Chapter 94

Both parties were in court, and Old Master Yu had also rushed over. Due to his son's status, he was conferred the honorary title of Fifth Rank Doctor of the Imperial Court. Although it was just an honorary title, how could Magistrate Wei, as an official appointed by the court, not take it seriously?

Magistrate Wei quickly descended from his official seat and greeted him with clasped hands, saying, "To have the Honored Sealed Gentleman come in person, this subordinate has failed to welcome you properly."

Old Master Yu, well past his sixtieth year, was still in good health, but at this moment, he chose to act his age, slowly clasping his hands and saying to Magistrate Wei, "Old Magistrate, what are you saying? I have come to take responsibility for my sins."

"What sins does the Honored Sealed Gentleman have?" Magistrate Wei hurriedly asked.

"Seeing my wayward son kneeling in the hall, I assume he has violated the law," Old Master Yu said slowly. "If a son is not taught, it is the father's fault. I, too, am guilty..."

Magistrate Wei had no choice but to ask Yu Xiucai's father to stand up and had someone bring a chair for Old Master Yu to sit on. Only then did he return to his seat behind the desk, but he had already lost the domineering air he had before. He briefly explained the case to Old Master Yu and then said gently, "The situation is as such. What does the Honored Sealed Gentleman think?"

"Marriage for a first-time bride is arranged by her parents, and for a remarriage, it is arranged by her husband's family. This has been the rule for thousands of years," Old Master Yu said, lowering his eyelids. "Without the Yu family's consent, the marriage contract is invalid." The old man, wise with age, understood that the validity of this marriage contract would determine the outcome of the case.

"Where does the 'Great Ming Code' stipulate that a remarriage must be arranged by the husband's family?" Chen Deyeh shouted. "On the contrary, it states that only the parents or grandparents of the woman have the right to force a marriage!"

But Old Master Yu sneered, "You've lived a long life. Go out and ask around. Before the husband's family is completely gone, which widow is allowed to remarry with her own family's consent?"

"But the 'Great Ming Code' is the law!" Chen Deyeh protested.

"Fool, our Great Ming Dynasty emphasizes virtue over punishment," Old Master Yu said with disdain, bowing to Magistrate Wei. "I ask you, Old Magistrate, to consider the local customs and the importance of moral education, and to make a careful judgment in this case."

"Hmm..." Magistrate Wei nodded, remaining silent. Although he was a disciple of the sage, he was ultimately a young man with feelings. Emotionally, he sympathized with Chen Deyeh and Liu Shi, and he deeply detested the Yu family's self-righteous stance, which was merely for their own selfish interests.

However, one of the most important duties of a county magistrate was to guide local customs and educate the people. What were good customs and morals? Look at the virtuous sons and daughters, the chaste women and loyal husbands, honored on the Virtue Pavilion outside the county office. The dynasty governed the world with loyalty and filial piety, which were embodied in the Three Bonds and Five Constants. These principles were more important than the law, and every magistrate knew this.

Magistrate Wei had previously believed that upholding the Three Bonds and Five Constants was a matter of course, but when faced with the reality, he realized that the defenders of virtue were actually executioners... Looking at the pregnant Liu Shi, how could he bring himself to declare her unborn child illegitimate? That would mean the death of an innocent life!

Moreover, Chen Deyeh was not without support. He had a marriage contract and the 'Great Ming Code' on his side. If Magistrate Wei ruled in favor of the Yu family, Chen Deyeh would not let it go easily. If the matter escalated, it would give the circuit inspector a chance to punish him.

Whether to follow the law or local customs, Magistrate Wei found himself in a difficult position. After a long pause, he said to Old Master Yu, "Honored Sealed Gentleman, it would be bad for everyone if this matter escalates. Why don't I mediate and resolve it peacefully?"

"The Honored Sealed Gentleman's kindness is appreciated," Old Master Yu said solemnly. "But in our Yu family, there have been no lawbreakers for three generations and no remarried women for five generations. We cannot break this tradition!"

"Liu Shi is now six months pregnant," Magistrate Wei continued. "If the child is born in the Yu family, it will not be comfortable for your family, and the child will not be able to live with dignity. Why not show mercy and let them go? That way, everyone will say the Yu family is benevolent and magnanimous, don't you think?"

Magistrate Wei's words were a great face-saver for the Yu family, but Old Master Yu did not appreciate it, still looking troubled. "If the Old Magistrate asks, I cannot refuse. But I can ignore the Yu family's reputation, I cannot violate the Three Bonds and Five Constants. The dynasty governs the world with moral education. Our Yu family has received great favor from the emperor. How can we..."

No matter how much he talked, the old man would not budge. Magistrate Wei had no choice but to put Liu Shi in custody and adjourn the court, announcing that the case would be retried on another day.

Back in his office, Magistrate Wei called for Wang Xian and Sima Qiu, sighing, "This case is truly difficult. If I make a decision, no matter what, someone will criticize me. But the Yu family refuses to mediate. What should I do?"

"Master, don't worry," Sima Qiu said confidently. "Zhongde must have a plan!"

"..." Magistrate Wei and Wang Xian looked at him. You're really lazy, aren't you?

"Zhongde, what do you think?" Magistrate Wei asked Wang Xian.

