CHAPTER 129: CHAPTER 129: PUBLIC TRIAL (PART 2)

"My father married into the Zhou family twelve years ago."

"During these twelve years, the Zhou family treated him well, never lacking in food or drink, and provided him with clothes and shelter generously. My grandparents, while they were alive, treated him like a son. My mother obeyed his every word."

"Five years ago, my grandparents both fell seriously ill and passed away. Peng Cheng’s true nature was revealed; he used the excuse of running a business to establish a residence elsewhere and had an illegitimate child. He even forced my mother to acknowledge the child and give him the Zhou surname, adding him to the Zhou family genealogy."

Zhou Ying stood tall, recounting the grievances suffered by her and her mother: "My mother refused, and Peng Cheng cursed and beat her. I tried to protect my mother and was beaten as well."

"My mother has many old wounds; you can have a doctor examine them."

In a desperate attempt to save her daughter’s life, Mrs. Zhou boldly rolled up her sleeves, revealing her arms covered with scars.

The people outside couldn’t see, but it did little to stop their gossip.

"Tsk, a woman rolling up her sleeves and showing her arms in public, she breaks the rules of femininity."

"Indeed, no matter how bad a father is, should he be killed by one’s own hand? Isn’t there any familial duty left?"

Occasionally, someone muttered: "If the family wasn’t penniless, who would desire to marry in? With the father-in-law and mother-in-law dead, isn’t it reasonable for the son-in-law to inherit the family business?"

This drew sideways glances from the surrounding people, and an acquaintance spat: "If you’re so clever with words, go home and tell your father-in-law to kick the bucket early to make room for you."

The crowd burst into laughter.

That son-in-law, despite his thick skin, couldn’t endure the mockery and slipped out, covering his face with his sleeve. However, after sneaking out and circling the crowd halfway, he found another spot to squeeze into, quietly straining his ears to listen.

In the court, upon Yang Shi’s command, a doctor emerged from the back office and examined Mrs. Zhou’s injuries in front of the crowd. The doctor then reported: "To inform Yang Shi, the wounds on Mrs. Zhou’s arm are indeed old injuries."

Mrs. Zhou gritted her teeth and suddenly shouted: "There are many more injuries on my body, I am willing to have them examined as well."

This statement caused some commotion even in the courtroom. Mrs. Zhou was surprisingly willing to disrobe for examination... Could today truly be an eye-opening experience?

Zhou Ying was startled and wanted to stop her, but saw her mother looking over with tears.

Zhou Ying’s eyes reddened, tears streaming down.

"Mrs. Zhou," the Commandery Princess, who had been silent, suddenly spoke: "If you insist on having your injuries examined, go to the back office. Chen Sheren, accompany her as a witness."

Chen Sheren respectfully accepted the order, stepped forward to support Mrs. Zhou’s arm, and went to the back office together.

Zhou Ying wiped her tears with her sleeve, straightened her back, and said loudly: "I have one more thing to report."

"Peng Cheng is vile and despicable; not only does he keep a mistress outside, but when he returns, he often drinks and lays his hands on me, his own daughter..."

Boom!

The crowd outside the courtroom almost exploded.

Chen Zhuo frowned, County Magistrate Cui looked shocked, and Lu Xuan’s face darkened after the initial shock.

This Peng Cheng is truly a disgrace to sons-in-law. For indulgences, he should go to a brothel. If he likes young girls, he could buy some young maids, but to abuse his own daughter, he is simply an animal.

Jiang Shaohua’s brows twitched slightly as he looked deeply at Zhou Ying.

Yang Zheng, however, portrayed the demeanor of a criminal official’s family member, his face unmoved by the shocking revelation, continued calmly questioning: "Is there anyone who can testify to this?"

Zhou Ying endured her humiliation and still replied loudly: "My mother is a witness, and my maid can testify."

Yang Zheng spoke in a deep voice: "Mrs. Zhou is your mother, she could lie to protect you. Your maid belongs to the Zhou family, her words cannot be taken as solid evidence. Now Peng Cheng is dead, there’s no one to corroborate. Perhaps you’re smearing Peng Cheng’s name to escape punishment."

Lu Xuan wanted to speak, but as soon as he opened his mouth, Jiang Shaohua glanced over coldly.

Lu Xuan closed his mouth again.

Zhou Ying wiped her tears forcefully, looked up and said: "Sir, I have evidence. I am the only daughter of the Zhou family, pampered and raised in inner quarters. The only man who can approach me closely is my father."

"I am no longer a virgin, I ask the official to conduct an examination."

Everyone was astonished by these words.

The crowd outside the court was in uproar again, someone shouted: "Peng Cheng deserves to die!"

Then many people joined in the chorus.

Even though most of the onlookers were men, they were indignant upon hearing such horrifying news. There’s a saying that even a fierce tiger wouldn’t harm its cubs; one who harms his own daughter doesn’t deserve to be human.

Lu Xuan, filled with resentful anger, couldn’t sit still and suddenly stood up: "This Peng Cheng, being a son-in-law, should be grateful to the Yue family, but he tried to usurp the Zhou family business, and committed such beast-like acts, he deserves to die by a thousand cuts!"

"Zhou Ying committed patricide under duress. I urge Yang Shi to show mercy and spare Zhou Ying from the death penalty!"

Yang Zheng turned: "Lu Junma, please do not be agitated. Whether this is true or not is yet unknown, let’s first find a midwife to verify before making any conclusions."

Lu Xuan, however, did not sit down, his demeanor invigorated and emotional: "Zhou Ying is only ten years old, how could she lie about such matters? Why bother with a midwife, causing unnecessary humiliation to Miss Zhou."

Yang Zheng spoke seriously: "For it to be presented as court evidence, it must be verified."

Zhou Ying had already decided to risk everything, immediately she said loudly: "I am willing to undergo an examination."

Yang Zheng nodded slightly and turned to instruct the government officials to quickly fetch the midwife.

Two officials accepted the task and hurriedly left.

Lu Xuan turned to Jiang Shaohua: "Peng Cheng’s death is well-deserved, please Commandery Princess forgive Zhou Ying’s death penalty!"

Jiang Shaohua looked steadily at the emotionally charged Lu Xuan for a moment, and the courtroom quieted subtly.

The crowd outside chanting "Peng Cheng deserves to die" noticed something was off and craned their heads to look. The son-in-law mocked earlier also strained his neck to hear the Commandery Princess and Lu Junma’s conversation.

"Is Lu Junma sincerely pleading on behalf of Zhou Ying?" Jiang Shaohua’s expression was faint, difficult to read: "No matter the reasons, Zhou Ying shouldn’t have wielded a knife against her father!"

Lu Xuan took a deep breath and resolutely said: "Peng Cheng was ungrateful, seized the family business, abused his wife and children; Zhou Ying was forced into killing her father. Her situation is pitiable, her crime redeemable."

"I, Lu Xuan, am also a son-in-law, deeply indebted to my father-in-law, never daring to forget. Never did I imagine there are such shameless people like Peng Cheng in the world who would try to seize the Yue family’s business and inflict such harm on his own daughter! Lower than beasts, unworthy of humanity!"

"Should the Commandery Princess spare Zhou Ying her life today, it would also serve as a warning to all sons-in-law. Justice resides in the hearts of people, with the Commandery Princess here, the brightness shines in Nanyang County, holding no place for such vile behaviors!"