I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 206 The Wu Family Twins, Temple Keeper Selection

The area outside the yamen was bustling and noisy.

Besides being fond of rushing around and enjoying lively events, the people of Tianjin are also very concerned about their reputation, like to show off, and are not afraid of trouble.

As the Wu family members came out, some cheered, some offered congratulations, and some made strange faces and winks.

The Wu brothers led the way, first bowing to the crowd, and then specifically thanking their neighbors and friends.

As the saying goes, when a family is in trouble, neighbors help each other.

Today, something happened to the Wu family, and everyone who could come from the funeral street came. Even the child of the mute carpenter at the end of the street held a one-month-old puppy and cheered them on.

The Wu brothers were heartened and said that once this matter was settled, they would hold a banquet in Jingxia Street to sincerely invite guests from all directions to express their gratitude to their neighbors and fellow villagers for their deep affection and kindness.

One of the 'literary hoodlums' who spent his days waiting outside the yamen, soliciting business for people to file complaints, spoke up: "The main culprit in this case hasn't even been determined yet, so why are you two out here?"

Before the Wu brothers could answer, the scholar-turned-scoundrel, who carried his own pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, quickly added, "Perhaps you lack a lawyer? My name is Lü Gaoqin, also known as Lü Jingtian. With me here, I guarantee you two will have a better chance of winning!"

Literary scoundrels are best at finding fault and stirring up trouble, and they are also best at making small things big. The government calls these kinds of people "litigation scoundrels," which shows how much they are disliked.

However, if used properly, even a bookworm can play a huge role.

Lu Jingtian was such a person. In his early years, he worked in the capital as a litigator. Because he was well-versed in the laws and could almost recite them from memory, and because he was also quick-witted, he made a great name for himself in just two or three years and was known as Lu Jingtian.

It means that when it opens its mouth, even the heavens are startled!
However, it seems that Lü Jingtian messed up a case in the capital, and his reputation plummeted overnight.

It's not that no one would sue him; after all, he's quite capable, and even if he messes up a case, people will still come to him.

However, Lü Jingtian valued his reputation highly, and he couldn't stand others constantly mocking him with that old case, so he decided to come to Tianjin in a fit of pique.

Not many people in this area know him, so he can start all over again.

Right now, the Wu brothers' case is undoubtedly a good opportunity for him to make a name for himself.

"We brothers appreciate your kind offer, brother."

"Are you sure you don't want it? I can handle the lawsuit for free." Seeing that the Wu brothers didn't care, Lü Jingtian analyzed the situation and said, "You don't understand the ins and outs here. Even if Yang Hong is no good, he is still a county magistrate. Even if he plotted against you, you two didn't actually kill him. When the case is submitted for trial, he might not suffer much damage. Although I am not very capable, I have a way to make him suffer a lot, even if he doesn't die."

A skilled lawyer can talk the dead back to life and the living to death. This Lü Jingtian may not be good at anything else, but he really dares to make such outrageous claims.

"That's not entirely true," Wu Wencai said with a calm smile. "You'll just have to wait and see whether Yang Hong can live or not!"

Lu Jingtian shook his head as he listened. This young man was too arrogant, thinking he could do anything, but he didn't know the principle of listening to advice and eating well.

Seeing that the two Wu brothers were about to leave, the audience and viewers of the play pushed and shoved to both sides, barely managing to create a path outwards.

No one paid much attention until they saw the two brothers walk towards a car parked not far away, at which point someone realized something was wrong.

"This carriage... it looks like an official's carriage."

Some people were puzzled, while others turned to look.

After about half a cup of tea's time, the curtains of the two carriages were lifted, and Wu Zhiyuan and Wu Wencai stepped out of the carriages one after the other.

Surrounded by servants and retainers who had been waiting for a long time, the two of them appeared even more radiant.

Do you know what the two brothers look like?

One of them, with a plain gold hat that blazes like fire, and mandarin duck insignia that seem to be about to take flight, must be either a royal prince or a celestial official descended to earth!
Another one, with a black gauze hat and green sash, and a fine silk robe reflecting the spring river, was originally a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, a majestic and awe-inspiring top scholar!
Is this still that poor boy in simple clothes?

