Going to the Magistrate for Justice
Helen Parker's words were so outrageous that even the villagers couldn't stand by and watch. Did she really think everyone here was blind to her lies?
"Looks to me like you're just trying to snatch Lily Evans's things! Shameless!" Cynthia Wu glared furiously at Helen Parker.
Even Grandma Evans looked puzzled. Hadn't Helen Parker just claimed the hairpin was hers? Why couldn't she even describe it right?
"Helen, are you sure this hairpin is really yours?" Grandma Evans pulled her aside, her voice low and anxious as she noticed the villagers whispering and pointing.
Helen Parker clenched her teeth, determined to get that hairpin—her pride was on the line! She kept up the charade, coaxing Grandma Evans, "Mother, it's mine! I was just flustered earlier, that's why I got the details wrong. But as soon as I saw the hairpin, I remembered—I'm the one who bought it for you!"
Grandma Evans eyed Helen Parker warily. Her eldest daughter-in-law was never the honest type. "Helen, everyone's watching. Don't do anything that'll disgrace our family. I can't bear that shame!"
Compared to Helen Parker, Grandma Evans cared more about her reputation among the villagers—she couldn't afford to lose face in her old age.
Helen Parker nodded emphatically. "Mother, it's ours. No way I'm letting Lily Evans walk away with it!"
Seeing Helen Parker's repeated assurances, Grandma Evans finally believed her. "My daughter-in-law just bought the hairpin and it was stolen—it's only natural she can't remember the details! Lily Evans, hand it over. For the sake of old times, we won't pursue your theft any further. But if you refuse, we'll go straight to the magistrate and let them deal with a thief!"
Lily Evans looked at Grandma Evans, her heart turning cold. Wasn't she her own granddaughter? Just for a silver hairpin, Grandma was willing to drag her to the magistrate and brand her a thief. Lily's whole life would be ruined!
Lily Evans kept her face cold as she leaned in and whispered something to Cynthia Wu. Cynthia's eyes lit up, and before anyone could notice, she darted out of the courtyard.
"Go to the magistrate?" Lily Evans's voice grew colder, her gaze so icy it sent shivers down Grandma Evans's spine. "If you want to go, then let's go! I'd love to see how the county magistrate deals with thieves who steal and beat others!"
"You stubborn girl, don't know what's good for you! Fine, we'll go to the magistrate—right now!" Grandma Evans shouted, grabbing Lily Evans and trying to drag her out, clearly intent on making a scene.
Helen Parker suddenly panicked. She'd only been bluffing to trick Grandma Evans, but now even the villagers were starting to doubt her. If they really went to the magistrate, her lies would be exposed for sure!
Stealing and beating someone? That could mean thirty strokes with the board, maybe even jail time!
For a woman, getting beaten by the male bailiffs at the magistrate's court would ruin her reputation completely—she'd be marked for life!
Helen Parker tugged Grandma Evans's arm, whispering urgently, "Mother, is this really worth going to the magistrate for? Lily Evans still carries the Evans name. Even if she's cut ties with us, in the eyes of the officials, we're all family. If we go to court, it's our family's reputation that'll be ruined. I don't care about my own, but Arthur Evans can't afford a stain on his name. We can't go to the magistrate!"
When the matter touched on Arthur Evans's reputation, Grandma Evans immediately backed down. She glared at Lily Evans, snapping, "Since Helen Parker pleaded for you, I won't press charges. Hand over the hairpin and pay us twenty taels of silver, and we'll let this go."
Just then, the Village Chief strode over, face dark with annoyance. "What's all this fuss about now? Can't a person get a moment's peace around here?"
Helen Parker screeched, "Village Chief, Lily Evans stole my family's jewelry! You have to stand up for us—Clearwater Village can't tolerate a nest of thieves!"
Behind the Village Chief was a young man with a fresh face. When he spotted Lily Evans and Lucky, he exclaimed, "Oh, it's you two! What a coincidence!"
The young man was the Silver Pavilion Clerk. He grinned at Lily Evans and Lucky, saying, "I can vouch for them. I was the one who sold the Plum Blossom Pin to Miss Evans and her husband. They paid fair and square—no theft involved!"