Chapter 127: Chapter 127: Even Dogs Recognize Their Own Family_l

Translator: 549690339

After returning to the county government office, Liao Qilin reported the situation in Chen village to County Magistrate Wu Shi. He concluded:

“Indeed, the Jiang family has planted a lot of cotton, and many households in the village are doing the same, but the exact yield per acre can only be calculated after the cotton is harvested.

Wu Shi nodded, “You have worked hard, Brother Liao.”

Liao Qilin smiled,: “It is my duty to serve you, Mingfu.”

Ever since he resigned from the side of the Mei County Magistrate, Liao Qilin has offered himself up to this Wu County Magistrate as his staff. He firmly believed he made the right choice over these past days.

This man may not have strong connections, but he was indeed a competent and good officer. Unlike the Mei County Magistrate, who spent his tenure doing nothing but bribing, following such a person would not only result in no career achievements, but might even bring misfortune in the long run.

Wu Shi invited Liao Qilin to sit down while Wu Rui poured him tea and left.

Wu Shi blew on his tea cup, “The Luzhou governor sent a letter today, asking me to re-examine the case of the Han sisters trafficking children. How do you view this, Brother Liao?”

Liao Qilin pondered for a moment, “Mingfu should be cautious about this. If the governor has written a letter, he must intend to acquit the Han sisters. You could review this case and if there are indeed no doubts, release the Han sisters on bail.”

Seeing Wu Shi looking unhappy, Liao Qilin added: “Mingfu has just taken office in Qinchuan County. If you upset the governor about such a minor matter, wouldn’t it be more harm than good?”

Wu Shi sneered and put down his cup of tea, “And what if I don’t release them on bail?”

Liao Qilin bowed his hands to Wu Shi, “Why should a high-ranking official offend the governor over a small matter? Releasing them on bail does not mean they are innocent. However, if you stubbornly refuse, the governor will inevitably react, and if she is exonerated, your dossier will be admonished. Then, the governor will have a good reason to replace you.”

It’s a serious matter if an officer misjudged a case. His superior has the right to dismiss him, and even the supervisory historians could do nothing about it.

Wu Shi frowned, “Today, the Chen family filed a complaint saying the Jiang family’s child is their son’s biological girl and claimed to do a blood test with her.”

Liao Qilin suddenly realized, “I see, that’s the Chen family’s trick. They want to acquit the Han sisters this way. If you really let them do the blood test, I can assure you that they will make the fake thing real. Then, the Han sisters will be acquitted.”

If the child indeed belongs to the Han sisters, then the case’s classification will change, and the Han sisters would not have kidnapped someone else’s child. Therefore, Wu Shi’s previous judgment would be wrong.

Thinking of the child’s earnest request, Wu Shi’s stubborn temper rose, and he sneered, “I don’t believe it. Let them test the blood. The case of the Han sisters hiring murderers is set in stone. Whether the child is from the Chen family or not, the crimes of the Han sisters remain unaffected.’

Those who dare to break the law under my rule should be duly punished. As a local parental official, if I cannot provide the people with fair justice then I may as well not be the county magistrate.”

Upon seeing the magistrate’s stubbornness, Liao Qilin shook his head and said nothing more.

The next day, just after Yingbao and his parents and brother finished breakfast, a village constable led two government officials to their doorstep.

“The honorable county magistrate is judging cases in the village hall today. He has ordered us to bring Jiang Yingbao for a blood test.” One of the officials said.

Although Jiang Sanlang already knew about some things, he was still very angry.

He picked his daughter up and got on the donkey cart, not allowing his wife to follow. He drove the cart with his second brother and followed the officials to the town.

The puppy Xiaohei was barking behind the donkey cart, chasing it along the way.

Seeing this, Yingbao had an idea and quickly asked her father to stop the cart and let Xiaohei onto the cart.

“What are you taking him up there for?” Jiang Erlang asked, puzzled.

