Too deceitful and outrageous

  The closer they got to the direction of the Liu's house, the more they could hear the noise coming from that side.

  There were women's scolding voices, women's crying voices, men's questioning voices, all kinds of sounds mixed together, making a very noisy scene.

  When An Yan and the three of them arrived at the scene, they saw that the outside of the Liu family was already surrounded by three layers inside and out. It was very lively. They stood on the periphery, but it was not easy to squeeze in, so they could only anxiously listen to the movements inside from the outside.

  You're still going to hang yourself from the beam, who are you trying to show off to?

  Isn't this a smear on our family's Ren'er? Our Ren'er is the only top scholar in this area, and you, an abandoned wife, did such a thing on the day of your divorce. This is to harm our Ren'er!

  Our Rener, at a young age, is already a Xiucai master. Our Li family's household is also extraordinary, and Rener is handsome. And you, having been married to Rener for three years, have not borne any children. This can be forgiven, but you yourself are crippled from playing recklessly. Let everyone evaluate this: this lame and infertile hen, what wrong has our Li family done? Let everyone say it, where has our Li family mistreated the Liu family? In those days, in order to marry this third daughter of the Liu family, our Li family gave a generous dowry, which many people know about. Those funds supported how many people in the Liu family. The fifth and sixth daughters have always stayed at the Liu household; what they eat and wear didn't fall from the sky, did our Li family's dowry not make great efforts?

  Even if we let Liu San Niang go this time, our Ren Er is kind-hearted and still gave the Liu family ten taels of silver as consolation. After all, it's not easy for a woman like San Niang either. Our Li family took care of her in such a way, but she turned around and ended her own life, putting on an air of being deeply wronged. Isn't this simply ruining our Ren Er's reputation? You people from North Mountain Village, tell me, is what our Li family did wrong?

  Inside came a burst of sharp questioning voices from women, each sentence and every word filled with intense anger and discontent.

  The people of Beishan Village who were standing around heard these words, and the anger that was originally on their faces also slowly faded a bit. They had come to support their fellow villagers, but now they were all somewhat embarrassed by these reasonable words.

  Listening to this, the Li family's son became a scholar, while San Niang had no children for three years and broke her leg. This indeed did not match up to the Li family's scholarly son. In this way, the Li family divorcing their wife was also reasonable. Moreover, according to what the Li family said, they were actually quite good to San Niang's natal family, the Liu family, and could even be said to have great kindness and virtue. After divorcing San Niang of the Liu family, the Li family even gave 10 taels of silver as consolation, which was already extremely benevolent. However, San Niang of the Liu family chose this moment to take her own life, which indeed damaged the Li family's reputation.

  For a time, the villagers of Beishan Village gradually stopped their voices of discussion and criticism. What's more, some women secretly whispered to each other, casting unfriendly glances at the Liu family.

  Today, the ones who came to the Liu's house to make trouble were that scholar's mother and three married aunts. Speaking of that Li Scholar, his family background is indeed good. His grandfather had three daughters and one son, and that one son was naturally Li Ren's father. And Li Ren's father had only one thin branch, which was Li Ren, so he was treasured dearly. This Li Ren also had high aspirations, at a young age he was already a scholar, and now he has become the treasure of the entire Li family. Recently, it was even heard that Li Ren is going to divorce his wife and marry the younger sister of the county magistrate of Baishui County. The three aunts of the Li family looked down on Li Ren even more, as soon as they heard that a discarded woman dared to tarnish their scholar nephew's reputation, they immediately came together to seek justice.

  The Li family came with four women, but each of their combat powers was unmatched, and they were all incredibly fierce when speaking.

  The Liu family also had a string of female relatives, including Mrs. Luo, the matriarch, and her seven daughters, all of whom were present today. However, the eldest daughter-in-law was gentle in nature and not good at arguing with others. The third daughter-in-law had gotten into such trouble and faced those sharp and piercing questions, feeling hopeless and terrified. The fourth daughter-in-law had been a widow since she was young and had been worn down by time, looking dull and lifeless, standing only beside the third daughter-in-law. The fifth daughter-in-law was like a stone, having always been an outcast in the village, and over time, had become increasingly reclusive, not daring to speak up. The sixth daughter-in-law was similar to the fifth, as she too did not dare to appear in front of people due to her disfigured face, but today she had no choice but to stand up. However, even so, she tried her best to hide behind others, not daring to let anyone see her disfigured face. The seventh daughter-in-law was normally an outgoing person, but at this time, she too did not know how to argue with the ferocious Li family, and simply stood there with a red face.

  Fortunately, there were still Luo Shan and Erniang at the Liu's house. Luo's personality was extremely bold and fierce, otherwise it would not have been possible for one person to raise these seven daughters alone. And Erniangzi was just like Luo, also a very bold and fierce one.

