Chapter 344 The New County Magistrate

Chapter 344: The New County Magistrate [Magistrate Ding]

After chatting with Xiao Mei for a while, she went from being initially nervous and uneasy to gradually relaxing. Meng Wan was highly skilled at conversation and never made others feel uncomfortable, but the gap between them was ultimately too vast—they could never return to those youthful days of gathering wild vegetables together on the mountain.

Meng Wan climbed back into the carriage. Worried about Chang Jinhua, his mother-in-law, he left the dependable Huang Ye at home and set out with Chi Yu and Zhifan.

Returning to Guyang County after such a short time, Meng Wan no longer felt the urgency of his last visit. It was the dog days of summer, and the heat was intense, but more comfortable than the humid heat of the south. Occasional breezes blew past, though carrying warmth, they still felt pleasant.

Chi Yu first escorted the physician home, then went out to inquire about inns in the town.

"Husband, this is the Yuelai Inn. I heard people say it's the most expensive inn in the county," Chi Yu said, reasoning that the most expensive must surely be the best.

Meng Wan was at a loss for words, but fortunately, once inside, the inn's environment was indeed quite decent. Traveling away from home and not short on money, he generally wouldn't stint on himself. He requested two top-tier rooms and had the inn servant bring up hot water for washing up.

The weather was scorching hot, and his light outer robe was already drenched in sweat. Chi Yu and Zhifan waited outside the door while Meng Wan washed and changed into a plain light blue silk robe—plain-looking with no patterns or embroidery at all, yet costing four taels of silver per foot.

His inner long gown of plain gauze was worn against the skin, made of the finest material—so light against the skin it felt like wearing nothing, yet incredibly cool. His lower garments were plain gauze trousers of the same fabric hidden beneath the gown, paired with round-toed cloud-patterned shoes made of silk gauze. This entire outfit was worth a small fortune.

Meng Wan sat by the window, rough-drying his hair with little patience. When it was half-dry, he combed it through with his fingers and pinned it up with his cloud-patterned jade hairpin. "Come in."

Chi Yu burst in, lifting the large tub of bathwater with ease, as if it weighed nothing, and carried it out alone.

Meanwhile, Zhifan had already finished washing in the adjacent room. Chi Yu was even quicker—if not for considering his master's status as a male wife, he would have simply drawn a bucket from the well and washed himself down right there.

Meng Wan retrieved a gold-flecked folding fan from his luggage, fanning himself as he walked. His slim yet strong figure, paired with his dazzlingly handsome features, drew either open or furtive gazes wherever he went.

He walked in the shade of the trees, but the heat waves were relentless. Meng Wan kept fanning himself as he headed straight for the Guyang County government office with Chi Yu and Zhifan in tow.

He had come once with Song Tingzhou after they got married, and thanks to his good memory, he still had a rough idea of the way.

Zhifan was a man of few words, while Chi Yu remained full of questions. "Husband, aren't we going to find Young Master Yu's sister-in-law? Last time we were here, she seemed like she had something she wanted to tell you."

Meng Wan scoffed. "Why should I listen just because she wants to tell me something?" Given his current status, he could go straight to the point and approach the County Magistrate of Guyang directly, saving himself a lot of hassle.

Guyang County wasn't as prosperous as Shengjing, and they had nearly reached the government office before encountering a shop selling cold drinks. Meng Wan sent Chi Yu to buy a jar of iced sour plum juice to quench their thirst, but the three of them finished it in no time.

Chi Yu went back to buy more, only to find that the last jar had just been purchased by a young man.

Chi Yu was at a loss, but had no other option—he pulled out copper coins, planning to exchange the iced sour plum juice for a chilled rice drink, though he wasn't sure if his husband would like it.

"Wait a moment." Before Chi Yu could hand his money to the vendor, that young man suddenly called out to him.

"That one outside—is he your husband?" He pointed toward Meng Wan waiting under the tree.

Chi Yu didn't know why he asked, but replied, "That's right."

The young man's expression was complicated. "This jar of juice—I'll let you have it."

Chi Yu didn't understand his intent, but Meng Wan had trained them well, so he quickly clasped his hands behind his back and refused. "No need. Since you bought it, it's yours. I don't accept favors without cause."

With that, he didn't even buy the chilled rice drink and strode away.

The page attendant beside that young man remarked in wonder, "What a strange fellow—giving it to him and he won't take it. Young master, look how oddly built he is. I've never seen a young man grow so tall and sturdy. His master is quite striking though—so handsome, and instead of staying at home, he dresses so finely out in public. Could he be of some disreputable background?"

He prattled on with the same prejudices as ordinary folk. A handsome man would typically receive praise, but for a young man like this, it was different. Before anyone knew Meng Wan's status, his overly striking features had brought him more trouble than positive regard. Fortunately, he no longer needed to care about such things now.

