Jin Shanyao became increasingly confused as she listened, and determined to get to the bottom of it, she took out a bag of melon seeds from the shop and sat down with her child at the shop entrance to watch the battle.
Meng Anci, "It's been almost 9 AM since Yin Shi (3-5 AM)... Will Shopkeeper Jiang be able to be buried today?"
Meng Anzhi: "It's hard to say. The Jiang family is clearly holding this mother and daughter hostage. This matter won't be over until the Madam Jiang hands over the shop!"
Just as Meng Anzhi had said, Madam Jiang was caught in a dilemma. She looked at the members of the Jiang Lineage, steeled herself, and shouted, "Jiang family juniors, whoever is willing to carry the banner and break the basin for my husband, I will reward them with twenty taels of silver."
Jin Shanyao, indicating it was worth twenty taels, then turned to Meng Anci and asked, "Can I take this job?"
Meng Anci calmly said, "You can't..."
"Oh..." Jin Shanyao her head and thought it made sense. When her benefactor died, it was Meng Anci carried the banner and broke the basin. This money-making job should not be handed over to outsiders.
After Madam Jiang called out, no one answered for a moment. Jiang Jinshu tugged at Madam Jiang's clothes, "Mother, I can carry it... I'll carry it."
Fu'an's mother spat, "You little brat, you think you can carry the banner? You're no longer a member of the Jiang family, get out, get out, and stop causing trouble."
Jiang Jinshu shrank back in fright. She thought that if the cloth banner was tied to her body, she could crawl to the cemetery.
Brother Fu'an saw that some of his clansmen were eager to try, and he was afraid that the duck he had almost caught would fly away.
"Alright, let my son carry it," he said, picking up the mud basin from the ground, stuffing the banner into the boy's arms, and having the Jiang family lift the coffin and walk out.
Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci remained silent. The situation at the Jiang family was just like it had been years ago, when their eldest and second uncles were fighting over their family property. Fortunately, they had their aunt to protect them.
The two looked at their aunt, who was staring at the funeral procession, seemingly lost in thought.
Meng Anci sighed. His aunt was probably wondering why she couldn't take on the job of carrying the banner. He would have to buy her a book on customs and rituals when he had time.
Just when everyone thought the matter was over, the Jiang family started making trouble again, even taking it to court.
Jin Shanyao wanted to take the two children to see it, but Meng Anci had to go to school, so she had to take Meng Anzhi instead to listen to Su Wenqian's trial.
The gavel struck...
Su Wenqian: " Jiang Fulu, the property deed is in Jiang Fu'an's name, how can you say it's your shop?"
Jiang Fulu shouted, "Sir, according to village custom, whoever carries the banner and breaks the basin owns the property, so this shop rightfully belongs to my family."
"You're talking nonsense! How did the shop that my husband and I worked so hard to buy become yours? I've already given your family ten taels of silver, why do you still want my shop?"
Madam Jiang became emaciated in just a few days, and her voice was hoarse, almost in despair.
Su Wenqian's eyes were deep. " Madam Jiang, I ask you, do you and your husband have any sons?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang collapsed to the ground, murmuring hoarsely, "No... my husband and I only have one daughter," before bursting into tears.
Su Wenqian's eyes flashed with pity. " Madam Jiang, does your daughter have a childhood sweetheart who has married into the family, or is she already engaged?" If either of these is true, this case could be reversed.
Madam Jiang's mind went blank; she felt dizzy and completely lost the ability to think. She could only tell the truth, "No... nothing at all."
The couple had planned to have another child this year, but then this happened.
Su Wenqian looked at the ruthless faces of the Jiang family members who were trying to exploit their family's wealth, and then at Madam Jiang was weeping.
He truly couldn't bring himself to do it. " Madam Jiang, according to the laws of this dynasty, if there are no male members in the deceased's family, the family property belongs to the male members of the close branch of the clan. Are you aware of this?"
Madam Jiang pleaded tearfully, "Sir, we separated our households long ago. This shop was earned by my husband and me through hard work, from dawn till dusk. It's the only memento my husband left me. I beg you, please don't award the shop to them."
Su Wenqian steeled his resolve, turning his eyes away from Madam Jiang, "This is the law of this dynasty; there's no point in Madam Jiang saying anything more."
Bang! The gavel slammed down heavily.
" The Madam Jiang case is concluded today! The shops involved are returned to the Jiang Fu'an family. How they will be distributed internally will be decided by the Madam Jiang clan themselves. Court adjourned!"
Madam Jiang felt a sudden rush of light to her head, as if the sky had collapsed and the earth had caved in. She was plunged into darkness and could see nothing. All she wanted to do was smash her head against a wall and die to join her husband.
Just then, a furious shout rang in my ears.
"Incompetent official... do you even know how to handle cases?"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately Jin Shanyao, afraid of having anything to do with her. Meng Anzhi tiptoed to cover Jin Shanyao's mouth.
Roaring in court and insulting imperial officials is punishable by a beating, Auntie... my ancestors, please don't say another word.
Su Wenqian's eyes flashed, and he shouted sternly, " Jin Shanyao, how dare you say I don't know how to handle cases? Come in... let's analyze the case carefully."
Everyone in the Jiang family, including Madam Jiang, turned to look at Jin Shanyao, wondering where she had come from and what this matter had to do with her.
Ignoring the astonished looks of the crowd, Jin Shanyao strode into the courtroom, pointed at Jiang Fulu, and demanded, "Did you break the Jiang family's basin?"
Jiang Fulu, not understanding, nodded in agreement.
Jin Shanyao narrowed her eyes and retorted sharply, "Sir, did you hear that? He admitted that he broke the basin, so what right does he have to break someone else's basin?"
According to the laws of this dynasty, anyone who damages another's property must pay compensation at a premium; make him pay for the pot!
With each wave of her Jin Shanyao, the noise grew louder and louder. She put her hands on her hips and pointed at Su Wenqian, "You corrupt official! This is clearly a case of smashing a basin! What are you even investigating?"
The courtroom fell silent instantly upon hearing this, and everyone stared at her as if she were a fool.
Having spent more time with Jin Shanyao, Su Wenqian instantly understood what she was talking about.
He jumped up excitedly, just as everyone thought Su Wenqian was about to fly into a rage.
But then he asked Madam Jiang, " Madam Jiang, tell me the truth. Was the basin that Jiang Fulu's son smashed the yin-yang basin used in funerals?"
Madam Jiang, still somewhat dazed, realized what was happening. Her eyes widened as she stared at Su Wenqian tentatively, "No... it's not..."
Su Wenqian's eyes lit up with a smile. " Madam Jiang, since there are no male heirs in your family, your property will be inherited by the male members of the clan. This case is closed. Now I'll ask you about the basin."
Jiang Fulu jumped up and down in a panic, "Sir, it's just an ordinary yin-yang basin, nothing special about it."
Madam Jiang was instantly enlightened and burst into tears, "Please, Your Honor, do justice for this humble woman! That basin is not a Yin-Yang basin at all; it was my mother's dowry, priceless!"
They mistook my dowry basin for a yin-yang basin and smashed it on the spot!
The situation was urgent, and I didn't have time to argue with them. Who knew they would take me to court first!
Su Wenqian glanced approvingly at Madam Jiang, then looked at Jin Shanyao with admiration.
Jin Shanyao her eyes. "Idiot, he can't even handle a case properly, she has to remind him."
She should find some time to talk to Old Madam Su; if that doesn't work, she should find someone else to train.
Su Wenqian was stunned by the stare. Was Jin Shanyao not giving Madam Jiang directions? Did she really think this was a case of breaking a pot?