Chapter 42: A Slap in the Face, Public Accusation

Outsiders only saw Jiang Xiangxiang talking to Lu Jianshen; no one paid attention to their conversation. When Wang Fugui suggested immersing them both in a pig cage, almost everyone perked up.

Ye Meiping and Jiang Rourou’s eyes were also malevolent. They knew that during the pig cage immersion, a woman’s clothes would be stripped off.

This was partly punishment and partly to prove they weren’t wronging anyone. The whole village—men, women, and children—would watch, serving as a deterrent.

Ye Meiping was truly scared now. She didn’t want either the pig cage or jail. The thought of jail terrified her.

“No, you can’t! Why are you arresting me?”

“Can we?”

The police, having just entered, heard this and were immediately displeased. Violating the law, human trafficking, adultery—any of these charges would be enough to land her in serious trouble. Yet, she was brazen and aggressive. Such a vicious woman was rare.

Ye Meiping wanted to retort, but upon seeing the police, she wisely held her tongue. If she couldn’t win, she could at least avoid further trouble.

Jiang Rourou remained silent after Jiang Chengshan arrived.

Wang Fugui briefed the police and left the matter to them; he didn’t want to get involved.

Jiang Chengshan looked dazed, wanting to say something but ultimately remaining silent.

Following Wang Fugui’s instructions, the police searched the house. The medicine was in the vegetables; everything was in plain sight, untouched.

The investigation would be straightforward.

Jiang Xiangxiang felt relieved. Bringing them to justice through legal means was ideal.

She wouldn’t need to resort to her own methods, which, while effective, were risky.

Seeing the police investigate, Ye Meiping tried to intervene, arguing that even if there was medicine, it didn’t necessarily mean she put it there. Perhaps Jiang Xiangxiang had done it to harm them.

She knew this in her heart.

However, with so many people present, they wouldn’t let Ye Meiping act. Before she could do anything, she was pushed back down.

She landed on the ground with a thud, a painful sound.

The police quickly collected evidence, handcuffed Ye Meiping, Jiang Rourou, and Old Liu, and took them to the station.

Ye Meiping refused, protesting, “Why are you arresting me? Even if there’s medicine, it doesn’t mean I put it there. Maybe Jiang Xiangxiang did it to harm us!”

Jiang Xiangxiang was stunned. She knew Ye Meiping was no good, but she kept proving herself worse. Anger welled up inside her.

She patted Lu Jianshen’s shoulder, signaling him to put her down.

Lu Jianshen: “What do you want to do? I’ll help.”

Jiang Xiangxiang: “No, I’ll do it myself.”

Her tone was menacing. She wouldn’t let herself be a fool. If she waited until Ye Meiping was in jail, it would be harder to deal with her.

Although Jiang Xiangxiang could travel through space to beat her, revealing her secret for such a person was not worth it.

Seeing her determination, Lu Jianshen put her down. He would protect her no matter what.

He carefully carried her a few steps before setting her down, treating her like a precious treasure.

Jiang Chengshan was pondering what to do when he saw Lu Jianshen’s actions. He felt uneasy.

“You…”

“Did I put the medicine in?” Jiang Xiangxiang didn’t give him a chance. She slapped Ye Meiping twice, hard, leaving her cheeks swollen and disheveled.

“You little bitch, you dare hit me!” Ye Meiping felt the sharp pain and gritted her teeth. “I’ll kill you!”

“Kill me? Everyone, look at how she speaks! Doesn’t it seem like she’s the one who put the medicine in?” Jiang Xiangxiang said, filing a complaint. “You abused me, starved me, didn’t let me wear proper clothes, made me do all the hard work, forced me to wash clothes in the freezing river in winter, giving me frostbite. When my father came back, you warned me not to tell him…”

“Jiang Xiangxiang, you’re lying!” Ye Meiping looked at Jiang Chengshan’s displeased expression and felt fear. “When did I mistreat you?”

“Mistreat me? Everyone knows! Not only you, but Jiang Rourou bullied me too. She pushed me into the river, trying to freeze me to death. If Lu hadn’t passed by, I’d be dead now.” Jiang Xiangxiang’s voice was filled with emotion and grievance. She truly was wronged. The original owner’s memories played like a slideshow in her mind.

The images fueled her anger and desire for revenge.

Jiang Xiangxiang didn’t stop slapping Ye Meiping. She wouldn’t stop until she was satisfied.

She also spoke for Jiang Chengshan’s benefit. As the original owner’s father, he was absent, leaving his daughter to suffer. Was he blameless?

Jiang Chengshan was shocked. He wanted to say something but couldn’t. He stood there, trembling, looking ten years older.

“Also, Ye Meiping, do you remember last night? You and Jiang Rourou brought a witch doctor and threw black donkey hooves and dog blood on me! Everyone saw it!” Jiang Xiangxiang’s anger grew. She looked at the onlookers and said, “Uncles, aunts, everyone saw how I lived. I hope you’ll bear witness, so Ye Meiping doesn’t keep denying it.”