Chapter 198: The Way of the World - The Courtroom is Just the Courtroom

Chapter 198: The Way of the World - The Courtroom is Just the Courtroom

Despite their exchange of words being insufficient, Gu Tingye surprisingly pretended to help his wife sit down properly. Minglan leaned delicately against the armrest as if she were weak and fragile. The old lady Wang turned her head, making an effort not to look at their theatrics. Just as she managed to suppress her anger and was about to speak, Changbai spoke first: "If a daughter-in-law plots to harm her mother-in-law, it is one of the top ten unforgivable crimes. According to the law, the lightest punishment is decapitation, and the heaviest is death by a thousand cuts."

Wang Shi was so frightened that she almost jumped up. Why was her son saying such things?

The old lady Wang was momentarily stunned, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You've been away for a few years, and your mother has missed you dearly. Why are you talking about this now?" Taking a closer look at her grandson, who resembled her late husband the most, she noticed his fair complexion had become somewhat tanned, less handsome than before, but his spirit was very good. After all, he had been managing things independently for years, and a natural aura of authority surrounded him.

Changbai replied, "Oh, didn't you just tell Father that if this matter comes to light, Aunt may have a chance of survival, but my mother will definitely be doomed? I wanted to let my mother know the laws so she would have a clear understanding."

The old lady Wang's expression changed, and Wang Shi tightly grasped her son's sleeve. "... You, you already know...?"

Zhang Bo glanced at his mother and said slightly, "I already know."

Minglan felt puzzled; she had thought she had kept the news under wraps quite well. How could her elder brother know so quickly?

While she was wondering, she felt a slight itch in her palm and saw Gu Tingye, sitting beside her, nodding and silently mouthing the words "Gongsun." After a moment's thought, Minglan understood. The guards she had used to seal the manor, capture people, and even torture were originally sent by Mr. Gongsun. As for the results of the interrogation, others might not know, but Gongsun Baishi would certainly be aware. He must have sent someone to find Gu Tingye, he detailed the whole story thoroughly, and on the way to the Sheng residence, the brother-in-law ran into the elder brother-in-law, so Chang Bai also found out.

When Old Madam Wang's gaze fell on where Gu Tingye was sitting, she felt uneasy and smiled, "You've come a long way. In such a short time, the news you heard might not be entirely accurate."

Changbai lightly responded, "Is what Grandmother refers to as inaccurate regarding Aunt's hiring people to make poison or about Aunt tricking my mother into poisoning?"

Old Madam Wang's smile stiffened. "Your Aunt and your mother were confused, which led to this huge disaster."

Zhang Bo shook his head. "My mother was indeed confused; she thought that blood relatives could always be trusted. Who would have thought that her own sister would deceive and harm her? As for Aunt… every step she took was deliberate. My mother is still there to bear the blame. I see clearly; she is not confused at all."

Old Madam Wang was displeased and lightly tapped the armrest: "You're growing up and becoming more independent; you no longer need to listen to your elders' words."

Chang Bai looked up and replied, "What does my grandmother hope I will listen to from you?"

Old Madam Wang, seeing the stern gaze that resembled her deceased husband, momentarily fell silent.

"Aunt poisoned my grandmother and deceived my mother, causing our once peaceful family to be turned upside down. Does my grandmother still hope I won't pursue this matter?" Chang Bai stood in the middle of the hall, speaking solemnly, "My father won't let my aunt off the hook, and yet my grandmother dares to threaten my mother and me to coerce my father into submission. Am I not blood-related to the Wang family?"

Old Madam Wang felt her face heat up and spoke with difficulty, "Good child, you don't understand. If this matter gets out, it will especially harm you. Your father is also afraid it will delay your future..."

"Then let it not get out," Chang Bai coldly looked at her, "As for my aunt's actions, even if the national law can tolerate it, the family law cannot. We can either inform my uncle and let the Kang family's ancestral hall handle it, or my grandmother can give an explanation. If we deal with it behind closed doors, no one will know."

Old Madam Wang broke into a sweat on her forehead: "What do you plan to do about it?"

Chang Bai did not hesitate: "Killing someone means paying with your life; that's only right and proper."

Old Madam Wang clutched her chest and tearfully said, "She is your blood-related aunt! You are all flesh and blood..." She suddenly stopped speaking.

Ming Lan knew what she was about to say and felt an indescribable anger in her heart.

Chang Bai turned to look at the anxious Sheng Hong, the guilt-ridden Wang family, and Uncle Wang and his wife before turning back, speaking slowly, "In this world, whether someone is close or not is hard to say. The master is not my grandmother's biological child, and us siblings have no blood relation to her either, yet over the years, she has devoted herself wholeheartedly to this family with pure and heartfelt love. And what about my aunt? She shares the same blood as my mother, yet over the years, she has only seen to undermine the Sheng family without showing an ounce of care for my mother. Knowing full well how shocking this matter is, she still instigated my mother to poison my grandmother and even wanted to use my mother as a scapegoat? Is that something a blood relative would do?"

