Chapter Twenty-Nine: Setting the Record Straight

Inside and outside the magistrate’s court, everyone was stunned by Snow Spring’s declaration: “My master is the heir of the Western Marquis’ Manor, Yun Ming!” Just then, the drum outside the court, used to appeal for justice, was struck.

A yamen officer rushed in, so flustered he could barely speak. “Sir... sir... outside is a young man beating the drum, claiming to be a lawyer invited by Yun Ming, the heir!”

The presiding official nearly lost his grip on his gavel in shock, but deep down he felt a secret relief that he hadn’t rushed to pass judgment earlier. Gathering his courage, he called out, “Invite him into the court!”

Snow Spring’s eyes shone with hope as she looked toward the entrance. A young man in dark attire strode in, his black hair tied high with a jade crown, his face handsome and dignified, eyes bright as stars, his bearing elegant and composed.

Snow Spring’s eyes lit up instantly. Her master had arrived!

Tail Spoon, with a gentle and measured tone, gave the official a half bow, presented his credentials, and said quietly, “I am Jade Like Wind, a lawyer here to defend Miss Snow Spring.”

Tail Spoon had disguised Winter Warm, but those naturally alluring eyes were unmistakable. Snow Spring recognized her immediately, and inside the court, Luo Yanqing did too.

Luo Yanqing was livid, her lips pursed and the veins on her forehead threatening to burst with every breath. Today, she had fallen into Tail Spoon’s trap!

With Tail Spoon’s arrival, the entire court was swept up in her cadence.

After Tail Spoon finished speaking, the crowd remained silent, as if waiting for her to continue. After a brief pause, she asked, “Sir, will you not hear the case?”

The official was so flustered by Tail Spoon’s question that he coughed violently, then nervously said, “The commoner Yinghong accuses Snow Spring of abducting and abusing her. Defendant Snow Spring, do you have anything to say in your defense?”

The official, sensing the winds, changed “Do you admit your guilt?” to “Do you have anything to say?”!

With Tail Spoon present, Snow Spring found her confidence, her tone strengthened. “I did not abduct her, nor did I harm her!”

Tail Spoon gave Snow Spring a reassuring glance and said firmly, “Snow Spring, tell the court what you know!”

Snow Spring instantly understood, recalling Winter Warm’s words two days prior about “stacking pork.”

Standing beside Tail Spoon, Snow Spring seemed transformed. “On the third night, I was asleep, but suddenly woke in a ruined temple north of the city. There, I saw a young woman unconscious on the floor.”

“I was frantic, trying to wake her, but she wouldn’t respond. I tried for a long time, even slapped her face harder, but still she didn’t wake. Yet the girl I saw wasn’t Yinghong—it was Luo Yanqing, the daughter of the Marquis of Dingyuan!”

Luo Yanqing had expected this outcome, but hearing Snow Spring expose her, she nearly bulged her eyes out in rage, forced to endure silently, though her grip on her handkerchief was so tight her nails drew blood.

Snow Spring’s words sent shockwaves through the court, stirring up a commotion. The crowd outside found it unbelievable.

“You—you—you’re spouting nonsense!” Yinghong’s face flushed with agitation; if she lost today, it would mean her death.

“You’re the one spouting nonsense. I clearly saved your lady, yet she instructed you to harm me!” Snow Spring retorted. “Is it because I told your lady I wished to marry Brother Yun Ming, that she seeks to destroy me?” Her words exploded like a timed bomb among the people.

“That’s not true! You abducted me to the ruined temple and beat me continuously!” Yinghong gathered her courage, accusing loudly. “You’re just holding a grudge because I slapped the Battle Princess at the palace banquet, so you’re taking revenge!”

Inside the inner court, Luo Yanqing’s face turned pale as she cursed Yinghong’s stupidity.

“See? Who’s lying now?” Snow Spring challenged fiercely. The Battle Princess was not someone a mere servant could slap!

“If I’m lying, let Luo Yanqing come out and face me. Ask her who untied the hemp rope binding her hands and feet that night!” Snow Spring’s words sent another shockwave through the court.

A woman bound at night and taken to a ruined temple outside the city—such circumstances were enough to fuel wild imaginings!

Snow Spring thought fiercely, “Strike my master, and you must pay with blood!”

---

Yinghong was instantly speechless, panic-stricken and helplessly glanced toward the inner court. Tail Spoon guessed that Luo Yanqing was inside.

Tail Spoon gently waved her folding fan, the very picture of a refined young gentleman. The fan was borrowed from Yun Ming specifically to enhance her image, though without a cloak she felt a bit chilly—her petite frame would look sickly in one, lacking the air of a true lawyer.

Feng Jinye watched from the shadows, frowning.

“I have already clarified the matter!” Tail Spoon spoke softly but with firmness.

Her voice was pleasant and captivating, telling the story as if weaving a tale. “On the night in question, there were two young women in the ruined temple. Snow Spring claims they were herself and Luo Yanqing, while Yinghong insists it was herself and Snow Spring.”

“Let us ask both to describe what the other was wearing.” Tail Spoon spoke with calm authority.

Snow Spring did not hesitate. “That night, Luo Yanqing wore a skirt embroidered with butterflies, a plum blossom hairpin, and matching rain butterfly plum blossom adornments for her forehead and ears.”

