Chapter 981: 979: The County Magistrate's Opportunity Has Come

Words : 1331 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 981: Chapter 979: The County Magistrate’s Opportunity Has Come She picked up the child, found him a doctor, and sold off everything she could salvage from the brink of death, just to keep the child alive. Since she found the child on the fifth night, his name was Xiao Wu. Although Lady Huang was a maiden with child, constantly hiding and fleeing, those days were truly hard to endure. But as long as Lady Huang thought that the Huang family was not extinct yet, with a relative by her side, she could endure any hardship. Later, she encountered Dong Laosan, who did not mind her bringing Xiao Wu along, nor her carrying the burden of familial vengeance, and so she married him. She later had two sons and a daughter with Dong Laosan, and the days seemed peaceful. When Xiao Wu grew older, she only omitted the detail that Xiao Wu’s biological mother was a woman of the pleasure quarters, merely telling him that Xiao Wu was her brother, the last bloodline of the Huang family. Xiao Wu was very sensible, considering himself the last man of the Huang family, naturally taking revenge as his responsibility. But to Lady Huang, Xiao Wu was raised by her hand, her only hope to survive those difficult days, the future of the Huang family—how could she bear to part with him? She had long made up her mind; with the Huang family having lost over twenty lives, at most it would be enough to add her own life. When the time came, she could go below and face her parents with dignity, telling them, “The vendetta is avenged! The Huang family has descendants!” As they were speaking, Song Chongjin and Gu Zikai returned together. Lady Huang kowtowed to them, briefly recounting the matter, while Wang Yongzhu added a few details; Song Chongjin and Gu Zikai exchanged a look. According to Song Chongjin, this was an opportunity—the perfect chance to avenge his mother-in-law. The Huang family’s lawsuit against the Tian family was the key, and perhaps some information about Old Granny Zhang’s lineage could be obtained from Zhang Qiuju. Old Granny Zhang’s life had been so pitiful, since becoming her son-in-law, he had enjoyed her kindness and care, naturally he ought to repay in return. Gu Zikai personally heard Lady Huang recount the truth and tragedy of the Huang family’s massacre years ago: it was cause of Shopkeeper Tian colluding with Loo Zhiyi for the recipe and profits from cosmetics, resulting in the imperilment of twenty-three lives. Seeing Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin’s intention to intervene, he then offered his advice. Given that Loo Zhiyi was the Historian Officer, it might alarm him unexpectedly and ruin things. He then took upon himself the task of keeping Loo Zhiyi occupied and went out. When Dong Laosan brought the indictment, they opened it, finding it had yellowed with age, written by Lady Huang long ago, yet with no chance to submit it, lying buried under a box for years, now finally seeing the light of day. Song Chongjin kept the indictment, changed his clothes, and then went out to find Lv Wenguang. Before leaving, Wang Yongzhu stuffed a small jar into his hand. Once outside, at the alley corner, he took the chance while brushing past and whispered a few words to the two loafers seemingly lounging on the street. The two loafers were placed there by Yang Zongbao particularly at the alley corner, just in case something happened at home, they could relay the message to him. He had just taken over Song Chongjin’s affairs and was busy enough to not be home all day. Even when Wang Yongzhu just had a master, he rushed home at night to give a celebratory gift, only to leave again overnight. Upon receiving instructions, the two loafers chatted for a moment, then left one after the other using an excuse. Song Chongjin requested to see Lv Wenguang, and judging from the scene at Imperial Doctor Du’s House, there was no reason not to meet him. Moreover, Lv Wenguang was very curious as to why Song Chongjin sought him. To show importance and intimacy, Lv Wenguang met Song Chongjin in the study. After some pleasantries and asking about Imperial Doctor Du, they gradually moved to the main topic. Song Chongjin first took out the small jar Wang Yongzhu had given him: “This is a brew of some countryside wild tea prepared by my humble wife, a bit rustic, but has caught the eyes of you two adults. Today, as a student, I come with nothing else to offer; just some tea leaves for your tasting pleasure.” Lv Wenguang’s eyes lit up, instantly realizing that this could be the fine tea he had tasted that day. Instantly, he felt a bit more affinity for Song Chongjin, casually took the tea leaves, and then asked Song Chongjin if there was a matter. Song Chongjin then tactfully explained his motive for the day. Lv Wenguang, upon listening, was shocked: “Is this true?” Song Chongjin nodded. Lv Wenguang slammed the table: “This is outrageous! Twenty-three lives, and the case was closed just like that?” He immediately ordered someone to summon the Legal Advisor and bring the files of the Huang family’s case. When the County Magistrate heard of the County Magistrate wanting to investigate the Huang family’s case from back then, he personally brought the files. After careful review, indeed there were quite a few loopholes and doubts—the incident with Miss Huang and Young Master Sun encountering bandits was in the Huang family files, concluded as acts by wandering bandits and left unresolved. The Huang family, however, was officially recorded as caused by accidental ignition of the tent by wind and fire. In the files, many testimonies and autopsy results were contradictory, yet the case was concluded. Now upon review, it was truly riddled with astonishing deceit. Not only Lv Wenguang, but the County Magistrate’s expression also changed. However, Lv Wenguang was somewhat hesitant, having been in Jing County for only two years, not yet firmly established. In these two years, only the County Magistrate slightly favored him, barely suppressing the Magistrate. If this matter was not handled well, it might be used as leverage by the Magistrate’s side, which would be disastrous. The Legal Advisor was Lv Wenguang’s confidant and naturally understood Lv Wenguang’s concerns. He gave Lv Wenguang a look and took him aside. “Master, this is your opportunity!” the Legal Advisor said politely. Lv Wenguang hesitated: “But this matter is also tricky, an old case, and that Shopkeeper Tian has considerable wealth, plus Historian Officer Loo is the son-in-law of Administrator Guo in the Provincial Capital—” “Master! We’ve been in Jing County for two years, constantly restrained, but now this is a golden opportunity given by heaven. And Scholar Song, who is behind him? It’s Imperial Doctor Du! Who supports Imperial Doctor Du? It’s the Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau, a close minister to His Majesty. If there wasn’t confidence, do you think he’d wade into these murky waters?” “Moreover, the Magistrate has always been at odds with us, we’ve been searching for an opportunity. Have you forgotten? The Magistrate was the County Magistrate of Jing County ten years ago! The Huang family’s case might be closely related to him. Thirdly, currently, two Noble Patrons from the Capital are still in Jing County—as long as we act fast and resolve the case distinctly, not only could we make a name in front of the Capital’s Noble Patrons, but depending on this matter, Jing County could thoroughly become our governance.” “If Master hesitates and misses this opportunity, we’re liable to offend Imperial Doctor Du, and then Jing County would be unbearable for us. With the Magistrate’s tactics, if he knew about this, how could he maintain this superficial peace with us? This matter is already life or death, allowing no retreat!”

Chapter 981: 979: The County Magistrate's Opportunity Has Come

Comments (0)