Chapter 44: Confrontation – I Want You to Pay With Your Life for My Child!
Magistrate Li’s mind raced rapidly. Thinking of his daughter, he still felt a stifling anger in his heart…
Jiang Qingshi seemed to perceive his thoughts. With a light glance from those typically icy pool-like eyes, Magistrate Li shuddered and suddenly regained clarity.
Recalling how he had come from a humble background, studying diligently through cold winters just for the chance to pass the imperial examinations. He was far less talented than this young man, yet he too had once cherished ideals of serving the country and pleading for the common people. Now that his official career had reached its limit, while this young man before him had boundless prospects, how could he commit such immoral acts for personal reasons?
Though their age difference was significant, they had both grown up reading the classics of sages, both being students of Confucius. How could he wrong an innocent person because of his daughter’s willful arrogance? This matter clearly showed someone was deliberately framing Jiang Qingshi, perhaps counting on the enmity between him and Jiang Qingshi to manipulate him as a weapon.
“This official will uphold justice according to the law.” Magistrate Li looked into Jiang Qingshi’s eyes and said solemnly, “Although this is your Jiang Family’s affair, as the saying goes, family matters are difficult to judge. It’s uncertain how many days it will take to clarify this case…”
Seeing Magistrate Li’s expression, Jiang Qingshi knew this was the magistrate’s assurance to him. He felt slightly relieved and said, “Would Your Honor permit us to gather evidence to help bring this case to light sooner?”
Magistrate Li hesitated for a moment before nodding, though his expression remained somewhat troubled: “But according to the law, Recommended Man Jiang, you cannot leave the county government office now. Of course, once the truth emerges, this official will certainly clear your name.”
Jiang Qingshi nodded. Being well-versed in Da Liang’s laws, he knew the magistrate’s decision was reasonable. He looked at Jiang Yunxiu and Lin Guilan: “Then I’ll have to trouble my wife and sister. Your Honor, perhaps we could hold the court session two days from now! Nian Chen cannot wait any longer!”
“No!” Jiang Jinyao, who had remained silent until now, suddenly shouted, “My wife’s condition is uncertain, why the rush…”
“Fourth Young Master Jiang, what are your intentions in repeatedly delaying this case!” Magistrate Li interrupted Jiang Jinyao sternly, “The court session will be held two days from now!”
Jiang Jinyao was nothing but a paper tiger. Having never encountered an official as high-ranking as a magistrate in his life, he didn’t dare speak further when he saw the magistrate’s anger. He thought to himself that since Fan Xiang’e was currently unconscious, he might as well find an opportunity to poison this slut to death. After all, she had cuckolded him – such a slut deserved being drowned in a pig cage and ridden on a wooden donkey! Once this woman died, there would be no witness against him. With five hundred taels of silver in hand, what kind of woman couldn’t he get!
Two days later would be fine. Jiang Qingshi had always looked down on him – this time he would make sure Jiang Qingshi’s conviction was secured!
Two days later.
In the county government office courtroom, Magistrate Li sat upright with solemn dignity. Hearing that a Recommended Man was suspected of assault, numerous commoners gathered outside to watch the proceedings.
“Your Honor, please judge wisely!” Jiang Jinyao knelt below, crying pitifully, “Since Jiang Qingshi became a Recommended Man, he has looked down on everyone. Just because my wife treated him somewhat disrespectfully, he held a grudge and intentionally pushed her down in revenge! I beg Your Honor to uphold justice for this humble person!”
Magistrate Li struck his gavel: “Jiang Qingshi, what is your defense?”
Jiang Qingshi bowed respectfully, his expression calm: “Your Honor, please investigate clearly. This Jiang Jinyao suddenly visited my home two days ago, then pushed his wife Fan Xiang’e to the ground right in front of me. Seeing that only the two of us were present at the time, he tried to falsely accuse me. This commoner has never laid a finger on my sister-in-law, nor do I have any motive to harm her. On the contrary…” he paused, “Jiang Jinyao committing such cruelty against his own wife and unborn child shows he disregards human morality – his heart deserves punishment!”
Jiang Qingshi was eloquent. The onlookers, noticing his handsome appearance and status as a Recommended Man, while Jiang Jinyao looked rather ordinary… the contrast was immediately clear, and public opinion quickly shifted.
“Truly worse than a beast!”
“Even harming his own child – even a vicious tiger doesn’t harm its cub!”
Hearing the crowd’s discussion, Jiang Jinyao’s face changed color as he sharply retorted: “Don’t you dare slander me! I cherish my wife too much to ever treat her like that!”
