Chapter 24 - Witness

An abrupt voice suddenly arose, interrupting the discussion at just the right moment. Imperial Censor Wang, with a wave of his hand, ordered, “Bring her in!”

The person who had interrupted was led in by the bailiff. She was a servant girl finely dressed in a lady’s attire. After she came in, she bowed down low as she spoke eloquently “To answer Daren, I have come forward to confirm that Miss Jiang has been framed.”

“Please elaborate and explain yourself.” Imperial Censor Wang hurriedly replied.

The servant girl lifted her head, revealing a round cherubic look of innocence. It was Lu Zhu, who was once acquainted with Lian Qiao. Scratching her head as she proceeded to answer, “The night when Chen Zhao informed everyone of Chun Ying jiejie’s death, I was coming from the outer courtyard carrying in the laundry and went past Miss Jiang’s courtyard. At that time, I was rather spooked because I heard some strange noise coming out from the well, but later thought it to be merely the sound of a cat calling and did not bother to investigate further.” Lu Zhu took a moment to recollect, “However, at that time, I had wanted to look for Lian Qiao jiejie to have a chat, but there was no one in the house. Thus, Miss Jiang was nowhere near the courtyard, and therefore, she could not have been the one to throw Chun Ying jiejie’s corpse into the well.”

Lu Zhu had just finished her testimony when another voice was heard from outside, “I can also vouch for Miss Jiang. This servant encountered Chen Zhao out on the street that day. At that time, it was getting late in the evening and Chen Zhao was making haste and looked rather frenetic. Initially, I did not grasp what was happening, but thinking back now, I am afraid to say that he might have murdered someone and was hoping to cast this bucket of dirty water onto Miss Jiang[1].”

[1] To cast a bucket of dirty water – to deflect and misdirect the culpability onto someone else.

This time, it was Xiao Yuan who had spoken up.

The whole situation had been completely overturned, with many more testimonies arising and pointing towards Chen Zhao. Chen Zhao was utterly baffled and had never thought that at such a time as this, so many servants would appear pointing their fingers and giving testimonies against him. All his thoughts were in chaos. As he apprehensively looked towards Jiang Ruan, he was in total disbelief. He was absolutely confounded as to when Jiang Ruan had both the means and opportunity to bribe all of these servants.

On one end, there was Chen Zhao who was in a state of confusion and disarray, and on the other end, Zhang Lan was beside herself becoming completely frantic. She desperately broke through the barricades to enter the court, with her foul mouth cursing and swearing all the while. With the situation being at such a diabolical life and death stage, she had absolutely no regard for any particular status or station in life anymore. There was an outpouring of profanity as she continued to lambast Jian Ruan with finger pointing and oblique accusations. Those standing around repeatedly cast sidelong glances towards the Jiang Family’s young lady who appeared to not only be indifferent, but nor did she seem to have taken to heart that she was being dishonored, and for this they could not help but admire her stance.

Qian Wan Li was able to get a handle on the situation and knew that, today, Chen Zhao would not obtain his intended outcome. No one knew if Jiang Ruan was just plain lucky, or if she was backed by someone influential who made it possible for her to turn a dire situation around and escape unscathed. He looked towards Imperial Censor Wang and said, “Daren, if you would just….”

Imperial Censor Wang waved his hand, addressing, “Qiu Yan, you said that you have witnessed Chen Zhao murdering someone. Then, do you have any evidence to support your testimony?”

At this, Chen Zhao released a sigh of relief. He was very sure that he had been meticulous that day and had in no way left any loose ends or traces. Even if someone was sent to investigate, there would be nothing that could implicate him.

Qiu Yan nodded, “I do.”

Chen Zhao was flabbergasted, and Imperial Censor Wang questioned, “What is the evidence?”

“In reply to Daren’s question, at that time your humble servant saw Chen Zhao strangling Chun Ying’s neck, and Chun Ying was probably attempting to fight for her life when she retaliated and scratched Chen Zhao on his neck. So if Daren would check for any scratch marks on Chen Zhao’s neck and also examine under Chun Ying’s fingernails for signs of blood, then the truth will eventually be revealed.

Chen Zhao was taken aback, unconsciously grabbing his neck. Imperial Censor Wang, without any further hesitation and with a wave of his hand, commanded the bailiff, “Come forward to examine Chen Zhao.”

Chen Zhao wanted to put up a struggle, but physically he was no match for the court officers who very quickly subdued him. Li Mi came forward to assess and verify before reporting back to Imperial Censor Wang, “To respond to Daren, there is definitely evidence of scratches.”

Imperial Censor Wang nodded, “Guards, go check under Chun Ying’s fingernails for any evidence of blood.”

Chen Zhao, knowing that the situation had taken a turn for the worst, collapsed to the ground. Almost immediately the guard returned from examining Chun Ying’s fingers and reported that there was indeed traces of blood under her fingernails.

