The Sorrowmender

Chapter 18 – Three-Minute Court Hearing

A Three-Minute Trial

A small bridge over flowing water, a path shaded by trees, and a cool morning breeze—

Yet the County Magistrate's forehead was drenched in sweat, and the white handkerchief in his hand was more than half-soaked.

He had walked less than three hundred meters and hadn't even reached the main hall yet.

Stopping and starting, a quarter of an hour had already passed, and his hands trembled as he held a piece of old paper. This was already the ninth message delivered on behalf of Mister Forgetting Worries.

From the Prefect's office to the city defense deputy general, all were involved, and the paper in his hand was even more significant, personally written by the chief steward of Frostsky City.

He understood the weight of this situation.

The County Magistrate was inwardly terrified, frantically wiping the sweat that trickled down due to his anxiety.

"This Mister Forgetting Worries has quite the background, definitely someone I can't afford to offend."

Even the usually calm Legal Advisor beside him seemed unsettled, as if the situation had exceeded his expectations.

"Which short-sighted head constable brought this living Buddha back to me? Are they trying to get me killed?" the County Magistrate cursed.

The Legal Advisor teased, "Sir, the urgent matter is to quickly handle this trial and finish it as soon as possible."

"Yes, yes, let's hurry. We mustn't keep Mister Forgetting Worries waiting too long."

"Sir, slow down."

The County Magistrate hitched up his official robe and jogged along.

For the first time, the official presiding over the trial was more anxious, flustered, and confused than the accused.

But this was not surprising, even though Xu Qingzhou had his principles.

He used a lottery system to ensure fairness and impartiality, treating all women equally under the heavens.

Yet in this world, there was never true fairness, let alone absolute fairness.

Mountains have heights, waters have depths, people have ranks and status, so where is the fairness?

Even though Xu Qingzhou had considered things quite reasonably.

But as the saying goes, "There are policies above, and countermeasures below."

The wealthy, to be worry-free, often hired people to line up early in the morning. If there were 300 tickets, they would hire 100 people to line up, making the probability of being drawn one-third. If they hired more, the chances naturally increased.

Money can make the devil turn millstones, so for those with wealth and power, their chances of being drawn were high.

Although he resolved one case a day, over a hundred days, helping over a hundred people, less than thirty percent were truly destined.

The rest were "people with connections."

Of course, these little tricks couldn't escape Xu Qingzhou's notice; he just chose not to intervene.

The rules were set, and as long as others operated within them, how they maneuvered was none of his concern. He only needed to clock in daily, follow the routine, and that was enough.

There was also a bit of self-interest; those wealthy individuals were often more generous, offering higher rewards.

Xu Qingzhou was just an ordinary person, needing to earn a living, wasn't he?

Those pleading for Xu Qingzhou's case, weren't they all indebted to him in some way?

Now that Xu Qingzhou was caught, wasn't this the perfect time to repay that debt?

Moreover, even without personal connections, why not help?

After all, who could resist extending an olive branch to a remarkable man like Mister Forgetting Worries?

Everything was within reason.

Entering the main hall through the back door, the noise hit his ears, and looking up, he saw the area outside the South City Yamen's main hall was surrounded by three layers of people.

It was truly a sea of people, the clamor reaching the skies.

The County Magistrate's step faltered for a moment, staring at the scene outside the hall, plunging him into self-doubt.

He had served as a Legal Advisor in the southern part of the city for ten years, and as a County Magistrate for another ten, handling not ten thousand but at least a thousand cases, yet he had never seen such a large crowd.

Nor had he ever seen so many citizens come to listen, leaving him momentarily at a loss, unsure of what to do.

Fortunately, the Legal Advisor beside him brought him back to his senses, and he hurriedly approached the place where the mirror of justice hung high.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead again, he glanced at the hall.

There stood a man.

A refined young master, fanning himself, sleeves fluttering, exuding an air of scholarly elegance, both handsome and graceful.

Though the hall was lined with constables holding intimidating batons, the young master remained calm and composed, unafraid in the face of danger.

He even wore a slight smile, like the first awakening of spring.

The County Magistrate knew well that the man before him was Mister Forgetting Worries, and couldn't help but marvel.

"Imposing and dignified, truly a talent, no wonder he has such a presence."

"Look, the County Magistrate is here, the trial is about to begin."

