They Jilted the Broken Scholar, So I Married Him novel · Chapter 6 of 24

Chapter 6: The Magistrate

The yamen hall was full by the time the magistrate took his seat.

Half the lane had followed us there to see the show.

Chengzhi stood beside me on the stone floor with his scraped palms held out in front of him.

Nobody looked at them.

The magistrate was a heavy man with a short grey beard, and he listened to the cobbler for a long time.

"My son has lost a tooth," the cobbler finished. "The man is a danger. I ask that he be put where he cannot hurt anyone."

"Madam Lu, Miss Shen," the magistrate said, with a nod that made us stand up straighter. "Your answer."

"My husband was tripped on the road by three boys," I said. "They took his toy and mocked him in front of the lane. His hands were cut open on the stones. Everyone at the well saw it."

"Everyone also saw the tooth," said the cobbler.

"He asked for it back twice. He said please."

The magistrate looked at Chengzhi.

"Lu Chengzhi," he said. "Is that your name?"

Chengzhi turned his face into my shoulder.

"It's all right," I whispered. "He only wants to hear you say it."

"Chengzhi," Chengzhi said into my sleeve.

"Your whole name."

"Lu," he said. "Lu Chengzhi."

"How old are you?"

He held up six fingers.

A noise went through the hall, half laughter, half pity, and I felt my ears burn.

"I see," the magistrate said gravely.

"You see a madman," said the cobbler.

"I see a juren of this county whom I have signed for myself," the magistrate said. "Be silent."

It was not enough.

Even I could tell from the way the room leaned that it was not enough, and that the cobbler would be listened to if no one stood up.

Then a clear, soft voice came from the doorway.

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