The page waited a long while without hearing his young master respond. Turning back, he saw his young master staring at that remarkably handsome male wife outside, eyes lost in thought.

Meng Wan heard what Chi Yu said and turned to look. It was a young man around his own age, with delicate features and an unfamiliar face—he had never seen him before.

He thought for a moment, then offered a kind smile, only to meet a pair of slightly flustered eyes.

Meng Wan raised an eyebrow slightly. Interesting—did that person recognize him?

When they reached the gates of the county government office, Chi Yu stepped forward to state their business, drawing suspicious looks from the yamen runners. "The Shuntian Prefect's husband from the capital? Coming to our little place?"

Chi Yu, who had been driving the carriage daily and gotten sunburned, grinned and said, "That's right. Go tell your county magistrate to come out and receive us."

The runner went in half-convinced to fetch the magistrate, while the remaining guards at the gate stared at Meng Wan's party and murmured among themselves.

After a while, the newly appointed county magistrate indeed came out to receive them, with a strange attitude—part respectful, part resentful, and faintly tinged with fear.

Meng Wan looked at the refined middle-aged man before him and asked curiously, "Does Your Honor recognize me, or my husband?"

The magistrate's lips curved into a stiff smile. "I once served at court alongside Lord Song. I saw Meng Fulang once at the palace gates."

That was strange indeed. Having served at court with Song Tingzhou meant he had been at least an important capital official. Even if sent out to the provinces, he would have started as a Prefect or Assistant Prefect at minimum. How had he ended up as county magistrate of a small place like Guyang County?

Meng Wan pondered thoughtfully. "May I ask Your Honor's name?"

The magistrate squeezed out through gritted teeth, "This subordinate's surname is Ding."

Meng Wan suddenly understood, and almost wanted to laugh. "So it's Lord Ding! I've heard a little about you."

Ha ha ha—so this was the unfortunate soul who had once impeached Song Tingzhou. What a delight to see.

Seeing the smile spilling from the corners of Meng Wan's mouth, Magistrate Ding's expression grew increasingly resentful. He invited Meng Wan inside the government office to speak and asked directly, "May I ask what brings Meng Fulang here?"

The Changping Prefect had inexplicably ordered him to re-register the population and household records of Guyang County as soon as he took office, forcing him to work hard every day in this heat, sometimes even personally visiting villages. The weather was sweltering, and dealing with the unruly villagers was enough to give him a headache. He had finally managed to come back for a few days of rest, only to run into Meng Wan. He might as well have stayed in the countryside.

Magistrate Ding's resentment was practically condensing into solid form.

Meng Wan savored the sight for a moment before saying, "I wonder if Lord Ding is aware of a case of manslaughter from early this year, involving a father and son surnamed Chang."

Magistrate Ding hadn't been at the government office much recently, but in his month in office, he had handled only a few homicide cases. As soon as Meng Wan mentioned it, he knew. "Indeed, there was such a case. This subordinate has only been in office for a month and was previously occupied with other matters. I returned to the office these past two days specifically to hold a public trial for this homicide case."

Meng Wan cut straight to the point. "The Changs are relatives of my family."

Magistrate Ding's heart skipped a beat. He silently cursed himself for somehow offending this couple again, but kept his voice steady as he probed cautiously, "What does Meng Fulang mean by that?"

People from the capital were indeed clever, Meng Wan mused.

"I mean nothing in particular, and Lord Ding shouldn't misunderstand. I've come this time simply to tell you that the law permits no leniency—you should judge the case as you see fit. There's absolutely no need to let their family connection to mine influence your verdict."

Magistrate Ding furrowed his brow. "Does Fulang speak from the heart?"

Meng Wan smiled gracefully. "Your Honor should know my husband's character well. There's no need for me to be insincere with you."

At the mention of Song Tingzhou, Magistrate Ding still couldn't forget how Song had recommended him for external appointment before the Regent Crown Prince in the great hall—when he had already shrunk into the corner trying to hide...

"Meng Fulang may rest assured. This subordinate will... uphold the law impartially."

Leaving the government office, Meng Wan took Chi Yu and Zhifan to a small stall for cold noodles. The sun was blazing, but fortunately the street stalls had awnings for shade. Zhifan noticed a stubborn grease stain on the wooden bench that couldn't be wiped off, so he laid a handkerchief down for Meng Wan to sit on.

This alone drew considerable attention. The noodles weren't good—overcooked and lacking chewiness even after being chilled in well water. Meng Wan had ordered the meat sauce noodles, but the meat was gamey and rank. He wasn't a fussy person, but combined with the oppressive heat and the terrible noodles, he truly couldn't force down a single bite.

He called over a little beggar by the roadside and treated him to a bowl of cold noodles. This gesture seemed to offend the other diners nearby, and even the noodle stall owner's expression soured.

"This young master—is my noodles not to your liking?"

Meng Wan, lying through his teeth, said, "It's fine."

