Manager Lin hadn't expected Jiang Yuwei to carry documents with her, and upon hearing that Manager Xu of Lianxiang Restaurant had witnessed him questioning Jiang Yuwei that day, he was now sweating profusely with shock.
"I, I, I didn't mean it. I didn't blame her. I wasn't questioning her. I just pulled her aside and said a few words to her."
Magistrate Li frowned as he looked at the panicked Manager Lin and asked:
"Then what about your story about hiring Niu Da and Niu Er to commit violence in the street?"
Upon hearing this charge, Manager Lin was even more terrified. He knew a little about the law and naturally knew that hiring someone to commit murder was a serious crime. He had thought that Jiang Yuwei was just a village woman, and even if she had been humiliated, she would not dare to report it to the authorities and would just suffer in silence. He thought that he would let it go after venting his anger. But now, how did it escalate to the point of involving the government?
Manager Lin wiped the cold sweat from his brow, trembling, and said:
"I, I didn't! I don't know any Niu Da or Niu Er! Your Honor, I'm innocent!"
Seeing that Manager Lin was trying to shift all the blame onto his brother and himself, Niu Er quickly kowtowed to Magistrate Li and said:
"Sir, please don't listen to Manager Lin's nonsense. My brother and I have no grudges against Jiang, so why would we want to harm her? Sir, look at this silver that Manager Lin gave us. This is the evidence that he asked us to harm Jiang!"
As Niu Er spoke, he took out the silver from his pocket and had the constable present it to Magistrate Li.
Jiang Yuwei watched the three of them fight like dogs with a smile. She didn't even need to say anything; they confessed the whole truth. People in ancient times were indeed simple-minded.
When Manager Lin saw that Niu Er had taken out silver and confessed everything, he glared at Niu Er with gritted teeth. Niu Er met Manager Lin's gaze, tilted his head back, and looked back without showing any weakness, as if to say, "I can't take the blame for you."
Looking at the two incompetent fools who had botched the job, Manager Lin deeply regretted ever paying them to do it. He was so angry that he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
When Manager Xu of Lianxiang Restaurant heard that Jiang Yuwei had entered the yamen, he couldn't care less about the restaurant's business and hurriedly came with Constable Huang to testify.
Manager Xu knelt down as soon as he entered the yamen and said:
"My lord, I did indeed witness Manager Lin threatening Jiang in broad daylight in front of our restaurant that day. I implore you to investigate this matter thoroughly."
Jiang Yuwei had originally thought that Officer Huang would just go to Lianxianglou to ask, but she didn't expect that Manager Xu would put aside the business of Lianxianglou to come and testify for her. Her respect for Manager Xu increased even more.
Seeing that Manager Xu was actually pointing fingers at him to his face, Manager Lin shouted:
"You, Manager Xu, you're just jealous of how good our Drunken Immortal Pavilion's business is and you want to take this opportunity to harm me. You two must have conspired together."
Manager Lin stretched out his hand, pointing tremblingly at Jiang Yuwei and Manager Xu.
Seeing this, Manager Xu didn't mince words and asked directly:
"Manager Lin said I'm jealous of your Zuixianlou's good business? You do business on East Street every day, you must know that our Lianxianglou is currently the most successful restaurant on East Street, so how can I be jealous of your Zuixianlou's business?"
Manager Lin was so angry at Manager Xu's question that his face turned pale and then red, but he couldn't refute it. At present, Lianxiang Restaurant was not only the most popular restaurant on East Street, but also one of the top restaurants in the entire Ping'an Town.
Standing outside, Lin Zhengtang frowned in anger at the foolish shopkeeper, muttering under his breath:
"These brainless idiots are trying to frame others. The magistrate hasn't even asked anything yet, and you've already spilled the beans. It seems that Zuixianlou will need to change its manager this time."
Lin Zhengtang glared angrily at Manager Lin, who was still kneeling in front of the hall, and then turned and left.
Listening to the conversation between Manager Xu and Manager Lin, Magistrate Li slammed his gavel and stared at Manager Xu, saying:
"Manager Xu, do you know the consequences of perjury? Can you take responsibility for what you just said?"
Seeing this, Manager Xu quickly cupped his hands and said solemnly:
"My lord, I can take responsibility for everything I just said."
Magistrate Li nodded and slammed his gavel:
"Niu Da and Niu Er attempted to commit violence in the street but failed. They should be arrested and detained for a month. As for Manager Lin, he hired someone to commit violence. His intentions were malicious and his actions were egregious. He should be detained for three years according to the law."
Upon hearing this, Manager Lin was about to struggle and shout:
"No, I'm innocent! Please spare me, sir!"
The constables nearby quickly stepped forward and restrained Manager Lin, dragging him away. Niu Da and Niu Er breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the punishment, since they often spent several days in jail. This time it was just a little longer, but at least their lives were saved.
When Officer Huang came to take Niu Da and Niu Er away, the two of them didn't forget to glare fiercely at Jiang Yuwei.
Seeing the look in their eyes, Manager Xu couldn't help but worry for Jiang Yuwei, and whispered to her:
“Madam Jiang, you must be careful of these two men in the future. They are not good people. They are notorious street thugs in Ping'an Town. Just now, I saw that they looked at you with resentment. They will be released from prison in a month. You must be careful.”
Jiang Yuwei smiled and nodded, then said to Manager Xu:
"Manager Xu, thank you for speaking up for me today. I will remember your kindness. You should go back to Lianxiang Restaurant and get back to work."
Manager Xu glanced at Jiang Yuwei with concern, then nodded and left. It was almost evening, and the restaurant would soon be busy. He really couldn't leave; otherwise, he should have at least seen Jiang Yuwei off.
After all, Jiang Yuwei had come to deliver a prescription to him today and encountered such danger, so Manager Xu naturally felt bad about it, which is why he took the time to come forward as a witness today.
Seeing that it was getting late, Jiang Yuwei knew she had to hurry up and take care of her business, so she bowed to Magistrate Li and took her leave.
When Jiang Yuwei rushed to the carpenter's shop, the shopkeeper, Mr. Wang, was just about to close up shop and go home for dinner. Seeing Jiang Yuwei arrive, he greeted her with a smile.
"Madam Jiang, you've come at just the right time. If you had come any later, I would have had to close up shop."
Jiang Yuwei smiled at Manager Wang:
"What a coincidence! I've come to pick up furniture today. I wonder if Manager Wang's furniture is all finished?"
Upon hearing this, Manager Wang hurriedly opened the shop door, led Jiang Yuwei inside, and pointed to the furniture displayed in the shop, saying:
"I prepared it for Madam Jiang a long time ago, but since you haven't come to pick it up, I've been putting it on display in the shop as a sample. Now that I have this sample and the drawings you gave me, I've received quite a few orders this month, and my business is fully booked. At this rate, I'll have to hire a few more helpers next month to keep up. You're truly our shop's lucky star."
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