Seeing Yan Qingqing's curiosity, A-Da pulled aside a bystander and asked, "Excuse me, sir, what happened up ahead?"

The man could tell from Ah Da's clothes that he came from a wealthy family, and replied, "Young man, you may not be very familiar with what's happening in our county."

Didn't the incident of two women fighting over a child happen a few days ago?

The newly appointed magistrate will conduct a public trial today.

Upon hearing this, Yan Qingqing asked, "Is this a case left behind by Magistrate Ling?"

The man shook his head and said, "No, Magistrate Ling is a good official. Before he left, he took care of all the problems that needed to be addressed for us ordinary people."

This happened just a few days ago.

The man noticed that Yan Qingqing's attire was even more extraordinary, and her overall demeanor was even more impressive.

The key point is that Yan Qingqing is very approachable, unlike some noble people who look down on others with their noses in the air.

Seeing that Yan Qingqing was interested, he told her the whole story.

It turns out that a wealthy merchant had moved into the East Alley of the county town not long ago, but he suddenly died of a violent illness a few days later.

This wealthy merchant had no legal wife, only two concubines and a son.

But both of the concubines claimed that the son was theirs.

The two even took this to the county government.

Upon hearing this, Ah Da couldn't help but say, "Since he's a wealthy merchant, he must have servants."

"You could ask the servants at this house; that would tell you everything."

Yan Qingqing said, "It shouldn't be that simple. What you can think of, the county magistrate can definitely think of as well."

Their servants certainly didn't know who the child's father was either.

The passerby quickly replied, "This lady is truly farsighted; her servants only bought it after arriving at this place."

The child is usually cared for by the newly hired wet nurse, so they don't know who the child's father is.

Yan Qingqing listened with great interest and said, "This is interesting. Let's go and take a look together."

After saying that, he had Ah Da pick up Li Xiangyang and follow the crowd of onlookers to watch the new magistrate hear the case.

Soon Yan Qingqing and her group arrived at the entrance of the county government office, where a crowd of onlookers had gathered.

The county government office gates were wide open, and the solemn and dignified main hall was fully equipped with tables and benches.

Behind the courtroom hangs a plaque with the four large characters "明镜高悬" (meaning "a clear mirror hangs high"

The yamen runners had already set up their formation.

Perhaps because the people around them saw that Yan Qingqing and her companions were dressed in extraordinary clothes and had guards with them, they unconsciously made way for them.

Standing in Yan Qingqing's position, one can clearly see the situation inside the county government office.

There was a lot of discussion about the case among the crowd, with all sorts of opinions.

Yuan Huiniang asked softly from the side, "Mother, what do you think of this?"

Yan Qingqing shook her head and said, "We don't know what happened, so we can't draw any conclusions yet. Let's wait and see." Yuan Huiniang nodded in agreement.

Soon, a shout of "Wow!" rang out.

Yan Qingqing knew that the new county magistrate would be coming out soon.

All she knew was that the new magistrate's surname was Gao; she really didn't know anything else.

Immediately afterwards, a middle-aged man dressed in a green official robe and wearing an official hat came out.

The magistrate looked to be in his forties, with a serious expression, and appeared to be an upright and incorruptible official.

He glanced into the crowd, then slammed his gavel and said, "Bring Xue and He up here."

Soon two beautiful women were brought to the front of the hall.

Both of them cried and begged the magistrate to intervene on their behalf.

Magistrate Gao slammed his gavel and roared, "What kind of behavior is this, crying and sobbing in the main hall! If anyone dares to make a sound again, each of them will be given twenty strokes of the cane as a warning to others."

Upon hearing that they were going to be punished, the two were immediately too frightened to cry.

Yan Qingqing thought that this Magistrate Gao was really impressive, but she wondered how much real ability he had.

Magistrate Gao then asked, "You both claim this child is yours, but what proof do you have?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Xue quickly replied, "Your Excellency, my son was born with a red plum blossom birthmark on his buttocks."

"Just have someone check if the child has a plum blossom-shaped birthmark."

After saying that, he gave He Shi a smug look.

Madam He then said, "Your Excellency, everyone in the manor knows that Zong'er has a plum blossom birthmark. How can that be used as evidence?"

What Mrs. He said was true. Anyone who had taken care of that child knew that he had a plum blossom birthmark on his buttocks, but that could not be used as evidence.

The two then presented several pieces of evidence that could not be used as evidence at all.

Finally, Magistrate Gao slammed his gavel and said, "Since none of you can prove it, then bring the child up here."

"Whoever can snatch the child from the other gets to have it."

The crowd erupted in uproar upon hearing Magistrate Gao's words; it was the first time they had ever witnessed such a hasty judgment.

The former Magistrate Ling was so diligent and cared for the people. I'm afraid this new magistrate is a corrupt official.

The people below began to discuss among themselves, saying that if the new county magistrate was really like this, the lives of the people of Chengyang County would probably not be easy in the future.

However, some people have raised objections, arguing that this might actually help find the child's biological mother.

If this were someone else's child, they would definitely do everything in their power to get it back.

Some people believe that even if the new magistrate is an incompetent official, they are not afraid, because their Chengyang County still has a wise and benevolent ruler who loves the people like his own children.

Yuan Huiniang whispered from the side, "Mother, this Magistrate Gao is too muddle-headed. How can he conduct a trial like this?"

Wouldn't that mean whoever is stronger gets the child?

Yan Qingqing shook her head and smiled, "That's not necessarily true. Sometimes going against the grain isn't a bad thing. Let's wait and see."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Huiniang fell silent.

Soon someone brought the child up.

He was a handsome little boy, dressed in fine clothes, looking timidly at the people present.

Magistrate Gao ordered his men to place the child between the two men, and then, at his command, the two men began to struggle for the child.

Neither of them would give in, and the child cried loudly in fear, but neither of them showed any sign of stopping.

The onlookers could hardly bear to watch any longer, and Magistrate Gao finally had someone pull the two apart.

Yan Qingqing saw that the child's clothes were torn.

However, neither Xue nor He managed to win the argument. They glared at each other fiercely, like ravenous chickens wishing they could devour the other alive.

Magistrate Gao shouted, "You two, Xue and He, are not this child's biological mothers!"

How dare you deceive this official and defy the court! Guards, give each of them ten strokes of the cane, then imprison them.

"I will take further action after I have thoroughly investigated the matter."

The crowd erupted in uproar again. Both Madam He and Madam Xue were indignant, arguing that they were not the child's biological mothers.

Magistrate Gao explained, "No mother would drag a child away without regard for their life or death."

"You two have no compassion for this child. Even if she were her own mother, you two shouldn't be raising her."

Magistrate Gao's words were met with unanimous agreement. Everyone praised Magistrate Gao for his wisdom.