The two constables weren't feeling so well. They didn't have any internal energy, so they could only tighten their necks and try to speed up.

They were worried that Zhao Qingyan's slow speed would affect their speed, but to their surprise, Zhao Qingyan's speed remained the same as theirs.

However, she has always been walking between the two of them.

Upon arriving at the yamen, after paying her respects to the village head, Zhao Qingyan recounted the events of the day in detail.

"Sir, it's really not that I wanted to kick him. You have no idea how hard that woman was pulling on my clothes. If I had dodged, my clothes would have been torn to shreds."

If you don't believe me, I'll show you.

As Zhao Qingyan spoke, she opened her backpack, took out the top she had worn that day, and showed her back to everyone.

Zhao Qingyan's clothes, which she wore during the day, happened to be made of silk. There were obvious scratch marks on the back.

It was obvious that a lot of force was used. If a little more force had been used, his back would have almost been torn apart.

"My lord, do you see? These are the clothes that woman grabbed today. If I had dared to touch them, I would have been utterly humiliated."

My family has five scholars and five students who have passed the imperial examinations. If someone were to tear my clothes in the street, it would surely bring shame to the family.

Therefore, when the brambles fall, one can only think of other ways to save oneself.

I have practiced martial arts since I was a child, so I know exactly how much force I use and I will never make a mistake or get seriously injured.

The man had only fallen; at most he'd scrape his elbow and slump on his bottom. It wasn't a big deal.

Normally, it would have scabbed over and healed by now, even if it were any later.

If it is as serious as the woman said, there can only be two reasons.

First, the couple were repeat offenders.

He often used drinking as an excuse to beat and scold his wife, and then she would run into the street and attack strangers like me.

Most strangers don't want to cause trouble and will choose to keep the peace. So, if you ask them for money as compensation, they will usually give it to you.

I just didn't do what they wanted.

Zhao Qingyan finished speaking but didn't elaborate further. The village head and the other officials waited for what she would say next.

Zhao Qingyan coughed.

"The second reason is reasonable suspicion, which may cause trouble for the head of the village and the other officers."

The village head was quite surprised. "Oh, then why don't you tell me, what is this 'two'?"

"Secondly, if the Qiao couple's actions today were truly a coincidence, and not an attempt to extort a passerby like me, but Qiao Da's life is hanging by a thread, then most likely it was Qiao Da's wife who did it, wanting to kill Qiao Da."

The village head and his yamen runners were astonished.

"How is this possible?" the village head asked.

Zhao Qingyan smiled faintly, "May I ask if you, sir, beat your wife?"

The pavilion chief shook his head. Zhao Qingyan continued,

"If a person is constantly beaten and verbally abused, he will not even have a chance to escape."

Living in daily suffering, what does she most want to do?

Do you want to get rid of suffering? And what's the best way to get rid of suffering? Naturally, it's to eliminate it at its root.

After saying this much, Zhao Qingyan stopped talking.

Madam Qiao, who was kneeling to the side, could no longer contain herself after hearing Zhao Qingyan's words.

He lunged at Zhao Qingyan as if he had gone mad.

How could Zhao Qingyan allow this woman to get close? She had been careless during the day.

When she couldn't hit anyone, the woman started cursing.

"You little bastard, it's all your fault that you beat the boss so badly that he fell into a coma and was spitting blood."

My lord, you must do justice for this woman! You must sentence her to prison and exile her. Avenge my master!

Zhao Qingyan smiled happily.

"You should do your research before trying to extort money from someone, otherwise you'll easily get yourself into trouble."

Sir, may I sue this woman and her husband?

To extort money from me, first her husband, well, her husband, Qiao Da, tried to disfigure me, and then this woman ruined my clothes.

This garment was made from fabric that cost 20 taels of silver.

When they couldn't extort money from me again, they reported me to the village head in the middle of the night. This is disturbing my sleep and hindering my growth.

It hurt my young heart again.

Every single incident only proves that the Qiao couple were malicious.

Please, sir, make the decision for me.

I don't ask for anything else, I just hope that the Qiao couple can compensate me for my economic and emotional losses.

Not much, forty or fifty taels should be enough.

They would have to take calming medicine for at least half a month, and after eating bitter things, they would have to buy some candied fruit or pastries to sweeten their mouths.

This is interfering with my sleep and preventing me from growing taller, so I definitely need to eat something good to supplement my diet.

Putting everything else aside, we should at least eat a whole mutton, and then there's the chicken and the fish.

"My lord, I beg you to do me justice!"

After she finished speaking, Zhao Qingyan kowtowed to the pavilion chief.

But when others kowtow, they actually kowtow to the ground.

Zhao Qingyan stuck her butt out, and her head hit the back of her hand.

The pavilion chief almost burst out laughing at Zhao Qingyan's next words, but he tried his best to hold it in.

Qiao's wife, her eyes blazing with fury, felt an urge to kill.

Just as she was taking her breath, the owner of the grocery store, who was among the onlookers that day, was brought along, as was the owner of the seed shop.

Upon inquiry, it was found that today's events, as Zhao Qingyan stated, constituted legitimate self-defense.

As for Qiao Da's injuries, a specialist doctor and coroner will naturally go to examine them.

Naturally, Zhao Qingyan did not receive the forty or fifty taels of silver she requested, but since the clothes were indeed damaged, Qiao Dajia was ordered to pay 25 taels of silver in compensation.

The cost of the fabric is 20 taels plus 5 taels for labor.

Qiao's wife's eyes were practically bulging out.

That wasn't all. After Qiao Da was taken out of the pharmacy, he was examined by a doctor appointed by the head of the village, and then further examined by a coroner.

The village head slammed his gavel.

"Qiao family daughter-in-law, do you know your crime?"

This sentence not only scared Qiao's wife half to death, but even the usually bold Zhao Qingyan was startled.

It was the middle of the night, and the lobby lights were already dim, so this sudden shout was really a bit creepy.

Zhao Qingyan quickly touched the hair on her head, trying to call back her soul.

"Touching its fur won't scare you, but touching its ears will give you a little fright..."

After calling back her own soul, Zhao Qingyan timidly raised her little hand.

"Sir, could you please let this Mrs. Qiao give me the silver first so I can go back to the inn to sleep?"

Otherwise, we still have to travel tomorrow. What if I fall asleep on horseback?

Surely the adults wouldn't bear to see such a talented young man like me fall off my horse and die young because of poor sleep?

The pavilion chief was speechless at Zhao Qingyan's self-praise.

"Alright, sir, I'll pay for it for you first."

Go back to sleep now. If you really don't grow taller, don't come back and complain that I've affected you."