My Wife is Unbeatable in the Whole World, Touch Me If You Dare! Chapter 31: Handling Cases Openly

The next morning, Li Nuo ate breakfast alone.

His wife had taken Song Mu'er back last night and, as usual, hadn't returned. Li Nuo was already accustod to this, and his father had left the house early in the morning. Although today was a rest day, as the Ministry of Justice was the highest judicial authority, all cases of imprisonnt or severer punishnts from every province in the nation had to be reviewed by the Ministry of Justice, making the officials there busier than those in other departnts.

Working overti even on a holiday was a peculiar understanding between father and son.

After breakfast, Housekeeper Wu took him to the Chang'an County Governnt.

On the way to the governnt office, Li Nuo suddenly rembered sothing and asked, "It was Old Mrs. Song's sixtieth birthday recently, why didn't my father go?"

He had heard from Housekeeper Wu that his own father and his wife's father were close friends, which led to his and his wife's arranged marriage. Now that the families were even closer, it seed inappropriate for his father, being both a close friend and a relative by marriage, not to attend Old Mrs. Song's significant birthday celebration that even distant relatives of the Song Family wouldn't miss.

That night, Li Nuo had been curious about this.

Housekeeper Wu coughed lightly, "Well, this..."

Of course, he couldn't tell his young master that just the ntion of his father's na made countless officials in Chang'an tremble. If his father personally attended Old Mrs. Song's birthday banquet, it would not be a pleasant surprise for the Song Family, but rather a fright.

He chuckled dryly and said, "It might be because my Lord is extrely busy with official duties. You know, young master, that my Lord is the Minister of Justice and also oversees the Spiegel Bureau, which monitors all other officials. He holds a high position and significant power and has to deal with nurous official duties daily. Sotis he really can't spare any ti..."

Li Nuo didn't think too much about it; he could understand that. In future generations, there were frequent reports of people missing their parents' final monts because of work commitnts, and he had grown used to seeing such news.

However, in Daxia, this was not sothing praiseworthy.

The ancients placed imnse importance on filial piety; even the most significant affairs were not considered as important as attending to one's parents in their last monts. If an official failed in this respect, his career was essentially over. Old Mrs. Song was not his grandmother, so his father's absence was only a breach of etiquette and would not lead to serious consequences.

Thinking of another matter, he continued, "That evening, I also didn't see Lady Mother-in-law…"

During the birthday banquet, among Old Mrs. Song's children, only Lord Father-in-law was present. Li Nuo had wanted to ask his wife, but then thought it might not be appropriate, fearing he might upset her by bringing up painful mories.

Housekeeper Wu smiled and replied, "Young master might not know this, but more than a decade ago, Lord Song and Mrs. Song separated, and since then, Mrs. Song has left Chang'an..."

Li Nuo thought Lady Mother-in-law had passed away, not that they had divorced due to a breakup.

More than a decade ago...his wife was only eighteen this year, which ant that she, like him, had grown up without much maternal love.

It was no wonder his wife lacked a feminine touch.

But he couldn't bla her; growing up without a mother's love and having a father who seed to be a traditional strict parent probably didn't help... Thinking this, Li Nuo felt a pang of sympathy for her.

Li Nuo's own background was sowhat more tragic, but at least he had had a beautiful childhood.

He chatted with Housekeeper Wu all the way, mainly asking about his personal circumstances, and apart from matters related to the Song family, he learned from Housekeeper Wu that only he and his father remained of the Li family line. His father had no relatives on his side, and it seed his mother's side had also died out...

Housekeeper Wu felt sowhat lancholic, comnting, "After madam passed away, my Lord never remarried. The continuation of the Li family will depend on the young master, but with the current state of affairs between the young master and young madam...sigh..."

Both the master and young master had grown up under his care.

He felt deeply attached to the Li family. The young master and young madam were married in na, but not in reality, which he saw and felt anxious about.

Housekeeper Wu's comnt was not answered by Li Nuo.

Having children required a basis of affection; he and his wife were not yet at that level of familiarity...

They soon arrived at the Chang'an County Governnt.

Although today was a day off, the Governnt Officials who stayed to work overti at the County Magistrate's Office were all full of energy; working one day would earn them half a month's salary, which would be enough to keep them working all year round without a break.

However, this was impossible—the Chang'an County Magistrate had said that this opportunity had to be rotated among everyone. Next ti, a different group would take their turn. Everyone supported Lord Pei's fair arrangent and willingly agreed to give half of their extra salary to Lord Pei.

As for those who were unwilling, Lord Pei compassionately arranged for them to go ho and rest.

Before 11:00 a.m., Li Nuo had already finished handling all the cases.

Today, there were still no major cases, just seven minor ones, which altogether only increased his life by one day.

After finishing the last assault case, Li Nuo looked again at the Chang'an County Magistrate and asked, "Are there only these few minor cases today?"

Pei Zhe answered sowhat helplessly, "The backlog of cases at the County Governnt has all been cleared by you, sir. If no one files a new case, there probably won't be any cases to hear in the next few days."

The public generally harbors fear towards the governnt.

Unless they suffer a grave injustice and must seek help from the governnt, the vast majority of people are reluctant to step foot into the County Governnt's building.

Li Nuo furrowed his brow slightly. It was one thing to have no cases to hear today, but none for the next several days as well? Would he not just be sitting around waiting to die?

This would not do; he had to do sothing.

After pondering for a mont, an idea erged in his mind.

A quarter of an hour later.

On Chang'an Street, passersby from the County Governnt noticed sothing unusual.

Two governnt officers from the office brought out a long table and set it at the front of the building. The table was equipped with brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone, and a clerk-like person sat properly behind it.

Seeing this, many pedestrians slowed their pace, puzzled about what these officials were doing.

Soone asked in confusion, "Isn't today a day off? Usually, the governnt office is closed on rest days. What's happening today?"

As people were wondering, a Governnt Official walked out of the County Governnt.

The crowd made way as he cleared his throat and shouted loudly, "Take a look, don't miss out as you pass by! Lord County Magistrate is openly settling cases today. The governnt clerk is writing complaints for free. Today only, an opportunity not to be missed. Those with grievances, co forward; those without, show support..."

The Governnt Official shouted until his face was red and his neck was thick, leaving the onlookers stunned.

So had lived a lifeti and had never seen such a spectacle.

In their minds, the governnt was supposed to be a solemn place, but it was being conducted like a brothel garnering clients or a market vendor hawking goods...

They even looked up to double-check the sign at the entrance of the governnt office; was this really the Chang'an County Governnt?

Outside the County Governnt, several constables enthusiastically pitched their calls.

Inside the County Governnt, Li Nuo stood behind the door, observing the situation outside.

In his previous life, when he first started working, the court had organized a grassroots event, setting up a mobile court in villages to both educate the public on the law and help solve legal issues, which was highly praised by the local people.

Yet, the enthusiasm of the Daxia's citizens for this event didn't seem as high.

Could it be that, under the Emperor's rule, with clear waters and peaceful country, the people were content and without grievances?

Seeing this, the Chang'an County Magistrate, Pei Zhe, called over two Governnt Officials and said, "You two, go back and change into your regular clothes, then..."