  At this moment, both Luo's and Liu's second daughter-in-law were furious.

  Lu rushed up and slapped Li's mother, instantly slapping the well-dressed and sharp-featured Mrs. Li to one side of her face.

  Everyone was completely unresponsive, not thinking that Luo would suddenly make such a move. Suddenly, the people of Beishan Village, as well as Mrs. Li and her sister-in-law, were all stunned. It was indeed true that Luo had a notorious reputation outside, but he was extremely kind and courteous to the Li family. Especially towards Mrs. Li, it was truly very good, even if Mrs. Li occasionally made things difficult for him, Luo would not show any displeasure or resistance.

  But now, Luo actually came up and gave Mrs. Li a loud slap in the face, it was like a sudden clap of thunder on a clear day, stunning everyone.

  That's not enough, after Luo slapped this slap, he still didn't feel relieved, and stretched out a finger to scold Li's wife: You group of unscrupulous things, now actually say such nonsense, have your Li family's conscience been eaten by dogs? What happened back then, touch your own conscience, see who was at a loss between our Liu family and your Li family? Now that your Li family's son has become prominent, he wants to abandon his wife and marry that powerful widow? Where is the propriety of your Li family? You still think you are a respectable family, but I think it's all nothing, not even dog shit.

  Luoshi said with a huff, and then used his hand to fiercely poke Li Furen's forehead, causing her to retreat two steps back. Fortunately, she was caught in time by the young lady from the Li family who was standing beside her, otherwise she might have fallen over.

  At this time, Mrs. Li finally reacted. She was almost furious that Luo Shi, who had always been gentle to her, dared to hit her in front of so many people today. Moreover, she even scolded her like that. Mrs. Li finally looked straight at Luo Shi, feeling a chill in her heart, worried that Luo Shi would mention the things from back then.

  It was indeed the case that in that year's marriage, it was Liu San Niang who suffered a loss.

  That year, although the Li family was wealthy, Li Ren was seriously ill and bedridden. At that time, the Li family asked to marry Liu San Niangzi from the Liu family. However, Luo Shi naturally refused. But Liu San Niangzi had already secretly promised to marry Li Ren. At this time, she prioritized emotions and righteousness, and married Li Ren, who could have died at any moment. The head of the Li family, Li Ren's father, felt indebted to the Liu family and gave a generous betrothal gift. At that time, although some people knew that Li Ren was in poor health, they did not know that it had reached the point where a rushed wedding was necessary. Therefore, outsiders only saw the generous betrothal gift and the Li family's wealthy circumstances, but were unaware of the underlying situation.

  Mrs. Li was startled at first, but quickly calmed down. It's been three years now, even if Luo said it out loud, no one would believe her. The Li family already had some prestige in the villages, and now that they have produced two scholars, they are even more impressive. Therefore, Mrs. Li thought to herself, as long as she insisted that it wasn't true, then no matter how much the Liu family tried to expose them, it would be useless.

  With this thought, Mrs. Li's worries disappeared instantly, and her anger at being humiliated surged to her head. She immediately shouted sharply: "You're a good one, Luo! I've never seen anyone as ungrateful as you. Everyone knows what happened back then. Your family couldn't afford to raise children and needed money, so our family gave a large sum of betrothal gifts and hastily agreed to marry San Niang into our Li family. Our Li family took pity on your difficult life and accepted the marriage, with a very generous betrothal gift. Now you're saying something about who's at a loss? Are you saying that marrying my son, Rong Er, this scholar gentleman, is a loss for your family's San Niang?"

  As for the wealthy widow mentioned by Luo, Mrs. Li was not very willing to go and meet her. She was the sister of the county magistrate, and if it were to spread widely later on, it would be too embarrassing, and Ren'er's marriage might encounter some obstacles. This wouldn't do, as she still hoped that through this marriage, the county magistrate could help promote Ren'er, and their Li family's wealth and status would rise to a higher level.

  Luoshi was so angry that she almost fell over, fortunately Erniang supported her on one side. Luoshi was indeed choked with anger. She had lived a lifetime and wasn't someone who hadn't seen people turn black into white. But she had never seen anyone like Madame Li, turning black into white while pretending to be righteous and unparalleled. That appearance made Luoshi almost vomit.

  She suddenly seemed to have received a great shock, and rushed up to slap Mrs. Li again. At this time, the three aunts from the Li family finally reacted and came over to help, but Luo's wife was not in a good position. Even with the help of the second aunt who was also very fierce, she still couldn't gain the upper hand.

  At that moment, Lu's eyes turned red with anger and she was almost choked with sobs, unable to speak.

