Chapter 23: Aunt Cui Came Again
Translator: Flying Lines
Edited by Lord Immortal

In front of Geng Zhishan’s hut, Aunt Cui was filled with resentment. Resting one arm on her hip, she stood at the forefront. The villagers hollered. “Come out! Come out!”

Sitting on the bed, Xie Mengxuan gazed outside only to find the crowd gathering in the yard. She could not help frowning. She just discovered that Gu Yusheng went out with Uncle Luo. There was no one else but her inside the room.

It could be inferred that they had no good intention following Aunt Cui. Although she was not afraid, she could do nothing else. Aunt Cui was not someone she could reason with. Facing so many people stirred by Aunt Cui, she was incapable of dispersing them on her own.

Even though she gave no response, those people outside the house seemed to be enraged, and some even began to cause destruction.

Xie Mengxuan’s heart sank as the things in the small yard were all made by Geng Zhishan with his own hands. These people appeared as if they would not give up until she came out. It was likely that they specifically came at this time on purpose.

She raised her eyebrows and thought to herself that it was impossible for her to fail to deal with those ignorant women.

Xie Mengxuan pulled up the quilt. With the support of the furniture, she slowly moved towards the door. After opening the door, she glanced around with a smile.

The noisy crowd instantly lapsed into silence. As Xie Mengxuan said nothing, they also failed to utter a word under her calm and tranquil look.

Some people opened their mouths as if they had something to say, but they eventually held it back.

Xie Mengxuan moved out to sit on the rocking chair with a lazy look and said with a faint smile, “Why have you gathered here again so early in the morning?

“Did you lose your money, livestock, wife, or husband?”

Xie Mengxaun felt amused, her words sounding a bit vulgar. Casting a glance at them, she found that many were avoiding eye contact, some stepped backward, and others hid in the crowd while observing her with bright eyes.

Xie Mengxuan sneered and finally fixed her sight on Aunt Cui. She offered her greetings, “How are you, Aunt Cui?”

“By your blessing, I’m fine.” Aunt Cui nodded.

It was obvious that she had known the relationship between Geng Zhishan and her since she didn’t call her Mrs. Geng. Xie Mengxuan could not help having another look at Aunt Cui, who was not a simple female peasant.

She reached out to fix her hair. “Aunt Cui, what did you come here for? I’ve accepted the trial of the River God and successfully survived. It’s apparent that I have nothing to do with those things. Are you questioning the trial of the River God now?”

With one stride, Aunt Cui stepped forward with a smile. “We have nothing to say about the trial of the River God. As you have the gift of the gab, we won’t win the debate. However, it’s necessary to be reasonable. Don’t you agree?”

Xie Mengxuan nodded. “Sure. Aunt Cui, why not be frank? Don’t beat around the bush.”

“We all know you’re the wife of Geng Zhishan. So, why did you come into close contact with the other man in front of your husband?” Aunt Cui peered at the man next to her. He puffed out his chest and went forward. It was evident that he was the witness.

Casting a cold glance around, Xie Mengxuan reproached, “Why are you spouting nonsense?”

Instead of getting annoyed, Aunt Cui stepped forward with a smile. “Don’t be angry. We are not talking nonsense. On the contrary, there’s a witness who saw a toy-boy go out of your house earlier.”

“What? If a man entering my house is a toy-boy. There are so many men here, so they are all toy-boys?” Xie Mengxuan said in a cold voice.

Aunt Cui’s face darkened. “We are upright and appear on public occasions. Nevertheless, you’ve stayed in a room with another man for such a long time when Geng Zhishan was not at home. If you don’t follow female virtues, you’ll be drowned to death in a pig cage.”

Upon hearing the pig cage, Xie Mengxuan got angry and stood up. Pointing at them, she roared with anger, “Pig cage? Are you all pigs? Do you have any other way of punishment apart from drowning a girl to death in a pig cage? Well, if you want to be pigs yourselves, then please let me go.”

She directly put everyone on the pan, which made others wear a gloomy look. They were unlikely to grapple with her, but for Aunt Cui, they had to do it.

Full of anger though she was, Aunt Cui kept in mind what she had learned these days. She sneered. “If so, we might as well check whether you are a virgin.”

“How dare you?” Xie Mengxuan’s face paled. Were these people going to confirm her virginity? What for?

Were they so warmhearted to care about Geng Zhishan? No. What was the real intention of Aunt Cui?

Xie Mengxuan was on the alert while Aunt Cui showed a subtle smile. Although she didn’t know the reason why that one asked her to do so, she would still have it done perfectly.

As Aunt Cui waved her hand, three women stood out, appearing full of strength.

Xie Mengxuan tried to dodge. If she was not injured, she would have succeeded in her attempts. However, how could she make it when she was not fully recovered from her injuries? She was like a fish on a cutting board, helpless in front of so many people against her.

Aunt Cui was aware of this, as well. She wore a subtle smile. “It has nothing to do with our emotions. Instead, it’s a matter of your innocence. If you are innocent, there’s no need for worries. Since we are all women, it doesn’t matter whether we make sure.”

Xie Mengxuan had no faith, but with an angry look, she said in a low voice, “Who dares to touch me?”

Her reproach stunned the people in front of her.

However, the face of Aunt Cui turned dim as there was many a slip between the cup and the lip.

She said with anger, “This girl deceived Geng Zhishan and kept a lover behind his back. We have all lost face due to her since we belong to the same village. How can we put up with such conduct? Are we going to let others point at us in the back?”

When Aunt Cui put the interests of the whole village at the front, everyone turned furious.

“Yes! She must have an inspection! If she’s innocent, we’re ready to make an apology and treat her in a good manner in the future.”

More and more people chimed in.

Looking at the villagers around, Xie Mengxuan felt as anxious as a cat on a hot brick. ‘Where are you, Geng Zhishan? Why haven’t you come back yet?’

She was not aware that the first person who appeared in her mind was Geng Zhishan.

“Let’s help her since she’s injured.”

With one order, Aunt Cui, together with the other three women, pressed near her with a grim smile.