Chapter 16: Everyone works together to cleanse the filth, and the momentum is overwhelming.

I wish you all knew this place. In addition to making a living from the bookstore, the Shi family also ran a private school in their early years.

However, the teacher Shi Yu was old and it was difficult for him to teach. He had only one son, who passed away more than ten years ago, leaving behind two grandchildren to accompany him.

Ever since Zhu Hao came of age, Shi Dalang, with whom she was engaged, died suddenly and inexplicably, and Shi Yu was even more devastated. Although Erlang Shi Chunsheng was just twenty years old, he inherited his grandfather's broad knowledge and was known as a "talented man" in Huaicheng. However, he neither took the exam nor inherited his grandfather's business to expand the school.

Inside the side wall of the empty field covered with long silk gauze is the long-abandoned school of the Shi family. Shi Yu once passed the imperial examination in his youth, but because his wife suffered from a serious illness and spent money like water every day, Shi Yu had to give up his ambition to take the imperial examination and become an official in order to make a living.

Although Shi Yu was stern in the classroom, he was not pedantic. The school set up by the Shi family not only accepted boys, but also allowed girls to study in the classroom. Occasionally, when the sun was warm and the wind was gentle, the students would sit on the stools in the breeze and study, just like today.

Shi Yu was also Zhu Hao's teacher, and she also sat in this hall to study when she was young.

Such a scholarly family would naturally not despise Zhu Hao because of rumors. Because her parents were close to the Shi family, she had often visited the Shi family since she could remember. Since Shi Dalang was much older than her, Zhu Hao was closer to Shi Chunsheng, who was of the same age as her. Even though her parents passed away and she had no two elders visiting her, Zhu Hao would still go to the Shi family every few days. Apart from the two sons of the Shi family, Shi Yu also treated her well, like her own grandfather. However, since the incident of Shi Dalang, she no longer visited the Shi family.

Seeing this scene, Zhu Hao was at a loss as to why Shi Yu, who had not given a lecture for several years, had summoned all the students to this meeting.

A corner of the silk gauze was lifted by the wind, and she happened to see a skinny old man standing in front of the students with a wooden stick.

Shi Yu has silver beard and white hair, and his cheeks are covered with wrinkles that show the vicissitudes of life, but his eyes are not cloudy, as if they are dotted with ink, and he looks energetic.

Zhu Hao was clearly not in the situation, but he could hear Shi Yu's words with remarkable clarity: "As your teacher, I have reached the age of sixty, and half my body will soon be buried in the earth. In my sixty-three years of life, I, Shi Yu, have never done anything that harms Heaven or morality! Shi Yu has no shame in his heart! The only thing he feels guilty about is the daughter of an old friend."

It was almost 9:00 p.m., and the streets were filled with stalls. Tourists from all over the country flocked in, all attracted by Shi Yu's loud and clear speech.

"My wife and children passed away young. Since their passing, my two grandchildren have been the most important thing in my heart. Unfortunately, three years ago, my eldest grandson died suddenly, and the pressure on me has made it difficult for me to get up again."

Shi Yu's back was hunched, and he took a step forward, clutching his wooden cane. His voice was hoarse, as if there was phlegm stuck in his throat. "In fact, my eldest grandson didn't die suddenly. My ancestors suffered from a hereditary disease. This disease only affects blood relatives and is carried with them from the womb. When it's not active, people are no different from ordinary people. If it is active, the chest will feel tight and stabbing, and there will be shortness of breath and rapid gasping, which may lead to death. How could I be so grateful? I have never suffered from this terminal disease, but my only son died from it, and my eldest grandson also suffers from it."

"Because of this devastating illness inherited from a family member, if it were known to other families, it would hinder their careers and marriages, so the Shi family has kept this illness a secret for generations. Dalang has feelings for the young lady from the Zhu family, and the Shi family is friendly with the Zhu family. Moreover, Dalang has never suffered from this illness until he reached his twenties. He should be like me, blessed by the great grace of God and insulated from this disease. Given this, I thought it would be a great match for Dalang to marry me. Unexpectedly... Dalang suddenly developed this illness and passed away in his sleep on the night of his engagement."

