Stephen Brooks didn’t take it to heart either. He stood up and said in a deep voice, “Who would have thought that in just over forty days, so much could happen? No matter how you look at it, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have been so focused on my career and neglected my responsibilities as a father. It’s my fault for being too tolerant, to the point that people think they can take advantage of us...”

The couple found the first half of his words acceptable, but when he got to the second half, they felt it unbearably harsh. A scholar’s insults never use foul language, but he was clearly accusing them of being heartless, bullying children, and utterly lacking in conscience.

At this, Holt couldn’t hold back any longer. She immediately unleashed her full fury: “I always thought Second Brother was a refined man, but who knew he’d raise such wretches who steal and fight their elders! For the sake of the family’s reputation, we didn’t report them to the authorities. I thought you’d come back to discipline them and apologize to me, your sister-in-law, who nearly died. But instead, you storm in here, not only without a hint of remorse, but even turning the blame on us. Now I see it clearly—like father, like son. The root of these little brats’ wickedness is you, their father.” As she spoke, she began to moan, “There’s nothing more to say. We must report this to the authorities, we must report it...”

This woman’s barbed words were truly fierce, and it was obvious she’d rehearsed them many times. Finally, she threw out her trump card: “Don’t think that just because we’re not well-educated, we don’t know that under the laws of the Song Dynasty, assaulting or murdering grandparents, uncles, or aunts is a heinous crime that can never be forgiven!”

This statement sent shockwaves through Charles Brooks’s heart. He had never imagined the consequences could be so severe... even worse than what the hired hands had said. He didn’t know that this was also the result of his uncle and aunt hurriedly cramming before the confrontation.

Unable to help himself, Sanlang stole a glance at Stephen Brooks, and saw that he showed no sign of surprise—clearly, for people of a certain standing, this was common knowledge. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: ‘Not knowing the law won’t do. If I get through this, I’ll definitely memorize the Song Dynasty’s criminal code...’ But for now, he was at a loss and could only rely on this convenient father.

Come on, Father, you have to come through...

※※※

“Sister-in-law is right. The Song Dynasty’s criminal code does indeed have a clause on ‘heinous rebellion.’” Stephen Brooks shed his usual silence and smiled coldly. “But you only know part of the story. Our Song Dynasty is founded on virtue; the purpose of law is not punishment, but moral guidance. That’s why there are the ‘Three Pardons’ and ‘Three Leniencies’ in the cautious penal code.”

Holt was dumbfounded. What did she know about Song Dynasty law? The crime she’d just mentioned had been taught to her word for word by Stephen Brooks. Now, hearing about these ‘pardons and leniencies,’ she was completely in the dark.

Stephen Brooks also fell silent in thought. The Song Code was as vast as the sea; except for someone like the second brother who needed it for exams, who would study it in detail for no reason?

“The so-called ‘Three Pardons’ refer to crimes committed by the very old, the very young, or the mentally deficient. Considering their capacity for action, their crimes may be exempted or reduced. The ‘Three Leniencies’ refer to crimes committed out of ignorance, forgetfulness, or by accident—since these are unintentional, the punishment is lessened.” It was precisely because Stephen Brooks knew how serious this was that he had rushed back overnight. As he traveled, he pondered how to get Sanlang out of trouble... He had considered lowering himself to beg Holt for mercy, but if he let her keep the idea of accusing Sanlang, it would always be a hidden danger.

After much deliberation, he decided to respond forcefully, to let Holt know that this matter would benefit no one. So, with his prepared speech, he declared, “Our dynasty stipulates that those over seventy, under fifteen, or gravely ill are not to be interrogated under torture, and for crimes below exile, they may redeem themselves with money; those over eighty, under ten, or gravely ill, even if convicted of treason or murder, may petition for a reduced sentence, and for ordinary theft or injury, they can pay a fine instead.”

“My Sanlang was born in the eighth month of the third year of Jingyou, making him exactly nine years and seven months old, so he naturally qualifies for the under-ten leniency; how could a child under ten understand the laws of the Song Dynasty or know what a heinous crime is? This also falls under the category of ignorance and thus merits leniency.” Stephen Brooks declared forcefully, “Although both are ‘heinous rebellion,’ ‘assaulting elders’ is naturally much lighter than ‘murdering elders’—it’s only punished by tattooing and exile. And when we get to court, I will personally petition for leniency. The magistrate must report to the imperial court, and the current emperor is a ruler of rare benevolence—he will surely show mercy to my son!” Stephen Brooks boasted shamelessly.

“How do you know the emperor will show mercy?” Stephen Brooks finally couldn’t help but speak up.

“Because my son’s actions are understandable!” Stephen Brooks said, enunciating each word.

“Understandable? What a joke!” Holt huffed angrily. “No matter how you spin it, he’s still in the wrong!”

“You first beat my youngest son until his mouth and nose bled, then knocked my third son unconscious. Was his older brother supposed to just stand by and watch?” Stephen Brooks’s expression darkened.

“I was disciplining Liu Lang, and your two sons came at me. I only slapped and pushed them—how was I to know your boys were so delicate?” Holt retorted. “Even if I did hit them, so what? Their parents weren’t around, so as their aunt, it was my duty to discipline them!”

“What did they do wrong that needed your discipline?” Stephen Brooks said coldly.

“Stealing chickens and dogs—isn’t that a serious matter?” Holt insisted. “A child who steals chickens will steal silver when he grows up. How could I not intervene?”

“Impossible. My sons would never steal chickens or dogs!” Stephen Brooks said firmly.