Chapter 211

Two days later, a new rumor suddenly spread throughout Changle Town, and it was none other than the old embezzlement scandal involving Wang Er and his inferior goods.

Word had it that Wang Er’s actions weren’t purely out of personal greed. Apparently, Eldest Young Master Tang wanted to teach Wang Er a lesson and deliberately set up a trap to ensnare him. Believe it or not, this story was overheard by a beggar at the city’s temple.

Why would a well-off family bother to target someone like him? People asked.

Well, as it turns out, Wang Er had overstepped his bounds. Thinking that his daughter had become a concubine in the Tang family, he acted as if he were some grand figure and shamelessly made Eldest Young Master Tang call him “Father-in-law.” But a concubine doesn’t hold much status. Getting a little recognition shouldn’t lead you to boast as if you own the world.

Eldest Young Master Tang was deeply humiliated in front of his friends and held onto the resentment. To vent his frustration, he orchestrated this scheme to teach Wang Er a lesson—and the plan worked perfectly.

“So you see, wealthy families don’t truly treat you as relatives.”

“That’s right. Look at it—his daughter went to the Tang family as a concubine, but has she ever returned home? No blessings were enjoyed; instead, the family landed in prison. Was it worth it?”

The townspeople were abuzz with chatter.

“Quick, everyone, go watch the spectacle at the Tang family’s house! Old Wang’s wife brought filth to settle accounts with them!” Someone shouted loudly.

With that, people flocked in droves to Willow Alley, where the Tang family’s residence was located.

At the Tang family estate.

Tang Xiuan was summoned by Old Madam Tang to discuss the rumors circulating outside.

What shocked the Tang family wasn’t the absurd claim that Tang Xiuan deliberately set a trap for Wang Er to save face. Instead, what truly startled them was that, apart from the false accusation regarding Wang Er, the rest of the rumors were entirely accurate.

Tang Xiuan’s trap wasn’t designed for Wang Er—it was meant for the officials managing the riverways.

What puzzled them further was how, out of nowhere, these rumors were now being pinned directly on Tang Xiuan. The loose ends had supposedly been cleaned up, so where did this sudden rumor originate?

Old Madam Tang’s immediate suspicion was that there was a traitor within their household. How else could such information have been leaked? Although the rumors seemed targeted at Wang Er, the resulting fallout had firmly landed on Tang Xiuan.

Tang Xiuan himself was baffled. Frowning, he said, “Why would I ever go out of my way to set up a trap for someone as insignificant as Wang Er? These rumors are baseless.”

“Regardless of whether the target was him or not, the accusations have now fallen squarely on you. This is detrimental to our family’s reputation, and you know how much truth there is to these rumors,” Old Madam Tang said sternly, clutching her prayer beads so tightly that her veins popped. She then turned to Nanny Tang, saying, “Go and investigate thoroughly. I want to know exactly whose loose tongue is behind this.”

Nanny Tang left to carry out her orders.

“Old Matdam, surely this didn’t originate from our household.” Tang Xiuan frowned and continued, “We’ve already vetted everyone around us.”

“Then tell me—how did this rumor spread? Don’t try to convince me it was street beggars overhearing something,” Old Madam Tang retorted, her chest heaving in anger.

In recent years, the Tang family had been plagued by bad fortune—from choosing the wrong alliances to facing unending problems. Although their second son had barely held onto his official position, a series of other events had dragged them down further. Even a lowly farming family was now bold enough to humiliate the Tang family. When had they ever been subjected to such shame?

Tang Xiuan was about to speak when a panicked servant girl suddenly rushed in.

“Bad news, Old Madam! Bad news!”

Old Madam Tang’s eyelid twitched, and her prayer beads inexplicably snapped, the beads scattering and bouncing onto the floor.

Looking at the scattered beads, Old Madam Tang’s heartbeat quickened. These beads had followed her for years without incident—why did they suddenly break now?

Tang Xiuan, already irritated, took out his anger on the servant girl. Kicking her, he yelled, “You wretched thing! Can’t you speak properly?”

The girl fell to her knees, breaking out in cold sweat, and begged for mercy repeatedly.

Tang Xiuan moved to kick her again, but Old Madam Tang intervened. “Enough! What’s the point of venting your anger on a mere servant?” Turning to the girl, she demanded, “Speak—what happened outside?”

“Old Madam, outside—someone has dumped filth all over our estate entrance!” the girl stammered.

“What?” Old Madam Tang exclaimed, standing up from her grand chair. Her voice was sharp. “What is this about?”

“Old Madam, the Wang family is causing a stir!” Third Madam Tang entered, supported by her daughter-in-law, Madam Rong. Her expression was grim. “Old Wang’s wife has splattered filth across our estate’s gates.”

Filth at the gates—what a humiliation!

Old Madam Tang felt dizzy and swayed slightly, only to be steadied by Tang Xiuan’s quick reaction.

“How dare they? Where did they find the audacity?” Old Madam Tang exclaimed, gripping her grandson’s arm tightly. “Take me outside—I want to see who dared do this!”

Her repeated tolerance of the Wang family was not an invitation for them to trample over her.

Outside the Tang estate gates, many townspeople had gathered, pinching their noses and pointing at the mess, watching the drama unfold.

