Chapter 14: The Dowry Could Be Recovered

The bailiffs had come to take Qin Lang to the government office for questioning.

Seeing that Qin Lang was so cooperative, one of the officials said, “Alright, let’s go, Master Qin.”

Qin Lang followed the bailiffs to the Jingzhao government office. Upon entering, he immediately saw Lin Zhiyi kneeling on the floor, and the magistrate conducting the inquiry was none other than Lord Feng, the Jingzhao Yin.

Qin Lang bowed and said, “Thank you, Lord Feng, for helping me recover the thief.”

He then turned his gaze to Lin Zhiyi, his anger rising as he demanded, “Lin Zhiyi, tell me! Where did you hide the things from the Qin residence?”

At his words, everyone in the room looked at him.

This man, the accused who had seized Lin Zhiyi’s property, was now daring to speak so shamelessly in court.

Lin Zhiyi, however, gave Qin Lang a cold look and sneered, “May I ask, Master Qin, what exactly did I take from the Qin family? Oh, I know! You came to the capital to take the imperial exams and brought only two torn rags. Is that what you mean?”

Qin Lang hesitated, intending to mention the dowry, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“Anyway, you know very well that Mother’s large golden bracelets are missing, as are the valuables from my elder brother’s and younger sister’s rooms. If you didn’t take them, who did?”

Lin Zhiyi chuckled softly, “Master Qin, just because someone speaks louder doesn’t make them right. So, who gave those valuables to your brother and sister, I wonder? You say I took them, but what proof do you have? Without proof, this is nothing but slander.”

“Besides, even if I did take them, I was merely returning what belongs to me!” she added, her voice cutting through the room like a blade.

Qin Lang was taken aback. “You!”

When had Lin Zhiyi become so sharp-tongued and logically clear?

In the past, she would always get tangled in her own words when speaking to him.

If not for his persuasion, how could Lin Zhiyi have been convinced to take her mother’s and two sisters-in-law’s dowries as well?

Moreover, his career had been advanced because he had managed to convince Lin Zhiyi to go back to her family and beg her father for help.

Usually, she was obedient and respectful in front of his family, yielding to his instructions.

Over time, Lin Zhiyi had gotten used to being subservient to him and his family, always saying “yes” to their demands.

But now, looking at her, it seemed like she wasn’t afraid of him.

Her mind was so sharp, too.

“Who are you really? You’re not Lin Zhiyi!”

Lin Zhiyi gave him a look as if he were a fool, the mockery in her smile more evident than ever.

“Oh? Then who does Master Qin think I am? Would you like me to tell everyone all the things you’ve done?”

Qin Lang’s heart skipped a beat.

He had no idea how much Lin Zhiyi knew about what he had done.

Then, he regained his composure. Lin Zhiyi must be bluffing. He had never told her anything, so how could she know?

He noticed that all his expressions were being closely observed by Lin Zhiyi.

She was just bluffing, he thought, realizing that he must have some weaknesses.

But investigating him wasn’t something she could do now. He could let her run around for a few years, and after five years, when he returned, he would deal with the Qin family in one fell swoop.

At that moment, Lord Feng slammed the judgment board and sternly asked, “Is the person standing here the accused, Qin Lang?”

Qin Lang bowed again, “Yes, Your Excellency, it is I.”

“Then, in light of your position as a government official, you are ordered to return Lin Zhiyi’s dowry in full. If not, I will report the matter to the Emperor.”

Jingzhao Fu was directly governed by the imperial court, overseeing Chang’an and its surrounding counties.

As the third-rank Jingzhao Yin, Lord Feng was very different from Qin Lang, a poor scholar who had made his way up through the exams. The Feng family was a well-established official family.

Although Lord Feng came from an official family, he had not relied on his family’s status. Instead, he had worked hard in his studies to get to where he was.

He despised people like Qin Lang, who sought shortcuts and avoided relying on their own true abilities, instead resorting to underhanded methods.

Lord Feng also had a daughter of marriageable age and was deeply afraid she might fall into the hands of someone like Qin Lang.

Qin Lang had initially thought that being a fellow official, Lord Feng would show some leniency, especially since if everything went well, he would be marrying He Jiaojiao today.

