coobybook Chapter 191 Su Ting becomes Xiao Si's ally in fighting for justice.
Chapter 191 Su Ting becomes Xiao Si's ally in fighting for justice.
Let's go back a year.
In the second year of Chang'an (702 AD), the sky over the Da Chong Dynasty was as if a pot lid had been put on it, and it was very oppressive.
In the imperial court, Lai Junchen and his gang of cruel officials continued their antics, abusing their power and fabricating countless wrongful convictions!
The common people were terrified, and a suffocating atmosphere permeated both inside and outside the imperial court!
Su Ting, this young master, has been incredibly clever since childhood. He reads books so quickly that he can never forget them after just one glance.
He passed the imperial examination with ease and rose through the ranks from the position of county magistrate of Wucheng to become a supervising censor.
As an official, he was very particular about fairness and integrity, and he paid special attention to wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice.
That same year, Su Ting received a particularly difficult task—his superiors ordered him to reinvestigate cases handled by Lai Junchen and his gang of cruel officials.
When he received the assignment, he was both nervous and incredibly motivated! He was totally hooked!
He knew perfectly well that these cases were linked to the fates of countless innocent people. If anything went wrong, the injustices would remain unresolved, and the people at the bottom of society would have no choice but to accept their fate.
So Su Ting plunged headfirst into the mountain of files.
He flipped through every single document with meticulous care, leaving no stone unturned.
The fabricated stories made up by the cruel officials gradually came to light in the eyes of this top student.
He often sat for an entire night under the dim candlelight, his eyes bloodshot like a rabbit's, but he remained focused and would not rest if he could.
Su Ting has finally landed a crucial case.
A merchant named Li Fu was falsely accused of treason by a cruel official.
The evidence was altered to a shredded state, and the witnesses were intimidated and threatened into not daring to tell the truth.
Zhang Shuo's daughter-in-law, Xiao Si, although living cautiously in that secluded mansion, had also heard about the many chaotic things happening in the imperial court.
She was kind-hearted and indignant about the wrongful convictions. When she learned that Su Ting was reviewing these cases, a glimmer of hope ignited in her heart.
One day, while out shopping, Xiao Si secretly inquired about the progress of Su Ting's follow-up examination.
By chance, she met a witness who had been threatened by a cruel official to give false testimony. The man, fearing retaliation, initially dared not speak, but Xiao Si patiently persuaded him, promising to protect him. Ultimately, the witness revealed some crucial clues to Xiao Si.
Xiao Si knew the importance of this clue, but was troubled about how to deliver it to Su Ting.
After much deliberation, she decided to risk going to see Su Ting.
She found Su Ting's residence and hesitated at the gate for a long time before mustering the courage to step forward and explain her purpose.
Upon hearing that she was Zhang Shuo's family member, Su Ting met with her and naturally praised Xiao Si's bravery and sense of justice.
With the clues provided by Xiao Si, Su Ting was greatly empowered during the follow-up investigation.
Following the clues, Su Ting dug deeper and deeper, eventually uncovering the real culprit: it was Li Fu's business rival who had bribed a ruthless official with a clear objective: to seize Li Fu's property.
During the follow-up examination, the resistance became even more complex and greater.
Lai Junchen's gang of lackeys were causing trouble everywhere, trying to sabotage his investigation by tripping him up and threatening him.
But Su Ting wasn't afraid at all. He had only one thought in his mind: he had to clear the names of those who had been wronged! In addition, Xiao Si often secretly kept an eye on the movements of Lai Junchen's henchmen and secretly informed Su Ting.
With solid evidence in hand, Su Ting confronted Lai Junchen and his gang in the imperial court.
Su Ting's debating skills were impeccable! His logic was crystal clear! He exposed every single one of the bad things that Lai Junchen's gang had done, down to the smallest detail! With such irrefutable evidence, Lai Junchen and his gang had no chance to argue their way out of it.
In the end, Li Fu was acquitted and released, and some other wrongly accused people were also brought back to light.
It was a waste of time and the industry was somewhat hampered, but it can be considered a vindication.
Su Ting's name was already well-known in Chang'an. Apart from the powerful and wealthy elites, the common people and all walks of life naturally supported him.
With his cleverness and courage, he lit a bright light for justice in the darkness and helplessness, becoming a great hero in the hearts of the people.
Ever since they finally cleared up those injustices, Xiao Si and Su Ting have become incredibly popular in Chang'an, becoming legendary figures in upholding justice.
I thought I could finally take a good rest, but new troubles just appeared out of nowhere, like a giant monkey with wings.
That day, as usual, Xiao Si was engrossed in tending to the flowers and plants in the yard. Just as she was getting into it, she heard the housekeeper muttering beside her in a low, almost inaudible voice:
“Recently, a group of eccentric old men came to the city, asking around about every little detail of Su Ting’s previous review of the case. They don’t seem like anything legitimate; they’re definitely up to no good.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Si's heart skipped a beat. She thought to herself, "Good heavens! Could it be that the remnants of those despicable bastards, Lai Junchen, haven't given up and are looking for a chance to take revenge on us? This won't do!"
