บท 4: Chapter 4: Scared
Tong Sanlang still held Qiao Dami's hand, signalling to the women huddled at the entrance to make way, as he stepped into the courtyard.
Qiao Xiaomai hurriedly approached, "Dami, did you fall into the river?"
Seven-year-old Qiao Dami was soaking wet, clutching a broken pottery jar in his hand with a dozen fish as long as an adult's finger.
"I wanted to catch fish to make soup for Dad." Qiao Dami lowered his head. Fear was evident on his thin, dark face as he weakly explained, "Tong Brother was the one who saved me."
"Thank you, Tong Brother," Qiao Xiaomai hastily expressed gratitude.
Qiao Changshun also approached, thanking him repeatedly, "Sanlang, thank you, thank goodness you saved Dami."
Tong Sanlang's tranquil, dark eyes swept over the Sun and Zhu Cuiying, released Qiao Dami's hand, and looked at Qiao Changshun, "I just happened to be passing by. What's the matter?"
Qiao Changshun took hold of Qiao Dami's hand and lowered his head.
Family shame is not to be aired in public, whether it was his wife eloping with a rogue or his mother forcing him to sell his house and daughter, all of these made it impossible for him to raise his head.
Contrarily, Qiao Xiaomai didn't care about these things and quickly said, "Tong Brother, it's good you've arrived. My grandmother is forcing my father to sell me to the brothel, and my aunt is planning to buy our house for five taels of silver. Could you please judge for us how to deal with this situation."
Tong Sanlang fixed his gaze on Qiao Xiaomai, surprise flickering in his calm eyes, his eyebrows furrowing slightly as he began, "According to the Daqi Laws, those guilty of selling people are subjected to a carving punishment, which involves carving off flesh, breaking arms and legs, and finally severing the throat."
Sun's and Zhu Cuiying, who was about to refute Qiao Xiaomai, were taken aback.
Tong Sanlang continued, "Daqi Laws also state that those who confiscate others' properties through violence, coercion, or other means are subjected to a caning punishment according to severity, and sentenced to serve a three to five-year labor service."
Sun's and Zhu Cuiying's bodies both shivered.
Tong Sanlang looked back at Qiao Xiaomai, speaking, "If you wish to sue them, I can go find my grandfather right away, who will send some people to escort these two to the government office."
"Sue!" Qiao Xiaomai nodded firmly.
Sun immediately shrieked, her voice piercing: "Tong Sanlang, you can't word it like that! I was doing this for Changsun's sake! If he can't pay his taxes, he will have to labor! How did I and Cuiying turn out to be the bad people in the mouth of that ungrateful wench?!"
"My father doesn't need your kind of help. Don't worry about the tax silver," Qiao Xiaomai retorted.
"Don't worry? And how are you and Changsun going to come up with enough tax silver?!" Zhu Cuiying shrilly countered.
"Why should I tell you our means of making money?" Qiao Xiaomai squinted her eyes, turning her gaze to Tong Sanlang, "Tong brother, please be sure to invite the Village Chief. I want to sue them, they want to sell me to the brothel, I will risk my life to sue!"
Tong Sanlang recognized the determination on her pretty face and acknowledged, "Alright."
He then strode towards the exit of the courtyard.
Zhu Cuiying, witnessing this, started to panic and hastily tugged at Sun's sleeve.
Sun's aged face alternated between dark and bright clouds. She stood, slapping the dirt off her body, and spoke bitterly, "Tong Sanlang, wait, we'll leave it be this time."
"Changsun," she said, glaring at Qiao Changshun, "the offer stands, if you really can't pay the tax silver, return to your old home, the five taels of silver are ready. You can take it anytime you wish."
"What isn't yours, better not keep holding on to it, lest there be more retribution."
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