Rebirth Married The Control group Fulang Chapter 118

Chapter 118

    "The Qin family is suing?"  

    Zhang Fangyuan couldn't help but sneer in disbelief.  

    "I didn't even bother with that Qin Shang, yet he has the audacity to file a lawsuit."  

    Xu He, who had never been involved in litigation before, felt uneasy upon receiving the summons. "What should we do?"  

    "We must appear since the county government has summoned us. Fortunately, it's scheduled for tomorrow, I'll hire a litigation master today."  

    Xu He sensed the situation wasn't so simple. The case stemmed from him, and such lawsuits brought shame to both plaintiff and defendant. He couldn't understand why the Qin family would escalate things.  

    Zhang Fangyuan reassured him, "We'll find out what tricks they're up to tomorrow."  

    The next day at chenshi (7am-9am), Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He went to the county government office together. If a case was being heard, a notice would be posted at the entrance.  

    Sure enough, a new announcement was up, attracting curious onlookers. Just as Zhang Fangyuan moved closer to read it, a county government runner shouted them inside.  

    The plaintiff's side had already arrived. As they entered, the county government office gates creaked shut behind them.  

    Xu He looked at Zhang Fangyuan in confusion. "Why is this?"  

    Though he'd never been involved in a lawsuit, after years in the city, he'd seen trials before, "if you haven't eaten pork, you've at least seen pigs run." Normally, trials were open to spectators, yet today the doors were closed.

[没吃过猪肉，也见过猪跑 (Méi chīguò zhūròu, yě jiànguò zhū pǎo): lit. If you haven’t eaten pork, you’ve at least seen pigs run; fig. Even if you lack direct experience, you should have basic knowledge from observation]

    "A closed hearing doesn't mean the verdict won't be public. It's fine."  

    Xu He relaxed slightly.  

    The Qin family had brought not just Qin Shang, but also his father Qin Hongde.  

    Zhang Fangyuan initially thought Qin Shang had filed the suit out of anger after being beaten, but now even his father had joined in.  

    Once both parties were present, the county magistrate slammed his gavel. The county government runners chanted "Dignity and power!" before another gavel strike silenced them.  

    The plaintiff's statement was read aloud: names, claims, facts, and reasoning...  

    "The incident occurred when plaintiff Qin Shang, while inspecting family shops with servants, encountered defendant Xu He on his way home. This servant boy initiated contact with flirtatious words and improper intentions, attempting seduction."  

    "The plaintiff, being upright, refused his advances. Unexpectedly, the defendant persisted, deliberately dropping his vegetable basket to frame the plaintiff before falsely accusing him of harassment. At this moment, defendant Zhang Fangyuan suddenly appeared and assaulted Qin Shang."  

    As the accusations continued, Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He grew increasingly alarmed. Xu He, furious at the blatant lies, shouted, "That's nonsense!"  

    "Silence! No shouting in court! You'll have your turn to speak."  

    Reprimanded by the magistrate, Xu He reluctantly closed his mouth.  

    "We request Your Honor order the defendants to compensate medical expenses and penalize their malicious business competition!"  

    Now Zhang Fangyuan understood, this wasn't about justice, but using the lawsuit to suppress the Zhang family's businesses.  

    He glanced coldly at Qin Hongde.  

    "Defendant Zhang Fangyuan, plaintiff Qin Shang accuses you of conspiring with your husband to fabricate harassment claims as pretext for assault due to business rivalry. Do you plead guilty?"  

    "This commoner absolutely denies Qin Shang's accusations." Zhang Fangyuan's voice was icy. "My fulang was merely buying groceries when Qin Shang harassed him. With multiple servants present, my fulang stood no chance. Seeing him humiliated, how could I not intervene? This has nothing to do with business competition."  

    The magistrate said, "Since both parties dispute the facts, present your evidence."  

    The Qin family's litigation master immediately submitted evidence: "The plaintiff's facial injuries remain unhealed, and his servants were also injured, these are our witnesses. Additionally, we have prescriptions from Divine Herb pharmacy as material evidence. Please review, Your Honor."  

    The magistrate skimmed the documents and nodded before turning to Zhang Fangyuan. "Do you have any evidence to submit?"  

    "The incident was sudden, and harassment is difficult to prove. We currently lack evidence, but I have questions for the plaintiff."  

    "Proceed."  

    Zhang Fangyuan asked, "Your accusation claims I conspired with my fulang to fabricate harassment as pretext for assault due to business rivalry. If true, why were only my fulang and I present that day, while the Qin family brought multiple servants?"  

    "The Qin family's injured servants serve as our witnesses!"  

    "Defendant, don't make baseless claims in court, present evidence if you have it," Qin Hongde said coldly. "Without proof, your words are mere sophistry."  

    "Your Honor, please uphold justice!"  