She dared not delay, and quickly urged her maid to invite Su Ting, as fast as the wind.
As soon as Su Ting arrived, Xiao Si poured out everything she had heard, like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.
Upon hearing this, Su Ting's brows furrowed deeply, his face turning as black as the bottom of a pot, and he said:
"This matter is likely not as simple as it appears on the surface; there must be many hidden stories and complex entanglements behind it. We must act with utmost caution and cannot afford to be negligent in the slightest. We need to plan carefully and proceed step by step, otherwise, the slightest mistake will not only destabilize the court but also tarnish the nation's reputation, with unimaginable consequences."
The two men huddled together, and Xiao Si's eyes lit up as he excitedly said, "Lord Su, we must first find out where these mysterious people came from, and we must expose their true colors!"
Su Ting nodded solemnly and replied, "What Xiao Si said is absolutely right. Let's start by investigating their whereabouts and find out the truth behind it all."
Xiao Si once again displayed all her cleverness. Dressed exactly like an ordinary street girl, she rushed into the market, grabbed a vegetable vendor, and said with a smile:
"Uncle, you often come to this market. Have you seen a group of mysterious people lately?"
The uncle scratched his head and thought for a moment: "There is indeed a group of people who don't look like decent people, always hanging around the tavern." Upon hearing this, Xiao Si's eyes lit up even more, and she chatted with the uncle with great enthusiasm.
Hey, you know what? She actually found out, like finding a needle in a haystack, that this group of mysterious people always hangs around a tavern, as if they own it.
Xiao Si hurriedly found Su Ting, panting, and said, "Lord Su, we finally have news! Those mysterious people keep showing up at that tavern in the east of the city." Su Ting narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Good, it seems we have a lead."
Su Ting, along with a few trusted subordinates, lurked near the tavern like a cat stealing fish.
One of his men muttered under his breath, "Sir, we've been staking out for days, have we gotten anything yet?"
Su Ting glared at him and said in a low voice, "Stop talking nonsense, wait patiently, there will always be an opportunity."
A few days later, they actually spotted the group of mysterious people.
Su Ting waved his hand, and the crowd quietly followed behind, acting as cautiously as if they were thieves.
They chased them all the way to a dilapidated temple outside the city. Just as they were about to make their move, a group of people suddenly swarmed out of the temple like a swarm of wasps, armed with weapons, and pounced on them menacingly.
The leader laughed loudly: "Su Ting, you've finally taken the bait today!"
Su Ting snorted coldly: "You think you can outmaneuver me?"
Having said that, he and his men didn't hold back at all, fighting the enemy with such ferocity and intensity that they practically ripped a hole in the sky.
Although Xiao Si was terrified, her heart pounding like a rabbit's, she didn't shrink back an inch. She picked up stones from the ground and hurled them at the enemy like grenades, shouting at the top of her lungs:
"Lord Su, keep it up! Don't let these bad guys get away!" That loud voice could deafen you.
After a fierce battle, Su Ting and his men routed the enemy, leaving them in a sorry state. The scene was like autumn leaves being swept away by the wind, with the enemy running faster than weasels.
Su Ting wiped the blood from his face, looked at the weapons on the ground, and frowned, saying:
"This group is well-equipped, and there must be an even bigger force behind them causing trouble. They're like a big bad wolf lurking in the shadows, who knows what kind of evil they're plotting."
One of his men came over and asked, "Sir, what's our next step?"
Su Ting pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "To completely crush the dark forces in the court, we'll need to put in a lot of effort and use some clever and ingenious methods, otherwise we won't be able to handle it. Let's go back to the manor first and discuss this further."
Back in the city, Xiao Si, with a determined look in her eyes and an impassioned tone, said to Su Ting:
"Lord Su, we can't just let this go. We must gather all the righteous people and fight a major battle against these dark forces!"
Su Ting clenched his fists, nodded heavily, and said in a deep voice, "Xiao Si is absolutely right. If the darkness of this world continues, it will collapse completely. We must stand up and fight back."
So they began traveling around making contacts. Wherever they went, Su Ting sincerely addressed those with similar aspirations: "Gentlemen, corruption is rampant in the court, and the people are suffering terribly. We can no longer stand idly by. I wish to join hands with you all to contribute to a more just and equitable world!"
Xiao Si added from the side, "Yes, each of our individual strengths may be small, but when we come together, we become an unstoppable force that will surely allow the light of justice to shine upon this world once more!"
Their actions were like throwing a boulder into a still lake, creating ripples that drew everyone's attention.
More and more people are moved by their courage and sense of justice that never faded even in the darkness. In this seemingly peaceful but actually turbulent world, this pure power, like a faint star in the cold night, ignites the desire for justice in everyone's hearts.
Xiao Si, a woman who had lived a quiet life in a secluded mansion, unknowingly grew closer to Su Ting as she assisted him in exposing the corruption in the court. She thought she was contributing to justice, but little did she know that this would become the beginning of a turning point in her life.
During those days, she was like a strategist, meticulously collecting every piece of evidence for Su Ting, pondering and devising plans repeatedly in the quiet night.