"Shh, everyone keep quiet and listen to what the County Magistrate has to say."

The County Magistrate, though inwardly terrified, faced with so many citizens, forced himself to appear calm, straightening his body and clearing his throat.

Then he picked up the gavel and gently placed it on the table.

"Commence the trial!"

"Majestic—"

As the intimidating batons struck the ground, the surrounding noise vanished, and the crowd held their breath in anticipation.

"What case is being tried today?"

"Your Honor, today we are trying the case of an intrusion and assault at the Pavilion of Forgetting Worries in the southern part of the city," Constable Zhang respectfully replied.

"Oh, where is the accused?"

"The accused is dead."

"Who killed him?"

"It was the master of the Pavilion of Forgetting Worries, Mister Forgetting Worries."

"And who reported the case?"

"It was also Mister Forgetting Worries."

In the exchange between the County Magistrate and Constable Zhang, the case's outline gradually became clear.

Even those outside the hall who were initially confused began to understand what had happened, whispering among themselves.

"So it was an intrusion and assault, and Mister Forgetting Worries killed him."

"That makes sense. I was wondering how Mister Forgetting Worries could kill someone without reason; he's so kind-hearted."

"Indeed, indeed."

At this moment, the County Magistrate stroked his beard, glanced at the dossier on the table, and knowingly asked:

"Mister Forgetting Worries, are you here?"

Xu Qingzhou stepped forward two more steps and bowed.

"Your Honor, I am here."

His bow almost made the County Magistrate rise instinctively, nearly losing his composure. Although he appeared calm on the surface, his heart was in turmoil.

"This bow, I cannot bear."

But outwardly, he said, "Mister Forgetting Worries, may I ask your name?"

"My surname is Xu, given name Qingzhou."

"Very well, Mister Forgetting Worries, according to the dossier, the intruder entered with a knife to rob, was caught by you, and in a fit of rage, attempted to kill you to silence you. In your panic, you dodged, causing the bandit to accidentally fall and die from his own weapon. Is this true?"

The County Magistrate read the statement earnestly, but Xu Qingzhou looked bewildered, instinctively glancing at Constable Zhang, who was responsible for writing the case details.

He found Constable Zhang equally perplexed, staring back at him in confusion.

Their eyes met, both utterly baffled, as if confusion had encountered confusion, leaving them thoroughly confused.

The dossier, written under Xu Qingzhou's supervision, was completely different from what the County Magistrate had just described, almost as if there were two entirely different versions.

The deceased had been assigned a baseless crime and labeled as having committed suicide.

Hearing this, Xu Qingzhou realized it had nothing to do with him.

Understanding there was more to the story, Xu Qingzhou, not being foolish, immediately said:

"Your Honor, everything is true."

The County Magistrate nodded in satisfaction, "Since this is the case, the evidence is conclusive. The intruder attempted murder and accidentally died by his own hand, naturally having nothing to do with Mister Forgetting Worries."

"The assailant is dead, so no charges will be filed. The body will be discarded in the wilderness as a warning. Today's matter is thus concluded."

"Legal Advisor, close the case."

"Yes!"

Xu Qingzhou was even more bewildered; it was over just like that.

"Mister Forgetting Worries, sorry for troubling you to come in person, please don't blame us," the County Magistrate said.

"Uh, it's fine, it's fine. Your Honor, may I leave now?"

The County Magistrate squinted, his smile a bit forced but bright, "Of course. Constable Zhang, escort Mister Forgetting Worries back, and make sure to return him to the Pavilion of Forgetting Worries without any mishaps, or you'll be in trouble."

Constable Zhang, still confused, responded, "Yes!"

Everything ended inexplicably, a murder trial concluded in less than three minutes.

Mister Forgetting Worries was declared innocent.

Xu Qingzhou was left bewildered, Constable Zhang was left bewildered, and the citizens who had come from afar were left in disarray.

"Is it over already?"

"Uh, it was suicide. That assailant was really stupid."

"As expected, a small County Magistrate can't convict Mister Forgetting Worries."

"Impressive!"

"I knew it, this has nothing to do with Mister Forgetting Worries, that's great."

The gavel sounded again, this time signaling the end of the session. The County Magistrate, relieved, hurried away, secretly rejoicing.

"Thankfully, I was tactful; it scared me to death. I must have a good meal to recover. Someone, have the kitchen prepare a feast."