Chapter 432: Complaint
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The old lady of the Jianning family brought her grandson home. When she saw Earl Jianning, she wailed, “Son! Your mother won’t live. She’s already so old, but she was pointed at by a servant and scolded. She put my old face on the ground and stepped on it! Look, my good grandson was pressed to the ground and beaten by them. Woo… Woo…”
The little fatty was covered in dirt. He tugged at Earl Jianning’s sleeve and sobbed. “Dad! I only hit him once, and they let a four-eyed little black dog bite me. They even said that I was as fat as the little black dog. When I scolded them, they hit me. They even said that they would hit me every time they saw me in the future. Boohoo…
Earl Jianning saw that his mother and son were crying their hearts out. He was so angry that the fat on his body was trembling. “Mother, I’m useless. I caused you to be humiliated. I’ll fight them to the death.”
When the old lady saw her son turn around and leave in anger, she hurriedly pulled his sleeve. “Son! That little official said that he wants to complain to the imperial court. Let’s also complain to the imperial court. Bring my good grandson to His Majesty to take a look and complain to him to avenge your mother.”
Earl Jianning nodded and said, “Mother’s method is still the best. I’ll go to the palace to complain to His Majesty now.”
The old lady gave him a few more instructions before letting him leave with the little fatty.
When Zhou Jia and the others returned to the capital, it was already late at night. Just as they finished washing up, Ji Xiang arrived.
Ji Xiang reported, “Master, someone from the palace has come. They said that Earl Jianning has entered the palace to sue us for letting a slave commit murder and beat his mother and son. You wanted to go to his house to explain the situation, but you didn’t expect Earl Jianning to be like that vicious old woman.”
“Stupid thing, you actually listened and believed it to this extent. Don’t you have a brain?” Zhou Jia criticized and instructed Ji Xiang, “Go help Young Master change into festive clothes and bring that old woman to the carriage. I’ll bring Young Master into the palace immediately.”
Zhou Jia entered the house and changed his clothes. He brought Yangyang to the front hall and saw Zhao Cai sitting in the hall with the young eunuch at the entrance of His Majesty’s imperial study. The two of them were beaming with joy.
When the young eunuch saw Zhou Jia arrive, he stood up and bowed with a smile. “Lord Zhou, His Majesty has summoned you to the palace.”
Zhou Jia bowed and said, “As His Majesty wishes.”
Zhou Jia brought the young eunuch out. The young eunuch smiled and said to Zhou Jia, “Earl Jianning brought his bruised son to the imperial study and didn’t leave. He said that your steward hit his mother and son and insisted that His Majesty should uphold justice. His Majesty finally had time to rest today, but it was all ruined by him and his son.”
Zhou Jia frowned and said, “That’s right! As a minister, he can’t share the His Majesty’s burden. He even caused trouble in front of His Majesty for a small matter. He’s too insensible.”
The young eunuch smiled and cupped his hands. “That’s right. No wonder His
Majesty said that you’re the most considerate.”
When Yangyang heard this, he looked up at Zhou Jia and thought to himself that his father was also saying that he wanted to complain to His Majesty in the manor! Why did he say that Uncle Jianning was insensible?
When Zhou Jia saw his son’s expression, he knew what he was thinking. He go into the carriage and waited for him to ask him. Unexpectedly, Yangyang remained silent until he reached the palace.
After Zhou Jia got out of the carriage, he said to Ji Xiang, “Wait here with that old woman. If His Majesty summons her, bring her into the palace.”
Ji Xiang bowed. “Yes, my Lord.”
When the father and son arrived at the entrance of Yangxin Hall, Yangyang saw that the little fatty was being held by a fatty who looked like a big white steamed bun. Yangyang felt that the little fatty was even dirtier than when he was in the manor. He widened his eyes in surprise and looked at him.
Chu Yuhao looked at the beautiful child who had crossed the threshold with Zhou Jia. He was wearing a thin red silk dress and was wearing a piece of pink jade. When he saw his surprised expression on seeing the little fatty, he smiled and thought to himself that this child was as good-looking as his parents and even more heroic than Mr. Zhou.
