Chapter 159
Jiangzhou
Originally, the Third Sister's family was quite pleased that the Wan family had sent someone to negotiate in private, and their appetite naturally grew.
But to their surprise, Third Sister and Second Brother suddenly disappeared.
At first, his family thought he had gone out to buy things or go out for a stroll, but he didn't come back for two days in a row, so they became a little uneasy.
“He’s such a grown man, he couldn’t have gotten lost. Father, Mother, did Judge Wan secretly arrange for someone to kidnap my second brother?”
"Third Sister, what should we do?"
Everyone worked together for the money, but in this era, women were ultimately inferior to men. The parents of the third daughter always loved their youngest son as if he were their own flesh and blood.
Third Sister was also momentarily flustered; she dared not think about it.
She was initially very proud and confident, but now it's hard to say.
"No, it can't be Wan Tongpan. He wouldn't dare to do it so obviously. He wouldn't dare. He wouldn't even touch that woman. How could he possibly kidnap my second brother in secret? Impossible, impossible."
She kept denying it verbally, but inside she was a little flustered.
She looked up at everyone in the room. If that were really the case, she would most likely be abandoned in the end. No, that couldn't be the case.
"Father, Mother, even if Judge Wan secretly kidnapped my second brother, we don't need to be afraid. Sister-in-law, you will have to step in then."
Third Sister-in-law was taken aback.
“Last year, you saw it clearly on the street. This new prefect is not the same one who liked to compromise. I don’t believe that Magistrate Wan can sit still.”
"He wants to settle this case, so let's bring up the previous one. Madam Wan, you're not short of money. They've been bullying us like this, so we're not to be trifled with either. If you ask me, we should have been more lenient with him before."
“Everyone says that ordinary people don’t dare to fight against officials, but fortune favors the bold. As you all know, my plan was so meticulous that it shouldn’t have gone wrong. If you’re so capable, let him kill our whole family.”
Third Sister seemed somewhat obsessive, and her parents exchanged bewildered glances.
"Father, Mother, listen to me. Go to the government office now and report this to the authorities. That way, the Wan family will send people over privately, and we can't go to their door and give them something to use against us."
"Will it work?"
"Yes, the bigger the commotion, the better for us. We don't need to fear retaliation from the magistrate."
"Listen to Third Sister, after all, she's doing this for our family. Old woman, let's go."
The others hesitated, but did not object. They knew there was no turning back once the arrow was released; the whole family was in the same boat right now.
Right now, Third Sister and Second Brother are tied up in a village. They haven't been tortured, but they haven't been given water or food for two days, and they're already on the verge of collapse.
"Should you tell me or not? Should you do it or not?"
Madam Wan had already guessed the truth. To be schemed against by a lowly maid was truly shameful.
This matter cannot be left unresolved; it concerns the family's reputation. It's impossible for her to sit idly by and watch coldly.
"Yes, it was Third Sister who planned it."
“She didn’t want to be with your third young master. She wanted to take the money and leave. She secretly instigated my parents to steal her indenture.”
In the end, Third Sister and Second Brother were nothing but good-for-nothings.
At first, he was stubborn, but later, without food and water, he was in great pain. Being locked in this small room, his mental defenses began to crumble. He was afraid that he would really die here, and no one would know, and he would be buried randomly in the nearby mountains and forests, disappearing without anyone knowing.
That day, I will truly become a wronged soul.
"If we can kidnap you once, we can do it again. After you've eaten and drunk your fill, go to the government office to turn yourself in and close this case as soon as possible. If you want to extort money, you'd better see who the other party is. This time we're giving you a lesson. If it happens next time, you might get the money, but you won't live to spend it."
Upon hearing this, Third Sister and Second Brother nearly fainted.
"I...I'm not going."
He instinctively refused.
“It’s no use me going there. My parents had someone write the complaint. Why did you kidnap me? You should go find my older brother or my father.”
The third sister and second brother were in tears.
"Have you heard of waterboarding? Do you see that big water vat? And what about the slow slicing punishment? Do you want a quick death, or do you want to live a good life afterward?"