Old Madam Wang was rendered speechless by his words and could only say, "... Your aunt was also forced into a corner, and in her panic, she dragged your mother into this."

Chang Bai scoffed lightly, a mocking look on his face: "Grandmother, you are a wise person; why speak foolishly? My aunt was not just in a panic when she did this. From the very beginning, she had set a trap, and when the matter came to light, she intended for my mother to take the blame."

Old Madam Wang knew that Chang Bai was the most perceptive and intelligent among her grandchildren. How could such matters be concealed from his eyes? There was no argument left to be made, so she could only close her mouth.

Chang Bai slowly said, "My aunt's wicked schemes against my mother make it impossible for me to regard her as a blood relative. Therefore..." He paused, then said emphatically, "From today onwards, my siblings and I will have no more kinship with Madam Kang! Regardless of national law or family rules, Madam Kang must be punished! If you wish to protect your daughter, Grandmother, then let's take it to court."

Old Madam Wang felt her heart sink. She understood Chang Bai's character; once he made up his mind, it would be difficult to change it. Amid her chaotic thoughts, she shouted, "What a dutiful grandson you are, wanting to take it to court right away! Don't you care about your mother's life?"

Chang Bai turned to Wang Shi and said, "Mother, judging by what Sixth Sister has in her hands, you were indeed deceived and did not know that it was poison. If this were to reach the magistrate, it would likely be considered an act of defiance, which would not lead to execution or torture."

Wang Shi sobbed, "But those living penalties aren't few!"

Chang Bai remained unmoved and said calmly, "Mother did indeed show disrespect to the grandmother; receiving some punishment is only to be expected."

Wang Shi collapsed onto the table, crying even louder. She had thought her son would help her, but instead, his resolve was so unyielding that he was willing to punish even his own mother.

Old Madam Wang's chest heaved violently with anger as she coldly laughed, "What a dutiful grandson who sacrifices family for the sake of righteousness! Your mother has committed a grave act of defiance; let's see how you, as her son, can remain unscathed?!"

This statement was exceedingly harsh, yet Chang Bai responded immediately, "Naturally, I cannot. On the way here, I've already drafted a resignation letter, prepared to submit it on the day of my official duties."

Ming Lan felt a tightening in her chest, and then she heard a chorus of gasps. Sheng Hong stiffened, his neck taut with anger, veins bulging. Wang Shi immediately stopped crying, staring blankly at her son. Chang Bai looked at Wang Shi, his gentle voice tinged with sorrow, "With my mother committing such acts, what face do I have left to stand in the official circles, speaking of virtue, loyalty, and filial piety? Once this matter is settled, I will resign."

The room fell silent as if a pin could be heard dropping. Uncle Wang wore a look of shame, constantly shaking his head and sighing, while Aunt Wang seemed moved, casting a dissatisfied glance at her mother-in-law.

After a while, Wang Shi suddenly stood up and threw herself onto her son, pulling and tugging while crying and wailing, "You cannot resign! You cannot resign! ... My good child, you started learning at four years old. From the south to the north, which teacher hasn't praised your intelligence and diligence? You've studied hard morning and night, never skipping a day! Even on scorching summer days, you refused to move even a bit despite getting heat rashes; in the bitter cold of winter, your hands got frostbite, yet you wouldn't write even one less character. Mother felt so pained for you... After years of hard work, you've earned your place; now that your future is bright, you can't let your mother ruin it!"

Every word of this statement came from a mother's heart, causing everyone to sigh in emotion. Aunt Wang and Liu Kun's wife turned away to wipe their tears, while Ming Lan felt a pang of sadness in her heart; Chang Bai, supporting Wang Shi, couldn't help but redden his eyes.

Wang Shi, extremely agitated, disregarded her dignity and wiped her tears with her sleeve. "It's all my fault; I was wrong, my heart has turned dark! I will go and plead guilty; I will face the law…" She sneered at Old Madam Wang above, "From now on, mother will only have one daughter! Since you do not care about my life or death… If it goes to court, let it go to court; whether it be execution or punishment, I will accept it!"

Old Madam Wang felt a sharp pain in her heart, forcing herself to hold on as she wept to Wang Shi, "You foolish child, I carried you for ten months; how could I not care about your life or death!"

Wang Shi snorted coldly, "Mother, to protect my sister, you have threatened to expose this matter. You do not care about my elder brother's reputation, the Wang family's dignity, or even how my two nieces live in their husbands' families! So why should you care about me, a mere nobody?"

Hearing her own daughter speak such sarcastic words, Old Madam Wang felt a wave of darkness before her eyes and nearly fainted. She slapped her thigh and cried out, "Do you all want me to die? Shall I sacrifice my life to repay your family's grandmother?"

Chang Bai helped Wang Shi sit down and turned to say, "How can this be compared? Our elder's life or death is still unknown; she was plotted against and poisoned by evil people. If anything happens to grandmother, it will be because of the unfilial actions of aunt."

