“We can’t let that guy talk too much! Though I didn’t understand quite a few words either, he dug at least eight traps for you just now!”

In the break room, Miss Compton had fully recovered, angrily waving her arms and roughly explaining the opposing lawyer’s recent gibberish.

Lin Yuchan found it amusing: “You didn’t understand either?”

“The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Miss Compton said mockingly. “No one will admit they actually can’t understand his words. Everyone will just nod to avoid appearing uneducated, even His Honor the Judge… This way, when they propose any claims, the jury won’t dare oppose them too strongly… So when I wake up later, I’ll go protest to the judge that Lawyer Taylor’s showing off is torturing my ears… Luna, you need to directly question that Mr. Macartney, ask him why he thinks the economic decisions he makes for his wife would be better than his wife’s own decisions…”

Lin Yuchan thought for a moment and said, “This isn’t E.C. Bennett’s stated strategy. He didn’t mention in his letter…”

“I can write it now.” Miss Compton pulled out her fountain pen. “Do you still have that letter paper?”

…

Success depended on human effort and quick adaptation.

Gao Dewen smiled bitterly: “I can’t help with anything.”

“You sitting there with a stern face is the greatest help,” Lin Yuchan smiled back. “Fragile, wronged, helpless, with just a little bit of strength… Well, just act hard. Don’t be too heroic and spirited.”

Gao Dewen adjusted her expression in the mirror.

Suddenly, someone knocked at the door.

“My daughter?” It was Mr. Compton. “Are you alright?”

Miss Compton hurriedly put on a weak voice: “I… I need to rest a bit more.”

“I’ll wait outside for you.”

“No, Papa… you go sit in your seat first.”

If her father saw her come out with Lin Yuchan, she’d be finished!

“That Chinese girl surnamed Lin has gone somewhere. Probably borrowing a dictionary.” Mr. Compton sounded amused. “We’ll resume court when she returns. You don’t need to worry – oh, I noticed she has a hairpin on her skirt that looks a bit like your enamel hairpin. Did you lend it to her?”

The words struck like lightning. Lin Yuchan frantically tidied her skirt, turning the pin into the folds.

Fortunately, Miss Compton could still tell such small lies, immediately saying: “…Yes, she tore her skirt in the cloakroom. I lent her the hairpin.”

“You’re such a kind child. But remember, you’re a guest observer – don’t have too much contact with the litigation representative.” Mr. Compton wasn’t suspicious and continued: “So shall I wait here for you?”

Miss Compton hurriedly shook her head.

“Papa,” she had a flash of inspiration, saying through the door, “Don’t you need to take this opportunity to interview Mr. Macartney and His Honor? I believe this would be excellent news material…”

“You seem overly interested in news lately, Emma.” Mr. Compton laughed. “I’ve already assigned subordinate editors to this topic. I believe that Mr. E.C. Bennett will also submit articles to our paper afterwards, sending me first-hand materials.”

Miss Compton’s face flushed red, not daring to say more.

The guilty conscience of a thief – Papa’s words seemed casual but carried hints of implication…

Lin Yuchan wrote words on her palm with the fountain pen, showing them to her.

“Oh Papa,” Miss Compton made one last effort, “since I lent my hairpin to Miss Lin, could you help me buy a new one? Just the most ordinary kind from the Chinese market… otherwise my hair really is disheveled and improper…”

A lady’s external appearance couldn’t be neglected. Mr. Compton was finally persuaded, laughing: “How could my beautiful daughter wear Chinese people’s dull jewelry? Don’t worry, I’ll ask Mrs. Dutheil. She always carries a dozen hairpins with her.”

The sound of leather shoes faded away.

The girls in the break room all sighed in relief.

Miss Compton stayed in the break room to continue fainting for a while. Lin Yuchan listened to make sure no one was outside, then quickly pushed the door and slipped out.

She clutched the freshly made “Mr. Bennett’s letter” and organized her thoughts.

Suddenly, a shadow flashed before her. Looking up, Ma Qingchen’s expression was gloomy. That proper European face showed the particular air of Chinese bureaucrats – that look of contempt for everything.

“Miss Lin, I underestimated you.” Ma Qingchen’s voice was light and cold. “Your performance today… is it really under that Mr. Bennett’s instruction? Or… your improvisation?”

Lin Yuchan’s back tensed, but she said righteously:

“I’ve already clarified this in court. No need to repeat it.”

“Is Mr. Bennett really in Hong Kong?” Ma Qingchen pressed step by step. “And not in some cramped corner of the scene, like a thief who can’t bear light, manipulating you like a marionette?”

