Chapter 27
Stirring Trouble
Actually, Jiuyue was quite happy on her first day of work. After all, His Majesty had gifted her such a beautiful carriage, and more importantly, the little mare was so obedient and spirited. She always stayed by Jiuyue’s side and ignored everyone else. No wonder even the princes wanted her—good horses really do stand out.
However, Jiuyue had never ridden a horse before. On the first day, she didn’t ride it, nor did she want the mare to pull the carriage, so she simply led it through the streets herself. It was her first time out, and as a sixth-rank official, she was accompanied by two junior clerks. These two were quite cooperative and didn’t try to create trouble for the newly appointed Jiuyue, instead assisting her earnestly.
After all, the previous city inspector had run off crying and yelling. Someone had to take over, right? Besides, with someone tall standing at the front, it was safer for these “small fry.”
Walking through the streets in a sixth-rank official robe, Jiuyue attracted many curious glances. A woman walking outside wasn’t unusual, but wearing the formal uniform of a sixth-rank official with attendants in tow—that was rare.
“Old man, how much for these candied hawthorns?”
“Oh? Oh, two wen per skewer.”
Jiuyue cheerfully bought three skewers and gave one each to the two junior clerks behind her, ignoring their awkward expressions, and happily bit into one herself, enjoying it thoroughly.
The old vendor hesitated, but couldn’t resist whispering a warning.
“Little girl, why are you wearing the city inspector’s uniform? Are you an official too?”
“I am. Is there a problem, old man?”
“Well… um, I advise you to go home quickly. This isn’t something you can handle. Those young masters aren’t easy to deal with, and if a pretty young girl like you gets bullied, there’s nowhere to seek justice.”
The old man’s words came from the heart. Jiuyue thanked him sincerely and moved on. The vendor sighed repeatedly at her disobedience.
Unexpectedly, in no time, a group of imposing young masters followed her, stopping passersby along the way to ask about Jiuyue’s whereabouts.
Given how conspicuous Jiuyue was, it was easy to find her. She was staring at a shabby little beggar by the roadside—a boy of maybe five or six—who seemed too timid to call out for alms and had been pushed aside by impatient passersby. The boy’s big, dark eyes roamed around and landed on Jiuyue, smiling, holding a fragrant large bun.
Jiuyue waved gently, trying to make her smile non-threatening. She felt pity for the boy; she had never seen such a poor child. Most children were cherished by their families, but this boy had to beg on the street. He was nothing but skin and bones, yet his eyes looked so innocent.
Seeing a kind older sister beckoning, he swallowed nervously and tried to approach but seemed conflicted.
Jiuyue, not wanting to be bored, took a few steps forward and opened the grease paper wrapping of the large bun.
“Here, for you. Don’t be afraid, I’m not a bad person.”
Perhaps it was Jiuyue’s infectious smile, for after a moment of hesitation, the boy cautiously walked over. Jiuyue’s smile grew wider, and as he got within four or five steps, she stretched out her hand to let him reach the bun faster…
“Eh?”
“Hey, city inspector! What do you think you’re doing?! You think you’re some big official?! You’re just a lucky little yellow-haired girl daring to boss me around? Oh, looking closely, you’re ugly too! Eating street food no less, no wonder you came from some village. You’ve never seen a place as bustling as the capital, have you? Pathetic!”
“…”
Seeing the beggar shrink back and the bun fall dirty on the ground, Jiuyue took a deep breath, straightened her back, and turned to face the troublemaking young master.
He wore a sky-blue robe. Normally, this color looks stunning on handsome people, but ugly people can only make the robe itself look decent. This fool had a leek sticking out of his nose, acting arrogant as if he were waiting for Jiuyue to bow to him.
Jiuyue carefully scanned him from head to toe and, finding no record of him in her mental files, grew impatient.
“Who are you?”
“You! How rude! I’m the third son of Lord Anyuan, and you dare be disrespectful to me?!”
Jiuyue hadn’t encountered someone this foolish in a long time. She was even more annoyed when she noticed the two junior clerks who were supposed to follow her were missing.
“Oh, so you’re the heir?”
“No, I’m not! My eldest brother is.”
The young master’s face turned red with anger. His companions nearby couldn’t help laughing. For someone like Wei San, the real heir insulting him a few times would be mild in comparison.
“According to the law, among the sons of dukes, marquises, and counts, only the heir enjoys special privileges. Since you are neither the heir nor Lord Anyuan himself—no official rank, no position—this official is a sixth-rank city inspector appointed by His Majesty. So tell me, should you bow to me, or should I bow to you?”
“You! You!”
“This official advises you to think carefully before answering. I may be inexperienced, but I am officially appointed. If you obstruct my duties in public, you can be charged with disturbing the peace.”
“You dare?!”
The third son of Lord Anyuan blushed with anger but also felt fear. Could he really be committing a crime?
“What would I not dare? Of course, this is a minor matter, not worth reporting to His Majesty.”
“I knew you wouldn’t dare…”
The surrounding townspeople, who had hoped to see a daring city inspector, grew disappointed. Officials were all the same, no matter male or female.
Unexpectedly, Jiuyue casually flicked her sleeve.
“Then I will have to accuse Lord Anyuan of failing to properly educate his son. If a father fails to teach his child, it’s the father’s fault. If he can’t manage his own child, how can he manage the ten thousand troops at the western camp? As a citizen of the capital, how can I not worry for my safety?”
“You!”
The young noble’s face turned pale. He was only enjoying his power because his father was stationed in the western suburbs. If Jiuyue submitted a report, his father would definitely beat him. In this era, fathers beating sons was perfectly normal—even on rainy days.
