Won't Hold It Against You This Time
"Fraud means tricking people on purpose to give them false impressions. County Magistrate Yang, Official Zhang," Zhang Wanqing's eyes fell on Official Zhang as she continued, "I clearly told my customers the price was one coin per pile. I didn't hide anything or mislead anyone. They bought willingly, and there was no deception. So how could this be called fraud?"
"County Magistrate Yang, I can testify!" A merchant with a long face raised his hand and spoke up.
"Go ahead," County Magistrate Yang said.
The long-faced merchant bowed slightly and said, "My stall is directly across from this young lady's, only about three zhang away. I saw everything that happened today very clearly. Since it was two lively young girls running the stall, I naturally paid more attention. I can vouch that this young lady didn't trick anyone. All the buyers made their purchases willingly."
"Yes, no one was deceived!" Several merchants near the long-faced man chimed in.
"Then you broke the rules by not using a steelyard to weigh your goods!" Li Da pointed at Zhang Wanqing, his eyes full of anger.
The long-faced merchant snapped back, "Li Da, aren't you ashamed to talk about rules? In your business, you and your brother always cheat people—shorting weights, buying low and selling high, passing off bad goods as good ones. Do you really want me to list all your shady dealings here today?"
"Stop slandering me!" Li Er shouted, his face red with fury. He looked ready to charge at the man. Someone in the crowd yelled, "County Magistrate Yang, he's about to hit someone!"
"Li Er, enough!" The magistrate slammed his gavel, and Li Er froze, lowering his head and backing down.
"Ahem, ahem!" Zhang Wanqing coughed weakly, signaling Cuier to help her sit up on the stretcher. She leaned against Cuier and spoke slowly, her voice strained, "County Magistrate Yang, weighing tools like the steelyard exist to make trading fair, to prevent merchants from taking advantage of customers. While I didn't use a steelyard, I sold my goods at prices far below their value. How could that be considered unfair trade? The real problem is using steelyards dishonestly to cheat others. Isn't that the real crime?"
She turned her gaze sharply to Official Zhang and continued, "And even if not using a steelyard is against the rules, shouldn't Official Zhang have given me a warning first instead of dragging me here without reason? Isn't abusing authority to protect relatives a greater offense that deserves investigation?"
Her words shifted the focus to Official Zhang, and with so many merchants speaking up against the Li brothers, Zhang knew he couldn't easily get out of this situation.
"You—you're twisting the truth!" Zhang stammered, glaring at her but unable to come up with a good rebuttal.
"County Magistrate Yang," Zhang Wanqing continued, her voice carrying a touch of sadness, "I am just a poor girl with no family to rely on. I make my living honestly, and this is my first time doing business. I didn't break any laws on purpose. You're known to be a fair and kind official. Please, help me get justice!"
As she spoke, she wiped away two tears, her pitiful expression tugging at the magistrate's heart.
"You shameless liar!" Li Da shouted, pointing at her angrily. "You're just spouting nonsense!"
"Enough!" County Magistrate Yang slammed his gavel, silencing Li Da.
He listened carefully to the merchants recount the many misdeeds of the Li brothers, their voices growing louder as they vented their frustrations.
In the past, the merchants had stayed silent out of fear of Official Zhang's protection over his cousins. But now that Zhang Wanqing had stood up to them, they felt encouraged to speak out.
Finally, County Magistrate Yang announced his judgment. "Zhang Wanqing, since this is your first time doing business and you weren't aware of the rules, I'll let it go this time. However, rules are still rules, and there must be consequences. You'll be fined half of your earnings for the day, which will be handed over to the city office. As for the injury caused by Li Er, he will cover all your medical expenses."
"County Magistrate—" Li Er tried to argue, but the gavel struck again, cutting him off.
"As for Li Da and Li Er, they will be detained for two days to reflect on their behavior. I will also look into their past actions during my inspections. Official Zhang, your role in enabling their misconduct will be thoroughly investigated as well."
Hearing the verdict, Zhang Wanqing let out a quiet sigh of relief. This was the best outcome she could have hoped for.
Still, she couldn't deny that she had exaggerated her injuries to gain sympathy.
In this society, where laws were weak and justice often depended on the whims of those in power, what other choice did she have?
Thankfully, County Magistrate Yang was a fair and upright official. Thinking of the original owner of this body, Zhang Wanqing felt a pang of sorrow. If her father had encountered such an official back then, he might not have been falsely accused of theft and beaten to death.
A good official could change the fate of an entire town.
Before leaving, Zhang Wanqing told Li Er he didn't need to pay her medical fees, warning him to behave in the future. She knew people didn't change overnight, but she hoped to at least avoid further trouble.
After leaving the office, she bought pastries to thank the doctor at the clinic. The doctor refused, saying he had only done what any decent person would.
As she walked home, Zhang Wanqing still felt lingering fear. If she hadn't run into honest officials and good people today, things could have turned out much worse.
Determined to avoid similar problems in the future, she bought a steelyard and asked for advice on how to do business properly. She also bought candied hawthorn for Cuier and pastries for Su Hanshan before heading back to Peach Blossom Lane.
By the time she returned, the sun was setting. A cool breeze swept through the falling peach blossoms. Under the trees stood Su Hanshan, his figure thin and upright, looking anxiously in the direction she had come from.
