[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-even-a-gentleman-must-be-careful":3,"chapter-even-a-gentleman-must-be-careful-even-a-gentleman-must-be-careful-chapter-65":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Even a Gentleman Must Be Careful",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2268685,4429,"Chapter 65: Sixty-Six, One of Us Is a Thief! (Part 2)","even-a-gentleman-must-be-careful-chapter-65",65,"\u003Cp>Sixty-Six, One of Us Is a Thief! (Part 2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Ziwen silently met Liu Zilin’s gaze across the courtyard and gestured toward the grain merchants and local gentry near the county magistrate’s gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter seemed to understand, giving a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment the court opened until now, Liu Ziwen had kept his attention fixed on the grain merchants and gentry emerging from the magistrate’s office, his brow perpetually furrowed as if worried about something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, as Xie Shigui raised her voice in protest, Liu Ziwen merely glanced at her sideways before refocusing on the young magistrate and the merchants and gentry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her temperament was fiercer than he imagined—but the fiercer she was, the easier it was to strike at her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the courtyard, Liu Zilin, having regained his composure, sneered and shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop acting the fool. This isn’t your home—put away your spoiled-lady airs. Everyone saw it: witnesses and evidence are clear, the contract is written in black and white—Yingniang is my servant. Still trying to deny it? Even the county magistrate can’t protect you today!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t need the magistrate to protect me. I’m not short of money. I didn’t steal. I paid, but you stole my payment—and now you’re scheming to turn the tables!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re not short of money but still commit theft, then you’ve got a thief’s habit! As a magistrate’s private secretary, you’re reaching out everywhere—today you stole a commoner’s servant, tomorrow what will you steal…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin’s expression cleared suddenly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, right—I forgot. You don’t need to steal anymore. The secretary just reaches out, and other wealthy merchants and gentry gladly hand over their money. That’s not stealing—it’s filial tribute, right? You deal with so many rich folks daily at the magistrate’s office—how much filial tribute have you collected?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Ling’s nostrils flared:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve never accepted a single coin of tribute! By my senior brother’s side, I’ve never taken a single gift—I pay for everything myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Er seized the chance to interject: “Even a Hu slave you steal and rob—acting like a tyrant—and you still claim you never took ‘tribute’? Who believes you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll say it again—I didn’t steal. The three of you are in cahoots, colluding to slander my reputation…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin ignored her entirely, even glanced not at Ouyang Rong—he turned on his heel, eyes like a wolf, scanning the entire crowd, and shouted loudly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Magistrate said he came to Longcheng solely to uphold justice—but his own men are dirty, stealing from everyone, and he says nothing, turns a blind eye!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the magistrate’s office has lost justice, why do business with it? Why deal with it at all? Isn’t that just waiting to be slaughtered? I’m afraid—today I was foolish, but I won’t dare knock the drum again for justice in the future. I’ll just swallow this injustice. It’s fine. The magistrate returning my servant is already generous—I’m only grateful…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This speech, layered with meaning, spread through the entire crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Cao, Ma the Merchant, Li the Merchant, Wu Bo, and Cheng’s patriarch each wore different expressions—some hesitant, some strange, some amused—but several minor gentry and grain merchants had begun to waver, glancing repeatedly at the silent young magistrate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the crowd, Liu Ziwen gave a slight nod, quite satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the steps of the magistrate’s gate, Yan Liulang’s face darkened with worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin and his gang didn’t care about the slave’s ownership—they didn’t want justice at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even smearing Xie’s reputation wasn’t their primary goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were targeting the magistrate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, they were playing a trick to divert blame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie’s passive attempts to prove her innocence were useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin’s group didn’t care whether she stole—they only wanted to smear the magistrate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tactic, Yan Liulang had seen years ago in prison, used by an old jailer interrogating a prisoner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue-clothed constables grew anxious; meanwhile, Liu Zilin and Luo Er kept twisting the narrative, painting an even darker picture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Ling could no longer hold back—she reached out, snatched the curved dagger from a junior constable’s belt, and in the few breaths it took to draw it, the constable hadn’t even reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said we’re here to settle facts—don’t slander my senior brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Ling spun, gripping the blade, and lunged forward like a startled hare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shit! Liu Zilin’s eyelid twitched violently—he scrambled, covering his head: “Help! The magistrate’s secretary is trying to kill me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is madness—drop the knife!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang Rong’s face hardened as he rebuked sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His senior brother’s voice made Xie Ling freeze instantly—the dagger clattered to the ground beside her foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin, who had stumbled and fallen in panic, was pulled up by Luo Er. He stared at Xie Ling’s icy face, a flicker of regret stirring in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This girl is terrifying—she dares draw a blade in court and try to kill!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin felt a chill down his back—his shirt was soaked in cold sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could think further, Ouyang Rong spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a court of law—not a marketplace for your brawling and tantrums!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin returned to his place, standing with a forced smile: “Then, Magistrate, have you decided how to ‘properly’ uphold justice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you really need to think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young magistrate glanced at the contract and evidence on the desk, then at Luo Er and Yingniang below, and asked curiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t the justice here obvious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin blinked, then nodded, suddenly feeling dull:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then hurry and pass judgment. I recall our Great Zhou law: theft exceeding one tael warrants seventy lashes; theft exceeding ten taels brings facial tattooing and three years of hard labor in Lingnan. This Hu slave girl must be worth more than ten taels at the horse market—Magistrate, don’t forget your own law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang Rong nodded, glancing at him: “You remember my law very clearly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin snorted inwardly, smirking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t believe Ouyang Rong would really let his junior sister be tattooed and exiled—he’d surely find a way to reduce her sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And once that “favoritism” was seen by the crowd, the gentry, and the merchants, wouldn’t it prove he’d betrayed justice? Then all the things Liu Zilin had said earlier wouldn’t sound like baseless rumors anymore!