Chapter 144: An Unexpected Surprise

Chapter 144: An Unexpected Surprise

"Old Lady Yang spoils her nephew from her maiden family, but that nephew is a bottomless pit of disappointment. Sister-in-law's tough times seem never-ending."

"The root of the problem is Old Lady Yang and that nephew."

Hearing this, the middle-aged woman felt a wave of bitterness.

These days really seem hopeless.

"Abortion medicine?"

After a moment of self-pity, the middle-aged woman caught the main point, "What does the noble lady mean?"

Lu Mingchao raised her eyebrows, eyes widening, "Sister-in-law didn't know?"

"Today, the county magistrate summoned Old Lady Yang to ask if she had bought abortion medicine at town clinics on the ninth day of the fourth month four years ago."

"When I first said I was here to find Old Lady Yang, Sister-in-law's face changed. I thought Sister-in-law knew about it."

The middle-aged woman shook her head in confusion, murmuring, "Before my mother-in-law left, she only said the county magistrate summoned her to ask about Cheng Zhi's usual behavior."

Lu Mingchao slightly curved her lips, speaking gently, "Maybe Old Lady Yang didn't want Sister-in-law to worry, so she kept it vague."

"Speaking of which, maybe I didn't need to come here."

"Under Daqian law, false testimony leading to wrongful conviction is punished based on reciprocal punishment."

"I accused the Cheng family father and daughter of slander and defamation. Slander and framing are punishable by thirty to one hundred lashes, and in severe cases, two years of exile."

"Old Lady Yang isn't young. Dozens of lashes could kill her. She wouldn't dare lie under oath. I was just desperate about my brother's illness and acted rashly."

"However, it wasn't entirely unnecessary. At least I learned Sister-in-law's life is hard, and I feel for her."

"Every family has its own problems. I don't know when my brother will be cleared. If someone can prove my brother's innocence, I'll reward them well."

"It's difficult."

"Sister-in-law, everyone has their own struggles."

The middle-aged woman's eyes flickered, brow furrowed, as if thinking.

After a while, the middle-aged woman made up her mind, "When my mother-in-law gets back, I'll ask her again for the noble lady. Maybe she's old and gets confused easily."

As she spoke, the middle-aged woman leaned closer, lowering her voice, "Noble lady, four years ago, that gambling addict once bragged he wanted Master Cheng's daughter to warm his bed. However, this didn't happen in the fourth month, but at the beginning of spring, around the third month."

"The noble lady might as well question that gambling addict."

"The noble lady is well-versed in Daqian law. Could you inform me about the relevant laws?"

Lu Mingchao remained composed, "Daqian emphasizes that among all evils, lust is the foremost, and among all virtues, filial piety is the primary."

"Those who commit adultery, both men and women, are exiled for one and a half years. If one is married, the punishment is increased by one degree."

"The crime of seduction is punishable by one hundred lashes and three years of exile."

"The crime of coercion is punishable by one hundred lashes and exile of a thousand miles. In cases of severe impact, the punishment is hanging."

"Knowing the law's severity on this, I'm especially worried about my brother's situation. I don't know where my brother offended Miss Cheng, making her relentlessly accuse him of seducing her."

"My family has a bit of property, and my brother is both handsome and diligent. He shouldn’t have trouble finding a beautiful and virtuous wife. How could he be so dumb as to trick Miss Cheng?"

These two sentences kept repeating in the middle-aged woman’s mind.

According to the law, slander and false accusations are punishable by thirty to one hundred canings, and in serious cases with major social consequences, two years of exile follow the caning.

The crime of sexual coercion is punishable by one hundred canings and exile of a thousand miles, with death by hanging in extreme cases.

This law is really something.

Indeed, when the law is applied correctly, it can truly resolve worries and difficulties.

"As they say, the truth will out. Your brother will be fine."

"I’ll also help you inquire further. If there’s any news, where should I look for you?"

"Changhe County, Chaofu Grain Shop," Lu Mingchao said softly.

Because she countered in time, the matter between Lu Lei and Cheng Zhi had not yet affected Chaofu Grain Shop, and public opinion had shifted to Cheng Zhi’s moral corruption.

Thus, Chaofu Grain Shop stayed unscathed.

The middle-aged woman’s eyes lit up like she’d struck gold. "Chaofu Grain Shop!"

Chaofu Grain Shop was indeed a gold ingot!

She was set on making this connection.

"Then I’ll trouble you, Madam. If the news helps reveal the truth about the deception, there’ll be a generous reward."

"It’s getting late. I need to find other evidence to prove my brother’s innocence."

"I won’t disturb you any longer."

"Safe travels, honored guest." The middle-aged woman bowed deeply.

For the silver and the good news.

"Honey!"

"Honey!"

In the alley, the middle-aged woman’s joyful voice was clearly heard.

Lu Mingchao pulled her cloak tighter and lifted her chin slightly. "A Yan, how did I do?"

Xie Yan smiled. "Mingchao, you’ve steadily taken control of the situation. That woman is already moved."

"Every family has its own cross to bear, and this difficulty is the weakest point, the shortest plank."

"Miss Cheng and Old Lady Yang’s nephew must have had something happen between them, otherwise he wouldn’t have considered marriage."

Lu Mingchao nodded. "It’s a real mess."

"In tiny Lotus Town, the daughter of a local tutor could actually stir up so much trouble with so many people."

"Sometimes, I can’t tell if my brother’s lucky or unlucky."

Xie Yan replied without hesitation. "It’s definitely good luck."

With Mingchao, it’s the greatest stroke of luck.

"Will that woman put in her full effort?"

As an observer, Xie Yan could see clearly that the woman was not resolute.

Lu Mingchao said firmly, "She will."

"She’s got no other option."

"She’s put up with it for over a decade, and her life has only gone downhill."

"Most importantly, her daughter is about to reach marriageable age, and Old Lady Yang’s nephew is still a despised old bachelor."

"A granddaughter could carry on the Yang family bloodline, and Old Lady Yang wouldn’t hesitate at all."

"That’s a mismatch in generations," Xie Yan blurted out.

Lu Mingchao’s voice was cold, "So, Old Lady Yang has another option: sell her granddaughter to get money to buy a wife for that good-for-nothing gambler, or even arrange a direct marriage exchange."

"Whether it’s for her future or her daughter’s sake, she’ll go above and beyond what we expect."

"This could turn out to be an unexpected boon, a win-win for everyone."

Lu Mingchao absently rubbed her fingers, knowing that Lu Lei’s release from prison was not far off.

She had a gut feeling that Old Lady Yang might hold something truly surprising.

"Let’s hold off on tracking down that gambler for now, so we don’t tip him off. Just arrange for someone to keep an eye on him temporarily, making sure he doesn’t kick the bucket at the wrong time."

"Let’s sit tight and wait for good news."

Xie Yan pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, then made up his mind, "Mingchao, I want to personally look into whether the second young master of the Sun family has any hidden gems."

"Shu Yuan’s hidden guards are capable, but they’re still greenhorns."

Lu Mingchao blinked, "A Yan, getting impatient?"

A Yan’s killing instinct was sharp, precise, and merciless.

Their eyes met, and Xie Yan was straightforward, "That’s only part of it."

"The second reason is that I know Mingchao wants to sink her roots as deep as she can and spread her branches as far as possible."

Well, the main reason is that he was really put off by it.

Good news is on its way.