HBWMA -Chapter 350 Chief Justice Gongyi Hui

Shen Residence.

“Gongyi Hui?”

Shen Qian looked at Shen Jiao, feeling a headache coming on. “Do you even know who Gongyi Hui is? She was the one who presided over the globally sensational hanging case back then. Bringing her in to try this case—are you trying to send Shanshan to the gallows, or push the Shen family into a pit of fire?”

Back then, several aristocratic minors in Country A had jointly bullied a classmate and, using extremely cruel methods, tortured the victim to death. Because they were underage, they did not receive the punishment they deserved.

The victim’s family refused to accept the verdict and continued appealing. During the second trial, Gongyi Hui took over the case. In court, the murderers relied on their power and status, acting frivolously without the slightest remorse, even verbally provoking the victim’s family. Under immense pressure, Gongyi Hui ultimately sentenced all eight aristocratic minors to death by hanging.

Before that, the aristocracy in Country A had never lost a case. The public even regarded the “Hanging Case” as a revolutionary battle for judicial justice.

Because of this, Gongyi Hui offended powerful elites and was later reported for corruption, bribery, and personal misconduct, leading to her suspension and investigation. Fortunately, justice prevailed in the end. Despite exhausting every possible means, the elites failed to find any evidence of bribery. Instead, they uncovered her heartbreaking past.

As a single mother, Gongyi Hui had depended on each other with her daughter. She devoted everything to her child, giving her the best resources and sending her to the best school.

One day, she suddenly received a notice from the school: her daughter’s heart condition had relapsed, and she had lost all vital signs. When Gongyi Hui rushed to the school in utter despair, she was told the body had already been sent to the crematorium.

For a mother, there is no greater suffering.

Half a year later, Gongyi Hui emerged from her grief and began investigating her daughter’s death. She hated evildoers and decided to become the arbiter of justice herself.

Thus, she returned to studying law and, ranking first in the nation, entered Whale Harbor’s First Court.

At that time, even though she had already become a renowned first-class chief judge, she still lived in the small house she once shared with her daughter.

Over the next thirty years, she spent her entire fortune supporting one impoverished yet outstanding girl after another, guiding them and helping them rise.

When Gongyi Hui was falsely accused, two thousand children she had sponsored staged a sit-in in front of the courthouse, beating drums to plead for her innocence. From then on, her reputation soared, and the people of Country A affectionately called her “Mother Qingtian.”

A person like her was like a solid steel plate—so formidable that even the powerful dared not provoke her lightly.

In the video, Jiang Huashan had beaten a group of people into a bloody mess. Judging solely from the brutality, the severity wasn’t much less than that of the bullying case back then. Letting Gongyi Hui preside over this—wasn’t that practically courting death?

Before coming, Shen Jiao had already reviewed Gongyi Hui’s background. Truthfully, she wasn’t entirely at ease either. But this was the person Jiang Huashan had personally named, and she had already promised her daughter.

So she put on a confident front. “Things have escalated to this point—do you think the Fu family hasn’t already guessed we’d assign a judge? Do you think they’ll just sit and wait? Even if one of our people ends up on the bench, the Fu family will definitely stir up public opinion to question the fairness of the trial. So Gongyi Hui is the best choice.”

Shen Qian frowned slightly. “You don’t seriously think this case can still be tried fairly, do you?”

He truly couldn’t understand why Shen Jiao seemed to have lost her mind at such a critical moment.

Shen Jiao let out a cold laugh. “Why not? Jiang Huashan is my daughter. With the old master absent, her affairs are mine to decide.”

Shen Qian’s expression darkened instantly. Shen Jiao, the youngest in the family, had always relied on the old master’s favor and never took the second branch seriously.

Seeing the tension, Shen Che quickly stepped in and pulled Shen Jiao back. “Big brother, what A-Jiao said does make sense. Gongyi Hui’s judicial authority in Country A is unmatched. If she can declare Shanshan innocent, it will at least suppress most of the negative public opinion.”

