Societal punishment due to norms wasn't the best framework in any law. It was never the correct way. People always thought these kinds of punishment were the best until it fell upon them.
There was no so-called fairness in the world, even worse in this particular punishment. They were based on public opinions, a tool easily manipulated by the powerful to their will.
When public anger rose and some people manipulated them to their advantage, it became scary. Such was the dark times during the medieval era when religions suppressed many dissidents or any one in doubts.
The worst example should be the eradication of the witch movement. Any women exceeding what they considered the norm were quickly judged.
Another close example was accusing the woman of adultery case. In historical records, the punishments were so appalling for the females yet none even damaged the men. Some women might be willingly doing it while others were forced.
But because the law heavily relied on the social norms rather than heeding toward fairness, it was impossible for a true judicial system to appear.
The unfair treatment was caused by the societal punishment. Based on the horrific consequences, the truth leaned toward more women wrongly accused or forced.
Ling Qingyu read so many stories about how women fought against one another and eliminated their competitors to their marriage partners. Or how the men forced the woman and got away, by simply labeling the woman as slut. They might be fiction but the event depicted the realities.
In the modern era, things got better and no longer depended too much on society views but rather on the evidence. However, some countries adhering to traditional value existed.
Traditions weren't bad but changes were meant to happen and people must adapt to an era. Staying behind based on ancient words only represented foolishness and blind faith.
Ling Qingyu abhorred social punishments, where most were controversial, hurting more innocents than the real bad. Her cheap sister's experience was the same.
The keyboard warriors and many people scolding her sister on the internet were exactly public punishment utilized by people with interest.
The public thought they were pursuing justice but in Ling Qingyu's eyes, they were a mere mascot bending to others' will without independent thinking.
Some might only be venting their burden and pressure off on the internet. This possibility couldn't be neglected.
Yang Qingyue's protection solved the problems. Officials related to Qin family could indeed continue pursuing but were afraid of the consequences if no evidence or handles were found.
With Yang Qingyue's backing, Ling Qingyu's lawsuit could even bring them down from the positions, in which they had spent thousands of hours and buckets of sweat. The losses outweighed the gains.
The only loss Ling Qingyu had was her identity and actions were now on the radar sooner than she had planned. Given the short respite, she should quickly build her foundation for the empire she dreamed of.
"When are you going to say something about your sister and the mess you made recently?" Yang Qingyue said, as she lightly grasped Ling Qingyu's hand. "Are you preparing to hide anything? Or you just don't trust me?"
"Of course not, Sister Yang. I plan to tell you later." Ling Qingyu patted the policewoman's hand and reassured her. "I'm not sure of your action until you speak now. But I promise to tell everything when we're alone."
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"You better be." Yang Qingyue scolded and smiled. "I don't like you choosing this path."
Ling Qingyu sighed and shook her head in dismay. "Sometimes, we don't have the so-called path. Situation drives us." She said. "You have to understand—when you fight demons, you become a demon yourself. It's just whether your self-control has the final victory that matters."
"Stop your preachings. Whether it's useful or beneficial, I just don't like it when someone breaks rules." Yang Qingyue quickly added seeing Ling Qingyu open her lips. "And don't say rules are meant to be broken again."
"Okay, I won't say that, as you wish." Ling Qingyu affirmed Yang Qingyue's words. "Don't worry, my actions are all for righteousness though my methods are questionable my goals remain firm and strict to my values. And Sister Yang should know mine very clearly."
"You always have thousands of excuses for your actions." Yang Qingyue said, depressed, smacking her forehead. "When will I ever win an argument with you?"
Ling Qingyu smiled gently. With Miss System's training, you're impossible in this life.
Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue rolled their eyes at Ling Qingyu's heartwarming moment.
Ling Yunxiang and Zhao Xiurong exchanged glances in a strange atmosphere. The former understood what was going on but the latter was confused. Why she comprehended every word but none of them made any sense?
She hoped she felt wrong—everyone except her knew what was happening to President Ling.