MFBOWSBTMT Chapter 32

“I know about this! So you’re the ge’r who fainted from fright? No wonder you both looked so uneasy earlier. It was you!” Yuan Cuicui exclaimed in surprise.

 

Liu Mei furrowed his brows. “What’s this about?”

 

Yuan Cuicui then repeated her earlier account, complete with dramatic gestures, igniting fury among everyone present, both inside and outside the pavilion.

 

“That venomous woman!”

 

“That whole family is heartless! How could they harm someone like this!”

 

“A bunch of rotten-hearted scoundrels!”

 

Even Fang Zhihe and Liu Mei were stunned. How could anyone be so cruel? If they had fallen into that household, their lives would have been ruined.

 

“Your Honor[mfn]縣令大人 – lit. “County Magistrate Your Honor/Your Excellency, so I will shorten it to just “Your Honor” too[/mfn], though I am of humble learning, I have studied some laws. For deceitful marriage schemes and attempted abduction, are they not punishable by flogging?” Lu Dongqing, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

 

Qiao Suiman glanced at him in surprise. They owed him greatly today. Without him, who knew how this would have ended?

 

The shiye[mfn]师爷 – a personal advisor or clerk to a magistrate, often handling legal and administrative tasks[/mfn] nodded and said to the county magistrate, “Your Honor, if their claims are true, then twenty lashes are warranted.”

 

Upon hearing the punishment, Lin Shanhua, already beaten black and blue, cried out desperately, “Your Honor, that little whore took our money but backed out when he saw my son’s broken leg! Your Honor, you must uphold justice for us!”

 

He dropped to his knees, crawling forward on all fours, his bloodstained hands reaching for the magistrate’s robes, only to be shoved away by the yayi.

 

The magistrate said sternly, “You claim they accepted the betrothal gifts, yet you refuse to say who exactly took your money. How am I to make a judgment?”

 

Lin Shanhua’s eyes darted evasively as he wailed, “Heavens above! You’re trying to drive me to my death! The Lin family’s savings are gone! How am I supposed to live now?”

 

“Enough with your wailing! We’ve never even met you before!”

 

Qiao Suiman wiped his tears, his eyes red as he looked to the county magistrate. “Your Honor, they’ve slandered and framed me time and again. I’ve never done anything wrong, yet they seek to destroy me with their words. I beg Your Honor to deliver justice.”

 

“Your Honor, I am not of the Qiao family, nor am I a native of Xiahe Village, but please hear me out,”

 

Lu Dongqing bowed slightly to Magistrate Liu before continuing, “I came to Xiahe Village last winter. As I was busy opening land and renovating our home, I didn’t interact much with the villagers. Even so, I once heard that old woman of the Lin family slandering the Qiao family, calling them ill-omened, jinxes, and said far worse things as well.”

 

Qiao Suiman lowered his head, as if overcome with sorrow. Seeing this, Lu Dongqing felt a pang in his chest but pressed on firmly, “Though I am no scholar, my father taught me some principles. Matters of life and death cannot be pinned on one person alone. The old woman of the Lin family first tarnished their reputation, then caused a scene at the Qiao household, and now the Lin family tries to force them into submission through such despicable means. I suspect she had a hand in this.”

 

“Your Honor, these claims can be verified by questioning others. The Lin family insists they paid silver yet refuses to provide proof. What else could it be but guilt? To deceive everyone so brazenly, even attempting abduction right under Your Honor’s nose, they clearly have no respect for the law!”

 

“You’re spouting nonsense! Who do you think you are? What did they bribe you with to speak for them like this?”

 

Huang Xing lost control, spouting whatever came to mind. “You little whore, you’ve found yourself a lover, haven’t you? No wonder! You slut, spreading your legs to—”

 

Many of the wealthy merchants present had brought their families. Magistrate Liu, disgusted by his vulgarity, barked, “Silence him at once!”

 

A yayi swiftly clamped a hand over Huang Xing’s mouth, glaring at him in contempt. How foolish could one be, with so many young misses and ge’r watching?

 

Liu Mei looked utterly disgusted. It wasn’t that he was biased, but just by listening to both sides, anyone could tell who was in the wrong.

 

“Father! They still won’t say who took the silver. They must be lying! They deserve a thorough beating!”

 

“Exactly!”

 

Fang Zhihe chimed in from her seat, only for her father to lightly smack her arm. Merchant Fang was frantically signaling with his eyes, clearly wanting her to hold her tongue. She could recite all that nonsense about “proper young ladies shouldn’t pry into such matters” by heart.

 

Magistrate Liu was also growing impatient. The longer this dragged on, the more time it took away from the competition. It had just begun, and he didn’t want to waste time on such matters.

 

“Since they refuse to tell the truth, they shall be charged with false accusation and malicious framing. Twenty lashes each, to be carried out immediately.”

 

Twenty lashes!