When he saw her, his tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed. "You're back," he said, coughing lightly.
"Your health isn't good. Why are you out here?" Zhang Wanqing felt a pang of guilt. Su Hanshan had fallen ill looking for her just the day before. She should have been more considerate.
"You were gone all day. I was worried you might've left without saying goodbye," Su Hanshan said softly.
"I'm sorry," Zhang Wanqing said, her voice apologetic. "I went to the market and lost track of time."
"It's fine. As long as you're safe. Have you eaten?"
His concern warmed her heart. She sniffed and pulled out her basket. "I picked some mushrooms and wood ear from White Elephant Mountain."
"Why did you go to all that trouble?" Aunt Zhang asked, puzzled.
Zhang Wanqing did not intend to hide anything, she told them the truth about her plans.
Aunt Zhang sighed, "Miss is a person with strong opinions. Now that you made a decision, I will support you. If you have any difficulties, please tell me and I will try my best to help!"
Zhang Wanqing's nose stung even more, and Cuier's lips quivered as if she was about to cry.
"Cuier!" Aunt Zhang called out, looking her over.
The young girl's eyes were red, and all the day's pent-up grievances, fears, and worries burst out in an overwhelming flood of tears. She threw herself into Aunt Zhang's arms and cried loudly.
Once Cuier had calmed down, Zhang Wanqing explained everything that had happened.
After hearing the story, Aunt Zhang stomped her feet anxiously and exclaimed, "Heavens above, such a serious matter, and you two kept it from me!" Her voice was laced with lingering fear. "Thank goodness County Magistrate Yang helped you today. He's widely praised as a righteous and upright official in Huaxi County. Without him, you might not have made it back!"
Zhang Wanqing comforted her, "Don't worry, Aunt Zhang. We're back safe and sound, aren't we?"
Aunt Zhang let out a deep breath, patting her chest to calm herself. "That Li Da and Li Er must have thought you had no one to back you up; that's why they dared to cause trouble. They might hold a grudge now, so you'd best avoid going to the marketplace for a while."
It was clear she couldn't visit the market again anytime soon. At the very least, she'd have to feign illness for a few days. Zhang Wanqing decided she'd first focus on repairing the Shrine of the Divine Lady. However, after today's trip to the market, she only had forty coins left—far from enough to cover materials and labor costs.
That evening, after dinner, she asked Aunt Zhang, "Do you know where I could buy bricks and tiles? Or where I could find a skilled mason?"
"Are you planning to build a house?" Aunt Zhang asked.
Zhang Wanqing nodded. "I'm thinking of repairing the Shrine of the Divine Lady."
Aunt Zhang was shocked. "You're planning to live in the Shrine of the Divine Lady?"
Zhang Wanqing didn't understand Aunt Zhang's extreme reaction and asked, confused, "Is there something wrong with living there?"
Aunt Zhang quickly waved her hands in protest. "Of course you can't live there! It's in ruins—completely unsuitable for anyone to stay in. And you're all by yourself—how could you possibly make such a desolate place your long-term home? Absolutely not!"
"Aunt Zhang, don't worry. I can take care of myself," Zhang Wanqing reassured her. Catching a key point in Aunt Zhang's words, she asked, "So, the shrine is abandoned?"
"The Shrine of the Divine Lady was originally built with donations from local gentry to honor the female hero Yun Qishan. She's been gone for over a hundred years, and her deeds of aiding the poor and needy have gradually faded from people's memory. The shrine has been abandoned for years and is now just a resting spot for villagers passing by after a hard day's work."
"Then where do the villagers go to worship now?" Zhang Wanqing asked. Since the shrine was a communal asset, she needed to confirm if it was okay to use it.
"There's a Land God Temple on the way to the county, and about two miles toward the state city, there's a Guanyin Temple. The villagers go there to pray and make offerings."
Zhang Wanqing was delighted. If the Shrine of the Divine Lady was truly abandoned, she could use it for her own purposes.
"You really plan to live in the Shrine of the Divine Lady?" Su Hanshan's voice suddenly came from behind her, his tone unreadable.
He had known for a while that she wouldn't stay in Taohua Village for long. When Aunt Zhang told him she'd only be borrowing a place for a few days, he had been relieved. But now, hearing that she intended to settle down—and in the shrine no less—an inexplicable sense of loss filled his heart.
"Yes," she replied. "I'll fix it up a bit first."
Su Hanshan didn't say anything more. He lowered his head, lost in thought.
The next morning, Zhang Wanqing still went to White Elephant Mountain to gather mushrooms and fungus. This time, she had Yang Shun take them to the market to sell. She paid him a small fee for his trouble and used some of the earnings to improve everyone's meals.
Aunt Zhang told her that a few villagers had masonry skills and had a good relationship with her in the past. They'd likely agree to help repair the shrine without charging labor fees; she'd only need to provide a meal. However, she'd need to personally visit their homes to formally invite them.
Before her time-travel, she had been a corporate drone, grinding endlessly in a cubicle to survive. Now, she was no different from the struggling commoners of this era, just trying to make ends meet. She wasn't the all-powerful heroine of a TV drama; she needed the help of others. Otherwise, she might end up like the original owner of this body—starved to death.