Lin Yuchan had disappeared for twenty minutes just now. While others paid no attention to this Chinese face, Ma Qingchen had been watching her all along.

Ma Qingchen didn’t believe there could really be a British man who wouldn’t stand on his side, but would instead show unnecessary sympathy and kindness to a strange Chinese woman. He’d never seen such a meddlesome women’s friend in the settlement.

However, the statement manuscripts in Lin Yuchan’s hands had beautiful, smooth handwriting, definitely from an educated Englishman. The word choice and grammar between the lines also didn’t seem like something this Chinese-born, eighteen-year-old Chinese girl could write.

Ma Qingchen was certain this mysterious Bennett was the breakthrough to everything. There was something wrong with him.

“Who exactly is E.C. Bennett? How is his name spelled? Does this person exist?”

But Miss Lin’s psychological quality was higher than he’d expected. After he interrogated her with a couple of sentences, she remained composed and smiled.

“According to regulations, we shouldn’t talk before the trial ends.”

She quickly walked back to her seat.

Perhaps someone would doubt the non-existent E.C. Bennett. She’d already anticipated this. But whoever made the claim bore the burden of proof – as long as no one could produce decisive evidence, Bennett’s persona wouldn’t collapse.

But regardless, this needed a quick resolution.

But unexpectedly, when most people returned to their seats, the seat beside Ma Qingchen was empty.

Lawyer Taylor’s tactics weren’t permanently effective either. During recess, Sir Hong Bei had already spoken seriously with him, warning him not to show off vocabulary and add unnecessary pressure on the clerk.

“My lawyer has applied to leave momentarily to go… eh, gather evidence temporarily.” Ma Qingchen stroked his beard, glaring warningly at Lin Yuchan. “If Mr. Bennett has any other questions, I can answer directly.”

Lin Yuchan was startled. The annoying lawyer had left? Was this proper?

In the settlement’s small court, everything was casual – if the judge approved, it was proper.

Lin Yuchan didn’t feel relaxed, instinctively sensing the lawyer was up to no good.

Ma Qingchen bowed slightly, speaking at just the volume for Lin Yuchan to hear: “Miss Lin, please tell my wife that withdrawing the lawsuit now is still possible. I’ll write an IOU…”

Lin Yuchan rolled her eyes at him, thinking that by the time you pay back the money, the grass on Boya’s grave would be two feet high.

Ma Qingchen narrowed his eyes: “Otherwise, when my lawyer returns, you probably won’t end well.”

Lin Yuchan’s heart jumped, but she pretended not to hear and opened a freshly-made “letter from Mr. Bennett.”

“Mr. Bennett wrote me some other letters that I previously overlooked and just opened. I request these words be added as supplementary statements.”

The judge nodded.

“Mr. Bennett wants to ask you why you – an Englishman in China – would think your handling of your wife’s dowry would be superior to hers, a native Chinese?” Lin Yuchan asked impolitely. “As he knows, you’re not an investment expert, haven’t done business in China for a single day, and even need to ask your secretary about exchange rates between silver taels and pounds…”

“I have the keen intuition of a man.” Ma Qingchen didn’t dare to be arrogant this time, answering in English. “I must supervise my wife and not let her property fall into swindlers’ hands-oh, everyone might not know that this Miss Lin owns a foreign trade company, and what my wife wants to invest her dowry in happens to be Miss Lin’s company…”

He dropped this bombshell, satisfied to hear a buzz of voices.

This accused Miss Lin of impure motives today, coming to court purely for her interests.

From a certain perspective, this guess wasn’t entirely wrong. Without a monetary incentive, Lin Yuchan wouldn’t risk universal condemnation to stand at this dangerous crossroads, helping Gao Dewen fight this lawsuit.

Many pairs of eyes immediately looked toward Lin Yuchan.

She was prepared for this, smiling: “First, I want to remind His Honor and everyone present that I’m only here today representing Mr. E.C. Bennett in litigation – I’m just his mouthpiece. As for why he chose me, I think after he recovers, he’ll probably share his thought process with everyone in the newspapers. Second, Mrs. Macartney wanting to invest her dowry in a shop is correct, but Boya Company isn’t her only investment target.”

She requested the judge: “Mr. Bennett applies to call a witness.”

Miss Audrey introduced herself gently, making the sign of the cross on her chest.

“That’s right… This kind lady has been a devout believer since childhood. She promised to use her dowry to establish a girls’ English school… Several of my students are studying English at that school and will soon be able to study the Bible… But without funding, these poor children will lose their education…”

Miss Audrey was one of the settlement’s longest-residing residents. She was like a kindly neighborhood grandmother, appearing punctually at the morning bells every day. Though not everyone could name her, all felt a natural, familiar fondness for her. When these expatriates returned to their homeland, this figure in old-fashioned floral dresses would be etched in many people’s Far East memories.

