In the cell, Gan Tao sat on the ground with her knees drawn up to her chest, her expression numb. When she heard the voice, she silently turned her head.
When she saw the two familiar faces appear before her, her empty eyes suddenly lit up, as if she had come to life in an instant. She stood up abruptly and stumbled toward the two of them.
"Shopkeeper, Brother Quan! What brings you here?"
She lunged forward, but was blocked, and could only look at the two men through the cell bars.
Gan Quan looked at Gan Tao and noticed that she seemed to have lost a lot of weight in just two days. He couldn't bear to look at her anymore and turned away with red eyes.
Gan Li felt a pang of pity seeing the girl's haggard appearance, but now was not the time for sentimentality. Since Magistrate Lu had made an exception and allowed her to come in, she couldn't put him in a difficult position and couldn't stay too long.
So she cut to the chase: "Tao'er, listen to me, your case will be heard in the next couple of days. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll be out soon! Don't be afraid, and be sure to take care of yourself, understand?"
Gan Tao's nose tingled, and her eyes filled with tears.
How could she not know? The shopkeeper's appearance here must be specifically for his own business!
These past few days, she's been here, recalling the shopkeeper's words when he advised her to participate in the competition—every word was wise. It's just a pity she wouldn't listen then.
This time, she must listen carefully to what the shopkeeper says, and she cannot be weak again, nor can she disappoint the shopkeeper again!
Thinking of this, Gan Tao nodded heavily to Gan Li!
Gan Quan, who had calmed down a bit, picked up the small bundle in his hand. It contained only some clothes. He stuffed the soft bundle directly through the middle of the fence and gestured for Gan Tao to take it.
"There are two pieces of clothing inside. They were originally made by my mother for my sister. These past two days the weather has changed, and she knew you weren't wearing warm clothes. Since you're about the same size, she specially asked me to bring them to you."
Upon hearing this, Gan Li couldn't help but turn to look at the boy beside her, and found that his usually sullen appearance was unusually gentle today.
She thought to herself, "If anyone says this boy is honest, I'll fight them!" Seizing the opportunity, she began to mend the rift between her sweetheart and her mother!
Gan Tao was moved. She took the bundle with both hands, hugged it tightly to her chest, and said gratefully, "Please thank you for me, Auntie..."
Time was running out, and the jailer next to them had already begun to urge them on.
Fortunately, Gan Li had only come today to put Gan Tao at ease. Now that her purpose had been achieved, she did not linger and returned to the inn with Gan Quan.
Soon, the day for court to convene arrived.
Because of the unusual nature of this case, and the fact that it involved some 'scandalous' elements, the public paid close attention to it when the notice was posted, driven by curiosity.
On the day of the court hearing, people spread the word and rushed to the county government office to see the excitement.
Even though Ganli had left the inn early, she was still stunned when she arrived at the county government office and saw that so many people were already crowding outside.
She was somewhat worried that seeing so many people would affect Gan Tao, since today's trial was crucial to the final verdict in the case.
However, in the Great Jing Dynasty, common people were allowed to attend official trials, so she had no choice but to pray that Gan Tao would stay calm.
Gan Li came here today not only to comfort Gan Tao, but also as a witness. Therefore, she did not need to squeeze with the onlookers. As soon as she and Gan Quan arrived, they were led by the officials to enter through another gate.
As she walked into the side hall, she heard someone greet her.
"Ah Li, it's been a long time."
That annoying sound...
Gan Li looked up and, sure enough, saw Chen Danian's disgusting face.
As always, he dressed impeccably, his eyes still brimming with affection—yes, still the same gigolo who's always ready to seduce people.
Ganli was so disgusted that she didn't want to look at him, and she was even more puzzled as to why he would appear here at this time.
Suddenly, she remembered what Wu's father had said before...
"You're here... could it be because of Gan Tao's case?"
Chen Danian chuckled in his magnetic voice, "Ali is indeed intelligent."
Hearing his phlegm-like sound, Gan Li felt even more uncomfortable and said disdainfully, "You really can't afford to live, you're willing to earn any kind of dirty money!"
These words struck a nerve with Chen Danian. Having lost face in front of the officials, Chen Danian could no longer maintain his smile.
His lips curled down, and he sneered:
"Our dynasty allows lawyers to argue cases with people. It's something that's permitted by law, so how can you talk about 'dirty money'?"
Gan Li didn't want to say another word to him, so she turned her eyes away and sat down to the side, not wanting to look at this filthy thing again.
But Chen Danian was still not satisfied.
He hadn't seen Gan Li for a long time since Zhao Juan smashed up the shop. He had felt that his ex-wife seemed a little different than before, and seeing her today only made him more surprised.
The person in front of him had fair skin, rosy cheeks, and large eyes that never looked him directly in the eye. Instead, she exuded an arrogant and domineering air, making her a flamboyant and radiant beauty.
Looking like this, there's not a trace of her former haggard appearance.
His heart warmed, and he couldn't help but lean forward to tease her and make her talk.
"I know you're here because of Gan Tao's case... If you're willing to reconcile with me, I'll definitely protect her! What do you say?"
As he got closer, he could smell the delicate fragrance emanating from her, which only fueled his growing desire.
Just as he was about to get closer, a strong force came from the side, and Gan Quan pushed him so hard that he stumbled and almost fell to the ground!
Gan Li burst out laughing when she saw his disheveled appearance:
"How about it? Not good at all! A woman like me, as strong as a female eagle, has no interest in a soft-hearted gigolo like you!"
Upon hearing the words "soft everywhere," Chen Danian's face turned red with anger. He straightened up, glared at Gan Li, and smiled sinisterly:
"Since that's the case, don't blame me for not showing any mercy to you as husband and wife! Let me tell you, it's only right that a murderer pays with his life, and Gan Tao is going to die today!"
Gan Li responded with a cold laugh: "Do you think you're the King of Hell, able to decide who dies just by saying so?"
"I won't waste my breath arguing with you. You'll see soon enough." Chen Danian gave another sinister smile and walked away.
As Ganli watched his retreating figure, a vague unease began to creep into her heart.
It wasn't until she saw the case as a witness for the Wu family in court that she suddenly understood where Chen Danian's confidence came from.
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