Chapter 237: Playing with Fire, Self‑Immolation

He hadn't seen Ruxin, knew nothing of the details, so naturally he couldn't deal with it; Lu Sanniang bit her lip, her face turning ashen with anger.

She had long known this day would come; the lady of the great inner chambers is playing with fire and self‑immolating.

Qian Town Chief patted her hand in the carriage and said, "I'm here; let's go to the Prefectural Office!"

The carriage hurried to the Prefectural Office gate, and at that moment Wang Zongsheng raised an eyebrow, watching the plaintiff and defendant in the main hall.

The plaintiff was overbearing, while the defendant Lu Ruxin knelt on the ground in a pitiful state, clearly injured, her face nearly disfigured.

The plaintiff was the eldest daughter‑in‑law of the Chen family, Chen Jiashi; her husband Chen Kai was handsome and well‑educated, but a bit of a womanizer.

Needless to say, the defendant couldn't resist her husband's seduction and followed him.

But Chen Jiashi kept insisting they had an illicit, unmediated liaison and demanded Prefect Zhifu punish her, yet her husband still hasn't appeared, and Lu Ruxin steadfastly denies it, leaving both sides at an impasse.

At this moment, Wang Zongsheng sent someone to look for Chen Kai.

Wang Zongsheng wasn't at all afraid of the Chen family; they were merely local magnates with a few connections in the capital.

Wang Zongsheng slapped the wooden podium and asked, "Chen Jiashi?"

"Never!"

"So it's the mother‑in‑law, then. Ruxin and I have long shared affection; now that things have turned out this way, why not just bring her in a small sedan chair to my house?"

"What kind of creature are you, daring to covet my daughter?"

Outside the courtroom, many onlookers stood among the common folk.

"Chen Kai, I ask you, you claim to possess personal items of Lu Ruxin, yet this young lady says otherwise; do you have evidence that these items were given by her willingly?"

At that moment, Qian Town Chief led Lu Sanniang out of the carriage and rushed in.

Seeing her mother, she was mortified, keeping her head down and not daring to lift it.

"Sir, this truly was given to the student by her."

Lu Ruxin made no sound; Chen Kai curled his lip and said, "Sir, this alleged illicit liaison—we merely have mutual affection."

Prefect Wang dispatched investigators while also sending people to find Chen Kai.

"The common woman is here!"

"Xin'er, are you alright?"

"So it was out of helplessness!"

Chen Kai saw Lu Ruxin, immediately approached, and asked gently:

She had already been investigated; Lu Ruxin's family runs Embroidery Workshop, with no notable ancestors, and her maternal side is just a poor, shabby scholar.

"No one, yet you dare to trespass into a private home? Who gave you such nerve?"

Chen Jiashi below looked bewildered, "What is going on? How can my husband's family be so rich and powerful, yet still be on good terms with the Prefect? It's over, I'm ruined."

"Who is she?"

"Yes!"

"Sir, the common woman does not consent; the Chen family coveted her small food shop and the silver she holds, which is why they sent this woman to cause trouble at my house, tarnishing my reputation. Please adjudicate for the common woman."

"Unjust? Under Great Ming Law, thieves are caught red‑handed, adulterers are seized with their partners—where are yours? That house is Lu Ruxin's own property; there is no claim that your man supports her, let alone any concubine. Lu Ruxin is a good citizen of the Ming Emperor's realm, with her own private residence and assets, carrying a bellyband, and using the Chen family's backing to bully others?"

Chen Kai and Chen Jiashi both knelt on the ground in protest, and Prefect Wang sneered.

"No, there isn't!"

Wang Zongsheng was stunned—does this mean he married his beloved?

Thus the Chen family dared not act brazenly before him; being a good official, he felt some matters must be clarified, believing the case was not that simple.

Lu Ruxin was terrified inside, intending to risk death today and not let the Chen family prevail; at that moment she began to miss Lu Sanniang.

Lu Sanniang rushed forward and slapped Chen Kai hard.

"Why have you come?"

Wang Zongsheng felt like vomiting; the man was too hypocritical. He exchanged a glance with Qian Town Chief, which reassured him.