The onlookers at the government office looked as if they had seen a ghost.

The scoundrel Lü Jingtian's eyes were wider than anyone else's!
He thought to himself, "I've seen people who can endure, but I've never seen anyone who can endure like this. If you had put on this outfit earlier, would you have been afraid of Yang Hong?"
At this moment, Lü Jingtian felt that the two brothers were wicked and were holding back a big move, waiting to launch a counterattack against Yang Hong!
This is what it means to kill someone by destroying their spirit!
Upon seeing that official robe, the already tightly packed crowd somehow managed to create a path half a meter wide.

Although some residents of Jingxia Street knew some of the inside story earlier, they were more excited than anyone else when they saw the two men looking so smug.

They've become quite prominent figures in the funeral parlor!
But who's that old man next to me? Our neighborhood's young man has made something of himself, why are you so excited about it?
Guo Dongyang clapped his hands excitedly.

In his mind, the play was already good enough; he never expected that there would be an even more exciting show to come!

Inside the courtroom, Yang Hong, disheveled and dejected like a dog, still held a glimmer of hope.

He was, after all, a county magistrate of the eighth rank. Although he had never risked his life for the Great Yong Dynasty, he had contributed to the wealth and power of the prefect and his colleagues.

No matter what, they have to lend a hand. Even if they can't protect him, they can probably smooth things over with his superiors and subordinates when he's dismissed and exiled, so he suffers less.

After a moment's thought, Imperial Censor Wei decided to draft a list of charges and submit it to the Emperor for his judgment.

However, just as he was about to write "exiled to Yazhou" in the column for Yang Hong's crimes, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the yamen.

The commotion was brief, lasting only a moment before abruptly ceasing, leaving behind an eerie silence.

It was as if all the people who had been watching the trial outside the hall had vanished in an instant.

After a brief silence, a yamen runner hurried through the hall and reported, "Sir, the newly appointed magistrate of Pingqiu County and a probationary scholar of the Hanlin Academy have arrived and are waiting outside the yamen. Please give your instructions, sir."

Imperial Censor Wei raised his head, his eyes showing a look of doubt.

Pingqiu County is in Quyang Prefecture. What is the magistrate of Pingqiu County doing, traveling all the way to Tianjin? And what is that probationary scholar doing here instead of studying official duties at the Hanlin Academy?

Chen Guangrui and Liao Jinzhong, who was on the jury, were equally puzzled.

This small Linjiang County government office already has enough officials crammed in today, so why are there still more officials visiting?

Wei Xiangshu temporarily put down his official seal, paper, and pen, and replied, "If there is no urgent matter, please let him move to the back hall and wait for a while. I will go to see him after this matter is over."

The constable, his tone inscrutable, replied, "Your Honor, both officials outside the courtroom are involved in the case being heard here."

The constable was at a loss for words. From the moment the other party put on his official robes, he could no longer address him by his name. Apart from his official title, he could only call him "Sir".

"Is it related to this case?"

Wei Xiangshu frowned. This case isn't over yet, is it?
When the yamen runners were ordered to go and request an audience, Wei Xiangshu was still puzzled.

Even if everyone present racked their brains, they probably couldn't have imagined that this visiting guest would be related to the poor boy from before.

It wasn't until the Wu brothers, dressed in official robes and public attire, strode in together that everyone snapped out of their daze.

Seeing his son-in-law wearing the same official robes as himself, Zhang Yong's face was more unpleasant than ever before.

"Why are you dressed in official robes?"

Wu Zhiyuan bypassed his father-in-law, who was questioning him, and went straight to the front of the hall. He apologized and said, "I, Wu Zhiyuan, had to conceal my identity in order to seek a fair judgment. I only reported my former title of Xiucai. I hope Your Excellency will forgive me."

Wu Wencai, standing to the side, also looked ashamed.

As soon as the two finished speaking, the hall erupted in an uproar.

