You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 68 What is the punishment for falsely accusing the lady?
Grandma Fang screamed like a pig being slaughtered: "This is not my fault! Zhao Ma told me to just feed it directly into the child's mouth and it would melt in his mouth. Who knew the child would suddenly cry and choke? I panicked and tried to get it out with my hands for a long time but I couldn't."

Standing to the side, Aunt Zhao hurriedly tried to disclaim responsibility: "Madam, how can you falsely accuse others? I never said that. I just turned around to pour water, and you fed the child three or four pills at once. You even threatened me, telling me not to tell my young lady."

"Bullshit! It was clearly you who told me to keep quiet and pin it on the innocent family, saying that this way, the money I owed Liang Jiang would be wiped clean."

The two tried to shift the blame to each other, neither willing to give in.

After fighting for a while, Tong Zhao'er's eyes rolled back, and she fainted from excessive grief.

Old Mrs. Fang collapsed to the ground, and the surrounding people cursed and spitted at her.

"He killed his own granddaughter, then framed someone else, trying to renege on his debts. How can there be such a vicious and shameless person in the world?"

All sorts of nasty insults were heard.

Having just suffered the pain of losing his daughter and having lost face in front of so many people, Fang Chengxu had no face to stay any longer.

He steeled himself and stepped forward, saying to Liang Jiang, "I am sorry for what happened today. I withdraw the petition and will come to apologize in person another day."

"Wait!"

Galangal coughed lightly again and turned to the lawyer beside her:

"Whether Madam Fang committed intentional murder or manslaughter is irrelevant, but what crime should she be charged with for deliberately concealing the truth and framing the Duchess of the current dynasty?"

Without hesitation, the lawyer said, "According to the laws of Chang'an, anyone who dares to make a false accusation should be punished as the accuser. Whatever punishment the princess was just sentenced to, she should also bear."

Liang Jiang continued, "Then what crime did Fang Chengxu commit when he attacked me in court and seriously injured me?"

The lawyer continued without hesitation, "Both crimes will be punished, with the heavier penalty. Daring to disrespect the princess and seriously injure her, the heavier penalty is beheading, and the lighter penalty is caning and exile."

Liang Jiang sneered: "Then let's proceed according to the law. Lawyer Song, this case will continue to be entrusted to you. If anyone dares to protect officials or show favoritism again, please write an imperial petition for me."

These words were clearly meant for the Prefect of the Capital.

The Prefect of the Capital was already drenched in sweat under the bright mirror hanging high above him.

Although the Duke's mansion had fallen into decline, and her title of princess was now merely a hollow one, she was still condemned by everyone. However, in front of everyone, she had indeed relentlessly pressured the mother and daughter without showing any mercy.

Upon hearing that she would be facing a lawsuit, Old Mrs. Fang immediately jumped up.

"How can you be so heartless, woman? You're so unreasonable! Even a night of marriage can have a hundred nights of kindness. You and Chengxu were husband and wife for a time, how can you be so ruthless?"

Huh? Another shocking piece of news.

The son-in-law of the General's Mansion had actually married a princess from the Duke's Mansion.
Recalling the rumors circulating in the capital today, that Fang Chengxu has someone else in his heart and has never forgotten her, isn't that the princess?
What grudge do these two families have that warrants going to court?
Everyone fell silent and stopped talking; they all pricked up their ears and listened intently.

Liang Jiang sneered: "When you were bullying me and my mother just now, trying to kill us, why didn't you talk about feelings?"
When you were climbing the social ladder to marry someone more powerful and wealthy, and you wanted to divorce my wife and remarry, forcing me to ask for my own divorce, why didn't you show any mercy?

Do you expect me to recount in front of so many people all the despicable tricks you've used against me, Liang Jiang?

General Tong did not want the affair between Tong Zhao'er and Fang Chengxu to become common knowledge.

The Fang family may be shameless, but the General's Mansion cannot be.

He immediately gave the Prefect of the Capital a wink.

