Chapter 46 - 046 Solving the Problem of the Marriage Book
Chapter 46: Chapter 046 Solving the Problem of the Marriage Book
Chapter 46 -046 Solving the Problem of the Marriage Book
In the gap when the officer went to arrest people, Bai Zepei and County Chief Li had a friendly chat.
County Chief Li asked Bai Zepei some questions, found that he was well-versed in classics and literature, and found him strikingly impressive, hence sparked the idea of making an acquaintance.
“We do seem to have hit it off.
I am older than you, so why don’t you just call me ‘Brother Li’, and I’ll call you ‘Junior Brother Bai’?” said County Chief Li Shunsheng.
Bai Zepei quickly bowed to County Chief Li, saying, “Obedience is better than politeness, Brother Li.”
“Good, good, Junior Brother Bai is sincerely forthright,” Li Shunsheng laughed heartily.
At this time, the officer had brought the people to the main hall.
Upon hearing the report, County Chief Li took Bai Zepei from the backyard to the main hall.
The interrogation went very smoothly.
Cao LeSheng and Wang LaiDi were terrified as soon as they entered the public hall.
Once County Chief Li threatened, “Would you like to be honest after being beaten with twenty paddles?”, they confessed everything truthfully.
After Cao LeSheng confessed, he glared at Wang LaiDi angrily and yelled, “It was this woman who seduced me and made me do this!
She said that the woman from the Bai family always bullied her, but she never mentioned that her brother is a student.
This jinx wants to get me killed!”
Li Shunsheng slammed a courtroom wooden block, “Silence, both of you!
Your adultery has already corrupted social morals, even so, you dare to falsely accuse an innocent woman of being a mistress and attempt to frame a promising scholar.
The court will absolutely not tolerate this behavior, which only encourages bad customs.
Each of you will be punished with twenty strokes of the heavy paddle and will each have to pay a fine of five taels of silver.”
“Spare me, sir!
I confess my guilt!” cried Cao LeSheng, his screams resembling those of a butchered pig, but they couldn’t cover up the smacking sounds of the paddle hitting his flesh.
It was summer, the season for light clothing, so there was hardly any clothing to cushion the blows.
The punishment was genuinely severe.
Wang LaiDi had it even worse.
She had never suffered such torment before.
She kept screaming, insisting that she was innocent as she hadn’t killed Bai Ruozhu and that it wasn’t a severe crime.
County Chief Li gave a cold hum, signaled the officer who was administering the punishment.
Understanding, the officer hit her even harder.
Wang LaiDi screamed a few more times, then fainted.
“If you had caused someone’s death, twenty paddles wouldn’t suffice.
It would have been a capital offense,” Li Shunsheng said coldly.
Bai Zepei remained composed throughout, his gaze toward Wang LaiDi was cold.
He was very glad he had intervened today.
He was utterly intolerant of malicious women like Wang LaiDi, who still showed no remorse at this stage.
She felt that not having killed his sister was not a serious crime, but she had threatened two lives, of Bai Ruozhu and her unborn child.
Cao LeSheng’s mother and wife had rushed over and cried when they saw him being beaten so badly.
Cao Sunshi obediently paid the five taels of silver, then had someone help carry Cao LeSheng home.
But Wang LaiDi was not so lucky.
The officer stopped Cao Sunshi and asked, “Are you not going to take care of your niece?”
Cao Sunshi spat vehemently, “What kind of rotten niece?
I don’t recognize this jinx!” After that, she looked at her son with a mix of pain and regret on her face.
Had she known, she would never have let Wang LaiDi associate with her family.
She really brought disaster to her son.
Wang LaiDi was having a rough time.
No one came for her, nor did anyone pay the fine for her.
Li Shunsheng issued an order for her to be imprisoned and notified her birth family to claim her.
Outside the county government office, a young man stood amongst the rowdy spectators.
His brows were deeply furrowed, seemingly irritated.
A young servant gently reminded him, “Young Master, the victim is Madame Bai from the Bai Family.”
“I know, I just didn’t expect there to be such malicious people,” Du Zhongshu replied softly, he snorted coldly and then left the onlookers.
He couldn’t help but think of Bai Ruozhu’s determination to strive for her family.
Such a resilient woman who has faced so much adversity had to face such calamity.
As for Wang LaiDi, even if she did not like them, considering they were expecting a child, she should not have caused such trouble.
The Cao family’s endorsement of such behavior is utterly unforgivable!
A spark appeared in Du Zhongshu’s eyes, absolutely unforgivable!
In the days following, news broke that the Cao family grocery store was selling counterfeit goods and making deceptive substitutions.
Coupled with the opening of a new grocery store that sold better goods at more affordable prices, the Cao family business plummeted and they couldn’t continue in Anyuan Town.
Of course, these were events of the future.
Bai Zepei thanked County Chief Li and was about to leave when he remembered something.
He bowed to Li again, saying, “Brother Li, I am afraid I have another favor to ask.”
“Go ahead.” The cheers from the common people outside brought great joy to County Chief Li.
As the acting county official, being praised as a “just official” by the common people could prove beneficial to his future promotions or transfers.
“Originally, after my younger sister married her husband, they were to go to the county government office to handle their marriage papers.
But before they arrived, my brother-in-law had an accident.
So, I would like to get a supplementary marriage certificate for them to avoid any improper gossips.” Bai Zepei remembered this issue today when Bai Ruozhu mentioned the fake wife’s request to see the marriage certificate – if there was no marriage certificate, there could be future troubles.
However, Bai Zepei didn’t realize that his action today would bring significant trouble to Bai Ruozhu in the future.
“This…” County Chief Li showed a troubled expression, “Without the groom, issuing a marriage certificate might be problematic.
However, if there is a token from the engagement, the registration can proceed.”
Bai Zepei’s face lit up, “When my brother-in-law got married, he gave my sister a family heirloom, a jade pendant, as a token.
I will bring it to the county government office tomorrow.”
“That won’t be a problem then, but your sister also needs to come.” the County Chief said.
“Alright, I will come to visit again tomorrow.” After saying that, Bai Zepei bid County Chief Li farewell and left the county government office.
Bai Ruozhu learned about the events at the government office after Bai Zepei returned home.
Bai Zepei told her in detail how County Chief Li had adjudicated the case and about getting a supplementary marriage certificate for her.
“Your thoughtfulness is appreciated, second brother.
Tomorrow, I’ll accompany you to the government office, and we can resolve the marriage certificate issue,” Bai Ruozhu agreed, nodding her head.
The elderly Bai couple could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
If they got the marriage certificate, no one would dare to accuse Bai Ruozhu of having a child out of wedlock.
“You really helped us today, second brother.
I made your favorite fishball soup,” Bai Ruozhu was beaming as she announced it like a treasure, preparing to head for the kitchen to prepare the soup, which was still simmering hot in a large pot.
Bai Zehao hurriedly stopped her, “We can both sit down.
I’ll go get it.”
Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zepei thanked Bai Zehao.
Seeing their three children’s great relationship made Lin Ping’er even happier.
Soon, Bai Zepei had finished the entire bowl of soup and also ate two steamed buns.
It was unclear if the soup was too delicious, or he was just incredibly hungry.
“How’s it, second brother?
Good, isn’t it?” Bai Ruozhu asked with a beaming smile.
Bai Zepei’s brow quirked with amusement, “You really are a sweetheart.”
The whole family erupted into laughter, this unfortunate incident was finally concluded peacefully.