Chapter 163
On the day the trial opened, Fang Zichen again applied a bit of stove ash under his eyes, still appearing sickly and listless.
A Tongsheng held no special privileges, so when he saw the County Magistrate, he still had to kneel.
"Your humble subject... pays... pays his respects to Your Excellency~"
His words were broken, punctuated by ragged breaths. His voice was hoarse and weak, and he finished his sentence only with great effort before being seized by another violent coughing fit.
"Husband~" Zhao Ger supported him.
Fang Zichen called to him weakly: "Zhao Ger..."
This state of his was no different from someone delivering their last words.
The common people outside all sighed at his pitiful state. When they saw Zhang Huaiwen being brought up under guard, someone couldn't control themselves and spat in his direction.
Zhang Huaiwen seemed completely unaffected. He looked towards Zhao Ger, his gaze brazen, then swept a glance over Fang Zichen, as if provoking him.
Fang Zichen: "..."
How daring!
Just yesterday, I made him so angry he vomited blood, and today he's this arrogant again.
Does he think I'm dead?
Hard, it's hard. My fists are hardening.
He desperately wanted to punch Zhang Huaiwen right in both eyes.
The officer, seeing Fang Zichen's meaningful glance at him, immediately kicked Zhang Huaiwen in the kneecap.
He thudded to his knees on the ground, the sound so loud that the people outside winced in sympathy.
Old Master Wu, standing in the crowd, looked at Fang Zichen and couldn't help shaking his head: This kid really has none of the integrity and upright backbone a scholar should have.
The day before yesterday, he was clearly lively and jumping around, and today he's putting on this act again.
"Still, you should know that lies are like trying to wrap fire in paper—they can't be hidden forever. I suppose when you get older, your skin gets thicker and you care less about embarrassment, but it must still be rather awkward for you, isn't that right?" The words of 'earnest teaching' Fang Zichen had given him floated unbidden into his mind.
Old Master Wu's face turned green with anger. This damned kid.
A crowd had gathered outside the court. Old Master Wu noticed several faces from Xiaohe Village who had been there just the day before yesterday. Fortunately, the spot where they had been digging for wild vegetables (fishmint) was quite remote and deserted. Otherwise, Fang Zichen would surely be burning with shame right now.
When Zhang Huaiwen and Lianniang plotted against Fang Zichen, they had never considered failure.
Lianniang wanted to be with Fang Zichen, to become the Xiucai's wife and enjoy wealth and honor, but Zhang Huaiwen wanted him utterly discredited.
Once Fang Zichen had relations with Lianniang, such an 'illicit affair' would be spread, and his reputation would be ruined.
The imperial examinations forbid participation by those with tarnished reputations.
Zhang Huaini was doted on, and he was confident that no matter what happened, County Magistrate Jiang would protect him. Therefore, he hadn't taken particularly meticulous measures to cover his tracks. Once the officers investigated, the whole sequence of events became clear, and the truth was revealed.
Looking at the testimonies and evidence presented by his subordinates, County Magistrate Jiang remained silent. Seeing him like this, the common people began to grow restless.
"Silence!" County Magistrate Jiang noticed Old Master Wu in the crowd and saw the head of the Zhang family and his family members looking his way. He let out a heavy sigh and said, "Zhang Huaiwen, the Jia family girl accuses you, stating that the act of drugging Fang Tongsheng was done under your instruction. Do you have anything to say?"
"Your Excellency," Zhang Huaiwen kowtowed, calm and unhurried, "This matter has no connection to your humble subject whatsoever. I have been wrongly accused."
Zhao Ger looked at him, his brow tightly furrowed. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pinch at his waist. He turned to find Fang Zichen covering his own mouth and whispering, "Is he good-looking?"
One who understands the times is a true hero.
[识时务者为俊杰 (shí shí wù zhě wéi jùn jié): lit. One who understands the times is a true hero; fig. A wise person recognizes and adapts to changing circumstances, aligning with prevailing trends for success.]
Zhao Ger shook his head slightly and immediately whispered, "This person has a pointy mouth and monkey cheeks, shifty eyes and a rat's gaze, with the head of a musk deer. He truly isn't half as good as my husband. My husband is the best looking."
The two of them, as if no one else was present, in full public view, created their own little world. Zhao Ger's wave of flattery made Fang Zichen feel utterly comfortable. He asked, "Do you know what I appreciate most about you?"
Zhao Ger did not know.
Seeing him shake his head, Fang Zichen said, "I just like how straightforward and honest you are..."
SLAP! A loud noise as County Magistrate Jiang struck the court wooden block.
"As a scholar, you should understand principles, be diligent in study, upright and righteous. Yet you have disregarded the law and committed such a vicious act against a fellow scholar. With both witnesses and material evidence present, there is no room for your sophistry. According to the laws of Da Xia, this official sentences you to pay Tongsheng Fang three hundred taels in compensation, then be sent to Shito (Stone) Town in Shazhou for reform through labor. Lianniang shall serve three years of hard labor. Do any of you object?"
Shito Town in Shazhou was near the border. That area suffered constant invasion and harassment from barbarians, leading to endless conflict. The warfare caused the people immense suffering, and many had been forced to move away from Shito Town out of desperation.
Shito Town was a barren place, but it was rich in iron ore. The work there was exhausting and bitter. In previous years, many convicts who didn't die on the road to exile still didn't live long once they reached the mining area.
They either died from exhaustion or perished in the warfare.
Zhang Huaiwen's face showed astonishment, his pupils constricting sharply: "No, no... brother-in-law, brother-in-law, you can't do this to me, I..."
"Guards, take them down for this official!"
Two officers immediately covered Zhang Huaiwen's mouth and, ignoring his struggles, dragged him away.
In the crowd, Madam Zhang's eyes rolled back, and she fainted on the spot.
Fang Zichen's expression was even more stunned than Zhang Huaiwen's.
What just happened?
I, the victim, haven't even said half a word! I just flirted with Zhao Ger for a moment, and it's over?
How is this like playing around?
Can't you show me some respect?
Is this polite?
He felt somewhat indignant. Seeing that County Magistrate Jiang had left, he raised his middle finger at his retreating back.
"Husband," Zhao Ger said, "Should we go back directly now?"
"En!"
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