"Yes..." Wang Xian's attitude was much more serious, as he had miscalculated in this matter. He had thought that with the marriage contract in hand, the Yu family could not do much to Chen Deyeh, and the matter would end in a settlement. However, he had underestimated the Yu family's stubbornness. "I think we can use a delaying tactic."

"Delaying?" Magistrate Wei frowned.

"Yes," Wang Xian nodded. "Liu Shi is already seven months pregnant. Sir, you are concerned about her safety, so it is reasonable to wait until after the birth to make a decision." He paused. "Once the child is born, it will be a different matter. Sir, out of compassion for the innocent child, you can rule that Liu Shi leave all her property and dowry to the Yu family and leave with Chen Deyeh, free and clear!"

"Excellent, this will surely be a famous judgment in the scholarly world," Sima Qiu said, excitedly. "At most, we can give Chen Deyeh a beating as punishment for his actions. We can also issue a decree to prevent such incidents in the future, thus resolving the matter comprehensively."

"Ha ha..." Magistrate Wei was greatly moved. A few famous judgments would greatly benefit his reputation. However, the premise was that he had to be able to handle the situation. "I'm afraid the Yu family will appeal to higher authorities before the child is born."

"So we need to use a strategy to divert attention," Wang Xian said calmly.

"Who is the Wei state?" Magistrate Wei asked.

"Yu Xiucai," Wang Xian said seriously. "Recently, there has been a rumor in the county that Yu Xiucai incited his elders to prevent Liu Shi from remarrying because he wanted to dominate her."

"Is that true?" Magistrate Wei was not easily fooled, shaking his head slowly. "I observed that Old Master Yu's intentions were very upright. Why would he need Yu Xiucai to incite him?"

"Liu Shi's first husband was a distant relative of the Yu family. Old Master Yu was living in the countryside, enjoying his retirement. If no one told him, why would he care about his distant nephew's affairs?" Wang Xian analyzed logically.

"Hmm." Magistrate Wei thought about it. "To find out the truth is simple. We can ask Liu Shi." He then had someone bring Liu Shi in.

Magistrate Wei was kind-hearted and did not put Liu Shi in jail but kept her in the guest house, instructing that she not be mistreated.

A short while later, Liu Shi was brought in. Because of her condition, Magistrate Wei exempted her from kneeling and had Wang Xian bring a chair for her. He then asked sternly, "Liu Shi, I will ask you a private question. You must answer truthfully."

"Yes," Liu Shi said timidly.

"I ask you, is the Yu family preventing you from remarrying solely for their reputation?" Magistrate Wei paused. "Or is there another reason?"

"I don't know if there is another reason," Liu Shi said, lowering her head and covering her face with her hands, crying. "But when I was a widow, my late husband's cousin often came to my house, saying inappropriate things, and even... touching me..."

"Which cousin?"

"The Yu Xiucai who was scolded by Your Honor today..."

Magistrate Wei's eyes narrowed as he looked at Wang Xian, meaning, is this true?

Wang Xian nodded slightly, feeling ashamed. He had instructed her. Once Liu Shi entered the county office, she was within Wang Xian's sphere of influence, and it was not difficult to pass the message to her. Although Liu Shi did not know who was helping her, as a weak woman in custody, she would follow any advice like a lifeline, without considering anything else.

"Nonsense! Yu Xiucai is known for his virtue and learning. How could he do such a beastly thing?" Magistrate Wei suddenly became stern. "If you have no evidence and make false accusations, even as a pregnant woman, you will not be spared a beating!"

"Your Honor..." Liu Shi trembled, sobbing. "Wu wu, Your Honor..."

Seeing her about to reveal the truth, Wang Xian coughed lightly. "Liu Shi, don't panic. Your Honor is asking if you have evidence. If you do, say so. If not, say so."

"Evidence..." Liu Shi suddenly realized. "Yes, yes, once he tried to hug and touch me, I bit him on the chest and bit off a piece of flesh, which allowed me to escape his clutches..."

"Is that true?" Magistrate Wei asked coldly.

"Y-Yes... yes..." Liu Shi said timidly. She was not experienced in such matters and was only able to perform beyond her level because of her determination to have her child born with dignity.

"Go down," Magistrate Wei waved his hand. "Rest assured and take care of your pregnancy. I will have your parents come to take care of your daily needs."

"Thank you, Your Honor..." Liu Shi was grateful, tears streaming down her face. If possible, she would not want to deceive this upright magistrate.

If possible, Wang Xian would not want to deceive Magistrate Wei either, but the Yu family was powerful... He had seen how Magistrate Wei was immediately overpowered by Old Master Yu's presence and knew that to help Liu Shi, he could only resort to underhanded tactics.

How could he tell the upright Magistrate Wei about such underhanded dealings?

Fortunately, Magistrate Wei did not suspect anything. After Liu Shi left, he cursed, "A beast in human clothing, a disgrace to scholarship!" He was about to issue a warrant to arrest Yu Xiucai, but Wang Xian managed to dissuade him. Wang Xian was not doing it for Yu Xiucai but because he was guilty... If the matter escalated, the Yu family would do everything to clear Yu Xiucai's name. False is false, and if investigated, the truth would come out.