Chapter 3, New Bird

Before the verdict is announced, it is more important to return the gold coins to the defendant in order to clarify the court's impartiality; otherwise, there may be private suspicions that we are colluding with unscrupulous merchants to embezzle the assets on which he relies for his livelihood

"Yes, it is four hundred and sixty-two." Fulan suddenly turned around, strode up to the swindler, and said with a cold smile, "Before counting your gold coins, shouldn't we discuss your intelligence quotient again?"

"Art is not determined by the number of people." Fran said as he left, "In my eyes, law is also a form of art"

Stepping out of the Seventh Street Courthouse, the lingering essence of late winter has not yet completely faded. The breath exhaled forms a faint white mist in the air, and the excitement that has long been accumulating within me bursts forth like startled forest birds, joyfully chirping.

After bidding farewell to Peggy with a somewhat unrefined noble etiquette, Fran shrugged with a hint of amusement

"Dunawan? That name sounds very familiar," another trainee prosecutor said with some confusion. "Oh, the Chief of the District Court is also named Dunawan. This is a family with a prominent reputation in the judicial community of Fidu."

The other two interns from the second-tier court nodded in agreement. Recently promoted from a local court, these novices, standing in the luxurious and splendid courtroom, inevitably yearned for someone to share their inner apprehension.

The owner of it is clearly not the scholarly figure imagined, adorned with gold-rimmed glasses and possessing an elegant demeanor. The chief prosecutor is short and stout, with grizzled hair forming a large whirlpool reminiscent of the Mediterranean. His shiny bald head is as bright and reflective as a mirror, and he speaks in a coarse manner, akin to an uncultured brute

The phrase "The blooming of the golden flower is everlasting" frequently appears on the lips of nobles in the upper circles of the imperial city of Tantin, often accompanied by a sense of envy or jealousy

I will definitely be able to come four times tonight. On the way home, Fulan encouraged herself with anticipation.

However, to underestimate him in court could lead to significant losses; as soon as any flaw is detected, the chief prosecutor will act like a wild boar that has found food, breathing with fervor, fiercely yet cautiously clinging on without letting go, until it is completely devoured.

As long as she successfully passes the assessment period and receives a satisfactory salary, Fulan will be content

The lawyer sighed beside him, "Look, if he had at least a modicum of logical ability, he wouldn't be suffering injustice here."

As expected, just as spring was arriving, the promotion notice was delivered to Fulan, who was preparing to leave work.

The enchanting dancer leaned her head out of the carriage window, enticingly blowing kisses to the passing men, while the colorful bells hanging from her raised white arms jingled with a crisp sound

Remember to visit the Fairy Dance Troupe, be obedient, and I will save you a spot in the tent. Dressed in tight-fitting outfits, the voluptuous women fluttered their eyelashes, slipping flyers adorned with beautiful designs and the name of the dance troupe into the men's arms, while teasingly caressing them.

Not only now, but in the future, as everyone strives for the positions of Chief Prosecutor or Chief Justice, our friendship will also make the path to promotion smoother. To put it in an inappropriate way, even a dockworker, alone and uncertain, may struggle to keep the wages in their pocket safe.

The lawyer was taken aback, as he did not see the specific amount of the deposit in the documents provided by the court

The Chief Prosecutor of the First Noble Court, Baron Camilo, slammed a thick stack of case files onto the table, his voice rising in an agitated tone, causing the delicate glass ashtray on the table to emit a buzzing lament.

Perhaps raise another dog

Congratulations, my fine young man. The presiding judge looked at him with the kindness of a relative who had watched him grow up, saying, "You are the pride of the Seventh Court"

Certainly, the best-selling items are still festive supplies such as colorful balls and comical masks

Only after quietly closing the heavy golden-edged door did Fulan let out a sigh of relief. He held the case files he had received and surveyed his colleagues and competitors.

Those who lack the courage to face challenges alone and place their hopes on unstable alliances are unlikely to achieve great success

Camilo took out the snuff box from his pocket, placed a large handful of dark brown tobacco at his nose and sniffed it, then pointed to the case files on the table and said, "Scoundrels, scum, all the dregs of the world can be found within. They cunningly hide their misdeeds, attempting to swagger out of prison. Find any clues and send them to hell; this is your task for the next three months, and it is also my tool to kick the laggards out of the First Court."

