Chapter 7- The County Magistrate’s Wife – Transcendental Translations

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Chapter 7

Tian Tian spoke with the couple for quite a while, and as the conversation went on, her heart grew heavier.

From the couple’s words, Tian Tian learned that Xu Mu, for the sake of silver, had distorted the truth and twisted justice. He had falsely acquitted Young Master Zhou of the crime of rape, turning the situation upside down. He even accused the girl of deliberately seducing Zhou, demanding to become his legitimate wife afterward. When he refused, the girl threatened suicide, which, according to Xu Mu’s account, tragically resulted in her death.

Young Master Zhou had somehow turned into the victim.

The couple, carrying their daughter’s corpse, had gone to the court to seek justice but were accused of fabricating the case, supposedly in an attempt to extort a large sum of money from Young Master Zhou.

Xu Mu used this as grounds to drive the couple out of the court.

Their daughter, who had died unjustly, was labeled as a promiscuous woman who seduced a wealthy young man, while the couple was painted as greedy scoundrels, willing to carry a corpse to court to achieve their ends.

How could the couple possibly endure such slander? They wanted to go to Yuzhou to file a higher appeal, but the governor of Yuzhou was Xu Mu’s father-in-law. Going to the capital was also impossible. They were descendants of poor farmers, barely literate, and had no money. Moreover, officials often shielded one another. Even if they managed to journey all the way to the capital, they feared it would be in vain, a futile effort with no one willing to hear their case. Desperate, they came to the Xu Manor to die.

The couple wept bitterly: “Our daughter had just come of age, and though she wasn’t yet engaged, a young scholar from the village had been courting her for some time. He had already arranged for a matchmaker to come and propose. The two were a perfect match. How could she ever have the intention to seduce some rich young master from the county? It’s such a grievous injustice.”

“Have you told all of this to the magistrate?” Tian Tian asked.

“Of course, but that corrupt official wouldn’t listen! In his eyes, all that matters is silver!” the couple said bitterly.

Tian Tian sighed helplessly. She didn’t know how to defend Xu Mu. He had served in Changping County for several years, and the people had witnessed his achievements.

“Where is this young scholar now? Can he testify?” Tian Tian asked.

The couple’s faces darkened, their eyes reddening.

“The young man has been locked up by his parents. They won’t let him testify, fearing they’ll bring trouble upon themselves,” they replied.

The Zhou family was incredibly wealthy. It would be too easy for them to ruin someone. Moreover, the county magistrate was siding with the Zhou family. Who would dare to step forward and risk their safety? Without a witness, the couple had fallen into this desperate situation.

Tian Tian racked her brain, trying to recall anything from the memories of her past self that could offer a solution. Unfortunately, in her previous life, the original Tian Tian had been preoccupied with brooding over her own sorrows, mostly thinking about Magistrate Tang, and had no recollection of this matter.

At the time, the butler had approached her to report the issue, but she had left the matter entirely in his hands. After that, the issue seemed to disappear, and over time, it was forgotten. She had no idea how it had ultimately been resolved.

Just then, Xu Mu stormed into the Rose Courtyard, striding directly into the room.

The maids inside all bowed and greeted him.

Xu Mu’s face was grim, and he didn’t acknowledge their greetings. His gaze swept over Tian Tian before landing on the couple.

Although the couple hated Xu Mu to the core, seeing him in person left them too intimidated to act. The husband struggled to contain his anger, but the wife quickly restrained him. They had already recounted everything to the magistrate’s wife. As long as there was the slightest chance, they had to endure. They couldn’t risk offending the magistrate directly.

Tian Tian met Xu Mu’s gaze calmly, her expression indifferent. “Husband, you’re back.”

Xu Mu grunted in response, then waved his hand dismissively, instructing everyone to leave. “You can all go. See that the couple is settled somewhere,” he ordered.

Tian Tian spoke directly. “Husband, I invited this couple as honored guests. Let them stay here in the Rose Courtyard.”

Xu Mu’s face darkened further, the room seemingly dropping several degrees in temperature.

Sensing the tension, Xiang Lan led the couple out of the room.

Now, only Tian Tian and Xu Mu remained inside. Neither spoke at first, the room so silent that even a pin drop could be heard.

The atmosphere was tense and eerie.

Xu Mu sat at the head of the room, staring at Tian Tian for a long moment before finally speaking. “Wife, I will have someone take care of that couple. You don’t need to get involved.”

Tian Tian tilted her head slightly and asked, “What does my husband plan to do with them?”

“This is not something a woman of the inner household should be concerned with,” Xu Mu replied sharply. He had already been displeased when he learned that his newlywed wife had involved herself in this matter. He had refrained from scolding her earlier because the servants were present, and he didn’t want to embarrass her in front of them.

Tian Tian responded coldly, “The couple came to the Xu Manor’s doorstep, desperate enough to die here. Since this happened at the gate of our home, as the mistress of this household, I have the right to know the truth and the outcome.”

“This matter is a legal case. It will be handled by the county court. You should just stay home and enjoy the warmth,” Xu Mu retorted.

Tian Tian, being straightforward by nature, could no longer hold back. “Husband, the couple has already told me what happened. So I’d like to ask you—how could a young woman who had already set her heart on someone, and was soon to be engaged, possibly take the initiative to seduce a notorious playboy? Don’t you find that suspicious?”

Young Master Zhou also claimed that after the incident, the woman demanded to be his wife, and when he refused, she threatened to kill herself? That doesn’t make sense either. If a woman truly wished to become a legitimate wife, wouldn’t she protect her chastity to strengthen her bargaining position? Demanding this after the fact, when the man had already taken advantage of her, how could she possibly succeed? Husband, isn’t that a point of suspicion?

