Chapter 65
When Qiao Hezhi awoke, the sky was already bright. His sleep had been shallow the night before; he startled awake from time to time and only managed to sleep properly around sigeng (1-3 AM). He hadn't expected to oversleep once he finally did.
He reached out and touched the spot on the bed where Fang Yu had lain. The bedding was tucked in, but the warmth was completely gone, leaving no trace of body heat. He had no idea when Fang Yu had gotten up. Hurriedly, he called for Siyu to bring in water and utensils to wash up and get dressed.
By the time he left his room, he realized it was already the sishi (9-11 AM). "Why didn't anyone wake me earlier? Where are the Master and my mother?"
"The Master instructed us not to disturb your rest, Young Master, and said you must eat breakfast after you wake up. The Master and Madam left early this morning, but they should be returning soon."
Qiao Hezhi looked at the prepared millet porridge, stir-fried greens, and cold dishes on the table. Having cried for some time yesterday, his body was actually weary and hungry, but his mouth felt bland, and he didn't have much appetite.
Siyu perceived his Young Master's thoughts and said, "The Master personally cooked this porridge for you early this morning when he got up. Please at least try a few bites, Young Master, or else you would be wasting the Master's thoughtful gesture."
Qiao Hezhi was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. "He made it?"
"The Master said his cooking is usually unpalatable, but boiling plain porridge is something he can manage. After the porridge was done, the Master had a bowl himself and sent some to Madam before leaving."
Hearing this, a warm current flowed through Qiao Hezhi's heart. Last night, he had slept restlessly, but every time he startled awake and opened his eyes, he could hear the person holding him gently soothing him. He hadn't slept well, and it seemed Fang Yu likely hadn't slept at all.
He felt both moved and heartache. Fang Yu often said that no matter how big the matter, one must still eat. Now he finally understood the meaning behind those words. Picking up his bowl and chopsticks, he scooped up the porridge and began eating heartily.
At this point, panic and fear were useless. These past two days, Fang Yu had been holding everything together by himself. If he didn't also steel himself now, he would only distract Fang Yu and add to his burden.
After eating his fill and learning that Fang Yu and his mother had gone to seek witnesses, he prepared to go and help. Unexpectedly, Fang Yu returned first.
Fang Yu, returning to the residence and seeing that Qiao Hezhi had eaten breakfast and looked somewhat more spirited, felt considerably relieved.
"Feeling better?"
Qiao Hezhi nodded, unable to resist asking, "How are things progressing?"
"The county yamen intends to hold the hearing today, but I already have some leads." Fang Yu shared the information he had gathered. "I went out early this morning to hire a litigation master to draft the petition. Your mother personally went to find witnesses who had received the Qiao family's alms. Guess what?"
"Could it be that no one was willing to appear in court?"
Fang Yu shook his head. "The commoners who received the Qiao family's alms are very sympathetic, especially with your mother pleading personally. They are willing to testify in court even if it means dragging their sick bodies there. Many people received the alms, so there are many potential witnesses. Some of the people your mother found also received the Qiao family's alms, but show no signs of poisoning."
Qiao Hezhi immediately said anxiously, "Since they all received the alms, if this is truly related to our family, then surely not everyone would be unaffected!"
"That is a major point of doubt, strongly suggesting the source of the illness did not originate from the Qiao family." Fang Yu said, "The county yamen is rushing the hearing; I've heard they plan to proceed with the trial today. I must take the litigation master to the yamen to present our defense immediately. Otherwise, I'm afraid the yamen will hastily close the case. I have some witnesses and evidence with me, but the rest needs to be gathered by you and brought to the yamen."
Fang Yu gestured for Qiao Hezhi to lean closer and whispered instructions to him for a while.
Qiao Hezhi had many questions, but Fang Yu said, "A solid defense can be built if we have complete evidence."
"Alright, I will gather everything as quickly as possible and handle it properly."
Fang Yu handed a sealed letter to Qiao Hezhi. "If you're afraid and don't dare to deliver it, I can go deliver it first before heading to the yamen. But this must be delivered by the master of the household."
Qiao Hezhi nodded firmly. "I can do it. You go on to the county yamen with peace of mind. I will gather the evidence and come immediately."
Fang Yu ruffled his hair. Without further delay, the two set off on their separate paths.
The poisoning incident had caused a considerable stir in the city. People were anxious everywhere, fearing they might inadvertently become victims. Though the incident occurred suddenly, the yamen posted notices quickly—almost as soon as the physicians identified the poisoning, the yamen announced they had caught the perpetrator.
Qiao Xinnian was a well-known wealthy household in Yuncheng with numerous businesses. Most natives of Yuncheng knew of him. Upon learning he was the alleged perpetrator, opinions immediately diverged. Some said the Qiao family were benevolent merchants and couldn't believe they would do such a thing; others said all merchants were cunning and deceitful, and their true colors had finally shown. Overnight, the Qiao family's shops became deserted.
With such an incident, all merchants were on edge. All alms distribution sites closed overnight, and city shops that had offered discounted goods for the benefit of the people restored their original prices, fearful the incident might implicate them.
Whether people were discussing Qiao Xinnian or merchants were withdrawing to protect themselves, what angered Fang Yu the most was that many commoners actually praised the yamen for its swift efficiency in apprehending the criminal so quickly, calling it a blessing for Yuncheng's people. Seeing more and more commoners praising the yamen's official as an "upright and incorruptible official," Fang Yu couldn't help but suspect someone was intentionally steering public opinion.
