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 accustomed 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 imprisonment or severer punishments from every province in the nation had to be reviewed by the Ministry of Justice, making the officials there busier than those in other departments.
Working overtime even on a holiday was a peculiar understanding between father and son.
After breakfast, Housekeeper Wu took him to the Chang'an County Government.
On the way to the government office, Li Nuo suddenly remembered something 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 seemed 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 mention of his father's name 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 extremely 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 numerous official duties daily. Sometimes he really can't spare any time..."
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 moments because of work commitments, and he had grown used to seeing such news.
However, in Daxia, this was not something praiseworthy.
The ancients placed immense importance on filial piety; even the most significant affairs were not considered as important as attending to one's parents in their last moments. 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 memories.
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 meant 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 blame her; growing up without a mother's love and having a father who seemed 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 somewhat 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 seemed his mother's side had also died out...
Housekeeper Wu felt somewhat melancholic, commenting, "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 name, but not in reality, which he saw and felt anxious about.
Housekeeper Wu's comment 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 Government.
Although today was a day off, the Government Officials who stayed to work overtime 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 time, a different group would take their turn. Everyone supported Lord Pei's fair arrangement 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 home 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 somewhat helplessly, "The backlog of cases at the County Government 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 government.
Unless they suffer a grave injustice and must seek help from the government, the vast majority of people are reluctant to step foot into the County Government'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 something.
After pondering for a moment, an idea emerged in his mind.
A quarter of an hour later.
On Chang'an Street, passersby from the County Government noticed something unusual.
Two government 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.
Someone asked in confusion, "Isn't today a day off? Usually, the government office is closed on rest days. What's happening today?"
As people were wondering, a Government Official walked out of the County Government.
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 government clerk is writing complaints for free. Today only, an opportunity not to be missed. Those with grievances, come forward; those without, show support..."
The Government Official shouted until his face was red and his neck was thick, leaving the onlookers stunned.
Some had lived a lifetime and had never seen such a spectacle.
In their minds, the government 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 government office; was this really the Chang'an County Government?
Outside the County Government, several constables enthusiastically pitched their calls.
Inside the County Government, 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 Government Officials and said, "You two, go back and change into your regular clothes, then..."