"This job won't be a free lunch. Once it's done, it won't involve too much. Third Sister falsely accused and instigated your family. She's the one who deserves to die. Even if you get a beating, you'll still have money to live a good life after you get out. It's not a loss."
Not far away, Madam Wan watched this scene with a cold eye. She trusted her trusted servant very much, and she felt even more pleased to see her third sister and second brother running away in terror.
This method is really good. This way, they don't have to pay too high a price for these fabricated charges, and the case can be closed as soon as possible.
It might be embarrassing in the future, but at most people will say that I didn't manage my household well, so the impact won't be that big.
"Think carefully about what you want to do. Do you want to keep all of this thousand taels of silver for yourself?"
Before Third Sister and Second Brother could reply, the old woman turned and left.
"Madam, please rest assured. That man is not very capable and will not last long. This matter will be over soon, and everything will be fine then. Master will definitely not go to that wretched woman's courtyard or her son in the future, nor will he like the Third Young Master. He is no threat to our Eldest Young Master."
"That's good. In the end, it was all caused by that mother and son. Master was confused before."
This breakthrough is excellent. They are not worried about Judge Zhao; after all, they were wronged in this matter.
Prefectural Government Office
Wen Shi had never forgotten about this matter. With the New Year approaching, Judge Zhao's side had been investigating, but they hadn't found much useful evidence.
In the afternoon, San Niang's parents came to the government office again to report that their youngest son had suddenly disappeared and had not returned home for two days.
Judge Zhao was taken aback. He was unsure of what to do. He had originally planned to speak with Judge Wan privately, but he did not expect that Magistrate Duan would come first.
"My lord, please do justice for me."
After hearing the reason clearly, Duan Tongzhi looked at Zhao Tuiguan.
"I feel this matter is becoming increasingly complicated."
"My lord, it's not complicated. We've definitely been targeted for revenge, my lord."
Third Sister's parents hurriedly called out.
After Wen Shi and Wan Tongpan received the news, the two came over one after the other. Suddenly, the two old men pointed at Wan Tongpan and asked him to swear to heaven that he did not do this.
Judge Wan Tong didn't give the two a friendly look, not even glancing at them. He was secretly watching Wen Shi's expression, while Wen Shi sat at the head of the table with no change in expression.
"Now that you have reported it to the authorities, they will naturally help you find the person. People entering and leaving the city every day are registered. If the person is in the city, it will not be difficult to find them. Someone will surely see them. You can rest assured."
He simply ignored the fact that his parents wanted Wan Tongpan to swear an oath, and he naturally had his own reasons for doing so.
Wan Tongpan was also at ease with his wife. He knew it wouldn't take long, and as long as she followed his instructions, there wouldn't be any problems. A farmer's son like him couldn't hold on for long.
An hour later, just as San Niang's parents were about to leave the government office and go home, they saw their missing youngest son beating the Dengwen Drum at the door.
The two were taken aback, looking at each other, somewhat bewildered.
"Second son, you've finally come out. Come on, let's go home."
Third Uncle reacted quickly and immediately tried to pull his youngest son back, but his youngest son didn't even look at him and just kept banging the drum, which alerted the soldiers.
The three of them were then taken inside.
"Does your family think the government office is some kind of village ancestral hall?"
Judge Zhao shouted somewhat angrily, "Wen Shi just left, but Magistrate Duan is still here." He looked at the family of three and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
"My lord, I have something to say. The incident was fabricated by my younger sister. The third young master did not forcibly take my daughter; he bought her with money. She also orchestrated the whole thing to extort money from the magistrate. She deliberately framed him. I beg you, my lord, to see the truth."
Wan Tongpan stood aside. Upon hearing this, he immediately put on a shocked expression, as if he couldn't believe it. Then he walked up to his third sister and second brother.
Are you telling the truth?
This gave Third Sister and Second Brother a big fright.
Duan Tongzhi and Zhao Tuiguan, who were seated at the head of the table, were also taken aback. After they reacted, the expressions on their faces were quite interesting. One looked relieved, while the other looked more amused.