Several members of the Jiang Family had naturally come too. Old Master Jiang felt deeply ashamed seeing his two sons quarreling to this extent. Feng Shi, however, cared nothing for others’ opinions, only fearing something might happen to her precious son.
Yuan Yuexian wore the expression of someone enjoying a good show. She never expected the third and fourth sons would clash, and that arrogant sister-in-law actually had a miscarriage! Indeed, the Jiang Family was a den of wolves – any woman marrying into this family was doomed!
Magistrate Li pondered for a moment before ordering: “Summon the physician and midwife for questioning.”
When the physician and midwife came before the court, both stated that Madam Fan’s miscarriage was indeed caused by external force.
The crowd’s murmuring grew even louder.
Jiang Yunxiu and Lin Guilan were also among the spectators. Jiang Zhimiao had come too, and hearing his father being falsely accused like this, he couldn’t help but clench his small fists.
Looking at Jiang Jinyao’s shifty, rat-like appearance, he should have stayed home to protect his father! From now on, he would guard their gate vigilantly, never letting such filthy creatures enter their home!
But could his father safely overcome this ordeal today…
Cold sweat beaded on Jiang Zhimiao’s small forehead.
“How could I push my own wife!” Jiang Jinyao cried hoarsely, “Ever since she married me, I’ve obeyed her every wish. Forget about beating or scolding her – I wouldn’t even dare speak a harsh word to her! If you don’t believe me, Your Honor, ask the neighbors!”
Feng Shi immediately shouted: “My son dotes on his wife – there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for her! If you don’t believe me, surely you’ll believe the neighbors!”
Feng Shi tried to drag someone forward, but the bailiffs stopped her. They looked to the magistrate for instruction, and when he nodded, allowed Feng Shi to bring the woman forward.
The woman looked honest and simple, experiencing such a grand occasion for the first time, her eyes constantly darting away. Seeing the magistrate’s inquiring gaze, she nodded.
“The Jiang Family Fourth Child is indeed very obedient to his wife. I often hear Fan Xiang’e scolding him, and he never talks back.”
The crowd erupted in surprise, thinking that although Jiang Jinyao was somewhat ugly, according to this woman’s words, he was actually a good man who cherished his wife.
Jiang Jinyao looked quite pleased, cupping his hands toward the woman: “Thank you, Sister Yang. Magistrate, surely you must believe me now?”
“Oh? Is that so.” Jiang Yunxiu smiled slightly, appearing completely unruffled. “Perhaps it’s because you took advantage of the Fan Family and had no choice but to not dare show your wife a displeased expression. Your obedience to Fan Xiang’e doesn’t necessarily make you a good husband – maybe you’re just a coward!”
“Jiang Yunxiu!” Jiang Jinyao immediately flew into a rage. “You shameless woman who was cast out by her husband’s family! A married daughter is like spilled water—even if you die, you won’t be buried in the Jiang Family’s ancestral grave. How dare you meddle in the Jiang Family’s affairs!”
Hearing Jiang Jinyao’s vulgar insults, the commoners began to doubt the neighbor’s earlier testimony. With such filth pouring from his mouth, how could this man possibly be a good husband?
“Jiang Jinyao, I am still your elder sister after all,” Jiang Yunxiu smiled faintly. She actually enjoyed seeing him lose his temper—it perfectly revealed his true nature to everyone. “I divorced my former husband; I wasn’t cast out. The reason for our divorce was his affair with another woman who became pregnant with his child. I voluntarily stepped aside to make room for them—isn’t that exactly what you men would want?”
The crowd, seeing how beautiful Jiang Yunxiu was, cursed her ex-husband for being blind to have sought another woman.
“People often miss the forest for the trees,” Jiang Qingshi spoke up. “As my sister said, Jiang Jinyao isn’t devoted—he’s guilty. While it’s true that even a vicious tiger wouldn’t harm its own cubs, few would hesitate if they suspected the child wasn’t theirs.”
Jiang Qingshi’s words caused an uproar among the spectators.
“You have witnesses, and so do we,” Lin Guilan smiled slightly and beckoned to someone behind her. “Sister Tao, would you come forward and speak?”
A tall woman stepped forward. The crowd recognized her immediately and began whispering: “Isn’t that the owner of Tao’s Sesame Oil Shop?”
Tao Xiu entered the court hall, first bowed to the magistrate, then stood up and declared: “I assume everyone recognizes me. I’m the owner of Tao’s Sesame Oil Shop. Since my father only had me as heir, we brought in Huang Ying through marriage—that ungrateful wretch! I recently discovered he’s been maintaining several mistresses behind my back! They’ve even borne him two or three children. I’ve already divorced him—I won’t let those bastards from his whores claim any share of the Tao family fortune!”
