CHAPTER 133: CHAPTER 133: JUDGING THE CASE (PART 2)

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the case of the Lu family’s daughter-in-law accusing her mother-in-law was also concluded.

Yang Zheng adhered to the principle of punishing both sides equally, strictly ordering Lu’s mother-in-law not to mistreat her daughter-in-law henceforth, and likewise, the daughter-in-law must not quarrel back with her mother-in-law. As for the daughter-in-law subsidizing her natal family, there must be a limit. It cannot exceed 20% of her own earned silver.

A clear-minded official finds it hard to judge household disputes. It’s impossible to simply obliterate one party; compromises have to be made.

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly.

Yang Zheng, catching the faint impression that the Commandery Princess was relatively satisfied, secretly let out a sigh of relief, then struck the gavel to proceed with the next case.

When the plaintiffs, Huang Sanmei and her father, came to court, even Yang Shi felt a surge of anger.

The first two cases stemmed from property disputes, each had its own reasons, which was acceptable. But this third case was truly a case of a father losing his conscience.

In the Da Liang Dynasty, a girl could consider marriage once she reached adulthood, and in Ye County, late marriage was common, most would remain engaged for a couple years before marrying, typically at eighteen or nineteen. Seldom would it be later than twenty.

Huang Sanmei was already twenty-four, the key fact being she didn’t even have a fiancé.

Huang Sanmei’s father intended to keep his daughter at home working hard for her entire life!

Yet he self-righteously argued: "Once a girl marries, where can she find happiness in her husband’s home? Staying at home is better; I take care of her, with no worries about food or livelihood, without toil or grievance."

Due to years of labor, Huang Sanmei was thin and weak, with a face full of numbness, wearing old clothes washed to near white with two patches. She bore no trace of having been pampered.

Upon hearing her father’s shameless words, who knows what Huang Sanmei felt. She did not retort, only said, "I want to get married."

Her father immediately turned to coax her: "You silly girl, what good is it to marry out. You rise early and work late, serving parents-in-law, husband, bearing and raising children, toiling all your life. If you encounter a conscience-less family, they won’t even let you eat your fill and would scold you."

"Isn’t it better to stay by your father’s side? Take care of your father in old age, be a filial daughter. When I’m gone, when you grow old, your brothers and nephews will take care of you."

There was a flicker of tears in Huang Sanmei’s eyes. She didn’t have the fiery temperament of Lady Zhao, nor the sharpness of the Lu family’s daughter-in-law. Her words were clumsy and she said nothing, only pleaded with her gaze at the Commandery Princess: "I beg Your Highness to make the decision for this humble woman."

She did not plead to the Yang Shi and County Magistrate Cui in the courtroom but directly to the Commandery Princess. Clearly, Huang Sanmei was plain of face but clever at heart, aware of who truly had authority in the courtroom.

Jiang Shaohua silently sighed in his heart, softened his voice and asked: "Have you been engaged?"

"No," Huang Sanmei choked, "When I was in my teens, many families came to propose, but my father refused them all. Now, as I reach this age, no one comes to propose anymore."

The best of youth fades away like flowing water.

A twenty-four-year-old spinster, even if she wants to marry, which respectable family’s son would willingly take her?

The seventeen or eighteen-year-old lads all seek young, fresh maidens. She is already withered like yesterday’s flower. Now, if she wishes to marry, it would be to a widower needing a second wife.

Huang Sanmei’s tears did not fall.

But Jiang Shaohua heard soft sobbing by his ear.

Jiang Shaohua turned helplessly, consoling Chen Sheren: "Why are you crying when the case is proceeding well?"

Chen Jinyu sobbed, "I just feel sorry for Miss Huang. Other girls her age already have three or four children; those who married early can even become mothers-in-law soon. Miss Huang was kept by her heartless father, prevented from marrying, it’s truly pitiful."

Facing down, Huang’s father’s face was unable to maintain composure and he was about to speak in rebuttal.

The Commandery Princess couldn’t even be bothered to glimpse sidelong: "Qin Hu, go and block his mouth."

Qin Hu quickly stepped forward, grabbed Huang’s father by the jaw, and deftly stuffed a rag into his mouth.

Huang’s father dared not express his anger, nor dared to remove the rag himself.

Rumor had it that the Commandery Princess had slain hundreds of bandits in Li County, and was as ruthless as she was deadly. As a mere commoner, he dared not breathe loudly before her.

Jiang Shaohua looked at Huang Sanmei with pity: "Miss Huang, today I, the Commandery Princess, grant you marriage."

Huang Sanmei sniffled, choking back tears as she thanked: "Thank you, Commandery Princess, for granting this."

Then, she quietly said: "Commandery Princess, my father is not a wicked man. My mother died young, leaving four siblings behind. After my elder sisters got married, it was just me weaving to support the family. My father won’t let me marry out of worry about the family losing its support. Afraid my brother won’t find a bride."

"Last year my brother married, only then did I bring up marriage. I don’t resent my father, and I ask the Commandery Princess not to punish him either."

"I... I really just want to get married. The girls my age all got married and had kids, I’m already old. If I don’t marry, I’ll be stuck at home my whole life. I... I just want to get married, I want my own child, I don’t want to grow old relying on my nephew. I can save silver to support myself."

At this point, Huang Sanmei finally shed tears.

The women listening outside the courtroom began to sob quietly.

In Ye County, Huang Sanmei was famous for her abilities, skilled in raising silkworms, spinning, and weaving silk. When young, countless families proposed marriage.

Unfortunately, she had an unconscionable father who insisted on keeping her at home, delaying the matters of her life.

Yang Zheng, as the Judicial Officer, had seen and tried countless major and minor cases, but the case of Huang Sanmei wasn’t much.

Yet seeing the haggard and pitiful Huang Sanmei falteringly express her wish to marry, even his heart, claimed to be as cold as a stone, felt somewhat touched.

As for County Magistrate Cui, he looked ashamed and uncomfortable.

Huang Sanmei had handed in a petition a month ago, but he was busy with spring farming and casually dismissed it without careful review...no, that wasn’t the reason.

The real reason was he had never deemed the case important; pride made him presume that a daughter’s duty was mere filial obedience.

County Magistrate Cui suddenly rose, bowed in apology: "Commandery Princess, I hastily tried the case earlier and nearly ruined Miss Huang’s life. It’s my muddled incompetence; please impose punishment on me, Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua focused his gaze, speaking slowly: "County Magistrate Cui, you indeed were in error. As a county magistrate, you should treat all citizens with the caring heart of a parent towards their children. Not with a mentality of male superiority, belittling women’s petitions."

"I hope you can learn from Yang Shi, to become a good official who loves the people like his own children."

County Magistrate Cui’s shame deepened, he agreed solemnly: "Yes, Commandery Princess, your words I’ll definitely remember." Then he saluted Yang Shi: "Yang Shi has keen insight and a benevolent heart, judged wisely. I’ll learn earnestly from Yang Shi in the future."

Yang Zheng: "..."

I’m not...I didn’t...

I wasn’t a good official by choice, the Commandery Princess forced me!