0p0 Chapter 511 Audacious!
Chapter 511 Audacious!
Finally, on the seventh day, the Censorate held a public trial for the Xue family case. Countless people from Huayang County flocked to the scene, undoubtedly to see if this new government office could bring down the Xue family.
Mu Xin Nuan and Duanmu Chu Ze also arrived, both dressed in casual clothes. They sat in the back hall of the yamen and did not go out to watch the excitement.
"Aze, do you think the second master of the Xue family will come?"
"Yes. Last time it was the Prefect who came. This time, this Second Master Xue will definitely come, and I'm afraid he will bring another high-ranking official with him. As for who it is, we'll find out when we see it."
Mu Xin Nuan looked somewhat disappointed. She really wanted to go up and take a look. Although it was quiet here, she couldn't see anything she wanted to see. What was the point?
"Aze, how about we go back to that teahouse and take a look?"
Duanmu Chuze glanced at her, knowing she couldn't sit still any longer, and shook his head, saying, "No. Although we can't see Lu Shaofeng and Zhao Zihe's trial firsthand while we're here, at least we can communicate with them more easily. If someone with a powerful background arrives later, we can give them more convenient instructions, right?"
Mu Xin Nuan thought about it and agreed. She then gave up the idea of going to watch the excitement and instead became interested. The two of them started playing chess in the back room.
This time, the person brought by the second master of the Xue family was indeed not comparable to that of a prefect. The person who came to Huayang County this time was actually a young man from the Wang family in the capital. The second master of the Xue family treated this person with utmost respect, and even the prefect, who was of the fourth rank, was extra careful with him.
Before the trial even began, this trouble had already arisen, and Lu Shaofeng's face was extremely gloomy.
Zhao Zihe is slightly better, but only slightly better.
Come to think of it, no one in charge would want this. Before the job has even officially started, people keep coming to cause trouble.
"My lord, this is a letter from my father. Please take a look." The young man was handsome and refined. He presented a letter with a smile on his lips and a respectful expression, but his eyes revealed a hint of disdain.
Lu Shaofeng wasn't stupid; instead of rushing to take the letter, he first asked, "May I ask who your father is?"
"My father was a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, from the Wang family in the capital."
The young man was clever; he didn't directly name his father, but by saying "Wang family of the capital," he clearly identified himself. Perhaps the power of those four words, "Wang family of the capital," was too great, for he himself unconsciously straightened his back, feeling immense pride in being a member of the Wang clan.
"Oh, in that case, please invite this young master Wang to the back hall. I will treat him properly after I have finished hearing this case."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A hint of embarrassment and annoyance flashed across Young Master Wang's face. "Lord Lu, I am here on my father's orders to deliver this letter. Please read it first, lest it further affect your future. That would be disastrous."
"Young Master Wang, you flatter me. This is Huayang County, the fiefdom of the Prince of Changle. Logically speaking, all affairs here are decided by the Prince of Changle. Even the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat is not allowed to interfere. What? Does Young Master Wang mean that your father can interfere at will?"
Young Master Wang's expression darkened slightly, and his eyes became somewhat gloomy. "Lord Lu, you shouldn't speak so definitively. My father indeed has no right to decide matters in Yanzhou, but I believe the Lu family has relatives and friends beyond Yanzhou, don't you?"
This is a blatant threat!
Lu Shaofeng's expression changed upon hearing this, while the Prefectural Magistrate beside him smiled faintly, "Lord Lu, it would be best to listen to Young Master Wang on this matter. Please read the letter first."
Lu Shaofeng held his breath and took the letter from the young man with a somewhat fierce look. He then opened it in front of them. Zhao Zihe, who was standing to the side, kept his eyes on the young man. After the young man took the letter, Zhao Zihe slowly said, "Young Master Wang, it seems you've been doing quite well in the capital these past few years."
Only then did Young Master Wang turn his head, sizing Zhao Zihe up and down a few times before narrowing his eyes slightly. "You are Zhao Zihe?"
"It is truly an honor that Young Master Wang can still recognize me."
Young Master Wang's expression changed slightly. Others might not know, but Zhao Zihe was very clear about his status in the capital! He was just a collateral branch of the Wang family. Although his father's official position was not low, strictly speaking, he could not be considered a central figure in the Wang family.
They couldn't even get close to the very edge of the Wang family's power center.
"I never expected to meet Young Master Zhao here. I am truly sorry for my disrespect," Young Master Wang said, bowing.
Zhao Zihe raised an eyebrow slightly. "Young Master Wang, you're too kind. Please have a seat."
After reading the letter, Lu Shaofeng frowned slightly, gave Zhao Zihe a wink, and then coughed a few times. A servant brought in tea, saying, "Sir, your throat is not feeling well. Please have some tea first."
Lu Shaofeng nodded, casually tossed the letter onto the tray, then picked up his teacup and took a few sips.
Some of the people present didn't notice that the servant had taken the letter away with him, while others noticed but didn't take it seriously. Anyway, he had already read the letter, and whether it was useful or not, they could tell from his panicked appearance.
After chatting casually with the young master Wang for a few moments, Zhao Zihe quietly withdrew and went to the back hall. Sure enough, he saw the prince looking at the princess with a contented expression, while the princess was facing the chessboard with a worried look on her face. It seemed that the atmosphere was a little disharmonious.
"Your Majesty?"
"Hmm, just a minor official in the Ministry of Personnel, no need to bother with him. Let's see if we can lure out any bigger fish?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
To everyone's surprise, Lu Shaofeng and Zhao Zihe showed no respect whatsoever and immediately announced the start of the trial.
This caught everyone off guard, because the letter also bore the personal seal of the Duke of Lu. What did this mean? It meant that the Duke of Lu was aware of the matter and approved of the words in the letter.
Wang Shilang may not be much, but the Duke of Lu is the current Empress's younger brother and the Prince of Changle's maternal uncle. How dare they not even give the Duke of Lu face? This is simply outrageous!
"Lord Lu, have you thought this through? Some things, once done, can never be regretted," the second master of the Xue family couldn't help but remind him.
"Hmph! You needn't trouble yourself with this matter. How dare a mere clerk be so disrespectful to me! Guards, slap him!"