Vol 2 Chapter 76 (1/2)
Chapter 76: Dispute
The defendants of the courtroo shi+ren passed the docuh it before handing it to Zheng Tu, who in turn gave it to Fan Xian to read Fan Xian read through it meticulously and found that it was pretty much as he expected it to be He nodded and returned the piece of paper
Song shi+ren spoke coldly with balled fists ”As a student, I can’t understand why Mr Fan Xian rereeting or knelt down in respect With this kind of attitude, it's no wonder he coht”
Fan Xian glanced at the laho co curiously, ”You have to kneel in court?” He was, of course, well-educated on the laws of this country and was fa in Danzhou His question was an intentional one
”Naturally, or would you disrespect the greatness of the iovernment?”
Song shi+ren eyed his opponent with a frown He had not wanted to be involved in this case, as after all, the opposition was the inconspicuous Fan family, whose poas feared by h as he had been a high official for so long that he could no longer turn back, so there was no room for rejection
Fan Xian chuckled and said, ”Why is it that Mr Song has not knelt down then?”
Song shi+ren squinted at the boy; he was unsure if the boy was truly an idiot or just acting He retorted iulations, one with achieveistrate”
Fan Xian bowed at Mei Zhili and said, ”When a student sees a teacher, are they required to kneel?”
Hearing this, Song shi+ren was certain that his opponent was one with achievements His previous research on Fan Xian revealed that he had never sat an imperial exam before, so how did he turn out to be a scholar? He stroked the fan in his hands and questioned, ”Might I dare ask what year Mr Fan took part in his imperial examination?”
Fan Xian replied politely, ”Last year in Danzhou” This was pre-arranged by Fan Jian before Fan Xian came to the capital Only till the day of the court case did he realize that he had somehow attained the title of scholar
The subject of kneeling was disan Both sides discussed thetheir own opinion Guo Baokun had no doubt that he was attacked by Fan Xian and his guards, while Zheng Tu was certain Fan Xian was in Fan Mansion the entire night and that there were plenty of servants who could attest to that Conflict arose and sounds of discussion froot louder It seemed that the ine the pretty and gentle boy as a cruel person On the other hand, the beaten up Mr Guo in the wheelchair looked like a suspicious man
Mei Zhili greeary of the noisy dispute He waved his hands in the air and the civilians went silent
”Judge, May I ask why you haven’tin the court?” Song shi+ren’s voice was loud and intiht that the docuistrate judge was yet to an to suspect that he was biased towards the Fan family and so decided to press the matter
Zheng Tu s The document states that the assault on Mr Guo happened after his head was covered by a bag So tell me, how could he possibly determine that the culprit was Fan Xian when he could not see?”
”Naturally by having heard Mr Fan’s voice What’s more, Mr Fan aded yourshi+ren looked at Fan Xian with a sneer and continued with a taunt, ”What kind of man are you if you can’t even take responsibility for what you did?”
Fan Xian are that his opponent was trying to provoke him Despite this, his expression remained calm with a mixture of astonishment It was as if he was confused as to why theTu’s voice cut in and he spokedetermined by a voice- and I know the laws inside out”
Song shi+ren did not back down, instead he spoke deliberately, ”If voice is not enough to prove Mr Fan’s identity, then allow me to show everyone a poem” With this, he retrieved a piece of paper from within his sleeve and recited slowly
The absent-minded Mei Zhili behind the bench was suddenly awakened froetically, ”What a wonderful poem Who is the poet?” Only then did he realize that he was not in his study, or in a poe on a case He cleared throat and requested the piece of paper fro shi+ren