Lawsuit
Gu Jinning spoke up, "Uncle, what's so difficult about this? Just tell me, is Chu Lang any good? Zijing ran away, and it was thanks to him that he met her on the way and brought her back. He's practically a benefactor."
Quan Mingxiao glanced at him and sneered, "You little brat, still wet behind the ears. I don't think you've got a single bit of education in you, definitely not cut out for studying."
Since ancient times, there has been a clear distinction between scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. In order to attract talent, the State of Xiao did not have a clear rule that the sons of merchants could not take the imperial examinations. However, it was extremely difficult for merchants to rise up and enter officialdom and achieve great things.
Those wealthy families in Kyoto who sent their children to the Imperial Academy were either from very wealthy families or had connections and backgrounds. Most of them were there to gain prestige rather than to become officials in the court.
In the past century, the only family to have transcended social class and been granted official positions was the Hua family, thanks to the Hua family iron mine.
This hothead in front of me is definitely not a saint.
Chu Lang chuckled and said, "My brother said the same thing."
His lack of ambition made Quan Mingxiao even more disgusted with him.
"Get up, all of you. Kneeling is in my way."
Chu Lang got up and helped Quan Zijin to sit down.
Seeing that he wasn't a bad person, Quan Mingxiao couldn't help but worry and sought Xiao Heng'an's help, "Your Highness, look at the mess this has made, how can we clean it up?"
Xiao Heng'an suggested, "There are priorities; let's solve the immediate problem first."
Quan Mingxiao was somewhat reluctant. "Are you saying we should just go with the flow and agree to this marriage?"
Xiao Heng said, "A lifelong matter cannot be decided in a few words. Besides, the Marquis's family holds a high position and wields great power, while the Chu family are merchants. They are not a good match, so how can we accept that? However, if Chu Lang is willing to take the imperial examinations, then we will discuss it separately."
Quan Mingxiao realized that this was a delaying tactic.
"Your Highness is right. Hey, young man, do you have any plans to take the imperial examinations?"
Chu Lang scratched his head, "Actually, my elder brother is not very willing for me to study. He said that I don't listen to the words of sages and saints in my daily life, so how can I study the books of sages and saints?"
Quan Mingxiao nodded and stroked his beard. "That's the truth."
Gu Jinning quickly chimed in, "Uncle, his elder brother is in the capital. Why don't we invite him over to our residence for a chat and discuss the funeral arrangements?"
Quan Mingxiao was not very willing to associate with wealthy businessmen, but for the sake of the overall situation, he agreed.
That evening, Chu Gan dined at Quan's residence.
Quan Mingxiao promised that if Chu Lang stayed in the capital, the Quan family could arrange for him to study at the academy. If he passed the academy's examination next year, he could apply for the imperial examination if he wished.
However, it must be stated publicly that Chu Lang and Quan Zijin intend to get married. Whether or not they will be engaged will be decided after the academy's assessment next year.
Chu Gan was naturally happy to cooperate. Whether Chu Lang would take the imperial examinations or seek marriage alliances was another matter, but the mere fact that he would be admitted to the academy would greatly benefit Chu Lang.
Next year, Quan Zijin will be freed from her predicament, the marriage will be called off, and Chu Lang will be able to return and take over the family business, killing two birds with one stone.
Both sides thus reached a consensus in a pleasant manner.
When Quan Zijin returned to the mansion, news of Quan Mingxiao's banquet quickly reached Xiao Liao's ears.
In the pitch-black hall, a few candles flickered, their faint light swallowed by the black floor tiles, making the atmosphere inside seem even more sinister.
"A wealthy businessman? It's settled?"
Xiao Liao toyed with the swords displayed on the table, asking several questions in a row, then suddenly smiled sinisterly, "It's alright. The Quan family's daughter is settled, but there's still the Gu family."
Gu Jinning is a busybody, so let her meddle to the end!
"Your Highness!"
In the darkness, Wu Da strode into the hall and presented the scroll, saying, "The latest discovery."
Xiao Liao opened the book, a smirk creeping onto his face, and commanded ruthlessly, "Arrest them!"
Wu Da asked, "May I inform His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Xiao Liao said, "No need. I will personally interrogate him tomorrow."
The late summer night, having shed its heat, falls into a different kind of dullness and noise, as dawn approaches.
Hurried footsteps shattered the morning tranquility as they pushed open the doors of the Wangning Pavilion.
"Princess!"
Gu Jinning's beautiful dream was shattered once again.
Qinglian's soft yet unmistakable voice echoed in my ears.
"Princess, something has happened."