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Justice or his junior sister—one must suffer. Especially justice—it could instantly undo all the magistrate’s efforts since his first day in office, for he’d made a promise then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come on—let’s see what ugly face you’ll show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin and Liu Ziwen behind the crowd exchanged another knowing glance, eyes smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ouyang Rong’s reaction surprised them slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slammed his fist on the desk, pointing his finger at the crowd before all eyes, and declared solemnly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clearly, one of you is a thief! A shameless thief!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Ling’s slender frame stiffened. Even when falsely accused and unable to defend herself, she had never been so shaken—her senior brother’s words, delivered without question or hesitation, made her male-attired form sway unsteadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin’s expression flickered with surprise—he hadn’t expected such speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yan Liulang, arrest her!” Ouyang Rong’s face was grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Liulang hesitated, “This… this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I order you to arrest her!” he glared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Liulang, under the gaze of the entire crowd, gritted his teeth and shuffled forward to Xie Ling’s pale face, bowing awkwardly: “Forgive me, Miss Xie…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait—why arrest her? Arrest Liu Zilin!” Ouyang Rong frowned in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh…?” The blue-clothed constable’s mouth dropped open—then his eyes sharpened, he moved like a startled hare, crossed the distance to Liu Zilin in one step, seized him on the spot, pinned him to the ground, and bound him with rope, his expression utterly focused on duty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….” The entire audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Ling stood frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin didn’t even realize he’d been bound until the ropes were tight—he was utterly stunned. Far behind, Liu Ziwen was no less shocked, gaping in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just them—most in the courtyard were stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you doing? Why bind me? I’m a law-abiding citizen! I’m innocent! This is injustice!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop shouting. You’re the thief—bind him first, we’re afraid he’ll run.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thief? What did I steal? I refuse to accept this!” Liu Zilin’s thick neck flushed red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang Rong picked up the luminous, crystal-clear night pearl on the desk and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You used this to buy Yingniang from Yuanming Tower?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin nodded stubbornly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang Rong stared at him a moment, then slammed the desk:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense! This is clearly my property—how did it end up in your hands?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin and Luo Er both froze, startled, glancing at each other—then Liu Zilin, under Ouyang Rong’s piercing gaze, stammered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible… this is mine. Night pearls all look alike—finding a similar one is normal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem—I have witnesses and evidence too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang Rong spoke calmly, waved for Yan Liulang, gave him a few instructions, and the constable left with a strangely thoughtful expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, under the astonished gaze of Liu Ziwen and the entire crowd, Yan Liulang returned with four elderly shopkeepers from the Western Market pawnshops. Ouyang Rong handed them the luminous pearl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you still remember me? I came incognito and asked your shops for a price on this pearl.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four shopkeepers glanced once and nodded immediately—someone likely remembered the handsome face… They apologized apologetically for not recognizing the magistrate, but the young magistrate merely shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter. You’ve been in business for years—your eyes are sharp. Examine this pearl carefully—is it the same one I brought a month ago? Oh, and I recall two of you issued written appraisals then, recording its size and weight…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before all eyes, the four pawnshop keepers bent to examine the pearl in turn. Finally, the eldest, a white-bearded elder, returned the pearl, stroking his beard and nodding:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Excellency, this pearl—neither quite pearl nor quite stone—yet glows in darkness. I remembered it clearly that day. Its size and weight are identical. No mistake—this is indeed the one you brought. A pity we didn’t complete the deal then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these words, the evidence was undeniable—the crowd erupted again, none expecting such a bizarre turn. The young magistrate himself hadn’t anticipated it either—how had his junior sister used his gift to redeem the slave? Had she run out of money—or was this a silent feud?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bound Liu Zilin and Luo Er stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang Rong tossed the night pearl lightly in his hand, turned to them with an inquisitive expression:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Strange—how did my night pearl, given to Miss Xie, end up in your hands? Or… is Miss Xie telling the truth? Are you all lying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin panicked, stammering: “It… it could be yours, but how do you prove you gave it to her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, I made a slight presumption of guilt—I apologize. Let me rephrase…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang Rong smiled slightly, then suddenly changed expression:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did you steal my night pearl!? Don’t you know theft exceeding ten taels brings facial tattooing and three years of hard labor in Lingnan—and stealing from an official? That’s an aggravated crime!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zilin and Luo Er were utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the former, under the midday sun, his body shivered twice in succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here it comes, and he means it! Also, thanks to the good brother who spotted the typos!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1877,"2026-06-19T21:28:25.445Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8a23e076b639285075b276234c3b261b68a5c01577e6f9080dd87dd553424b99","even-a-gentleman-must-be-careful-chapter-66","even-a-gentleman-must-be-careful-chapter-64",864,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feven-a-gentleman-must-be-careful-cover.jpg"]