"Then why aren't you eating it? You gave it to a beggar—he's so dirty, how can he sit at the table to eat?" The noodle stall owner was annoyed that the beggar sitting there was hurting his business. Of course, if Meng Wan had been a fierce-looking brute, he wouldn't have had such concerns. In the end, it was because Meng Wan looked gentle and smiling, like an easy target.

Meng Wan's smile didn't fade. "I paid for it, and I wanted to let this young brother have a taste. What rule have I broken?"

The stall owner grew impatient. "It's not about rules..."

"Then shut up!" Chi Yu slammed his palm onto the table with a loud crash, chopping off a corner of the sturdy table.

The air went dead silent. The diners who had been murmuring nearby fell quiet instantly, fear on their faces, and the next second they bolted in a panic.

The stall owner, still shaking with fear, saw everyone flee and hurried after them. "Money! You haven't paid for the noodles!"

Meng Wan finally got some peace and quiet. He sat there in a daze, lost in thought, and only after Zhifan, Chi Yu, and the little beggar had finished their noodles did he pay the tab and leave.

The noodle stall owner didn't dare say a word but was fuming inside.

"Kid, I heard there's a Charity School in Guyang County that takes in homeless children. Why don't you go?" Meng Wan asked the little beggar.

The little beggar licked his lips. "They give you food and clothes—who wouldn't want that? But they don't take just any child."

Meng Wan fanned himself. "Oh? What's the catch?"

The little beggar gestured with his one arm, the other sleeve hanging empty. "For someone like me with one arm, they only take kids who've got all their limbs, and not too old either."

Meng Wan thought the boy was sharp and not afraid to speak his mind, so he said to him, "How about coming with me to the Charity School? I know the person in charge there—maybe they'll take you in."

The little beggar put his single arm behind his back, a small, well-behaved smile on his soot-black face. "Alright, thank you, sir."

But just as Meng Wan and his companions took a few steps forward, the little beggar took off running the other way, yelling as he ran, "Help! There's a kidnapper!"

Hearing this, the townsfolk with children immediately became alert and called their kids inside.

"Master, should I go catch him?" Chi Yu was eager to give chase.

Meng Wan shook his head with a scoff. "If I caught him, I'd really look like a kidnapper. Forget it, let him go."

"Oh, then are we still going to the Charity School?" Chi Yu asked again.

Meng Wan shielded his eyes with his hand, looking at the blazing sun in the sky. "It's too hot today. Let's skip it. We can check out the Charity School after the Chang family matter is settled. Magistrate Ding said the trial is tomorrow morning, so for now, let's head over to the Changs'."

This time, Meng Wan went directly to Yu Geer's elder brother and sister-in-law's home. It was in a fairly decent part of the county, with a big willow tree at the entrance—easy to find.

Chi Yu knocked on the door, and from inside came Yu Geer's voice, "Sister-in-law, you've finally come!"

Seeing Meng Wan was like finding a pillar of support for Yu Geer, who hurriedly invited him into the courtyard.

The Chang family's small courtyard in the county was a two-section compound, with a well dug in the back yard and vegetables planted in both the front and back yards. Yu Geer's sister-in-law wasn't home; he was playing with his nephew and niece on the kang.

"Where's your sister-in-law?" Meng Wan washed his hands by the well and entered the house, asking Yu Geer.

Yu Geer poured tea for the three of them. "She went to the jail to see my brother and my father." Mentioning his father and brother, Yu Geer's eyes reddened again. It wasn't until he came to his sister-in-law's place that he realized things were far more serious than he'd thought.

Murder—that meant paying with one's life.

Yu Geer looked at Meng Wan hesitantly, as if wanting to say something.

Meng Wan pretended not to notice, calmly fanning himself. Zhifan took out the Eight Treasure Tea bag that Meng Wan liked, asked Yu Geer where the kitchen was, and brewed tea for him.

After a while, Yu Geer's sister-in-law indeed returned with an empty basket. Seeing Meng Wan, she immediately knelt down before him.

Meng Wan sighed. "Kneeling to me won't help either. Murder demands a life, and debts must be paid. According to the laws of Yu, in a brawl where someone is killed, the penalty is death by strangulation. Even if my husband were here today, it would be the same. I've asked the County Magistrate, and the court will hold the trial tomorrow morning. Everything will be judged by the law—you should prepare yourself."

He had come today partly because they had taken decent care of his grandmother.

Yu Geer's sister-in-law had clearly heard what punishment her father-in-law and husband would likely receive, but she still clung to a sliver of hope. "I heard from others that if we privately settle with the victim's family, the sentence might be reduced. Is that true?"

Meng Wan shook his head. "Murder is different from other crimes. When it involves a life, there's no room for leniency. However, since both your father-in-law and your husband were involved, they may not both be sentenced to death. If one is fortunate enough to survive, the other will still face severe punishment."