Chapter Fourteen: The Courtroom Trial

Gan Sui walked all the way home. Ban Xia, standing by the door, saw him returning from afar and came forward to greet him, “You must be tired from the walk. I figured you’d be hungry, so there’s still hot porridge in the pot. I’ll draw some hot water for you to wash your face first, then we can have dinner.”

“Have you not eaten yet?” Gan Sui asked.

“I finished planting vegetables just before dusk. The sunset was so beautiful, I lingered to watch it a while longer, and then you came back.”

“I walked home watching the sunset too. It was truly stunning.”

“Wasn’t it? The air here in ancient times is so fresh.” Ban Xia never once asked what his plans were, and Gan Sui didn’t mention what he intended to do. Yet both understood: the road ahead didn’t matter, as long as they faced it together.

That night, Gan Sui stayed up late drafting the legal petition. Ban Xia, drowsy at his side, helped grind the ink and couldn’t help but marvel at his golden talent. She struggled even to recognize characters, yet Gan Sui could already write legal arguments—it truly seemed fate had dealt them different hands.

The next morning, when Ban Xia awoke, Gan Sui had already prepared breakfast. As she opened the door, she found Hui Niang waiting outside. “Gan Sui has finished writing the petition. Come in and take it.”

“Thank you, thank you Lady Su, thank you Scholar Gan.” The woman took the document. “I have nothing to offer now, but this kindness from Scholar Gan, my family will never forget. We will surely repay it one day.” With that, she knelt in the courtyard and knocked her head three times in gratitude before leaving.

“Can you handle this on your own?” Gan Sui asked.

“I have to try,” Hui Niang replied.

“I’ll go with you,” Gan Sui said.

The three of them headed into town together. Standing before the county office, Hui Niang looked at Ban Xia and Gan Sui, drew courage from their presence, and struck the drum for justice.

“I am Tian from the southern village, and I accuse the third son of the Lin family of assaulting someone in public. I beseech the magistrate to investigate and uphold justice.”

At the sound of the drum, the proceedings began immediately. Gan Sui accompanied Hui Niang inside the court, while Ban Xia and the crowd of onlookers watched from the rear.

Soon, the third young master of the Lin family was brought in, clearly half-asleep and reeking of alcohol. The bailiffs began to disperse the crowd, forcing Ban Xia to leave the courthouse and wait anxiously outside.

“Uncle, did you call for me?” Lin Qianbao asked.

“Silence! There are no relatives in court, only the magistrate,” the scribe interrupted sharply.

Such arrogance, Ban Xia thought, then composed herself and stood respectfully.

“Lin Qianbao, are you aware of your crime?”

“What crime? I haven’t committed any crime,” Lin Qianbao retorted.

The scribe read out the petition. After hearing it, Lin Qianbao immediately protested, “Your honor, I am innocent! That woman seduced me, and her husband caught us. He attacked me first, so I had no choice but to defend myself.”

“Yesterday, Young Master Lin met this woman at the busy intersection of East Street, with many passersby. Everyone in the southern village knows her—she is timid by nature. How could she possibly seduce you in broad daylight?”

“Who knows? Maybe she saw my wealth and hoped to seize her chance,” Lin Qianbao argued desperately, his face flushed. Suddenly, he calmed himself and asked, “Since you say the market was crowded yesterday, why is there no one willing to testify for her? Clearly, she and her husband are conspiring to ruin my reputation. I beg your honor to see the truth and uphold my name.”

“If Young Master Lin insists on witnesses, then I respectfully ask the magistrate to summon them.”

“Summon them,” the magistrate ordered.

Lin Qianbao had not expected anyone to stand against him, and panic set in at once. When the witnesses finished speaking, he collapsed to the ground.

“Lin Qianbao, is there anything else you wish to say?” the magistrate asked.

“Uncle, Uncle, save me!” Lin Qianbao pleaded, hearing the magistrate’s words and clinging to hope.

How foolish, Gan Sui thought with a silent sneer. In open court, how could the dignified magistrate possibly bend the law for family?

As expected, the magistrate declared, “The evidence in this case is conclusive. However, as the victim is still in the recovery period, the accused shall be detained pending trial. Once the victim’s condition stabilizes, sentencing will proceed. During detention, all medical expenses shall be borne by the accused’s family. Court adjourned!”

“Madam Tian, please remain and wait. I will discuss compensation details with you shortly.”