With a few words from Manager Dongniang, a private room on the third floor immediately opened, and Magistrate Liu of Gusu City walked out with a solemn expression.
His appearance caused everyone in the main hall who had been watching the tea ceremony performance to freeze in surprise.
Magistrate Liu was here too? How had they not known?
As the crowd performed various forms of greeting, a beautiful woman not far from the Ye family members stood up in astonishment.
"Master, why are you here too? Why didn't you tell us?"
This was none other than Magistrate Liu's wife, Madam Cui.
Magistrate Liu smiled faintly.
"I came with two distinguished guests. It was a last-minute decision, and I didn't want to disturb everyone.
Please rise! This isn't the courtroom; there's no need for formalities."
As he spoke, Magistrate Liu first glanced at the private room he had just left, then slowly descended the stairs with an attendant.
After straightening up, Su Xiaosheng also looked toward the third-floor private room.
He then respectfully addressed the slowly descending Magistrate Liu, "Greetings, Magistrate Liu."
Magistrate Liu held a favorable impression of this Provincial Graduate who had achieved the title of Jieyuan in the Xiangshi.
Talented scholars had always emerged from Jiangnan, and most top scorers in the imperial examinations also hailed from the region.
Since Su Xiaosheng had secured the Jieyuan title in Jinling, his performance in the upcoming metropolitan examination would surely be impressive. By the final palace examination, he would undoubtedly rank among the top three…
Thinking this, Magistrate Liu's attitude softened considerably.
"Jieyuan Su, there's no need for such formality."
After speaking, Magistrate Liu walked over to the Ye family.
Madam Li led the four young ladies of the Ye family in a curtsy to Magistrate Liu, then gestured for them to step back.
Magistrate Liu, however, waved his hand.
"Fourth Young Lady, stay a moment. You just said you wanted to report this to the authorities?
Then I must inform you that, as a rule, unless it involves serious matters like homicide, the authorities do not intervene unless a complaint is filed.
Today's matter could be treated as significant or trivial. Fourth Young Lady, are you truly determined to report this?" Magistrate Liu asked.
Those around nodded in agreement.
Indeed, it wasn't such a major issue—merely some internal household dispute. Making a fuss would only make it harder to resolve.
"Yes, it's just a minor matter. You should settle it privately.
Magistrate Liu is far too busy to deal with such trivialities."
"Exactly, it's a small matter. Wouldn't it be better to resolve it privately?
Why must you make it known to everyone?"
"Ah, the Ye family is wealthy. What may seem trivial to others is a major affair to them. How can families like ours compare to the Ye family?"
…
One sarcastic remark after another pierced the ears of the Ye family members.
Madam Li stood tall and straight, ignoring the whispers around her, and turned to look at Ye Cishu.
"Cishu, you are the victim. Tell us, do you still wish to proceed with the complaint?"
Ye Cishu nodded and took a step forward.
"Mother, Cishu wishes to report this not only because I am the victim.
The victims are the Ye family and all women confined to inner chambers across Dayu."
After saying this to Madam Li, Ye Cishu turned to Magistrate Liu.
She performed a deep curtsy before addressing him.
"Magistrate Liu, Cishu seeks justice not only for my own reputation, nor merely for the Ye family's honor.
Cishu seeks justice for all women under heaven.
Magistrate Liu, consider this: every family has daughters raised with utmost care and affection.
What if, one day, someone else were to flaunt so-called intimate belongings of a young lady from an inner chamber, claiming they were deeply in love and had pledged themselves to each other in secret? What then?"
If such actions were to be taken as proof, then what need would there be for three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts? Any man could simply buy a few women's items from an embroidery shop and marry the woman he desired. Magistrate Liu, you too have a daughter. Would you stand by and watch such a thing happen?"
Ye Cishu asked solemnly.
Everyone present at Chun Bu Wan stiffened.
Every family had daughters. If such a thing were to happen to their own…
"Exactly! If, in the future, any ruffian or scoundrel took a fancy to a young lady, all he would have to do is pick up a handkerchief and claim it belonged to her. Wouldn't that ruin her reputation?"
"Indeed! To randomly produce items of unknown origin and claim they belong to a young lady is utterly absurd."
"This is no trivial matter! If such things are not clearly judged as right or wrong, everyone will follow suit. Wouldn't this create opportunities for petty individuals to exploit?"
"Right! If one day someone came to my door with all sorts of random items, wouldn't I be left without even a chance to cry?"
As they considered the possible consequences, everyone's tone immediately shifted.
Seeing the scrutinizing gazes directed at him, Wang Lianju trembled with anger.
"You… I am no petty scoundrel. Everything I said is true. I am already a Provincial Graduate, and my ranking is not low. It is entirely possible for me to pass the metropolitan examination and become a Jinshi. Why would I gamble with my own future?" Wang Lianju argued, his face flushed red.
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly felt there was some truth to his words.
Indeed, Wang Lianju was already a Provincial Graduate, not some ruffian or scoundrel. Once he went to the capital for the metropolitan examination, as long as his name appeared on the list, he would hold an official position, however small. Although the Ye family was immensely wealthy and held the title of the foremost imperial merchant in Dayu, they were still merchants by status. Wang Lianju would not gamble with his own future.
Everyone turned their gaze back to Ye Cishu.
By now, Ye Cishu was certain that the original owner—who had only known silence, fiddling with an abacus, and crying when faced with major events—had definitely never given anything to Wang Lianju.
"Then our Ye family would certainly not gamble either. The Ye family follows proper procedures and rules in everything we do. Even if I were fond of you, I would not disregard propriety and decency to engage in secret exchanges. Every member of the Ye family values our family's reputation and would never harm it over such matters," Ye Cishu declared with dignity and composure.
Upon hearing this, Madam Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She could sense that Ye Cishu was not lying. Since she said it never happened, then it certainly never did.
"Magistrate Liu, my fourth daughter is right. This matter is no longer just about her alone. It now concerns the reputation of the entire Ye family. The Ye family has many daughters of marriageable age. If anyone could come to our door and cause such a disturbance, how would the Ye family continue to move about in Gusu City? We implore Magistrate Liu to restore the Ye family's innocence!" Madam Li spoke calmly.
"Please restore the Ye family's innocence, Magistrate Liu!" The eldest sister, Ye Wanshu, led her younger sisters in a respectful bow to Magistrate Liu.
At this point, Magistrate Liu understood that the Ye family would undoubtedly demand an explanation.
"In that case, there are only two possible outcomes. Either Provincial Graduate Wang has slandered someone's reputation with malicious intent. If this is proven, he will be stripped of his scholarly title and forever barred from participating in the imperial examinations."
"If what Provincial Graduate Wang said is true, then the reputations of the young ladies of the Ye family would be tarnished," Magistrate Liu sighed.
Madam Li gave a faint smile.
"I believe the girls in our family would never do anything so improper."
Magistrate Liu nodded.
"Since that is the case, this is a matter for the court. Please, both parties, move to…"
Before Magistrate Liu could finish his words, an unfamiliar attendant hurried down from upstairs.
"Sir…" the attendant whispered a few words into Magistrate Liu's ear.
Magistrate Liu was taken aback, instinctively glanced upstairs, and immediately changed his tone.
"The incident occurred at Chun Bu Wan, so let it be resolved at Chun Bu Wan!
Proprietress Dongniang, may we borrow your esteemed establishment today? I wonder if it would be convenient?"
Proprietress Dongniang laughed heartily.
"It would be an honor! Magistrate Liu, please wait a moment. I will have someone prepare a suitable place for the proceedings right away…"