Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 43

On the way back, Liu Chuncao was still dazed and restless, constantly asking Ying Su whether it was really possible to save Li Dalang. Ying Su calmly told her that she guaranteed nothing would happen to him.

Her steady, unshakable manner gave Liu Chuncao some reassurance, and she gradually calmed down.

When they returned to Dongjun Village, Madam Li was waiting anxiously at the gate, craning her neck to look around. The moment she saw Liu Chuncao and Ying Su, she hurried forward to ask, “How did it go? Why isn’t Dalang back yet?”

Liu Chuncao quickly explained everything that had happened. At the end, Madam Li looked worriedly at Ying Su. “Cuihua, do you have any way to clear Dalang’s name?”

“Please rest assured, I guarantee he’ll be fine. The person who stole our wheelchair will definitely return it to us tomorrow,” Ying Su patiently comforted her.

“Mother…” the little bun called out softly, his face filled with obvious concern. Ying Su stroked his head. “Go play with Dazhuang.”

Seeing that she was busy, the little bun obediently left without disturbing her further.

The torturous night finally passed as Liu Chuncao waited anxiously. Madam Li hadn’t closed her eyes all night. At dawn, Ying Su finally stood up and let out a breath of relief. Liu Chuncao once again borrowed the ox cart from the Zhang family, and the two of them set out early for town.

Because it was a postponed hearing, and the plaintiff’s side was worried about delays and tricks, they requested that the trial be held early in the morning, set for the hour of Si (9–11 a.m.).

The day before had been so hectic that Ying Su hadn’t even had dinner. Madam Li was extremely anxious, and in the morning hadn’t eaten either, urging her and Liu Chuncao to hurry to town.

Seeing that they were still early, Ying Su glanced at a bun stall nearby and said to Liu Chuncao, “There’s still time. Let’s eat something before we go.”

Liu Chuncao was also a little hungry, but with everything weighing on her mind, she wanted nothing more than to wait at the county office doors. Still, since Ying Su suggested it, she didn’t refuse. She stopped the cart, and the two sat at the stall, each drinking a bowl of hot porridge and eating two buns.

When it came time to pay, Liu Chuncao stopped Ying Su and quickly handed over the money herself. Ying Su didn’t argue.

When they arrived at the yamen, Ying Su and Liu Chuncao first met with Officer Zhou to make arrangements before heading inside.

Liu Laosi and their employer, Shopkeeper Li, were already there. The moment they saw Ying Su and Liu Chuncao, Liu Laosi sneered, “So late, I thought you didn’t dare show up and had already decided to plead guilty!”

Liu Chuncao’s face darkened. She snapped back, “Plead guilty, my ass! Our Dalang didn’t do anything, so why would he commit a crime? Who knows who the real swindler is! Whoever lies and cheats will be struck down by thunder, killed on the spot, that bastard turtle spawn!”

Liu Laosi’s face flushed with rage. He pointed at Liu Chuncao as if he was about to hit her.

Just then, a row of yamen runners filed in, wearing their official uniforms, lining up on both sides of the hall with shuihuo staves in hand. Their solemn and imposing presence instantly silenced the noisy court.

With the rhythmic pounding of staves against the floor and the herald’s cries, the county magistrate finally entered, stern in his official robes. He took his seat on the bench, with his secretary and Officer Zhou standing at his sides.

“Bring forth the plaintiff and defendant!” Constable Zhou called.

The yamen runners led Ying Su, Liu Chuncao, Liu Laosi, and their employer into the court. Two others escorted Li Dalang from prison.

The moment Li Dalang entered and was about to kneel, the magistrate said calmly, “No need to kneel. Stand and answer.”

Li Dalang was stunned and flattered, quickly standing upright without kneeling.

“The county magistrate’s attitude…” Liu Laosi muttered uneasily to his employer.

“What’s this whispering in the hall?” The magistrate slapped the gavel on the bench with a loud crack, glaring sternly at Liu Laosi. His manner toward him was drastically harsher than toward Li Dalang.

Liu Laosi turned pale with fright, staring nervously at the magistrate. Unexpectedly, the magistrate slammed the gavel again and barked, “Kneel!”

Liu Laosi’s knees gave way, and he obediently knelt, his face growing paler still. He couldn’t understand why the magistrate’s attitude toward him was so vicious.

“Do you confess to your crime?” The magistrate asked with righteous authority.

Liu Laosi’s heart skipped a beat, panic rising. He stammered, “This humble one does not know what crime I have committed?”

The magistrate gave a cold snort. “Don’t think no one knows what you’ve done! Keep denying it, and your crimes will only deepen!”

Sweat beaded on Liu Laosi’s forehead, his palms clammy. Could it be that his deeds had been exposed? But he had hidden the push cart well. There was no way it could be found. As long as he didn’t confess, the magistrate couldn’t convict him!

Thinking this, he steadied himself and said with a forced smile, “Magistrate, you jest! I’ve done nothing wrong and committed no crime. How is this being stubborn?”

Without physical or eyewitness evidence, as long as he refused to admit it, the magistrate couldn’t touch him. He still had hope.

The reason the county magistrate of Fengyang was revered as a good official was that he never abused torture to force confessions. He insisted on proper evidence, and so over the years, there had been few wrongful convictions in Fengyang.

“Very well! When the evidence is brought forth, let’s see if you still dare say the same! Bring out the evidence!” The magistrate ordered loudly.

Soon, two yamen runners carried an object into the court. The moment Liu Laosi saw it, his face changed drastically. His narrow eyes flickered with panic and unease.

“You still refuse to confess? This push cart is the evidence!” The magistrate thundered, slamming the gavel down again.

Cold sweat drenched Liu Laosi’s back, his face turning deathly pale. For a long moment he was speechless, though still he did not bow his head and admit guilt.

The magistrate glanced at Officer Zhou, tilting his chin toward Liu Laosi to indicate, ‘He won’t confess, what do we do now?’

Liu Laosi’s heart pounded like an ant on a hot pan. He couldn’t believe it, the wheelbarrow he had hidden so well had suddenly appeared in court. He was finished!

Even his employer was stunned by the sudden turn of events. But when he saw the push cart, his expression lit up. Walking forward to touch it, he exclaimed, “Yes, yes! It’s just like the drawing. Except… these wheels…”

Following his gaze, Liu Laosi looked at the push cart’s wheels and saw there was an extra row. His eyes widened, his face flashing with wild joy. Pointing at the push cart, he shouted excitedly to the magistrate, “This isn’t Li Dalang’s push cart! I’ve been framed! Magistrate, they must have found this push cart from somewhere else, this is slander against me!”