The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 458 Losing Face (7)_1

Chapter 458: Chapter 458 Losing Face (7)_1

So, there’s a traitor in the village! The villagers of Shili realised in an instant, and each one started exchanging glances, speculating who had been deliberately stirring up trouble for the Lin Family behind their backs.

"Go," Hei Yi, seeing the Lin Family letting the group go, finally showed mercy.

The He Family, having regained their freedom, quickly fled the scene, each person supporting the other as they hurried away as if they were being chased by wolves. It seemed they were genuinely frightened this time.

Watching the fleeing members of the He Family, He Fuxing’s family was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. At least from now on, they wouldn’t have to worry incessantly about the He Family trying to take advantage of them.

"Village chief, something is amiss," one villager finally spoke after a heated discussion among them.

"Gao Dashan, what’s wrong?" Lin Ziyin turned to look at hulky man in front of him.

"I keep feeling like the person they were talking about is Ma Zhicai," Gao Dashan responded with some confusion.

"It must be that Ma Zhicai. The pretty boy with the tall face, isn’t that him?" many people chimed in.

"Don’t underestimate him just because he’s read some books. He’s cunning. Village Chief, don’t let him off this time, let us give him a good beating for plotting behind our backs. He’s not a good person," some people clamoured angrily.

"Stop spreading rumors," Lou Zheng glared at the young men stirring up the crowd, then turned to Lin Ziyin and said, "Ziyin, how about we find Ma Zhicai and clarify things. If it’s true, we’ll deal with his family according to village rules. If it’s not, then we’ve wronged him."

As expected of Lou Zheng, his consideration of the matter was far more thorough than the others.

"He will surely deny it," some people harrumphed. Most of them agreed.

But in fact, everyone was wrong this time.

"It definitely can’t be Zhicai. He’s a scholar, he cares about etiquette, wisdom, faithfulness. How could he instigate trouble behind our backs?" When the villagers went to the Ma Family to find Ma Zhicai, the Ma Family, not knowing what had happened, were all present. Upon hearing the story, Ma Dalang was the first to stand by Ma Zhicai’s side.

"We were wrong before and have apologized many times. Why can’t you let it go?" Yan Shi, considering it a question of honor, was so angry she almost lost her mind.

Ma Xincai and his wife stood speechless nearby with their child, not wanting to get involved.

"We’ll ask Ma Zhicai himself," Lou Zheng solemnly said. Hei Yi and Hei Er grinned as they watched Ma Zhicai, looking like they were ready to pounce.

"I bumped into a young girl with a dark complexion in the city a few days ago while I was getting ready to come back. We had an argument and, just as it was getting heated, He Dingyi and He Dingfan arrived in the city to deliver furniture. The girl and her family heard the noise and stopped arguing with me. They found out that I was from Shili Village, and they called themselves relatives of the Lin Family and apologized to me, also asking about you all. I thought they really were looking for their relatives, so I simply answered their questions." The rest of the Ma Family denied the villagers’ claim, but to everyone’s surprise, Ma Zhicai readily admitted it.

"How could you be so careless?" As soon as Ma Dalang heard this, he began to chastise Ma Zhicai. Yan Shi’s face also darkened, "He didn’t do it on purpose, why are you scolding him?"

"What a fool," Ma Dalang chided, looking at Ma Zhicai with disappointment.

"I truly apologize, I didn’t know they were intentionally trying to cause trouble. Here, I apologize to you." Ma Zhicai then bowed deeply to Lin Changshu and the others, appearing very sincere in his apology.

"You must have done it on purpose," one of the villagers accused bitterly. Currently, every household in the village relied on the Lin Family for their livelihood, so nobody wanted to see any trouble for them. Since the news was leaked by Ma Zhicai, whether intentionally or unintentionally, everyone was displeased with him.

"I don’t know them. I think if it were another person from the village, they would have honestly informed them as well." Ma Zhicai argued, his sincere face turning red.

Lou Zheng and the village elder exchanged glances, both letting out a sigh. If Ma Zhicai refused to admit it, they really had no way to deal with him. After all, he was right. If someone came to find their relatives, the villagers would definitely guide them with enthusiasm when they didn’t know the situation.

In a certain way, Ma Zhicai wasn’t wrong at all.

"Let’s forget it. They’ve already left, we didn’t lose anything, so let’s just drop this matter," Lin Ziyin had also reached this conclusion. "It’s getting late, everyone prepare, let’s go to work."

"Ziyin, you promised to give me a chance to manage the workshop, when can I start?" Just as everyone was about to disperse, Ma Dalang suddenly spoke up.

The murmuring crowd suddenly fell silent, all of them staring at Ma Dalang as if he were a fool.