A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 311 Are you teaching me how to do things?

Midday on the moon.

In the main hall of the Duke's mansion, the five people, young and old, who had been waiting anxiously, drank several large pots of tea and ate their fill of dinner before finally seeing Song Shuyu return.

The three elders' dissatisfaction was clearly written on their faces. The elder, who was Song Shuyu's great-uncle, slammed his cane down heavily and snorted through his nose!
The two uncles' faces were as black as the bottom of a pot, cold and frightening!
Only his cousins, Song Shuyan and Song Shushen, greeted him with smiles, saying, "Brother Shuyu is back!"

"Greetings to the Second Young Master!" The old steward stepped forward to greet him and asked with concern, "Has the Second Young Master not yet eaten? This old servant will have someone bring him food immediately."

Song Shuyu smiled slightly and said casually, "I've already eaten at the yamen. Tell the kitchen to make some sweet and sour pastries; I'll bring them back to the yamen later."

"Yes!" The old butler bowed and left.

The elders, feeling ignored, grew increasingly dissatisfied, and the two cousins ​​were also embarrassed and annoyed. However, since they needed their help, they managed to hold back and didn't show it on their faces.

Another maidservant came up, took off Song Shuyu's cloak, and handed him a warm, damp handkerchief to wipe his hands. Only then did Song Shuyu slowly and politely cup his hands, and said with a gentle smile, "Junior Shuyu greets Great-Uncle and the two uncles, and pays respects to the elders! Greetings to my cousins!"

Grand Uncle immediately rebuked him: "Hmph, now that you've become the Prefect of the Capital, your airs have grown too big. You actually made us elders wait for you for several hours. What a fine example of a filial son and grandson!"

Song Shuyu said eloquently, "Uncle, please calm down. I have many official duties in the capital and really cannot get away. Today is not a major festival. I thought you all came to visit my grandmother. I was thinking that if I finished early, I would come back to pay my respects. If it was too late, I would assume you had all returned home and I would visit you another day when I had more free time. I did not expect... that you were still here."

Upon hearing this, the second uncle lost patience for pleasantries and went straight to the point, "Nephew Shuyu, besides paying our respects to the old lady, we actually have a few things to discuss with you today."

"Really?"

Song Shuyu raised an eyebrow in surprise, slowly walked to the chair opposite him, sat down, picked up his teacup, gently pushed the lid, and said with a faint smile, "Second Uncle, you flatter me. My father is the clan head, and matters of the Song family should be decided by my father. If all else fails, there is my elder brother, who is a minor duke. I have no title and also rely on my father and elder brother to make a living. The word 'discuss' carries too much weight, and I am truly unworthy of it."

"How could that be? My dear nephew, you are now the Prefect of Jingzhao, a third-rank official, in charge of the capital and six counties. You hold a high position and great power, and you are also favored by the Emperor. Your future is limitless!" Fifth Uncle followed up with flattery, his attitude changing so quickly that it was as if his previous stern face had never existed.

Song Shuyu gave a modest smile and said, "Fifth Uncle is too kind." After saying that, he lowered his head to drink his tea and did not say anything more.

Seeing this, the group exchanged glances, their eyes revealing anxiety.

Then, the second uncle spoke first: "Nephew, your cousin has recently run into some trouble. The Ministry of Personnel has investigated and wants to hand him over to the Censorate. You have influence in both the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate. Why don't you try to smooth things over for him? Don't worry, you can pay as much money as you need to bribe people."

Song Shuyan nodded in agreement, his eyes eager, "Yes, Brother Shuyu, thank you for your hard work for your brother. As long as this matter can be resolved, your brother will never forget your kindness!"

Song Shuyu smiled faintly, her expression unchanging. "Who in the Ministry of Personnel is so bold as to hold my brother hostage? It's just a trivial matter. Don't they know that offending the Song family is tantamount to offending the Empress Dowager?" "That may be true, but... but it wouldn't be good to cause trouble for the Empress Dowager, would it?" Song Shuyan's expression changed slightly, clearly showing her unease.

Song Shuyu said "Oh" and continued drinking his tea.

However, the next moment, the tea lid slammed onto the teacup with a loud bang, startling the group. Song Shuyu exclaimed in alarm, "It's over! I just offended Minister Sun of the Ministry of Personnel a few days ago. Now he sees me and glares at me. Will I... will I lose my position as Prefect of the Capital?"

Those people were stunned!

The second uncle asked urgently, "How did you offend Minister Sun?"

Song Shuyu sighed deeply, his tone filled with sorrow, "Hmm... I heard that Minister Sun has been working tirelessly every day to investigate officials who sell official positions. I kindly reminded him to get more rest and avoid staying up late, to be careful of hair loss, baldness, and kidney deficiency, and to guard against sudden death and an untimely demise. I never expected that Minister Sun would not only be ungrateful, but also say that I cursed him. I... I meant so well, and it was all for naught!"

Song Shuyan's head was buzzing, and he blurted out, "Brother Shuyu, that's the Minister of Personnel! He holds the lives of all the officials in the Great Zhou in his hands, including your future. How dare you speak so recklessly..."

"Is my cousin teaching me how to do things?" Song Shuyu interrupted slowly, her smiling eyes suddenly turning cold.

A sudden fear gripped Song Shuyan's heart, and her mouth, faster than her brain, blurted out, "No, nothing."

However, the second uncle, still oblivious to the impropriety, adopted the demeanor of an elder and issued orders in a lecturing tone: "Nephew, since you already know that the Ministry of Personnel is cracking down on the sale of official positions, then I'll be frank with you: your cousin is also involved. Now, Minister Sun refuses to make an exception. You need to think of a way. You have influence with the Emperor; if you step in, Minister Sun will definitely give you face."

Song Shuyu neither agreed nor refused. His gaze shifted to the other two anxious faces, and he asked with a smile, "Fifth Uncle, Cousin, what do you think? I can only use this face once at most. If I use it more than that, I will get myself into trouble."

Upon hearing this, the two groups that had originally come together immediately split into two self-serving camps!
Fifth Uncle said, “Nephew, your cousin committed a minor crime in Heyang County. This is a county under your jurisdiction. As long as you explain it to the magistrate of Heyang County, everything will be fine. It will be easier to handle, won’t it?”

"Cousin, please help me! It was unintentional, and I didn't mean to cause you any trouble. My matter is much easier to handle than asking Minister Sun for help," Song Shushen pleaded urgently, trying to secure a chance for himself.

Second Uncle and Song Shuyan were both anxious and angry, and immediately started arguing with Fifth Uncle and his son!
Song Shuyu calmly sipped his tea, as if it were none of his business, letting this farce unfold before his eyes!
Great-Uncle, however, couldn't stand it any longer. He jabbed his cane hard and roared, "What's all this noise about? Shut up!"

The hall gradually quieted down.

The great-uncle was stern and unsmiling. "Shuyu, these two cases are not difficult for you. I believe you can handle them. Right?"

(End of this chapter)