The Imperial Treasury had funded it, the Ministry of Works had overseen its construction, and the site had been chosen near Confucius Temple. Ever since Tianshi Mansion had been approved last year and construction began that spring, it had been the subject of constant controversy.
But Sun Shaozong had been suppressing the rebellion in Huguang at the time. By the time he returned victorious to the capital, the uproar had long since died down. Thus, it was only now that he heard of the matter for the first time.
That said...
Sun Shaozong frowned. "How could a headless corpse be arranged in the shape of the character 'heaven'?"
Even if he pictured himself in that position, it would at most form the character "no."
"Uh..."
Chen Jingde froze at this, and only after a long while did he sheepishly reply, "This subordinate only heard it from others. I have not seen it with my own eyes."
Well then.
Before Sun Shaozong raised that question, Chen Jingde had probably never considered it at all.
"Enough."
With a speechless flick of his sleeve, Sun Shaozong said, "Go back to the yamen and tell Lord Wei that I have gone straight to Tianshi Mansion to investigate the case. If he has anything else to instruct me on, he may have you relay it."
Though he could not refuse an assignment under Imperial Order, that did not mean Sun Shaozong had to obediently report to Wei Yi before acting.
Going directly to the scene would, first, demonstrate his relatively independent position. Second, even if Wei Yi was displeased, he could simply excuse himself on the grounds that the case was serious and could not be delayed.
Chen Jingde's face fell when he heard Sun Shaozong's order. But now that he had firmly attached himself