The next day, the trial was held again, and there were still huge crowds of people outside.
Zhang Er said to Master Zhang, "Master, before the trial, I want to say something."
"What's up?"
"Yesterday, Mu Zhitao couldn't be convicted because of that handkerchief. What if the handkerchief incident was fake?" Zhang Er said.
"Of course not."
"Okay. I want to confront Aunt Xi." Zhang Er said forcefully.
"Chuan Xi."
Xi came up again, and this time faced Zhang Er and questioned him.
"We all know that Xi is a widow and lives a hard life, but yesterday I saw her wearing a gold bracelet on her hand, and she even went to the butcher's stall to buy pork and bought some cloth to take home."
"From what I've heard from Aunt Xi's neighbors, she can't buy pork very often all year round, and she hasn't had any cloth in years. I've even asked them if they know if she has any gold bracelets. They all said they've never seen her wearing any. Sir, you can summon Aunt Xi's neighbors and ask them, and you'll know if what I'm saying is true."
"pass."
Three women came up immediately. They were all neighbors living next door to Aunt Xi. They were all honest and poor people.
"When I ask you questions, you must tell the truth. If anyone dares to tell even a lie, you will be given ten lashes."
"Yes, yes, yes." The three nodded in panic.
"How is the situation at Aunt Xi's house?"
"Aunt Xi lost her husband early in life and has been caring for her parents-in-law alone ever since. Both her parents-in-law are old and unable to work. Her father-in-law has weak legs, and her mother-in-law is bedridden. The family's livelihood falls entirely on Aunt Xi. She's a miserable woman, relying on help from neighbors for years."
"Yes. The clothes she wears were all made when her husband was alive. She has never seen her make clothes since her husband passed away."
"Have you ever seen her wearing a gold bracelet?" asked Lord Zhang.
All three of them shook their heads.
"Sir, if she could afford the gold bracelet, her life wouldn't be so miserable."
"Yeah yeah."
Zhang Er immediately said, "Sir, she is wearing the gold bracelet on her hand. You will know if you search it."
Aunt Xi subconsciously hid her hand behind her back, and immediately a yamen runner came forward, grabbed her arm, pulled out the hand she was hiding, and a golden bracelet appeared on her wrist.
The bailiff took off the bracelet and handed it to Mr. Zhang.
Mr. Zhang looked at the gold bracelet, which was of excellent quality. "Xi, where did you get this bracelet?"
Aunt Xi's expression changed, and she began to stammer, "Bracelet, bracelet, I earned it with my own money."
"She lied."
Lord Zhang suddenly slammed the gavel down and said, "Tell the truth. Otherwise, I will punish you for contempt of justice."
"I, I, I really earned that gold bracelet. Why can't I earn it by myself?" Aunt Xi said calmly with her neck stiff and head raised.
At this moment, a yamen runner walked up to Mr. Zhang and whispered something in his ear.
After Master Zhang nodded, a yamen runner came out with a package and threw it in front of Aunt Xi, "Do you recognize this?"
Aunt Xi's expression changed when she saw the package.
The bailiff opened the package and revealed a pile of silver ingots. These shiny silver ingots were more than many people present could earn in their entire lives.
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