Gu Jinning rolled over groggily and asked, "What's going on this time?"
Qinglian replied, "The teahouse has been shut down."
Gu Jinning suddenly opened her eyes, her mind still foggy.
"Aunt Hong and all her employees were taken away and arrested at the Prince of Qin's mansion."
Gu Jinning sat up abruptly, fully awake.
Why were they arrested?
She jumped out of bed, quickly dressed, and tied her hair into a high ponytail.
Qinglian handed over a face towel and said, "Last night, people were arrested and shops were shut down without any reason."
Gu Jinning wiped her face, threw the towel into the water, and said angrily, "Let's go, I'm going to find him!"
Qinglian caught up and advised, "Princess, it's very strange that the King of Qin suddenly arrested people. If you go there rashly, you might fall into a trap."
Gu Jinning walked faster and faster, "That's why it's suspicious, that's why I have to race against him."
Xiao Liao suffered repeated defeats, and his actions became increasingly radical. Aunt Hong and her group were rootless, and it was hard to guarantee that Xiao Liao wouldn't use them as sacrifices, fabricate testimonies, and drag her down with him.
Qinglian led the horse over, and Gu Jinning leaped onto it, spurring it on towards the Qin Prince's residence.
After taking a few steps, Gu Jinning suddenly tightened the reins, turned the horse around, whispered something to Qinglian, and then galloped off on another road.
The commercial street was bustling with the morning market opening. Vendors were unloading their goods and setting up their stalls, humming tunes, chatting with passersby, or occasionally arguing—a busy yet fulfilling scene.
The horse galloped past, kicking up countless clouds of dust that covered everyone's faces.
"Hey, isn't that the princess? Where is she rushing off to?"
"Who knows? Judging from the princess's posture, someone's going to be in trouble."
At the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), as the sun rose, the drums outside Kyoto Prefecture resounded with a deafening roar that echoed throughout the heavens and earth.
The gates of the mansion swung open, and a constable from the capital prefecture rushed in, demanding, "Who is beating the drum?"
The drummer announced, "It is I, Gu Jinning!"
She raised her mallet and slammed it onto the drumhead with a loud thud, declaring firmly, "I wish to sue King Xiao Liao of Qin. Let's begin the court proceedings."
The Kyoto Prefectural Government held an emergency court session. Prefect Li Huan rushed to the court, put on his official hat, and walked briskly to Gu Jinning, saying, "Princess, what's the matter that makes you so angry? The court is not a place for jokes."
Gu Jinning grabbed the loose hat drawstring around his neck and retorted, "Do you think I'm joking? Or are you afraid to arrest the Prince of Qin and are going to protect him?"
Li Huan pulled out the rope, took a step back, and smiled, "Your Highness is too kind. The law is above all else, and I will certainly handle this matter impartially. May I ask what Your Highness has brought to the table?"
Gu Jinning said, "I'm suing him for abusing his power, making arbitrary arrests, disregarding the law, and ruining my business."
Li Huan had heard about Xiao Liao's recent actions. Most people would have turned a blind eye, not wanting to cause trouble for the sake of the princess and the prince. But Li Huan, always eager for drama, immediately ordered his judicial officer to summon Xiao Liao and bring all those arrested to the main hall for joint trial.
Xiao Liao arrived with a dark expression. He had expected Gu Jinning to come to him demanding the person back, but he hadn't expected it to escalate all the way to the capital.
Li Huan apologized to Xiao Liao, explained what Gu Jin Ning had said, and thoughtfully prepared chairs for him and Gu Jin Ning, so they could sit on opposite sides of the hall.
All the teahouse staff, including Aunt Hong, Dan Niang, and Xiao Qiu, were brought in and made to kneel in the hall.
They were dressed in thin, everyday clothes, indicating that they had gone to bed late at night when they were arrested. Fortunately, they were unharmed, suggesting that they had not yet been tortured to extract a confession.
Gu Jinning gestured to Aunt Hong not to act rashly. She openly counted the heads to confirm that the number was correct, then turned to Xiao Liao and said, "Prince Qin, it is not that I am being unreasonable, but that what you did was immoral."
Xiao Liao snorted coldly, "I arrest criminals based on evidence. Are you in such a hurry because you're afraid I'll find out something during the interrogation?"
"Of course I'm afraid. His Highness the King of Qin's methods of extracting confessions through torture are so extreme that he doesn't even spare passing dogs. I'm terrified."
"If you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place. I dare to arrest people because I am absolutely certain of my success."
"I dare you, that's a hundred times the odds of winning."
The two men were on the verge of conflict, their words becoming increasingly heated. Li Huan quickly intervened to mediate, asking, "Gentlemen, shall we begin?"