The sunlight slanted down, and from a distance, the water's surface shimmered with golden ripples. That golden hue spread onto the young woman, as if draping her in a layer of magnificent and resplendent armor

The courtroom erupted in enthusiastic applause, as everyone was satisfied with the just verdict. The overweight businessman sat frozen in his seat, opening his mouth but unable to utter a single word

The judge also agreed with Fulan's actions, indicating for Fulan to hand over the judgment document to him. When both the judge and the prosecutor sign their names simultaneously, the arbitration will take effect immediately, leaving no room for doubt

Three months, just need to get through another three months

In accordance with regulations, the trainee prosecutor at the regional court will serve as an assistant in the First Noble Court for three months, after which he will be capable of handling cases independently

He is not in the mood to engage in childish competitive games with a certain young lady

His progress in the judiciary surprised everyone. There were rumors that during one lunch, Count Carmen, the Chief Justice of the First Noble Court and the highest-ranking figure in the judicial community, mentioned the name of Fran with admiration.

The rookie prosecutor has begun to attract attention

More importantly, at that time, Fulan's salary will be sufficient to rent a spacious apartment in the new district, one that has a balcony

Rather than thinking about these matters, it would be better to consider how to handle the gift that An Mei is presenting again tonight to celebrate her first report.

Ah! Fulan exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement as she waved her fist.

The girl in the city blushed as she stealthily followed the poet she admired, wanting to know which hotel he was staying at, exchanging information about where new handsome men had arrived.

The girl's tongue was like a thorn of a rose; after delivering a vicious critique, she extended her hand towards Fulan

Ail was overjoyed as he embraced them, then extended his hand to Fran, "Are you coming along too?"

Fulan felt that everything before her was truly beautiful

A burst of laughter erupted in the courtroom, as everyone joyfully looked at the plaintiff, a fair-skinned, plump man who owned a sizable tea shop in Feidu. At that moment, he was struggling to wipe the beads of sweat from his broad forehead, quietly defending himself, "He was pretending; when he posed as a buyer to negotiate business with me, he was incredibly shrewd."

The allure of a dance costume combined with the graceful figure developed through long-term practice of song and dance naturally possesses a much greater seductive power

Yet he still dutifully defended himself, saying, "This is the inheritance left by his father. O God of Light, if it weren't for this money, he would have starved to death on the streets long ago"

"Oh, thank you for your compliment, he is indeed my father," Al exclaimed dramatically. "Of course, I implore you all to believe that my presence here is not due to my family, but rather my own abilities"

No one believes the words of a fat person, not even the judge, who shows a sympathetic expression towards the defendant. Nine out of ten merchants are deceitful; it seems this fellow is attempting to usurp the estate of a mentally challenged individual. This is what everyone is thinking.

Each one is an elite forged in the crucible of real combat, especially the only girl among them. She is a proud-looking young woman with hair cut short like a man's, dressed in a jacket that closely resembles men's clothing. Her brows occasionally reveal a sense of arrogance; she is not particularly beautiful, but the intelligent glimmer in her eyes gives her a unique charm

When people thought this farce was coming to an end, Fran said to the judge, "The case is quite clear now; we should return the defendant's frozen deposits to him during the trial process. Hmm, let me think, it is two hundred gold coins." Fran recalled something and turned to the lawyer, "Two hundred? That is not a small amount."

Elton Leddon looked at Fran and said, "As for this individual, I believe everyone is familiar with that infamous murder case that gave the Chief Prosecutor of the First Court quite a headache. It was a decision that was cunning to the extreme. However, when someone assists you, it can make certain matters much simpler. Who knows what peculiarities might be contained within this?" He waved the case file in his hand, "One person's wisdom ultimately cannot compare to the collective deliberation of the elites."

Unrestrained, a week of wild and joyous revelry, the most anticipated time of the year for the people of Fez is about to arrive

The evening glow is striving to resist the encroachment of night, shining with brilliant colors, while the moon quietly reveals its outline from behind the clouds, and the dividing line between day and night is clearly presented on the horizon

Fulan noticed the delicate golden finch brooch pinned beneath the long bow tie made from her expensive light yellow silk scarf

I hope to become your pride, just as you are my pride. Fulang spoke with the elegant compliments commonly used by the nobility, making an effort to conceal his joy

Thus, when one sees a heavily made-up young woman on the street or in a book, rudely raising her middle finger at the float of a touring dance troupe, one can infer her identity

Fulan nodded, seemingly in agreement with the lawyer's statement. He then took out a piece of vellum, dipped a quill in ink, and swiftly wrote a few characters, appearing to sign his name on the judgment.