  She stretched out her trembling hand, pointing at Mrs. Li and the ladies of the Li family, sobbing and accusing them. The Li family was indeed good, good. In those years, Li Ren was seriously ill, and the doctor said he could die at any time. At that time, your family came to ask for marriage, which was to give Li Ren a lucky chance. Our third daughter-in-law was loyal and promised. After marriage, she took care of him day and night, and when Li Ren recovered, our third daughter-in-law almost lost her life. Your Li family knew they were in the wrong and wanted to compensate our Liu family, so they gave that generous betrothal gift. Now it's good, your Li Ren has become successful, passed the imperial examination, and wants to divorce his wife. Tell me, is there such a thing as being ungrateful and disloyal, worse than pigs and dogs?

  Luoshi said as he spoke, seemingly thinking of San Niang's difficulties, suddenly tears welled up in his eyes.

  At that moment, the villagers' faces all changed. If it were really as Luo said, then the Li family was simply too much. Isn't this ruining someone else's good daughter? If you want to die, let someone else's good daughter rush into happiness. As a result, she took care of the bed with all her heart and took care of the person. As a result, you're fine, turning around and getting engaged to a scholar, wanting to abandon her, where is the reason in this?

  In an instant, the eyes of the people around them looking at Li's family changed.

  Li's younger sister stepped out calmly and said with a heavy heart: "Mrs. Liu, are you really saying that everyone is easy to deceive? Our Li Ren was fine at first, but you insisted on saying that he had a terminal illness. If it were true, why wouldn't anyone in the village know about it? Mrs. Liu, don't fabricate things out of thin air."

  Everyone was suddenly filled with doubts after being told by Li Jia's younger sister. Indeed, what the Liu family said was really strange and unbelievable. If Li Ren was really that seriously ill back then, how come none of them had heard any rumors about it?

  Liu family's daughter, let it go, let San Niang stay at home. Don't make any more trouble, Beishan Village can't afford to lose that person.

  At this time, a somewhat old voice came over, and everyone looked up to see that it was Xu Yi, the village chief of Beishan Village.

  As soon as Xu Yi said this, the Luo family was instantly shaken and almost unable to stand. Today, Xu Yi said that he had determined the guilt of the Liu family. From now on, neither San Niang nor anyone from the Liu family would be able to hold their heads up again. The people of the Liu family looked at Xu Yi in disbelief, looking at this old village chief who had always been highly respected in the village, and felt only strangeness and incredulity.

  How can the village head speak like this?

  Liu's seventh daughter's voice came, her words trembling slightly, unable to believe such a fact.

  Upon hearing this, Xu Yi's eyebrows furrowed in displeasure. He was extremely unhappy that his words were being refuted, especially in front of so many people. Instantly, he turned around and gave Qī Niáng a severe look. Under the intense gaze, Qī Niáng's body shuddered slightly, unable to believe that the kind and gentle village elder from her memories could be so overbearing.

  Village head, you...

  The seventh girl came back to her senses and cried out in a shrill voice.

  What nonsense!

  Xu Yi suddenly let out a loud shout, causing Qiuniang to be frightened into silence instantly.

  Shut up!

  Just as the village head's words fell, Qiuniang was frightened and dared not to speak, but suddenly a loud roar came from outside the crowd.

  As soon as this voice came, Qiuniang immediately raised her head in surprise and joyfully shouted towards a direction: Husband...

  And everyone also followed the sound and saw the person who had just drunk violently, a young man wearing coarse linen clothes.

  This man was indeed Bai Ping. Bai Ping had already been extremely angry when he heard the argument earlier. The matter of the Liu family, Mrs. Liu had told him about it before, so he was also very clear about the past between the Liu and Li families. Therefore, he naturally knew that the Li family had initially shamelessly asked for San Niang's hand in marriage, and now they actually dared to turn things around here, which was really shameless to the extreme.

  Xu Yi's face turned dark and ugly. He was already extremely displeased from being questioned by Qiuniang earlier. Now, he was even more enraged at being publicly rebuked and scolded in front of everyone, with someone calling him a dog fart. He glared at the man who spoke, saying: "Who are you? Why do you interfere with the affairs of Beishan Village?"

  What's it to you about Beishan Village? Who let you scold my wife just now? You actually dare to shut my wife up, what are you relying on, your age, acting senile and taking advantage of your seniority?

  The white characters are clear and loud, and can be heard far away, with some echoes faintly audible.

  The villagers of Beishan Village who were standing around heard this and secretly praised him in their hearts, saying that it was well said. This Xu Yi was indeed still quite responsible and loved by the people at first, but as he grew older, he became more and more fond of relying on his seniority to bully others. However, Xu Yi had been the village head for many years and had accumulated a lot of power, so there were few people who would dare to refute him. It was like today, being refuted by someone time and time again, Xu Yi's eyes suddenly turned dark with anger.