His father-in-law, He Shilang, held a third-rank position, just like Lord Feng, so he hadn’t expected Lord Feng to offer him no face at all.

Lord Feng, hearing Qin Lang’s explanation, was clearly more inclined to believe Lin Zhiyi’s version of the story.

Lin Zhiyi defended herself: “Your Excellency, I have always served my mother-in-law diligently, without fail. I was never disrespectful to my husband either. However, Qin Lang wished to demote me to a concubine, and when I refused, he initiated the divorce, believing that after the divorce, I would be required to return my dowry, and that’s why he abandoned me.”

Lord Feng found Lin Zhiyi’s argument convincing. He had heard recently that Qin Lang was planning to marry the daughter of He Shilang, a prominent official, and this had piqued his interest in the case.

“Lin Zhiyi, do you have any witnesses to support your claim?”

At this, Chai Ya stepped forward and said, “Your Excellency, I am a servant from the Qin residence, and I can testify to the events.”

Qin Lang immediately objected, “She is from Lin Zhiyi’s side, naturally biased in her testimony.”

Lord Feng frowned. “Go to Qin’s residence and bring in the other witnesses.”

Lin Zhiyi sighed. Even if she brought in more servants, they would all have sided with Qin Lang by now.

Soon, the officials returned with more people from the Qin residence, including servants.

As expected, Qin’s family, including Old Madam Qin, all maintained that Lin Zhiyi had been divorced for disrespecting her mother-in-law. The other servants, particularly those who had been sold to Chen Ji Servants by Lin Zhiyi, also corroborated this story.

They hoped that if they sided with Qin Lang, they might avoid being sent to the mines in Xuanzhou.

Lord Feng was at a loss as to how to proceed with such a situation. According to the Great Qian laws, a wife’s property was not supposed to be divided under ordinary circumstances. However, if a woman was divorced due to the “seven offenses,” the husband could keep part of her dowry.

He looked at Lin Zhiyi with more sympathy and then struck the judgment board. “According to the ‘Household Marriage Law,’ Lin Zhiyi may receive 20% of her dowry, and the rest will go to the Qin family. Lin Zhiyi, do you accept this judgment?”

“Yes, I accept,” Lin Zhiyi replied quietly.

In her heart, she sighed. The laws of the ancient world really needed reform.

Although she was frustrated, she knew the Lin family was being exiled from Chang’an soon, and she couldn’t afford to waste too much time.

Besides, even if she kept fighting, she might not recover everything.

The rest of the dowry had already been safely hidden in her space, so arguing further was meaningless.

The servants from the Qin family immediately brightened up. If this were the case, they wouldn’t have to be sold off after all.

But their hopes quickly faded as Lin Zhiyi said, “Your Excellency, I only want the house that was part of my dowry and these servants. The rest may remain with the Qin family.”

“Approved!”

It was clear to everyone that Lin Zhiyi had been forced out of the Qin family.

But according to the law, Lin Zhiyi had insufficient evidence, and Lord Feng could only pass this ruling.

He had already sent people to inventory Lin Zhiyi’s dowry, and since her request for the house and servants didn’t exceed 20% of the dowry, it was fair and reasonable.

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Qin immediately became upset. Lin Zhiyi had already taken all her dowry, and now they would receive nothing.

“I refuse! Last night, our house was robbed. Lin Zhiyi stole the dowry, and now the magistrate is granting her the house! Shouldn’t she be locked up in jail and sentenced to death?” she cried.

“Eh?” Lord Feng slammed his judgment board again, glaring at Old Madam Qin, “Do you wish to take the position of Jingzhao Yin instead?”

Old Madam Qin was startled and immediately fell silent.

Seeing that Lin Zhiyi was about to leave the court, Old Madam Qin hurriedly tugged at Qin Lang’s sleeve.

Qin Lang immediately reacted. He couldn’t let Lin Zhiyi get off so easily.

“Your Excellency, the Qin residence was robbed yesterday. Everything, including the dowry, was stolen. I hope the authorities can find the thief and return the stolen goods.”

“Moreover, my fiancée, He Jiaojiao’s dowry was also stolen. I suspect Lin Zhiyi may have been behind it.”

Qin Lang pointed at Lin Zhiyi.