The Wei Family’s steward, Liu Youtian, did not look remarkable, but generally, people who could climb the ranks were not fools.
When Liu Youtian was brought up, Lin Ze could tell that he was not easy to deal with. Facing Magistrate Wang’s questioning, Liu Youtian remained respectful and calm, showing the demeanor of someone from a wealthy family.
He answered the questions of the interrogation without missing a beat.
“In response to Your Honor, I am innocent. I originally came from the same village as Mr. Wei and have had a relationship with him since childhood. Later, when Mr. Wei passed the imperial examination and became successful, knowing that my family was poor, he let me become the steward of the house to make a living. The master has shown me great kindness. How could I dare to commit such a wicked deed…”
“On that day, although there were many servants in the front courtyard, after excluding those who were specifically serving the lady and those who were serving the writing materials, there weren’t enough left to serve tea and pour water. That’s why I went to call for help from the servants in the back courtyard…”
“As for Xiao Xing and Xiao Ping leaving without my knowledge, I really don’t know. I stayed in the front courtyard waiting. The master can testify for me. After calling for help, I stayed by the master’s side. These are all coincidences. I ask Magistrate Wang to see through them.”
Liu Youtian pleaded his innocence, bowing deeply and speaking with genuine emotion.
Having served in the Wei Family for many years and earned the appreciation of Wei Hongjue, Liu Youtian’s explanation dispelled Wei Hongjue’s doubts. He nodded and said, “Indeed, on that day, you were away only to call for help and then stayed by my side.”
If this was the case, Liu Youtian did have witnesses and evidence to prove his innocence. Could it be that everything was indeed just a coincidence?
Magistrate Wang looked at Lin Ze. “Mr. Lin, do you have anything else to say?”
Although Lin Ze had been proclaiming his innocence and claiming that someone had framed him, it had all been speculation without concrete evidence.
Now that others had witnesses and evidence, Lin Ze’s situation was quite delicate.
“Yes, Your Honor. Many things can be done without one’s own hands.”
Lin Ze stepped forward, looked around at the trembling servants, and then fixed his gaze back on Liu Youtian, his eyes sharp.
“Mr. Lin…” Liu Youtian felt inexplicably uneasy under his gaze.
“Very well, you still recognize me.”
Lin Ze suddenly smiled, his hearty smile making it seem like they were long-lost friends.
Liu Youtian was unsure of his attitude and respectfully bowed, “Mr. Lin was once a famous scholar in Nanyang Town and was also the master’s proud student. Of course, I recognize you.”
“Since you recognize me and know that I was once your master’s proud student, then why did you try to harm me?!”
Lin Ze’s smile instantly turned into a look of indignation.
Taken aback, Liu Youtian did not have a chance to speak before Lin Ze continued,
“Steward Liu, your explanation is indeed perfect, flawless even. But… is there someone you’ve overlooked? Where was your son on the day of the banquet?!”
His son? Liu Youtian’s son? How did this come into play?
The crowd was puzzled, but Wei Hongjue’s heart skipped a beat.
Liu Youtian’s expression changed slightly, but he remained calm, looking puzzled.
“My son was resting at home that day. Why does Mr. Lin ask? What does it have to do with my son?”
“It has everything to do with it. A big deal. After several years, Steward Liu can answer my question without hesitation. Your memory is truly remarkable. Even after several years, you can immediately recall trivial matters… “
“I am nothing but a humble person. I once read a book about human psychology. Normally, when asked about something that happened more than half a month ago, one would need to carefully recall. Many everyday matters from several years ago would be forgotten unless they were particularly profound and significant memories, which would be remembered easily. Steward Liu, you remembered something from so long ago so easily. Are you a genius, or do you have an eidetic memory?”
Lin Ze smiled, a smile that made Liu Youtian’s face instantly stiffen.
The crowd realized that it was indeed strange. Remembering a big event from several years ago immediately was normal, but remembering everyday trivial matters so clearly without hesitation was quite remarkable.
Was Liu Youtian a genius with an eidetic memory? That was clearly impossible.
Liu Youtian’s hand trembled slightly inside his sleeve as he continued to explain calmly, “My son usually helps out at the mansion, but he was sick and resting at home that day, so I remember it especially clearly…”
“Oh? How coincidental that your son happened to fall ill that day? Why did all these coincidences happen on that particular day?” Lin Ze feigned surprise.
Liu Youtian realized that his lie was not well-covered and started to feel a bit flustered. “How would I know? My son was indeed sick…”
“You don’t find it strange how everything conveniently happened on that day? You’re clearly lying!”
Lin Ze’s approach was intimidating, his expression turning cold.
“On that day, you deliberately sent away the two servants from the back courtyard to make it easier for an outsider to sneak in. While it’s true that you were serving by Mr. Wei’s side, your son wasn’t. That distracting cat sound that lured Xiao Xing was a trick your son learned.”
“Although I don’t know why you did this, you know the situation at the Wei Mansion so well, and besides you, there was no one else who had the opportunity to leave the back courtyard unattended!”
“Mr. Liu, I dare to come to the county town to seek justice today, risking the loss of my reputation. Do you think I wouldn’t have evidence? Even though I don’t have it, it doesn’t mean I can’t bluff,” Lin Ze threatened loudly.