Once, while organizing evidence, Xiao Si excitedly pointed to a document and said, "Lord Su, look at this! This is crucial evidence that will surely expose those corrupt officials!" Su Ting took the document, examined it carefully, and then smiled with satisfaction: "Xiao Si, thanks to your meticulousness, this evidence is of utmost importance to us."
Between her and Su Ting, there was no need for many words; a single glance was enough for them to understand each other's thoughts, and their cooperation was perfect. However, this tacit understanding aroused suspicion and malice from others.
Zhang Shuo's son, that pampered young master, was already dissatisfied with Xiao Si's public appearances and involvement in court affairs.
As Xiao Si and Su Ting's contact became more and more frequent, his jealousy and resentment grew wildly like weeds.
Finally, instigated by the officials whose crimes had been exposed by Su Ting, he glared angrily, slammed the letter of divorce in front of Xiao Si, and roared viciously:
"You shameless woman, spending all your time with that Su Ting, what kind of behavior is this! I'm divorcing you today, and you're out of the Zhang family immediately!"
Xiao Si stared wide-eyed at the familiar yet unfamiliar man before her, her eyes instantly welling up with tears, and she said in a trembling voice:
"I've been fighting for justice all along, what wrong have I done? How could you listen to the slander of others and treat me like this!" But all she got in response was the cold back of Zhang Shuo's son and the sound of the door closing mercilessly.
What's even more outrageous is that he actually coveted Xiao Si's dowry, those properties that held the hopes and memories of Xiao Si's family.
Using the power and wealth of the Zhang family, he forcibly seized these properties.
When Xiao Si went to argue with him, he just scoffed:
"This dowry is all mine now. You, a divorced woman, dare to come and ask for it? If you know what's good for you, leave now, or you'll regret it!" Zhang said. His son's harsh laughter was like a sharp knife, piercing straight into Xiao Si's heart.
Xiao Si felt a surge of anger rise up, burning her chest with pain, but her hands and feet seemed to be bound by invisible ropes, making her unable to move.
In a daze, she recalled those absurd and distant past events. Once upon a time, she seemed to be a phantom traveling through time and space, bearing the identity of a princess and an empress, and rising and falling in the torrent of fate.
But now, the wheel of fate has turned mercilessly, and she has suddenly gone from a devoted wife and mother to a pitiful woman who has been ruthlessly abandoned by her husband's family.
The world's warmth and coldness are like the ever-changing weather; one moment it's sunny and bright, the next it's a raging storm. She
Looking at the man before her, once familiar but now filled with estrangement and disgust, she felt a surge of resentment and bitterness, like a raging tide, with no outlet for her emotions. She could only let the bitter taste spread unchecked in her heart.
The Zhang family's power and wealth were like an impenetrable wall, ruthlessly crushing Xiao Si's last hope. He so easily seized those properties that held the hopes and memories of Xiao Si's family. In an instant, Xiao Si felt as if she were on a desolate island, all her support slipping through her fingers like quicksand, her economic resources cut off, and her last warm haven cruelly taken away.
Overnight, the world turned upside down. Xiao Si, who once had a stable life, became a lonely figure wandering in the darkness, with nothing left.
The wheel of fate turns mercilessly, and all the beautiful memories of the past have now become a sharp irony.
Logically speaking, Zhang Yue and Su Ting's father, Su Gui, were old friends with a good relationship. In their early years, the two families interacted frequently and shared a deep bond. Xiao Si had even witnessed Zhang Yue's praise and expectations for Su Ting at a family gathering. Back then, who could have imagined that matters of the court would now cause such a rift within their family…
Xiao Si's thoughts drifted back to the days when she and Su Ting fought for justice. In those days, they groped their way forward in the darkness, every step filled with hardship and sweat. For the justice they believed in, they traveled far and wide, tirelessly dedicating themselves day and night, experiencing countless cycles of hope and despair. But now, this was their reward—a heartbreaking ending, all their efforts seemingly mocked mercilessly by fate.
Yet, amidst this endless darkness and despair, the flame of justice within Xiao Si's heart burned stubbornly, never showing a sign of extinguishing. In those long, seemingly endless days, she quietly huddled in a dark corner, secretly vowing: "I will never give in like this; I will seek justice. This justice is not only for the stolen dowry, but also for the unwavering light in my heart. Even if the road ahead is fraught with thorns, I will never back down."
Upon learning of Xiao Si's tragic fate, Su Ting was overwhelmed by a torrent of guilt and anger. He knew that Xiao Si had fallen into this hopeless situation because of him. This heavy responsibility imbued his eyes with unwavering resolve. He secretly vowed that no matter what hardships and turbulent waves awaited him, he would fight with all his might to help Xiao Si reclaim everything that belonged to her. At the same time, he would continue to fight against the inky darkness to the very end, never yielding to evil.
As time passed, the voices of the people who felt indignant for Xiao Si still echoed in the streets and alleys of Chang'an.
Everyone hoped that Xiao Si and Su Ting could break through the darkness and let the light of the Seven Luminaries fully illuminate every inch of the Great Chong Dynasty…