Shen Yuan spoke up, “Sounds easy, but this person isn’t someone you can control. Forget persuading her—how can you guarantee she’ll be on our side even if she takes the case? What if she sentences Shanshan to hanging?”

Shen Jiao’s brows shot up in anger. She slammed the table and pointed at Shen Yuan. “Illegitimate son! Watch your mouth! Don’t you dare compare Shanshan to those filthy scum!”

“….” Shen Yuan’s eyelids twitched. She was still just as insufferable as when they were kids.

Shen Qian suppressed his anger. “What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!”

Shen Che looked a bit awkward, though inwardly amused at seeing the second branch being put in their place. He feigned seriousness and lowered Shen Jiao’s hand. “We’re all family. Don’t go too far.”

The atmosphere fell into a stalemate.

At that moment, two tall figures entered the main hall one after the other.

“Dad.”

Hearing the voice, Shen Qian lifted his gaze and saw two refined, upright young men.

Shen Guiling and Shen Lanxi stood side by side, their eyes moving across the room as they greeted everyone one by one.

Only then did Shen Qian’s expression ease. He first glanced at Shen Guiling before smiling at Shen Lanxi. “You both rushed back?”

Shen Lanxi gave a slight nod, then turned to Shen Jiao. “Aunt, where’s Shanshan?”

Shen Jiao’s attitude toward the younger generation was completely different—her tone softened. “She’s at the detention center. That child feels she’s let us down and says she has no face to come home.”

After a brief silence, Shen Lanxi spoke again, “I just heard outside that Aunt wants to invite Judge Gongyi to preside over Shanshan’s case?”

Shen Jiao nodded. “That’s right.”

“She is indeed a good candidate. But as far as I know, Judge Gongyi took a long leave half a year ago due to health reasons. I’m afraid she won’t agree so easily.”

Gongyi Hui was a smart person—she would certainly see that this lawsuit was a contest between powerful factions. She might not be willing to wade into these muddy waters.

Shen Guiling stood silently to the side, saying nothing.

Shen Jiao replied, “I’ve already had gifts sent. Whether she agrees or not is still uncertain.”

“What?!” Shen Qian’s temples throbbed as his voice rose. “You sent gifts to Judge Gongyi? Why didn’t you discuss such a major matter with us first?”

Shen Jiao waved it off. “What’s there to discuss about something so trivial?”

Shen Yuan removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Do you think the Shen family doesn’t already have enough charges against them? You’re practically handing people leverage on a silver platter.”

Just as he finished speaking, Lawyer Chen hurried into the main hall and gave a slight bow.

“Miss Shen, Judge Gongyi has replied. She said she will apply to the court to take charge of this case.”

Shen Qian felt suffocated. “What exactly did you send her?”

Shen Jiao replied coolly, “That’s none of your concern. When I act, it’s naturally something priceless.”

Shen Qian: “…”

Shen Che asked, “Are the testimonies arranged?”

Lawyer Chen was about to answer when Shen Jiao cut in, “Don’t worry. I’ve already instructed Shanshan. This time, there won’t be any mistakes.”

Shen Qian let out a cold laugh. “Since the matter of Gongyi Hui was your own doing, if anything goes wrong, you deal with the consequences yourself.”

“What could possibly go wrong? She’s already accepted the gift—could she still report me?” Shen Jiao stood up, utterly composed. “I’ve already made arrangements at the detention center. The rest I’ll leave to you, brothers and nephews. Sui’er is still waiting for me at the hospital, so I’ll be going.”

Shen Guiling smiled faintly. “Take care, Aunt.”

Shen Jiao paused mid-step and couldn’t help but glance at him again.

“Were you the one taking care of Shanshan when she went to Nanwan?”

Shen Guiling lowered his eyes, a trace of guilt in his voice. “It was my incompetence. I failed to protect her.”

“This isn’t your fault.” With that, Shen Jiao turned and walked out of the main hall.

After a moment’s thought, Shen Lanxi followed after her.

Shen Guiling remained where he was. After thinking for a moment, he turned and walked toward Shen Qian.