Chapter 295: The Real and Fake Indenture Contract
Mr. Xu followed, completely self-assured.
Although the Indenture Contract in his hand was a forgery, it had been officially registered with the government. He had always been meticulous in his planning. Besides, the Lord Prefect at the government office knew him; the official had just been to his family’s estate for drinks a few days prior.
For such a trivial matter, he wouldn’t even have to say a word. He just had to stand there, and the Lord Prefect would naturally know how to rule.
The group entered the main hall. The Magistrate sat at the head of the court, with the secretary seated beside him.
The crowd of curious onlookers, including Su Chen, was not allowed into the hall and could only stand at the entrance.
Mr. Xu, holding the rank of a Scholar, was exempt from kneeling. Gu Fei and Lan Zhi, however, both knelt.
The Lord Prefect slammed his Gavel. "Who kneels before this court, and for what reason was the drum struck?"
Gu Fei began, "I am Gu Fei, originally from West Qin County. I have a maidservant named Lan Zhi."
"This Mr. Xu, seeing that my maidservant is beautiful, sent someone to our home with a marriage proposal, wishing to take her as his concubine."
"My maidservant was unwilling, so I refused Mr. Xu. Who would have known that Mr. Xu would bring men to our door today, insisting he had already purchased her. He produced a forged Indenture Contract and tried to take her by force. With no other choice, I can only plead for Your Lordship to deliver justice."
When Gu Fei was finished, Mr. Xu smiled up at the Lord Prefect and clasped his hands in a salute. "Your Lordship, this girl is spouting nonsense. Lan Zhi is not her maidservant at all; she’s a distant cousin. Lan Zhi was perfectly willing to become my concubine, and that is why she signed the Indenture Contract herself."
"But this girl refused to allow it and has now forged an Indenture Contract to slander me."
After hearing both sides, the Magistrate glanced at the standing Mr. Xu. Given Mr. Xu’s standing and family background, the Magistrate found it hard to believe that any young woman would be unwilling to become his concubine.
The curious onlookers outside finally understood: this was all a dispute over a maidservant.
The Magistrate pondered for a moment, then asked, "Is what Mr. Xu says the truth?"
Still kneeling, Lan Zhi kept her head lowered. "Replying to Your Lordship, it is not. I have only met this Mr. Xu by chance twice. He then sent someone to propose. When I refused, he forged an Indenture Contract to take me by force. I beg Your Lordship to deliver justice for me."
The Magistrate looked over at Mr. Xu, giving him a pointed look. "And what do you have to say?"
Mr. Xu gave a faint smile. "Lan Zhi is merely being coerced by the Gu Family. I have the Indenture Contract right here. Once Your Lordship examines it, you will know I speak the truth."
Kneeling on the floor, Lan Zhi trembled with anger.
The Lord Prefect raised his hand. "Present the Indenture Contract."
Mr. Xu produced his Indenture Contract. A governmental official received it and presented it to the Magistrate. The Magistrate glanced at it—the date was from yesterday. He knew then that Mr. Xu was playing tricks, but he maintained a professional facade. "Go check the archives and verify this Indenture Contract."
Then, he turned to Gu Fei. "You will present your Indenture Contract as well."
Gu Fei handed her Indenture Contract to the governmental official. The Lord Prefect glanced at it nonchalantly, but his eyes widened in shock at what he read.
The contract was written clearly: "Mu Lanzhi, age fifteen, daughter of the Pingyang Marquis. Following the conviction of her father and brother, she was consigned to the Imperial Music Bureau to serve as a courtesan. She is now sold to Gu Fei for the sum of 1800 taels of silver to serve as a maidservant. As the daughter of a convicted official, she is bound to servitude for life and cannot be manumitted. The Silver Coin transaction is now settled, and this contract stands as proof."
Below that was a date, fingerprints, and the official seal of the government.
The Magistrate looked at Lan Zhi with a complicated expression. ’So, she’s the daughter of the Pingyang Marquis,’ he thought. ’No wonder she’s so beautiful.’
’It seems Mr. Xu isn’t aware of her identity, either. There’s no way the daughter of the Pingyang Marquis would be worth a mere ten taels of silver.’