This was the first time Rong Sheng had ever ridden an oxcart to the county town after so long. Along the way, she passed golden fields and villages with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys, her face beaming with satisfaction.
This was something she had never seen before.
Upon entering the county town, Rong Dong'an suggested having breakfast first before going to the county government office. The trial would take a long time, given the sheer volume of matters involved; going to the county government office now would mean missing breakfast.
The proposal was approved by the tribe, so they found a stall that sold steamed buns and noodles. They could eat steamed buns or noodles as they pleased, as long as they were full.
Rong Sheng ate two steamed buns and drank a bowl of porridge with Rong Dong'an, and then she was full.
Then they sat quietly and obediently to one side, waiting for Rong Dong'an and the others to finish eating and drinking. After they finished eating, they took an oxcart to the county government office.
Upon arriving at the county government office, they explained the situation to the yamen runners guarding the entrance and drove the oxcart to the stable in the backyard. The runners then led them to the backyard, as Zuo Li had instructed the villagers of Zhonggui Village to let him know that he had something to say to them.
Zuo Li had already prepared for the trial and was currently reviewing all the documents, witnesses, and physical evidence related to the Gu San Niu jinx case. Just as he finished reviewing everything and there were no problems, a servant came to report that Rong Dong An and others had arrived.
He quickly put down what he was doing and went to see Rong Dong'an and the others. Seeing that they were in good spirits, he was very happy. He immediately asked the servants to serve them tea and told them about some things that would happen during the upcoming trial, asking them to cooperate with him.
Last night, he and Prince Yi had already finalized how to conduct the trial today, so he was very confident and looked completely at ease, as if no difficulties were in his sight.
Rong Dong'an and his group readily agreed, expressing their willingness to cooperate with the magistrate. Regardless of the outcome, they did not want the murderer to escape justice and wanted to pin all the blame on Gu Sanniu.
Even though Rong Dong'an disliked Gu Sanniu and wanted to get rid of him, he didn't want Gu Sanniu to continue to bear such a bad reputation, because it would affect Sheng Bao!
Sheng Bao felt annoyed by that brat... Thinking of this, Rong Dong'an was furious, so as soon as the case was over, he kicked Gu San Niu out.
Prevent Sheng Bao from having any contact with Gu San Niu!
Rong Sheng didn't know what Rong Dong'an was thinking, but seeing that the magistrate was confident, she knew that everything was under control and there was nothing to worry about.
This case is inextricably linked to my future husband, so I'm sure he'll show up eventually. After all, he's here as Gu San Niu, and he has to appear to help Gu San Niu shake off his jinx reputation.
But where are Gu Daniu and Gu Erniu? With such a big thing happening, surely the brothers won't just disappear?
About 15 minutes later, Zuo Li was ready to hold court. Rong Sheng and the others left the backyard and came to the outside of the court to wait for Zuo Li to begin the proceedings.
The yamen runners entered the courtroom and took their places, while the clerks and others were already prepared.
Meanwhile, many people entered the county government office to watch the trial. They stood behind the Rong family members, waiting for Zuo Lisheng to preside over the trial.
The time was almost up, and everything was ready. Zuo Li, dressed in official robes, strode into the courtroom with an imposing air. He then slammed the gavel down heavily, followed by the sound of bailiffs wielding their beating sticks and shouting, "Majesty!"
After Qi Weiwu landed, Zuo Li sat down and ordered his men to bring the Gu family, Qi Weiwu, Miao Hongye, and others to the courtroom.
The once empty courtroom suddenly became crowded after they came up.
Standing outside the courtroom, Rong Sheng could clearly see the entire Gu family, adults and children alike, trembling with fear, their legs shaking as if they were afraid of displeasing Zuo Li and being punished.
Even Gu Jinbao, the child, was so frightened that he hid in Chai's arms, showing none of his arrogance and 'ignorance' from yesterday. The five girls from the Gu family were even more frightened, keeping their heads down and not daring to raise them even slightly.
Compared to the Gu family, Qi Weiwu, Miao Hongye, and others were extremely arrogant and unrestrained. They stood in the courtroom with their arms crossed, looking down on Zuo Li, who was sitting in the courtroom, as if Zuo Li was just a vegetarian dish on the table to them, not worthy of their attention at all.
Qi Weiwu and Miao Hongye, in particular, were incredibly arrogant, showing no regard for the court or for the county magistrate, Zuo Li.
This is outrageous and infuriating.
The Gu family members said, "We, the common people (women) (women), greet Your Excellency the County Magistrate!" They knelt down and kowtowed with great respect and fear.
But when Qi Weiwu and the others saw the Gu family's spineless attitude, they sneered repeatedly: "The county magistrate? Your Gu family is really spineless. He's just a county magistrate. What's there to kneel down and kowtow to? He's not a god!"
"In our Miao village, the county magistrate is nothing but a pile of dung, utterly unworthy of our attention! Who would have thought that your Gu family would be so afraid of such a trivial county magistrate? Standing alongside you is truly shameful and disgraceful!"
The people in front of the county government office were stunned into silence when they heard what Miao Hongye's men said: "Who the hell are they? How dare they be so disrespectful to the county magistrate? Don't they know that the county magistrate is the most powerful person in Wenhong County? No matter who it is, everyone must treat the county magistrate with respect. Yet they are so arrogant and self-important!"
Hearing the villagers' discussion, the Rong family members whispered, "Don't you know that woman? She's Miao Hongye, the wife of the village head of Shanggui Village."
"Miao Hongye? Is that the daughter of Miao Weifeng, the bandit leader of Miao Village?"
"Exactly!"
"No wonder he's so arrogant and domineering, he's a bandit! But in the past, the county magistrate didn't dare to do anything to Miao Weifeng, because Miao Weifeng is just too powerful. Sending troops to kill him was useless, and instead resulted in losses! This time, the county magistrate is taking action against Miao Hongye, aren't you afraid that Miao Weifeng will cause trouble?"
"If Miao Weifeng really causes trouble, then we ordinary people... I'm afraid we won't have a good time!"
"Please don't argue. Since the magistrate dared to bring Miao Hongye and her gang to court, he must have already thought about how to deal with Miao Weifeng and his band of thugs. Let's wait and see!"
bandit?
Is Miao Hongye the daughter of a bandit leader?
No wonder he showed no respect to the county magistrate and ignored the laws of Qingluan Kingdom; he's a local tyrant!
Rong Sheng sneered, wondering how long they could remain arrogant.
Zuo Li ignored the discussions of the people outside the courtroom, as if he hadn't heard or seen anything.
His sharp gaze fell on Miao Hongye, Qi Weiwu, and the others, and he said coldly, "Miao Hongye, Qi Weiwu, you have disregarded this official and the court, which means you have disregarded the laws of my Qingluan Kingdom. Therefore, guards, give Miao Hongye, Qi Weiwu, and the other dozen or so people twenty lashes each!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
