The sound of beating with wooden boards outside clashed against the fragile hearts of everyone in the room, especially that of Cao Lingling and Madam Zhou.
Cao Lingling struggled desperately, but alas, her mouth was gagged; otherwise, she would have been crying out things like āCousin, I am your cousinā again.
After Principal Clerk Zhouās family was taken away, it was the turn of Madam Zhouās maternal family. Madam Zhouās family included two brothers, but these two families had never separated.
Neither of her brothers was up to any good. The Eldest, like Principal Clerk Zhou, was a lecher. In the ten years that he held office, he had taken advantage of several women. As for Second, he was a local ruffian who extorted protection fees and had blood on his hands.
Therefore, both the Eldest and Second of the Zhou family were similarly sentenced to be executed, their property was confiscated, and their families were arrested. These two families were not imperial appointees, so Ye Ziāan had the authority to execute any judgment. And having such people alive was nothing but a waste of food; it was cleaner to have them dead.
"Mommy, daddy is so awesome!" Yang Chuxia had never seen Ye Ziāan preside over a court case before.
She had known since the day that Principal Clerk Zhou was arrested that there would be a hearing that same day, so she got up early in the morning when Ye Ziāan left the house.
She had intended to dress up as a boy and go by herself, but these two little rascals insisted on following her.
Left with no other option, Yang Chuxia had to bring them along.
"Right, daddy is awesome," they chorused.
"Shh, keep your voice down, donāt let anyone spot us." Alright, she was hiding behind the curtains at the back of Ye Ziāan with her two sons.
Perhaps they were too quiet; even Ye Ziāan hadnāt noticed them.
But at that moment, as Little Yangyangās soft voice came out, how could Ye Ziāan not hear it?
A helpless tug at the corners of his mouth, this really was...
Lele, seeing her motherās expression, quickly nodded obediently, her index finger placed over her mouth. Meanwhile, Little Yangyangās eyes were busily rolling around.
Taking advantage of the fact that his mother and brother were whispering about why Principal Clerk Zhou had been arrested, he sneaked out on his own.
And then he stood in front of Ye Ziāanās desk.
Had Ye Ziāan not been sitting high up, he would have been unable to see the little one in front of him.
At that moment, there were still people in the room; the verdict for Madam Zhouās maternal family had just been passed, and people had not yet been taken away. A lot of people were also gathered around the entrance of the yamen. Suddenly, they saw a little child from nowhere, wearing a little brocade robe in lake blue, staring with big eyes at everyone. After looking around and finding it quite amusing, he turned back to look at Ye Ziāan.
Ye Ziāan watched as he grinned, chuckling, "Daddy!"
Such a crisp call immediately made Lele and Yang Chuxia behind the curtains stare in astonishment at each other.
"When did he get out?" Yang Chuxia asked with her eyes.
Little Lele shook his head, indicating he didnāt know either.
The mother and son simultaneously covered their faces, wondering how this naughty child had managed to run to the front in the blink of an eye.
"What are you doing here?" Ye Ziāan glared at his son.
Yangyang chuckled and said, "Beating bad guys."
He then toddled down, kicking at Madam Zhouās eldest brother with his little feet.
While kicking, he shouted, "Bad guy, bad guy, Iām gonna kick you."
The crowd in the hall watched as the adorable child earnestly kicked away, his little face all serious. Considering that the County Magistrate had not stopped him, and thinking back to the childās recent call of āDaddy,ā the spectators came to a realizationāit was none other than County Magistrate Yeās little son. They found him so cute, and at such a young age, he was already discerning right from wrong. It appeared that County Magistrate Yeās teaching was effective, he must be a good manāwith a father like that, the son surely follows suit.
If Yang Chuxia knew that this was what the people were all thinking, she would surely say, folks, youāve got it all wrong; the kid simply thinks itās fun.