CHAPTER 335: CHAPTER 335: HOW COULD THE COUNTY MAGISTRATE PUNISH HIMSELF?

Upon hearing this sound, WangLintao was utterly enraged; how dare any cat or dog speak such words?

"Someone, tear the mouth of whoever said that! Even if the heavenly king comes today, I’ll still arrest Mrs. Pei."

When these words were spoken, the government officers immediately turned their heads to look, initially fierce and vicious, then their expressions turned pale for a moment.

They stammered, "Mad...Madam."

Mrs. Hu slowly walked over, her eyes coldly gazing at WangLintao.

"Well, WangLintao, you’re quite bold, aren’t you? You don’t even regard me?"

WangLintao’s face had turned ashen at the mention of "Madam," his head slowly and mechanically turning around to see Mrs. Hu’s cold face.

Previously, Mrs. Hu would at least have some kindness on her face when facing him. But now, there was only piercing coldness.

Mrs. Hu said, "Yet a mere government official dares to randomly arrest people here."

Upon hearing this, WangLintao quickly rushed forward towards Mrs. Hu, speaking anxiously.

"Madam, I wasn’t arresting people randomly, it was because Mrs. Pei beat and humiliated our brethren, so I came to arrest her."

This statement left Mrs. Hu momentarily stunned as she looked towards the woman veiled in front of her.

She asked, "Is this true?"

WangLintao immediately nodded, "It’s true."

Mrs. Hu fell silent, not expecting such actions from this kind and beautiful lady.

She had always sent people to search for this lady in the city, thinking of the pastries she had once tasted, presumably made by Pei’s, and sent people here to look for her.

She heard Pei Shu’er’s voice, saw her wearing a veil over her face, indicating she was injured, and recognized her.

However, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed in Pei Shu’er.

She thought this was a kind-hearted girl, not expecting her to assault anyone.

Pei Shu’er said, "Madam, why don’t you ask why Wang was in conflict with me?"

Mrs. Hu’s gaze swept over, and WangLintao hurriedly spoke.

"Madam, she occupied someone else’s house and land, and forged the property deeds."

Pei Shu’er immediately handed the property deeds and the transfer agreement to Mrs. Hu for review. Mrs. Hu, having also purchased property privately, was quite familiar with such documents.

These were evidently genuine.

Pei Shu’er said, "At that time, Wang insisted that my property deeds were fake, claiming a deer was a horse."

"Madam, how about we report to the authorities, to clarify the facts and avoid endless quarreling in the future."

Pei Shu’er’s intention was to let County Magistrate Hu know, so WangLintao couldn’t cause trouble over this property matter in the future.

Mrs. Hu nodded.

Pei Shu’er had Liu Hongwang and the old couple brought out, and upon seeing WangLintao, Liu Hongwang’s eyes lit up.

"Lord."

WangLintao’s face turned sullen; he knew that this was no small matter, and if handled poorly, his reputation could be ruined.

Upon reaching the County Government, Pei Shu’er also saw the external gong.

This gong can only be struck in cases of grave injustice or matters of national importance. Now, with officers escorting them, the procedure was naturally exempted.

Once inside the court, several officials stood in two rows, while County Magistrate Hu sat in the judge’s seat.

Having understood the case thoroughly from Master and WangLintao, he angrily struck the gavel.

"Mrs. Pei, do you plead guilty?"

WangLintao looked at Pei Shu’er with contempt, thinking she was indeed foolish; once in court, wouldn’t the situation be dictated by what he says?

After all, the County Magistrate trusted him and Master the most.

Pei Shu’er shook her head, "My Lord, I do not believe I am at fault."

County Magistrate Hu angrily exclaimed, "Someone, this wicked woman is truly obstinate, give her twenty punitive hits first."

Joy overflowed in WangLintao’s eyes.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Hu could no longer sit still at the back and immediately moved to the courtroom entrance, giving County Magistrate Hu a meaningful look.

The County Magistrate’s stern face softened with a touch of tenderness as he walked over to Mrs. Hu, his voice gentler.

"Madam, what is the matter?"

Mrs. Hu quickly said, "This girl previously saved me and Yun’er, the injuries on her body were all suffered for me and Yun’er."

The County Magistrate was first taken aback, then looked at Pei Shu’er with gratitude, yet also confused.

Like Mrs. Hu, he had not expected such a good girl to commit assault on officers.

"Are you certain this is your benefactor? Could it be someone impersonating her?"

Mrs. Hu glanced sideways at the County Magistrate, with a hint of playful reproach.

"Of course it is, I just got close and saw beneath the veil; no one else could have such a beautiful face."

Mrs. Hu continued, "This issue arose because WangLintao acted improperly. Didn’t he only mention what Mrs. Pei did wrong? Did he claim he was on official duty?"

Coldness appeared in the County Magistrate’s eyes—this was insubordination and deceit by his subordinate.

The County Magistrate said, "Madam, don’t worry, I know how to handle this now."

Returning to the courtroom, the County Magistrate first cast a chilling glance at WangLintao. Initially smug, WangLintao suddenly felt uneasy.

He suspected the Madam had said something to the County Magistrate.

The County Magistrate said, "Someone, present the evidence."

Pei Shu’er handed in the property deeds and the transfer agreement, after viewing them, the County Magistrate spoke.

"There is no basis for dispute here; Liu Hongwang repeatedly framed others, take him away and beat him thirty lashes."

Upon hearing this, Liu Hongwang immediately pleaded at WangLintao, but WangLintao ignored him.

"Mr. and Mrs. Liu abetted evildoers, despite having difficulties, they still erred; take them away, and give five lashes each."

Pei Shu’er admired the County Magistrate’s way of handling the case, realizing he was not as bad as she had imagined.

Upon hearing the cries of pain from the three, WangLintao felt troubled.

But then he relaxed—what did he fear? Having worked at the County Government for so long, his relationship with the County Magistrate was always good; the County Magistrate wouldn’t do anything to him.

And Pei Shu’er assaulted imperial personnel, how could she remain unharmed standing there?

WangLintao said, "County Magistrate Hu, Pei Shu’er assaulted our men."

The County Magistrate’s indifferent gaze swept over him, his eyes’ expression causing WangLintao some fear.

Then, the County Magistrate said, "Someone, WangLintao accepted bribes, abused power for personal gain, called a deer a horse, and framed good people, take him down and beat him thirty heavy lashes."

WangLintao could hardly believe his ears, thinking he must have misheard.

Previously, he had made similar mistakes, and others had complained to the court, but the Magistrate always turned a blind eye.

But now, was County Magistrate Hu really going to punish him for this?