Chapter 60: Every Fiend Has Its Master

Yun Jiao looked over in confusion, following the gazes of the crowd, and saw a middle-aged man leading the way inside, followed closely by a young servant.

He was dressed in a blue brocade-lined jacket, with a fair complexion and a scholarly air, carrying himself with a certain grace in his every movement.

"Oh! Magistrate Sun!" Qian Shihai hurriedly went forward to greet him.

He was secretly pondering in his heart. Magistrate Sun was the local magistrate of Laizhou City, and ordinary families could not easily invite him. Even for his own family, the magistrate would only be invited to partake in a few meals during the final commemorative rites on the seventh day after a passing.

There was simply no reason for the magistrate to arrive uninvited just as the initial mourning letters had gone out.

Could he be here to deliver condolence money? But how could he ever dare to accept condolence money from Magistrate Sun?

Lady Ding also rushed forward hurriedly, pouring forth ingratiating words: "Oh my, what wind blew you here today, Magistrate Sun? How could you bear to honor our humble home with your presence?"

Unaware of the anxiety churning in Qian Shihai's heart, she only felt immensely glorious, her face breaking into a wide smile.

Sun Anping cast a glance around the room, his eyes lingering for a moment on Shen Changdong's face without speaking.

On such an occasion today, Shen Changdong, as the filial grandson-in-law of the late Old Madam Qian, naturally could not be absent.

Moreover, Lady Ding also needed him to serve as her scapegoat.

Lady Ding had long since repeatedly told the various relatives and neighbors from the imperial capital about how thoroughly rebellious and unfilial Shen Changdong was, and how he had trampled and broken her mother-in-law's leg.

She also portrayed herself as utterly righteous, explaining how she had disciplined this unfilial son-in-law and taken justice into her own hands by having his legs broken.

At this thought, a trace of gloom flashed across Shen Changdong's face. True, he was unfilial, but how much better was this Ding the Chicken-catcher?

She was merely someone whose mother resembled his maternal aunt!

Now that they had crippled him and broken his leg, did they imagine he would simply submit docilely and allow them to manipulate him at will?

It was not going to be that simple!

Especially this crowd of rustic country folk, each one more vulgar and crude than the last, who actually assumed sanctimonious expressions to lecture him. They didn't even bother to look in a mirror to see what kind of creatures they were!

Recalling the constant stream of lectures he had endured since sitting at this table, along with all the condescending remarks and disdainful glances, the hostility on Shen Changdong's face grew even more intense.

"Brother Sun, please forgive your younger brother for his broken legs, unable to rise in welcome."

He cupped his fists and spoke in a clear voice.

Qian Xianglan, who had been sitting quietly beside him in silence, suddenly raised her head and glanced sideways at him.

She beckoned to a maid nearby, whispered a brief greeting to the people dining at the same table, and then, supported by the maid, headed toward the back rooms.

She said little, and her quiet withdrawal at this moment, combined with the fact that everyone's attention was fixed on the center of the room, failed to draw notice from others.

"What nonsense is this? Since your leg was broken, why didn't you send someone to let me know so I could come and visit you?" Sun Anping waved his hand dismissively.

His words were casual, but the expressions of everyone seated around the tables shifted abruptly.

Everyone had assumed Shen Changdong's influence was completely shattered. Who would have expected that even in this state, the local magistrate of Laizhou City would still address him as a brother? Just how deep must their relationship be?

Those who had just moments ago opened their mouths to reprimand Shen Changdong instantly grew restless and anxious, wishing they had not given in to a moment of loose talk.

Yet the most terrified of all was Lady Ding. Ever since Shen Changdong had been incapacitated, not only had she repeatedly humiliated him, but she had also shifted all the blame for his unfilial acts onto him, even claiming that the breaking of his legs had been carried out under her direct orders, thus painting herself as a virtuous and filial wife.

Yet now, even though Shen Changdong had fallen to such a state, Sun Anping still treated him like a brother, clearly here to back him up. What was she to do?

