The next day, just as dawn was breaking.
Despite not having slept all night, Xiao Che's eyes showed no signs of fatigue; instead, they gleamed with a chilling light. He had already changed out of his magnificent scholar's robe and into a dark silk shirt that was more befitting of a "wealthy merchant"—understated yet dignified.
Lin Wanwan had also finished getting ready. She looked at the thunderous rage about to erupt from Xiao Che and understood what was going on.
"Your Majesty, we...?"
"Go find Granny Liu." Xiao Che's voice was calm and even, yet it was like the deathly silence on the sea before a storm. "Today, I will personally beat the grievance drum of the Jiangnan government office!"
Lin Wanwan nodded. She knew that Xiao Che intended to follow the proper procedures and go through the formalities of the "official government." He wanted to see just how bad things had become in Jiangnan!
The two found Granny Liu's home in a dilapidated slum in the south of the city. It was a low thatched hut, bare of everything, with the only piece of furniture being a worn-out wooden bed.
Granny Liu lay curled up on the bed, staring blankly at the roof beams. Overnight, she seemed to have aged twenty years. Having exhausted all her strength in front of the Gao mansion yesterday, she was now utterly despondent.
When she saw Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan walk in, a faint ripple appeared in her cloudy eyes.
“My benefactor…” she struggled to get up, her voice hoarse like a broken bellows.
“Grandma, there’s no need for such formalities.” Xiao Che stepped forward and helped her up. “I’ve come today to take you to the government office to appeal your grievances!”
"The government office?" Upon hearing those two words, the glimmer of hope that had just ignited in Granny Liu's eyes instantly vanished. She gave a sorrowful smile and shook her head. "It's no use... my benefactor, it's no use... that prefect is related to the Gao family by marriage, they're all in cahoots... how can we ordinary people possibly fight against them..."
"Whether we can win or not, we have to try!" Xiao Che's tone carried an undeniable force. "If even you, as her mother, don't fight for your daughter's injustice, then there will be no one else in the world who can seek justice for her!"
These words struck Granny Liu's heart like a heavy hammer. Looking at the extraordinary young man before her, a flicker of fire finally rekindled in her lifeless eyes.
Yes, she is a mother! Her daughter died, and she was still burdened with filth. How could she, as a mother, just give up like that!
“Alright! My benefactor! I…I’ll go with you!” Granny Liu gritted her teeth and struggled to get out of bed.
The Jiangnan Prefectural Government Office is located in the most impressive part of the city center. The stone lions in front of the gate are majestic, and the plaque with the words "A Bright Mirror Hangs High" shines brightly in the morning light, exuding a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
However, when Xiao Che helped the unsteady Granny Liu up, picked up the drumstick of the grievance drum covered in thick dust, and struck it hard—
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
The dull and oppressive drumbeats seemed to inject a discordant noise into this solemn government office.
Soon, the yamen gates swung open, and two squads of yamen runners, carrying fire and water sticks, lazily walked out. The head yamen runner, yawning, shouted impatiently, "Who's beating the drum? What's the matter?!"
Xiao Che stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said in a humble yet assertive manner, "This humble commoner, Xiao Da, is a distant relative of this Miss Liu Yu. My niece has been falsely accused of adultery and is about to be subjected to the private punishment of 'drowning' by the Gao family. I have come here to beat the drum and appeal for justice, humbly requesting that Your Excellency seek justice for my niece!"
Upon hearing that it concerned the "Gao family," the foreman's impatience instantly turned into wariness and perfunctory attitude. He sized Xiao Che up and down, and said with a forced smile, "I know, just wait."
After saying that, he turned around and slowly went inside to report.
This wait lasted for an hour.
As the sun rose higher, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered at the entrance of the government office, pointing and whispering about Xiao Che and Granny Liu.
Just as Xiao Che's patience was about to run out, a weak "Majesty!" rang out from the courtroom.
A bloated official with a puffy face and huge dark circles under his eyes yawned and slowly sat down in the courtroom. This man was none other than Wang Pangzi, the prefect of Jiangnan.
Prefect Wang lazily picked up the gavel and struck it symbolically; the sound was weak and listless, as if he hadn't eaten.
"Who is below? What brings you here?" He squinted his small eyes, his attitude extremely perfunctory, as if he hadn't woken up at all.
When he saw that the person standing below was Xiao Che, whom he had seen in front of the Gao residence yesterday, a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes, and he yawned even louder.
As soon as Granny Liu saw the official, she immediately knelt down and, sobbing uncontrollably, recounted her daughter's grievances once more.
