“Big brother, are you trying to keep everything for yourself?” Ruan Shiqi’s voice came from behind, accompanied by his family. Unable to afford servants, he had gathered a few men from nearby, dressed in ragged clothes and carrying clubs. “We’re brothers from the same mother. I have a share in the second brother’s property too!”
Though his information wasn’t as up-to-date, he kept an eye on the main house and immediately followed when he saw them moving, determined not to be left out.
Ruan Shimin cursed inwardly but knew this wasn’t the time to fight. He told his sons, “Take the valuable things, don’t let your third uncle benefit. Go inside and capture your second aunt; force her to find the property deeds!”
Suddenly, Ruan Ning’s voice came from inside: “Aim carefully, pour it on the heads of the first and third masters! Those who hit accurately will be rewarded with a string of coins!”
Ruan Shimin looked up to see ladders against the high courtyard wall, with several tenant farmers holding wooden buckets.
“Not good!” Ruan Shimin shouted, “They’re going to pour excrement!”
But it was too late. Just as he was looking up, a bucket of foul-smelling waste was dumped directly onto his head.
The tenants didn’t want to touch the smelly Ruan Shiming, so they used brooms and hoes to throw him out. They aimed at Ruan Shiqi, who was watching the commotion. Ruan Shiqi jumped to dodge but was instantly covered in the stench. Furiously, he said, “Big brother, couldn’t you be more careful? I finally had a clean set of clothes, and you’ve ruined them!”
“Owe you, my foot!” Ruan Shiming rolled up and said, “Ruan Ning, just you wait.”
“I’ll make sure you’re dead if I’m not a Ruan!”
His response was several piles of dirt thrown from the door. The tenants scraped the ground he had dirtied, scattering it all over him.
Ruan Shiming gritted his teeth and said, “Let’s go, I’ll change first. I’ll kill this girl if I’m not a Ruan!”
When Ruan Ning settled things and went to see Chen shi, her mother hugged her, crying, “Ning’er, you’ve been through so much…”
She had always believed that women should be gentle and kind, but today’s scene would have destroyed the family if her daughter hadn’t been so tough.
“Mother, I’ve arranged everything,” Ruan Ning said. “The new gate is being installed, and men who know how to fight are patrolling outside. Those guarding various areas inside will keep us safe. Don’t worry.”
Chen shi was startled and grabbed her hand, “You’re not staying home?”
“I’m going to the county yamen,” Ruan Ning replied, her eyes sparkling, “to meet the official behind Ruan Qing.”
County Magistrate Li summoned Ruan Shixin again at noon, immediately giving him thirty punishment sticks without a word. Although the bailiffs went easy, Ruan Shixin still suffered physical pain. The magistrate sat coldly and asked, “Speak. Did you kill those four people?”
“No!” Ruan Shixin denied immediately. “I’ve been at the manor these days. The tenants can all testify that I didn’t kill anyone.”
“Hmph, you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin. Bring the finger press!” The magistrate coldly threw down a sign.
Zhang Sansheng reluctantly brought the finger press, whispering to Ruan Shixin, “Endure it. I’ll try to be gentle.”
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?
He paused, asking, “What’s your name, and how are you related to Ruan Qing?”
Ruan Ning replied, “Elder sister Qing is my cousin. My given name is Ning.”
The magistrate realized this was the cousin the concubine described as aggressive, yet Ruan Ning seemed delicate and harmless. Clearly, the concubine hadn’t told the truth.
He glanced at Ruan Shixin, wondering how such a strong man could have such a beautiful daughter. If he had known about this treasure, why would he need Ruan Qing?
Clearing his throat, he returned to his seat and struck the gavel: “Ruan Ning, do you have witnesses and evidence for your claim that your uncles came to rob your home?”
“The entire Ruan family manor – over a hundred people – can testify,” Ruan Ning answered. “And there’s more than enough physical evidence.”
As long as the magistrate sends people to investigate, everything will become clear.
Zhang Sansheng took advantage of their conversation to quietly release Ruan Shixin’s fingers. Ruan Shixin, heart heavy with pain and bitterness, felt powerless as the first and third branches of his family disregarded their bonds. They had taken him away and were intimidating his wife and daughter, forcing his daughter to confront the lecherous county magistrate. If he could escape this calamity, he would never let them go unpunished!
“Good,” the county magistrate said to Zhang Sansheng, “Take a few capable bailiffs to Ruan Family Village and investigate the truth of this matter. Report back to me.”
Zhang Sansheng agreed and selected bailiffs who were on good terms with Ruan Shixin. As Ruan Ning wanted to follow, the county magistrate interrupted, “Wait, Ruan Ning. You just claimed your uncle falsely accused Ruan Shixin. This is serious. I need to inquire carefully and avoid spreading rumors. Come with me to the back.”
Ruan Shixin panicked, shouting, “County Magistrate, speak clearly in court! There’s no reason to go anywhere in the back!”
“Ruan Ning, look carefully. I’m trying to help you,” the county magistrate said, glancing at Ruan Shixin with a threatening expression.
“If you don’t appreciate my kindness, I’ll have no choice.”
“I’ll go with you,” Ruan Ning answered decisively.
