CHAPTER 48: 48: MAKE A CLEAN BREAK (PART 3)_1

The officer stroked the wooden block, "Doubts?" She was a bit curious; the girl standing below had some guts, facing an official like herself without showing any sign of inferiority or arrogance.

She had seen plenty of groveling; Dong Huiying, however, was like a refreshing stream, garnering a few more points of appreciation in her heart.

"I am aware of the Liang family’s matter, and it was I who ordered the arrest. Liang Yixuan is engaged to be married, yet he is not content to stay at home, seducing a Lady from Zhu Family Village. A man like that, unfaithful and promiscuous, flirts around like wild grass in water. Had it not been for his first offense, sentencing him to castration would already be showing leniency beyond the law. Otherwise, his head would certainly have been among those at the market beheading," she declared.

"Yixuan is not that kind of person!"

Behind Dong Huiying, the Liang Family Brothers stood in unison, the most impulsive Yue Ning rashly burst out, "It’s clearly Zhu Xingfang whose lust is too great; she coveted Yixuan and then maliciously slandered him, her heart is wicked!"

The officer furrowed her brows, the wooden block was raised high and then forcefully dropped, creating a sharp ’crack’ that echoed throughout the hall.

Yue Ning was momentarily stunned, then quieted down to avoid disrupting the court.

Big brother Zhichen pulled the fifth brother back behind him and then bowed with hands in front of him, "The officer please calm your anger. My fifth brother is hot-headed, and I, Zhichen, apologize to the officer on his behalf."

The officer glanced at Zhichen, then turned her gaze back to Dong Huiying. She thought that although the girl was somewhat unattractive, she had an extraordinary demeanor and from the matter of seeking justice, it was clear that she was not only noble in spirit but also possessed a crystal clear heart, with kind intentions.

This officer had already experienced romantic affairs and could see through one’s emotions or lack thereof at a glance. These Liang brothers did not have the slightest hint of romantic feelings towards the girl below, and it was baffling how one girl and six men ended up together like this?

Dong Huiying was in a bad situation; even though she could block out the pain, she was injured after all. Afraid that she could not hold on much longer, she stepped forward, determined to make it a swift battle.

"The officer, I previously mentioned that I had some doubts," she said.

"And the first doubt is whether the Department of Surveillance had any evidence when arresting Yixuan, my betrothed, whom the common people would call fiancé. I understand him well. Unfaithful and promiscuous, that is impossible. As for seducing Zhu Xingfang? The officer might not know, but Lady Zhu is one of the three evils of Taihang Mountain and is also a lecherous person. She once harbored the foolish thought of buying my fiancé from me for two copper coins, and because I refused, she has harbored resentment."

"Secondly, the Department of Surveillance had inspected Yixuan, and based on certain marks on his body, they hastily concluded that Yixuan had lost his chastity. Isn’t this too arbitrary?"

"Thirdly, the customs and rites of the Dayuan Dynasty favor us women, but I believe that with great power comes great responsibility. For example, a man adheres to the rites, respectful and mild-mannered, but a ruffian covets this man and acts indecently towards him. Morally speaking, it’s not the man who is at fault, but the ruffian. Yet the Department of Surveillance arrested Yixuan, so where is Lady Zhu? Does she go free without punishment?"

Finally, Dong Huiying declared resoundingly, "A country has its laws, a family has its rules, without rules, there is no square or circle. But if all women in the world were to follow Zhu Xingfang’s example and unabashedly pursue whichever man they desire, resorting to vile means if kindness doesn’t work and reporting to the Department of Surveillance if the man resists—then how innocent are these men? They are already vulnerable, society treats them harshly, so why should men bear the consequences for the faults committed by women?"

Dong Huiying’s voice was clear and distinct; she might appear naive and cute on ordinary days, but when it came to matters of importance, she never minced her words.