CHAPTER 134: CHAPTER 134: TAKING CHARGE

After the case of Miss Huang concluded, the women outside the court refused to leave. Suddenly, someone shouted, "Long live the Commandery Princess!" and one after another joined in.

Actually, this already counted as disrupting the court.

Yang Shi and County Magistrate Cui didn’t send Government Officials to drive them away.

Jiang Shaohua listened to the commotion, a hint of a smile flashed in her eyes. She turned to face everyone outside the court. Without seeming to exert any effort, her voice wasn’t particularly raised, yet it clearly reached everyone’s ears: "I will stay in Ye County for ten more days. If you have grievances to appeal, you may submit your petitions to the county government."

"I will stand up for all those who are weak and unjustly treated. However, do not falsely accuse without reason. If you do, there will be severe consequences."

"Today’s hearing has ended, everyone please disperse!"

The women responded loudly and dispersed in groups. For some reason, they walked with straighter backs!

Inside the court, Miss Huang and her father hadn’t left yet.

Miss Huang wiped her tears and reached out to support her father. Father Huang was thoroughly humiliated today, full of resentment but dared not speak, he glared at Miss Huang fiercely: "Now you’re satisfied. The Commandery Princess has allowed you to marry, and I, as your father, will not force you to stay at home. Find yourself a husband within ten days and marry out!"

This was clearly making things difficult for Miss Huang.

Leaving aside how she could find a suitable husband in just ten days, even if she found one, the family ought to prepare the dowry and marry her off properly. Father Huang wanted to kick his daughter out, with no intention of arranging the marriage.

Miss Huang was accustomed to accepting fate, her eyes reddened, and she said nothing.

Jiang Shaohua swept a cold glance over.

Father Huang immediately bowed his head, not daring to boast anymore.

"Miss Huang, come here, I have something to ask you," Jiang Shaohua spoke to Miss Huang gently.

Miss Huang cautiously took two steps forward. Her face was thin, but her features were upright and attractive.

"You are twenty-four this year?"

Miss Huang responded quietly.

Jiang Shaohua spoke warmly: "In Ye County, it will be difficult to find a husband of suitable age. However, in my personal soldiers’ military camp, there are some men in their twenties who are not yet married. If you’re willing, I can act as a matchmaker and help you find a suitable one."

Tears shone in Miss Huang’s eyes, and she knelt down with a thud, kowtowing to the Commandery Princess: "I am willing. Please help me, Commandery Princess!"

Father Huang finally panicked completely: "No way! Miss Huang cannot marry that far away; if she marries far away, what will become of us father and son!"

Jiang Shaohua’s eyebrows twitched.

County Magistrate Cui reacted quickly this time, stepping forward, pointing at Father Huang’s nose, and angrily reprimanded: "You want your daughter to be a beast of burden for you a lifetime! You both have hands and feet; if you can’t weave fabric, go farm! Dare make noise again, and I’ll have the Government Officials immediately assess your family’s assets and give half to Miss Huang as a dowry."

Father Huang immediately shut up, too afraid to utter a word.

Miss Huang wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, choked up and murmured: "Thank you, Lord Cui. I don’t want the dowry, I don’t want anything at home. Leave it all to my father and brother."

She looked full of shame at the Commandery Princess: "I’m old and without a dowry, as long as there’s a man willing to marry me, I’ll be content. Commandery Princess need not choose a good husband for me; I am truly unworthy."

The humble and pitiful Miss Huang completely aroused Chen Jinyu’s sense of indignation and sympathy.

Jiang Shaohua sighed softly, and before she could speak, Chen Jinyu declared loudly: "Why unworthy? You’re diligent, filial, and kind; you’re the best girl in the world, worthy of anyone! Don’t belittle yourself."

"Commandery Princess! Leave this matter to me! I will surely find a good husband for Miss Huang!"

Jiang Shaohua looked at Chen Jinyu’s passionate face, slightly nodded: "Alright, leave this matter to you." Then she added: "Miss Huang, return home to pack some clothes, then settle down in the county government’s backyard. Chen Sheren, handle this matter together."

Chen Jinyu eagerly agreed and even personally accompanied Miss Huang on a return visit to the Huang Family.

After half a day, Miss Huang carried two bundles into the county government’s backyard, temporarily settling in the servants’ room.

"It’s fortunate I visited the Huang Family today." Chen Jinyu’s face was full of indignation: "Miss Huang’s home has five rooms. Her father lives in one, the remaining three are for the brother and his wife. The last room has a loom, and Miss Huang sleeps on a wooden bed beside the loom. She starts weaving as soon as she opens her eyes and works until the third hour."

"What’s most infuriating is the whole family eats well and dresses well, only Miss Huang wears old clothes and eats two meals a day."

"If I hadn’t gone personally, Miss Huang wouldn’t have been able to take even the two bundles of old clothes."

"Heaven must be blind, why doesn’t a bolt of lightning strike these heartless people!"

Chen Jinyu scolded freely, Jiang Shaohua remained silent for a moment, speaking softly: "Sister Jin Yu, this is Ye County. Women here plant mulberry, rear silkworms, spin silk and weave to support their families. Life is considered good."

"You and I were born into luxury, pampered and protected by grandparents, never suffered grievances. But in this world, pitiful women like Miss Huang are countless."

"Saving a Miss Huang today is enough! Tomorrow, the day after, countless days in the future, there are more things we can do!"

Chen Jinyu firmly clenched her right fist, showing determination in her eyes: "I, Chen Jinyu, vow to follow the Commandery Princess to the death."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, clasped Chen Jinyu’s left hand: "We are both young, we have decades ahead of us. We can do it little by little, change customs is no easy task, let’s walk together!"

Chen Jinyu nodded decisively, her right fist relaxed, covering Jiang Shaohua’s hand back.

This was a game they played often in childhood.

Jiang Shaohua smiled sweetly, placing the final hand over the stack. The four hands of the two friends interlocked, and their hearts united.

...

At this time, County Magistrate Cui was sitting opposite his wife Mrs. Li.

Mrs. Li had an oval face, beautiful features, studied since young, exuding a scholarly aura. The couple were cousins, grew up together, naturally married, their relationship deep.

County Magistrate Cui didn’t stay in Capital City, insisted on becoming a local official. His wife followed, bringing their two young sons to Ye County.

"Cousin, today the three cases were all ruled as the Commandery Princess wished. Are you feeling a bit dissatisfied?"

County Magistrate Cui immediately returned to himself and sighed: "You tease me too much, Cousin."

"I’ve been in Ye County for three years, prided myself on being a good official who loves and cherishes the people, my jurisdiction orderly, with less petty crime than other counties."

"Only today do I know what I do is still far from enough. The first two cases were nothing, but Miss Huang’s case is truly unsettling."

"How could I feel dissatisfied, I am wholeheartedly convinced by the Commandery Princess!"