Everyone turned around at once.
But Qi Che took a calm step forward and spoke to the county magistrate, his voice clear but sharp.
"Your Excellency, the key to this case is not who the jade pendant belongs to, but how it was stolen."
The county magistrate frowned: "What do you mean?"
Qi Che walked slowly to the tenant and held up his rough and cracked hands to show them to the public: "Look, everyone. This old man has cracked fingers and his palm lines are embedded with dirt. If he often plays with jade pendants with such rough hands..."
As he spoke, he suddenly rubbed the jade pendant on the tenant's palm. "It will definitely leave marks or small scratches. But the jade pendant is as smooth as new. On the contrary, the pampered hands of Landlord Wang look like they are often used for playing."
Wang Fugui subconsciously hid his hands in his sleeves. "What nonsense! It's my own jade pendant, why would I wrongly accuse him?"
Qi Che's eyes were sharp, "I'm afraid I'll have to ask Landlord Wang to explain this issue himself."
Wang Fugui's face froze for a moment.
At this time, the tenant Zhang San next to him suddenly stood up and stared at Wang Fugui angrily.
"Sir, I know the reason. Last month, this bastard took a fancy to my youngest daughter and wanted to force her to be his concubine. But my daughter is only fourteen years old! I refused desperately, and he threatened to destroy my family!"
"hiss!"
There was an uproar in the hall. Several young and energetic farmers even rolled up their sleeves, eager to rush up and punch Wang Fugui.
Zhang San burst into tears, "He clearly stuffed this jade pendant under the altar when he came to collect rent this morning when we were not paying attention. Please, sir, please understand!"
Wang Fugui was so anxious that he jumped up and down: "Nonsense! You are slandering me, you scoundrel!"
However, at this time, someone in the crowd said, "I can testify that this really happened last month. Mr. Wang wanted to forcefully marry the girl, and she was so scared that she hid in the embroidery workshop for several nights. The workers in the embroidery workshop can testify to this."
"I've seen it too. Last month, the girl came to my shop early in the morning to buy steamed buns. It was still dark at that time, and my shop happened to be near the embroidery workshop."
As soon as the news came out, people started to speak up for Zhang San.
Wang Fugui saw this, shaking his fat body, and pointed at everyone: "You, you..."
“Bang!”
The county magistrate slammed the gavel again, "Wang Fugui, do you have anything else to say?"
Wang Fugui was startled and instinctively knelt down, "Sir!" He pointed at Zhang San and said, "It was this unruly man who wronged me. He wronged me!"
Qi Che refused to give in: "If what you said was true, and Zhang San really stole your jade pendant, he should have kept it well hidden. How could it be found out so easily?"
"I……"
Wang Fugui was speechless for a moment. He was so anxious that cold sweat began to drip down his face. He no longer had the arrogance he had just had.
The county magistrate immediately announced: "Wang Fugui falsely accused an innocent citizen and forcibly took a woman. According to the law, he should be punished with fifty strokes of the cane and half of his property should be confiscated!"
"No! Sir! I am innocent, it is really innocent!" Several yamen runners came forward and took Wang Fugui away without saying a word. Wang Fugui cried and protested his injustice.
At this time, the onlookers burst into cheers, and Zhang San, along with his family, knelt down in front of Qi Che, saying, "Thank you so much for saving my life."
Qi Che helped the old man up and said gently, "Don't be so polite, old man. It's just a small favor."
As he said this, he kept his eyes on the direction of the teahouse.
But he saw the masked woman leaning on the railing, nodding slightly at him. Although she was covered by a veil, there was clearly a hint of admiration in her bright eyes.
Qi Che's heart was pounding, but he forced himself to suppress his excitement and respectfully performed a standard scholar's salute to the other party.
However, when he looked up, the beautiful figure had already left, leaving only a faint fragrance in the wind...
——
A quarter of an hour later, the crowd outside the yamen gradually dispersed and traffic quickly returned to normal.
Qi Che first bought a few books and two brushes at a bookstore, and finally ordered a box of almond cakes at a pastry shop. He took a bus to the home of his former classmate, Song Xiang.
Song Xiang and Qi Che were originally students of the same class. They had a very good relationship in the county school, but later Song Xiang failed the exam and now works as a teacher in a local private school.
When old friends meet, we naturally cherish the moment.
In the restaurant next to the county school, Song Xiang grabbed Qi Che's sleeve, his eyes full of envy.
"Brother Qi, you are now an editor in the Hanlin Academy, and you have a bright future. Unlike me, I failed the exam three times in a row and can only be a teacher in the county school."
As Song Xiang spoke, he tilted his head back and gulped down a large glass of wine.
Qi Che smiled and filled his glass: "Brother Song, why do you have to underestimate yourself? With your talent, you will definitely pass the exam next time."
"Oh! Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore."
Song Xiang felt that he was very happy that Qi Che came to see him, and it was not appropriate to talk about such a boring topic, so he said: "By the way, Brother Qi, there is a good opportunity to broaden your horizons tomorrow."
Song Xiang's eyes lit up as he spoke. "Her Royal Highness, the Princess of the current dynasty, happened to be investigating a case in Qingshui County recently. Have you heard about it?"
Qi Che's eyes flickered slightly, "I have heard a little bit about this. I also heard that this princess particularly loves students with real talent and knowledge. Is that true?"
Song Xiang raised his eyebrows proudly: "Brother Qi is right. You should have heard of Liu Chengzhi, who was in the same dormitory with us before?"
"He was debating with someone in a bookstore a few days ago, and the legitimate princess who was passing by happened to hear him. She thought he was quite talented and that it was a waste of time for him to be buried here, so she made an exception and recommended him to the White Deer Academy."
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