As the New Year approaches, several consecutive snowfalls occur. On the twenty-first days of the twelfth lunar month, various government offices start sealing their stamps, waiting to reopen them on the nineteenth day of the first lunar month of the following year.
Song Ci sits by the stove, listening to Nanny talk about this sealing process and says, "So the officials are essentially going to take a rest for nearly a month?"
Impressive, just like teachers getting a winter break in later times, quite a considerable length of time.
"Technically, that’s how it is, but not all government departments will be sealed for that long. Key departments in the capital won’t be sealed for so long. For example, important matters concerning national military policies must promptly submit reports to the Emperor and expedite the handling." Nanny educates her about the knowledge related to the sealing of government offices.
But some seniors always think outside the box.
"What if there’s a murder case during this time? Will they investigate it?"
Why can’t you think of nicer things?
Song Ci looks curious like a child.
Nanny’s heart softens, and she says, "In such a case, it would have to wait. If a murder took place just when the office was sealed, the investigation would have to be postponed, for example, autopsies would have to wait until the offices reopen."
Song Ci clicks her tongue and shakes her head, "This has a lot of drawbacks."
"Solving a case has a golden period, a precious time frame. If someone intends to harm another, they would take advantage of the sealing period to buy themselves time to escape guilt. Every clue in a case needs to be probed quickly and accurately. Imagine this, if someone dies today, how could you solve the case a month later? Wouldn’t all the evidence be lost, and even if found, having been tampered with over so many days, how could you solve it?" Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on novel★fire.net
Nanny pauses for a moment, quickly nodding in agreement, "You’re right."
"So this should be considered an emergency; time waits for no one."
"What Mother says is true. I will definitely pass this on so that criminal cases are dealt with without delay." Song Zhiyuan comes in.
Song Ci’s heart clutches, thinking, how did her sharp son catch her being ’smart’ again?
"Why was there no announcement? Are you secretly eavesdropping on my chat with Nanny?" Ci complains.
Nanny serves a cup of tea to Song Zhiyu with a hidden smile.
Song Zhiyuan looks a bit helpless, "I was just standing at the door listening for a while."
Does this sound like a top-secret matter?
Song Ci doesn’t argue with him, instead smiling as she asks, "Since today is the day of sealing, everyone’s taking a break, right? You’ve been busy all year round; can you finally rest properly?"
"I actually came to discuss with Mother whether we should go live at the hot spring villa for a few days?" Song Zhiyuan asks.
He thought that since Song Ci had been overthinking before, she might feel unhappy. During the sealing break, they could relax at the hot spring villa for a few days.
Song Ci: "Go to the villa? Although it’s sealed, as a Prime Minister, isn’t it inappropriate for you to leave the capital? What if the Emperor frequently summons you to the palace for discussions, wouldn’t it be troublesome?"
Regarding this break, she doesn’t think someone as high-ranking as Song Zhiyuan has the privilege to take such a rest. Even if he does, he should stay in the capital in case the Emperor suddenly summons him.
"This time, the hot spring villa we are going to is the Imperial Family’s Hot Spring Palace. The Empress Dowager is also going; it’s not far from the capital, only three hours by carriage," Song Zhiyuan says with a smile. "In fact, it is the Empress Dowager who invites Mother and the children to have a lively time. As for me, I can only stay for one day."
Song Ci is surprised, understanding that it’s the Imperial Family showing favor by giving benefits to close ministers.