Regardless of whether people thanked the yamen or condemned Qiao Xinnian, the public trial today drew a much larger crowd than usual. They all wanted to know why a seemingly charitable merchant would secretly harm the common people.
___
Yamen Backroom
"Your Honor, this case must be resolved swiftly~"
"With witnesses and material evidence present, even if he is a merchant entrenched in Yuncheng for years, so what? In the end, he is merely a lowly merchant. If this official wants him dead, he will be dead."
"Naturally, Yuncheng is under Your Honor's control. Dealing with a single merchant is trivial, especially one surnamed Qiao who has committed such a heinous crime." The private advisor cautiously added, "However, that Qiao has a son-in-law, who happens to be this year's provincial examination Jieyuan. If he comes to observe the trial, matters might not proceed so smoothly~"
Magistrate Qian, who had been adjusting his collar, glanced sideways at the advisor upon hearing this. "He has such a son-in-law? I originally intended to send an invitation to host a banquet for the Jieyuan, but heard his household was in mourning, so I refrained. I hadn't expected to encounter him in this context."
Magistrate Qian also felt the situation was troublesome. If he were just a regular juren, it wouldn't be a big deal. But a Jieyuan was trickier than an ordinary juren. If he later became an official, they might cross paths again as fellow officials. It wouldn't be wise to gain a young political enemy.
But upon second thought, someone willing to marry into a merchant family must come from humble origins, with limited connections and experience. When the time came, he could show goodwill and try to win him over. Anyone with a bit of sense likely wouldn't oppose the yamen. He said, "Since he is the son-in-law and has a promising official career ahead, he probably wouldn't want to get involved in this muddy water. He'd likely avoid it, not wanting to lose face."
"Your Honor speaks wisely."
"Enough, let's go out. It's almost time for the hearing."
Magistrate Qian straightened his sleeves and walked out from the back chamber, seating himself beneath the plaque reading "Clear Mirror and High Above" (implying impartial justice). The private advisor and the chief clerk sat to his left and right respectively.
The yamen runners lined up in two rows, striking their staves and shouting for order. Once the commotion ceased, the accused was brought in and made to kneel in the center of the hall. On the other side knelt the plaintiff. With the sharp crack of the magistrate's gavel, the trial officially commenced.
First, the identities of the plaintiff and defendant were routinely read and confirmed. Then it was time for the plaintiff to present their accusation.
Fang Yu, waiting below the hall, had yet to hear the litigation master summoned. Seeing the county magistrate skip directly over the step of verifying the litigation master's credentials and move straight to the plaintiff's presentation, he immediately raised his hand to request permission.
"You there! What are you doing? Is there an error in the information of the plaintiff or defendant?"
Magistrate Qian scanned the crowd blocking the entrance and spotted the man with his hand raised high. It was impossible to pretend not to see.
"Reporting to Your Honor, I am the litigation master for the defendant's side, requesting permission to enter the hall."
Qiao Xinnian, kneeling in the hall, heard Fang Yu's voice and slightly turned his head. Catching just a glimpse of the man, a wave of relief washed over him.
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Qian lowered his gaze and glanced at his private advisor beside him. "The Qiao family hired a litigation master this quickly?"
The advisor whispered in reply, "Your Honor, that is his son-in-law, Fang Yu."
Magistrate Qian's displeasure deepened instantly. Not only had the man shown up, but he had taken on the role of Qiao Xinnian's Litigation Master. What was worse, since he was following proper protocol to the letter, the magistrate couldn't even accuse him of disrupting the trial in order to reprimand or intimidate him.
According to the law, both plaintiff and defendant were allowed to hire litigation masters to plead on their behalf. With so many people watching, he couldn't disregard the law.
The advisor, seeing the magistrate's face darken but ultimately not refuse, announced, "Granted—the defendant's litigation master may enter the hall!"
Seeing two litigation masters step up to the defense, one being Fang Yu was one thing, but the other was actually Qin Keqi, the most famous litigation master in Yuncheng. The advisor felt uneasy, the fact that the trial was scheduled so quickly was clearly intended to give the Qiao family no breathing room, which was already against standard procedure. Though the gravity of the case provided some excuse, hiring such a skilled litigation master meant they would undoubtedly face much greater difficulty.
Exchanging a glance with the County Magistrate, the advisor said with a stern face, "Having two litigation masters for the defense will disrupt the court clerk's record-keeping. Therefore, only one of you may present arguments."
Qin Keqi glanced at Fang Yu, who gave a slight nod. "Understood," Qin Keqi said.
The advisor, stroking his mustache like the character for "eight" (八), was shrewd and cunning. "Since Fang Yu is the son-in-law of the defendant, his connection is close. You shall be the one to speak."
Upon hearing this, Qin Keqi paused. By not allowing the specialized litigation master to speak, he, having practiced law in Yuncheng for many years, immediately understood the yamen's stance from this single statement.
Having managed to practice as a litigation master in Yuncheng all these years without incident, he had his own ways. However, the litigation fees offered by the Qiao family were exceptionally high. If he simply accepted the yamen's arrangement now, it would surely cause resentment in those who had paid. Thus, he still intended to fight for the opportunity to speak; as for whether the advisor would push back, he would at least have tried.
But before he could speak, Fang Yu beside him spoke first: "We will comply entirely with the advisor's arrangement."
Seeing Fang Yu agree so readily, Qin Keqi was taken aback. He could not tell whether Fang Yu genuinely intended to defend his father-in-law or was simply performing a duty for appearance's sake.
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