Prefect Wang was so sleepy that his eyelids were drooping.
Only after Granny Liu finished speaking did he lazily lift his eyelids, look at Xiao Che, and ask, "You are Liu Yu's distant relative?"
"It is indeed I, a humble commoner," Xiao Che said, bowing.
"Hmm." Prefect Wang nodded, then began his "Tai Chi" performance in an extremely slick tone.
"Alas, Master Xiao," he drawled, looking troubled, "I have also heard about this matter. But... even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes!"
"The Gao family is a prominent clan in Jiangnan, with a large family business and strict rules. This matter is a matter of their clan's self-governance, intended to rectify their family's conduct. Moreover..." He changed the subject, looking at Xiao Che, "This matter concerns a woman's reputation, which is more important than life itself! If a public trial is held, even if your niece is eventually exonerated, her reputation will be completely ruined!"
“So,” he said, adopting a “I’m doing this for your own good” expression, “in my opinion, it’s best to leave this matter to the Gao family to handle themselves. I… cannot interfere!”
What a perfect example of "even an upright official finds it hard to settle family disputes"!
What a convenient excuse for "considering the reputation of women"!
What a convenient excuse for "not being able to get involved"!
Xiao Che sneered inwardly. This kind of conciliatory rhetoric was practically the standard tactic of a seasoned veteran in officialdom!
He suppressed his anger, stepped forward, and spoke in a low but clear voice that reached the ears of everyone present.
"Your Excellency is mistaken!"
"Firstly, Liu Yu is not a member of the Gao family, so how can there be any talk of 'clan self-governance'? Secondly, the Gao family intends to carry out the punishment of 'drowning in the pond,' which is a form of private punishment! Our dynasty's laws clearly stipulate that anyone who sets up a private court or abuses private punishment shall be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane and exiled three thousand li! May I ask, Your Excellency, are the Gao family's 'clan rules' more powerful than our dynasty's 'national laws'?!"
These questions, delivered with resounding force, instantly jolted the previously drowsy Prefect Wang awake.
He never expected that this seemingly ordinary businessman would dare to be so aggressive in court!
His face instantly darkened.
The people outside the courtroom began to discuss the matter, pointing and whispering about Prefect Wang.
"That's right! A life for a life, that's only fair! How come it's become a family matter in the Gao family?"
"This prefect is clearly biased towards the Gao family!"
Seeing that public opinion was turning against him, a sinister glint flashed in Prefect Wang's eyes.
He slammed the gavel down again, this time with a much louder sound!
"You audacious scoundrel! How dare you question this official in court! You are nothing but a distant relative of hers, what right do you have to speak out?"
He ignored Xiao Che and turned to the kneeling Granny Liu, shouting, "I am already aware of this matter. The Gao family is a family of scholars and would never wrong an innocent person! It must be your daughter's indiscretion that led to this predicament! The facts of this case are clear, and there is no need for further investigation!"
"Court adjourned!"
After saying that, he suddenly stood up, intending to end the case hastily!
"My lord! My lord! My daughter is innocent! My lord!" Seeing this, Granny Liu was completely desperate. She rushed forward, trying to hug Magistrate Wang's leg, but was ruthlessly lifted up by the bailiffs on both sides.
She kowtowed repeatedly, her forehead already a bloody mess, weeping and wailing, her sorrowful voice breaking the hearts of all who heard it.
However, Prefect Wang walked towards the back hall without turning his head.
Just as he was about to cross the threshold, he seemed to suddenly remember something, stopped, turned halfway around, and stared at Xiao Che's ashen face with a cold, warning gaze, saying meaningfully:
"Master Xiao, let me give you a piece of advice."
Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake.
"The waters of Jiangnan... are very deep! You're from out of town, so you'd better mind your own business!"
After saying that, he sneered, turned and left, leaving behind only a fat and arrogant back view.
Xiao Che stood quietly in the spot, watching the direction he left in, without saying a word.
All around, there were the angry and helpless sighs of the people, and the heart-wrenching cries of Granny Liu.
Lin Wanwan looked at Xiao Che with concern.
She noticed that Xiao Che's face was no longer filled with the rage of yesterday; instead, it was eerily calm.
She quietly raised her head and looked up at the top of his head.
There, a huge, gleaming emoji slowly appeared. It was a pixelated smiley face, but the smile was chillingly cold, and the text beside it was filled with sinister killing intent:
[Okay, very good, you're dead.jpg]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com