The Orphan of the Song Family

I had been selling wontons in the capital for twenty years. One day, the heir of Prince Cheng rode his horse wildly through the city, and the hooves of his horse overturned my wonton stall, even hitting me with a whip. His attitude was arrogant: “You’re just a lowly commoner. Even if I don’t compensate you, what can you do about it?” The next day, I went to the Capital Magistrate’s Office to drum for justice. The six Ministers of the Court personally attended, with the Imperial Censors standing by as witnesses. Marquis of Ning Zhao, holding his son by the ear, stormed into the court: “I’ve brought this little brat here!” Sitting on the throne, the Emperor declared: “Beat him so badly that even his father won’t recognize him.”