The Fierce Farm Girl Has A Secret Space Chapter 2455: Sentencing (Part 3)

~3 minute read · 793 words
Previously on The Fierce Farm Girl Has A Secret Space...
The villagers demand punishment for Wang Baozhu after the brutal incident. Officials from the County Governor’s Office arrive, including Officer Xie, who greets Yang Ruxin. A coroner examines the scene and confirms the death of the child, attributing it to Wang Baozhu. Ma Laifu, Tian Jinhua, and Ma Gouzi are taken for medical treatment due to severe injuries. Wang Baozhu, in chains, threatens Yang Ruxin, who retorts that Wang Baozhu will not live much longer. Li Xiang arrives and expresses her anger, but Yang Ruxin and Liang Xiaoyu distract her with talk of marriage, easing the tension.

After the government officials had departed, the once bustling household of five fell into a sudden silence.

The villagers, meanwhile, couldn't stop murmuring, and the events became a long-lasting topic of conversation long after meals.

The following day at noon, Yu Qingge arrived in a hurry, bearing news from the Governor’s Office; a public trial was scheduled for Wang Baozhu and the Ma Family in the county town, to take place in three days.

A public trial, of course, meant that the common folk would be permitted to witness the proceedings.

This update was relayed to the village by the Lizheng as dusk settled, prompting some villagers to make plans to journey to the Governor’s Office to observe the outcome of the trial.

Yang Ruxin herself desired to witness the public trial but found it impossible due to her advanced pregnancy; the arduous journey to the county town would be too taxing. Furthermore, if the family were to be judged by the laws of Daxuan, Wang Baozhu would undoubtedly face the death penalty, given that fatalities had occurred. The Ma Family members, if dealt with leniently, might only receive thirty lashes; if punished severely, they could be sentenced to exile, a fate that, in this era, was practically a death sentence.

"You reap what you sow," Yu Qingge remarked with a sigh, then quickly shifted her gaze to Yang Ruxin’s swollen abdomen, "Sis, are you truly carrying triplets?"

"That's what it seems like," Yang Ruxin confirmed with a nod, adding, "But it might not be entirely accurate."

"That’s true," Yu Qingge agreed, nodding, "Even hospital equipment isn't infallible. Regardless, no matter how many there are, I wish to be their godmother. Ouch! Why did you strike me?"

"I struck you for speaking such nonsense," Yang Ruxin shot back, glaring at Yu Qingge, "I am sworn sisters with the Fang Family. You should be an aunt to them, addressed as 'aunt,' not 'godmother,' correct? Why not be the 'old godmother'?"

"Heh heh," Yu Qingge mumbled, scratching her head, "Didn't I just momentarily forget that?"

"Why aren't you at home, accompanying my younger brother and focusing on your studies? What are you doing running around here?"

"Scholars are dreadfully dull," Yu Qingge declared with a sigh, "I wish to stay here for a few days."

"Everyone is attending their lessons; there’s no one available to play with you," Erni interjected as she entered, presenting Yang Ruxin with a glass of milk.

"You can keep me company," Yu Qingge offered, reaching out to embrace Erni.

"No time for that," Erni quickly sidestepped, evading the hug.

"I know, are you not occupied with keeping your husband company? Attending to your spouse?" Yu Qingge retorted, rolling her eyes, "As if you're the only one with a partner."

Erni’s face flushed crimson: "Shameless! I'm not speaking with you anymore," she declared before turning and quickly departing.

"Is this young lady still so sensitive?" Yu Qingge inquired, shaking her head.

"Do you believe everyone possesses your level of thick skin, as resilient as a city wall?" Yang Ruxin inquired, taking a sip of her milk, "However, Xuexue is indeed quite busy; she not only spends time with Ayao but also manages her embroidery studio. Those dolls are selling exceptionally well, and now they are facing a shortage of staff."

"I can assist them by drawing designs," Yu Qingge exclaimed, her eyes suddenly sparkling with an idea, "I shall go find her immediately," and with that, she too ran off.

Yang Ruxin shook her head, noting that even after marriage, she remained just as impetuous.

Three days elapsed in the blink of an eye. Fang Dehua presided over the public trial for the Ma Family members, and both the village head and the Lizheng were summoned to testify in court. In essence, the moral depravity of the Ma Family was beyond dispute. Although the elderly patriarch had succumbed to a fatal heart attack brought on by shock, Wang Baozhu had directly caused her own son’s death and inflicted injuries upon several others; consequently, she was handed a death sentence, to be carried out after the autumn harvest.

The Ma Family, as a collective, had been involved in coercing women into prostitution, indirectly leading to fatalities, and were also found guilty of abduction and mistreatment of individuals. Their final sentence was thirty lashes and exile.

When the news of the verdict reached the village, the inhabitants couldn't help but utter sighs of reflection.

The Ma Family, in particular, maintained a low profile following the trial; while the transgressions were not solely their doing, the principle of one ancestor’s misdeeds tarnishing the entire lineage held sway.