Opening the Doors to Hear Cases

The next morning, Li Nuo ate breakfast alone.

His wife had taken Song Mu'er home the night before and, as usual, hadn't returned. Li Nuo was used to it by now. His father had left early that morning. Although it was a rest day, the Court of Judicial Review was the highest judicial authority, and all cases from every prefecture and county across the country that carried a sentence of imprisonment or worse had to be reviewed by the Court. Its officials were busier than those in other departments.

Having to work overtime on a day off was one thing the father and son shared an uncanny understanding about.

After breakfast, Steward Wu accompanied him to Chang'an County Office.

On the way to the county office, Li Nuo suddenly remembered something and asked, "Why didn't my father attend Old Madam Song's sixtieth birthday celebration?"

He'd heard Steward Wu say that his father and his wife's father had been the closest of friends, which was why Li Nuo and his wife had been betrothed before they were born. Now the families were even closer. As both a dear friend and an in-law, it seemed rather inappropriate for his father to miss Old Madam Song's sixtieth birthday. Even distant relatives from the Song Family had attended.

That night, Li Nuo had already been curious about it.

Steward Wu gave a slight cough. "Well, this..."

Of course, he couldn't tell the young master that the mere mention of his master's name was enough to strike fear into the hearts of countless officials in Chang'an. If the master personally attended Old Madam Song's birthday celebration, it wouldn't be a surprise for the Song Family. It would be a fright.

He gave a dry laugh and said, "Perhaps the master was busy with official duties. The young master knows that the master is Minister of Justice and also oversees the Mirror Division, which monitors officials across the land. He holds a high position and great power, and has a great deal of official business to handle every day. Sometimes, he simply can't find the time..."

Li Nuo didn't think much of it. He could understand.

In his previous life, it was common for people to miss their parents' final moments because of work. He saw it in the news all the time and had grown used to it.

But in Great Xia, that wasn't something to be praised.

The ancients placed great importance on filial piety. No matter how pressing the matter, nothing was more important than seeing one's parents off. An official who failed in this duty would have his career all but ended. Old Madam Song wasn't his grandmother, so his father's absence was merely improper by the rules of etiquette; it wouldn't bring any serious consequences.

Thinking of something else, he said, "I don't think I saw Father-in-law at the celebration that night, either..."

Among Old Madam Song's children, Father-in-law had been the only one at the birthday celebration that night, all by himself. Li Nuo had wanted to ask his wife, but then decided it might not be appropriate. What if he touched on some painful memory and she got angry and beat him up?

Steward Wu smiled and said, "There's something the young master doesn't know. More than ten years ago, Lord Song and Madam Song went their separate ways. After that, Madam Song left Chang'an..."

Li Nuo had assumed Father-in-law's wife had passed away. He hadn't expected the two of them to have separated after their relationship fell apart.

More than ten years ago... His wife was only eighteen. Did that mean that, like him, she'd grown up with almost no experience of a mother's love?

No wonder his wife had no trace of femininity...

But he couldn't blame her for that. She'd grown up without a mother's love, and Father-in-law seemed like the sort of traditional, stern father who didn't know how to get along with his children... Thinking of it, Li Nuo couldn't help feeling sorry for her.

Li Nuo's background was even more tragic than hers, but at least he'd had a very happy childhood.

He chatted with Steward Wu all the way there, mostly asking about his own circumstances. Aside from the Song Family, he also learned from Steward Wu that only Li Nuo and his father remained of their branch of the Li Family. His father had no relatives, and it seemed that his mother's side of the family had died out as well...

Steward Wu sighed. "After Madam passed away, the master never remarried. The future of the Li Family depends on the young master carrying on the family line, but with the young master and Young Madam like this, sigh..."

He'd watched both the master and the young master grow up.

He'd long considered himself part of the Li Family. The young master and Young Madam were married in name, but not in reality. He saw it all and was worried sick.

Li Nuo didn't respond to Steward Wu's words.

Having children required a foundation of mutual affection. He and his wife weren't close enough for that yet...

They soon arrived at Chang'an County Office.

Although it was a rest day, the constables who had stayed behind to work overtime were all full of energy. One day's work earned them half a month's salary; they wouldn't have minded going a whole year without a day off.

Of course, that wasn't possible. The magistrate had said that everyone would take turns enjoying this opportunity. Next time, a different group would be chosen. Everyone supported Lord Pei's impartial arrangement and was even willing to give him half of their extra pay.

Those who weren't willing had been considerately sent home by Lord Pei to enjoy their day off.

Before noon, Li Nuo had finished dealing with all the cases.

Once again, there were no major cases. The seven minor cases combined added just one day to his lifespan.

After wrapping up the last assault case, Li Nuo looked toward Magistrate Pei again and asked, "Are these the only minor cases today?"

Pei Zhe gave a helpless smile. "The young master has already heard all the cases that had piled up at the county office. Unless someone reports a case, there probably won't be any to hear for the next few days."

Most commoners were afraid of the authorities.

Unless they had suffered a terrible injustice and had no choice but to seek the authorities' help, the vast majority of people wouldn't set foot inside the county office.

Li Nuo furrowed his brows slightly. It was one thing if there were no cases today, but if there weren't any for the next few days either, then every day he lived was one day closer to death. Was he supposed to sit there and wait for it?

No, no. He had to do something.

After a moment's thought, an idea came to him.

A quarter of an hour later.

On the streets of Chang'an, passersby walking past the county office noticed something strange.

Two county constables carried a long table out of the office and set it up by the entrance. Ink, brushes, paper, and an inkstone were arranged on it, and a clerk-looking man sat upright behind the table.

Many passersby slowed down at the sight, unsure what kind of show these officials were putting on.

Someone asked in confusion, "Isn't today a rest day? The office doors are always closed on rest days. What's going on today?"

As everyone stood there wondering, a constable came out of the county office.

He walked into the street, and the crowd scattered to make way. He cleared his throat and called out loudly, "Come take a look! Don't miss out as you pass by! The magistrate is hearing cases in public today, and the county office clerk will write your petitions for free! For today only! This is your one chance—miss it, and it's gone! If you've been wronged, come seek justice; if not, come show your support..."

The constable shouted himself red in the face, while the onlookers gaped in astonishment.

Some of them had lived their whole lives and never seen anything like it.

The authorities were supposed to be a very solemn place. Why were they acting like a brothel soliciting customers or a market vendor hawking their wares?

They even looked up at the plaque above the county office entrance. Was this really Chang'an County Office?

Outside the county office, several constables enthusiastically called out to passersby.

Inside, Li Nuo stood behind the door, watching what was happening outside.

In his previous life, not long after he started working, the courts had held outreach programs, setting up mobile courtrooms in towns and villages. They'd taught people about the law while helping them solve real legal problems, and the local residents had praised the programs unanimously.

But the people of Great Xia didn't seem nearly as enthusiastic about this.

Was it because they lived at the emperor's feet, where the rivers ran clear and the seas were calm, the country was peaceful and the people content, and there were no grievances to bring forward?

Beside Li Nuo, Magistrate Pei of Chang'an County saw what was happening and beckoned two constables over. "You two, go back and change into civilian clothes, then..."