Even the well-traveled and knowledgeable Wei Xiangshu was taken aback. Chen Guangrui was equally stunned, but he quickly recovered.

If it were someone from another prefectural examination who did these things, he might be surprised, but when he thought about how the two of them were scholars from the Xu-Ji examination, Chen Guangrui found it inexplicably reasonable.

Now, as long as someone claims to be from the Xuji generation, Chen Guangrui is not surprised by any unexpected actions they might take.

Liao Jinzhong, who had originally planned to find an excuse to leave early, had no choice but to sit down again.

Interesting, very interesting. Tianjin is much more interesting than he imagined before he came.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it's a place where hidden talents abound.

When Wu Yaoxing saw his son put on his official robes, he was so excited that his whole body trembled.

Two officials from one family—the Wu family's ancestral graves aren't just emitting auspicious smoke, they're on fire!
Some were happy while others were sad. Yang Hong could no longer hear Wei Xiangshu's voice as he drafted the charges. He only felt his ears ringing, his vision going black, and a metallic taste in his throat and on his tongue, as if he was about to spit out blood.

Zhang Yong's face turned ashen. Once today's events were over, his tenure as county magistrate would probably be coming to an end.

At the same time, he felt a strange sense of relief. Yang Hong, who had colluded with the Tianxin Sect to try to kill the twins, was definitely not going to survive, but his youngest daughter, Zhang Wan, was still alive, and it seemed that Wu Zhiyuan and she were still very much in love.
Regardless of the complex feelings of these people, after Wei Xiangshu sorted out the cause and effect, he not only did not blame the Wu brothers for concealing their identities, but also greatly praised them.

The fact that these two brothers could not use their official positions for personal gain reveals their character and integrity.

Once the case is closed, he can put on his official robes again and plead guilty in his official capacity, which is in accordance with proper etiquette.

The more Wei Xiangshu looked at the two men, the more he liked them. On the other hand, the likes of Zhang Yong and Yang Hong were like festering sores and malignant tumors, making him feel nauseous at the mere sight of them.

Liao Jinzhong looked at the Wu brothers and sighed softly.

It's a pity. A child who knows proper etiquette and knows how to behave would surely please him if he were made a eunuch and adopted as his godson.

In the end, Wei Xiangshu ordered his men to give Zhou Heng, Yuan Hu, and others fifty strokes of the cane each, and Yang Hong an additional thirty strokes, for a total of sixty strokes.

According to the laws of the Dayong Dynasty, Zhou Heng and Yuan Hu were sentenced to death, while Yang Hong was tentatively sentenced to death and awaiting approval.

The two accomplices of the Tianxin Sect are to be hanged, and the execution will be carried out on a later date.

After drafting the charges, Wei Xiangshu said, "Every wrong has its perpetrator and every debt its debtor. Considering that you two brothers are now serving in the same court, I have specially prepared this case for the Supreme Court. As for the prisoners like Yang Hong who are sentenced to death, one of you two will be chosen to supervise their execution. If there are no problems, I think this case can be resolved with the autumn executions this year."

Upon hearing this, the two brothers bowed and thanked him again.

When the case was over and the yamen was about to sound the drum to dismiss the court, the Wu brothers looked at the two rows of yamen runners below the court, but Xu Qing was nowhere to be seen.

In the mortuary of the yamen, Xu Qing was discussing business with someone.

The case of Chen Feng's family in Qushui Township was also concluded today, but the body of the eldest daughter-in-law of the Chen family is still lying in the coffin.

The Chen family had no choice but to come and claim the body. The coroner from the mortuary had been working with Xu Qing for a long time and had recommended the mortuary to Chen Feng.

The shopkeeper of the cloth store was not short of money, and when he heard that the mortuary could handle all the funeral arrangements, he immediately handed the matter over to Xu Qing.

Manager Chen said that the body can be buried anywhere, and the quality of the coffin doesn't matter, as long as it's not taken back to the Chen family!
Xu Qing readily agreed, and the two signed a waiver of liability on the spot, with Wang Lingyuan as a witness, in order to prevent Chen Feng from going back on his word one day and coming back to ask him for the body back.

