Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 156

“Cuihua, we’re all family here. How could your third uncle and aunt ever harm one of their own? Don’t believe a word he says! Only a vile person would try to ruin your reputation like this!” Li Zhi argued forcefully.

Ying Su let out a cold laugh, her phoenix eyes sweeping over Feng Qiufang and her husband. “If Third Uncle and Aunt can stand with a clear conscience, unafraid of a knock at midnight, unafraid of Heaven’s justice, for good and evil always bring their due reward, then naturally, I have no reason to doubt.”

Hearing this, the couple’s faces flushed red, but they also breathed a sigh of relief. At least Shen Cuihua wasn’t pressing the matter further.

Meanwhile, Feng Dayou kept spewing curses at Feng Qiufang and her husband, his words dripping with venom.

As everyone’s attention was fixed on him, Zhang Duomei tried to edge away quietly, thoughts of escape in her heart. But just as she shifted, Ying Su’s foot pressed down firmly on the hem of her clothes, rooting her in place.

“Seize him!” Officer Zhou barked. At his signal, yamen runners rushed forward and bound Feng Dayou.

“Miss Shen, rest assured. I will not let this beast off lightly! Our magistrate is always compassionate toward women and children, and he despises anyone who would harm them. This time, punishment will be severe!” Officer Zhou declared, righteous fury on his face.

Ying Su nodded slightly. As she lowered her gaze, her black eyes gleamed clear and bright. When she lifted her head again, her eyes glistened with feigned tears, her expression both enduring and fragile. She thanked Zhou and offered him a bow, then said softly, a little embarrassed, “There is still one more matter I must trouble Officer Zhou to decide for me.”

Those steadfast eyes stirred something in Officer Zhou’s chest. It was as if something warm now lingered in his heart, making it swell and ache faintly. He exhaled quietly, softened his tone, and said, “Whatever it is, speak it. I will stand for you.”

Ying Su turned her gaze on Zhang Duomei, who still sat slumped on the ground, wiping at her tears. The corners of Ying Su’s lips curved in a cold smile. “I, Ying Su, have never committed any act against Heaven or reason. Yet simply because my husband died young, I am treated as lesser, bullied without cause.”

A fleeting trace of sorrow appeared on her face, soon replaced by a faint, resigned smile, yet seen by others, it only deepened their pity for her.

She continued, her voice sharp as a blade, “When that man tried to destroy my chastity, Zhang Duomei fanned the flames and pushed me deeper into the pit.”

“She called me a bringer of misfortune, slandered me as the cause of my husband’s death, and even goaded the villagers to tie me to a stake and burn me alive!”

Her words were measured, each syllable heavy. Though her voice did not choke with sobs, it carried the weight of tears and blood, like snow falling in midsummer, a grievance too great to bear, one that made listeners ache as if it were their own.

“When I married my husband, he was already gravely ill, bedridden for many days. My mother-in-law sought my marriage only to bring him joy. But life and death are part of the natural order, how could a frail woman like me control such fate? Yet she forced this filth upon me!”

“‘Calamity Star!’ Those words are far too heavy. I, Shen Cuihua, cannot bear them. And I believe none of you here could endure such a label either! To be called one who brings disaster and misfortune, shunned by all, that is unbearable!”

“And she dared to put that curse on me, a helpless widow! She took advantage because my husband is gone! She bullied me because my child is still small!”

Those three cries of “she bullied me” made Officer Zhou’s brows knit tightly. His eyes brimmed with pity as his grip on his scabbard tightened. How he hated that he had not been there to shield her when she faced such injustice.

Shen Changyun’s fists clenched until his knuckles whitened, his teeth grinding in fury. He hadn’t realized his second sister had been suffering like this! Bullied to such an extent! He cursed himself for not coming sooner to bring her and the child home.

“Today, I, Shen Cuihua, accuse Zhang Duomei of spreading wicked lies to mislead the people!” Ying Su pointed directly at Zhang Duomei, her posture upright and unyielding.

“I accuse her of attempted murder!” Her phoenix eyes shone red. “Had it not been for the villagers’ kindness in believing I was blessed, I would have long since been nothing but charred bones atop a pyre, my vengeful soul crying endlessly above the village!”

“I accuse her of disturbing the peace of the people!” Her voice rang out, each word striking like thunder. If the first two charges weren’t enough to doom Zhang Duomei, this last one surely was.

“Dongjun Village has always been peaceful and harmonious, with kind and friendly neighbors. But Zhang Duomei, by spreading such poisonous words, seeks to shatter that peace and harmony! She seeks to disrupt our lives! Such a heart deserves death!”

Every word from Ying Su was like a jeweled blade, sharp and deadly, cutting Zhang Duomei to pieces.

Zhang Duomei wept, stammering weakly, “I didn’t mean it! I didn’t…” Suddenly, she dropped to her knees before Ying Su, knocking her head against the ground in desperate repentance. “Please, spare me! I won’t dare again! Never again will I call you a calamity star! I beg you…”

They were all from the same village. Some, unable to bear the sight, stepped forward to plead, “Duomei knows she was wrong, Cuihua. Let this be your outlet for anger. Though her fault is grave, it shouldn’t mean her death!”

The village head, Zhang Lizheng, quickly added, “Cuihua, Duomei is pitiable too. Thankfully, no one truly believed you were a calamity star. Why not show mercy…”

“It was that old monk’s nonsense! I only believed his words! Cuihua, forgive me, I beg you! For the sake of Ergou, his leg broken, needing care, please have pity…” Zhang Duomei sobbed, snot and tears running down her face, pitiful in her desperation.

Soon, more villagers spoke on her behalf. After all, she bore the Zhang surname, and even the respected Elder Zhang could not hold back. “Duomei is a pitiful soul. Orphaned of her parents, with no one to guide her, saddled with an unworthy husband like Ergou, now crippled and useless. The whole family depends on her. Please, pity her, and spare her this once.”

Seeing Ying Su silent, Elder Zhang coughed, bent slightly, and offered her a bow. “She calls me Great-Grandfather. If she’s gone astray, it is my failing as an elder. For the sake of this old body already half-buried in the earth, grant her a chance to repent.”

Zhang Lizheng quickly supported Elder Zhang and added again, “We’re all neighbors. Since you’ve suffered no lasting harm, Cuihua, why not forgive Zhang Duomei? You’ll gain the reputation of being magnanimous and kind.”