Crybaby Transmigrated into a Little Husband Chapter 97

Chapter 97: 審判

[The Trial]

 

Only after the wind had died down did Ji Ling stare blankly at the carved latticework on the window frame, lost in thought. Moments later, a cold laugh escaped his lips as he tugged at the corners of his mouth, his gaze utterly indifferent.

 

Even after such an incident, Tang Xiaobao insisted on opening the restaurant daily. Yet business, severely impacted, never fully recovered. Rumors even spread through the alleyways that Tang Xiaobao and his crew had deliberately killed for profit. But rumors remained rumors. Without concrete evidence, no one dared confront him. Some regular customers even worried the incident might force the restaurant to close. For these genuinely concerned patrons, Tang Xiaobao sent his most articulate waiter to explain the situation in detail, assuring them the shop would remain open. Before they left, each received a small parting gift.

 

Soon, the time arrived for the authorities to announce the full details of the case. Beforehand, the magistrate’s office had even sent someone specifically to inform Tang Xiaobao of the schedule, ensuring he would be present.

 

From the initial incident to the renewed interrogation, only three days had passed. Tang Xiaobao gradually calmed down from his initial panic. When it was time to go to the magistrate’s office, Ji Ling made a point of taking time out of his schedule to accompany him. Inside the courthouse, the magistrate had just concluded a trial for a chicken theft case and was clearly in a frazzled state. Upon seeing the defendants arrive, he merely lifted his eyelids in a half-hearted acknowledgment. It was the young clerk beside him who nodded politely to both of them.

 

Tang Xiaobao was somewhat surprised. After a moment’s hesitation, he returned the nod. Ji Ling, however, remained perfectly composed, simply nodding to indicate he had acknowledged the greeting.

 

Seeing their demeanor, the clerk said nothing further, merely exchanging a few words with the troubled magistrate seated before them. Though reluctant, the magistrate glanced at the time. Not seeing the plaintiff who had appeared last time, he addressed the attendant standing nearby, “That Chen Si—did you deliver the summons?”

 

“Your Honor,” the attendant replied, “We found the man and delivered the summons in person. We even repeated the court date three times.” The constable (Ya Men) spoke with utmost respect, glancing at the empty spot where the plaintiff should have stood and furrowing his brow in thought.

 

Hearing his subordinate’s report, the magistrate said little more. After a moment’s consideration, he continued, “ “We shall wait for another stick of incense. If he still does not arrive, send men to his residence.” With that thought, he glanced at the silent couple standing before him and remarked with a hint of resignation, “This matter will likely be delayed for several more days.”

 

“It doesn’t matter. As long as we can clear our names, waiting is no problem.” Ji Ling stood there, seemingly unconcerned.

 

But after the incense stick burned out, Chen Pi still hadn’t arrived. Frowning, the magistrate ordered the chief constable to go to Chen Pi’s house and bring him back quickly.

 

Hearing the faintly impatient tone in his master’s voice, he knew the master was already growing displeased over this matter. After receiving his orders, he dared not linger and hurriedly led his men away. What no one could have anticipated was that Chen Pi wasn’t at his residence either. After extensive inquiries, they discovered that Chen Pi had left immediately after the constables informed him of the court date and hadn’t returned since.

 

Learning the full story, Tang Xiaobao was dumbfounded. What kind of charade was this? The plaintiff had fled—how could his innocence be proven?

 

In contrast to Tang Xiaobao’s panic, the county magistrate remained perfectly composed. Glancing at the two men below the dais, he picked up the handwritten notice handed to him by his clerk and addressed them: “Since the plaintiff has failed to appear, and I have already determined your innocence, I will post a public notice at the courthouse entrance to prove your innocence.”

 

Tang Xiaobao nodded in agreement with the magistrate’s resolution. Ji Ling, though also consenting, pondered for a moment, ultimately finding the whole affair rather suspicious.

 

Even with witnesses absent, proper procedure must be followed. The magistrate read aloud the claims between the two parties, then detailed the investigation’s findings. The pastries contained no lethal ingredients, and Chen Pi’s brother had not been poisoned. The verdict concluded Tang Xiaobao’s shop bore no responsibility for the younger brother’s death. Special envoys would inform Chen Pi, who was absent, of the outcome. Should he persist in causing trouble over this matter, he would be charged with the grave offense of disrespect.

 

Tang Xiaobao was thoroughly satisfied with this outcome. He happily carried the official notice bearing the government seal back to his shop, already planning to post it prominently on his door. Should Chen Pi ever return to extort money, he would smash this document in his face and chase him away with irrefutable proof.

 

While Tang Xiaobao envisioned a straightforward resolution, Ji Ling harbored lingering unease. Yet, observing the cheerful Tang Xiaobao, he ultimately kept his concerns to himself.

 

It seemed the matter would fade into the past. Unexpectedly, days later, news arrived of Chen Pi’s death.

 

Upon hearing the news, Ji Ling’s writing brush halted mid-stroke, leaving a stark ink blot on the pristine paper. After a few seconds of silence, he instructed Feng Ling, who had come to deliver the message: “Don’t tell the young madam about this. Find someone to protect him and have people monitor the market. If any unfavorable rumors surface, nip them in the bud immediately. Also, keep an eye on my second brother. I think it’s time I paid him a visit.”

 

Feng Ling paused as if recalling something, then nodded and departed.

 

Ji Ling glanced at the ruined sheet of paper before him, seemingly unconcerned. He gave a light snort, crumpled the paper into a ball, and tossed it into a nearby wastebasket.

 

Just as Ji Ling had anticipated, unfavorable rumors began circulating the day after Chen Pi’s death. Fortunately, they were discovered promptly and didn’t spread far.

 

Despite this, Ji Ling escorted Tang Xiaobao out as usual, delegating his own affairs to servants. He then took Feng Ling to visit her second younger brother.

 

Upon seeing his elder brother, Ji Tao’s eyes flashed with a momentary flicker of panic before he quickly composed himself. He stared expressionlessly at the man before him, his tone as impatient as ever. “What brings my esteemed elder brother to this humble abode of mine?”

 

Ji Ling stared at his younger brother before him, observing the slight tremor in his hands despite his desperate attempts to conceal it. He curved his lips into a faint smile and remarked indifferently, “I thought you should be perfectly clear about why I’m here.”

 

 

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