Whether it is a prestigious family or the Plantagenets, it has nothing to do with him

"The expenses are all on our territory, and the scraps should go to hell." The local nightingales cursed in unison against their enemies.

They, well-fed and robust, do not fear the approach of humans, following the movement of fingers up and down, trying to ascertain whether that pale and slender object is food

The independent wandering poets, of course, do not have such grand displays. Dressed in splendid and eccentric attire, they walk with composure, stopping only to play a few notes upon seeing a beautiful noble lady, adopting a demeanor of melancholic abandon.

Those vividly colored freshwater fish are indeed a rarity in Feidu, which is close to the ocean

In the luxurious office, a finely crafted six-tiered carved mahogany bookshelf is densely filled with legal books. The topmost shelf requires a step stool to reach, and upon careful searching, one can even find precious first editions of renowned works such as "On the Sources of Law" and "Studies in Theology and Legal Texts".

"The expenses are all on our territory, and the scraps should go to hell"

The fraudster looked desperately at the prosecutor, slumping helplessly, cradling his head with both hands, and hoarsely gasped, "You... you are truly a devil who toys with people's hearts"

Peggy shrugged nonchalantly, extended her thumb, pointed downwards, and then left without saying a word

The lawyer also presented a physician's certificate, claiming that his client is a pitiable individual with no ability to care for himself. He compassionately stated, "A disabled person with a muddled mind lives on meager interest from savings, while a ridiculous businessman claims to have been deceived by his tricks. Oh, how the world is turned upside down, where the wealthy are less intelligent than the mentally challenged!"

The aroma of fish soup wafts once again from the dining table, sharing the warmth by the fireplace with a loved one, and the feeling of being awaited at home. All of this is so eagerly anticipated

Perhaps sensing Fulan's gaze, Peggy restrained her smile and turned to look.

However, for the streets of Liuying and the taverns with small rooms, the carnival is not considered a good time; their business tends to decline significantly, and they would prefer that this unprofitable and unfortunate week come to an early end

Anmei and her grandmother were brought over, and everyone lived together happily

Finally, Fran helplessly said, "Perhaps the patrol team should check the eyesight when selecting members."

After a moment of hesitation, Fulan said, "In the art salon at Rose Square, some paintings are valued at thousands of gold coins, and the wealthy often compete eagerly, as if obtaining one would enhance their taste; while other paintings, though still exquisite, are priced at a mere few coins. Why is that? Because the former are the true cries of a master’s soul, while the latter are produced by art workshops employing a few destitute painters, where you outline and I color, resulting in a mass production of several pieces daily in an assembly line fashion"

Regardless of wealth or poverty, everyone eagerly anticipates the arrival of a new year's festival: the Carnival.

Only that young lady hesitated for a moment, her hand, adorned with white silk gloves, symbolically reached out, only to be withdrawn immediately.

This is a formal introduction. I am Peggy Tang Leinschman. I hope you will be a worthy opponent; otherwise, three months will be rather dull.

Fulan stepped forward to ask the swindler a few questions. The swindler, perplexed, twisted his fingers and shifted uncomfortably in his chair, before giving a response that was both absurd and laughable. When Fulan asked what sixteen plus twenty-four equals, he pondered for a long time with a sideways glance, then shook his head vigorously.

I am Peggy, a top student at the Royal Law School. The young woman said proudly, then disdainfully raised her eyebrows, "I enjoy victory, whether it is in the courtroom facing a criminal or standing out among a group of interns"

He is truly an eloquent speaker. Watching the loquacious Al, Fulan thought, and he was not surprised by the implication of alliance in his words. Every profession has its small circles, and having allies is certainly better than having enemies.

At that moment, an anxious voice came through, "It is 462 gold coins, there has been a mistake!"

The circuses intend to pull back the canvas covering the cages of the ferocious beasts, as the strong and fierce animals pace back and forth within their enclosures, occasionally growling irritably at the crowd of onlookers, provoking screams of curiosity, especially from the children.

