Chapter 64: Beating the Drum to Appeal for Justice

Chapter 64: Beating the Drum to Appeal for Justice

No matter what, she had firmly taken the moral high ground and was determined to stand her ground.

Outside the county office, Lu Mingchao threw the stainless steel basin and rolling pin into Xie Yan's arms and struck the drum to appeal for justice.

Upon receiving the news from the officers, the county magistrate was completely dumbfounded.

The second young master of the Sun family had truly bitten off more than he could chew this time.

The victim had walked all the way, beating gongs and drums, drawing a large crowd of onlookers.

The officers routinely tried to lead Lu Mingchao into the second hall.

Trials in the second hall rarely allowed public observation.

Once inside the second hall, the magistrate would naturally decide right from wrong.

Lu Mingchao pursed her lips, tightly gripping the drumstick in her hand, and spoke clearly, "This humble citizen respectfully requests that the magistrate summon all officials and hold a fair trial in the main hall."

The momentum she had built must not be lost once the doors closed.

The officer was taken aback and frowned, "This is against the rules."

"The main hall is reserved for major or critical cases."

"Does it only become a major event after the second young master of the Sun family retaliates by killing my entire family?" Lu Mingchao retorted.

"As far as I know, cases of injustice serve to educate the public and can also be held in the main hall."

"Or is it that the county office's doors face south, and only those with money are welcome?"

"This humble citizen believes in the magistrate's integrity, impartiality, and commitment to upholding justice in Changhe County, which is why I dared to beat the drum of injustice outside the county office."

"I know that compared to Sun, I am powerless and have nothing to rely on except the magistrate's fairness."

"I seek nothing but justice in the light of day."

"I beseech the magistrate to hold the trial in the main hall."

As Lu Mingchao finished speaking, the surrounding crowd cheered in support, amplifying her momentum.

Perhaps not just for Lu Mingchao, but for their own sake as well.

The second young master of the Sun family had a notorious record, having defiled the reputations of many women.

Although a woman's virtue is never determined by her skirt.

In this era, a woman's virtue and chastity were tied to her skirt.

The officer frowned deeply as he scrutinized Lu Mingchao.

He had seen victims consumed by grief and hatred.

He had also seen victims who were despairing, numb, and timid.

But he had never seen a victim as calm and composed as the young woman standing before him.

The young woman was unusual, and the man beside her was even more so.

The young woman, bold and eloquent, was met with admiration, adoration, and respect in the eyes of men.

Like a steadfast mountain, he willingly stood behind her.

Lu Mingchao sensed no malice in the officer's gaze and let him look her over.

The crowd chanted, "Open the court! Open the court! Open the court!" with raised arms.

The magistrate, startled by the grievance drum, knew further delay would only fuel the people's chant: "The yamen gates face south, and without money, justice is hard to come by."

Opening the court meant he could no longer turn a blind eye out of respect for the Sun family's patriarch.

But now, he was caught between a rock and a hard place.

The magistrate nodded to the clerk, who promptly announced, "The court is now in session!"

Lu Mingchao entered the yamen gates as the crowd waited outside, hoping for justice to prevail.

"Who stands accused before this court?"

The magistrate was stunned to see the bloodied thugs and the second young master of the Sun family, pale and sweating, clutching his groin.

"I am Lu Mingchao of Changxi Village, and this is my husband."

"We accuse the second young master of the Sun family of kidnapping, bullying the weak, and showing no regard for human life."

Lu Mingchao's voice rang out clear and strong, carrying to every corner of the crowd.

She then clearly and logically recounted the two times the second young master of the Sun family had tried to harm her.

"Commoners don't challenge merchants, and merchants don't challenge officials."

"I wanted peace, but the second young master of the Sun family crossed the line, trying again and again to kill my husband and me."

"I refuse to accept this!"

"Just because I'm a commoner, should I be crushed like an ant under the second young master's heel?"

"As a citizen of Daqian, don't I deserve even the most basic rights?"

"I implore the magistrate to conduct a thorough investigation!"

The magistrate frowned, gavel in hand, as the name Lu Mingchao rang a faint bell.

This familiarity made the magistrate tread carefully.

"Sun Zhipeng, how do you plead?"

The second young master of the Sun family cried out, "I need my father! I need a doctor!"

The thought of becoming a cripple terrified him.

The magistrate slammed the gavel and demanded, "Do you have any defense against Lu's accusations?"

"If not, how do you plead?"

As the gavel fell, the second young master of the Sun family relived the moment the broken rod struck him.

"Guilty!" he cried. "I plead guilty!"

Lu Mingchao and Xie Yan were still standing unharmed in the county office; at most, he could be considered for attempted assault, not enough to warrant a death sentence.

The Sun family never lacks money.

"Your Honor, I plead guilty."

Outside the county office, the eldest son of the Sun family hurried over, and the plea of guilt clearly reached his ears.

"Do you have anything else to say?" In full view of the public, the magistrate followed the procedure to question the servant boy and the thugs.

The thugs were speechless; since the second young master of the Sun family had already pleaded guilty, what room was there for them to argue?

Magistrate: I have never handled such a straightforward case, nor have I seen such cooperative suspects.

The magistrate struck the gavel again with force, announced in a solemn and dignified tone: "Regarding the case of Lu Mingchao accusing Sun Zhipeng, after thorough investigation by this official, the facts of the case are now clear, and the evidence is conclusive and sufficient. The defendant Sun Zhipeng indeed had the intent to commit murder and has caused..."

Lu Mingchao interjected, "Lu Mingchao's reputation has been tarnished, and she has endured great mental anguish and torment, with injuries to her limbs."

Magistrate: How considerate.

The magistrate, with a serious expression, continued to pronounce the verdict: "Considering that Sun Zhipeng has caused minor injuries to Lu Mingchao and severely damaged her reputation, causing an extremely negative impact, and taking into account that his actions constitute attempted murder, this court has decided to sentence him to two years in prison and order him to bear full compensation."

"Lu Mingchao, are you content?"

"Sun Zhipeng, do you accept this judgment?"

With so many people watching, favoritism and bending the law are out of the question.

As a magistrate, one must maintain an appearance of integrity and dignity.

At most, some leniency can be granted in private.

Lu Mingchao nodded, "Your Honor is just."

Then, she sighed softly, "Behind the second young master of the Sun family lies the vast Sun family. Even if in the future the Sun family, to vent today's anger, secretly eliminates my family, I will still remember Your Honor's just judgment today."

"Not just me, but also the countless people outside the county office will remember."

Magistrate: ...

The eldest son of the Sun family: ...

With these words, the Sun family would have to tread carefully in any private maneuvers, at least not to be criticized.

Lu Mingchao stood up, squeezing out two tears at the corners of her eyes for show.

As Lu Mingchao turned to leave the county office and exchanged pleasantries with the people waiting outside, the magistrate finally recalled where he had heard the name before.

The eldest son of the Sun family.