As the finger press was applied, the bailiffs tightened the ropes. Despite being strong, Ruan Shixin was sweating from the pain. The magistrate asked, “Ruan Shixin, will you confess? Confess, and you’ll avoid further punishment.”
“I didn’t kill anyone. There’s nothing to confess!” Ruan Shixin gritted out.
Behind the screen, Ruan Qing secretly peeked at Ruan Shixin’s pained expression, feeling delighted. Let this family that never took her seriously suffer; she’d ensure they were ruined!
Suddenly, an urgent drum sounded from outside. A bailiff rushed in, saying, “Sir, someone is beating the grievance drum!”
The magistrate ordered, “Bring them in for questioning.”
A tall girl soon walked in, her delicate face catching everyone’s attention.
Ruan Shixin exclaimed, “Ning’er, why are you here?”
Ruan Ning smiled slightly at him, signaling him to be at ease.
She was about to kneel to state her grievance when the magistrate, captivated by her beauty, helped her up, smiling, “Young lady, no need for formalities. What grievance do you have? I’ll seek justice for you.”
Ruan Ning withdrew her hand, realizing the magistrate was a lecherous old man, easily manipulated by Ruan Qing. She decided to use his own methods against him to make Ruan Qing experience the power of the authorities.
With a sorrowful expression, Ruan Ning said, “Sir, I have a grievance. My father has been falsely accused, and the mastermind even brought bandits to my home today to beat and kill. My mother and I nearly lost our lives!”
“How outrageous! Who dares to be so brazen?” The magistrate exclaimed. “Tell me, and I’ll seek justice!”
Ruan Ning forced out tears: “It was my uncle Ruan Shiming and third uncle Ruan Shiqi. They made false accusations against my father and, taking advantage of his absence, brought ruffians to break in and rob us.”
She turned to the tenants who accompanied her, “Bring the broken doors for the magistrate to see!”
Two large doors were carried in, covered with knife and axe marks, clearly broken by force.
The beautiful girl cried like a delicate flower, moving the magistrate to blurt out, “Disrespectful old thugs! Don’t worry, I’ll seek justice for you!”
Behind the screen, Ruan Qing coughed anxiously.
The coughing interrupted the magistrate, who suddenly recognized the names. Ruan Shiming – wasn’t that the father who just took a concubine?
