Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1218: Grand Opening of the New Bank

With a resounding thud, the Li family's mother and son were unceremoniously deposited within the courthouse. Young Master Dou, striking an arrogant pose with his chin held high, fixed them with a fierce glare. Had they not been within the hallowed halls of the courthouse, he likely would have stomped upon their very backs as he delivered his words.

"Lord County Magistrate," he began, his voice sharp, "this shrewish mother and her whelp nearly caused my demise by startling my family's carriage, leading to my ungraceful tumble. To compound matters, they had the audacity to falsely accuse my family's carriage of striking her son, demanding a hundred taels of silver as compensation!" Young Master Dou then raised a single finger, emphasizing his point. "Lord County Magistrate, according to the Great Chu Criminal Law, attempting to extort over a hundred taels of silver is considered a major offense, punishable by exile, a sentence that can extend over a thousand miles. I implore you to dispense justice impartially."

A faint hiss escaped Lord Zheng as he regarded Young Master Dou, inwardly musing that the young man certainly deserved a good thrashing. However, Master Ouyang had explicitly mentioned that Young Master Dou was the primary financial backer of the new bank.

This exceptionally wealthy patron, Lord Zheng understood, was not to be trifled with; utmost respect was imperative.

With a decisive bang of the gavel, County Magistrate Zheng addressed the accused. "Li Qiangzi, Mrs. Li Qian, is the account given by Young Master Dou truthful? Speak plainly and swiftly. Dare to utter a single falsehood, and you shall face dire consequences!"

Mrs. Li Qian immediately cried out, "No, Lord County Magistrate, this impudent brat is fabricating tales! It was their carriage that struck my son first. Arrest him at once!"

A weary sigh escaped County Magistrate Zheng. He often wondered why so many women seemed determined to act foolishly.

He gestured towards Li Qiangzi. "You assert that Young Master Dou's carriage struck your son. Yet, observe Li Qiangzi; his limbs appear entirely unharmed. Had a speeding carriage truly impacted him, your son would surely be dead or grievously wounded by now."

Mrs. Li Qian, truly embodying the moniker of 'shrew,' paused for a fleeting moment, bewildered, before quickly retorting, "That is because my son is swift of foot, narrowly evading serious injury."

"What do you mean your son ran fast? It was my family's Dou Meng's exceptional horsemanship that managed to avoid your son; had he not been so skilled, your son would likely be dead," Young Master Dou interjected, weary of the pointless exchange with Mrs. Li Qian. "Shrew, I will offer you one final opportunity: Will you confess?"

Spitting contemptuously, Mrs. Li Qian declared, "No guilt here! It was your family's carriage that struck my son."

A cold laugh erupted from Young Master Dou, his last vestiges of patience evaporating. "Dou Zhi, present the witnesses!"

"Yes, Master," Dou Zhi responded promptly, ushering forward the three designated witnesses.

Without preamble, the three witnesses proceeded to recount precisely what they had observed, wasting no unnecessary words.

A porter named Niu then added his testimony. "Lord County Magistrate, I was returning from a delivery to the county town, strolling along at my leisure, and I witnessed the entire affair. This incident originated because Li Qiangzi attempted to take liberties with a young woman who rebuffed his advances. He then grabbed her son and fled, with Li Qiangzi pursuing him, which consequently startled Young Master Dou's carriage."

What!

County Magistrate Zheng recoiled in shock. His gaze shifted from Li Qiangzi to Miss Zhou, and finally to Steward Zheng. His eyes, conveying unspoken questions, seemed to ask: If my memory serves me correctly, isn't Miss Zhou the woman of Li Kuihu, and Li Qiangzi his son?

Steward Zheng offered a solemn nod. "Lord County Magistrate, that familial relationship is indeed correct."

"Preposterous! Their behavior is worse than that of beasts!" County Magistrate Zheng, a refined civil servant hailing from a noble lineage, was utterly appalled. Trembling with righteous fury, he pointed a shaking finger at Li Qiangzi. "Li Qiangzi, you caused the carriage to be startled, and furthermore, you conspired with your mother to extort Young Master Dou. This constitutes a grave offense."

He continued, his voice resonating with authority. "Do you realize that Young Master Dou holds the title of Yulin Army Spear? He is a ranked military officer. Extorting an official compounds the severity of your crime!"

Although the title of Yulin Army Spear represented a relatively minor, Lower Ninth Rank military position, it was nonetheless an official standing, proving useful during one's travels.

Young Master Dou had acquired the title of Yulin Army Spear shortly after reaching adulthood, leveraging his connections in the Capital. He had expended considerable silver to secure a position that did not necessitate arduous palace duties.

Mrs. Li Qian, lacking a clear understanding of what 'Yulin Army Spear' entailed, recognized only that it signified an official rank. "You... you are an official?!" she stammered.

