Chapter 193 - One Hundred and Ninety-Three: Malicious Gaze

Translator: 549690339

The lead bodyguard escorting the magistrate’s wife to the county government remained unruffled under the gaze of Magistrate Chu, recounting the events in detail and emphasizing that the magistrate’s wife did not have an identity document to prove her status. They had simply mistaken the magistrate’s wife for an imposter, and he relayed some of Mrs. Zhang’s arrogant remarks.

“Madam Sun’s behavior was crude, and there were many instances in her speech where she seemed to interfere with court affairs. She even spoke assertively about dismissing your office, Master. Such brazen boldness is truly unlike something a general magistrate’s wife would do. Without proof of identity, the servants naturally assumed Madam Sun was an imposter, which is why they brought her to the county government.”

“Madam Sun, did such a thing happen?” Magistrate Chu’s expression was not good. Although he did not hold a high post, he was still an imperial-appointed official, the parental authority over Xinye County. To have a housewife casually speak of dismissing him was an outright insult. However, having been an official for many years and seeing the darkness and corruption within officialdom, even if he was irritated, he kept it to himself, merely showing some displeasure on his face.

Mrs. Zhang stuttered when questioned by Magistrate Chu. She might not have much respect for a lower officer like Magistrate Chu, but at this moment she still needed his help. Naturally, she couldn’t admit that her words had embarrassed him. Having been the wife of an official for many years, Mrs. Zhang quickly recovered.

“How could such a thing happen? The audacity of these nefarious commoners to falsely accuse me is utterly nonsensical. Magistrate Chu, do not believe the words of these criminals.”

Mrs. Zhang thus spoke, and the bodyguard offered no rebuttal. He merely stood there with a cold face, his hand on his sword, waiting for Magistrate Chu’s instructions. Due to the bewildering chaos of the situation, no one noticed that this bodyguard had not paid his respects to the county magistrate upon entering, nor was he doing so even now as he stood talking to Master Magistrate Chu and Mrs. Zhang.

Magistrate Chu had noticed but said nothing. He had learned earlier that this bodyguard was from the Su Mansion, so he gave it some more thought. Not to mention his wife’s close relationship with Madam Su meant he was more lenient toward the Su family, he knew well enough that the people from Su Mansion were not ignorant of decorum. This suggested that the bodyguard held an official rank. Unfortunately, the magistrate’s wife seemed oblivious to the lack of deference from the bodyguard, indicating only one thing: the bodyguard’s master held more clout than the magistrate’s wife.

“Madam Sun, this is just one side of the story, and it is not easy for me to judge,” Magistrate Chu said, finding himself in a difficult position. Even though he disliked Mrs. Sun, after all, she was the wife of a general magistrate, and the Su family was not one he could afford to offend.

“Magistrate Chu, I won’t make it difficult for you. Other matters might be disputable, but these ruffians offending me is undeniable. You should be able to deal with that, shouldn’t you?”

“This…” Magistrate Chu looked toward the bodyguard, hinting that he should show his status. Otherwise, he really would have to arrest someone, for after all, Madam Sun was an official’s family member, and it was a fact that people from Su Mansion had offended her.

“Lord Magistrate, I am simply following my master’s orders,” the bodyguard said coldly, implying that if there were issues, they should take it up with his master.

The general magistrate’s wife seized the opportunity, “Magistrate Chu, you heard him, it was his master’s orders that led to these actions. You should arrest the master of the Su family.”

“Magistrate Chu, do you really wish to proceed with this?” Magistrate Chu hesitated, his mind running through other considerations.

“What, I hear that Magistrate Chu’s wife has a good relationship with Madam Su. Could it be that Magistrate Chu intends to favor the Su family?” Mrs. Zhang’s words were pointed.

“The lower officer would not dare,” Magistrate Chu said with a show of respect, but a hint of sarcasm flickered in his eyes.

“Hmph, I thought not. Since that’s the case, come with me to make the arrests,” demanded Madam Sun. Seeing Magistrate Chu’s indecisiveness and having heard of his wife’s friendship with Madam Su, she worried he would not deal with the matter properly due to bias toward the Su family. She decided to accompany them herself, eager to assert her authority in front of the Su family and regain the respect she felt she had lost.

“As you command,” agreed Magistrate Chu, a look of triumph briefly crossing his face, too quick for anyone to notice.

With the general magistrate’s wife leading the way and Magistrate Chu in tow, they headed for the Su Mansion, and surprisingly, the bodyguard showed no objection, accompanying them back to the Su family. The bodyguard maintained a cold expression throughout, showing no sign of what he might be thinking.

The wife of the county magistrate heard the news from behind that Lord Magistrate Chu was heading to arrest someone at the Su Mansion. Worried, she quickly readied herself and headed out. An appearance by the general magistrate’s wife meant she couldn’t ask too much, but a subtle hint from her husband reassured her that the Su family would face no trouble, although she decided to follow them nonetheless.

A grand procession made its way to the Su family, including not just Mrs. Zhang’s own servants from the General Magistrate’s mansion but also the county government’s officers and the Su family’s servants. Passersby all stopped to watch while Mrs. Zhang, riding in the horse carriage, surveyed the scene outside with great satisfaction, reveling in the authority she displayed. She was looking forward to arriving at the Su Mansion; now that she had a handle on them, even if the Su family knelt and begged for mercy, she wouldn’t forgive them easily.

The Su family enjoyed a good reputation locally, earning the support of the local commoners. Seeing such a crowd heading toward the Su Mansion, along with a troop of officers, worried that something had happened to the family, many hurried to inform the Su family, subsequently receiving rewards for their efforts.

“Grandmother, you truly possess foresight. Mrs. Zhang really did come with officers in tow!” Su Wenyue, having woken from her nap refreshed, came to old lady Su and, with a smile, mentioned the report of Mrs. Zhang’s entourage as she approached.

“You sweet-talking little girl! Don’t worry, with your grandmother here, not one of those who bullied our family’s girls will get away with it.” Old lady Su had only just arrived when her granddaughter was mistreated, and naturally, she could not let it stand.

Old lady Su, noting the time was right, returned to her room and had the servants help her into the imperial edict attire worn only when visiting the palace or attending grand banquets. Donning the attire transformed her completely; the formerly gentle and kind old lady instantly became an imposing elder, and even Su Wenyue felt a bit nervous when she did not smile.

“How do I look, granddaughter? Do I seem imposing enough?” The old lady seemed to notice her granddaughter’s unease and asked cheerfully, lightening the mood considerably.

Su Wenyue’s discomfort was fleeting, and she responded with a smile, “Grandmother indeed looks imposing. Even your granddaughter feels overawed by your grandeur.”

Mrs. Zhang, accompanied by a multitude of attendants, arrived at the Su Mansion with more fanfare than before, and she charged straight in, only to be stopped once more by the Su family’s bodyguards at the gate.

“How dare you! Seize anyone who dares obstruct official matters!” Mrs. Zhang commanded, pointing at the officers.

The officers, however, did not heed Mrs. Zhang’s command, instead, looking expectantly at Magistrate Chu, as they followed only his orders. Seeing her own command ignored, Mrs. Zhang too turned to Magistrate Chu with a sharp look.