"The body is buried in a mass grave, and it's bound to be picked up by dogs or washed away by water. These are all unpredictable things. Manager Chen, please read carefully. Once you sign the contract, you can't come to me if anything happens in the future."

Xu Qing didn't introduce the funeral package with after-sales service to Chen Feng. Judging from the other party's attitude towards Madam Chen, he figured that even if the other party knew, he wouldn't make a special effort to buy it.

After Chen Feng pressed his fingerprint, Xu Qing immediately smiled and said, "I love dealing with straightforward people. From now on, if you ever need anything at your home, Manager Chen, just come to Jingxia Street to find me. I'll make sure you're satisfied with the price!"

Xu Qing didn't have a good impression of Chen Feng, so he spoke without any restraint.

Upon hearing this, Chen Feng's face immediately fell.

"There will be no next time! From now on, my Chen family will never trouble Manager Xu again." With a cold snort, Chen Feng turned and left.

"Junior brother's mouth!" Wang Lingyuan shook his head helplessly.

Xu Qing clicked his tongue and said, "What I said was quite mild. When Chen Feng was in court, he deliberately tried to force the benefactor who saved his child to his death, all for the sake of his own family's reputation."

After a pause, Xu Qing continued, "In court, the Chen family said that the eldest daughter-in-law was jealous and resentful, and that she had spread rumors that the child of the Chen family's concubine was an illegitimate child born out of adultery, and that Chen Feng was a useless man."

Seeing Wang Lingyuan sigh and shake his head, Xu Qing raised an eyebrow and said, "Didn't you notice, Senior Brother, that Chen Feng doesn't care about his child at all?"

"It is clear that this person is also a fence-sitter who listens to slander and has no backbone."

"Any family whose child is born into his family is considered unlucky."

The two brothers chatted for a while, and before parting, Wang Lingyuan asked again, "Junior brother, how is your arm now?"

Xu Qing raised his left arm, which was stiff and could not be moved easily, and smiled, "It's much better now, Senior Brother, you don't need to worry."

Wang Lingyuan couldn't help but laugh when he saw Xu Qing raise his arm, stiff as a zombie.

"Junior brother's appearance is just like the walking corpses that Master Liu used to control."

Wang Lingyuan hit the nail on the head, but it was just a casual remark. If Xu Qing really said he was a zombie, he wouldn't believe it.

After all, where in this world would you find a zombie as gossipy and talkative as Xu Qing?
As Xu Qing was leaving the yamen, he happened to run into County Magistrate Chen Guangrui talking with Chen Feng at the yamen entrance.

As he passed by the two men, the latter let out another cold snort.

Well, he's still a petty and vengeful person!

"You flatter me, sir. It is my Chen family that is honored to be associated with you."

As soon as Chen Feng left with light steps, Xu Qing, who had only gone a short distance, turned back the way he came.

He stood at the entrance of the yamen, pretending nothing was wrong, and greeted the guards at the gate.

"Did Manager Chen find some silver or something? Why is he so happy?"

The gatekeeper chuckled and said, "What's a little silver picking up? The master is planning to adopt his son as a godfather. Isn't that better than picking up silver?"

Xu Qing seemed to be deep in thought upon hearing this.

This Magistrate Chen is quite interesting.

It's unclear whether the other party's idea stemmed from hearing that Chen Feng's child had been saved by the Goddess of Childbirth, or whether they were acting intentionally because they sensed Chen Feng's indifference towards his concubines and children.
It's possible that both are true.

Xu Qing's gaze passed through the entrance of the yamen and landed on the courtroom with its bright mirror hanging high.

He suddenly smiled.

Magistrate Chen's actions served as a reminder to him. If anyone possessed the compassion to care for children, besides Magistrate Chen, perhaps only Lady Jin could be mentioned.
Chen Guangrui was destined not to become the temple keeper of Baosheng Temple, but Mrs. Jin was just right.

(End of this chapter)