The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 144: Formalities

Chapter 144: Chapter 144: Formalities

In the main hall, there was no sign of Li Zhuye’s grandfather; only Li Zhuye’s mother was seen, a tall and plump woman with dark skin, dressed in a clean set of plain clothes.

Upon seeing two guests enter, she spoke politely yet distantly, "Your family is too courteous. It was just a helping hand; everyone in the village would do the same. Is such a trivial matter really worth a personal visit to express thanks?"

Her words were implicitly trying to distance Zhugen’s brothers from any relationship.

Wang Yongzhu noticed Li Zhuye’s mother glance surreptitiously toward the side room next to the main hall while she spoke. The room was concealed by a curtain, so it was impossible to see clearly what was inside.

However, Wang Yongzhu suspected that either Li Zhuye’s grandfather or father, the ones in charge of the Li family, might be inside.

She pretended not to know and said with a slight smile, adopting an equally polite tone, "Auntie, you shouldn’t say that. Thanks to the two Li brothers extending a hand, my brother’s life was saved. Saving a life is more meritorious than building a ’Seven Level Pagoda.’ If something had really happened to my brother, you know our family’s situation; the matter would have been difficult to conclude. The Li brothers did not just save my brother’s life; they saved my entire family. If my brother wasn’t still bedridden in town, unable to move, and my sister-in-law and the nephews weren’t attending to him day and night, they would certainly have come to thank you in person."

After hearing this, Li Zhuye’s mother’s expression softened considerably. She sized up Wang Yongzhu and then laughed, "You sure have a way with words, girl. Normally your mother keeps you at home and you don’t visit my place, yet today you’ve surprised me with your eloquence."

Seeing Li Zhuye’s mother’s facial expression, Wang Yongzhu knew that her reply had satisfied her. She had cleared the Li Family Brothers and pointed out that, without their help, her own brother’s life was saved. Had an actual death occurred, her other brothers and nephews, and even the Wang Family as a whole, would probably not have let the matter rest so easily.

Under those circumstances, it wouldn’t have been simply a matter of Li Jinlong receiving twenty lashes and resolving everything with a payment of money.

The head of the Li Family truly was muddled; even if they decided not to side with kin over justice, they didn’t consider Li Jinlong’s vindictive nature, someone who would even scheme against his own sister.

According to what Zhuye said that day, she had offended him as a child, too. In the future, if she were to accidentally say something wrong, Li Zhuye’s Family might well fall victim to his wrath.

For now, it was merely a case of the knife not having struck oneself, and therefore not feeling the pain.

Wang Yongzhu had originally planned to probe Li Zhuye for information about the neighboring Li Dagui’s House, but given the current atmosphere, she no longer wanted to linger.

She gestured to Jinhua to present the last gift, a pound of soybeans and eight eggs, prepared in double portions since they were for the two Li brothers.

Li Zhuye’s mother offered a few polite words in feigned civility and gladly accepted the gifts.

She then had Zhuye escort them out, even going as far as to warmly invite Wang Yongzhu to visit again.

Once they stepped out of the yard, both Jinhua and Zhuye breathed a sigh of relief, the two young girls exchanging a smile.

Just as Zhuye was about to speak, a wail erupted from next door at Li Dagui’s courtyard— it was Wang Daxiu’s voice.

The three of them paused to listen and could make out Wang Daxiu lamenting her fate, cursing her sons for being unfilial, and hurling invectives like white-eyed wolf at Jinzhi.

Li Zhuye spat out disdainfully before whispering, "This has been going on for several days now, wailing every single day. It starts early in the morning and lasts till night, no one can get a good sleep. A few days ago they even came to my house, demanding twenty taels of silver from my grandpa and insisting that my dad speak with the clan leader to reserve the house for them so it wouldn’t be sold. When my grandpa and dad disagreed, they threw a tantrum on the ground, making a scene for quite a while."

Jinhua also asked in a low voice, "With her causing such a fuss, didn’t someone from next door come out to drag her back? How embarrassing!"

"Exactly. Who next door has the time to deal with her? Li Dagui—uncle, these past few days there have always been people from the Wang Family knocking on our door. From what I’ve vaguely heard, it seems they don’t want silver, but to settle the debt with the land directly. He stubbornly refuses, still hoping the clan leader will retract the decision, allowing them to stay. In my opinion, a scourge like Li Jinlong really shouldn’t be left in our village. Just thinking about living next to someone as vicious as him, I can’t even sleep! I offended him when I was younger. That incident with the six-toed, if he finds out I was the one who spilled the beans, who knows? Maybe one day I’ll be walking and also end up getting smashed by a stone to death!"

Speaking of this, Li Zhuye showed a frightened expression. Indeed, these days any young girl who mentions Li Jinlong feels afraid.

"Why do I also hear them scolding Li Jinzhi? Hasn’t Li Jinzhi not returned since running away in the middle of the night?" Wang Yongzhu seemed to ask casually.

"Humph, don’t even mention her! She has completely disgraced the Miss Li. My mother gets angry every time she is brought up! It’s said that she ran straight to the He Family’s house overnight, declaring she would sever ties with the Li Family and that from then on, she would be of the He Family in life and in death. The He Family isn’t fool enough to accept her, not knowing what happened when she arrived in such a panic. Later, when they inquired about what occurred, they discovered everything. They say He Dawei’s father, the current family head, refuses to let He Dawei marry her due to her bad reputation.

Li Jinzhi is causing a scene at the He Family, using the child in her stomach as a threat, claiming she would hang herself with the baby at the He Family’s doorstep if they don’t marry her. He Dawei’s mother also threatens to take her own life every other day, saying she’ll throw herself into a well if that daughter-in-law is brought into the house! Now both sides are at a standoff, and nobody knows how this will end!"

With this, concern also appeared on Li Zhuye’s face.

Her mother says that now Li Jinzhi has ruined the reputation of the Miss Li, it will be hard for her to find a suitable family to marry into in the future.

That wretch Li Jinzhi, following her disreputable path, has even dragged her sisters down with her.

I’m still okay; I have a few years before I’m to be married off, but my cousin from my eldest uncle’s house is devastated. The marriage talks that were going well have fallen through because of this scandal.

My cousin is too ashamed to see anyone, she cries every day at home, and her eyes have swelled from the tears.

My aunt chops on the chopping block in the backyard every day, cursing Li Jinzhi through gritted teeth.

Having learned of Li Jinzhi’s whereabouts, Wang Yongzhu felt relieved and was about to bid farewell to Li Zhuye,

Just as she was about to leave, she heard Wang Daxiu’s voice from Li Dagui’s courtyard suddenly shoot up eight octaves, "You bandits! All of these belong to my family, you can’t take them! Robbers, catch the robbers—"

Then the door of Li Dagui’s house opened, and leading the way was the clan leader of both the Wang and Li families, followed by Wang Laozhu and Wang Yongping, as well as several members from both the Wang and Li families, and were they holding property deeds in their hands?

Seeing Wang Yongzhu and Jinhua, everyone was surprised and turned to look over.

"Girl, what are you doing here?" Wang Laozhu asked urgently.

"I brought Jinhua here to deliver a thank-you gift to Li Family’s eldest brother, to thank them for carrying my older brother to town for treatment last time. Dad and the two clan leaders uncle, where are you heading?" Wang Yongzhu’s eyes kept darting towards the deed in Wang Laozhu’s hand.