Reporting to the yamen?
They would have been delighted, not only saving themselves trouble but also getting to teach these people a lesson!
Zhao Jiaqi rubbed her aching forehead. In situations like this, while they were standing up for what was right, the old craftsman didn't seem keen on escalating the matter.
She wondered if what they did was right or wrong!
A moment later, Liu Wu returned with a few yamen runners. He hid behind them, pointing at Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi, shouting, "Officials, these two are the ones who blocked the road and robbed us, and injured our group! Quickly arrest them and throw them in jail, otherwise our Hedong Prefecture will have two more rotten apples!"
The head constable walked closer for a better look. Wasn't this the Regent and his Consort who were staying at the Binyue Inn? Why were they out in such attire?
He was stunned for a moment before understanding dawned on him. This was the Prince and Consort who had deliberately disguised themselves to observe the common people!
His mind cleared instantly. He turned and slapped Liu Wu across the face, left and right, stunning everyone present!
"How dare you! I see not a single word of truth coming from your mouth! Guards, take this group away and interrogate them thoroughly!"
The head constable's actions left Liu Wu, Wang Da, and their group bewildered. Even Old Man Wang, who was squatting to the side, doting on his son, was dazed!
What was going on?
The yamen runners who followed the head constable were also confused. Why weren't they arresting the robbers and assaulters? Instead, they were arresting the ones who reported the incident and even intended to interrogate them!
"Boss, did you make a mistake? Those two were the robbers!"
The head constable glared at his subordinate, his cheeks puffing out in anger. "Nonsense! These two are the most honorable people in our country. They have no shortage of silver at home. Robbing these little brats? It wouldn't even be enough for our honored guests to tickle their teeth! Arrest them, and no more talk!"
With mentions of "honored guests" and "honorable people," the yamen runners were truly bewildered. The tide immediately turned, and Liu Wu, Wang Da, and the others were arrested!
Master Wang watched his son being dragged away and anxiously chased after him. He stopped after a few steps, panting heavily and patting his chest. Finally, he weakly squatted on the ground, sighing with deep sadness!
The head constable shifted his gaze from Master Wang and bowed respectfully to the other two. "This humble official greets Your Highness and Your Highness!"
He dared not kneel on the street nor expose their identities, but offered a very respectful greeting!
Fan Zehao nodded. "These youngsters are by no means good people. Interrogate them thoroughly when you get back, and do not bend the law for personal gain!"
The head constable bowed his head and replied, "Yes, this humble official will personally handle the interrogation and ensure justice is served. We will not let any wrongdoer go!"
Fan Zehao let out a soft "hmm." The head constable bowed and took a few steps back before daring to turn around and quickly departed the alley!
After everyone had left, Zhao Jiaqi went over to help up Master Wang, who made crispy biscuits, and had him sit on a low stool. Master Wang then slowly began to speak.
His cloudy yellow eyes swept over the two of them, and he asked, "They won't really be sentenced to exile, will they!"
Zhao Jiaqi shook her head. "That depends on what they have done wrong. The law will punish them according to their offenses. It's not as simple as someone saying they should be exiled."
"Yes, unless they committed murder or arson and are irredeemably evil, ordinary people are rarely exiled," Fan Zehao added to his wife's words.
As soon as they finished speaking, the old craftsman breathed a sigh of relief, muttering, "Then I can rest easy."
The words hung in the air, followed by a moment of silence. Then he sighed helplessly. "These children are all small-time hoodlums from the neighborhood. They haven't committed any heinous crimes, let alone murder or arson. They usually just bully the honest, poor vendors."
Zhao Jiaqi's brows furrowed. She asked, "Then why didn't you report them to the authorities?"
Hearing this, Master Wang gave a bitter smile and retorted, "Would you personally send your own child to jail?"
Zhao Jiaqi instinctively shook her head, but after a moment's thought, she nodded. "If my son or daughter made a mistake and repented, that would be good. But if they stubbornly continued down the wrong path, I would personally send them in. Since I cannot educate them, let those with the ability teach them a lesson, rather than them making even greater, irreversible mistakes later."
Old Man Wang shook his head upon hearing this. "I cannot be so heartless. So I can only watch my rebellious son make mistakes, and I still have to clean up the mess afterward. Sigh!"
Hearing these words from the old man, Zhao Jiaqi didn't know what to say or how to comfort him. This was a problem that would trouble anyone.
She understood that women were soft-hearted, but Fan Zehao couldn't understand how a father could be so indecisive.
He said, "You knew it was not good for your son to associate with those hoodlums, why didn't you exert more control?"
Upon hearing this, Old Man Wang sighed again, full of helplessness. "Wang Da was a late child for me, and he's his mother's pampered darling. I could barely scold him, or my wife would have fought with me. Over time, I just stopped bothering to discipline him."
In the past, Zhao Jiaqi would have scoffed at the idea of "filial piety born of the rod." Now, she wasn't sure if it produced filial piety, but at least in ancient times, it could produce a child who wouldn't dare to cause trouble.
Compared to Zhao Jiaqi's sympathy, Fan Zehao felt the old man was too indulgent of his wife and son.
Everything had its limits. As the saying goes, discipline your child in front of others, and your wife behind closed doors. Spoil them when they deserve it, love them, but also punish them. Mistakes must be corrected; continuous pampering is akin to killing your child.
He originally felt the old father was very pitiable, having such a troublemaking, idly wandering son. But upon closer reflection, the son and daughter-in-law's behavior were all his fault; he failed to take on the responsibilities of a husband and father.
However, this man was not ill-intentioned. He knew he had not educated his child well and passed on his lingering obsession to others. No wonder he and his wife weren't idle and found some work to do; he probably feared becoming like his son!
Alas...
Fan Zehao handed Old Man Wang a silver ingot. "It's good if a child can correct their mistakes and reform. If not, don't always indulge them. After all, not everyone in this world is like their father and will indulge them. If they encounter someone powerful, and get beaten to death or crippled, wouldn't you be even more heartbroken!"
He pushed the silver ingot into the old man's hand. "Take this money and take good care of yourself!"
With that, he pulled his wife away.
Old Man Wang clutched the heavy silver ingot in his hand, tears streaming down his face. His sighs were drowned in endless bitterness.
After walking a considerable distance, Zhao Jiaqi looked up and asked him, "Husband, if our son makes a mistake, will you send him to jail!"
He nodded without hesitation, replying with great certainty, "I will, and I will personally discipline them!"
"You'll interrogate him yourself? You're too ruthless!"
Sending him to jail was painful enough, but personally interrogating him? She wondered if he wasn't afraid his son would resent him!
Fan Zehao's eyes remained resolute, and he replied to his wife, "If I don't educate my children well, will I let others do it?"
Zhao Jiaqi: "....."
"I know how much force to use when I discipline them. If someone else were to educate them, do you think they would be gentle or harsh?"
These two sentences completely extinguished Zhao Jiaqi's little thoughts. She was now starting to doubt if he was even their biological father!