mtl008 Chapter 175 Evil People Will Get Their Retribution
Chapter 175 Evil People Will Get Their Retribution
The village head was so angry that he puffed out his beard and glared at Shi Wanxia, pointing at her and shouting, "What do you know, you ignorant woman and child! Since ancient times, the greatest filial piety has been to respect one's parents. Nowadays, filial piety is considered to be merely providing for them. Even dogs and horses are provided for; without respect, how is it different?"
Shi Wanxia was taken aback by the village head's imposing manner, but quickly retorted. "Knowing that your parents' decision is wrong, not only do you not advise them, but you blindly obey them. This is foolish filial piety. If Confucius knew that you were distorting his meaning in this way, he would probably be so angry that he would die."
A scholar in the crowd spoke up to argue, "You have never seen a sage, so how dare you say that what you are saying is what the sage means."
Shi Wanxia scoffed, "Yeah! I've never seen it. Have you? Are you a monster? How come you've lived this long?"
“You… are unreasonable and spouting nonsense. Your Honor, how can we allow this ignorant woman from the inner quarters to make such a racket in this courtroom? As a woman, she should follow etiquette and stay at home to support her husband and raise her children.”
Shi Wanxia grew increasingly impatient as she listened, while Chen Lao Er already knew that his so-called parents were trying to force him to his death, and with such a vicious reputation no less.
He knelt down outside the courtroom with a thud, pleading, "Your Honor, please grant me permission to sever ties with my parents. I would rather die than bear the surname Chen."
Shi Wanxia was stunned for a moment. Had Chen Lao Er lost his heart and decided to give up?
The village head and his elders were displeased, shouting and hurling insults at him, while his parents only cared about their eldest son. Shi Wanxia felt a chill in her heart and decided to save this man. This man was simply unwilling to be blindly filial and wanted to protect his own interests, yet he had been driven to such a predicament by his closest relatives.
Li Zhengqi pointed at Chen Lao Er with a look of exasperation and lectured him: "Your parents are just ordinary farmers. Although it's not fair that they gave your wife to the eldest son, they are still your parents. They gave you life and raised you. How can you hold a grudge against them for this? Now that your wife has married the eldest son, she belongs to him. Don't have any more improper thoughts. You are an adult now and should be more sensible. You should think more about your parents and not make things difficult for them."
Upon hearing this, Shi Wanxia immediately felt that what the old man was saying was so grating.
"Oh, so the village head is saying that it's a small matter for the elder brother to forcibly take his daughter-in-law, and it's also a small matter for him to forcibly take his younger brother's money? When did the laws of Cangling Kingdom become a mere decoration?"
"Or do you believe that your clan is above imperial power and therefore does not need to obey?"
The village head and his men were so frightened by the woman's outrageous words that they knelt on the ground. "Your Honor, please understand! We, your humble servants, are aware of our situation. Besides, this is official territory; how can we allow this woman to stop us?"
Shi Wanxia was amused by his strange appearance and stepped forward, bowing slightly. She greeted the magistrate: "Your Honor, in this case, while Chen Lao Er is certainly at fault, Chen Lao Da's crime is no small matter either, and according to the law, he should be executed."
The elderly Chen couple knelt down and begged for mercy, pleading for their eldest son's life. "Your Honor! This is a miscarriage of justice! This eldest daughter-in-law was originally intended for the second son, but since ancient times, a son has no choice but to obey his parents' orders! If you must kill, kill this old man!"
"Please, Your Honor, be wise and just! This Chen Lao Er is nothing but a rogue soldier. He shouldn't have come back alive. Please, Your Honor, do justice! Execute this scourge to appease the people!"
Chen Lao Er stared at these so-called relatives, tears streaming down his face, as they slandered and cursed him. His heart felt as if it were being pierced by a thousand arrows; he was in unbearable agony.
Choi Ji-ho rubbed his temples, looking troubled, and with a snap, the hall fell silent.
"Chen Lao Er, let me ask you this: you say your current sister-in-law is your wife, do you have any proof?"
Chen Lao Er was bewildered by the magistrate's question, not understanding what the magistrate meant. Nevertheless, he took out the marriage certificate that he kept close to his body.
"Your Honor, this is my marriage certificate with Ms. Li. It was filed with the yamen at the time. Please, Your Honor, help me seek justice and redress this injustice!"
The bailiff took the marriage certificate from his hand and respectfully handed it to the county magistrate. Cui Zhigao opened it and saw the names of the two people, their birth dates, and the seal of the yamen where the marriage certificate was kept.
Now everything was clear. Cui Zhihao slammed the gavel down, and everyone knelt down. Shi Wanxia returned to the table to record the case and the verdict.
"This case was caused by the two of you. Chen Lao Er and Li Shi were a legally married couple with a marriage certificate, but you two foolishly forced the marriage onto your eldest son. This is a violation of social norms and etiquette. The Chen couple is hereby sentenced to three years in prison. Considering your age, I can give you a lighter sentence of thirty strokes of the cane."
"Old Master Chen forcibly took his brother's wife and seized other people's money. He was sentenced to beheading and executed in the autumn."
"Chen Lao Er disrespected his parents and committed the crime of filial impiety. He shall be hanged and executed in the autumn."
Those in the courtroom begged for mercy, especially the Chen couple. "Your Honor, please! Your Honor, my son is innocent. We don't want the money, and we won't report this case. Please, Your Honor, forgive my son!"
The village elders knelt down and begged for mercy, knowing full well the devastating blow it was for Old Chen to lose two sons. However, Cui Zhihao remained indifferent and unmoved.
“Now that the case has been reported, this is the county government office. It’s not a place where you can change things by pleading on our behalf!” Cui Zhihao’s voice was cold and resolute.
Old Chen was devastated; he couldn't accept this cruel reality. His eldest son, the apple of his eye, was now gone. He collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face.
Those around watched silently, their hearts filled with sympathy and helplessness. They knew that Cui Zhigao was known for his fairness and integrity, and once he made a decision, it was difficult to change it.
Amidst this somber atmosphere, Cui Zhigao turned and left, leaving behind Old Man Chen and the village elders, who remained there, deeply grieving.
Shi Wanxia followed Cui Zhihao to the back, somewhat puzzled. "Sir, what's going on?"
Cui Zhihao smiled mysteriously, "Shh, Miss Shi, please wait a moment, the case will be closed soon." He lightly placed his index finger to his lips, quietly listening to the commotion in the hall.
"My son! My son! It's all my fault for being senile. My son, heavens above, what am I going to do? It's all your fault, you jinx! If it weren't for you, my son, how could..."
Old Chen grew angrier the more he thought about it and was about to rush up and beat Chen Lao Er when he was stopped by the village head.
"Brother, don't hit him yet, think about how to save your boss!"
The people in the clan began to think of ways to save their leader.
The scholar came up with a solution: if Chen Lao Er wasn't a member of the Chen clan, wouldn't the eldest son's crime be invalid? However, the marriage certificate was rather troublesome and difficult to explain.