The Prefect of the Capital was caught in the middle and had a dilemma. He decided to temporarily detain the suspect and see how the situation developed before deciding how to close the case.

He slammed the gavel and declared, "It is already late. The two culprits who falsely accused and harmed the Princess shall be temporarily taken into custody. They will be tried on another day and severely punished! Court adjourned!"

The facts of the case are clear, but the Prefect of the Capital is holding back the verdict. Anyone with eyes can see that this is to give the Fang family a chance to breathe.

Old Mrs. Fang, however, immediately started shouting, "We are the ones who suffered the most! Why are you arresting me?" General Tong was already impatient. He waved his hand, and the yamen runners temporarily took her and her son away.

He then apologized to Madam Liang, saying, "I really didn't expect that Fang Chengxu's mother would be so despicable as to frame you in order to shirk responsibility. If I hadn't been grateful just now, I would have almost made a big mistake."

Madam Liang hurriedly said, "This matter was done by Old Madam Fang alone and has nothing to do with General Tong. We should thank you for your trust and care just now."

"I am grateful that you do not blame me, Madam. I will personally visit you tomorrow to apologize. May I ask where you are staying now, Madam? Are you at the Duke's residence?"

"I came to the capital today to seek medical treatment at the Fang family's residence. I originally planned to return to Fucheng overnight, but this matter has delayed me. I will rest at Liangjiang Inn for the night and return tomorrow."

Liang Jiang still remembered the person who had helped her earlier. She glanced around, picked up half of the unbroken black jade pendant from the ground, and secretly stuffed it into her sleeve.

Then he asked the lawyer who stood to the side with his head bowed, "Thank you for speaking up for justice just now."

The lawyer respectfully replied, "It is only right to take someone's money and solve their problems."

"Aren't you afraid of angering the Tong family?"

"I was terrified, but I had been entrusted with this task and had to do my duty."

Liang Jiang asked, "Who invited you here?"

“A young man, who looked like a servant in someone’s household, gave me twenty taels of silver, briefly explained the situation, and told me to come to the government office immediately.”

"Didn't he tell you who he was?"

The lawyer shook his head: "No."

Liang Jiang thought for a moment and concluded that it must be Lu Xingzhan. When did this kid's skills improve?

She thought for a moment: "How long have you been a lawyer?"

Song Lu said embarrassedly, "I'm not afraid of making fun of you, Princess. I took the imperial examination three times in a row and failed each time. I had no choice but to become a lawyer, specializing in studying the law and writing legal documents for people. I've been doing this for five years now."

"How's your income?"

Song Lu then said with embarrassment, "I only earn a few dozen coins a day for writing, barely enough to make ends meet."

"Then you will follow me from now on and help me with my lawsuits."

"Huh?" Song Lu was taken aback: "Princess, do you have many lawsuits to fight?"

Liang Jiang found it amusing. Throughout history, princesses had always been powerful and influential; who would dare to provoke them? She guessed she was the only one who was so pitiful.

"When you don't have any lawsuits to fight, you can stay at home and study my Chang'an Laws and Regulations in peace, or go about your original business."

If I ever have any disputes or lawsuits in the future, you can help me with them. I'll give you five taels of silver as a monthly salary, and for every case we win, I'll give you ten taels of silver as a bonus. How about that?"

Upon hearing this, Song Lu was naturally overjoyed. With so much silver every month for free, he wouldn't have to endure the wind and sun on the streets, humbling himself.

Is this princess perhaps so rich she has nowhere to spend her money? Spending so much money every month to support a lawyer, she must be the first person in history to do so.

He agreed almost without hesitation, left his address with Liang Jiang, and felt that he had met the greatest benefactor in his life.

Liang Jiang stepped forward to urge Lady Liang to bid farewell to General Tong and return to her lodgings.

The crowd of onlookers around the government office gradually dispersed when they realized there was no excitement to be had.

After a moment's hesitation, Tong Shouliang turned and entered the Jingzhao Yin's office.

(End of this chapter)