Yingbao grinned, “He will be very important.”

Wasn’t a blood recognition test proposed? Hence, she would have the dog also do the blood recognition with the Chen family.

Today, County Magistrate Wu himself came to Chuanhe Town, accompanied by the Principal Secretary, Scribe, and several government officials. They convened an open court here in the countryside to officially review the complaint from Chen Laoshuan.

Because the Lizhen had informed everyone in advance, all the residents of East and West Chen Village had gathered outside the town hall, squeezing and crowding together, waiting for the court session to begin.

“Don’t be scared, Bao’er.” Jiang Sanlang, fearing his daughter would be frightened by this show of authority, reassured her softly, “Dad is with you the whole time.”

“Bao’er is not scared.” Yingbao didn’t feel scared. In her previous life, she had faced much larger crowds. So, she wouldn’t be scared of these people.

At the top of the hall, County Magistrate Wu sat in the main seat, his face solemn and serious.

The Principal Secretary, Scribe, and others were seated on either side of the hall. There was also a strange middle-aged man sitting by himself. He seemed to be an auditor from the Prefecture City.

This time Jiang Sanlang stood accused, with Chen Laoshuan and Chen Changping acting as the plaintiffs.

This was the first time Yingbao got to see Chen Changping up close in her life, and the sight was quite repulsive.

This guy seemed polite and kind but concealed a selfish and sinister heart.

“Honorable official, my name is Chen Changping and I wish to sue the Jiang family for refusing to return my stolen daughter. The child they took in is actually my daughter. I beg you, Honorable official, to help me get my little girl back,” Chen Laoshuan, along with Chen Changping, bowed and pleaded to the officer at the head of the hall.

Jiang Sanlang sneered. He stepped forward, bowed and said, “Honorable officer, Chen Changping is spouting nonsense. Our entire village knows that the daughter he abandoned has a large birthmark on her wrist. Midwife Wu Si could attest to this. However, my Yingbao’s wrist has no birthmark. How could she possibly be Chen Changping’s child?”

County Magistrate Wu nodded, hit his gavel, and said, “Bring forward Midwife Wu.”

Jiang Dalang had arranged for Midwife Wu Si to wait outside the hall well in advance. At the government official’s call, Wu Si, trembling, came forward. “Humble woman pays her respects to the Honorable officer,” Wu Si knelt down with a thud.

County Magistrate Wu said, “Stand up and answer.”

“Yes.” Wu Si stood up, bending at the waist with her head bowed, not daring to look up.

“Wu Si, has Chen Changping’s wife given birth to a child delivered by you?” County Magistrate Wu asked.

“Yes, I was the one who delivered Chen Changping’s mother’s four daughters,” Wu Si confirmed.

“Do you remember what Chen Changping’s youngest daughter looked like and what distinguishes her from others?”

“Honorable Official, all newborns look pretty much the same when they come out. I only remember that Chen Changping’s youngest child had a red birthmark the size of a copper coin on her wrist; I don’t remember anything else.”

The County Magistrate turned to Jiang Sanlang, “Show your daughter’s wrist.”

Jiang Sanlang complied, rolling up Yingbao’s sleeves to expose her wrists. Both wrists were smooth without any birthmark.

“Chen Changping, Chen Laoshuan, did you two see clearly?” County Magistrate Wu asked solemnly, “Does this child’s wrist have a birthmark?”

Chen Laoshuan, who knew early on that there was no birthmark on the girl, stated calmly, “Honourable officer, the appearance of my granddaughter when she was born can’t be taken at the word of the midwife. Who knows if Wu Si is corrupted by the Jiang family or not.”

“You’re full of shit!” Wu Si got angry, pointing at Chen Laoshuan and cursing, “I swear to God, everything I said is true. The newborn had a birthmark on her wrist. Han family had specifically asked me about it, and I told the truth.. Why on earth would you say that I was bought by the Jiang family?”