C16 The People from County Yamen Came

"Big sis, what's going on? Why are there officials here?" Shi Xiaodong's heart was racing with anxiety.

Shi Xiaoxia was just as confused. By all accounts, Shi Xiaoshu had stopped the family from reporting to the authorities, so they shouldn't have known. Yet, here they were!

But if they were here, so be it. They hadn't done anything wrong, so she wasn't afraid.

The lead officer glanced at her and asked, "Are you Shi Xiaoqiu?"

Shi Xiaoqiu stepped forward, indicating that she was the one.

"Take her away!"

"Wait a minute!" Shi Xiaoxia stood protectively in front of her. "What did my sister do wrong for you to arrest her?"

"The Second Madam of Minister Sunn's household claims Shi Xiaoqiu caused her brother's death. We're taking her back for questioning!"

Minister Sunn? Second Madam? That must be Zhou Guihua and Shi Zhaozi, who married into Minister Sunn's family as a concubine, Shi Xiaoqin.

Shi Xiaohua had died, and as her sister, she naturally had to come back. She knew the second household wouldn't let it go easily, but she hadn't expected it to happen so quickly. "Sir, we have witnesses. My sister had nothing to do with Xiaohua's death. We're her sisters; why would we harm her?"

"That's not my concern. I'm just here to take her in," the officer said, signaling for Shi Xiaoqiu to be taken away. Tears streamed down Shi Xiaoqiu's face, but she could only make distressed sounds.

"Xiaoqiu, don't be afraid. I'll get you out of this. Don't cry!"

Shi Xiaoqiu nodded and was taken away.

"This has nothing to do with me!" Mr. Zhang met Shi Xiaoxia's eyes, surprised at how sharp they had become.

"Mr. Zhang, just prepare the documents. When my sister is released, I still want this house. Xiaoqiu, let's go!" With that, she pulled Shi Xiaodong along and left.

"Sis, what do we do now?"

Xiaoqiu was taken by the authorities, and she must be scared. If the murder charge isn't cleared, Xiaoqiu could be in serious trouble!

Shi Xiaoxia was anxious too. Dawang, yes, he was a witness. We need to find him first!

They hurried to the blacksmith shop. Dawang was shirtless, working hard, sweat covering his forehead. He caught a glimpse of Shi Xiaoxia and was so startled he nearly dropped his hammer!

Realizing he was shirtless, his face turned red. He quickly went inside, put on a shirt, and came back out.

"Dawang, Xiaoqiu was taken by the county authorities. Can you help testify?"

"Sure, no problem, let's go quickly!" Dawang didn't hesitate, gathered his things, and rushed with the sisters to the county office.

When the three arrived, Shi Xiaoqiu was already kneeling in the county hall. Above her sat County Magistrate Chu Tianxiong.

"Sir, I'm Shi Xiaoqiu's sister, Shi Xiaoxia. I've brought a witness. Please, let us in!"

Chu Tianxiong squinted his eyes and gestured with his hand, prompting his advisor to let them in. As they entered and met the eyes of Zhou Guihua and Shi Xiaoqin, a momentary unease flickered in his heart.

The family of Minister Sunn had money, and she wasn't sure how much influence he wielded in this matter. Now that Shi Xiaoqin was stepping forward, was it on her own behalf or with Minister Sunn's backing?

She knelt down. "Lord Chu, my sister didn't kill Xiaohua. Xiaohua accidentally slipped and drowned in the river!"

Chu Tianxiong shifted slightly, frowning. "But they say she was the one who caused it."

"Lord Chu, I can testify. I personally found Shi Xiaohua's shoe by the river and saw skid marks there. It's true!" Dawang quickly added. Shi Xiaoxia was the girl he liked, and her sister was like his own.

Zhou Guihua gave a cold glance. "Lord Chu, his words alone prove nothing. The shoe is indeed Xiaohua's, but what if the skid marks were made intentionally?"

"Exactly, Lord Chu, you must investigate thoroughly. My brother is only seven years old, yet look at the malice involved!" Shi Xiaoqin spoke up.

Chu Tianxiong typically didn't meddle in family affairs; there were too many grievances and disputes, often leading to days of trouble. If it weren't for Shi Xiaoqin's involvement, he wouldn't have intervened at all.

Clearing his throat, he turned to his advisor and said, "Use force, make her confess!"

Shi Xiaoxia's face changed. What kind of ridiculous magistrate is this, using force without understanding the situation? Now she understood why there were so many wrongful convictions in ancient times!

Under severe punishment, even the innocent could be forced to confess. How could there not be injustice?

"Lord Chu, you don't check evidence or consider witness testimony, yet you're ready to use force on my sister based solely on their words. Is this how you handle cases? There are many people outside watching. If they find out you're making arbitrary judgments, won't you feel ashamed of your position?"

The advisor gasped. No one had dared to speak to the magistrate like that before. Pointing at Shi Xiaoxia, he shouted angrily, "How dare you! Guards, arrest her and punish her severely!"

"Lord Chu, your advisor is truly admirable. But if you punish her, how will the people view you?" A man in a blue shirt stepped out from the crowd.

This young woman was fearless in the face of danger, and her words hit the mark, making everyone take notice. You couldn't find another woman as clever as her for miles around!

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