  She's just a housewife, spouting nonsense and confusing people. What's wrong with telling her to shut up and stop spreading rumors?

  You're talking nonsense, aren't you? My wife was telling the truth. But that Mrs. Li, she's a shameless liar! And to think she's the mother of a scholar! She's absolutely despicable. You people still know about etiquette and propriety, but it seems all those virtues have been swallowed by your dogs.

  After a few words from Bai Ping, all the villagers scolded Li's family one by one.

  Standing outside the crowd, An Wen listened quietly, silently giving him a thumbs up in his heart. He was indeed scolding well.

  Su San, who was standing aside, had all his attention focused on An Yan, fearing that the villagers would get too excited and accidentally hurt An Yan. Therefore, he was carefully watching around him to prevent any accidents from happening, and he had no interest in the quarrels between those women.

  Xu Yi stretched out his trembling hand, pointing at Bai Ping, and shouted: "Quickly tie up this thief for me and throw him out of our North Mountain Village. Hurry up and tie him up."

  As soon as Xu Yi's words fell, several sturdy villagers from Beishan Village came over and pushed their way to bind Bai Ping.

  Seeing this, Seventh Sister was greatly shocked and hurriedly ran over to stand in front of Bai Ping, blocking the way. Although her voice was trembling slightly, she said firmly: You can't, you can't tie up my husband.

  Bai Ping saw Qi Niang's maintenance and smiled warmly and contentedly, saying: "Little fool, get out of the way, lest you get hurt, I'm fine."

  As he spoke, Bai Ping stretched out his hand and pushed Qiuniang to one side with a force that was just enough not to hurt her. However, Qiuniang refused to give up and tried to continue rushing forward, but she was caught by Erniang.

  Seventh sister, it's not suitable for you to go now, lest you get hurt.

  Qī niáng què shì tīng bù jìn qù, yì zhí yào wǎng nà biān chōng.

  Translation:

  The seventh girl couldn't listen and kept rushing in that direction.

  An Wen saw the overbearing behavior and tyrannical personality of Xu Yi, and was shocked to slightly widen her eyes. As a village head, with similar age, how could they be so different? At this moment, she quickly flashed through the wise and kind face of Left Liang, the village head of Green Bamboo Village. Taking another look, the detestable face of Xu Yi seemed icy cold. She turned to Su San and hesitantly said: "Su San, can you handle it?"

  While speaking, An Yan hinted at the situation over there with her eyes.

  Actually, An Yan's first instinct was to go up herself. But after thinking about it a bit more, she felt that it wasn't quite right, so she didn't go forward. After all, this is ancient times, and as a married woman, if she were to rush up and start fighting with those men, she estimated that the saliva of these ancient people would be enough to drown her. Therefore, in the end, she could only place her hopes on Su San.

  Su San turned his head and glanced at those people, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

  Seeing Su San like this, An Yan was a bit worried. Can't Su San handle it? It's also true that with so many villagers, if they start fighting, it would be very difficult. An Yan slightly lowered her eyes, her heart full of worry and annoyance, not knowing what to do at the moment. But just as she lowered her gaze, she felt a strong gust of wind flash by beside her.

  She looked up in surprise and saw that where Su San was supposed to be standing, there was now no one.

  Ah...

  What kind of person...

  ……

  At the moment when An Yan was puzzled and unsure, he heard a series of wailing sounds coming from the front. An Yan instantly turned his head to look over, and saw that those people who were originally going to tie up Bai Ping were now all lying on the ground. Those villagers who had wanted to surround them were now trembling with fear, only able to watch from the side without daring to step forward and fight Su San. Su San gave a intimidating glance around before walking towards Xu Yi under his terrified gaze.

  Seeing Su San's somewhat ferocious and sinister expression, Xu Yi was frightened, his legs trembling slightly as he hastily said in a loud voice: I am the village chief of Beishan Village, you mustn't act rashly... Ah...

  Just as Xu Yi was halfway through his words, he found himself lifted up, his entire body losing its support, and to his surprise, he was being held up by Su San with just one hand.

  At that moment, Xu Yi was frightened. The cold-faced man had effortlessly lifted him up with one hand. Xu Yi mustered up the courage to look at Su San and found his face expressionless, as if he wasn't holding anything.

  An Yan's mouth was agape as he stared at this scene with a slight twitch in the corner of his eyes.

  This Su San is really too fierce!

  It was indeed correct to bring Su San, this is simply a top-notch village. Looking at the people of Beishan Village, they didn't dare to speak when they saw the village chief being lifted up, one by one, stupid like wooden chickens, scared out of their wits. However, since Su San was so fierce, why did he frown earlier? She thought he couldn't win.

  It's actually a misunderstanding of Su San. At that time, he frowned because he thought those people were too unqualified and could be easily solved with one hand. The frown was completely looking down on those people.