"Yes, I dare not lie. It is true. It was all my younger sister who instigated my family to do it. I beg you, sir, to consider my family's ignorance and punish them leniently."
Third Sister's parents immediately knelt down.
"Nonsense, it wasn't your little sister. It was clearly that third young master who forcibly took a woman as his concubine. Your little sister, she, she was a pitiful person."
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Zhao, who was at the head of the table, smiled. The case had been under investigation for some time and involved the sons of officials. His father was also his colleague. Therefore, although his superior had questioned him, he had not been perfunctory.
Privately, Judge Wan also relayed a message to him, saying that this was a frame-up. On the one hand, he remained calm and unhurried, and on the other hand, he kept people investigating closely. In the end, he couldn't afford to lose his official position; that was the most important thing.
"Guards, bring up Young Master Wan, along with Third Sister's family. I'd like to know what the truth is."
It would be good if the case could be closed today.
“This matter is of utmost importance. I believe it would be better to have the Prefect also come and participate in the trial.”
Judge Wan suddenly stood up straight and then sent someone to inform Wen Shi, who didn't find it troublesome.
After hearing what others had said, he smiled to himself. Perhaps today, he could also resolve that previous matter. If the truth could be revealed, that would be the best outcome.
Another hour passed, and everyone arrived. When Young Master Wan appeared in the courtroom, after listening to what his Third Sister and Second Brother had to say, his previous frustration and sadness vanished.
Out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't help but glance at his father. It seemed that he would be able to get out of this prison today.
That bitch framed him so falsely. Once he gets out, she'll be sorry. Killing her would be too good for her.
Third Sister didn't expect Second Brother to betray her so quickly, but she still insisted on her position, and the rest of the family members seemed to be softening their stance.
Wen Shi sat at the head of the table, essentially serving as a listener. Looking at the officials around her, San Niang realized that her parents seemed to be giving up as well.
“Do you have anything else to say? Falsely accusing the sons of officials is a serious crime. The mastermind will be punished with thirty strokes of the cane and imprisoned for ten years. The other accomplices will be punished with twenty strokes of the cane and imprisoned for six months.”
Wen Shi suddenly spoke, and the hall suddenly fell silent. This was considered a fixed punishment, but he was the highest-ranking official in the government office.
His word is law.
The sentence wasn't too harsh for San Niang's family. She was definitely finished. Seeing that her second brother was still sticking to his guns, the rest of the family members stopped speaking up for her and started to back down.
"Sir, our family has done something foolish. Please forgive us this time."
"My lord, it's our fault. We were all bewitched by her."
"Sir, please don't punish us severely. We were deceived."
Third Sister collapsed to the ground. She closed her eyes and cursed her family members. In the end, she had miscalculated and couldn't outmaneuver that old fox. She glanced at Judge Wan with a complicated expression.
There's something he doesn't know yet.
They refused to accept money, even though it would have been a simple matter. She was willing to go to jail rather than let the Wan family have an easy time.
"My lord, I admit my mistake. I was confused for a moment. But I have something else to report to you. It is about Young Master Wan killing someone in the street while drunk."
“That wasn’t the horse going crazy, nor was it an accident. It was something the young master did on purpose. I was at the Wan family’s house at the time, and I heard from others that the young master was given several bowls of hangover soup after he returned.”
"If he wasn't drunk, why would he need to drink hangover soup?"
This was a closed case, but it has been brought up again. Last year, Wen Shi hadn't even arrived yet, and Duan Tongzhi wasn't involved in this matter either.
Upon hearing this, the two men's expressions changed.
"I swear to Heaven that if my words are false, may I die a horrible death."
Third Sister solemnly swore an oath to Heaven.
"Third Sister, you mustn't talk nonsense. You instigated your family to falsely accuse the sons of officials. Do you know what crime that is? You'll spend the rest of your life in prison."
Upon hearing this, Judge Wan instinctively clenched his fists, his face turning extremely grim.
