"Are you blind? Can’t you see the evidence this young Master Dou is holding?" Young Master Dou, having a fiery temper, pointed at the evidence held by the clerk and said, "Don’t think you can sell your old age to protect Xue De. This young Master Dou doesn’t play by those rules."

Originally, he didn’t want to transfer his anger to other members of the Xue Family, but since Old Master Xue chose this path, he couldn’t be blamed for being ruthless.

Old Master Xue was fearful inside but still refused to admit, coldly sneering, "Young Master Dou, I know your new bank has greatly aided the farmers, and Lord Magistrate respects you for it. But you can’t just wield the new bank to slander people."

Magistrate Gu’s face darkened, what do you mean? Are you implying that I am biased towards Young Master Dou because of the silver?

If that’s the case, then I won’t hold back either!

Magistrate Gu slammed the gavel and declared, "Xue De bribed Ms. Jin to infect Miss Yun Hua with a venereal disease, and then sent Miss Yun Hua to Young Master Dou’s separate yard, attempting to harm him. The evidence and witnesses are incontrovertible, indisputable, and according to the law, Xue De is sentenced to be beheaded in public. The Xue Family is implicated, with seventy percent of their assets confiscated as a warning to others!"

"What?!" The Xue Family was shocked; how could the sentence be so severe? They were going to behead Brother De.

Magistrate Gu stated, "Great Chu sentences these heinous crimes severely, and Young Master Dou holds an official position as a Yu Lin Army spear bearer. Xue De, a mere student, attempted to harm an official, thereby his crime is aggravated and must be punished by execution."

The Xue Family, upon hearing this, was even more shocked; is Dou really an official? Isn’t he the son of a merchant?

"Doctor Liu, please examine that unscrupulous one and don’t let him die; I have some words to say to him." When Young Master Dou came to lodge a complaint, he had also invited Doctor Liu.

Because the silver given was indeed excessive, and Doctor Liu loved money, he cheerfully said, "Hey, Young Master Dou, rest assured, with me here, he won’t die. I’ll make sure he hangs on until the moment of execution."

See, the medical skills at Liu Family Clinic are reliable; they can decide exactly when you die.

Doctor Liu, being skilled, quickly revived the gravely injured, near-death Xue De.

Young Master Dou squatted in front of Xue De and said, "I know the person behind you is Old Thief Fan. As long as you honestly confess how Old Thief Fan instructed you to frame me, I’ll withdraw the complaint, and you won’t be beheaded. How about it?"

This condition was too enticing; Xue De, having been beaten and aware that Young Master Dou was actually an official, didn’t hesitate to reveal how Boss Fan had hinted at him to frame Young Master Dou and promised to introduce him to the Zongzheng Family’s Fifth Young Master afterward.

Fools!

Magistrate Gu wanted to cover his eyes; this was truly a sight he couldn’t bear. Xue De exposed Boss Fan and the Zongzheng Family; it was simply courting death! What kind of family is the Zongzheng Family? Xue De wouldn’t even wait to be executed by the government; they’d twist his head off first.

Magistrate Gu glanced at Young Master Dou, feeling a chill; this seemingly mad and shameless Dou was actually deeply scheming. Even though he promised to withdraw the complaint, Xue De wouldn’t survive; the person who kills him would just be Boss Fan or the Zongzheng Family instead.

Moreover, the Xue Family should not expect to live well anymore; Boss Fan and the Zongzheng Family would ruin them utterly!

A moment later, Old Master Xue came to his senses and, seeing through Young Master Dou’s scheme, immediately reprimanded Xue De, "Stop talking, you mustn’t say anything!"

Unfortunately, it was too late; Xue De had said everything to save his life.

Young Master Dou, having obtained the confession, then had Xue De leave a fingerprint and presented the confession to Magistrate Gu, smilingly saying, "Lord Magistrate, please stamp it."

Magistrate Gu hesitated; you want to engage the Zongzheng Family in a legal battle and drag me into it? I want your silver, but you can’t turn around and demand my head!

"Rest assured, sir, the Fifth Young Master of the Zongzheng Family is of noble birth. I’m just a merchant’s son; how dare I go against him? Just stamp the document and close Xue De’s case." Young Master Dou laughed strategically, though he couldn’t deal with the Zongzheng Family, this confession gave him the upper hand.

Sooner or later, the Zongzheng Family, to appease him or thoroughly clean up the loose ends, would deal with Boss Fan, and he’d seize the opportunity to swallow the Fan Family’s assets, avenging all his grudges.

The Fan Family’s assets, indeed numerous, made him excited just thinking about it!

Magistrate Gu hesitated repeatedly but eventually stamped Xue De’s confession.

Young Master Dou, as promised, withdrew the accusation against Xue De and took the confession to see Master Ouyang, directly handing it to him: "Old man, hold onto this for me, so the Zongzheng Family doesn’t send someone to steal it."

Master Ouyang, having heard of Young Master Dou’s actions, was infuriated, saying, "Can’t you control yourself and avoid getting someone to serve you at this time? Without your lack of restraint, this wouldn’t have happened."

Young Master Dou: "Hey, you’re wrong to say that; I’m not a eunuch, nor did I snatch a maiden, so why can’t I pay for companionship? I’m the one who got harmed, alright!"

"Besides, I didn’t go against the Zongzheng Family, not even the Fan Family. I just taught the Xue Family a minor lesson; I’m so kind even I feel moved. Why are you angry?"

"Nonsense! Hurry and leave; I don’t want to see you right now." Master Ouyang, after accepting the confession, promptly chased him away.

Young Master Dou wisely took his leave.

Gu Jin’an followed him out and asked, "How does Brother Dou plan to handle that Ms. Jin? Will you kill her or sell her? If you sell her, sell her to me."

Cousin Le had once been sold into Yingxian Square, and Ms. Jin was one of those aware of it. If she didn’t die, she couldn’t be sold elsewhere; otherwise, she might be bribed in the future to harm Cousin Le.

Young Master Dou was shocked, pointing at Gu Jin’an, "Are you... are you so poor? You can’t even afford a young lady? Don’t be like this, Ms. Jin is too old; I’ll find you a young, beautiful, and clean one."

Gu Jin’an was dazed for a few moments before snapping back to reality, angrily slapping away Young Master Dou’s hand, "Stop talking nonsense; not everyone is like you, constantly seeking beauties! I have no such desires, and only wish to be intimate with my future wife."

Young Master Dou sneered disdainfully, "Then won’t your life be quite dull?"

He continued, "Ms. Jin has good skills in managing brothels; I’ll keep her to handle the brothel business for me." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

In the south, literature flourished, and scholars and madmen loved spending time in brothels. Not only did they spend lavishly, but they also shared familial news, making it a profitable venture Young Master Dou wouldn’t abandon.

After hearing this, Gu Jin’an finally relaxed; Ms. Jin in Young Master Dou’s hands was almost like being in the Gu Family’s hands.

...

Just as Young Master Dou expected, upon learning about Xue De’s confession, Boss Fan immediately took action against the Xue Family. In just ten days, Xue De was killed, and much of the Xue Family’s assets were destroyed.

Young Master Dou was overjoyed upon hearing this, let them fight and battle; he’d ultimately reap the benefits.

While Boss Fan dealt with the Xue Family, news from the Capital finally arrived.

After reading his elder brother’s reply, Master Ouyang said to Gu Jin’an and the others, "It’s done."