Chapter Thirteen: The Witness

"The 'Wealth-Scattering Child' has returned," Gan Sui remarked coolly.

"I just thought she seemed pitiful."

"What if she's a swindler?"

"That can't be..."

"You—if someone sold you one day, you'd probably help them count their money."

"Isn't that why I have you? You're clever enough."

"I still have some pages left to copy; once I'm done, I'll take the donkey cart back to the city."

He wasn't really going to return the cart, but clearly wanted to investigate further. This man always spoke harshly, but his heart was soft as cotton. Banxia didn't expose him, merely skipped off to keep planting vegetables.

In less than half an hour, Gan Sui began preparing to leave. Banxia went inside and brought him a tael of silver. "If you’re delayed, just have a meal in the city before coming back."

Gan Sui accepted without protest, and cautioned, "Be careful at home alone. Don’t greet strangers, and if anything happens, wait until I return."

Banxia nodded and saw him off to the cart.

Gan Sui traveled swiftly, heading straight to the bookshop once in the city. Shopkeeper Yan was surprised to see him. "Why are you here? Weren’t you supposed to return the books tomorrow?"

"I happened to have some business. I’ve finished copying the next volume; please take a look."

Shopkeeper Yan glanced through the pages, then, seeing Gan Sui still standing, asked, "Is there something you wish to discuss? Let’s go into the inner room."

Once seated, Gan Sui asked, "Do you know the third son of the Lin family?"

Yan pondered briefly. "You mean Lin San? He’s hardly a young master. His father is the county magistrate’s younger brother. The old lady of the magistrate’s house favors her youngest son, so when the family divided, she gave all the shops to him. But this youngest son has no real talent—the business often runs at a loss, and only survives thanks to his mother’s own money. He has just one son, Lin San, who’s been pampered and spoiled since childhood, but he’s hopeless at both studies and martial arts. He indulges in all sorts of vices—eating, drinking, whoring, gambling. I heard he beat up a newcomer in town this morning, but that family’s just a widow and orphan, so no one cared. Why are you asking about him?"

"To be frank, the family Lin San attacked today happens to be from our neighboring village. The woman came to ask me to write a legal petition for her."

"You mustn’t write that petition," Yan interrupted hastily. "Though the Lin family’s two branches haven’t interacted much in recent years, they’re still blood relatives—broken bones are still connected by sinew, as they say. There’s no way they’d punish their own nephew for the sake of an outsider. Besides, Lin San has done plenty of such things to women over the years, but as long as it doesn’t cause a scandal, everyone pretends not to know. Do you think the county magistrate is unaware? Impossible. He just turns a blind eye. If you submit that petition, you’ll be tearing off his mask..."

"I understand there are many concerns," Gan Sui replied. "But if one lives only for oneself and ignores injustice around them, can they still be called human? I’m just a poor scholar. If this succeeds, it’s a good deed. If not, life will merely be harder. I’m young—what hardship can’t I bear? Forgive me for going against your advice, and thank you again for your kindness."

"Such integrity, Scholar Gan—I truly admire you. No matter what happens, you’ll always have a position at my shop."

"Thank you. It’s getting late, so I’ll head back now."

"Let me send someone to fetch a cart for you."

"No need. I’ll walk home in the sunset—it’ll help clear my mind. This petition won’t be easy to write."

Gan Sui left the bookshop, only to realize someone was following him. At the intersection, he stopped. "Brother, you’ve been trailing me for quite a while—is there something you need?"

The man, seeing his cover blown, stepped forward. "I am Bai Zhi. I overheard in the bookshop that you plan to write a petition for yesterday’s victim..."

Gan Sui’s gaze sharpened instantly.

"Please don’t misunderstand—I was actually present at the scene yesterday. If you need a witness, I’m willing to testify in court."

"Aren’t you afraid? Lin San is the county magistrate’s nephew."

"I am, honestly. I work as an assistant at Renren Hall, the medicine shop. My family died of plague a few years ago, so I’m essentially alone. I was worried this would implicate the medicine shop, but after hearing your words just now, I remembered what my master always said: a healer must have a compassionate heart. I believe he wouldn’t blame me for this. So I’m more than willing to be your witness."

Gan Sui finally breathed a sigh of relief. With a witness secured, it would now depend on whether the county magistrate would be impartial.