Sir Song, do you want to pledge yourself to me?

At 10 p.m., Li Zhenling came in person to invite Song Jinbai to the yamen for trial.

When the group of five arrived, some people had already gathered outside the hall to watch the fun.

In the hall, three middle-aged people, two men and one woman, were kneeling on the ground with different expressions.

Sitting in the hall was a thin official wearing the uniform of a county magistrate. He was about fifty years old and had a serious face.

Seeing Li Zhenling coming with his men, the county magistrate quickly stood up and prepared to salute.

Song Jinbai simply raised his hand, indicating that he didn't need to salute and could continue the interrogation. He then calmly led the others to sit aside.

After the tension subsided, the county magistrate took a deep breath, tried to regain his composure, and asked, "What grievances have you suffered? Please tell us."

The middle-aged man on the left side of the hall wiped the tears from his face and said angrily, "Your Excellency, County Magistrate, I am from Taoli Town. Today I have come to sue Wang Youxin for forcibly abducting my daughter and causing the destruction of my family!" As he spoke, he wiped another tear and continued to tell the story with a choked voice, "Two months ago, my daughter was washing clothes by the river when she was unexpectedly abducted by Wang Youxin's son and taken home. She was not sent back until the afternoon of the next day, but then she locked herself in the house and refused to come out. Two days later, when no one was home, she hanged herself from the beam. Her mother couldn't accept the loss of her daughter, so she committed suicide by jumping into the river that night. I used to have a family of three, but now I am the only one left. I beg the Lord of Heaven to help me!"

His voice was filled with grief and anger, moving everyone present.

Many residents of Taoli Town had long heard of the domineering behavior of Wang Yuanwai's family, and they had no idea that they were still hiding such a heinous act.

The county magistrate frowned as he listened to the middle-aged man's complaint. Originally, he had been resentful of Song Jinbai's meddling, for forcing him, at his age, to travel so far to try a case overnight. But now, hearing such a tragic story, his resentment faded.

The county magistrate said solemnly, "As long as what you just said is true, I will naturally make the decision for you! I will severely punish Wang Youxin and seek justice for your family!"

After receiving the county magistrate's promise, the middle-aged man knelt down and kowtowed, saying with tears of gratitude, "I bow to thank you, sir!"

At this time, the man kneeling in the middle also spoke up: "I, a commoner, have grievances to appeal! I beg the great judge to help me!"

Known as the "Justice Lord," the county magistrate's sense of justice was overflowing. He deeply felt the people's need and reliance on him. He said firmly, "Speak directly, and I will uphold justice for you!"

The man in the middle said, "I am also from Taoli Town, and my family makes tofu. Half a month ago, my youngest daughter was on her way to deliver tofu to me when she was unfortunately spotted by Mr. Wang's son. That beast actually wanted to take her to be his concubine, and I stepped forward to stop him, but was beaten up. She had to lie in bed for half a month before she could barely walk. Poor my daughter, she was well-behaved and filial, only thirteen years old, but she was sent to Yichunyuan by that thing that was worse than a beast. Within two days, she was carried out of Yichunyuan, her body covered in wounds, and she died with her eyes open. Every time I think of it, I feel so painful that I wish I could strangle that beast to death with my own hands!" After he finished telling the story, he was already in tears and heartbroken.

The woman next to him also cried and complained, "Oh, Lord! Please, please help my daughter! She is so miserable! I hate you so much! I hate the Wang family for being so shameless and doing such ruthless things! They oppress the people and take human lives so lightly. It is truly unforgivable!"

The town hall didn't have a dedicated court, so the makeshift one seemed rather crude. The county magistrate, unable to find a gavel, slammed the table and shouted sternly, "Bring the Wangs to the court!"

The Wang family father and son were already imprisoned in a small room nearby, and they could clearly hear the accusations from the courtroom. They had originally assumed that they had simply arrested someone without authorization, and that the county magistrate would at most punish them with a beating. Now that so many details had been brought to light, the father and son were trembling with fear, and none of the arrogance they had shown when arresting someone was gone.

They were quickly brought to the hall and knelt on the ground, facing the county magistrate and the people in the hall, their hearts filled with fear and despair.

The county magistrate asked, "Are those kneeling in the hall Wang Kui and Wang Youxin, father and son?"

"Your humble servant Wang Kui pays his respects to you, sir." Wang Kui replied in a trembling voice.

"Your humble servant Wang Youxin pays his respects to His Excellency." Wang Youxin also replied, his voice full of fear.

The county magistrate then asked, "Is what they just said true?" His eyes were like torches, staring directly at the father and son in the hall, as if he wanted to see through their hearts.

Faced with the county magistrate's questioning, the father and son hung their heads in silence, trying to evade responsibility.

Upon seeing this, the county magistrate slammed the table, making a deafening noise.

This slap frightened Wang Youcai so much that a puddle of water involuntarily spread out from under him, and the lobby was instantly filled with an unpleasant smell of urine.

Everyone present couldn't help but frown.

It is really unexpected that this evil person is so cowardly.

Wang Youxin lowered his head even lower.

The county magistrate was furious. He shouted, "Tell the truth now! Otherwise, I will have you tortured!"

Under fear and pressure, Wang Youcai finally confessed his crimes: "It's me, I did it all. I robbed those women." His voice was full of despair and regret, but it was too late.

Wang Kui's heart ached when he heard his son's answer. He knew the serious consequences his son would face if he admitted his crime.

He tried to call out his son's name, but his voice was stuck in his throat and he couldn't make a sound. His heart was filled with pain and helplessness, regretting that he had not taught him well and had indulged him too much. Now he could only watch his son step by step into the abyss.

The county magistrate immediately ordered, "Come here, bring the confession and have him sign it in court. Then take him away and await his punishment."

"Yes, sir." The lawyer replied, then walked up to Wang Youxin with the confession and ink.

Wang Youxin's face was covered in scratches, his expression unrecognizable. His lifeless eyes stared blankly ahead. His hands trembled, as if in a final struggle against fate, before he finally stamped his handprint on the confession.

After affixing his handprints, Wang Youxin was led away by the yamen runners. His figure gradually disappeared from everyone's sight, leaving only the sound of heavy footsteps echoing in the hall. At this moment, everyone felt the majesty and justice of the law.