Chapter 193 - Chapter 193: Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-Three: Malicious Gaze (1/2)
Chapter 193: Chapter 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.