"No rush." Gu Jinning leaned back in her chair, gestured for tea, and added sarcastically, "The Prince of Qin is of noble status, how dare we offend him? Let's wait a little longer."
Upon hearing this, Li Huan realized that someone from above was coming, which saved him a lot of trouble. He busied himself pouring tea and water and taking good care of the two men.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a long announcement was heard: "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived! His Highness the Prince of Jin has arrived!"
Before Li Huan could rush out to greet them, Xiao Yi and Xiao Heng'an had already entered the courtroom.
Qinglian followed behind, went around to Gu Jinning's side, and whispered, "When I invited the Crown Prince, Prince Jin happened to be there, so the Crown Prince invited him to come along."
Gu Jinning raised an eyebrow. "Perfect timing, the more the merrier."
"Cousin Crown Prince!"
Gu Jinning put down her tea, lifted her foot, and squeezed past Xiao Liao in a few steps. She grabbed Xiao Yi's arm first and accused Xiao Liao, "The Prince of Qin overstepped his authority by arresting people and sealing up shops, ruining my reputation. You must do something about this."
Xiao Liao flung his sleeves and questioned, "I arrested them with evidence, and I have every right to do so. But Princess, are you trying to protect them, or is it because you are the mastermind?"
Gu Jinning rolled her eyes and was about to retort when Li Huan quickly said, "Gentlemen, since His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prince of Jin have arrived, why don't you all take your seats and slowly break it down?"
He bowed to Xiao Heng'an and Xiao Yi, and said, "Your Highness, you are in charge of the prison break case, please take a seat."
Xiao Yi declined, saying, "The capital prefecture is under your jurisdiction. I will simply sit in on the proceedings with my uncle today."
Li Huanshun replied, "Then I will personally record it. As for how to make a decision, I will need to consult Your Highnesses."
After everyone was seated, Li Huan asked Xiao Liao to produce the evidence for the arrest.
Wuhan University presented two manuals.
One booklet details the identities of Aunt Hong and others, all of whom are wandering figures in the martial arts world. The other booklet is the land deed and property certificate proving that the teahouse belongs to Gu Jinning.
Xiao Liao sharply accused, "Gu Jinning, what is your intention in keeping assassins in the capital?"
Gu Jinning scoffed, "Are you alright? How could you have seen them as assassins? They were all elderly, weak, women, and children. How dare you slander them like that!"
As Li Huan took notes, he observed the crowd kneeling below the hall for a long time. They consisted of middle-aged women, frail women, half-grown children, and a few thin waiters; there wasn't even a decent-looking strong man among them.
“Your Highness, in court, we must rely on evidence, not make unfounded guesses.”
Li Huan reminded Xiao Liao, then turned to Gu Jinning and asked, "Your Highness, this teahouse property is indeed yours. Are you the one who runs the teahouse?"
Gu Jinning denied it, "Of course not. The land and property were all bestowed by the Emperor's uncle, and the Crown Prince and Prince Jin can both testify to that. But I'm not good at business, and the shop has been empty for a long time, a waste of such a good location."
Xiao Heng'an spoke up, "I remember that when His Majesty bestowed the mansion upon me and Jin Ning, he did indeed grant us several other properties, hers in North Street and mine in South Street."
Li Huan took notes.
Gu Jinning continued, "It's that teahouse. I'm a spendthrift, so I thought I'd better rent out the shop and earn some rent. So I rented it to Aunt Hong."
“King Qin, now that you have sealed off the teahouse, you should have obtained its account books and lease documents. If you could just look through them, you would know that I am innocent.”
"Now, because the King of Qin acted arbitrarily and sealed the property without warning, my property reputation has been damaged. How am I supposed to rent it out in the future?"
Gu Jinning didn't mention Aunt Hong and the others, but only talked about the house.
Li Huan then ordered the warehouse manager and the registrar to examine the teahouse's account books and lease documents in court, and to verify them against the official records. They confirmed that the teahouse belonged to Gu Jinning, but had been leased to Aunt Hong in the winter of the previous year, with the monthly rent being 10% of the teahouse's total monthly revenue.
The teahouse's ledgers accurately recorded monthly income and expenses, as well as rent details, without any errors.
Li Huan said, "Your Highness, the teahouse rental is a normal business transaction and cannot be used as other evidence. Do you have any other evidence to warrant closing the shop and arresting people?"
Xiao Liao gave Wu Da a look.
Wu Da left, but soon returned, followed by two guards who carried a long box together.
Xiao Liao pointed and said, "This box contains physical evidence."
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