“Sir, my daughter is only eleven years old. How could she know so much?” a commoner argued from below the platform.
On the other side, a commoner was weeping bitterly, while his wife held a stillborn baby, her face filled with sorrow.
According to both parties, the two families were neighbors. The Wang family had a son late in life and doted on him. However, on that day, the girl next door offered to help take care of the baby. Since the two families had always had a good relationship, the Wang family's wife was busy cooking and didn't think much of it.
But when she saw her son again, he had already been thrown to his death.
The two families got into a fight, which attracted the attention of the authorities, leading to the dispute in court.
“My lord, I have some education from my younger days. The laws of my Western Shu state that if a child under the age of twelve commits a mistake, his or her family can be held liable for compensation. After all, children are ignorant.” The lawyer hired by the Zhang family argued vehemently.
Fang Zhiyi nodded, "There is indeed such a rule."
Looking at the Wang couple, whose voices had become hoarse from crying, Fang Zhiyi shook her head: "Please accept my condolences."
The lawyer, beaming with pride, winked at the Zhang family members beside him.
The moment Fang Zhiyi stood up, the Wang couple were filled with despair, but Fang Zhiyi suddenly remembered something: "Hey, little girl."
The youngest daughter of the Wang family raised her head, her eyes filled with indifference.
"You're wearing your clothes inside out."
The girl looked down at her clothes and said firmly, "Sir, I didn't put them on backwards. I even straightened them before coming here today. This is my best-looking outfit."
The others looked at Fang Zhiyi with complete bewilderment.
Fang Zhiyi's face suddenly turned cold: "He can dress himself and even knew to choose his clothes specially for today's court session. Is that what you call being ignorant? My Western Shu regulations state that if a child who knows right from wrong commits a crime, he shall be dealt with according to the criminal law! Guards!"
Several constables, who had been itching to see this, gathered around.
"Take him away! Execute him immediately!"
"My lord, this is against propriety!" the lawyer exclaimed hastily. "This is clearly an unintentional mistake!"
Fang Zhiyi glanced at him, and the lawyer immediately shrank back. This magistrate exuded a terrifying aura, completely different from the lazy old man he usually was.
"Knowing their daughter was wrong, they didn't teach her, but instead got into a fight. The Zhang couple should both be detained, as there happens to be a mine that needs manpower. As for this lawyer, he twisted the truth for a few taels of silver and even questioned this official... The silver you received should be confiscated, and all of the Zhang family's property should be used to compensate the Wang couple!"
The Zhang couple stood there, stunned.
After his initial panic, the lawyer suddenly calmed down: "Sir, I am also a scholar of this dynasty. According to the law, you cannot punish me."
Fang Zhiyi nodded: "Indeed, you can go now."
The lawyer was somewhat bewildered, but still angrily stormed off, shouting, "Foolish judge! I will definitely appeal this matter!"
"Sir, are we just going to let him go like this? This guy is a real problem. The previous magistrate was sued by him several times, and each time he had to swallow his anger." The county magistrate standing to the side was a little worried. He had been here for a long time and knew all kinds of people. Fang Zhiyi was a good official, and he was afraid that Fang Zhiyi would get into trouble.
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