The head of the Peng family hurried into the palace.
The heads of Chaoge's noble families were all in the hall. They seemed uneasy, though none let it show.
The Peng family head understood at once. It seemed everyone had figured it out.
The family heads bowed together. "Your subjects... greet Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years without end!"
Zi Shou looked up at the well-fed family heads. Cursing me again?
He said irritably, "Shanglin Garden's market was closed yesterday. Your sons all went home, didn't they?"
At those words, the Peng family head's face flushed red.
I bet right!
If His Majesty had merely been humiliating the noble scions, he would certainly have discussed other matters first at today's court assembly, then approached this subject indirectly-or simply brushed past it.
But His Majesty had done nothing of the sort. Instead, he had driven straight in, asking them directly.
That meant there really was a deeper meaning behind it. Otherwise, if it were merely ordinary humiliation, family heads like them would never stand for it. They would inevitably remonstrate, perhaps even joining the ministers in doing so, and His Majesty would lose face.
So the question was: would His Majesty invite humiliation upon himself? Would he tarnish his own reputation for wisdom?
Nobles like them cherished their dignity and reputations above all else, and the King of Shang was, in truth, the greatest noble under heaven!
Thus, the Peng family head immediately bowed and answered respectfully, "They did. Only this morning did I send my unworthy son back."
Zi Shou searched the crowd for Yang Ren. The great fault-finder was fully focused, ready for action. Then Zi Shou said casually, "They are study companions, after all. Even if it has only been a dozen days or so,