Then, Imperial Censor Wang bellowed, “Such audacity you have, Chen Zhao. You have murdered a person and tried to silence any witnesses. You’ve tried to both get rid of the corpse and destroy evidence. Furthermore, you’ve tried to implicate and mislead by putting the blame on another person. A thief shouting the capture to catch the thief, this is just preposterous! Well now, we have witnesses and physical evidence that are irrefutable, so now do you confess to your crimes?”

In a frenzy, Chen Zhao got on his knees and kowtowed. As he kowtowed, he called out, “Daren, have mercy, Daren, have mercy, this humble person had a moment of confusion, no, it was a moment of error. I did not intend to kill her, but when she started to threaten me, I was consumed by anger. It was not intentional, so Daren, please have mercy on me…”

Zhang Lan, having watched the whole scene unfold from outside the court, felt her vision gradually turn black before fainting in the midst of the crowd.

Imperial Censor Wang instructed the guards to take Chen Zhao into custody and escort him to a prison cell. For the court investigation to arrive at such an outcome, was liken to emerging from a somber period. The common folks of East Street had not encountered such an exciting and intriguing case in a long time. It was not just the fact that the family’s son had committed a crime, but to add to it, he had incited trouble and shifted the blame onto someone else- going so far as to implicate and lay charges against an innocent young lady. This was absolutely reprehensible and he was truly guilty of the crime.

But, just when everyone thought that the case had come to a close, suddenly, an untimely sound was heard. The bailiff came forward to report, “Daren, someone else has just beaten the drum of justice.”

“What, another grievance?” Qian Wan Li almost forgot to stand up, however casting a glance towards Imperial Censor Wang, he could only feel even more diffident. He did not know why today of all days there would be someone beating the drum of justice. From Imperial Censor Wang’s perspective, it would reflect back on his [Qian Wan Li’s] incompetency to govern, and thus, resulting in so many judicial issues. Coming to such a conclusion, Qian Wan Li knew in his heart that he had to be prepared for every kind of eventuality. So without much ado, he resolutely called forth, “Bring the person in!”

The person who was brought in was yet another servant and after seeing this, the crowd could not resist commenting and discussing- indeed what was it about this day, all the grievances were brought forward by servants.

When the servant was brought forward, Imperial Censor Wang inquired, “Please state your grievance.”

The servant kowtowed before answering, “In response to Daren, I am seeking justice on behalf of our family’s young lady.”

“Who is this young lady of yours?” Qian Wan Li asked out of curiosity.

“My family’s young lady is none other than Miss Jiang Ruan.”

Jiang Ruan looked at Lian Qiao and smiled, Lian Qiao also smiled back. Her eyes appeared to blaze red, as she turned and kowtowed to Imperial Censor Wang, “Can this servant be so bold as to ask Daren a question? If a servant was mistreating her master, to the extent of deliberately conspiring to plot the demise of said master, what should be done in such an instance?”

Imperial Censor Wang tilted his neck, mulling, “The county has the state laws, while families have their familial laws, and the governance of servants does fall under the familial laws. In saying that, with regards to the law, familial laws are derived from the state law, and premeditation to take a life is a severe crime and will definitely be punished accordingly.

“Good.” Lian Qiao nodded, “Then, Daren, I would like to seek justice on behalf of my young lady, and file a lawsuit against Zhang Lan and her son. My lady has stayed in the residence for five years and has been made to suffer hardships under tyrannical oppression. She has been treated worse than the servants of the household. Zhang Lan and her family have taken advantage of my lady’s goodness, seizing all her assets and properties, while mistreating and abusing her at every turn. During the coldest time of the year, nine days after the winter solstice when it is the coldest, they would make her go up into the mountain to gather and chop firewood. On cold, wintry days, they would instruct her to head down to the river to wash clothes. She was given plain bread and water for food, and for winter, a coat that was merely made out of a thin quilt. In the five years that my lady has lived in the residence, she has not once had a full meal, and not once has she lived a good day. She has to sew her own clothes and linens, and make a living through her embroidery work. She has been forced to live in such poor conditions, cohabitating with rats and rodents, and even eating ants and critters for survival. Even when she was sick, there wasn’t any medication to aid her recovery. Essentially she has been a grass left to wither and die.

Lian Qiao’s earnest entreaty moved the hearts of those, who had congregated, to the point of tears. There were some soft hearted ladies whose hearts were breaking upon hearing the plight of this young genteel lady, and they began to rebuke Zhang Lan and her family for their treacherous acts. Even those who were affluent could not help but sigh, as even the life of a child from an ordinary household would be better off than what Jiang Ruan had to endure.

However, Lian Qiao was still not done with her plea. She raised her head, “Even if we don’t quibble about those mundane things, as servants, we can only lament to the heavens for being unfair and simply accept our fate. However, there should be consequences for taking a life – a life for a life. Even if it was accidental, there has to be a price to be paid for such actions. Chen Zhao has dragged my lady through the mud, setting her up to take the the fall for murder. It is indeed by a stroke of luck that my lady was gifted, and able to escape from the jaws of death. Please, Daren, impart justice for my lady. Please punish these evil and devious miscreants.