"Da Lang died just as he was about to arrange a marriage with Zhu Yatou. Furthermore, because Zhu Yatou's parents died young, she was already rumored to be unlucky in marriage. My mistake was knowing that the noble family was plagued by hidden dangers and would be dying at the feet of the King of Hell every day. Yet, just because he said he was pleased, he went to the Zhu family and urged Zhu Shi to arrange this marriage without even consulting Zhu Yatou."

"Da Lang's passing has solidified Zhu's reputation as a 'disaster star.' I personally pushed my dear daughter into danger! She has been condemned by the world! When Da Lang passed away, I was so absorbed in the pain of losing my eldest grandson that I didn't step forward to clear Zhu's name. This is a mistake upon a mistake."

"Afterwards, fearing that this illness would hinder my grandson's future, I threatened Chunsheng with my own life, forcing him not to reveal this matter. All these mistakes are my fault. I, Shi Yu, have betrayed humanity! I am especially ashamed of the daughter of an old friend! I have violated the teacher's ethics! I am unworthy of being a teacher!"

"Miss Zhu, barely a girl of marriageable years, has endured false accusations and criticisms for three whole years because of my selfish reasons. For three years, I have been unable to sleep at night. Yet, despite facing such adversity, she remains unbending and even stands up to You Yan. With such a figure in her heart, what do I fear? How can I crush all humanity?!"

Shi Yuyan's tears streamed down his face as he spoke, the wooden cane in his hand trembling with excitement. "Shi Yu considers himself mediocre in talent and unfit to be a teacher! All I ask now is that everyone spread the truth about her and clear her name! If possible, I hope that you will consider our past friendship, or perhaps for my own good grace, and go to the government office to help Zhu girl stop the strife! She is a good girl and does not deserve this stigma!"

It was as if everything around her was silenced, and Zhu Hao could no longer hear any other sound. Her chest seemed to be hit by a hard object, making it difficult for Zhu Hao to breathe, as if the mountains and rivers were collapsing.

The east wind suddenly rises, and its force shakes the sky.

As the silk gauze fluttered, a piece of white clothes caught her eye.

Zhu Hao still remembered that when she was a child, she often chased and played with this man. Later, due to unfounded rumors, she began to be afraid to meet him. Zhu Hao deliberately avoided him for several years.

Shi Chunsheng stood on the bank of the Qiqu Bridge, bowed his head and bowed to her from a distance.

"Spring only wishes to be graceful, and this journey will be a success."

He hadn't called her like this for a long time.

Zhu Hao was unmoved. She passed him by, and Shi Chunsheng continued to bow until Zhu Hao's figure was completely gone from the crowd.

Shi Chunsheng just smiled it off. He deserved her indifference and ridicule. Zhu Hao did nothing wrong. Besides, her character was so clear about what she loved and hated.

For three years, he had been spying on her every day, trying to find out every detail about her, like stealing light in the dark.

He could never help her at all. He was not worthy of talking to her about love. It was the Shi family who had let her down and were unworthy of such a good young lady.

Shi Chunsheng suddenly heard a bird singing, and it turned out to be a magpie landing on a willow branch.

…

When Zhu Hao and Cang Gong arrived at the government office, the outside was already crowded with people. The people surrounded the government office and the street, and even Zhu Hao, the plaintiff, found it difficult to squeeze into the crowd and walk into the inner hall.

Seeing this, Zang Gong, who was beside her, also felt dizzy.

For years, the common people of Huaicheng have suffered from You Yan's oppression, and Zhang Qian, the city's most respected official, has aided and abetted his cruelty. Even today, You Yan has persisted in his evil deeds, yet no one has brought him to justice. This is for no other reason than that his superiors were complicit in his corruption! However, today is different. The court is led by officials from the capital, who are expected to be upright and incorruptible, distinguishing right from wrong.

