Chapter 251: A Case of Mistaken Identity

Chapter 251: A Case of Mistaken Identity

Yu Sanbao solemnly thanked the constable, took the constable's hand, and slipped a silver ingot into it. In a low voice, he said, "Brother, I owe you and Xie Second Brother for this. Can you tell me more about what actually happened?"

He gave a bitter smile. "We've known each other for so long, and you know what kind of person my Huai Geer is. There's no way he would do something like this..."

The constable tucked the silver into his sleeve and lowered his voice. "I believe in Huai Geer, but the problem is, the woman was screaming for help in the room. The innkeeper heard it and reported it to the authorities. When they arrived, they saw Huai Geer and the woman lying naked on the floor, with Huai Geer on top of her. His face was covered in bloody scratches. The woman was crying and cursing him as a beast... Xie Second Brother didn't want to believe it either, but it was a clear case of catching the perpetrator red-handed. He had no choice but to arrest Huai Geer and take him to the yamen."

The constable, noticing Yu Sanbao's expression, spoke even more quietly.

Yu Sanbao, who had been confident that Huai Geer would never do such a thing, now became even more certain that someone had set his nephew up after hearing the constable's description.

He took a deep breath and asked the constable, "Do you know when the Magistrate plans to try Huai Geer's case?"

The constable lowered his voice again. "Our magistrate said tomorrow... Third Master Yu, you need to act quickly."

Yu Sanbao nodded and thanked the constable.

After the constable left, Yu Sanbao took some silver and bribed the jailer to get some information.

The jailer, who knew Yu Sanbao, didn't say much and led him into a jail cell, advising, "You have at most the time it takes to burn an incense stick. Any longer, and I'll be in trouble."

Huai Geer was in an inner jail cell. When Yu Sanbao approached, Huai Geer's eyes were still vacant as he leaned against the wall.

"Huai Geer!"

Yu Sanbao called out in a low, urgent voice.

Huai Geer, as if suddenly snapping back to reality, rushed to the bars, his face pale. He was trembling with agitation. "Third Uncle... Third Uncle... I didn't do it!"

Yu Sanbao reached through the bars, took Huai Geer's hand, and said, "Third Uncle believes you. Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Huai Geer, his face pale, recounted everything to Yu Sanbao in detail. "...Later, I felt a stinging pain on my face and woke up. But then I realized I was on top of someone, and the constables rushed in to arrest me..."

Huai Geer's voice was trembling.

Yu Sanbao immediately understood. Huai Geer had been drugged!

At only fourteen or fifteen years old, Huai Geer had lived in Nan Tuo Village for the past decade and had never encountered such dirty, despicable tricks!

He acted with good intentions, believing he was rescuing someone!

Instead, someone drugged him and threw him in jail!

"Third Uncle... Third Uncle..." Huai Geer said, dejected. "Am I just too foolish?"

Yu Sanbao felt a deep pang of sorrow.

Kids have to grow up and lose their innocence, but this price was too steep!

"Don't worry. Since this is the case, Third Uncle will definitely get you out," Yu Sanbao promised solemnly.

After leaving the jail, Yu Sanbao thought for a moment and decided he needed to see Grandfather Liu.

He headed to the Liu family villa, but heard that Grandfather Liu had gone to their village to visit Ah Wu.

Yu Sanbao immediately rode back to Nan Tuo Village.

Wei Pozi had been coughing lately. Yu Sanbao didn't dare tell her what had happened, worried it might worsen her condition.

He went to find Grandfather Liu, who was discussing vegetable planting techniques with Yu Laotou in the courtyard. "Old Master, I have something I need your help with."

Yu Laotou seemed hesitant. "Third son, what is it? Do you really have to trouble Grandfather Liu?"

Yu Sanbao laughed it off. "Dad, I'll keep this confidential for now. Let me discuss it with Old Master first."

Grandfather Liu was also curious.

In all the years of the marriage alliance between the Yu family and his own, the Yu family had never used his status to get things done.

This was the first time they had come to him for help.

Grandfather Liu and Yu Sanbao went to a secluded spot where no one could overhear them.

After Yu Sanbao explained the situation, Grandfather Liu understood immediately and looked concerned. "Huai Ge'er has been set up... Don't worry about this. I'll send someone to give a note to the Magistrate, asking him to handle the case more carefully and not to torture Huai Ge'er for now."

Yu Sanbao was very grateful. "Old Master, I appreciate your help... Also, can you not tell my parents for now? My mother is still coughing, and I'm afraid if she gets too worried, her condition might worsen."

Grandfather Liu, who always appreciated filial piety, nodded in agreement. "Of course."

Yu Sanbao bowed deeply. "Thank you, Old Master."

Grandfather Liu clicked his tongue and waved his hand. "Get up. Our Yu and Liu families are now in-laws, practically one family. If you're this polite again, don't blame me for using my cane to drive you out!"

Yu Sanbao knew that Grandfather Liu was only saying this jokingly and smiled gratefully at him.

Yu Sanbao's tense expression finally relaxed after half a day.

Grandfather Liu's note was still quite effective. The Magistrate, who had originally planned to try the case the next day, delayed it by three days using the pretext of "insufficient evidence."

During these three days, Constable Xie uncovered some important details.

It turned out that a wandering criminal known for his lustful crimes had passed through Mapo County. Seeing Yi Wen's beauty and her solitary living situation, he developed evil intentions and drugged her tea. But by a twist of fate, Huai Ge'er ended up drinking it instead...

Regardless, the fact remained that Huai Ge'er had wronged Yi Wen.

Yu Sanbao was dumbfounded when he heard the result.

This... Was it really just a coincidence?

Grandfather Liu sat in the hall, looking troubled. "The Magistrate has sent a message, suggesting we think carefully about this misunderstanding. Since Huai Ge'er had no intention of committing a crime, perhaps he could marry Miss Yi Wen and take responsibility for the situation. The Magistrate would then help persuade Miss Yi Wen to withdraw her complaint."

Yu Sanbao frowned. *Marriage can't be arranged so casually!*

But after frowning, Yu Sanbao seriously considered the possibility.

By now, it wasn’t wise to keep it from the family any longer.

There were two things that couldn't be hidden during these three days when Huai Ge'er was in trouble.

The first was Bai Ge'er and the others.

Yu Sanbao had already asked Bai Ge'er and the others to help cover up for a few days—it was normal for Huai Ge'er to be away from Nan Tuo Village for a couple of days, but if he didn't return to the small courtyard in the county seat where he lived with his three younger brothers, they would notice something was wrong on the very first day.

The second was the old Taoist priest.

Before the truth of the matter had been uncovered, Yu Sanbao had gone to the old Taoist priest to ask for leave for Huai Ge'er, saying there were family matters that required his attention for a few days.

The old Taoist priest had been quite understanding and didn’t say much, only reminding Yu Sanbao to tell Huai Ge'er to practice for half an hour daily, even if he wasn’t on the mountain.