CHAPTER 146: CHAPTER 145 YOU ARE THE JUDGE!

County Magistrate Li nodded and bowed obsequiously, seeing Prince Liang off from the yamen. He even diligently dispatched several bailiffs to escort His Highness.

However, due to the case’s delay, it was already afternoon. Grateful to Prince Liang and Sir Feng, Zhao Dong cordially invited them to his home for dinner.

The two had come for two reasons: first, to support Zhao Dong’s family and resolve their immediate troubles, and second, for the vegetables. Since they hadn’t eaten yet, they were naturally reluctant to leave.

When Wang Fuhai arrived, he had the coachman bring the horse carriage around. They would return to the Zhao family’s home by carriage, which would be quick.

But just as they were about to exit the yamen, Prince Liang looked at Zhao Zhitong and suddenly recalled something. He exchanged a few words with Sir Feng, then, taking the little girl’s hand, turned back to find the County Magistrate.

Seeing Prince Liang return, sweat beaded on County Magistrate Li’s freshly wiped forehead anew. He hurriedly greeted them, bowing and nodding, "Prince Liang, is there... is there any further instruction?"

Zhao Zhitong also looked up at Prince Liang curiously.

Prince Liang said nonchalantly, "Oh, it’s nothing much. It’s just that while in prison, I happened to see a young man in the cell opposite ours. I was a bit curious and wanted to ask what his situation was."

Zhao Zhitong’s eyes lit up as she looked at Prince Liang.

County Magistrate Li, however, was startled. He didn’t know which cell Prince Liang had been held in, so he turned to look at the advisor beside him.

The advisor thought for a moment and then said, "My Lord, His Highness likely saw that young fellow, Guan Tu."

"Oh, it’s him!" County Magistrate Li said with a hasty smile. "Prince Liang, that boy’s name is Guan Tu. He’s a heartless wolf cub who recognizes no kin. The Guan family raised him, but not only did he show no gratitude for their kindness, he even conspired with thieves to rob his own family. His mother was frightened to death by this, but Guan Tu showed no concern for her and even tried to flee to escape punishment. Fortunately, our bailiffs caught him just as he was escaping through the main gate! To this day, that wolf cub hasn’t even visited his mother’s grave. He is utterly unfilial!"

After listening, Zhao Zhitong blinked, looked at County Magistrate Li, and he’s so foolish, she thought. Then she spoke in a childish tone, "County Magistrate, didn’t you arrest him and put him straight into prison? How could he visit his mother’s grave then?"

"Ah, well..." County Magistrate Li stammered. Caught off guard by the little girl’s question, he was momentarily lost for words. He looked back and forth between Zhao Zhitong and Prince Liang, unsure how to respond.

"Hmm, the girl has a point," Prince Liang nodded. "Magistrate Li, the laws of our Great Zhou Dynasty are meant to protect the people. Be sure not to wrong good individuals. Guan Tu’s case seems to have some hidden aspects. You should re-examine it thoroughly. Do not let an innocent person be wronged, nor should you let a guilty one escape."

County Magistrate Li immediately nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, your humble servant will certainly remember Prince Liang’s teachings."

"Very well," Prince Liang finally nodded in satisfaction and left with Zhao Zhitong.

County Magistrate Li hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed low. "Your humble servant respectfully sees Your Highness off," he said to Prince Liang’s departing figure.

Zhao Zhitong held Prince Liang’s hand, her eyes shining brightly. "Uncle Pei, you’re a judge, aren’t you!" she exclaimed, as if she had discovered a new continent.

Pei Yuanqing paused, then burst out laughing. "HAHAHA, no, no, this prince is no judge."

Zhao Zhitong looked at Pei Yuanqing, blinked, and stated with firm conviction, "No, that’s not right! Uncle Pei, you punish bad people and protect good people. That means you are a judge!"

Pei Yuanqing couldn’t help but chuckle. Children’s worlds are so simple—everything is either black or white, he mused. So he smiled and said, "Little girl, think carefully. The judge you speak of is an impartial and upright person. This prince hasn’t quite achieved that, you know. Just now, in court, I openly favored your family and had that Wang Xiao’er thoroughly beaten with planks."

However, Zhao Zhitong shook her little head, her confidence unwavering. "No, no, Uncle Pei is a judge! Uncle Pei knew we were innocent and that Wang Xiao’er was the liar, that’s why you favored us. So, Uncle Pei is a judge!"

The little girl was now utterly convinced; no matter what Pei Yuanqing said, in her heart, he was a judge.

But when she remembered that only Wang Xiao’er had been thrown into prison and the Qin Clan had not been punished, the smile gradually faded from her small face.

Preoccupied with these thoughts, Zhao Zhitong paid no attention to her surroundings and simply followed Pei Yuanqing into the horse carriage.

Seeing the little girl sitting in the carriage, clearly distracted and not herself, Pei Yuanqing smiled and asked, "Little girl, what’s wrong? Uncle Pei helped you punish the bad man, so why are you still unhappy?"

Zhao Zhitong cupped her chin with her small hand and mumbled, "No, I’m not unhappy at all."

Pei Yuanqing couldn’t help but laugh. "You little rascal, I know why you’re unhappy. Don’t worry, the Qin Clan will be punished sooner or later. There just isn’t enough evidence right now. Let them run wild for a couple more days."

Zhao Zhitong looked up at Pei Yuanqing, a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes. "Really?"

Pei Yuanqing smiled and nodded. "Naturally. Uncle Pei never deceives people. Does Tongtong not believe Uncle Pei?"

At this, Zhao Zhitong brightened up, shaking her little head like a pellet drum. "No, no, Tongtong believes Uncle Pei!"

As the two were talking, Sir Feng also boarded the carriage. He chuckled and said to Pei Yuanqing, "Well now, weren’t you going to see the County Magistrate? What are you doing in here, chatting with the little girl?"

With that, he sat down. Looking at the adorable little girl, he she reminds me of my own daughter at that age, he thought. He couldn’t help but beckon to Zhao Zhitong. "Come here, little girl, have some pastries."

"Thank you, Uncle Feng!" Zhao Zhitong took the pastries, sat back down, and began to eat like a little hamster, her cheeks puffing out.

Watching her eat with her mouth full, Sir Feng laughed and asked, "How old are you this year, little girl? I heard from your father that you’re studying at school. Who is your teacher?"

Zhao Zhitong immediately puffed out her little chest with pride. "Uncle Feng, I’m almost five years old! No, wait, I’ll be six by East Asian reckoning after the New Year! I’m studying with Mr. Meng. Mr. Meng is amazing, he..."

As soon as her teacher was mentioned, Zhao Zhitong became animated and began to boast enthusiastically to Sir Feng.

She praised her teacher to the high heavens, making both Sir Feng and Pei Yuanqing laugh heartily.

...

After their horse carriage departed, Zhao Dong thanked the villagers, such as Zhang Jinbao and Shi Tou, who had come to serve as witnesses, and saw them off in an ox cart.

Only then did he rejoin Wang Fuhai, and they took seats in the rear horse carriage. The group then set off towards Zhao Village.

Their horse carriage was much faster than the ox cart. In less than half an hour, they arrived back in the village.

The villagers idly chatting at the village entrance stared with wide eyes as they saw two large horse carriages approaching from a distance.

"Hey, aren’t those the two horse carriages that belonged to the Zhao family’s guests today?"

"Yes, yes, those are their carriages! Heavens, why are there several bailiffs with them?"

"Hey, look! Isn’t that Sun Mei in the carriage behind? The Zhao family was taken to the yamen, but they actually came back unharmed?"