Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 491 - 491 492 Madness_1

Chapter 491: Chapter 492 Madness_1 Chapter 491: Chapter 492 Madness_1 Village Head also found it very difficult and could only say, “Muniang, it’s true that the villagers were wrong, but this child is not clean. Keeping him here would disgrace not only the Xu family but also our entire Tupo Village. If this child were born from just any adulterer, I might let it slide this once and have the child sent away from the village, but this child is the spawn of enemy soldiers! Although Tupo Village is a small place, we absolutely cannot allow the seed of enemy soldiers to live!”

The villagers echoed in agreement, “Exactly, this child is inherently unclean, how could we keep him? I know what you’re thinking. Dabao’s Mother is innocent, and we haven’t mistreated her, have we? But it’s wrong for her to lie like this!”

Dabao’s Mother started wailing, “I didn’t lie, I really wasn’t violated, this child belongs to the Xu family, to the Xu family!”

Muniang was filled with chilling dismay, as if for the first time she felt the desolation of the constraints of this era. She had always believed in conforming to local customs, and whatever the villagers did, she considered it to be within reason. But this time, they were willing to band together to force the death of an innocent mother and child, all for the sake of so-called reputation, and Muniang’s heart truly grew cold.

But before Muniang had a chance to speak, she heard a strange voice cut in first, “Hey, what kind of absurd rule is this? You determine a life-or-death matter with a simple blood test, ignorant fools, the lot of you!”

Everyone simultaneously turned to look and saw an old man in plain clothes jumping down from a donkey cart, with his beard sticking out comically, yet his face looking completely serious.

Naturally, everyone exploded with questions, “What do you mean by that? Who are you, to talk like this? We’re handling our village affairs; what right do you have to stick your nose in?!”

The old man replied angrily, “I can’t stand your disregard for human life! This living person is being ravaged by you, and you’d even lay hands on a newborn child!”

Madam Li started scolding with hands on hips, “What’s the problem with dealing with a bastard child? Don’t act all high and mighty here. The Xu family’s domestic issues are none of your business!”

The old man sneered, “Bastard child? Just a drop of blood makes one a bastard child, huh? I’d like to know how many among you here are bastards.”

This remark was obviously too provocative, and the villagers could not stand it any longer, collectively hurling insults, “What kind of talk is that? Keep spouting nonsense and see if I don’t have you thrown into the river. Get lost!”

The old man seemed greatly insulted, his beard bristling, and shaking his finger, he said, “Ignorance, pure ignorance! I, a dignified Imperial Physician, to be treated like this by a pack of ignorant peasants!”

The villagers laughed as if they had heard a great joke, “Look at you, dressed in coarse linen and arriving in a donkey cart—how dare you claim to be an Imperial Physician? Where did this madman come from, always dreaming such wild dreams?!”

But Muniang was taken aback because she had previously thought little of the old man’s plain appearance. It was only upon hearing his words that she realized he was indeed an Imperial Physician.

Muniang swiftly concocted a plan and quickly whispered something to Qingya, then she silently slipped away from the crowd.

The old man was about to continue the argument when a girl tugged at his clothing, signaling him to come outside. Although he was initially puzzled, his confusion was cleared when the girl revealed half a jade token from her sleeve, with the prominent character for “An” on it.

The old man immediately understood, and though his mind was still preoccupied with the situation at hand, he decided to follow the girl away first.

The old man originally thought it was Yu Ze who was urgently looking for him, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a woman. Upon closer inspection, he recognized her as Yu Ze’s wife. He hadn’t had much interaction with this young lady when they had returned to the capital for their grand wedding; he had only taken a few glances at her. It was her temperament and good looks that had left an impression on him.

Muniang smiled and said, “This must be Doctor Xue. I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival, and at last, I get to see you in person. Today’s encounter is also quite fortuitous. You’ve seen the plight of that woman for yourself. If Doctor Xue is willing to save her even just this once, Muniang would be immensely grateful.”

Doctor Xue raised an eyebrow; this young woman was quite good, not flamboyant or humble, yet not arrogant either. She was a comforting presence to behold.

“How would you have me save her?”

“I wonder if Doctor Xue has any reliable method to determine parentage, something at least a bit more dependable than the blood testing?”

Doctor Xue shook his head, “If I had such a method, I would have produced it earlier. The woman truly deserves pity. I don’t believe she’s lying. Moreover, the blood testing method itself is often criticized for its inaccuracies. Even my blood doesn’t mingle with my father’s.”

Muniang nodded, “Indeed, that is so. But now we are dealing with a matter of life and death. We can’t be too concerned with the details. Since everyone is convinced by the blood test, if Doctor Xue wishes to save her, why not use their conviction to our advantage?”

Doctor Xue was momentarily taken aback: “How so?”

Muniang smiled slyly, “Do you have any way to make the blood mingle, and also a way to prevent it from mingling?”

Doctor Xue instantly understood Muniang’s intention, but he felt it somewhat against medical ethics. However, upon reconsidering, he thought, ‘These people are so ignorant. Why bother about medical ethics? Saving a life is what’s most important!’

Dabao’s Mother and her son had already been dragged to the riverbank by the villagers. The bamboo cage was ready, and several burly women were forcing Dabao’s Mother into it without resistance from her, her face marked by despair. Yet, she held her child tight in her arms, not allowing anyone to harm him in the slightest.

The child wailed incessantly, and one of the women, unable to bear it any longer, raised her hand to strike him. Dabao’s Mother glared fiercely and warned, “If you dare harm my child, I will haunt your entire family as a water ghost!”

The woman was truly frightened by this and immediately stopped, but she continued to curse under her breath, “This is someone about to die, yet she still dares to talk back.”

Doctor Xue arrived just in time, bellowing, “Stop right there! What are you doing? You’re trying to kill someone without even understanding the situation. Aren’t you afraid that a wronged spirit will come looking for you at night to claim your lives?”

The villagers were immediately infuriated, having not expected to deal with such a troublesome old man again, thinking he had left already.

“Hey, why are you, old man, being so annoying? It’s clearly a done deal, yet here you are spouting nonsense again.”

Doctor Xue snorted coldly and directly took out a glittering gold waist badge from his bosom, “I’m spouting nonsense? An Imperial Physician from the Imperial Medical Institution of the palace, don’t you recognize it?!”