Chapter Sixty-Five: Eloquent Speech
The constables, having received their orders, rushed out in a flurry. The onlookers, though far away and their conversations disjointed, clearly made out phrases like "orphan girl," "opening the sluice gates," and "flooding."
With just these few words, you can quickly find the connection.
The problem is that the Lin family doesn't have a good reputation among the people, so the condemnation is overwhelming. The Lin family didn't take this to heart and didn't send anyone into the crowd, since everyone was focused on climbing the social ladder.
A short while later, Madam Lin and Qiu Sheng were invited in from the side hall. The woman was beautiful with red lips and white teeth, and her face was round and lustrous. She called out softly, "Husband."
Just two words possess an irresistible charm.
Seeing this woman, Shen Zhiyi completely understood why Lin Youcai, who seemed so shrewd, had raised such a stupid son.
Seemingly sensing Shen Zhiyi's gaze, Lin Fusheng immediately blocked his mother's path, muttering something to her in a low voice. Soon after, the woman's gaze turned extremely unfriendly.
At the same time, the village chief also took half a step forward, blocking the invisible, intimidating gaze in front of him.
After a brief exchange, Lu Jingbai slammed his gavel and asked, "Are the people below Madam Lin and Qiu Sheng?"
Both sides knelt at the front to confirm their identities.
"Where were you all last night at the hour of Chou (1-3 AM)?" Lu Jingbai asked.
Upon hearing this, Qiu Sheng anxiously replied, "I was serving the young master in his room as soon as night fell yesterday. The young master complained of leg pain, so I kept massaging his legs until he finally rested around 1 AM. I was keeping watch outside and can testify for the young master's safety."
“I, this humble woman, can bear witness for my husband,” Madam Lin said softly.
Lin Youcai nodded repeatedly, noticing that the person above remained calm, and said gently, "I wonder if the magistrate can clear the name of my Lin family?"
"Now that we have heard the testimonies of the Lin family, I must confirm one thing." Lu Jingbai looked solemnly at Madam Lin and Qiu Sheng. "According to Article 407 of the law, perjury is punishable by law."
"Sir, what does 'equal punishment' mean?" Qiu Sheng asked timidly.
“If the investigation reveals that the truth is different from what you said, then it is perjury,” Lu Jingbai said bluntly. “The punishment will be determined according to the severity of the case, and you will be guilty of the same crime.”
"Have you both understood this matter?" Lu Jingbai glanced at the composed Madam Lin and the slightly trembling Qiu Sheng, and it was obvious who had something to hide.
"I heard you clearly," Madam Lin said gently.
"My lord, I..." Qiu Sheng was about to say something when he heard Madam Lin beside him say very softly, "Think about your lame old mother."
Whose kindness could allow someone like that to remain working in the mansion?
The unfinished words had already settled in Qiu Sheng's heart, and he could only reply, "I understand."
Having given them a chance, yet the other party remained obstinate, Lu Jingbai no longer showed any mercy and called out, "Please bring in the evidence."
"Majesty!" the constables on both sides shouted rhythmically.
Lin Youcai pretended to look curiously towards the side room, his eyes revealing a ruthless aura that startled the manager of Huajin Cloth Shop, who quickly tried to deceive himself by looking up at his superior.
"Who is below?" Lu Jingbai asked in a deep voice.
"I am Liang Tian, the manager of Huajin Cloth Shop. I pay my respects to Your Excellency, the County Magistrate." Liang Tian bowed respectfully, thinking to himself that even if Master Lin glared at him, he was still no match for the County Magistrate!
"Do you recognize the strip of cloth on that tray?" Lu Jingbai asked.
Liang Tian glanced at the scraps of cloth he had examined countless times on the tray and replied, "My lord, this fabric is Yun brocade, specially transported from the prefectural city by our cloth shop. It is extremely cool to wear in the summer, and even a slight shake will make you feel as soft as a cloud."
As he spoke, he shook the scrap of cloth. He had washed it beforehand to identify it, and now the color was clearly visible. He added, "Only the young master of the Lin family has ever bought this indigo brocade."
"You're talking nonsense!" Lin Fusheng shouted loudly, as if he was certain that as long as his voice was loud enough, it would drown out what was said before.
"Silence!" Lu Jingbai said coldly, striking the gavel again and addressing the head judge standing at the head of the table: "Lin Fusheng has repeatedly defied the court proceedings. Take him away and give him three lashes."
"No way!"
"My son..."
Lin Youcai and Madam Lin's voices collided. Lu Jingbai looked over expressionlessly and asked, "What, are Mr. and Madam Lin also going to defy the court hearing?"
These words left them speechless, and they could only silently keep quiet. Lin Youcai, however, was secretly exchanging glances with Chen Caiguan, who had been silent the whole time.
Almost immediately, Chen Caiguan's turn shifted slightly, just in time to avoid Lin Youcai's direction.
It was practically a live demonstration of fake friendship.
Zhao, the head of the team, didn't care about any of that. Since it was an order from the county magistrate, it had to be carried out. Otherwise, he would be charged with "passive resistance" and his wages would be deducted. He couldn't stand that.