Her friendly appearance today to speak immediately swayed many people’s scales.

Everyone looked again at the silent Mrs. Macartney with more sympathy.

“Oh… I see…”

So Mrs. Macartney planned to use part of her dowry for charity. This was proper British lady virtue – her husband shouldn’t prevent it.

Ma Qingchen sneered.

“If I managed my wife’s dowry, I would naturally also allocate part for charity, and more effectively than her amateur approach.” He said. “As for investment, I would establish a trust fund for her, choosing some proper foreign companies with at least a senior, elderly gentleman manager at the helm, rather than…”

He smiled, graciously swallowing a string of descriptions about Boya Company. But obviously, those following evaluations wouldn’t sound good.

“What kind of company Boya is, whether a fraudulent or legitimate business, Mr. Bennett naturally knows clearly.” Lin Yuchan was very much in character, reading like an imperial edict, glancing again at the “Bennett letter” and saying: “He also anticipated such questions would arise in court. Therefore, he requests calling the next witness be called.”

Hede’s secretary, Jin Denggan, coughed twice.

“I… eh, I humbly represent Chief Inspector of Customs Mr. Hede in explaining to the respected judge and all honorable settlement residents about Boya Company’s situation…”

Hede was busy with official duties, but still sent his secretary to testify. Not only because of his friendship with Lin Yuchan – Hede himself looked down on Ma Qingchen’s petty behavior, thinking his climb up wasn’t sufficiently honorable.

As British men both serving the Chinese government, they sometimes had conflicts of interest or disagreements, neither yielding to the other, and neither could use privilege to suppress the other.

Therefore, Hede also thought to give him a small lesson, letting him know that even British people couldn’t act arbitrarily in China.

Secretary Jin Denggan spoke, starting from Boya Company’s former boss, Rong Hong, explaining how reliable the company’s personnel and business were. Now that Miss Lin managed Boya, taxable income rose yearly without arrears, showing the company’s thriving business. More valuably, when the customs’ tea order from Defeng Trading had problems midway this year, Boya Company emergency-rescued regardless of cost, providing tea substitutes so customs staff wouldn’t be without tea…

Years of small matters, bit by bit, were clearly listed by Hede on two pages. Without exaggerated tone or rhetoric, it showed this Chinese foreign trade company was indeed steadily developing and a suitable investment target.

A slight buzz of agreement rose from the crowd.

Lin Yuchan nodded gratefully to Secretary Jin Denggan.

“Mr. Bennett believes that if Mrs. Macartney’s father were still alive, he would agree to her investing part of her dowry in Boya Company.” Lin Yuchan picked up the thread. “That Boya Company’s boss is a woman isn’t its weakness; on the contrary, precisely because of this, Mrs. Macartney can communicate about investments without worry. If it were a man-run company or trading house…”

Ma Qingchen said under his breath: “Sophistry!”

But this sophistry made sense. “Women investing in women” wouldn’t easily attract gossip.

Reminded by Lin Yuchan, someone in the gallery laughed: “Yes, Mr. Macartney, your wife is considerate of you and cherishes reputation, which is why she found Miss Lin’s company for investment – all Shanghai would be hard-pressed to find a second such excellent women’s enterprise – would you want your wife to frequent places full of men, smoking and holding whiskey with them, discussing profits and dividends…”

Sir Hong Bei: “Quiet!”

The judge also had a headache. This settlement court was really like child’s play – gallery observers even felt free to speak, thinking it was a cocktail party!

Ma Qingchen glanced toward the door. Due to the hot weather, the main door was open, showing consulate staff walking back and forth in the corridor outside.

No sign of Lawyer Taylor.

Ma Qingchen suppressed his anxiety and had a servant change his tea.

The lawyer went out to temporarily handle something for him – it should just be an hour or so. Why wasn’t he back yet?

But Ma Qingchen remained confident, speaking slowly and clearly: “I also request calling several witnesses…”

Almost everyone in the entire settlement who had any relationship with him was invited today to testify – trading house employees, Municipal Council clerks, missionaries, officers, all respectable people. One after another, they spoke with one central theme: proving Mr. Macartney was a promising young gentleman with an upright, kind, intelligent, woman-respecting character. His taking his wife’s dowry wasn’t from greed but truly thinking of his beloved wife…

The witnesses were busy with affairs – some arrived hurriedly after long delays, not even having wiped their sweat before sitting in the witness chair; others left immediately after speaking without answering extra questions.

