Li Xian, do you have any evidence for accusing Wang Er of theft?"
"Yes! And there are two witnesses." Li Xian said, "One is my cousin Li Yu who saw Wang Er steal the jade hairpin from my mother's room a couple months ago. The second is my grandmother's relative Granny Hong. When my mother got married, Granny Hong helped dress her up and saw the jade hairpin with her own eyes."
Li Yao listened and chuckled to herself. The original owner of this body really went out of her way to extort some silver from her, even preparing the witnesses thoroughly.
With this, even if Wang Er sprouted ten mouths, he probably couldn't talk his way out of this. After all, it was true that his family was desperately poor two months ago, so stealing something to pawn for money seemed reasonable.
She wondered how the new County Magistrate Song would handle this case.
"Li Yu," County Magistrate Song asked in a loud voice, "Did you see Wang Er steal with your own eyes?"
"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes."
"Clearly?" County Magistrate Song continued asking, "Could you describe what the jade hairpin looked like?"
"This..."
County Magistrate Song nodded, then asked Granny Hong: "Could you see the jade hairpin back then?"
"Yes, sir, I saw it clearly."
"Do you still remember what it looked like?"
"I...remember..."
"Good!" County Magistrate Song said, "Captain Zhang, take these two down separately and have them describe the hairpin in detail, then compare their descriptions. If they match, then Li Xian's family did have such a jade hairpin. But if they don't match, then it means these two never saw such a hairpin and they're framing Wang Er! False accusers shall have their punishment reversed. By law they should be caned sixty times and jailed for three years!"
When Li Yu and Granny Hong heard this, their faces instantly turned pale and their calves started shaking.
Who would've thought the county magistrate would make such a move?
They did mention the hairpin before, but never described it in detail!
Now what could they do?
Seeing the two falter, County Magistrate Song knew he had guessed right. He sternly shouted, "Li Yu! Granny Hong! I know you two were deceived. If you tell the truth now, I can exempt you from punishment."
"I'll tell, I'll tell! It was my mistress who told me to say this. I never saw any hairpin."
"Me too," Granny Hong quickly added, "She said she'd give me 1 tael of silver after everything, so I was blinded by greed!"
The crowd of onlookers immediately erupted.
They knew Wang Er was an honest boy, how could he steal from others?
And this county magistrate was quite capable, solving the case with just a few questions.
At this time, Li Xian's face was pale and his body soft.
He didn't know how Mother did this, how could there be such a big loophole? Now...now it was really over!
"Li Xian, do you have anything else to say?"
Bean-sized beads of sweat had already rolled down Li Xian's forehead.
At this point, he did have a way out - to push everything onto his mother, pretend he knew nothing. But that would lead to Mother being caned and jailed.
If he took the blame himself, then his future...would be gone!
So without thinking more, he replied, "County Magistrate, my mother told me all this. I don't actually know the details."
When he said this, Hu next to him widened her eyes in disbelief as she looked at the son she loved most.
She knew he was trying to push all the blame onto her alone!
How could there be such an unfilial son in this world?
"Hu, is this true?" County Magistrate Song asked.
Hu suddenly laughed despairingly and knelt on the ground trembling, "County magistrate, it was all me. My son had nothing to do with it."
County Magistrate Song shook his head. He naturally knew what was going on, but now that Hu had confessed, he could only rule accordingly.
"Considering your old age and muddled mind, I will be lenient. The caning is exempt, just one year in jail."
"Thank you, county magistrate!"
"Liu Kun, take her to the county jail now to serve the sentence."
After Liu Kun took Hu away, the case still wasn't over.
Like I said, after trying Wang Er's case, the county magistrate's son still needed sentencing.
Everyone craned their necks in anticipation, wondering how the new county magistrate would rule.
"Song Zhe!"
"Father, I know I was wrong!" Song Zhe knew he couldn't escape today, so he quickly admitted fault, "I really didn't know they were trying to frame Wang Er..."
"Too late," County Magistrate Song sighed lightly, "You broke the law, you should be punished."
Now Song Zhe was truly panicking.
He was only 13! If he was really exiled to the frontiers, how would he survive?
His mother was still unconscious. The only one who could influence the old man was Li Yao.
So he rushed to Li Yao and kneeled before her, "Auntie Li, please say something for me. As long as I'm not exiled, I'll do anything!"
Li Yao twitched her lips. This matter still came down to her in the end.
She didn't know what the county magistrate was thinking, but she knew if she stayed silent, Song Zhe would definitely be exiled.
That wouldn't do.
So she said to the county magistrate, "County magistrate, considering the young master's youth and that he was misled into improper conduct, please be lenient."
"This...how can I be biased?"
"Wang Er and I will not pursue this."
With things phrased this way, the county magistrate naturally had to find an excuse to let the matter drop. After some thought, he said, "Then how about this - exile is still necessary, but not too far. Just exile to He Wan village."
Li Yao: ...Exiling to a village just 20 li away, are you for real?
"From today, he cannot leave He Wan village for one year. Have him do chores for your family to redeem himself. If he dares disobey, add another year!" the county magistrate continued.
Li Yao frowned.
Sending his own son to her home as a servant, making her provide food and shelter and discipline him.
Who exactly was being punished here?
"Miss Li, Zhe'er will have to trouble you from now on." At this time, the county magistrate's wife also tottered forward. "If he misbehaves, feel free to beat and scold him."
"Alright, time grows late. We should return."
"Miss Li, come find me at the market next time."
"Oh right," County Magistrate Song added, "I'll have someone prepare the funds when I get back. County Captain Zhang will inform you when it's ready. Farewell!"
Watching County Magistrate Song hurry off with his people, the Li family stood stunned in their yard for a long time.
"Mother," He Xiaoya still didn't understand. "How did this happen? Why would the county magistrate send his only son to our home as a servant?"
Li Yao shook her head.
To be honest, she didn't expect to be outsmarted by an ancient person either.
These officials really had at least a hundred tricks up their sleeves!