With her shallow intellect, the more she thought, the more terrified she became. Her face instantly turned as pale as paper, and if Qian Shihai had not reacted swiftly to steady her, her legs would likely have gone completely weak and she would have collapsed straight to the ground.

Qian Shihai pondered for a moment before speaking up, "Since Your Honor has arrived, please take the seat of honor."

Sun Anping stared at him, remaining silent for a moment before speaking in a flat, indifferent tone: "There is no need. I heard that Brother Shen was wrongfully and inexplicably beaten and had his leg broken right here in your merchant household. He is a scholar, after all, and as an official of the imperial court, it is naturally my duty to look out for him. That is why I came to see what kind of situation this is."

A cold sweat instantly broke out across Qian Shihai's forehead: "What is Your Honor saying? It was hardly inexplicable. It was simply because Changdong was unfilial to my aging mother and trampled and broke the old lady's leg..."

He knew very well that the matter of the broken leg had nothing to do with his elderly wife; it was clearly the result of Shen Changdong's own misdeeds abroad coming back to haunt him.

Yet matters had reached a point where Lady Ding had already proclaimed to everyone far and wide that she had ordered the deed done. How could those words possibly be taken back?

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and acknowledge it.

"Let us set aside whether the claim about him breaking the old madam's leg is true or false for the moment," Sun Anping said unhurriedly. "Let us assume the matter is true for the sake of argument.

"Do not forget, Shen Changdong is a scholar registered under my jurisdiction. What gives a merchant family like yours the right to administer private punishment upon him?"

As he spoke, his eyes widened as he glared at Qian Shihai, his imposing authority fully displayed.

"This... I..." Qian Shihai broke out in a heavy sweat, stammering repeatedly, "Please calm your anger, Your Honor! Please calm your anger! It was simply that my wife saw her elderly mother suffering unbearable pain and fainting several times, and in a moment of overwhelming grief and anger, she ordered that harsh punishment. We only hope Your Honor can understand her filial piety..."

"Indeed, Your Honor, please examine the facts clearly! He is nothing more than a living beast, he treated my grandmother..." Seeing this, Lady Ding hurriedly chimed in, desperately trying to distance herself from the blame.

"Impudent!" Sun Anping shouted sharply. "Brother Shen and I frequently interact. How could I not know his character? How dare an old woman like you soil his reputation!"

Yun Jiao watched quietly, feeling a sense of disdain in her heart. Second Uncle was truly adept at speaking nonsense with his eyes open. Whether Second Aunt possessed a single ounce of filial piety was something others might not know, but as her husband sleeping beside her pillow, how could he possibly be unaware!

He had simply turned a blind eye and allowed her to act recklessly.

Yet how should the current situation be handled?

Wicked though Second Aunt certainly was, compared to Shen Changdong, she was still somewhat better.

Sun Anping clearly intended to vindicate Shen Changdong, and they absolutely could not let him get away with backing Shen Changdong up like this.

However, what could be done?

Clever and perceptive though she was, her mind racing through a hundred different thoughts, she could not conjure up a useful countermeasure at the moment.

When all was said and done, she was still just a young girl of ten years of age. Given more time, she might have been able to plot and scheme around minor matters, but faced with a situation like this, even speaking out would be considered a breach of propriety. What could she possibly do?

Just as anxiety gripped her heart, a clear and resonant voice rang out.

"Your Honor, you are a pillar of the Great Yuan Dynasty. How can you address a lawless, unfilial, and disrespectful man as a brother?"

Hearing this voice, Yun Jiao felt as though she had heard celestial music. She lowered her head, pressed her lips together, and smiled.

Indeed, everything has its natural conqueror. This was likely retribution for all the manifold evils Shen Changdong had committed.

Despite his despicable character, he had somehow managed to raise such an outstanding son. It was hard to tell whether this was his blessing or his misfortune.

The crowd turned to look in all directions, only to see Qian Sheng standing there, his posture upright and straight, radiant like jade and polished stone.

"Qian Sheng!" Shen Changdong's face darkened with fury. "You unfilial wretch, do not forget that I am your father!"