The crowd erupted in shock. Tao Xiu had always been well-regarded, and her sesame oil was known for its quality and authenticity. People had previously lamented her marriage to that idle good-for-nothing Huang Ying, thinking that while Tao Xiu might be plain-looking, her family wealth certainly didn’t deserve to be wasted on that shifty-eyed man.
But since the Tao family needed a son-in-law to carry on the line, and few men were willing to marry into their wife’s family, Huang Ying had gotten the opportunity. Now that Tao Xiu had borne two children and decisively divorced Huang Ying, everyone applauded her decision.
“Jiang Jinyao’s wife is one of Huang Ying’s mistresses,” Tao Xiu sneered coldly. “I can’t say whether the child in her belly is Huang Ying’s, but he’s been giving her plenty of silver. No wonder the accounts didn’t add up during that period—he was stealing money to support that vixen! And she wasn’t even married then!”
“How dare you spread such lies!” Jiang Jinyao shouted. “How can you slander my wife like this without any proof!”
“If you don’t want others to know, then don’t do it!” Tao Xiu’s imposing manner intensified, her eyes wide open as she glared at Jiang Jinyao. “Dare you claim ignorance of this matter? Whether they engaged in further misconduct afterward, I cannot say. I only know that Fan Xiang’e came from the countryside twice to seek out Huang Ying, each time extorting substantial sums of silver. It seems all the money my Tao family earns ends up supporting you two! Initially, I intended to spare her some dignity by not exposing this publicly, yet you’ve twisted it to frame Recommended Man Jiang! His wife has long been my dear friend—how could I stand by watching you wrong an innocent man?”
“Jiang Jinyao had long suspected the child in Fan Xiang’e’s womb wasn’t his,” Jiang Qingshi stated calmly. “Coupled with enduring constant humiliation from the Fan family, he acted impulsively to frame me. The Jiang Family and I signed a family separation agreement long ago, and we’ve had scarcely any contact since. My interactions with Jiang Jinyao have been particularly rare. His sudden visit now inevitably arouses suspicion about his motives. He claims he wanted the child to ‘absorb literary aura,’ but who can truly discern his actual intentions? I witnessed clearly how Jiang Jinyao not only shoved Fan Xiang’e to the ground but also kicked her twice in the abdomen. Though Fan Xiang’e’s own conduct may be improper, she doesn’t deserve death. Her ongoing unconscious state is undoubtedly the karma Jiang Jinyao has brought upon her!”
“You’re lying! When did I ever kick that wretched woman in the stomach…”
As these words escaped Jiang Jinyao’s lips, he realized he had fallen into a trap. Cold sweat instantly drenched him, and he was rendered speechless.
Jiang Qingshi smiled faintly. “Magistrate Li, it should now be evident who harbors malicious intent. My earlier statement was merely a ruse to trap Jiang Jinyao. In truth, he had his back to Fan Xiang’e when he forcefully pushed her down—she had no chance to react… Although Jiang Jinyao and I have never been close, I know him to be someone who never acts without personal gain. Such actions surely indicate he was promised some benefit. If Your Honor were to send someone to search his home, you might uncover evidence.”
“No need to trouble Magistrate Li.”
A clear, resonant male voice sounded from outside as Wei Fengling swaggered in, followed by two servants carrying a wooden chest.
With a casual wave, Wei Fengling directed the servants to set the heavy chest on the ground.
“I, Young Master Wei, take great pleasure in championing justice. Upon hearing our county’s esteemed Recommended Man Jiang had been falsely accused, I eagerly investigated the truth. And indeed, I discovered two hundred fifty taels of silver in Fourth Master Jiang’s home! Good heavens, I never knew Fourth Master Jiang had become so extravagantly wealthy!”
Jiang Jinyao’s face alternated between green and pale. Trembling, he pointed at Wei Fengling. “Wei Fengling! How dare you rummage through another’s home without permission? This is trespassing…”
“Your Honor.” A yamen runner hurried over and whispered into Magistrate Li’s ear.
Magistrate Li’s expression shifted abruptly.
Before he could speak, a disheveled woman burst into the courtroom like a madwoman, wild-haired and brandishing a kitchen knife. When guards moved to block her, she swung the blade, forcing them to retreat in fear.
“Jiang Jinyao!”
The woman let out a bloodcurdling shriek like a vengeful ghost.
“You have brought me great suffering! You murdered your own child, and I demand you pay with your life for my child!”