    The magistrate slammed his gavel again. "Since the defense submits no evidence, this court will adjourn for seven days. If no compelling evidence emerges then, judgment will favor the plaintiff."  

    As Zhang Fangyuan tried to speak, the magistrate refused further discussion.  

    "Court adjourned!"  

    "Dignity... and power..."  

    After the magistrate left, Qin Hongde straightened his sleeves and addressed the couple still standing in court. "Boss Zhang, the magistrate has retired. You may leave."  

    Zhang Fangyuan shot him a cold look before leading Xu He out.  

    Outside, the Qin family intercepted them at their carriage. Qin Hongde smiled. "Boss Zhang, the magistrate will rule in five days, he's too busy for prolonged cases. I heard your son recently took imperial exams. If this lawsuit tarnishes your family name, I wonder if he'll be allowed to test next year."  

    "What do you mean?"  

    "My meaning is simple. Between managing businesses and your son's education, you're already overworked. Why not lighten your burden by closing two shops?"  

    Qin Hongde continued leisurely, "We've known each other for years. If you comply, I'll withdraw the lawsuit, sparing the magistrate unnecessary trouble."  

    Xu He glared at the smug old fox, teeth clenched in anger. Only after they left did he board the carriage with Zhang Fangyuan.  

    "The Qin family is despicable! Not content with false accusations, they're threatening our child!" Xu He's eyes reddened with fury and worry. "What if we lose?"  

    Both knew why Qin Hongde was confident, evidence would be hard to obtain, and the magistrate clearly favored the Qin family.  

    "I've maintained good relations with the county government for years, they've never ignored my requests before. The magistrate knows me well, why side with the Qin family now?"  

    Zhang Fangyuan didn't expect special treatment, only fairness. Evidence could be found, but what use was it if the judge was biased?  

    That was the real problem.  

    Returning home troubled, Zhang Fangyuan sent people to investigate connections between the Qin family and county government while searching for evidence.  

    Material evidence was nonexistent, and witnesses were reluctant, testifying would mean choosing sides and making powerful enemies.  

    The Qin family had dominated Siyang for years. Commoners knew their tyranny but feared retaliation, losing lawsuits meant potential exile from the city.  

    Though the incident occurred in a busy market, Zhang Fangyuan's searches found no willing witnesses.  

    The couple left early and returned late each day. Though the case wasn't public, the notice had spread word through the city.  

    Merchants watched eagerly, either side's loss would benefit competitors.  

    Commoners hoped the Qin family would lose, ending their arrogance.  

    Amid the uproar, Xiaomao learned of the situation and came with Zhuang Qi.  

    "The Qin family is targeting our martial arts school. Qin Hongde resented Ji'an School for years, and our new branch in east city pushed him over the edge. Now that his son was beaten, he's using it as pretext."  

    Zhuang Qi frowned. "Business matters, but we can't jeopardize Ruijin's future. If we can't find evidence, perhaps negotiate with the Qin family... close the east city branch?"  

    "That school took years of effort to build. Dismantling it would destroy our hard-earned reputation."  

    Zhang Fangyuan sighed. "This isn't just about the school. Qin Hongde has hated me since the charcoal business days when I refused him profits. Now our businesses compete, he wants us ruined."  

    "Even if we retreat today, he'll attack again tomorrow, emboldened by success. Only our complete destruction would satisfy him."  

    The family atmosphere grew heavy. Though the children weren't told details, Ruijin and Ruili noticed their parents' constant comings and goings, also the grave expressions of visitors.  

    "Did business fail? Is Father planning to sell our house to pay debts? Will we become poor? If the debt's too big, will they sell me as a child bride?"  

    Ruijin glanced at his brother eavesdropping by the door. "Who could afford to feed you?"  

    Ruili ran over. "Then they'll sell you instead, as a slave for some rich family. Could you even handle that work?"  

    "Why would you be sold as a bride while I become a slave?"  

    "Because of my beauty, of course!"  

    Ruijin set down his brush. "We're twins. What you have, I don't?"  

    "Good point." Ruili pondered. "Then you'll be a child groom. Xiao Xing's family seems richer than ours. With the teacher favoring you, it might work out."  

    "Ow!" Ruili clutched his head after Ruijin flicked it. "This is why I'm shorter than you!"  

    "Keep spouting nonsense, and I won't cover for you reading novels in class anymore. Those books are rotting your brain."  

    "Hmph."  

    Ruili flopped onto the daybed, rubbing his head.  

    Ruijin looked toward the meeting room, brow furrowed.  

    Though mature for his age, he was still young. As eldest son, he hated being unable to help.  

    If family business was struggling, he questioned his path, should he abandon studies to learn doing business instead?  

    Ruili studied his brother's expression. "Are you angry?"  

    "Go to your room. Don't cause trouble these next few days."  

    "I know." Ruili said, "The Tongsheng exam results come out tomorrow. Since parents are busy, I'll go see the rankings with you."