20demayo Chapter 352 Imperial Edict Arrives
Chapter 352 Imperial Edict Arrives
At the end of October in the twenty-second year of Shun'an
Wen Zongji, who had been traveling for two months, returned to the capital at the end of October.
After entering the city, the imperial guards returned to the palace to report back to Emperor Shun'an.
The princess, weary from her journey, said, "Go back and rest well. Don't go through any more trouble."
I went on vacation for two months. I had a great time, but I was also really tired, both mentally and physically.
The princess didn't have the energy to say much. After giving a few instructions, she lowered the carriage curtain and returned to her residence.
In contrast, Wen Zongqi's face was full of the joy of playing: "Third brother, next time you go out to play, remember to take our family with you."
Zhou Ge'er nodded, sitting in Wen Zongqi's lap: "Third Uncle, don't forget Zhou Ge'er."
Chen Xiu Nian didn't say anything, but she thought the same thing.
Following Wen Zongji's family ensured her safety and provided a pleasant experience, and she had a blast these past two months.
Looking at the family that had already latched onto him, Wen Zongji rubbed his forehead and said, "Don't even think about it for the next few years. We'll talk about it later."
Wen Zongqi didn't take it to heart: "It's alright, I'm free anytime."
Anyway, he's very free and can leave anytime with his luggage.
Wen Zongji: "..."
He's about to start his shift, so compared to him, he's really something else.
After saying goodbye, Wen Zongqi's convoy also left, leaving only the convoy of the county magistrate's mansion.
Lingjie was asleep, nestled in Wen Zongji's arms.
Rui Ge'er was also listless, his little head nodding off.
They didn't return by water; they traveled all the way back, seeing many beautiful sights and encountering some interesting things.
But after having fun, you really do feel tired.
Back at the county princess's residence, both Rui-ge and Ling-jie went to sleep.
Seeing that both children were asleep and there was still some time before lunch, Pei Rujing decided to take a nap as well, and pulled Wen Zongji along with her.
……
After lunch, Pei Rujing spent time with the two children, while Wen Zongji went to the palace to see the Crown Prince.
East Palace
As the Crown Princess's pregnancy progressed, the Empress told her to focus on her pregnancy and not to go to the Phoenix Palace to assist her with official duties.
This is the Crown Prince's first child. The complex feelings of becoming a father for the first time made him look forward to the child and he would care about the Crown Princess's health every day.
Upon learning that Wen Zongji had arrived, the Crown Prince patted the Crown Princess's hand and said gently, "Rest well. If there's anything you need, just tell the palace servants to do it."
The Crown Princess nodded obediently: "This concubine has remembered."
The crown prince then left.
The Crown Princess watched his retreating figure, her gaze filled with complex emotions.
The palace maid said, "I heard that Lord Wen is about to be promoted. Only Lord Wen could go out and play for two months before his promotion."
Normally, the closer you are to a promotion, the better you should perform, lest you lose what you've got.
Wen Zongji, on the other hand, went out to play for two months.
The Crown Princess rose and walked around the hall, saying, "Lord Wen is a talented man. It's normal for the Crown Prince to treat him with some preferential treatment because he values him highly."
Of course, most importantly, he is Pei Rujing's husband, which the Crown Princess would naturally not say outright.
However, Wen Zongji's appropriate "arrogance due to favor" would not displease the Crown Prince.
main hall
Wen Zongji paid his respects to the Crown Prince.
The crown prince gestured for him to sit down, and the palace servants served tea to the two of them.
"How was the game?"
Wen Zongji briefly described the trip: "The scenery in Jiangnan is indeed beautiful, and the scenery in some places in the north is also quite nice. It's just that we spent a long time there, and everyone was tired."
The crown prince looked at him with amusement: "So you know it takes a long time to play, huh?"
Wen Zongji smiled but did not reply.
The Crown Prince had no intention of settling scores later, saying, "The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review has already retired. Tomorrow, the imperial decree will be issued to promote you to Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Think carefully about how to be a good Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. If there are still many wrongful convictions, I will not forgive you."
Wen Zongji cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness, I will certainly not disappoint you."
Afterwards, the Crown Prince told Wen Zongji about the situation at the Court of Judicial Review: "My understanding is certainly not comprehensive. You should be prepared and go and see for yourself the reasons for the corruption in the Court of Judicial Review. Although the previous Minister of the Court of Judicial Review neglected his duties, it was definitely not just because of him."
When a government office begins to fail to act, the presiding official bears undeniable responsibility, but it is by no means the responsibility of the presiding official alone; it must be because the entire government office is starting to have problems.
Wen Zongji was fully aware of this: "Your Majesty, I understand."
……
The next day, Wen Zongji received an imperial edict, promoting him from the fourth-rank Shuntian Prefecture Assistant to the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
A true top official in the government.
After the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree left, Pei Rujing opened the decree, glanced at it, and said, "I'm going to be busy again."
Wen Zongji shook his head: "Although it is said that a new broom sweeps clean, I do not know much about the Dali Temple, so I do not know about this fire for the time being. Let's find out the situation first."
Rui-ge looked up and asked, "Father, what is the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?"
Wen Zongji explained it to him in simple terms: "It means that he is the highest-ranking official in the Court of Judicial Review, and everyone in the Court of Judicial Review has to listen to the Minister of Judicial Review."
Rui-ge'er suddenly realized: "Just like everyone in the manor listens to Mother?"
Wen Zongji smiled, but still nodded: "Yes."
Rui Ge'er asked again, puzzled, "Why did Mother say that Father is going to be busy, but Mother isn't busy?"
Pei Rujing: "..."
Wen Zongji laughed even harder, patting Rui Ge'er's little head: "...Hmm, that's a good question."
Pei Rujing defended herself: "My mother is also very busy, you just haven't seen it."
She is much busier than before; before, she really left everything to Granny Feng and was a hands-off manager.
Rui blinked: "Is that so?"
Pei Rujing nodded emphatically: "That's it."
Rui Ge'er wisely refrained from continuing the conversation.
Lingjie didn't understand their conversation. She broke free from the maid's embrace and walked shakily toward Wen Zongji: "Father... play~"
Lingjie really had a blast during these two months of travel. You can't underestimate a child's energy; a good night's sleep and she's fully recharged.
And now, she wants Wen Zongji to take her out to play again.
Wen Zongji hugged her and coaxed her, "Father will take Ling'er out to play again in the future."
Lingjie pouted, dissatisfied.
But they were quickly drawn to the toys that Wen Zongji brought out.
Pei Rujing held Rui Ge'er's hand and followed behind Wen Zongji and his daughter.
……
After receiving the imperial edict, Wen Zongji first went to Shuntian Prefecture to bid farewell to Chai Dingchong. As for his duties, he had already handed them over, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to relax and play for two months.
The next day, Wen Zongji arrived at the Dali Temple.
All the officials of the Dali Temple knew that the new superior was arriving today, and they made preparations to welcome him early in the morning.
When Wen Zongji entered the yamen, all the officials, led by the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, paid their respects to him.
Wen Zongji glanced at everyone and nodded lightly: "No need for formalities. From now on, I will serve the court together in the Dali Temple. I hope everyone will work together to make the Dali Temple famous."
"Your humble servant will follow your instructions."