Besides, the wife of the Zhu family is also a remarkable person. First, a nobleman appeared and offered to marry her for a huge sum of money, and then Zhu Lanxiang personally denied all responsibility for her and her parents' deaths.

The Shi family, who have always closed their eyes and ears, actually gathered their former students today and were willing to sacrifice their reputation and reveal their hidden illness in order to clear the stigma of the young lady from the Zhu family.

Such a humorous and interesting event is rare in Huaicheng, so everyone must come and watch it.

The court hearing was scheduled, and since Lord Pei was to preside over the trial, Cang Gong naturally had to take on the task of summoning the plaintiff without delay. However, no matter how loudly he shouted, the people remained unmoved and refused to retreat. Cang Gong had no choice but to pull out the nearly half-man-high machete from his back and said, "By order of Lord Pei, the Junior Justice of the Dali Temple, summon Zhu into the court! All outsiders, please step aside!"

The people who gathered around to watch didn't take it seriously at first, but when they saw the huge machete that Cang Gong was carrying on his left shoulder, they were all scared so much that their legs and feet went limp and their faces turned pale. The people knew what to do and made way for him and Zhu Hao.

Seeing this, Zang Gong put his knife back into the sheath. He looked at Zhu Hao and signaled him to follow, but Zhu Hao did not move.

Zhu Hao stood in the street outside the government office, feeling the inquiring gazes from all directions. She greeted them calmly with a smile, "Avalanches are caused by snow, but not just a single petal. Droplets merge into pearls, and water drops meet to form a river. Even mere weeds, if gathered into bundles and counted in dozens, can easily crush a horse or camel."

She faced the crowd, bowed, and said, "Today, I wish you all to be willing to be a cold flower, a trickle of water, or a wild grass. I only wish that you all will be like the snow piled on the mountains, like the endless rivers, and even more so, like the bundles of straw that crush the evildoers."

Those who understand will naturally understand the meaning of the blessing. It is difficult for an ordinary person to fully grasp the meaning, but with a little guidance from others, he can understand it about 70% or so.

What about snow, river and grass, isn't it just Madam Zhu's hope that everyone will do their best to follow their hearts and bring You Yan to justice?

People can conquer nature.

The strength of one person cannot match the strength of everyone working together.

Although Madam Zhu no longer bears the stigma, she has endured years of scorn and condemnation, shunned by the city's citizens. While Madam Zhu is certainly pitiful, the man she accuses is the unscrupulous You Yan, the eldest son of the You family! No matter how beautifully and righteously she speaks, everyone has parents and children to care for! Whether the judge today is an imperial official or the emperor himself, who would be willing to risk their lives for this case? Who could disregard life and death?

If everyone helps her today and You Yan doesn't fall, they will be the ones who suffer!

After Zhu Hao said this, he bowed his head and apologized to Cang Gong, then followed him up the stairs.

Three days ago, because of the secret plots of the You family brothers, blood flowed here and the innocent souls could not cry out.

The outer street was only a few steps away from the inner hall, but she felt as if she was walking on a thousand mountains.

As Zhu Hao got closer to the inner hall, the expressions of the onlookers became more and more strange.

Therefore, she felt uneasy.

The first thing Zhu Hao saw when he stepped into the inner hall was Fang Xuyin kneeling in front of the plaintiff stone. As for You Yan, he was still as unruly as he was three days ago. He stood with his back straight and never knelt.

You Yan looked at Fang Xuyin with a look of pride on his face, which gave him the impression of a villain who had achieved success.

Fang Xu turned herself in to the police three days ago for the death of her elder brother. Moreover, she was the original plaintiff in the burial sacrifice case. It was reasonable for her and You Yan to be tried first before Zhu Hao came to court.

The only anomaly was that there was no Dali Temple Shaoqing in the Mingtang. The person sitting at the desk was clearly still the corrupt official Zhang Qian!

No wonder the nearby spectators all looked surprised!

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