Young Master Wan was taken aback. He lowered his head, not daring to speak, trying his best to hide himself. His family naturally knew about that matter.
At the time, his mother also wanted to use this opportunity to suppress Madam Wan and take control of the household management, but she failed in the end.
"Sir, she's talking complete nonsense. How could my elder brother possibly kill someone while drunk?"
"It's clearly the horse that went mad. There are witness testimonies to prove it. She's deliberately framing me, Your Honor. This person is morally corrupt and will do anything for money. Please sentence her quickly and put her in jail as soon as possible."
Wen Shi sat at the head of the table, looking straight at Judge Wan.
After a long silence, he suddenly spoke up: "I have already reviewed the case files from that time, and the parties involved should all be present."
Judge Wan thought the matter was over, but Wen Shi's next words surprised him.
"Prefect Duan, please review this case again."
"Sir, my sister-in-law... she didn't testify last year, but she saw it."
Wen Shi originally intended to announce the punishment for San Niang directly, but upon hearing this, he looked directly at San Niang's sister-in-law.
"Is what she said true?"
"My lord, my lord, my eyesight is poor, my eyesight is poor, I didn't see clearly, I didn't see clearly. It's been quite a while since this happened, I've long forgotten about it."
Third Sister-in-law instinctively wanted to deny it, but that was not a good thing.
"Is that so? You didn't see clearly, or you forgot? Guards, bring the torture instruments."
As soon as Duan Tongzhi said this, soldiers came up with a cangue, and the third sister-in-law was so frightened that she screamed repeatedly.
She was already regretting it deeply, thinking she shouldn't have gotten involved in this matter in the first place, but now she was going to be tortured.
She can't take it, she can't take it!
The aftermath was handled by Judge Wan, who naturally knew there were several witnesses. Third Sister-in-law must have run very fast and wasn't discovered by the soldiers who came later.
But she most likely saw it, so this matter may not be so easy to resolve.
The officers and soldiers showed no mercy. The moment Third Sister-in-law's hand was placed in the splint, she immediately shouted, "I saw it! I remember now! It was the eldest son of the Wan family riding his horse recklessly in the street. The couple was on their way home. I saw him pull on the reins and charge straight at them. The man was kicked by the horse while trying to protect the woman and died instantly."
"I was scared and ran away immediately. Waaah, please don't torture me! Ah, ah, ah, it hurts so much!"
The officers and soldiers showed no mercy, and in an instant, her hands were pinched until they were red and swollen.
"Wasn't it supposed to be an accident?"
Wen Shi looked directly at Judge Zhao, who had presided over the case. At this moment, Judge Wan was filled with regret, wishing he hadn't asked anyone to call him over.
Originally, I just wanted to prove my innocence, but I didn't expect this bitch to know about it. She's trying to fight me to the death.
"Remove the splints. It's not late yet, we still have time. Someone, bring the case files and invite all the previous witnesses and victims here."
"Today, I will properly settle this case."
After Duan Tongzhi finished speaking, Wan Tongpan was stunned for a moment. His only hope was that the witnesses would not turn against him.
"Take them away first, close this case, make them sign and put their fingerprints on the document, punish those who deserve punishment, and send those who deserve to prison."
The family members of San Niang were blaming and cursing each other, and the courtroom was about to descend into chaos. The soldiers were quick and dragged them all out in no time.
Her sister-in-law was left behind. She didn't want to die or be tortured, so she knelt on the ground, panicked.
"Third Young Master, please go back."
Young Master Wan hesitated, feeling that he would be beaten half to death by his father if he went back. He left the government office, looking back every few steps.
"My lord, I should excuse myself."
Wen Shi nodded, and then he stood up as well.
Duan Tongzhi, who took office a year earlier than him, is a decent person, so he doesn't need to personally try this case.
For impoverished people, there is indeed no need to use torture, but for those with wicked intentions, it is necessary to use it; being too lenient is not advisable.
Let's go.
Wan Tongpan left with Wen Shi.
After leaving the courtroom, a cold wind blew by. Judge Wan looked somewhat weathered, but he was filled with regret.
