took a few newcors and the forensic doctor to inspect a couple of corpses." The Chief Clerk asked.
"Yeah, their heads severed from their bodies, brains splattered everywhere, even maggots had grown, longer than my fingers. Disgustingly ghastly," Jiang Zhao said casually.
While picking at his at, he added, "The new officials turned as pale as if they had seen a ghost, truly lacking so guts."
"You have the nerve to talk; your first encounter with a corpse didn’t leave you faring much better than them. Did you think everyone was like you? I think they did alright; at least they only threw up afterwards, though I suppose they won’t have much appetite for the next few als." The Chief Clerk said disapprovingly.
Jiang Zhao couldn’t help but think back to the ti when Cui Yun first arrived at the Ministry of Justice.
He intentionally took him to see a specially arranged most nauseating corpse, thinking that an aristocratic young master like Cui Yun would be scared out of his wits.
Perhaps then he wouldn’t dare to return!
At that ti, the whole Ministry was waiting for Cui Yun’s embarrassnt.
He waited eagerly, even preparing his sarcastic remarks, looking forward to spreading his incompetence and hoping the governnt would dismiss Cui Yun from his post.
This is the Ministry of Justice; it’s not so leisurely position where one can just write essays. It’s not for everyone to hold office!
However, back then, Cui Yun was just silently closing his eyes, as if to temper the visual shock.
Afterward, he lightly said, "I’m well aware of these sches. But I can’t bother squabbling with you. If I can’t even stand the sight of a corpse, then I wouldn’t do justice to these official clothes I’m wearing."
He approached impassively soon after.
The body is the biggest piece of evidence; even without the ability to speak, one can deduce a deceased’s specific age and other information through their bones and hair.
"The body has been decomposing for a while. Lord Jiang, do you understand how to examine the corpse?"
Jiang Zhao: ...
"It seems you do not."
Cui Yun chastised coldly, "What are you staring for? Hurry and call for the forensic doctor."
Thinking of this event made Jiang Zhao chuckle involuntarily. At that mont, he was indeed intimidated by Cui Yun.
Over here, the Chief Clerk opened his al box, which he had brought from ho. Naturally, his al could not be compared to Jiang Zhao’s.
It had the complete trifecta: color, aroma, and flavor. His wife’s cooking skills were unquestionably excellent.
Seeing this, Jiang Zhao instantly lost his appetite.
The Chief Clerk spoke indifferently, "No choice, the wife has a lot of demands and insisted I bring it. She also said I’ve been losing weight due to business lately and must nourish myself."
"I’m not trying to eat this in front of you on purpose."
"What, doesn’t your wife care about you?"
Jiang Zhao: ...
"How could she not!"
"My wife waits for to dine with her every night, leaving the light on for !"
"I am considerate of her too; even if I’ve eaten outside, I always eat a little more with her. They manage household affairs at ho and especially after becoming a wife, they seldom get to leave the house. She always says that it doesn’t matter if I’m grappling with governnt affairs or being decisive outside; just coming ho to dine with her gives her the most peace and admiration."
"True, my wife would drink an extra bowl of soup if I sat down to eat with her more often."
Cui Yun passed by both of them with indifference.
"My lord, let get you so rice."
Jiang Zhao suddenly stood up. Without waiting for Cui Yun’s refusal, he went to the kitchen area.
Cui Yun then waited.
The Chief Clerk couldn’t resist showing off to Cui Yun.
"My lord,"
"Do you have a girl cooking als for you?"
Cui Yun responded nonchalantly, "There’s a cook."
"It’s completely different after all. When you get married and eat the als she diligently prepares for you, you’ll be spirited all day long."
Cui Yun looked down.
He didn’t have any expectations for Shen Hua’s hands.
Perhaps as soon as she entered the kitchen, she would start complaining.
——The greasy fus are so intense, is this a place for people? I’m too delicate to be doing such rough work!
Cui Yun’s eyes softened for a brief mont.
Perhaps the interrogation was drawing to a close, and the case could be resolved in a few days; his deanor relaxed as he addressed the Chief Clerk.
"The girl I brought into my ho is not intended to suffer hardship."
The Chief Clerk thought so too.
"Indeed, managing the affairs of the Marquis Mansion’s inner house is an extrely difficult task."
As he was about to shower so flattery,
"I won’t force her to take charge of the household."
Chief Clerk: ??? He ventured to ask a question.
"Then may I be so bold as to ask, what did you marry Madam for?"
Cui Yun naturally did not respond to him.
It would suffice for his Marchioness to take care of her golden and noble self. Why should she be troubled and worried by these trivial matters?
At that mont, Jiang Zhao respectfully brought in the al.
Cui Yun accepted it indifferently.
In the Ministry of Justice, he had always been unpretentious. He ate the sa as everyone else and never set up a private kitchen.
Watching Cui Yun stride away, the Chief Clerk’s eyebrows nearly shot up to the heavens.
Jiang Zhao glanced at him: "What’s the matter?"
The Chief Clerk exaggerated: "You didn’t hear what our superior just said."
"Hahaha, he should stop pretending to have a wife; a loner like him, and yet he speaks as if it really ans sothing. Really, I had to hold back my laughter just now."
————
After nightfall, food was delivered to the East Courtyard.
Shen Hua watched emotionlessly as two uninvited guests appeared.
It was Xue Shuyue and Wu Shaoyin.
"Miss Shen, how have you returned to the mansion?"
Xue Shuyue felt an unpleasant sensation seeing Wu Shaoyin, yet she couldn’t resist her curiosity about why.
She regarded herself as an ally of Shen Hua, envious that Shen Hua went to the Yongchang Marquis Mansion, yet eager for Shen Hua to gain even more of Cui Xuan’s favor!
"Did you offend soone?"
Xue Shuyue was very anxious.
"You really need to change that temper of yours!"
If Cui Xuan no longer cared for her, what would Shen Hua use to attract Cui Yun’s attention?
Wu Shaoyin lowered her eyes; she was obviously here to gather information too. Otherwise, she wouldn’t want to even look at soone as foreboding as Shen Hua.
Xue Shuyue sighed with a mix of frustration and disappointnt: "Tell , what do you have besides your face?"
Shen Hua looked at her, responding earnestly.
"I also have a bit of foul money."
Xue Shuyue: ...
"Miss Shen," Wu Shaoyin spoke softly.
"I’m not sure what the situation is, but feel free to share it with ."
Shen Hua frowned: "What do I have to talk about with you?"
"We both reside in the West Garden—"
Shen Hua couldn’t be bothered to spar with her: "Enough, stop beating around the bush, speak plainly if you have sothing to say."
Wu Shaoyin choked up: "Whether in the Marquis Mansion or the Xuan Residence, in the end, you’re still related by marriage, and you must restrain your nature. If you’ve made a mistake, go and apologize. Right now, Madam and the Young Madam are not here, yet you’ve been sent back, it’s quite unsightly."
No sooner had the words left her mouth than there was an exclamation from Yicui outside.
"The Marquis?"
Suddenly, Xue Shuyue and Wu Shaoyin rose to their feet in unison.
The pearl curtain was lifted, and a refined figure entered. He had obviously returned to the Ju Courtyard to change out of his official clothes, now dressed in a dark black silk robe.
Shen Hua remained seated, watching the two raise their palms, gather their sleeves, and bend their knees to pay their respects.
Cui Yun gave a slight nod in acknowledgnt.
Then, he looked indifferently towards Shen Hua.
"I’ve co to dine with you."
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