Chapter 77

Shen Yu kept her eyes straight, “Please, sir, the truth is not as he claims. He was galloping down the street recklessly, nearly injuring innocent bystanders. I only resorted to this extreme measure to save people.

Moreover, I only injured his horse’s leg; he killed the horse himself. There are many witnesses on the street who can testify to this.”

Dou Qing sneered. Who dared to confront him, a commoner? Even if someone was called, they probably wouldn’t dare to tell the truth.

He was about to argue, but then heard a crisp sound as Xie Tingzhou tossed the teacup lid back onto the cup. This simple action made Dou Qing’s legs tremble three times involuntarily.

Xie Tingzhou looked at Dou Qing. He had observed the horse in front of the inn earlier. Indeed, there was an injury on its leg, and the angle and strength used were quite skillful, not enough to break its bones.

But the knife wound on the neck was different. It was crooked and shallow, clearly indicating a lack of force later on. If Shen Yu had done it, the cut would have been clean and precise.

Dou Qing didn’t dare to argue in front of Xie Tingzhou. With a stiff neck, he said, “I only put it out of its misery because my beloved horse was suffering. And how did I injure innocent people? Did you see anyone getting hurt?”

“No,” Shen Yu replied.

Dou Qing pointed at her, “Sir, listen, nobody got hurt, yet she hurt my horse. It’s outrageous.”

Shen Yu retorted, “If not the horse, it would have been someone else.”

Dou Qing sneered, “Did that happen? Who would believe in things that didn’t happen?”

Shen Yu had dealt with Dou Qing’s rascality before, but she still wanted to slap him twice now.

“Sir, there are eyewitnesses on the street. Just pick anyone, and they can testify,” Shen Yu gritted her teeth.

She was tired of this back-and-forth argument. Wasn’t there anything that couldn’t be solved by a fight? They had to waste time here with all this talking.

Dou Qing said, “Then why don’t you summon them? Whether I hurt anyone or not, you hurt my horse, causing me to fall. That’s undeniable.”

The cause and effect of the matter were simple. Liu Fu glanced at the expressionless Xie Tingzhou.

Xie Tingzhou flicked the tea leaves aside. “Mr. Liu, there’s no need to look at me. Just follow the law.”

With Xie Tingzhou’s words, Liu Fu gained some confidence.

He coughed and said, “I have understood the situation. It was just a street altercation. In my opinion, it’s not certain whether it harmed pedestrians or not, but…”

“Shi Yu,” Shen Yu reminded.

Liu Fu continued, “But Shi Yu did indeed save a person, but injuring Dou Qing’s horse and causing him harm is a fact. You need to pay for the other party’s medical expenses. Do you both agree to this judgment?”

Shen Yu naturally had no objection. Compared to the ten thousand taels she offered for a private settlement, she still had a lot left.

“Shi Yu agrees.”

Dou Qing was still dissatisfied, but with Xie Tingzhou present, he couldn’t flaunt his “noble” demeanor. He reluctantly said, “Agreed.”

Liu Fu nodded, “In that case, Dou Qing, you should also report the medical expenses for your injuries.”

Dou Qing thought, since he couldn’t punish him, he might as well extort him. Opening his mouth, he said, “Thirty thousand taels!”

Liu Fu was shocked by Dou Qing’s outrageous demand.

Shen Yu almost burst out laughing.

What a joke! Thirty thousand taels would be enough to buy his life.

Dou Qing was pleased with himself, pretending to be in pain. “The injuries on my body don’t matter, but that horse is of extraordinary breed and has been with me for many years.”

If Shen Yu had offered that price earlier to avoid trouble, now that they were in court, there was no reason to cheapen herself. She had plenty of money, but she wouldn’t let this bastard off the hook.

Shen Yu sneered, “You might as well go rob someone. Thirty taels, is it not enough? You come from a noble family; why behave like a street thug? You dare to extort openly in court.”

“What did you say?” Dou Qing was furious, reaching out to grab Shen Yu’s collar.

Shen Yu, caught off guard, was pulled, revealing half of her snow-white shoulder. She raised her hand and slapped him, knocking Dou Qing to the ground.

Originally, she wanted to cut off his hand. She realized her dagger had been removed before entering the courtroom.

Dou Qing lay on the ground with wide eyes, still stunned by the fleeting glimpse of that graceful beauty.

How could a man be so fair and tender, really itching.

“As far as I know,”

Shen Yu and Dou Qing turned to look at Xie Tingzhou, who spoke.

The huge water stain on Xie Tingzhou’s robe instantly caught her attention. This young prince, he could really make a mess even when drinking tea. Even his fingertips were still dripping.

Xie Tingzhou glanced at her first, then turned his icy gaze to Dou Qing’s face. He said coldly, “Your horse is just an ordinary foal, barely two years old, still considered a young horse.”

Dou Qing’s jaw dropped, speechless for a moment, unable to utter a word.

Jiang Lianzhi had not yet arrived. How could he contend with the Prince of Beilin? Dou Qing could only grit his teeth and swallow his anger.

After paying thirty taels, Dou Qing shook his sleeve and prepared to leave angrily.

“Hold on.”

Dou Qing turned back, puzzled. “What else does the young master have to command?”

Xie Tingzhou set down the teacup. “May I ask, Mr. Liu, what crime is it to recklessly ride a horse and injure someone in the street?”

As soon as Liu Fu heard this, he realized Xie Tingzhou meant to settle the score later.

Riding a horse recklessly in the street might seem minor, but once it was investigated, there were laws to follow.

Dou Qing didn’t understand the law. He recklessly rode his horse; many people did the same. So he said casually, “I rode it, but nobody died.”

Liu Fu rubbed his forehead, realizing it wasn’t going to be that easy.

Riding a horse recklessly could lead to twenty lashes according to the law. If it resulted in injury or death, the punishment could be imprisonment or exile.

Earlier, Xie Tingzhou had said to follow the law, and Liu Fu had thought he was trying to give face to the Jiang family. But now, he realized it was just the beginning, and Dou Qing wasn’t going to get off lightly.

Liu Fu couldn’t help but glance at Shi Yu below, thinking that Xie Tingzhou was really protective of her.

Liu Fu forced himself to say, “According to the law, twenty lashes.”

Today, the magistrate was absent, and he was just a deputy. This decision wouldn’t please Xie Tingzhou and might offend Mr. Jiang, leaving him in a difficult position.

When Dou Qing heard he would be lashed twenty times, he couldn’t believe it.

In Dou’s generation, he was the only male heir. His family pampered him like he was the apple of their eye. Not to mention being whipped, he had hardly ever heard harsh words.

The case was supposed to be closed, but Xie Tingzhou showed no intention of leaving. It seemed he wanted to witness the punishment.

The bailiffs immediately brought a stool. Two of them restrained Dou Qing’s shoulders and pressed him onto the stool.

“Wait!” Dou Qing struggled, shouting hoarsely, “My cousin hasn’t arrived yet. Wait until he gets here!”

Liu Fu looked at Xie Tingzhou.

Xie Tingzhou said to Shi Yu, “Come here and see the consequences of recklessly riding a horse in the street.”

Shen Yu bit her lip to suppress a smile and stood by his side.

Xie Tingzhou was truly sinister. Thirty taels in exchange for Dou Qing getting lashed, it was really worth it. He had settled the grudge from his past life in this one.