Her repeated mention of “that night” ensured no one could ignore the darkness of the event.

Luo Yanqing in the inner court sighed with relief—her jewelry had all been given to the orphans at the ruined courtyard north of the city.

But suddenly, she trembled, her face turning ashen. If Tail Spoon brought in those orphans, the consequences would be unimaginable. She decided to strike first.

Luo Yanqing, cunning as ever, had already laid her plans, but Tail Spoon anticipated her tricks and was prepared. Calmly, she said, “As it happens, this morning I went to the courtyard north of the city to collect evidence and met someone.”

Turning to the door, Tail Spoon tapped her fan against her palm, calling, “Bring him in!”

At her command, Winter Warm led in the boy Yang Er, who had sheltered Luo Yanqing that night.

Yang Er, an orphan unused to such formal proceedings, nervously dropped to his knees. Tail Spoon comforted him, “No need to be anxious, you haven’t committed any crime, you need not kneel.”

Yang Er was moved by her words, recalling a gentle voice from his past: “A man’s knees are worth their weight in gold.”

His kneeling was a gesture of respect; after standing, he produced the very jewelry Snow Spring had described.

Luo Yanqing now realized this was all a trap set by Tail Spoon, waiting for her to fall in. She clenched her teeth in fury, almost smashing her teacup, restrained only by the furious grip of the Lady Marquis.

Regaining her composure, Luo Yanqing secretly sneered—defeating her would not be so easy for Tail Spoon!

She immediately sent a maid to signal Yinghong, who quickly caught on.

“You’re a thief! This jewelry was lost by my lady during the Laba Festival when she distributed porridge. He is guilty of theft!” Yinghong pointed at Yang Er, threateningly, then turned on Snow Spring. “She must have taken the jewelry that day and is now making false accusations!”

Tail Spoon remained composed, smiling lightly. “No need to be hasty, Miss Yinghong.”

“This young man was met by me this morning. He said he happened upon the jewelry recently and wanted to return it, but had no way to find the owner. I brought him here so the owner might be found.” With this, Yinghong’s argument sounded hollow.

“Young man, please speak.” Tail Spoon stepped back to let Yang Er speak.

“I am here to return the jewelry,” Yang Er said respectfully, handing it over. “And I wish... to tell everyone something.”

“I am an orphan, living with over thirty others in a courtyard outside the northern city.”

“The courtyard was built for us by a young lady who brought helpers. At first, she wore a veil and never spoke.”

---

“Later, she began to speak, but disguised herself as a boy.”

“She helped us build the courtyard, and every month brought us rice and flour.”

“Five years ago, she told us we were grown, and that it was better to teach us to fish than to give us fish.”

“She taught us to fish in the river.”

“She taught us how to hatch chicks from eggs.”

“She taught us to plant fruit trees on the mountain and vegetables in the yard.”

“She taught us to make mulberry leaf tea in summer and ginger tea in winter to sell outside the north gate.”

“She never told us her name.”

“We are poor children. Every Laba Festival, the Marquis of Dingyuan’s family gives porridge at Qingfeng Temple. All thirty of us go, and we deeply appreciate Miss Luo Yanqing, offering prayers for her at the temple.”

“But our greatest benefactor, the one we wish to pray for above all, we never knew her name.”

“Only recently, when her family appeared, did we learn who she was.”

Hearing that the mysterious benefactor was always veiled and silent, the crowd outside the court understood it was Tail Spoon.

Tail Spoon blushed at Yang Er’s words. How could she explain that, in ancient times with little entertainment, she simply found a group of children to amuse herself out of boredom?

Her help was modest, after all—the rice and flour were bought at the lowest price from Late Snow, and supporting dozens of children was not a great expense!

Luo Yanqing was red with anger in the inner court. She recognized that Yang Er spoke of Tail Spoon, and what irked her most was being compared unfavorably to Tail Spoon once again.

Yang Er’s testimony laid the groundwork, and those who had gossiped about Tail Spoon in recent days now felt a twinge of guilt, though they remained skeptical.

Tail Spoon could sense the crowd’s doubts and calmly asked, “Do you believe Yang Er’s story? And the rumors that have been spreading recently—did you ever question their truth?”

Both were hearsay, but Yang Er’s words, spoken in a court of law, carried more weight.

The contrast was clear, and Tail Spoon knew the people understood.

“One more question, folks—do you trust the city guards who defend your peace and safety?” As she spoke, Winter Warm brought in four soldiers, all stationed at the northern gate.

The lead soldier saluted and said, “In recent years, the orphans near the north gate have sold tea outside. Miss Tail Spoon used the Battle Prince’s personal order to warn us not to trouble them, but to give special care.”

“Years ago, there was a large tree on the mountain. Miss Tail Spoon’s companion, Snow Spring, came to ask us to help move it, so the little beggars could use it for building their home.”

Tail Spoon also taught the children to befriend the soldiers and seek help when needed, so they often brought tea to share with the guards.

Today, Tail Spoon was not here to argue the case, but to guide public opinion.

The people trusted, of course, those warriors who kept their city safe, and now, with the testimony of both soldiers and Yang Er, their doubts were dispelled.