“Honesty will be rewarded, resistance will be punished. Mr. Liu, confess and you still have a chance to live. If you continue to hide, according to the law, you and your whole family will be executed! Was this plot aimed at me? Or… was it actually aimed at Miss Wei?”
Liu Youtian’s mental defense began to crack, sweat beading on his forehead as he struggled to think of how to respond.
Seeing this, Lin Ze continued to press on, pretending to be a psychological detective.
“Mr. Liu, are you now trying to come up with a cover for your lies? Don’t pretend. Your eyes have already betrayed you.”
“W-what?”
Caught off guard, Liu Youtian was confused and did not understand what Lin Ze meant.
“The ancient books say: ‘The eyes are the windows to the soul.’ Words can lie, but the eyes won’t. When someone lies, their eyes involuntarily look to the upper right corner. Unless someone has undergone strict training, they can’t fake it… Liu Youtian, you’ve been bribed, haven’t you?”
With his last sentence, Lin Ze asked rapidly and urgently.
Without even realizing, Liu Youtian’s eyes were indeed flicking towards the upper right corner. Caught in the act, he faltered.
“Sir, it’s true, it’s true! His eyes did look up to the right!”
A constable, who was close and had good eyesight, exclaimed.
Upon hearing this, Wei Hongjue could not help but slam the table and stand up, somewhat excited. “Liu Youtian, is what he said true?!”
“N-no, my lord, it’s not true. I didn’t— he’s talking nonsense. It’s absurd to say that the direction of the eyes determines guilt. I don’t agree…”
Liu Youtian’s mental defenses shattered, and he finally became flustered, but he still refused to admit it.
Lin Ze smiled again. “Are you saying that the words of the sages are wrong?”
In the Da Ji Dynasty, the literary faction, one wrong word could lead to trouble, especially when it impugned the sages, a crime that could lead to the execution of nine generations of one’s family.
“I, I didn’t… I don’t read much, but I know that catching adultery in bed and catching thieves red-handed are valid. Mr. Lin, you’re accusing me based solely on literary quotes without any evidence. I’m terrified…”
“Alright, speaking of evidence, you just said your son was sick and couldn’t help at the banquet. So, what was his illness? What medicine did he take? Where did you buy the medicine? Can you… answer?”
Of course, he could not answer. The excuse he just came up with was a temporary one.
Liu Youtian’s face turned pale. He suddenly realized that he had been led into a trap by Lin Ze.
A lie needs countless reasons to cover it up. He had already thought of an explanation before this whole thing happened, and he had been very careful when he did it. But Lin Ze did not play by the rules, and his questions were so random and unconnected. With so many questions and the disorderly way Lin Ze asked them, and he was not a professionally trained person, it was impossible to keep the lie straight!
“Liu Youtian, there’s no need to pretend. Before I came to file a complaint, I had someone inquire about it. Do you want me to continue to help you explain, or are you going to confess honestly…”
Lin Ze straightened his clothes, looking calm and relaxed.
“Liu Youtian, at this point, are you still not going to confess?”
County Magistrate Wang saw the opportunity and slammed the gavel heavily, making even the timid ones shudder.
With the truth exposed, no amount of sophistry would help. Liu Youtian glanced at Lin Ze, who had been calm and confident throughout, and finally gave up resistance, his face pale as he kowtowed to County Magistrate Wang.
“County Magistrate, spare my life. I confess my guilt. It was indeed I who, under the influence of bribery, deliberately sent away the maids and servants from the rear courtyard during the banquet at the Wei Residence. But I also had my reasons. If it wasn’t for the pressure from my master, how could I have done such an unscrupulous thing for money…”
“Nonsense! Liu Youtian, I have treated you well. When did I ever pressure you? Why did you ruin Yunying’s future marriage? You heartless and unjust beast!”
Upon hearing this, Wei Hongyi pounded the table in anger, unable to believe that after all this, the problem ultimately lay with his own household.
“Treated me well? Heartless and unjust? Wei Hongjue, watch your words and feel your conscience!”
Since the truth had been exposed, there was no point in pretending anymore. Liu Youtian stood up, abandoning his previous respectful demeanor, and stared at Wei Hongjue, his emotions running high.
“Indeed, when you became prosperous, you looked down on me because I was poor. You let me become the steward of your household, and everyone praised your benevolence and righteousness. Ha! You would never have offered me a hand if you truly cared. You only took advantage of my misfortune…”
“I was smart, I sneaked into the private school to eavesdrop and learned a lot. If my family wasn’t so poor, I could have passed the imperial examinations. We grew up in the same village, we had some friendship. When I asked to borrow money from you, you took the opportunity to make me sign a contract to become your servant. You spoke of benevolence and righteousness, but did you really think I was fooled?”
“That’s not all. Who made use of me when I was in need of money? I accepted my fate and became a servant for your family. But when my son hit his head, what did you do?”
“You knew that my family only had one male heir, and his life was hanging by a thread. I begged you to give me the ginseng you had, to save my son’s life. It was just a single ginseng root. I worked diligently for your family for so many years, but my son ended up worse than a ginseng root. You were so heartless!”
“Because my son didn’t get the ginseng, he became a fool. You call me heartless and unjust, but have you ever looked at how you treated me?”
Liu Youtian’s eyes were wide with indignation, pouring out years of resentment.
“Wei Hongjue, I’ll tell you, if you want to blame someone, blame yourself. If you hadn’t been so eager to climb the social ladder, others wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to harm you!”