Chapter Twenty-Two: Seizing the Chance for Revenge
After the constables entered, they swiftly subdued everyone present.
“Someone went to the county office to file a complaint, claiming that someone died from eating at your tavern. Is that true?”
Chu Wenyan, his hands bound, was furious. “Nonsense! These people caused trouble in our establishment, trying to extort money from us!”
The lead constable glanced at him indifferently. “If you have grievances, you can tell them to the magistrate.”
Chu Bing’s heart skipped a beat—the magistrate? Was that not like stepping into the tiger’s den? Yet, she lacked any strength to resist, forced along toward the county office.
On the way, the crowd of onlookers followed behind, their numbers swelling, forming a grand procession toward the county office.
“What’s going on?”
“I heard someone died after eating at Chu’s Tavern, so the constables arrested them!”
“Look, that’s the owner of Chu’s Tavern!”
…
Chu Bing listened to the discussions around her, her brows furrowed darkly. If this continued, her tavern’s reputation would be utterly ruined!
Her eyes flickered, an idea forming in her mind. She had to find a way to prove that today’s incident was entirely a scheme by the other party to frame them, that her tavern was the victim!
Soon, they arrived at the county office. Chu Bing and her companions were thrown into the main hall by the constables.
Chu Bing raised her head slightly and indeed saw the magistrate seated above.
He wore bright red official robes, appearing righteous, but upon seeing Chu Bing, his expression changed at once. “Chu Bing? Why are you here?”
“Reporting to the magistrate, she is the owner of Chu’s Tavern. It was in her tavern that someone died from eating!” a constable replied.
Chu Bing narrowed her eyes—this constable seemed far too eager. Moreover, he kept repeating that someone died in her tavern, when the matter had not yet been settled!
She must not let this accusation become fact!
Chu Bing immediately raised her voice. “Your honor, my tavern has never caused anyone’s death. These men saw that I was weak and easy to bully, so they set a trap. The man lying on the ground isn’t dead at all! They are deliberately trying to defraud us!”
The magistrate stroked his beard and said angrily, “Did I give you permission to speak? You are disrespectful!”
Chu Bing was stifled; the magistrate truly intended to seize this chance for revenge!
Chu Wenyan had no fondness for the magistrate to begin with, and seeing him side with the burly men and speak harshly to his sister only made him angrier. He shouted, “Corrupt official! You’re upset because my sister left you, so you want revenge? I tell you, our tavern never harmed anyone—”
“Silence!” The magistrate, his dignity threatened, could not let Chu Wenyan continue. He pointed at him, shouting, “Contempt of court! Beat him!”
“Yes, sir!”
The constables dragged Chu Wenyan out. Chu Bing, anxious, cried, “Stop!”
She tried to stand, but a constable behind her suddenly kicked her in the knee, sending her crashing to the ground.
Chu Bing’s hands gradually clenched into fists. Hearing Chu Wenyan’s stifled groans, her hatred for the magistrate surged to its peak.
The magistrate seemed to delight in her helplessness and anxiety. His beady eyes gleamed with malicious fury. “Chu Bing, you and your brother conspired to rob and murder. The facts are plain. Today, I shall dispense justice and sentence you—”
“Your honor!” Chu Bing suddenly looked up, her clear eyes ablaze with anger. For a moment, the magistrate felt uneasy and pause