The father and son entered the hall and knelt down to kowtow. Chu Yuhao smiled and said, “Rise!”
When Earl Jianning saw that Zhou Jia and his son were dressed cleanly, especially that child in festive red. He suddenly felt that he shouldn’t have listened to the old lady and let the child come to see His Majesty dirty.
Chu Yuhao pointed at Earl Jianning and said to Zhou Jia, “Earl Zhou, Uncle
Jianning is suing you for letting your slave commit murder. He insulted
Matriarch Jianning and even beat his son.”
Zhou Jia bowed and said, “Your Majesty, my son knows the ins and outs of this matter the best. I’ll let him report to Your Majesty.”
Chu Yuhao glanced at Earl Jianning and nodded. “I approve.”
When Earl Jianning heard this, he muttered to himself, “If you let the child say it, don’t regret thinking that I took advantage of you.”
“Chenxi, report everything that happened in the manor today to His Majesty,” Zhou Jia said to Yangyang.
“Yes, Father.” Yang Yang turned around and reported to Chu Yuhao, “Your Majesty,
“Chenxi, you have to refer to yourself as a subject,” Zhou Jia taught him.
Chu Yuhao smiled and waved his hand. “There’s no need to pay attention to these things. Let him speak for himself.”
Yangyang glanced at Zhou Jia, then at His Majesty, who was sitting at the head of the table, and said affectionately, “I brought Xiaobai, Brother Loach, Brother Maizi, Brother Maodou, and Little Stutterer to the ditch on the farmstead to pick fish…’
After Yangyang finished explaining everything, he pointed at the little fatty and said, “Your Majesty, Mother said that children who lie have to have a long nose. I didn’t lie. If you don’t believe me, you can ask that little fatty. Your Majesty, Brother Loach is still lying on the bed and can’t move. It hurts even when he breathes. You have to punish that bad old woman. She’s very bad. She even bullied children.”
The little fatty raised his head and looked at Yang Yang in surprise. Earl Jianning looked at Yangyang and thought to himself that a young child would not know how to lie. Could it be that his mother and youngest son lied to him? He was speechless as he looked at Yangyang in a daze.
Chu Yuhao looked at Uncle Jianning with a smile. “Earl Jianning, what do you think? Why don’t you ask your young master to talk about it?”
Count Jian Ning bowed and said, “Yes, Your Majesty.” Then, he turned to look at the little fatty and said seriously, “Wang Xing, report the ins and outs of the matter to Your Majesty. Remember not to lie.”
The little fatty stole a glance at the majestic emperor. He pointed at Yangyang dejectedly and stammered, “Just like he said, what I said to you was what Grandmother taught me.”
Earl Jianning was dumbfounded and so angry that he raised his hand to hit
Wang Xing. Suddenly, he remembered that he was still in Yangxin Palace Hall.
He hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed to Chu Yuhao to admit his mistake. “Your Majesty, I’m guilty. I shouldn’t have come here rashly without asking clearly. Your Majesty, please spare me this time!”
Chu Yuhao looked at Earl Jianning, who was kowtowing like he was pounding garlic and sighed. “Get uD! Go back and deal with those servants who bullv others with their power. Seek forgiveness from Lord Zhou’s family and compensate them with medicinal soup and silver. As for your mother, let her eat more vegetarian food and pray to Buddha!”
When Earl Jianning heard this, he knew that his mother could only enter the temple hall to eat vegetarian food and pray to Buddha. He pulled Wang Xing to kneel and kowtow to thank him. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After getting up, he apologized to Zhou Jia. “I was muddle-headed. I’m sorry, Lord Zhou.”
Zhou Jia cupped his hands in return. “Earl Jianning, no problem, no problem.”
Chu Yuhao said to Earl Jianning, “You may leave!” Earl Jianning knelt down to thank him and left..