When the judge read the charges against him: fraud, many people let out mocking snickers, could a fool possibly engage in such activities

The city center of Feidu is bustling with activity. The garbage accumulated during the winter was cleaned up a few days ago, leaving the streets tidy and bright. Shops have posted cheerful red posters in their windows, and merchants are energetically calling out to customers. Various rare items, long missed, fill the counters, including freshly arrived spring tea, three-bearded eels caught from the deep sea, and colorful glassware. The dazzling array of goods is overwhelming.

I am well aware of who you all are, having presided over some trivial cases in a small court, you mistakenly believe you have grasped the essentials, proudly raising your tails, deluding yourselves into thinking you can stay here for a while, and then return to the small court wearing the official prosecutor's badge to continue playing your unrealistic legal games

Winter returned to the young woman's face. She straightened up and walked powerfully to Fulan, saying arrogantly, "At last, there are some clever people. I thought you four pitiful souls would huddle together like stranded refugees, seeking that faint warmth to resist the cold of the deep night."

The little wildcat secretly revealed that she has just purchased a new piece of lingerie, which is currently the most fashionable, an alluring item called a "dudou" that has come from the Far East

The courtroom resembles a bullfighting arena, a place where he engages in a battle of wits with his opponents. He enjoys adopting a calm demeanor, with a slightly humble tone, to put the interrogated party at ease. Suddenly, he becomes intense, mercilessly pointing out the weaknesses of the other party, catching his prey off guard, and then delivering a piercing condemnation that strikes at the heart of the matter, leaving them collapsed in the shadow known as despair

The performing dancers do not mind taking those audience members who can afford it to their tents for an additional performance after the show, as extra income is certainly better the more there is.

Reinshman? Fran finally realized the significance of that golden fleur-de-lis brooch. It was indeed the family crest of the Reinshman clan, renowned as the nobility among nobility, holding the title of the foremost aristocracy.

Spring has indeed arrived, as if overnight, the cold winds have transformed into a gentle warmth. The stiff branches of the roadside trees are adorned with specks of vibrant green, and pedestrians have shed their bulky coats, appearing much more spirited.

The prosecutors were amused by this humble remark and shook hands amicably with one another

Walking through the long corridor adorned with fine brown carpets, Fran encountered Peggy, who was sitting sideways on the edge of the fountain, playfully teasing the ornamental fish in the pool with her fingers

The patrol knight, present as a witness, stood up in anger to protest, and then, under the derisive jeers of the onlookers, blushed and retreated to a corner

"Oh, beautiful lady, is this a declaration of war?" Ael slightly bowed, "To make a lady weep would tarnish my reputation"

"She is indeed an interesting young lady, but the courtroom is not suitable for women; their inexplicable emotions always tend to ruin things." Al continued with a smile, "Since we are all in this together for three months, why not gather to discuss and arrange the tasks? Criminal law, commercial law, noble law—everyone has their strengths, as well as areas of law that are less familiar to them"

Occasionally, the splashes of water from fish leaping out of the surface wet Peggy's temples and forehead, causing this previously very serious young lady to break into a chuckle

The five fortunate individuals recently recommended by the lower court listened attentively with respectful expressions to their superior's admonition

Not far away on the street, the cleaning workers, busy clearing away dirt and fallen branches, inexplicably gazed at him

Once, when the defendant appeared in the public's view, everyone gasped in surprise. He was a man with a crooked mouth, a victim of facial paralysis, sitting foolishly in the defendant's seat. Saliva continuously dripped from his mouth, soaking a large part of his collar. His emaciated arms trembled involuntarily, and his murky eyes rolled upward, mumbling incomprehensible words.

A large number of circuses, wandering poets, and traveling dance troupes gathered, forming a long queue at the city gates of Feidu, carrying their belongings as they prepared to enter the city

"Let us get to know each other," said a young man whose voice and demeanor exuded elegance, yet his overly ornate attire made him appear somewhat ostentatious as he extended his hand

Fulan seemed to feel that the dreamlike scenes, which only existed in sonnets or oil paintings, had stepped out of the words, detached from the frames, and vividly and dynamically appeared in reality

In an instant, all eyes were focused on the source of the sound. The defendant stood up, articulately shouting loudly, and his previously distorted face straightened in the blink of an eye. Soon, he realized something, and his entire body froze.