Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 206 Rescuing the Big Sister (3)

Everyone present was stunned. The people who came were actually constables from the county. The county was several miles away from here, and they had never seen so many constables appear at the same time.

The constables stood on either side of the red cloth, holding their stern rods. One of the constables even stepped on Liu Wang's hand, and he didn't dare to utter a sound.

Following the bailiffs was the county magistrate, dressed in a blue brocade robe and wearing a black gauze hat. The magistrate, who was in his early forties, had an imposing presence that silenced everyone present as soon as he appeared.

The county magistrate was followed by the village head, who was in charge of the town. The village head kept wiping away sweat, it was hard to tell whether it was from the heat or from fear.

Those present had never seen such a scene before. Liu Caiyun was stunned for a moment before quickly stepping back to stand beside Shaoyao and whispering, "Little sister, when we question you later, just say that you were tricked into coming here. You must not admit that you did it yourself."

Shen Li, with her exceptional hearing, naturally overheard what was said. It was the familiar, loyal and righteous eldest sister.

The Liu family was puzzled. Someone had just slipped out to report to the authorities, and the official who came was too fast and too powerful.

I've never seen so many people in a murder case before.

Ma Zheng silently followed behind the county magistrate, and no one suspected that he was not a member of the county government.

"I received a report that someone is forcibly abducting a woman here, so I have come to investigate." The magistrate's palms were sweaty as he spoke. He wondered where this important figure came from, whose personal guards were all fifth-rank commanders. How could he not conduct a proper investigation?

A yamen runner brought chairs to the front of the main hall. After the magistrate sat down, seeing that no one spoke, he asked again, "Whose house is this? Stand up."

"Your Honor, Your Honor, please investigate! This is my home!" Liu Wang's father kowtowed to the county magistrate. "I'm innocent! I was just trying to find a wife for my son, but this wife hired people to cause trouble and almost beat my whole family to death!"

"You old fool, how dare you talk nonsense! I didn't use any internal force at all; I only caused superficial injuries." Peony got angry when she heard this.

The magistrate glanced at Shaoyao. This girl was so young yet so skilled, and she showed no fear of him, the magistrate. She must have some background.

You should be with important people; you can't afford to offend them.

"Please calm down, young lady. We will give you an explanation after the county has conducted its investigation," he reassured her.

Peony snorted at Liu Wang's father, but didn't press the matter further.

"Your Honor, please do justice for us commoners!" Liu Caiyun and her family knelt before the magistrate, tearfully recounting Liu Caiyun's actions.

The county magistrate had been informed of the procedures in advance, so he questioned the family carefully and finally concluded: "So you accepted twenty taels of silver from the Liu family, and that's why you're forcing your daughter to marry into their family?"

“Sir, since ancient times, marriage has always been arranged by the parents. It’s not illegal for a father to make decisions for his daughter, is it?” Liu Caiyun’s father asked boldly.

"Although it's not illegal, this matter has had an extremely negative impact, so this county has no choice but to make an impartial judgment. You are hereby ordered to return twenty taels of silver, and the marriage certificate is null and void." The magistrate then looked at Liu Caiyun: "Are you satisfied?"

"Thank you, sir." Liu Caiyun bowed deeply. "I have another request. I wish to sever ties with the Liu family and establish my own household registration."

"Granted," the magistrate readily agreed.

Both Liu families present were stunned. Was this county magistrate being so biased? Why was he always siding with Liu Caiyun?

Could it be that the county magistrate has taken a liking to her?

But who dared to question the magistrate's words? Both families were in the wrong and felt guilty, so they dared not say anything. The most guilty family was Liu Wang's family, who were worried that the investigation would uncover the deaths of his two previous wives.

"Sir, this girl suddenly appeared and started hitting people. Please, sir, do justice for us commoners!" Liu Caiyun's younger brother spoke up at this moment.

He has been spoiled since childhood, and has never suffered such a loss before.

Peony squinted at him. Kid, haven't you had enough of being beaten?

The young man was so frightened that his gaze darted away, and he dared not look at the peony again.

“My lord…” Liu Caiyun immediately said, “I invited this young lady here. If you want to punish me, then punish me.”

Peony immediately wanted to take responsibility.

“Liu Caiyun is the victim, and her actions were merely self-defense.” The magistrate then looked at the young man and said, “You are a gambling addict at such a young age, and you even sold your sister. Now you are making baseless accusations here. You are simply incorrigible.”

"Huh? I..." The young man never expected that he was wrong to be the one who got beaten.

"Guards, give him thirty strokes of the cane right here and now, as a warning to others."

At the magistrate's command, yamen runners immediately came up from both sides, took a bench, pressed the young man down on it, and then haphazardly brought down sticks.

"No way!" Liu Caiyun's mother rushed over from behind and was about to hit Liu Caiyun: "You heartless person... How can you treat your brother like this? Hurry up and plead for your brother."

Peony reacted quickly, grabbing the person by the back of their neck and lifting them up: "Still want to fight? I think you haven't been beaten enough."

"Let go...uh..." The clothes were so tight she could hardly breathe.

"Your Honor, she has shown contempt of court. What is her punishment?" Peony stood directly and looked at the magistrate.

"Thirty strokes of the cane," the magistrate sentenced without a second thought.

Peony handed the man over to the yamen runners with satisfaction, and she and her son went to be beaten together.

Hearing the familiar screams, Liu Caiyun turned pale, but showed no intention of pleading for mercy.

They brought this upon themselves. If someone hadn't come to their rescue today, and if the magistrate hadn't arrived, she would have had no chance of turning things around.

The magistrate then looked at Liu Wang's family and said coldly, "Liu Wang's family, do you have any further requests?"

"No...that's all..." Liu Wang stammered.

Shen Li gave Shaoyao a wink.

Peony immediately knelt down and said to the magistrate, "Your Honor, I was passing by when I heard that Liu Wang's two previous wives both died tragically. I don't know if it's true or not, so I beg Your Honor to investigate."

Liu Wang's face turned pale instantly, and he went up to cover Shaoyao's mouth: "You're talking nonsense."

Before Shaoyao could even lift a finger, the constables had already subdued him.

“My lord, he has shown contempt for you again. It seems you didn’t punish him enough before,” Peony said formally.

The magistrate understood and said, "Drag him away and give him fifty strokes of the cane. Officer Qin, I'm assigning you the task of investigating the deaths of Liu Wang's two wives. Give the county the results as soon as possible."

"Yes." A tall constable stepped forward.

The Liu family's expressions darkened further. They no longer cared whether Liu Caiyun stayed or left, fearing that if the truth came out, she might spend the rest of her life in prison.

"Do any of you have any further requests to submit to this county?" The county magistrate scanned everyone present.

Everyone present bowed their heads.

"Liu Caiyun, you will return with me to have your marriage record invalidated." The magistrate said, standing up.

Liu Caiyun was uneasy, wondering if the magistrate had ulterior motives, but she did not hesitate. It couldn't get any worse than it was now.

"Sister, I'll go with you, don't be afraid." Peony noticed her emotions and stepped forward to take her arm.