The weather was gloomy, and a cold wind carried a few snowflakes. Wen Shi then spoke up, "This is all a matter of your backyard."
"It is my fault; I have failed in managing my household and in educating my children."
Wen Shi stood to the side, his posture upright, composed and dignified.
Wan Tongpan thought that he underestimated Wen Shi, and even more so that lowly maid. Now that the case was in the hands of Duan Tongzhi, as long as the witnesses didn't turn against him, the matter wouldn't be a big deal.
He was initially quite confident, but he knew that Prefect Duan was ruthless and willing to use torture, so he was now uncertain. To be on the safe side, he had to clear himself of any wrongdoing, and there were some things he needed to do quickly.
He ordered his family to keep quiet about what happened back then, but how could that wretched maid know? Thinking of his third son and his mother, he felt like killing them.
"It's getting late, let's head back."
After Wan Tong was brought home, he beat his third son half to death without saying a word. If he didn't want to bear the infamy of killing his son, he would have killed him.
Aunt Tian's crying and shouting were useless; she was even slapped and kicked several times.
Madam Wan sat at the head of the table, in an exceptionally good mood; she was the one who mattered most in this crucial moment.
"Sir, you should also take care of your health."
After a while, she pretended to offer advice.
The gloating in her eyes was self-evident. Judge Wan sat to the side, drank a cup of tea, and then said, "That lowly servant's sister-in-law saw your good son drunk and riding a horse on the road last year. In court, she brought up this matter. Now the prefect has ordered a reinvestigation, and Lord Duan is in charge."
Madam Wan immediately became restless, her face turning pale.
"What we did back then was flawless."
“Flawless? You don’t understand Duan Xiong. He can be ruthless. If those people can’t handle it later, then it’s hard to say. For the sake of our family, you should be prepared.”
Wan Tongpan's meaning was clear: if necessary, he would abandon his eldest son.
"And you, you beast, lock him in his courtyard, drive all his concubines out, and make him repent every day from now on. Don't let him go out, and only give him coarse tea and plain food."
“Send Aunt Tian to the estate outside the city, and don’t let me see you again.”
Aunt Tian nearly fainted and was dragged out. Madam Wan fared no better; she paced around the room, wondering how she could protect her son.
"If everything is found out, I might be demoted, and I might not even be able to keep my official position. All my efforts over the years will have been in vain. It's retribution, all retribution."
Wen returned to the backyard in the evening and told his wife. Yingxiang felt that evil had been punished.
That third sister-in-law wasn't a good person, but in the end, the Wan family was the one with the bigger problem. As the saying goes, if you're upright, you have nothing to fear. Their family deserved it; they did terrible things, and this was their retribution.
"My lord, will Judge Wan be punished for this?"
"In the end, it still depends on His Majesty. After the case is closed, the memorial and case file will be sent to the capital. His official position is not low, so he will definitely be demoted. If His Majesty is ruthless, he might be able to be completely stripped of his official rank."
He didn't do it, but he still helped cover it up quite a bit in the end.
Wen Shi didn't have much contact with the emperor. He had spent several years compiling court records. These things seemed trivial and troublesome, but as long as one was careful and attentive, the results were quite substantial.
Emperor Jingyuan was very strict; he showed no mercy when dealing with court officials in court.
"My husband once told me that we must be strict in raising our children."
Hearing this, I can only feel a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep emotion).
"Yes, spoiling and pampering them will only harm them."
Yingxiang added that although she didn't have high expectations for her children, she couldn't just ignore them. She had to teach them to obey the law and not to bully others, as these were basic principles of conduct.
Duan Tongzhi was quite capable, and he knew that this matter needed to be investigated thoroughly.
He would not protect anyone. For Xun Niang, it was a wrongful conviction. She desperately wanted her enemies to be punished. After being summoned to the government office, she was very excited and spoke eloquently about her grievances. The officials in charge of recording her story wrote it down in great detail.
Duan Tongzhi listened patiently, and the witnesses, who hadn't expected this turn of events, were all flustered.
In the end, karma is a cycle.
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