Chapter 188: Chapter 188: The Sin of a Father Who Raises but Does Not Educate

Translator: 549690339

Fifty strokes.

Parade through the streets.

She tossed these two punishments around in her mind, imagining the scenario. Her struggle intensified, and a sound akin to the howl of a wild beast came from her mouth.

Unfortunately, her struggles were quashed once again by two women.

Iler beast-like roar was muffled in her mouth, only coming out as meaningless whimpers.

Her cries to the heavens went unheard, her pleas to the earth fruitless. For the first time, she felt utterly powerless.

She was even more terrified than when Junyan had asked her for a hundred taels of silver.

Back then, she could still exploit Xiaomai, at least she knew she had that option.

But what about now?

The magistrate of Huai’an County had given his order!

To her understanding, the magistrate was the highest official.

When the highest authority had spoken, what could she, a mere commoner, do?

The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked at Qiao Qinghe. Qiao Qinghe was the head of the family, and at this moment, she pinned all her hopes on him.

Qiao Qinghe was kneeling nearby, already recovered from his initial shock.

His expression was constantly changing.

Cutting off ties, he had once contemplated divorcing Sun, but now he had no particular feelings towards it. His initial surprise gave way to calmness.

The Qiao family cutting of ties with Sun was good news.

However, the punishment inflicted on Junyan by the magistrate was something he couldn’t accept.

Despite his anger at Junyan’s actions, after all, he was his biological son whom he had cherished for many years.

Even if there were to be a punishment, it should be him, behind closed doors, doing the punishing.

Now that the magistrate had made the decree and the public humiliation was going to commence, would it affect Junyan’s future chances in the Imperial Examination?

After all, Junyan, whom they had spent ten years nurturing, was their hope and hard work. If Junyan were to fall now…

He gritted his teeth and tried to plead, “Magistrate, my son, he…”

“Regardless of his actions, he has committed a grave crime of filial piety and violated the ‘Daqi Law.’ I am merely executing the ‘Daqi Law.’ Do you object?” The magistrate interrupted him, looking down at him with a stern visage.

“The fault lies with the parent for not teaching his child correctly. It is also your responsibility for letting things turn out this way.”

The Fault of the Father for not Teaching.

At these six words, a wave of shame instantly enveloped Qiao Qinghe.

Yes, Junyan was his student, how could he have the face to plead now?

He looked dejected, kneeling on the ground, not speaking a word.

Seeing that he remained silent, the magistrate was satisfied. He raised his hand to stroke his beard, pronouncing the final judgement, “From this day forth, the Qiao family will cut all ties with Sun. She will no longer be able to exploit and extort from the Qiao household under the identity of a senior relative. If she does, she will be violating the ‘Daqi Law.’”

“Junyan, for forcing his mother to kneel and beg, has disgraced the reputation of all scholars. Fifty strokes and a parade through the streets.”

“Court is adjourned.”

With a strike of his gavel, the magistrate stood up and retreated into the inner chamber.

The bailiffs stood still on either side, glaring at the few people left in the room, their fierce expressions clearly urging them to leave.

Tiehu, upon seeing this, hurriedly stood up and beckoned everyone to leave quickly, “Come on, let’s head back to the village.”

Tong Sanlang rose to his feet, and the two women pulled Sun up as well.

Xiaomai and Dami helped Qiao Changshun stand up together.

Changshun looked at Qiao Qinghe who was still kneeling on the ground, and with a trembling voice, he called out “father.”

Whether it was cutting ties with Sun or the punishment of Junyan, both of these incidents left him feeling uneasy, and he dared not face Qiao Qinghe.

Qiao Qinghe wiped his face with his hand and stood up.

What could he say about creating today’s situation?

The fault of the father for not teaching, he too was responsible….