Something worth fifty coins was said to be worth fifty taels, a difference of a thousand times.
The nature of this matter is self-evident.
"No, this really is an antique, it's really worth fifty taels, Your Honor, this craftsman can't tell the difference, he's just talking nonsense." Old Master Shi panicked and pointed at Master Liang, cursing him.
"You old fool, are you tired of living? How dare you falsely accuse my antiques of being fake?"
"You think I, Shi Lao Er, am someone to be trifled with? Believe me or not, I can send you to your grave with one punch."
"How dare you!" the magistrate roared. "You dare to be so insolent in court! Drag them away! You have shown contempt for me! Drag them away and give them twenty strokes of the cane!"
Immediately, constables came over, pinned down Shi Lao Er, and dragged him away.
Soon after, bursts of wails could be heard.
Then Shi Lao Er was thrown into the courtroom again. His back was covered in blood, and he was groaning in pain. He was lying on the ground and could hardly get up. When he met the county magistrate's cold eyes, he struggled to support himself and knelt on the ground.
Clearly aware that the situation was hopeless, he lowered his head, looking utterly dejected.
At this point, the verdict in this case can be announced.
The magistrate said, "The Shi family used ordinary porcelain to impersonate antiques to trap the Ling family and coerce them into marrying off their daughter. This is extortion. The Shi family's claims against the Ling family are invalid, and the county government will not support them. The second son of the Shi family and his wife will be sentenced to three years in prison and will be sent to the mine tomorrow. The other members of the Shi family who acted as accomplices will be sentenced to one year in prison."
"Shi Zhenxiang appears to be mentally challenged, therefore he will not be convicted."
"As for the Ling family, they will compensate the Shi family with fifty coins."
Outside the courtroom, everyone clapped and cheered.
Qiao Lian'er saw several faces that resembled Ling Laosan, who were probably Ling Yin's uncles and aunts, as well as a large group of other relatives and childhood friends.
Many members of the Shi family also arrived. Their opposing opinions were drowned out by the overwhelming clamor of the crowd. After being identified by the people of Lingjia Village, Shi Lao Er's wife and Shi Lao San were also detained by the yamen runners. Shi Lao Da, who was reported for conspiring with Shi Lao Er, was also taken away.
Watching the Shi family members being taken away one by one, everyone felt extremely relieved.
Imprisonment was far worse than forced labor. People were often beaten and scolded and deprived of food. The working hours were long, and there was no guarantee that they would ever come back. Even if they did, they would be half dead.
After the county magistrate left the courtroom, Madam Feng straightened the whip in her hand and sneered, "Not satisfying enough."
Then they saw Feng rush forward and lash Shi Lao Er and his wife's backs with her whip, making them scream in pain. But with the constables holding them back, they couldn't dodge.
Especially Shi Lao Er, who had just been beaten with a board and whipped so hard that he almost fainted and couldn't even stand up, and could only be dragged along.
Madam Feng lashed out with her whip, striking each person seven or eight times, before the constable finally intervened and pulled the people away at a faster pace.
Ling Yin stared at the scene in disbelief. Wasn't this Aunt Qiao? Was she here to avenge her?
She felt a surge of emotion, and her eyes reddened.
The Ling family was also surprised. Qiu exclaimed, "Sister Feng!"
Madam Feng realized that she had been carried away and had lost her composure. Touching her whip, she smiled sheepishly at everyone.
"I'm sorry, I just couldn't stand it. After all, this kind of thing is bound to anger both heaven and people."
Qiu quickly thought about it. Feng was protecting Ling Yin and had a lot of martial arts skills. If Ling Yin married into the Qiao family, who could bully her?
The Shi family members present carried Shi Zhenxiang back.
With so many members of the Shi family taken away at once, they all looked ashen-faced. Even if they harbored resentment, they dared not act rashly now that the Ling family was so united.
"Pah, he's crippled, so what? Still thinking about getting married? He'd be better off dead, you stupid idiot, you deserve to be childless." One of Lingyin's cousins cursed.
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