It was widely known that Old Wang’s wife was not someone to be trifled with. But to go this far—dumping a bucket of filth at the gates of Changle Town’s most prestigious family—was shocking. This was the Tang family, with officials high up in the ranks. Who dares to defy authority so openly? Surely, she wasn’t afraid of retaliation later!

“Surnamed Tang! Come out, you heartless wretch! How dare you harm my son? Aren’t you afraid of bringing misfortune upon your descendants and losing sleep at night?” Grandma Wang shouted furiously at the Tang family’s gates.

The crowd realized she was here seeking justice for Wang Er.

Grandma Wang continued her tirade, spewing insults one after another, cursing everyone from Tang’s eldest master to their third young master.

Someone asked, “Hey, Old Wang’s wife, isn’t your granddaughter a concubine in the Tang family?”

She huffed and launched into even more colorful invectives. It was clear she wouldn’t spare anyone today.

“Bah! My Min’er is a fool, deceived by that Tang family’s boy, infatuated to the point of obsession. Could I just watch her die? Who knew that beneath their shiny facade, the Tang family is filthier than pig manure? If I had known how despicable they were, I would have rather seen her dead than allow her to enter that heartless den!” Grandma Wang spat on the ground. As she passionately cursed, the Tang estate’s gates opened, and several people emerged.

Old Madam Tang and the others barely approached the entrance when a foul stench hit them. As the gates fully opened and they saw the filth, they quickly stepped back, covering their mouths with handkerchiefs.

Meanwhile, Madam Rong and Third Madam Tang were already retching on the side.

Old Madam Tang listened to Grandma Wang’s tirade, restraining her anger as she pinched Tang Xiuan’s hand and stepped forward.

“Old lady of the Wang family, what could possibly not be discussed civilly inside the estate? Why make such a scene?” Old Madam Tang approached her with a dark expression.

Grandma Wang spat again and retorted, “Enter your house? I’m afraid I’d walk in standing and be carried out lying down—alive going in but dead coming out!”

Tang Xiuan, enraged, shouted, “You crazy old hag, what nonsense are you spouting?” Then, turning to the steward behind him, he ordered, “Tang Steward, report this to the authorities. This woman has come here to stir up trouble—let the officials handle this.”

These common folks were usually terrified of dealing with the authorities. Tang Xiuan assumed just mentioning it would silence her antics.

To his surprise, Grandma Wang, as if expecting this move, shouted back, “Report to the authorities? Fine, go ahead! I’ll also petition the officials to investigate just what kind of monster the Tang family is, setting traps to ensnare my son!” She paused for a moment before pointing at Tang Xiuan. “Yes, you must be that Tang family’s eldest master—so upright in appearance, yet so black-hearted. Tell me, what did my second son ever do to you for you to frame him and have him imprisoned? If not for my son’s strong fate, who knows if Black and White Impermanence would have already dragged him away!”

She then plopped down onto the ground, slapping her thighs as she cried and cursed, flawlessly portraying a feisty, unyielding old lady from the streets.

“Heartless scoundrels with rotten guts! Just because he drank a few too many cups of bad liquor and said some careless words, you had to throw him into jail? Fine, let the officials judge this! Who’s to say Zhang Dapeng’s death wasn’t also your doing?” Real tears now streamed from Grandma Wang as she vented all her earlier panic and fury through her wailing.

Hearing her mention Zhang Dapeng’s death, Old Madam Tang’s eyelid twitched violently. She quickly said, “Old lady of the Wang family, let’s discuss this calmly. Surely, this is all a misunderstanding—we are in-laws, are we not?” She then turned to a servant nearby and said, “Go bring the steward back—there’s no need to report this to the officials. It’s all a misunderstanding.”

She had initially intended to let the old woman be taught a lesson and hadn’t stopped Tang Xiuan’s commands. However, hearing what was said, she began to worry. If this rumor were to be traced back to the Tang family, the consequences could be devastating.

“Bah! What kind of in-laws are we? My poor granddaughter’s suffering is known to all! Your Tang family hasn’t even given her the title of a concubine. Fine, I’ll take Min’er back myself—no need for her to suffer in your home anymore,” Grandma Wang exclaimed as she sprang to her feet.

“Old lady, those are just words of anger. Rumors shouldn’t be trusted—those with ill intentions spread them to damage the bond between our families. Surely Xiuan wouldn’t deliberately frame your second son,” Old Madam Tang said in a calm and pleasant tone.

“Exactly! Besides, it was Wang Er’s own greed—how can you blame it on me?” Tang Xiuan said coldly, glaring at Wang Er.

“Listen to him! He is still only making excuses for himself. Old Madam Tang, even an illiterate woman like me knows there’s no smoke without fire. If your eldest master hadn’t done anything, why would anyone make up such rumors? And why not about someone else but him?” Grandma Wang sneered. “I’ve always known your Tang family looks down on us, but I didn’t realize you were so heartless. Fine—we’re just a humble family. We don’t aspire to your wealth, nor do we dare. Wang Er!”

Wang Er stepped forward at her call.

“The Tang family is powerful—we can’t win against you or dare to fight you. We’re just ordinary folk trying to live quietly. We’ve long regretted investing in your merchant ship venture, and now we want to withdraw our funds,” Grandma Wang declared loudly. “The Wang family cannot afford to bargain with tigers!”

The onlookers were stunned. Another twist? What drama was this—better than a shadow puppet play!