 

The men Lin Shanhua brought to make trouble all panicked. Twenty lashes! They were still reeling from the beating that demon had given them earlier. Another twenty, and forget the paltry sum the Lin family had promised, they might not even make it home alive!

 

“Lin Shanhua! Speak up now! Don’t drag us down with you!”

 

“Your Honor, Your Honor! I was just hired to lend support! I never framed anyone!”

 

One man, frantic, lunged at Lin Shanhua and grabbed his collar. “I came to help you, and this is how you repay me? You’re trying to get me killed!”

 

“Your Honor, he paid us fifty wen each, saying that ge’r had broken off the engagement and needed to be taken back to the Lin family. We knew nothing else!”

 

“Scoundrels!” Qiao Ruifeng and the Chen family cursed loudly. Lu Dongqing clenched his fists so tightly they creaked. What if he hadn’t come? What if he’d been too late? What if Qiao Suiman had really been taken to the Lin household…

 

“Your Honor, Your Honor! I saw… I saw them conspiring with a woman behind the woods!”

 

The man Lu Dongqing had thrown and stomped on earlier stammered in terror. “That person said if they could take him home and spread word that the ge’r had accepted the betrothal gifts and… and consummated the marriage, then everything would be settled.”

 

“You bitch! I’ll kill you!”

 

Qin Yu erupted, charging at Huang Xing and slapping him twice across the face. His rage was so overwhelming that he swayed unsteadily, nearly collapsing.

 

“Qin Yu-ge!” Qiao Suiman cried out, his voice trembling with fury and panic as he rushed to support Qin Yu, patting his back to soothe him.

 

The Chen family men were furious too, curses flying from all directions. The crowd had not expected such drama. Some of the more soft-hearted spectators joined in scolding of the Lin family.

 

The scene descended into chaos. The magistrate slammed his hand on the table repeatedly before order was restored. “Brazen fools! To dare such tricks right before this official’s eyes! Confess at once!”

 

“And you! Why didn’t you speak up earlier? Only when faced with punishment do you admit the truth!”

 

“Your Honor, I…” The man slapped himself hard. “I was wrong! I wanted to extort more from them after the deed was done. Your Honor, please have mercy! I have an elderly mother and young children! Please spare me!”

 

Seeing the entire scheme unravel, Lin Shanhua slumped to the ground.

 

It was over. Everything was over.

 

He scrambled forward on his knees. “Your Honor, I was deceived! It was her… yes, it was all her idea! She’s waiting under the trees behind the crossroads. Your Honor, send someone to arrest her!”

 

He pounded the ground frantically. Magistrate Liu couldn’t bear to look at him any longer and ordered the yayi, “Bring her here!”

 

Qiao Suiman looked at the chaotic scene before him and suddenly felt a deep sense of powerlessness. Why? Why must they always torment him?

 

Just then, a handkerchief was held out to him from the side. He followed the hand and found Lu Dongqing offering it to him.

 

Lu Dongqing held the handkerchief, wanting to wipe his face, but hesitated and withdrew his hand. Softly, he said, “It’s clean. Use it. None of this is your fault. They’ll get what they deserve.”

 

Qiao Suiman’s nose stung, tears blurring his vision. He should have refused, but his hand moved on its own, accepting the handkerchief.

 

Only after taking it did he regain his senses, but Lu Dongqing had already withdrawn his hand. Under his gaze, Qiao Suiman dabbed at his face, at least making himself appear less disheveled.

 

Zhou Shuifen witnessed this and opened her mouth as if to speak, but ultimately sighed deeply and remained silent.

 

Before long, the yayi returned, dragging someone with them as she shouted and struggled. Qiao Suiman stared hard at her.

 

It was Wang Ling’er.

 

Wang Ling’er struggled as she was brought in, and even when faced with so many people, she tried to plead her innocence. But once the yayi called out “Your Honor,” she dared not curse again.

 

Fang Zhihe gasped in shock. “Wang Ling’er, it’s you!”

 

Even Merchant Fang wore an expression of disdain.

 

Qiao Suiman glanced at them curiously. Did Wang Ling’er have history with Merchant Fang too?

 

“Your Honor, if this woman is involved, then their claims must be true,” Merchant Fang said coldly, speaking up for the first time.

 

“You know her?”

 

“Replying to Your Honor, this woman used seductive tricks to ensnare my worthless eldest son and became his concubine. But her greed knew no bounds. She even dared to harm my pregnant daughter-in-law! We intended to sell her off, but her villagers pleaded relentlessly, so I sent her back. Who knew her heart remained so vile!”

 

Fang Zhihe glared icily. Wang Ling’er, realizing she was trapped, immediately knelt and pleaded, “My lord[mfn]老爷 (lǎoye)- master, my lord, his lordship[/mfn], it wasn’t me! They’re lying!”

 

Tears welled in her eyes, her pitiful act in full display.

