Chapter 305

If this were admitted, it would be tantamount to plotting murder for wealth! Reporting this to the authorities would mean being dragged away for execution.

He hurriedly shook his head and hastily defended himself, “You’re my own younger brother, how could I falsely accuse my own elder brother!”

“I just noticed significant changes in our younger siblings, and I know some things others don’t. I asked one more question out of concern, for your sake and for the good of our village.”

“Uncle, don’t you feel that since Aunt changed, our family has been getting worse and worse? It’s not unreasonable for us to think about it,” Fan Dazhu said fiercely.

Shui Qing: … Of course, there have been significant changes. The original owner was killed by you all, and the essence has completely changed. How could there not be significant changes?

But her family is getting better and better because of her abilities. Dazhu, your family’s decline is something you need to look at within yourselves. Without the hard work and dedication of the second household, your family’s fortunes plummeted rapidly, and this is your own doing, not someone else’s.

You can’t expect the original owner to serve your family like slaves. Even if she doesn’t make them slaves, it’s already kind enough!

“Your Aunt hasn’t changed; she has always been like this. It’s just that she was suppressed before and had no chance to show her abilities. After the separation, she can take charge and improve our lives; that’s normal.

As for your family’s declining fortunes, it’s not caused by us or by the separation. You shouldn’t blame outsiders for your hardships; you should look inward for the reasons.

Furthermore, this isn’t just overthinking; it’s malicious slander, and it’s already happening. Today, Aunt has clearly explained the reasons. If you encounter someone who speaks harshly or whom you don’t agree with next time, it could mean dire consequences! Your malicious intentions are chilling.” Fan Jin looked at his elder brother and nephew, explaining everything clearly and methodically.

If the occasion were appropriate, Shui Qing really wanted to applaud Fan Jin.

With these words, he directly quashed any malicious thoughts Fan Qian and his family might have had in the future.

Rather than say it was meant for them to hear, it was more for the men of the village to hear. If Fan Qian’s family tried to exploit her differences in the future, the villagers wouldn’t believe it.

And he found her the strongest and most powerful reason on the surface – she was suppressed before, without a chance to show her abilities. After the separation, taking charge of the household was necessary to bring those abilities to the surface.

In the past, there had been talk like this in the village, but it was always whispered. Fan Jin was bringing it out into the open, which certified it.

Shui Qing turned her head to look at Fan Jin.

Tall and graceful, gentle and refined.

Did he really not know the essence had changed? It was impossible to think otherwise.

But why hadn’t he mentioned it, even planning his counterattack in advance…

Malicious intentions and chilling! Many of the men realized this and began to condemn, “Dazhu, what you’re doing is tantamount to plotting murder for wealth! How can you be so malicious?”

“She’s your own aunt; even if relations are strained, how could you harbor such malicious thoughts?”

“I’m starting to feel afraid. If you can harm your aunt, wouldn’t you disregard us outsiders even more?”

With these words, everyone else became fearful.

Indeed, they were plotting against Fan Jin’s family now. If they were to inherit Fan Jin’s family property and become the richest in Shanshui Village overnight, wouldn’t they have designs on them?

Leaving aside everything else, all the benefits and privileges that Fan Jin and Shui Qing had given them would surely disappear.

In an instant, the situation shifted from targeting Hu Shuiqing alone to bringing disaster upon the entire village, putting everyone at risk!

“Old Village Chief, you must make a decision. We must not let them get away with this!”

Fan Dazhu’s voice trembled, “Second Uncle.”

“We don’t have any ill intentions. Elder Village Chief, please don’t listen to their rumors,” Fan Erzhu weakly spoke up.

The elder Village Chief was in a dilemma. Fan’s family had only entertained the idea without success. How should he handle this?

Moreover, they were native villagers of Shanshui Village, with land and houses. It was impossible to drive them out.

Trading with grain was not feasible as they had little, and as for silver, they couldn’t produce any. If they sent Fan’s mother, she would cry and make a scene. Fan Jin and his wife couldn’t just enter their house.

The good fields had deeds, and changing them required official approval. Considering how much Fan’s mother valued the land, it would cause a huge uproar. Ultimately, this hadn’t caused any real harm to Hu Shuiqing— even if it had, his mother-in-law wouldn’t blame her eldest son or grandsons.

But if there were no punishment, they would likely offend again.

Whether as a deterrent or a warning, the entire Fan family had to be punished!

“Eldest son.”

Fan Qian shivered at the elder Village Chief’s call and reluctantly stepped forward.

“Your heart isn’t righteous, and now even your three children are following suit with malicious intentions. Do you realize your mistake?”

Fan Qian immediately protested, “Elder Village Chief, I didn’t mean any harm. It was just something said in passing. As for the children, they’re still young. Can’t you overlook their ignorance?”

“How are they still young? Sanzhu are all fifteen years old. Aren’t they old enough to know better?”

“The youngest, Sizhu, hasn’t said a word. Why don’t you teach the older three like him?”

“Elder Village Chief, I think he hasn’t shown remorse and is still making excuses. We should send him to the authorities for judgment! He might confess everything there.”

“Yes, I’ve heard that the authorities are strict with criminals. They won’t stop until they get the truth out! Lock him up for a few years, and he’ll come back obedient.”

“But what if he doesn’t come back?”

“Isn’t that even better? We won’t have to worry about him causing trouble!”

…

The usually taciturn men of the village were unusually talkative. With each word, Fan Qian, Fan Dazhu, and the others grew paler.

Finally, Fan Qian nearly couldn’t stand.

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Fan Qian straightened up, holding his youngest son, and said to the elder Village Chief, “Elder Village Chief, I understand my mistake. I apologize to my siblings. As long as she doesn’t mind, do we still need to involve the authorities?”

Without waiting for Fan Qian’s apology, fearing Hu Shuiqing’s thin face, the elder Village Chief intervened, “You don’t need to apologize. What use are empty words?

Here’s the deal. Money and grain are precious. You don’t have to compensate. Land is essential for survival and won’t be touched. The hilltops aren’t crucial. You can compensate by giving one of your hills to Hu Shuiqing.

I remember during the division of property, there were nine hilltops. You got three, and your mother got three. Her share won’t be touched. You’ll give one of yours to her!”

Fan Dazhu and his sons looked at the elder Village Chief in surprise and asked nervously, “Elder Village Chief, isn’t this punishment too harsh?”

“We didn’t do anything wrong!”

The elder Village Chief looked at them and asked back, “Did you really do nothing? You didn’t succeed, that’s all!

This time it’s one hill. Next time it might be two, then four… If you don’t agree, that’s fine. We’ll all go to the authorities together and sort it out.”

Fan Qian opened his mouth but hesitated, thinking of the beating at the authorities. Shivering, he said, “Okay, I agree.”

Little did he expect that what started as a joke would end with him losing a hill.