Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 265 - 265 266 Self-Sacrifice Strategy_1

Chapter 265: Chapter 266: Self-Sacrifice Strategy_1 Chapter 265: Chapter 266: Self-Sacrifice Strategy_1 The Village Head pointed at Mrs. Liang’s nose and scolded, “Look at the son you’ve raised! Previously he deliberately crashed into Li Qinghe’s belly, and I let him off temporarily, but now what? He’s even stealing things. How can a child commit such acts? Isn’t it because you, his mother, haven’t taught him well!”

Mrs. Liang cried as though her heart was breaking apart, “Mr. Village Head, I know I am at fault, but the child is still young, we can’t just let him be sent to prison.”

The Village Head, so angry his beard bristled, “Then what do you want me to do now? How can I have the authority to object to a case decided by the County Chief?”

Mrs. Liang hastily said, “The County Chief stated that as long as the Qiao family is willing to forgive Shitou, Shitou can be dealt with leniently.”

“Then you should go find the Qiao family, what’s the use of crying to me here?”

Crying, Mrs. Liang said, “Madam Liu wishes my son dead, how can I beg her? I can only plead with you to intervene on my behalf. Shitou might be a bit naughty by nature, but he is not inherently bad. You can’t just neglect him. Besides, don’t you know what the prison is like? If Shitou, being so young, goes in, he might not die after three years, but he will surely be flayed. You can’t ignore this.”

The Village Head was also at a loss, “But the two children of Qiao Laosan’s family were wronged so severely, and they were beaten black and blue. How can I bring myself to ask such a favor of them? My face burns at the thought.”

Mrs. Liang wailed even louder, almost as though she would rather die than live, insisting that the Village Head must stand up for her.

The villagers who came to watch upon hearing the commotion were also somewhat softened by the scene. After all, they had watched the child grow up; to let him be ruined like this seemed indeed too cruel, so they began to discuss amongst themselves.

The Village Head had no choice but to brace himself and make a visit to the Qiao family.

Mrs. Liang followed behind, afraid of messing things up, as her only precious son was her life’s anchor.

The main gate of Qiao Laosan’s home was wide open, not closed, so the Village Head just walked in. Madam Liu was busy tending to the children, dressing their wounds and cleaning their injuries. Upon seeing people arrive, she sent Muniang to see who it was.

“Mr. Village Head?” Muniang said in surprise.

The Village Head, feeling a little uneasy, coughed lightly twice, “Muniang, is your aunt home? I have something to discuss with her.”

Muniang instantly noticed Mrs. Liang standing behind the Village Head and realized what was happening. She sneered in her heart; Mrs. Liang was indeed ruthless, bringing in reinforcements so quickly.

“What’s it about? Honghai and Hongde have been injured so severely they can’t even get out of bed, with dozens of wounds all over their bodies, their legs nearly broken. Your aunt is taking care of them right now.”

Muniang’s words made the Village Head’s old face turn even redder. How could he have the nerve to speak on Mrs. Liang’s behalf when someone else’s children were injured to such an extent?

The Village Head, looking at Mrs. Liang’s pleading eyes, still sighed and said, “I know you all are upset, but Shitou is, after all, a child of our village. We can’t just let him end up in prison. That place devours people without spitting out bones.”

This was no exaggeration; in there, the prisoners were in a situation of the strong preying on the weak, subject to the mercy of others. Shitou, just a kid, would naturally struggle to survive, especially with some sick individuals inside who had special perversions for younger ones—it’d be no surprise if they tormented someone to death.

Muniang pursed her lips, not yet having the chance to speak, when Madam Liu stepped out from the inner room with big strides, her voice sharp as she said, “So my child should just suffer in vain and that’s it? Why should I help her now?”

The Village Head said helplessly, “After all, we’re all from the same village. It was wrong for Shitou to frame Honghai and Hongde, but—”

Madam Liu turned her head away with red-rimmed eyes, clearly not wanting to hear these grand principles. As a mother, how could she witness her child being wronged and still help the enemy?

Mrs. Liang, seeing how things were unfolding, cried out with a wail, “It’s all my Shitou’s fault, I failed to discipline him, leading him to commit acts that heaven can’t tolerate, causing such suffering to your child. You can ask me to do anything now, I just beg you to speak a good word for my family’s Shitou. We’re all from the same village, and I beg for your understanding, he is the only child of our Wang family, our sole heir!”

Mrs. Liang’s howling resonated loudly, and as there had already been many villagers following the Village Head over to watch the commotion, they couldn’t help but also chime in with sympathy, “Madam Liu, they’re begging so sincerely, help them out a bit. After all, the Wang family also has it tough. This is their only precious son; imprisonment could cost him his life. Besides, Shitou is still so young.”

“Exactly, indeed! Although the kid has a bad temper, he shouldn’t be actually sent to prison. We’re all fellow villagers, why be so heartless!”

Madam Liu felt anger welling up in her eyes as Mrs. Liang used this trick to win everyone’s sympathy. Now the whole village would be speaking for Wang Shitou, clearly her child was the most aggrieved!

Just as Madam Liu was about to lose her temper, Muniang stopped her and quietly shook her head, signaling her not to be impulsive.

Mrs. Liang looked hopefully at Madam Liu, seemingly awaiting her concession.

Seeing Madam Liu showing no response, Muniang whispered in her ear, “Most villagers are kind-hearted and can’t bear to see their own suffering. With Mrs. Liang asking for your forgiveness in front of so many people, if you still refuse to speak up, it may dishearten others, and you may lose favor in the village. Moreover, Lord Lu intentionally suggested this method to help Mrs. Liang apologize, and on the other hand, to save Shitou. Lord Lu is compassionate and, in his heart, he probably doesn’t want such a child to suffer in prison. If we persist in our refusal, it might trouble Lord Lu’s conscience.”

Madam Liu clenched her teeth, “So she gets off that easily?”

“Not at all. Lord Lu is just and fair, he won’t show favoritism. If we forgive Shitou this time, not only will we earn a good reputation in the village, but we will also be giving face to Lord Lu. There’s a saying, ‘A death sentence may be spared, but punishment is unavoidable.’ Lord Lu won’t let Shitou off so easily. Even if he doesn’t face imprisonment, he will at least receive a lesson. We should just take this way out.”

Madam Liu was still a bit worried, “But what if Lord Lu lets Shitou off without any punishment?”

Muniang’s lips curled slyly, “Then I’ll take care of him for you.” After all, wasn’t he right here in the village? How hard could it be to deal with him? It’d be no problem dragging him to an isolated spot, covering his eyes, and giving him a good beating without anyone knowing!

But suddenly, Muniang thought of the same words Yu Ze had once whispered in her ear. How had she come to speak in such a similar tone?

Madam Liu, looking at the hopeful gaze of the Village Head and the kind-hearted villagers outside the door, knew she had no choice but to follow Muniang’s advice. She bit her lip and agreed.