He roughly dragged Lin Fusheng, who was being protected by Lin Youcai and his wife, out, while the accompanying constables dragged him to the other side, pulling him out like livestock, and set up benches in the open space between the court hearing and the onlookers.
"Father! Mother! Save me!" Lin Fusheng shouted into the house.
"Young master, stop shouting. Save your energy," a nearby constable coldly reminded him.
"I want you..." Lin Fusheng hadn't finished cursing when Zhao Bantou struck him hard in the waist with his fire and water stick.
Originally, out of respect for Master Lin, I was planning to secretly go easy on him, but since this man insulted my brother, I absolutely cannot tolerate it!
Zhao Bantou had been secretly playing with his father's water and fire stick since he was a child, and over the years he had become proficient without a teacher. This stick was far beyond what this precious young master could withstand.
After three strokes of the cane, Lin Fusheng's energy was greatly reduced. He looked at his parents with extreme weakness, his bloodshot eyes filled with hatred for them.
Madam Lin understood this perfectly well, and playfully tugged at Lin Youcai's sleeve.
Lu Jingbai, sitting at the head of the table, observed these subtle movements and said unhurriedly, "Send more physical evidence."
Lin Youcai, who was still thinking about how to tear the cloth strips, heard these words and suddenly looked up, like a wolf in hiding.
Lu Jingbai ignored the look in his eyes and asked the newcomer, "Who is this person in the hall?"
"I am Zhang Tie, the blacksmith from the yamen," the old man said with a hale and hearty bow. "I have been blacksmithing for thirty years! I have examined this evidence and found that the marks left on it are indeed the imprint of an iron hoe. Someone used a hoe to break open this piece of wall."
As they were talking, the yamen runner carrying the evidence on a wooden tray waved the evidence in front of the village chief and Lin Youcai. It was the broken wall piece that Shen Zhiyi had presented.
Of course, such a short time is not enough for people to see any hoe marks clearly.
Lin Youcai caught a glimpse of his son's guilty expression and snorted heavily, expressing not only his displeasure with his stupid son but also his "killing intent" towards Shen Zhiyi.
Shen Zhiyi clearly sensed this; the other party was merely at the very bottom of the "powerful elite." If she backed down at this point, she didn't know what kind of miserable fate awaited her.
Since we're all going to get beaten up anyway, why can't we strike first?
Besides, the other party delivered the evidence to her; how could she pretend not to have seen it?
Since we're going to fight, let's fight to the bitter end; there's absolutely no possibility of reconciliation.
Whether it's a case of making an example of someone or playing with fire and getting burned, it depends on the abilities of both sides.
"Both pieces of evidence were found near the disaster-stricken courtyard after the flood. Please, Your Honor, uphold justice for our Xiaba Village!" At this moment, the village chief pulled Shen Zhiyi to kneel in the hall. He said in a choked voice, as if he had suffered all kinds of grievances.
Shen Zhiyi glanced over carefully and saw that the village chief was faking crying, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Not hearing the sound of the gavel, Lin Youcai boldly spoke up, "Yes! Your Honor, you must help them! After all, it's a village under your jurisdiction. Since there's flooding, and the villagers' fields and courtyards have been submerged, how can I stand idly by? I'll donate money and grain as soon as I get back, and this village will surely be saved..."
Before he could finish speaking, the abacus beads were practically bouncing onto everyone's faces. Lu Jingbai tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, as if making a small gesture. Lin Youcai was a perceptive person; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to escape danger so many times and climb up to influential people step by step.
Lin Youcai cleverly changed his words after stopping, saying, "Sir, after listening for a while, do you think my son is involved in this matter? We can't just listen to them because they look pitiful! I think there must be many misunderstandings involved."
"Oh? What misunderstanding does Master Lin think there is?" Lu Jingbai asked.
"As for the Yun brocade that Manager Liang mentioned, my family has indeed purchased several bolts. As for the color, I am not very familiar with it." Lin Youcai said, glancing subtly at the silent Madam Lin beside him. "If the Yun brocade were distributed to the children's courtyard, the situation might be different from what you think, sir."
"My son is always generous. Whichever servant takes good care of him, he might just get a reward," Lin Youcai said with ease.
"As for which servant it is, I'm afraid we'll have to ask Madam." Lin Youcai then looked at Madam Lin, who replied politely, "Sheng'er did tell me that Mo Wen served well and gave him some gifts, so it's probably him."
Just then, those in the crowd who had heard this quietly left.
Qiu Sheng, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but tremble upon hearing this. Mo Wen had always been the one to handle the shady business for the young master, unlike him who only knew how to serve. He was especially valued. Was he going to be abandoned?
"Since it concerns that indigo brocade, then please have someone go to your home to fetch it and see what kind of garment it has been made into, and whether any piece is missing," Lin Youcai said logically and persuasively.
"Someone, go to the Lin family and summon Mo Wenhe to bring that piece of brocade." Lu Jingbai ordered the yamen runner, his gaze sweeping lightly over Lin Youcai. He had underestimated Lin Youcai's composure, but unfortunately, he hadn't used it for the right purpose.
Shen Zhiyi was startled. She felt that the situation was turning into a "scapegoat". It was like a centipede that was dead but did not fall down. Despite its efforts, it did not even scratch the surface of the other party.
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