Guan Chang and the Sun family arrived at the yamen. After the court session began, Guan Chang recounted what had happened.
The magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture then asked Sun Xiaoju, "Your master was drunk, how did you get into his room?"
Sun Xiaoju gave the answer she had prepared long ago: "Your Excellency, it was almost closing time, and I was tidying up the tables when the owner, who was drunk, asked me to take him to rest. I took him to the third-floor lounge, but he grabbed me and wouldn't let me leave."
"I remember that Chunhui Tower has maids who are specifically responsible for cleaning and tidying up. Why would you go there?"
Sun Xiaoju hesitated for a moment and said, "I... because there were so many things, I was afraid that the aunties and the others wouldn't be able to handle it all, so I thought I'd go and help. I never expected this to happen."
"Why didn't you report the incident to the authorities immediately after it happened?"
Sun Xiaoju explained: "I'm afraid of being retaliated against. The Guan family is powerful and wealthy, and they even have a brother-in-law who is a top scholar. My family is just a commoner. How could we possibly be a match for them?"
"Then why did you go to his house and cause trouble?"
"Since you have taken my body, you should take responsibility for me. It is only right and proper."
The adult hesitated for a moment and said, "The two sides have conflicting accounts. Is there any evidence or witnesses?"
Sun Xiaoju said, "Yes, my cousin also works at Chunhui Tower. She knows my character. I was just trying to make money and had no other intentions. Who would have thought this would happen?"
As she spoke, Sun Xiaoju burst into tears. The adult slammed his hand on the table and said, "Silence! Call in the witness."
When Sun Xiaohua entered the room, she honestly told a lot of things, exactly the same as what Sun Xiaoju had said. She even said, "I saw with my own eyes the master taking my cousin upstairs with his arm around her, and my cousin struggled but to no avail."
"Since you saw it, why didn't you go and save her?"
Sun Xiaohua closed her eyes and steeled her resolve, "Because I'm afraid, afraid of angering my master."
After hearing the testimony, the magistrate told her to leave. A man dressed as a soldier came up to him and said something. The magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture glanced at Guan Chang and said, "The evidence and physical evidence are all there. Guards, lock this lecherous thief who bullied a woman in jail."
Liu Huan stepped forward. "My lord, isn't it too hasty to convict them based solely on their statements?"
The magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture shouted, "How dare you question my judgment! Guards, arrest her!"
Immediately, someone stepped forward and grabbed Liu Huan. "Hmph, if I say so, then so be it. Take him away."
Before he had taken more than a few steps, a figure entered with others. "Lord Fang, are you handling a case?"
Upon seeing the visitor, the magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture hurriedly stood up and said, "This humble official greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince sat down in Lord Fang's seat. "No need for formalities. I was just passing by and thought I'd drop by. Please continue."
Guan Jian broke free from the soldiers' grasp, knelt before the hall, and said, "Your Highness, please do justice for this humble subject. I have been wronged."
Lord Fang was displeased. "How dare you! You dare to be so disrespectful in front of His Highness the Crown Prince! Take him away immediately!"
His Highness the Crown Prince lazily raised his hand. "Wait, tell me, what happened?"
Guan Chang then recounted the whole story again, without missing a single word.
"That's easy. I just happened to bring a female physician with me, so let her take a look."
Lord Fang immediately understood that Guan Chang was under the protection of His Highness the Crown Prince, and said, "In that case, thank you very much, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing this, Sun Xiaoju became frightened. "I won't check. It's a fact that I was bullied by my employer. You officials are protecting each other and trying to harm me."
Lord Fang broke out in a cold sweat. "Shut up! Guards, give this person who slandered His Highness the Crown Prince ten heavy lashes!"
Several soldiers arrived to gag Sun Xiaoju, but His Highness the Crown Prince waved his hand magnanimously, "Sigh, wouldn't that confirm that I bullied her?"
Lord Fang wiped his sweat. "Your Highness is right."
His Highness the Crown Prince clapped his hands, and a female physician entered. The people at the gate all recognized her.
"Oh, it's Physician Sun. Then I'm not worried."
"Yes, I have also received her favors before. She is a very upright person and would never do anything to favor others."
Sun Yao was a legendary figure from a collateral branch of the Sun family. Originally a concubine's daughter, she was framed and almost committed suicide, but was eventually taken in as an apprentice by the famous physician Sun.
He was very famous in the capital. He treated patients regardless of their background or status, and would even give a few copper coins to those who were poor. He was trusted by everyone.
Later, he was incorporated into the Imperial Medical Academy and often treated the Empress, as well as the ladies and young women of princes and nobles. He would also give free medical consultations whenever he had time.
"Young lady, let me take a look at you."
Sun Xiaoju had never seen her before and dared not show her, only saying, "Who knows where you came from, or if the Guan family sent you to harm me? I'm not going."
The people at the gate were indignant. "How could someone as kind as Physician Sun frame you? I think you're just feeling guilty."
"that is!"
Physician Sun was not annoyed and said, "Your Highness, in order to ensure fairness, may I ask the aunt present to come in with me?"
His Highness the Crown Prince raised his hand: "Granted."
Three women outside volunteered to come in, saying, "We'll do it."
They also invited Sun Xiaoju's mother and sister-in-law, so even if Sun Xiaoju didn't want to go, she had no choice.
A quarter of an hour later, Physician Sun and the others came out, and everyone strained to hear the result. "Your Highness, this woman is indeed a virgin."
To prevent further suspicion, she took Sun Xiaoju's hand and said, "Only virgins can have the 'virginity mark' applied. This is what I just did for her."
Ordinary families don't have the money, so how could they bear to give their daughters a virginity mark? This debunks the rumors.
Seeing that the facts were as they were, His Highness the Crown Prince saw no need to stay any longer and said, "Lord Fang, since that's the case, I'll take my leave now. You can decide what to do yourself."
Lord Fang bowed and scraped as he saw the man off. Once seated, his expression changed. "Fine! How dare they deceive His Highness the Crown Prince and me! Guards, give each member of the Sun family ten lashes!"
Right there, the soldiers brought over several long benches, lined up the Sun family members, and beat them with sticks.
Sun Xiaoju's mother and sister-in-law couldn't bear it and fainted.
Sun Xiaoju and Sun Xiaohua, who had been called back, were also on the verge of death.
Lord Fang asked, "What do you intend to do with the Guan family?"
Guan Chang respectfully said, "Although my reputation has been damaged in this matter, there has been no substantial harm. We should be lenient when we can. Since you have punished them on my behalf, I will not pursue the matter further."
Lord Fang was even more pleased to hear this, as it would offend neither side. "That's good. Now that this matter is resolved, let's adjourn the court."
Guan Chang called over a few people from outside and gave each of them a string of copper coins, saying, "Please take them back."
Those men were overjoyed, took the money, and carried the person on the ground away.
The others praised, "The Guan family is truly benevolent; despite being slandered like this, they still disregarded past grievances and sent the person back."
"Yes, no wonder your food tastes so good."
When people who didn't know what the Guan family did asked, those around them explained, and gradually, Chunhui Tower became known to everyone.
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