This monotonous session continued for over an hour. The afternoon sun heated the consulate’s Western building roof, and outside air seemed frozen with not a breath of wind.

“No novelty.” Victor yawned, muttering: “I could also find a dozen character witnesses proving I’m a pure, innocent boy who blushes when talking to girls…”

Many knew Victor’s nature, and there was a burst of kindred laughter. The atmosphere became even less serious.

Everyone could see that Ma Qingchen was stalling for time.

Sir Hong Bei was also somewhat impatient, reminding quietly, “Mr. Macartney, these repetitive testimonies won’t help you much. If your lawyer doesn’t return promptly, I can also announce we’ll begin judgment…”

He then turned to Lin Yuchan: “If the plaintiff has additional evidence…”

“No more, Your Honor.” Lin Yuchan said calmly. “Mr. Bennett awaits fair judgment.”

After saying this, she suddenly felt intense unease.

From the atmosphere, she and Miss Compton had prepared thoroughly – whether statements or testimony, both had gained full sympathy from observers. The law was also on their side. As for Ma Qingchen, his arrogant attitude itself was unlikeable, and his self-defense had no highlights. Only a few elderly conservative supporters showed obvious support for him.

But… Ma Qingchen had been fearless throughout, and during recess, he’d directly hinted that he seemed to know Bennett’s identity was problematic…

Lin Yuchan couldn’t help secretly glancing at Miss Compton. She looked relaxed, quite pleased with E.C. Bennett’s achievements today, completely unaware of the crisis.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from the corridor, approaching from far to near.

Ma Qingchen bowed slightly, his eyes brightening.

“Respected Your Honor, respected ladies and gentlemen,” he put away his lazy, muddling-through attitude. His face suddenly showed aggressive combativeness as he smiled coldly: “Lawyer Taylor has returned. If I’m not mistaken, he’s brought everyone some new evidence – about this case’s plaintiff, that famous yet consistently refusing to appear, loudly proclaiming yet consistently avoiding one fact – that he lacks the qualification to initiate litigation – Mr. E.C. Bennett… Or perhaps we should call her Miss Bennett?”

The entire court erupted.

Three hours earlier.

Lawyer Taylor hurriedly left the break room, hiding a white paper in his briefcase.

The court was in recess, and the narrow corridor was packed with people taking the opportunity to get fresh air. That fainting Miss Compton had just emerged from the break room.

From beside her, Lawyer Taylor picked up a paper with pen marks – someone had written vigorously on the paper above it, leaving deep impressions.

After consulting with Ma Qingchen, Lawyer Taylor quickly left the consulate.

He and Ma Qingchen had already planned today’s court strategy – attack from that elusive Bennett, capture the leader first. As long as they could use rhetoric to make him express “improper intentions toward Mrs. Macartney,” they wouldn’t need to work hard – all jury members would collectively turn against him.

But unexpectedly, Bennett didn’t appear – standing at the podium was a Chinese businesswoman.

Lawyer Taylor wasn’t discouraged. With sharp eyes trained through years of travel, he observed this Chinese girl’s every move. How she spoke eloquently, inserting obviously female-biased views under “Mr. Bennett’s” name, and how she produced letter after letter of “Mr. Bennett’s” latest instructions like magic…

He felt he’d discovered Bennett’s secret.

In nineteenth-century Europe, “graphology” was a legitimate science. The public generally believed a person’s handwriting could reveal many personality traits, background, and even diagnose mental illnesses. Combined with physiognomy and mind-reading, one could completely see through someone.

Lawyer Taylor was an amateur graphology expert. He carefully studied the English stroke structure on the white paper. He couldn’t reach specific conclusions hastily, but one thing he was certain of: whoever wrote these things was most likely female.

This wasn’t Lin Yuchan’s handwriting. During the opening oath, he’d noticed this girl’s signature – neat student script with each letter the same width. Not this elegant cursive style.

This could only mean one thing: the Bennett was secretly planning everything as a woman.

Heaven was helping him. Even smoother than expected.

If Bennett were a man, defeating him would take some effort. But if she were a woman – especially a woman with a guardian – she did not qualify to initiate lawsuits for another woman.

Lawyer Taylor was so excited that his hands trembled.

Clutching the paper with handwriting, he almost ran, stopping a carriage: “To The North China Herald office.”

During recess, he’d dig out all of Bennett’s background!

A group of idle Chinese at the street corner watched the excitement, some even playing cards. Lawyer Taylor disgustedly passed through their card games.

Turning the corner, he didn’t notice a young Chinese man in light gray silk suddenly put down his tea bowl and silently followed behind him like a pale gray wind.