CHAPTER 132: CHAPTER 132: SOLVING THE CASE (PART 1)

"I raised silkworms at the age of five and wove cloth by eight. Up until the age of eighteen, I married. The silver I earned from ten years of hard work was used to build a house, buy twenty acres of land, purchase a cow, and save for two looms. The house, land, and cow, I can’t take, nor will I fight for them. But those two looms were supposed to be my dowry, why shouldn’t I have them?"

"I’m not convinced in my heart!"

"That’s why I filed complaint after complaint, I demand justice."

Lady Zhao’s cries resounded from inside the court hall.

Outside the court watching the commotion, most of the women had red eyes, and some, feeling empathy, quietly wept as well.

Isn’t it just a grudge that one can’t resolve in their heart?

When a woman marries, those who cherish daughters prepare a dowry. Not to mention, the women in Ye County mostly earned plenty of silver from a young age by raising silkworms, spinning silk, and weaving. When marrying, having a rich dowry was only natural.

The Zhao family withheld the dowry, how could the strong-willed Lady Zhao hold her head high in her husband’s home?

"I’ve lodged three complaints, but to no use, County Magistrate Cui simply refuses to stand up for a weak woman like me. Now that the Commandery Princess has arrived, and you, sir, are willing to stand up for me, I am truly grateful."

Lady Zhao’s words caused County Magistrate Cui to be utterly embarrassed.

County Magistrate Cui shifted his seat, subconsciously glancing at the Commandery Princess.

The Commandery Princess’s expression remained unchanged, betraying no emotion.

Lady Zhao, crying, heavily kowtowed, "I kowtow to the Commandery Princess, I kowtow to you, sir. I only seek justice. If I am awarded even one loom, my heart will be at peace. From this day forward, I will sever all ties with my family and cut off all contact."

Lady Zhao was indeed a fiery woman, crying while making harsh statements, her attitude resolute.

Mr. Zhao was finally alarmed, "What do you mean by cutting off ties! You are my own daughter, I am your father, blood is thicker than water, it cannot be severed!"

The stepmother seized the opportunity, repeatedly chiming in, "Your father is right. Even if you look down on me as your stepmother, you cannot leave your father behind. He has only you as his daughter and will rely on you in his old age!"

The stepson remained silent.

Lady Zhao, raising her tear-veiled eyes, spat, "Didn’t your son change his surname to Zhao? Why does he plan to inherit the Zhao family’s property but not take care of my father? There’s no such reasoning in this world! If that day ever comes, I’ll continue to complain at the county government and tear down the facade of you and your son!"

The stepmother regretted immensely, reaching to pull Mr. Zhao’s arm.

Whether Mr. Zhao had suddenly realized the truth or didn’t dare side with his second wife and stepson in the court hall, he forcefully drew back his arm, glaring angrily, "It’s all your fault! Had it not been for your constant instigation, how could I have been so foolish to withhold my daughter’s dowry."

Lady Zhao wiped her tears with her sleeve, "It’s too late to discuss this now. Spare me the sweet talk. I mean what I say; upon leaving this court today, we will have nothing more to do with each other!"

The Commandery Princess, who had not spoken before, suddenly asked, "Lady Zhao, do you truly wish to sever ties with your biological father?"

Lady Zhao showed an expression of firm resolve, "Yes!"

Jiang Shaohua said calmly, "If that’s the case, write two copies of the Yijue Book in this court, with your father and you each leaving a handprint and keeping one. So there will be no entanglements in the future!"

Lady Zhao’s eyes reddened once again, and she kowtowed repeatedly, "The Commandery Princess stands up for me and controls the situation, I thank the Princess!"

Jiang Shaohua turned and instructed Chen Jinyu, "Chen Sheren, start writing the Yijue Book immediately!"

Chen Jinyu respectfully accepted the order.

She had studied since childhood, familiar with various official documents, and practiced excellent penmanship with her grandfather, her handwriting neat and smooth. At this moment, her heart was full of righteous indignation, and she quickly wrote in the court.

After the Yijue Book was completed, Lady Zhao pressed her handprint first. At this point, Mr. Zhao finally regretted it, tearfully confessing to his daughter and seeking reconciliation.

Lady Zhao hardened her heart and ignored him.

The Government Official stepped forward, grabbing Mr. Zhao’s hand to press a handprint.

The case was now settled; the fiery Lady Zhao left with tears in her red eyes holding the Yijue Book. Mr. Zhao, sobbing uncontrollably, was helped by his second wife and stepson as he walked away.

No one cared about what would happen later; at the moment, no one was concerned. The women watching the trial outside the court hall almost all clapped in approval.

"It’s great that the Commandery Princess is here; finally, there is someone to stand up for us women and vent our anger!"

Bang!

The judge’s gavel fell heavily on the table, and Yang Shi continued to preside over the trial.

County Magistrate Cui wiped the sweat from his forehead, shifting his seat once more.

The second case, a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law both appeared in court. The mother-in-law, while wiping her tears, accused, saying the daughter-in-law constantly provided for her own family.

The daughter-in-law, who was also feisty, immediately retorted with her head held high, "I earn silver by weaving myself, why shouldn’t I honor my own parents?"

The mother-in-law angrily said, "You married into my Lu family, so you are a Lu family member, and any silver you earn is Lu family silver."

The daughter-in-law sneered in response, "So, the silver in the mother-in-law’s hands should also be Lu family silver. Why isn’t it given to the son and daughter-in-law, but used to support an external lover?"

The mother-in-law, thick-skinned as a city wall, boldly countered, "I never provided for my own family! Today, in front of the Commandery Princess and all the officials, I want to thoroughly discuss this reasoning!"

"When a woman marries into her husband’s family, isn’t she part of the husband’s family? Even if a woman earns silver, isn’t it her husband’s family silver? Your own parents have your brothers to take care of them; as a married woman of the Lu family, you should devote yourself to the Lu family."

County Magistrate Cui inwardly nodded.

This Lu family elder spoke in a bitter and piercing tone, but it was all true.

Women are like duckweed, lowly in status, unable to establish a household independently. So, in their natal home, they must obey their parents. After marrying into the husband’s family, they should honor the in-laws and listen to them in all matters. Otherwise, it is highly unfilial.

Is the silver you earn yours?

No, even your person belongs to your husband’s family! Where do you get property rights?

So, the previous two complaints were dismissed by County Magistrate Cui. Can’t really blame County Magistrate Cui! Even Yang Shi would rule the case the same way.

However, with the Commandery Princess present today, making it clear that she intends to stand up for weak women, County Magistrate Cui dared not protest, and Yang Shi also had to reluctantly go against his nature.

"Silence! No shouting in the court!"

"Mrs. Lu Wang, as an elder, you should be considerate of your daughter-in-law’s hardships. Constantly scolding and being harsh, creating discord at home, letting all the neighbors watch—how is that a good thing?"

"And Mrs. Lu Zhang, as a daughter-in-law of the Lu family, you should respect your elders. How can you argue with your mother-in-law?"

"If there is further shouting in the court, each will be hit with twenty strokes!"

Yang Shi deserves to have come from a family of criminal officials; since childhood, he learned to adjudicate cases, his demeanor in court outstanding, easily controlling the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law dispute.

Jiang Shaohua looked pensively at the eloquent Yang Shi.

Previously, she had attempted various ways to have Yang Zheng leave, but in the end, Vice Minister Yang personally wrote a letter to apologize. In the short term, it was inappropriate to drive him away again.

Now it seems, if Yang Zheng and Yang Shi put in sincere effort, there are aspects to appreciate. With some guidance, they could be quite useful.