Chapter Fifty-One: Hating Us to Death

Luotong said, "That guy probably hates us to death now..."

"We've come this far; there's no turning back!"

"I know! I'm just sighing, that's all," Luotong replied.

...

After examining Changsun Chong's injuries, Changsun Wuji gritted his teeth and declared, "Sun Jiali, how dare you abuse your authority and falsely accuse my son!"

"Lord Changsun, why do you say that? I have judged the case impartially. How could it be false accusation?" Sun Jiali stood up to retort.

"Don't pretend to be innocent. If not for you, would my son have landed in prison?"

"This—"

Faced with Changsun Wuji's aggression, Sun Jiali deflated like a punctured ball.

Li Zhi mocked, "Ah... Rank trumps everything, uncle, you certainly wield your power with flair! But why don't you ask why Young Master Changsun was arrested? Why did Magistrate Sun not arrest others, but insisted on him?"

"Greetings to His Highness the Prince of Jin!"

Changsun Wuji slowly rose, exchanged glances with the Ministry of Justice officials, and obediently bowed in salute. In truth, given his status, there was no need for such formal ceremony—a simple gesture would suffice. Yet he knew Li Zhi was shrewd and fond of finding faults.

Should Li Zhi accuse him of lacking proper etiquette, it would spell trouble.

"No need for formalities... I’m just here to watch the spectacle. Please continue with the trial," Li Zhi's expression appeared harmless, but he had already devised a plan to deal with Changsun Chong.

"As long as you compensate my restaurant, that's all I require," Li Zhi added.

Changsun Wuji did not immediately grasp his meaning, thinking Li Zhi was merely talking to himself.

He turned to Sun Jiali, "Since His Highness has instructed you to try the case, then proceed. But I say this now: if you dare to show favoritism or wrong my son, I will not let you off lightly!"

"Understood!" Sun Jiali, though only a humble county magistrate, oversaw all cases in Chang'an County. Unless a case involved homicide, it need not be submitted to the Ministry of Justice.

Now, Changsun Chong had been arrested for causing trouble in a restaurant—a minor civil matter.

Sun Jiali had full authority to judge!

In contrast, the officials from the Ministry of Justice, who handled criminal cases nationwide, were powerless here.

...

Sun Jiali began his inquiry.

His approach was remarkably astute.

He immediately seized on several key points.

First, did Changsun Chong lead his men into the restaurant, smashing tables and chairs and causing injuries?

Second, did he insult the Prince of Jin and show disrespect?

Third, did his actions result in serious losses for the First Restaurant?

As for the exact damages, there was a detailed inventory.

All that remained was for him to sign and affix his seal.

"Young Master Changsun, do you deny what I have just stated?" Sun Jiali asked.

"Every word you said is true..." Changsun Chong sneered a few times, preparing to sign the indictment.

Just as he put brush to paper, Changsun Wuji coughed repeatedly, "Cough, cough... Chong'er, think carefully. Are all those statements on the indictment really accurate?"

"This..." Changsun Chong dared to sign only because his father was at his side, backing him.

He had been involved in street brawls before, stirring up plenty of trouble—even committed murder!

To avoid harsh interrogations, he would quickly sign confessions. In the end, he always escaped punishment.

But this time...

Changsun Wuji seemed genuinely fearful!

No, I must not confess!

Changsun Chong tossed aside the brush, "Hmph! You want to force me to sign and seal? Impossible!"

"Young Master Changsun, have I forced you?" Sun Jiali was momentarily stunned, then smiled, "All the people present have seen it: I have neither used torture nor insulted you, not even raised my voice. How could this be coercion?"

"I am merely stating the facts of the case; you need only answer!"

...

Changsun Wuji also said, "Chong'er, do not be afraid. Answer truthfully!" As he spoke, he kept winking.

Li Zhi could not bear watching and called out loudly, "Uncle, do you have an eye problem? Why are you winking nonstop?"

"Your Highness jests. This old servant's eyes are healthy! Just now, a bit of dust got in..."

"Let’s hope that's all!"

"Old fox, still trying to bluff your way through?" Li Zhi's gaze swept back and forth between father and son, then turned to Sun Jiali, "Continue with the trial!"

"Yes!"

Sun Jiali held the indictment, "Young Master Changsun, do you confess?"

"I do not!"

"Everything written is based on your own words, without the slightest deviation. Why do you deny it?"

"I have never done such things, so of course I won’t confess! As for this indictment... it was just a joke between us, nonsense really. You actually took it seriously? Sun Jiali, is your brain broken?"

...

He thinks this will let him escape punishment?

Sun Jiali sneered inwardly.

As the magistrate of Chang'an County, he had tried countless cases—from murder and robbery to petty theft. There were always shameless scoundrels like Changsun Chong trying to play tricks.

For him, handling this case posed no challenge whatsoever.

Especially since the evidence was conclusive; whether Changsun Chong admitted it or not, a verdict could be rendered.

"Bring in the witnesses!"

At Sun Jiali's command, more than a dozen people entered the hall.

All had witnessed the crime on the day in question.

They could fully attest that the indictment contained not a single falsehood!

"Changsun Chong, what more have you to say?"

"No matter who you bring to testify, I didn’t do it. I simply didn’t do it. What can you do to me?" Changsun Chong’s shameless expression was truly infuriating.

Li Zhi and Luotong both seethed with anger.

The crowd of onlookers also pointed and whispered.

Sun Jiali returned to his seat and slammed the table loudly, "Audacious! How dare you mock the court and obstruct my investigation!"

"Guards—"

"Magistrate Sun, do you intend to use torture?" Changsun Wuji asked.

"When a defendant is unruly, he should be beaten thirty times with a heavy rod! Out of respect for Lord Changsun, I will merely record it for now. However, this case needs no further trial. Witnesses and material evidence fully confirm Changsun Chong’s guilt! According to our laws, when evidence is conclusive but the accused refuses to sign, the presiding magistrate decides the verdict! I now pronounce—"

"Wait!"

Changsun Wuji was starting to panic.

The law truly stipulated as much.

Even if Changsun Chong refused to admit guilt, he could not escape the law’s punishment.

"Don’t be quick to judge; my First Restaurant has yet to receive compensation!" Li Zhi also stopped Sun Jiali, whispering. He cared little for the punishment Changsun Chong would receive; his aim was extortion, to bankrupt the rival Tianyi Restaurant in one stroke. Moreover, this incident would expose Changsun Wuji’s immense wealth, arousing Emperor Taizong’s suspicion.

This way, whenever he clashed with the Changsun family, Emperor Taizong would unhesitatingly support him.

Business at the restaurant would soar.

"Ahem!"

Sun Jiali quietly asked, "Your Highness... what do you intend?"

"This is the itemized bill for damages to my restaurant. Take a look! If he pays in full, it shows repentance; his punishment can be reduced."

"Your Highness speaks wisely!"

Changsun Wuji’s face twitched, his whole body trembling. He clearly saw the bill: a compensation demand of one hundred thousand coins! This was not compensation—it was outright robbery!