Furthermore, the couple has carried their daughter’s corpse to the county court multiple times, seeking justice. If they were truly greedy, how could they be driven to the point of seeking death at the gates of the Xu Manor? Isn’t that another point of suspicion? Husband, with so many doubts, how can you justify closing this case so hastily?

Could it be true, as the couple says, that you took a large bribe from Young Master Zhou and thus turned black into white, calling a deer a horse, and helping the wicked?”

Xu Mu hadn’t expected his newlywed wife to be so direct, ruthlessly tearing off his mask and exposing him.

“Wife, these are just the slanders of a pair of troublemakers, and yet you use their words to question your own husband? What’s the meaning of this?” Xu Mu was displeased. A woman should manage the inner household, not interfere in his affairs, and he would not allow it.

Tian Tian did not back down. “Husband, do you dare to answer my questions?”

Xu Mu slammed his hand down on the small table beside him with a deafening thud. “How dare you speak to your husband this way?”

Tian Tian still didn’t retreat, staring straight at him. She didn’t want to go back to being silent, always trying to maintain a good relationship with him. Now that an unjust case had come to the doorstep of the Xu Manor, if she remained indifferent and let things go on as they were, the final outcome would surely be her own demise.

No matter what, she had to do everything she could.

Xu Mu saw that Tian Tian wasn’t like the ignorant women of the inner household. Today, if he didn’t explain things clearly, she wouldn’t let it go. So, he decided to be blunt.

“At this point, I won’t lie to you. Yes, I did take a large sum of money from the Zhou family.”

Even though Tian Tian had already guessed this, hearing him admit it made her furious.

How could he talk about bribery as if it were so natural?

“You are the magistrate, the parental official of this county. How can you do something so utterly immoral?”

Xu Mu laughed bitterly. “I’m immoral?” His demeanor suddenly became sharp, and his voice rose several notches. “Isn’t it this world that is immoral? If I pity them today, who will pity me?”

Xu Mu seemed to recall something extremely painful, his expression shifting between sorrow and laughter. “I studied diligently for ten years—ten years! I was full of knowledge, yet I couldn’t advance as fast as some fool with money. Do you know why I had to take the imperial exam twice? It wasn’t because I lacked knowledge, but because I didn’t bribe the examiners the first time. So, I failed. The second time, I got smart. I sent a large bribe to the examiners, and not only did I pass the imperial exam, but I also made it to the top of the list, bringing glory to my family. Isn’t that laughable?”

Tian Tian felt a mix of emotions.

Xu Mu continued, “Now that I’ve become a county magistrate, so what? I still have to send large bribes up the chain. Otherwise, I’ll be stuck as a seventh-rank magistrate forever, with no chance of moving up.”

Xu Mu picked up a teacup from beside him and took a sip. Tian Tian was surprised—it was her teacup—but she remained silent, waiting for him to finish. After he put the cup down, Xu Mu glanced at her with a complex expression. “If I hadn’t constantly sent money to my father-in-law, do you think he would’ve given me a second look? Do you think he would’ve married his daughter to me?

If a man doesn’t look out for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him. I can’t even take care of myself, so why should I pity anyone else? Whoever brings me money is my benefactor, and I naturally have to take care of them.”

Xu Mu was blunt, and Tian Tian listened, anger rising within her. Xu Mu’s experiences were indeed sympathetic, but now that he had become a county magistrate, he should be fulfilling his duty to the people, protecting the peace of the county.

“Xu Mu, your experiences make me sigh and feel for you. But that’s beside the point. Regardless of your past, you are now a magistrate, the parental official of this county. You should take up the responsibility to serve the people and fight for justice, not betray your conscience for money. How can you live with yourself, wearing that official robe?”

Xu Mu laughed bitterly again. He had spoken at length, yet she hadn’t understood him. Instead, she continued to criticize him. Did she even remember that he was her husband, the one she should look up to?

“When it comes to being a magistrate, my father-in-law is far worse than me. At least I just threw the couple out of the court. My father-in-law would have killed them outright to silence them. Why don’t you go tell him off first?”

A woman from the inner household daring to meddle in his affairs—it was simply absurd.

With a cold snort, Xu Mu stood up and swept out of the room.

Tian Tian hurriedly called after him. “That couple…”

“Don’t mention it again. There’s nothing more to discuss,” Xu Mu interrupted her, striding away, with Zhou Nan trailing behind him, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Watching Xu Mu’s departing figure, Tian Tian was left with a headache. Apart from having a fight with him, nothing had changed.

Xiang Lan entered the room at just the right moment, offering comfort. “Madam, are you alright?” she asked. They had all heard the argument outside. This time, the master had lost his temper.

Not seeing the couple anywhere, Tian Tian’s heart sank. She feared Xu Mu had taken them away and quickly asked, “Where is that couple?”

“I’ve arranged for them to rest in the side room,” Xiang Lan replied.

Tian Tian breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

“Madam, the master has always been like this. It’s impossible to change his mind,” Xiang Lan consoled.

Tian Tian was puzzled. “Xiang Lan, how do you know the master so well?” It was strange for a maid to understand Xu Mu so deeply.

“This is common knowledge, Madam. The master is notorious for being ruthless and greedy. It’s precisely this quality that the governor admires, which is why he wanted you to marry him.” Back then, the master’s reputation had spread throughout the household. Only the former Tian Tian had been too preoccupied with Magistrate Tang to pay attention, and thus she had no idea of Xu Mu’s ways.