"Ha, indeed. Otherwise, why do you imagine I do not bow before the Lord County Magistrate?" Young Master Dou asked, relishing the look of utter astonishment on Mrs. Li Qian's face.

*Shrew, you finally understand fear.*

Upon hearing that Young Master Dou possessed official status, Li Qiangzi was struck by sheer terror. He immediately began to plead for leniency. "Lord County Magistrate, we acknowledge our wrongdoings; we shall not dare to pursue this matter further. We beg for your mercy."

"Be gone with you, you cowardly scoundrel with your vile intentions! You deserve exile!" declared Young Master Dou. "Lord County Magistrate, while Mrs. Li Qian is somewhat manageable, Li Qiangzi's depraved thoughts warrant severe punishment. I urge you to impose a harsh sentence!"

*Reflecting on the woman who had borne a son for his father, what a strange and twisted circumstance this is.*

County Magistrate Zheng, holding disdain for Li Qiangzi, showed no mercy, immediately sentencing him for extorting an official. The punishment: exile a thousand miles away, with a twenty-year ban on his return.

By the time Li Shuzi reached maturity in twenty years, even if Li Qiangzi managed to return, his days of bullying Miss Zhou would be long over.

Mrs. Li Qian received a three-year prison sentence, but it could be commuted with a payment of thirty taels.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Li Qian rejoiced, her thoughts turning to her younger son at home. She resolved to sell a few acres of her paddy fields to raise the required silver.

As for Li Qiangzi, her son, she silently mused, 'Don't blame your mother for being heartless; you were caught taking advantage of that little vixen, and the County Magistrate is indirectly punishing you for it.'

Miss Zhou and her son were subsequently set free.

Yet, during the very expression of their gratitude, Mrs. Li Qian fixed her with a glare, "Go home and send word to your youngest brother. Tell him to sell the fields and pay my way out."

Mrs. Li Qian's fierce stare significantly unnerved Miss Zhou, who could only nod timidly in agreement.

Young Master Dou, witnessing this display, scoffed, "You truly are pathetic. The shrew's been sentenced, what are you still so afraid of?"

With that, he expressed his disdain for Miss Zhou's apparent lack of courage, offered his thanks to the County Magistrate, presented the officials with their rewards, and departed with a sigh.

However, just as he stepped outside, contemplating whether he might encounter Qin San Lang, Li Shuzi suddenly came running out. He tugged at Young Master Dou's clothes, halting his progress. "Uncle is a good person! Please, take us with you!"

Li Shuzi harbored a deep fear of both the Zhou and Li families. Witnessing Young Master Dou's decisive action in punishing Li Qiangzi's mother and son, he viewed him as a hero and rushed out to implore him to take them away.

"Uncle? This young master is quite young, you know. Call me brother," Young Master Dou replied, looking at Li Shuzi. "Take you away? And why should I? You just consume food and can't contribute any labor."

He considered individuals like Dou Zhi and Dou Meng to be the kind of servants he actually required.

Miss Zhou, having heard the exchange, came running and knelt, "Young Master Dou, this humble woman can perform any kind of work. Please, buy us... We cannot return home; it would only lead to further suffering."

Elder Lin emerged, paid his respects to Young Master Dou, and proceeded to recount the severe hardships Miss Zhou had endured and her current desperate situation. "While becoming a slave is not ideal, compared to the life awaiting them within the Li or Zhou families, following Young Master Dou presents a genuine chance for survival."

Only Young Master Zhou within the Zhou Family possessed a decent character, but he was merely Miss Zhou's cousin and incapable of supporting her and her son indefinitely.

"Young Master, this servant's manor will require people in the future. Why don't you acquire them? Consider it as purchasing them for this servant; you won't need to worry about their upkeep for life, as I will manage them," Dou Zhi proposed. She had taken a liking to Li Shuzi, thinking that if she remained unmarried, raising Li Shuzi and his mother would provide her with companionship in her old age.

"You wish to purchase them?" Young Master Dou's brow furrowed, his mind already throbbing from a lack of sleep. "Very well, very well. Buy them, and handle the arrangements yourself. This young master needs to return for some rest."

He was utterly exhausted!

"Alright, thank you, Young Master," Dou Zhi responded gratefully. Demonstrating her efficiency, she finalized Miss Zhou's indenture papers within just an hour. She then personally escorted Miss Zhou and her son to the newly established bank.

Young Master Dou, overwhelmed with pressing matters, had no time to return to his manor for sleep. Consequently, he rested at the new bank instead.

After a brief nap, he rose to resume his work, once again staying up through the entire night. It wasn't until the following day that all tasks were completed, marking the official opening day of the new bank.