Suddenly, a middle-aged man rushed forward, pointing at Henry Walker and unleashing a torrent of angry scolding.

“Henry Walker, you ungrateful wretch! I kindly offered my niece to you in marriage, yet you repay kindness with betrayal and falsely accuse me. You’ll never come to a good end.”

This man was none other than the defendant, Charles Bennett.

Henry Walker was so frightened that he quickly shrank behind his younger brother.

He was always honest and, being rather unattractive, was extremely self-conscious.

William Bolton stepped forward with a smile and said, “How about three strings of cash?”

Charles Bennett was taken aback. “What three strings of cash?”

William Bolton smiled and said, “This is the government office, a place of authority. Causing a scene here will get you punished. However, you can pay three strings of cash for me to help you appeal, and you’ll be spared a beating.”

Charles Bennett tilted his head to glance at the government office’s main gate, a flash of fear in his eyes, but he still retorted, “Oh! So you’re the one who incited Henry Walker to falsely accuse me.”

William Bolton said, “If the magistrate rules in our favor later, then your so-called ‘false accusation’ would be implying that the magistrate is unjust, which could constitute slander against an official. If you want me to defend you, that’ll cost you thirty strings of cash—after all, you’d be slandering the magistrate himself!”

“You...!”

Charles Bennett, after all, was just a commoner. He was also afraid of the authorities, and was immediately intimidated by William Bolton.

At this moment, someone came up behind him. This was George Bennett, Charles Bennett’s younger brother. He pulled Charles Bennett aside and said, “Second brother, don’t argue with them. I believe the official will give us justice.”

With that, he dragged Charles Bennett away.

After a while, more and more local townsfolk arrived. After all, entertainment was scarce in ancient times, and public court hearings were not common, so many curious people came to watch.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, the government office’s main gate slowly opened.

David Harris and two yamen runners came out from inside. His gaze swept over the crowd and locked directly onto William Bolton, giving him a fierce glare before loudly summoning Charles Bennett, Henry Walker, and William Bolton.

Entering the government office, the three were first led to the west corridor, where they submitted their written statements. After the clerks reviewed them, they were summoned to leave the corridor and enter the courtyard.

Since this was a public hearing, the trial was not held inside the main hall, but rather in the courtyard in front of the hall.

Compared to the casualness of the first time, this occasion was much more solemn!

On each side stood eight yamen runners, holding black-and-red staves, pounding them on the ground while chanting, “Majesty... Power...”

At the same time, a wooden sign was raised on each side.

Silence! Quiet!

This was the authority of the court.

The area outside the government office immediately fell silent.

Henry Walker was so frightened that his legs gave out and he nearly collapsed to the ground. William Bolton quickly grabbed him with a smile and said, “Don’t be afraid, this is just to scare the bad guys. We’re the good ones.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Charles Bennett beside him and saw that, although he didn’t collapse outright, his legs were trembling. William Bolton couldn’t help but secretly laugh—his opponent didn’t even have a defense lawyer. Was he perhaps being a bit too overbearing?

Amidst this atmosphere of authority, Edward Foster, dressed in official robes, entered from the east corridor. He had noticed all of William Bolton and Henry Walker’s little actions and thought to himself, This kid really is something!

Chapter Six: Once Again Exempted from Guilt

Bang!

“Who stands before the court?”

After the display of authority... Edward Foster struck the wooden gavel with great dignity and asked sternly.

The three of them bowed and reported their names.

In ordinary Song Dynasty cases, defendants did not need to kneel, but for crimes among the Ten Heinous Offenses, kneeling was required. If John were here, she would not have the right to stand.

Edward Foster asked again, “What grievances do you have?”

William Bolton cupped his hands and said, “Your Excellency, because my client—uh, because Henry Walker was the target of an attempted murder a few months ago and nearly lost his life, he is still traumatized and unable to speak clearly, so he has entrusted me to appeal on his behalf.”

Edward Foster nodded slightly and said, “Regarding the attempted murder of Henry Walker, I am well aware of the case and deeply sympathize with Henry Walker’s ordeal. Therefore, I permit you to appeal on his behalf. Additionally... considering Henry Walker is still injured, I grant him permission to sit during the trial to spare him further hardship.”

Immediately, a yamen runner brought forward a chair.

Toward Henry Walker, Edward Foster did feel a twinge of guilt, since he hoped to help John avoid the death penalty, so he treated Henry Walker especially well.

Henry Walker, being a simple and honest man, felt he didn’t deserve to sit during the trial. Faced with the magistrate’s favor, he was both terrified and grateful. Just as he was about to refuse, William Bolton glared at him, so he choked out a few “Thank you, Your Excellency” and sat down, though it felt like sitting on pins and needles!

Honestly, it would have been better to just stand.

Edward Foster asked again, “What grievance does Henry Walker wish to appeal?”

William Bolton immediately replied, “Your Excellency, I am filing a complaint on behalf of Henry Walker against Charles Bennett for causing great physical and mental harm to Henry Walker.”

Upon hearing this, Charles Bennett felt utterly wronged and was about to protest, but the registrar Robert Clark spoke up first: “Regarding this case, the authorities have already determined that John attempted to murder Henry Walker, and Charles Bennett had no prior knowledge.”

Charles Bennett looked at Robert Clark with tearful eyes.

Truly a just and upright official!