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Magistrate Lin did not dare delay, inviting Song Jingyun to take a seat, ordering tea to be served, and warmly inquiring, “Why has scholar Song, the top scorer, come today? What brings you here?”
“To file a lawsuit,” Song Jingyun answered truthfully.
Song Jingyun filing a lawsuit?
Magistrate Lin was taken aback, “I wonder, who does Song, the top scorer, intend to sue and for what reason?”
“I am suing my uncle, Song Fengshou, and my aunt, Tang Shi, for seizing the property and assets left by my deceased parents, mistreating me as their nephew for many years. They are now coveting material possessions, threatening my wife, and pressuring me to return to my ancestral home,” Song Jingyun declared loudly.
Magistrate Lin was once again stunned.
He had clearly heard the previous statements and was starting to see the fault lying with Song Fengshou and Tang Shi.
In this final accusation…
Typically, sons-in-law who have married into a family might harbor some discontent, regardless of how well they are treated. They often have thoughts of returning to their own ancestral home, even if they cannot achieve it themselves, they may encourage their children and grandchildren to strive for it. It’s not uncommon for sons-in-law to return to their own family’s lineage generations later after marrying into a new family.
However, in Song Jingyun’s lawsuit against Song Fengshou, there was one particular aspect that stood out—his dissatisfaction with being pressured to return to his ancestral home.
Although, as a son-in-law, he normally would need the family’s agreement to return to his own family, given Song Jingyun’s academic and future career prospects, it would be reasonable for him to request to return to his own family. The Jiang family would likely not object to this.
Yet, it was Song Jingyun’s own reluctance to return to his ancestral home that set this case apart. Considering the usual treatment of Song Jingyun by the Jiang family and the deep bond between him and Jiang Mixia, Magistrate Lin could understand Song Jingyun’s perspective. He admired Song Jingyun’s sense of gratitude and reciprocation.
“I would like Song, the top scorer, to explain these matters in detail…”
Song Jingyun spent a full hour at the magistrate’s office before departing.
Magistrate Lin saw him off at the gate and then instructed his subordinates to prepare for questioning Song Fengshou and Tang Shi.
“These two individuals…” the subordinate scratched his head.
“What about these two?”
“I heard from the guards that a couple was brought in yesterday for stealing silver from a rice shop, falsely claiming they found it themselves. When their deception was uncovered, they caused a scene and were brought back here. They are currently detained and awaiting your interrogation. The plan is to give them a sound beating,” the subordinate explained.
“I remember clearly, the couple in question is none other than Song Fengshou and his wife, Tang Shi, from Song Village,” he added.
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Lin furrowed his brow. “Such shamelessness, it seems their character is truly questionable.”
However, this development made things easier.
With a tarnished reputation, their credibility would be in question, and their past misdeeds would be easily recalled by many, making it simpler to find witnesses who disapprove of their actions.
Publicly and privately, this situation could be handled excellently for Song Jingyun.
With a clearer plan in mind, Magistrate Lin promptly instructed his subordinates to proceed.
Several days later, after several clear days, snow began to fall.
Starting as light snowflakes in the morning, it intensified into heavy snow by midday. By evening, the accumulated snow was nearly half a foot deep, making each step sink beneath the surface.
When Song Jingyun returned, his shoes were damp from the snow. Jiang Mixia hurriedly insisted he remove them and warm them by the charcoal stove.
Song Jingyun stopped the bustling Jiang Mixia, saying, “Wife, put this away for now.”