 

“Enough of your theatrics!”

 

Huang Xing, seeing her trying to shift blame, snapped, “Your Honor, it was her! She said if we followed her plan, we’d surely get a ge’r to work for us! Your Honor, this was all her scheme!”

 

“Jiuma[mfn]舅妈 – aunt, wife of mother’s brother (I will keep it in pinyin when referring to a fulang)[/mfn], you…!” Wang Linger seethed. True, the idea had been hers. She was determined to teach Qiao Suiman a lesson, preferably by ruining his reputation. But now, she absolutely could not admit it.

 

“You’re lying! You were the one who wanted to drag him back! Your Honor, it wasn’t me!”

 

Qiao Suiman watched them turn on each other, feeling utterly drained. But as he looked at the handkerchief in his hand, he seemed to find a little strength again.

 

By now, the truth was clear. Magistrate Liu took a sip of his drink and cleared his throat. “Take all of them to the yamen[mfn]衙门 – the administrative office or headquarters of a local official in imperial China[/mfn]. Lin Shanhua, Huang Xing, and Wang Ling’er are each to receive twenty strokes of the board for their malicious schemes. The rest shall receive ten lashes. The punishment will be carried out tomorrow at the yamen!”

 

“Yes!” the yayi chorused.

 

They began hauling the offenders away, their expressions sour. They didn’t care about the case, but they were implicated and couldn’t watch the race. Their handling of the prisoners was far from gentle as they marched them toward town.

 

Not far off, Li Yue watched everything unfold.

 

She came to see the commotion upon hearing of the disturbance, never expecting to recognize so many faces. A bad feeling had settled in her gut, and sure enough, Wang Ling’er was involved. Thankfully, the magistrate had taken them away without leniency.

 

The Qiao family members let out a collective sigh of relief. Those troublemakers had finally gotten what they deserved!

 

Magistrate Liu added, “I remember you two. You were at the leading boat earlier, weren’t you?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Magistrate Liu waved a hand. “Very well, dismissed for now.” Then, as if recalling something, he asked, “Ah, right. This bamboo tube drink of yours is quite novel. Was it your idea?”

 

Qiao Suiman pointed at Lu Dongqing and answered promptly, “Replying to Your Honor, I originally commissioned two styles of bamboo tubes from Lu-da-ge. The design you’re holding was his suggestion.”

 

Having witnessed Lu Dongqing handing Qiao Suiman the handkerchief earlier, not to mention his fierce defense and their collaboration on the drinks, Magistrate Liu burst into laughter, suddenly feeling the urge to play matchmaker.

 

“Not bad at all, young man. You’ve got vision. The two of you, are you engaged?”

 

Qiao Suiman’s face flushed scarlet, and he shook his head hurriedly.

 

“Your Honor, our family is in mourning. We haven’t… considered such matters yet.”

 

Now it was Magistrate Liu’s turn to be surprised. These two didn’t seem like they were just acquaintances. What’s with youngsters these days? His own child was the same. He glanced at Liu Mei and sighed softly.

 

These two are much less troublesome than the ones back home. Looked like all that was missing between them was someone to tear down the paper-thin barrier. Turning back to Lu Dongqing, he said, “Young man, perhaps you’re not being bold enough?”

 

“Your Honor, I have yet to establish a stable footing. I wouldn’t want to subject anyone to hardship.”

 

Magistrate Liu nodded. “Fair enough. Work hard, then. As for mourning, half a year is sufficient. Some things… when fate wills it, it’ll happen.”

 

“Yes. Thank you for your guidance, Your Honor.”

 

“Alright, everyone may leave. Remember to come to the yamen tomorrow.”

 

“Understood, Your Honor,” the crowd responded.

 

“Let the competition resume.”

 

With the farce finally concluded, Qiao Suiman still clutched Lu Dongqing’s handkerchief, torn between laughter and tears. What Lu Dongqing had said earlier… it really didn’t sound quite right!

 

As the group exited the pavilion, the crowd outside had mostly dispersed, though some lingered at a distance. They found another spot to set up their stall and collect themselves.

 

The village chief arrived in a panic, having been frantic with worry outside. He deeply regretted allowing Wang Ling’er back into the village. Thankfully, no irreparable harm had been done, otherwise, the blame would’ve fallen squarely on him.

 

Seeing that more and more people from Xiahe Village were making their way over, Lu Dongqing thought for a moment but decided not to say anything.

 

After a while, Qiao Suiman regained his composure. When Lu Dongqing moved a bit closer, his movements were still slightly awkward. Then Qiao Suiman heard him murmur, “After the competition… wait for me. There’s something I want to say to you.”

 

Qiao Suiman pressed his lips together and gave a small nod.

 

 

 

 

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Translator [LUNE]: Uhhhmmm… Lu Dongqing ? ? ? ? ( =‘ｘ‘=)