Chapter 173 – Compensation for Emotional Distress
The atmosphere in the courtroom was tense and serious.
Yao Jin’s gaze swept over Yan Bozhang, who looked disheveled and defeated. Forming a plan in his mind, Yao Jin approached Long Yu with trepidation.
“What has Steward Yan done, General Zhan?” he asked cautiously.
Long Yu gave him a pointed look and handed over the IOU he was holding. “County Magistrate Yao, see for yourself.”
Yao Jin recognized Yan Bozhang’s handwriting at a glance. “Why… why is Steward Yan’s handwriting on this?”
Murong Qinjian interjected, “This IOU was handed over by the ruffian. Since County Magistrate Yao confirms it’s Steward Yan’s handwriting…”
“Steward Yan, do you still have any excuses?”
Murong Qinjian paused, his gaze fixating on Yan Bozhang. The silver and IOU left Yan Bozhang powerless to rebut.
Murong Qinjian’s words confused Yao Jin. He turned to Long Yu, asking apprehensively, “General Zhan, what exactly happened? Why would Steward Yan write an IOU to these ruffians?”
Long Yu, not one for explanations, glanced at Yan Xiaosi beside him and said indifferently, “You’re quite articulate. Explain it to County Magistrate Yao.”
Yan Xiaosi was puzzled. She had only met General Zhan a few times, and they hadn’t interacted much. Moreover, she hadn’t spoken much during their encounters, so how did he know she was articulate? Nonetheless, she was more than willing to push Yan Bozhang into an abyss of no return.
As soon as Long Yu finished speaking, Yan Xiaosi quickly explained to Yao Jin, “Steward Yan harbored a grudge against a young man and his family living on Big Sister Peak. He hired these ruffians with silver to target them, but General Zhan caught him in the act.”
Yao Jin was shocked upon hearing this. He had visited Big Sister Peak and knew the area was desolate except for a family of five living in a cave. Realizing Yan Bozhang had incited General Zhan’s wrath by targeting that family, he felt a wave of relief that he hadn’t acted on his intentions towards the eldest daughter of that family, or he might have been the one kneeling in the courtroom.
Now that Yan Bozhang had angered General Zhan, Yao Jin knew he couldn’t protect him.
“Steward Yan, how could you be so foolish? As an official, how could you collude with ruffians to harm innocent citizens?” Yao Jin admonished, though Yan Bozhang was unsurprised by his lack of support.
Seeing Yan Bozhang remain silent, Long Yu adjusted his robe, stood up from his seat, and looked at Yao Jin with an icy tone, “County Magistrate Yao, you should know the punishment for officials colluding with criminals to harm innocents. Do I need to remind you?”
Yao Jin shivered under Long Yu’s cold demeanor. “Your humble servant understands, General Zhan. There’s no need for your reminder.”
“That’s good. Then I leave the rest to you, County Magistrate Yao.”
With that, Long Yu walked out of the courtroom, followed by Yan Xiaosi, Murong Qinjian, Long Yi, and Long Er.
As Yan Xiaosi passed by Yan Bozhang, she clearly heard him clench his fists in anger and felt his hatred. She stopped and whispered, “I advise you not to provoke me in the future, Steward Yan. I, Yan Xiaosi, am not afraid of anything. Anyone who crosses me will pay dearly, even if it doesn’t kill them.”
Yan Bozhang, realizing his career was over and hearing Yan Xiaosi’s words, was seething with rage and frustration.
“Yan, Xiao, Si,” he spat out her name with venom.
“Unhappy, Steward Yan? If you dare, come at me. I’ll be waiting,” Yan Xiaosi retorted with a slight smile, then turned to follow Long Yu out of the courtroom.
As she stepped outside, she heard Yao Jin’s judgment: “Steward Yan Bozhang, for colluding with ruffians and harming innocent citizens, is sentenced to fifty lashes and three months in prison. His official position as steward is also revoked. The five ruffians will receive the same punishment.”
Before the bailiffs could take them away, Yan Bozhang, overwhelmed by the verdict, fainted with a thud.
Yan Xiaosi lingered at the courtroom entrance for a moment, watching as the unconscious Yan Bozhang and the ruffians were dragged out and strapped to benches for their punishment.
Their screams of agony filled the air.
Yan Bozhang, accustomed to a life of luxury, wailed pitifully under the harsh punishment, far louder than the ruffians.
“Why are you still standing there? Do you want to walk back to Shaoyao Village yourself?” Long Yu’s cool voice suddenly reached her ears.
Yan Xiaosi turned to see that he hadn’t left her behind.
With a grin, she ran to Long Yu’s side, “So, General Zhan, are you arranging a carriage to take me back to Shaoyao Village?”
Assuming this based on previous experience and considering the approaching night, Yan Xiaosi boldly speculated.
Long Yu, without looking at her smiling face, simply said, “Let’s go.”
They walked to the county court’s entrance, where Long San and a carriage were waiting.
Seeing the carriage, Yan Xiaosi’s smile bloomed brightly. “Thank you, General Zhan.”
Concerned that her family might worry due to the late hour, she thanked Long Yu and climbed into the carriage.
Just as she settled in, the curtain of the carriage door opened, and Long Yu bent down and entered.
Yan Xiaosi’s expression turned awkward. “General Zhan, this isn’t the carriage to take me back to Shaoyao Village? Then I’ll get out.”
“It is to take you back,” Long Yu replied, blocking her way out.
Relieved, Yan Xiaosi settled back down. “General Zhan, then why are you…”
Long Yu cut her off, “Why did I come in? Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not here to send you off. I have business on Big Sister Peak.”
“Oh,” Yan Xiaosi realized, of course, a general of his stature wouldn’t personally escort her back to Shaoyao Village.
Once they were both seated, Long San cracked his whip, and the carriage began to move.
Yan Xiaosi fiddled with the silver ingot she had taken from Yan Bozhang, then handed it to Long Yu. “General Zhan, I borrowed ten silver taels from you earlier. Here, I’m returning it.”
It was the exact amount Yan Bozhang had given to the ruffians.
Long Yu glanced at the silver ingot, remarking indifferently, “You do have a way of making money.”
Yan Xiaosi smiled nonchalantly, “Although those ruffians hired by Yan Bozhang didn’t hurt me, their sudden appearance scared me. It’s only fair that I take some compensation for my emotional distress.”
