Receiving an Imperial Decree, a Rift Secretly Springs Up; Sighing at the Ghosts and Human Hearts of Officialdom

Though the misunderstanding had been cleared up, Cheng Rixing truly had no idea what Daiyu liked—indeed, even the young masters and young ladies of Jia Manor might not have known what hobbies Lin Daiyu had besides reading and writing.

But it would hardly do to give a little girl the Four Treasures of the Study for her birthday, would it?

Besides, the Four Treasures of the Study used at Rongguo Mansion were already handpicked treasures. Anything bought outside might not even measure up.

In the end, Sun Shaozong and Ruan Rong put their heads together and simply took out over two hundred taels of silver to make ninety-nine Gold Leaves, then strung them into the shape of branches with more than half a meter of gold thread, symbolizing everlasting longevity.

Though giving gold outright was somewhat vulgar, these things not only looked festive, but could also be used in an emergency or handed out as rewards to servants. They were, in truth, the most practical gift possible.

With the decision made, the household stewards naturally handled the particulars. Sun Shaozong became a hands-off proprietor, spending his days merely whiling away the hours at the prefectural office.

And so, another three or four days passed.

That morning, Sun Shaozong was reviewing a case in which a man had accidentally beaten his nephew to death while fighting his brothers over an inheritance, when a burst of pandemonium erupted outside. A moment later, Zhou Da hurried in, beaming as he shouted, "My lord! Several Imperial Envoys have arrived outside. They're probably here to summon you to the palace for an audience!"

Jia Yucun had indeed called it!

Sun Shaozong set down the case file and gave a great stretch before making his way unhurriedly toward the main hall.

Truthfully, he had little interest