"Today, when you went to Lu Ruxin's house, did you see your husband Chen Kai?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Ruxin hurriedly bowed her head to Prefect Wang.

Lu Ruxin listened to the low murmurs of the townsfolk, her face flushing scarlet; in truth she had long known that, with her looks, she could never catch Chen Kai's eye.

"Sir, the student and Lu Ruxin truly fell at first sight, often meeting in Xin Garden; the student also carries the bellyband she gave, with jewelry as a token."

Chen Kai pointed at Lu Ruxin, "Xin'er, how can you say that? Last night you told me you would not marry anyone but me—why now do you treat me like this?"

"My husband possesses this woman's bellyband, handkerchief, and other items."

"His daughter is now a young princess consort and will become a Princess Consort; he already has a strong standing without needing his family's backing."

Chen Kai glanced at Lu Ruxin, this woman never interacts with him in public, and he could only say bitterly, "No!"

The onlookers whispered from behind, "Exactly, they see a little woman with a bit of silver and want to take her into the back yard, seize her family assets."

Chen Jiashi spat at her, about to curse loudly, when Prefect Wang slapped the wooden podium.

"M‑Master, this is unfair!"

"I, the official, demand evidence; because these items could have been obtained by other means besides her voluntary giving, your so‑called evidence cannot be considered genuine."

"No, this man is lecherous, seeing me living alone, constantly seducing me, unable to tolerate a single woman, only seeking to make me suffer in compromise."

"Outrageous, this is a courtroom; be quiet and listen to me. Chen Jiashi, I ask you—when you went to Lu Ruxin's house today to smash things, did you catch your husband?"

"No, the plaintiff's accusation against Lu Ruxin is unfounded. Chen Jiashi acted without law, brazenly breaking into a private residence in broad daylight, assaulting several people; after the victim returns home, they will settle losses and decide further. Bring her in, throw Chen Jiashi into prison!"

"I ask you, regarding today's assault at her house, did you catch the adulterer you mentioned on the spot?"

Qian Town Chief pointed at Lu Ruxin on the ground and said, "This is my daughter; she committed a crime, and I, as her father, could not stay away."

Lu Sanniang quickly bowed to Prefect Wang, "The common woman is the shopkeeper of the Ruyi Embroidery Workshop in Tianshui Town."

Chen Kai covered his face, not angry, and gave Lu Sanniang a smile.

"Master, have her sign and seal!"

At that moment Chen Kai arrived; as soon as he entered the Government Office, he rushed to Prefect Wang, raised his hand in salute and bowed.

"Oh, I see; you are the Lu Ruxin that Qiao Niang mentioned."

He struck the courtroom gavel again, "Lu Ruxin, is what this man said truly true?"

"Hmm, I have dispatched officials to find you because your wife sued Lu Ruxin, alleging you two cohabited without a formal match; what exactly is the relationship between you and her?"

Wang Jiaru's Student has seen Prefect Zhifu!

No!

Because Chen Jiashi's words imply forcing this young lady to become a concubine, but she keeps insisting she is not Chen Kai's secondary wife and will not become his concubine; it seems love hasn't yet clouded her head.

"Exactly; otherwise, based on this young woman's looks, could the Chen Family Eldest Young Master favor her? Aren't all his favorites born as beautiful as flowers?"

This, what on earth is this?

Chen Jiashi's face turned pale, and he quickly gave Chen Kai a signal; Chen Kai's smiling face also stiffened.

Wang Zongsheng, seeing it was him, hurriedly shouted to stop the official who was about to intervene.

When Wang Zongsheng heard Town Mayor Qian say that Lu Ruxin is his daughter, he immediately knew how this case should be judged.

"Just hearsay? No concrete evidence? Right?"

"Hmm, although I don't often visit the Qiao Family, I have heard of you."

If it weren't for the Zhai and Small Food Shop she holds, it would be impossible for her to be with Chen Kai.

Knowing it oneself is one thing; being told by others is another.

Clearly understanding everything, yet pretending not to, the unwillingly carefree Chen Kai has dragged this on to the present.

If it weren't for Town Mayor Qian and Lu Sanniang arriving today, the Chen Family might have succeeded.

(End of Chapter)