Ming Lan lowered her head to wipe away the tears at the corner of her eyes, her lips curling up—her elder brother had never been subject to emotional blackmail in his life; tactics like "If you dare to do such and such, I'll jump into the river or crash into a wall" were utterly ineffective against him.

Old Madam Wang was not willing to give up and cried, "It's the mother's fault for not teaching her child properly; should I sacrifice myself for her? Just spare that foolish girl!"

Chang Bai replied, "If one could truly take someone else's place in death, there would be no need for such strict prohibitions throughout the ages."

Old Madam Wang wept for a while longer, just as she was about to plead again, suddenly there was a loud bang on the table. Sheng Hong, his face pale with anger, stood up and said solemnly, "No need to say more; Kang Wang Shi must be punished! If you, Mother-in-law, want to make this matter bigger to protect the life of eldest sister-in-law, then let it be. The Sheng family is not to be bullied!"

As he listened to his wife and children's words, his anger grew; his face changed from green to red, and dark clouds gathered on his forehead.

Throughout his life, he had been a diligent official and an honest person. He had managed his household well, and most of his children were outstanding. He neither exploited the common people nor participated in factional struggles, and he had avoided offending anyone for decades. After being so cautious for so many years, he finally managed to reach a point where the Sheng family's future looked promising, but now this incident threatened to ruin the career of his most valued eldest son—how could he endure it?

Who has he offended? He's been wronged to death! He didn't do anything wrong!

"I ask myself if I have treated the Kang family poorly; whether it's money or legal matters, I have done everything within my power to help!" Sheng Hong exclaimed with righteous indignation. "And this is how my eldest sister-in-law repays me?! My mother doesn't like her, and she wants to kill my mother! May I ask, Mother-in-law, what does my eldest sister-in-law think the Sheng family is?! She can poison us if she wants, frame us if she pleases—does she think the Sheng family is easy to bully?!"

Old Madam's face turned ashen; she had never been so ridiculed in her life, especially by the second son-in-law who was originally the most obedient and filial.

Taking a breath, Sheng Hong sneered, "My eldest sister-in-law is so confident now; I understand that she has you, Mother-in-law, backing her up! It seems you underestimate me! You probably think I'm weak and easy to bully because the Sheng family's status is low. You want to use my son's career and the Sheng family's reputation to threaten me? Fine, if you want to take this to court, then let's do it!"

He suddenly pointed at Uncle Wang, his beard bristling with anger. "Over the years, my eldest sister-in-law has probably taken more than three lives; how many have you, brother-in-law, covered up for her? How many people's mouths have you sealed? Once we lay everything bare in court, I'll see if she can save her life with so many crimes!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Uncle Wang's face changed drastically. She tugged at her husband's sleeve with force and shot him a fierce glance, while Uncle Wang began to sweat profusely. Sheng Hong was as shrewd as a glass ball; although he had helped with a few shady matters, it was mostly by offering money or sweet words, and he had never been involved in any scandals himself. If those old matters were brought to light, not only would Kang Wangshi be finished, but his own official position would also be in jeopardy. Realizing this, he quickly turned to Old Madam Wang and said, "Mother..."

Old Madam Wang could see the pleading in her son's eyes; her heart turned cold with sorrow, and she leaned back in her chair, her arms shaking violently as she held onto it. At this point, there was nothing more to say; they had reached a complete deadlock.

Minglan observed her expression and knew that the old woman had already raised the white flag, feeling secretly pleased.

—While she was watching the others, Gu Tingye was always watching her, carefully noting every frown, tear, and smile.

At this moment, a maid rushed in hurriedly. Minglan was slightly surprised, "Cuiping, what brings you here?"

Cuiping's face was filled with joyful tears as she knelt down, exclaiming, "The old madam has woken up!... Mama Fang sent me to hurry and report that the old madam has woken up!"

This news struck like a bolt from the blue, causing everyone to spring to their feet.

Sheng Hong let out a big sigh of relief: no need to worry anymore.

Wang Shi felt weak all over: no need to face execution or torture anymore.

Old Madam straightened her back from the chair: at least there was no need to pay with her life.

Minglan laughed until she cried, clasping her hands together and earnestly bowing towards the sky several times, mumbling, "Thank you, Heavenly Father, Buddha, and Avalokiteshvara! I will definitely eat more vegetables in the future and not be picky! I won't eat freshly slaughtered... and I won't eat trotters anymore!"

Standing beside her, Gu Tingye: ...

In the room, there was only one exception.

Chang Bai still wore a blank expression. Seeing that there were no empty tea bowls on the table, he picked up the teapot and directly poured a large mouthful into his own mouth—having rushed over and then gotten into an argument, his throat was so dry it felt like it was on fire... The death penalty had been averted, but how should the lesser crimes be judged?

After more than two years of handling disputes for the common people, this county magistrate wasn't just sitting idly by; putting down the teapot, he quickly came up with an idea.