Chapter 115

Everyone knows that the Zhao family has no close relatives, as seen when no one came for Zhao Niu’s funeral. If there are any relatives, they are distant ones, like this so-called aunt.

When Wang Yuan’er took over the Zhao family’s house deed from Goudan, she knew he had no particularly close relatives. Otherwise, why would he give the deed to an outsider like her?

Because she had the house deed, she didn’t take this so-called aunt seriously. If it came to a court case, Wang Yuan’er was willing to fight it.

Thinking of this, Wang Yuan’er took something out of her pocket and handed it to Wang Qing’er, whispering a few words in her ear. Wang Qing’er’s eyes lit up, and she ran off quickly.

“How can you prove that you are Goudan’s aunt?” Wang Yuan’er asked Hu, leisurely examining her nails. “If we go to court, you must prove to the judge that you are his aunt. Otherwise, your family might be seen as fraudsters, coming to Changle Town with ulterior motives.”

Hearing this, Madam Hu’s face changed several times. She forced herself to remain calm and said, “I am indeed Goudan’s aunt. His mother calls me cousin. Goudan has seen me.”

“But Goudan isn’t in Changle Town, so who knows if it’s true or not?”

“Exactly. If you were his aunt, you should have come for Zhao Niu’s funeral. I haven’t seen this family before.”

“I haven’t either.”

“Could they be frauds?”

The onlookers began to discuss, looking at Madam Hu’s family with suspicion.

Madam Hu became anxious and shouted, “I really am Goudan’s aunt. Our family lives in Beishan’ao. When Zhao Niu died, no one informed us, so we didn’t know. If I hadn’t been concerned about my nephew and sent people to check several times, I wouldn’t have known he was in trouble.”

“That’s hard to believe. Who knows if it’s true?” Wang Yuan’er looked at her with feigned skepticism. “I heard the court is still hunting rebels. You’re not rebels, are you? If that’s the case, our Changle Town would be in danger. Harboring rebels is a capital offense.”

This statement was like a bomb going off in the crowd. Some shouted, “Report to the authorities! People of unknown origin must be reported.”

“Yes, report to the authorities!”

Hearing the calls to report to the authorities, the faces of Hu’s family turned even more ashen. Some were so frightened they started crying. Madam Hu was extremely anxious and, seeing Wang Yuan’er’s leisurely demeanor, she clenched her teeth and shouted, “We are indeed Goudan’s relatives. The village head knows us. If you don’t believe me, ask the village head.”

The crowd paused, and Madam Hu slapped her thigh, crying, “Yes, my nephew is missing, and this wretched girl is stirring up trouble, claiming the house is hers. It must be that the Wang family has killed my nephew for his property. Oh, my poor nephew, what has happened to you?”

Madam Hu sat on the ground, slapping her thigh and wailing. The crowd looked from her to Wang Yuan’er. You accuse me of being a rebel, and I accuse you of murder for property. Now, it’s a matter of who has the stronger case.

“Who murdered for property? You can say anything, but you can’t make baseless accusations. These two dilapidated houses were insisted upon by Goudan to be sold to us. Would our Wang family be interested otherwise?” Grandma Wang, leading Wang Qing’er, approached quickly.

Chapter 116

Grandma Wang, looking furious, squeezed into the crowd and first glared at her eldest granddaughter before turning to the woman who was sitting on the ground, acting crazy. Upon hearing that her granddaughter was being bullied, she couldn’t sit still. Even though she didn’t care much for the people in the main house, they were now just a few orphans, and if she, as their grandmother, didn’t protect them, they would truly be bullied to death.

So, as soon as she heard someone bring the news, she hurried over. On the way, she met Wang Qing’er, and after discussing the matter, they realized Wang Yuan’er already had a plan, which eased her mind a bit. But how dare this shrew to accuse her Wang family of murder for a property?

That’s slander!

Her Wang family had lived in Changle Town for generations, leading an honest and upright life. This was the first time someone had accused them of such a serious crime—murder for property? That’s a capital crime!

“I told you before, those two dilapidated houses weren’t worth much, but you insisted on buying them. Now look, some random people are accusing you of murder for property. How are you going to resolve this?” Grandma Wang glanced at Madam Hu and then scolded Wang Yuan’er harshly.

But to others, her words had a different implication.

“Grandma Wang, what do you mean by this? Did your family buy Zhao Goudan’s house?” someone asked in surprise. “I thought your granddaughter was just helping to take care of it.”

“Hush, don’t say such nonsense. My granddaughter still needs to get married. How could my Yuan’er, who has no relation to Goudan, take care of his house?” Grandma Wang spat on the ground and said, “After Zhao Niu died, his son brought the house deed and insisted on selling those two dilapidated houses to her. Tell them, isn’t that right?” This last sentence was naturally directed at Wang Yuan’er.

Back then, Madam Zhang had told her that Wang Yuan’er had given Goudan a bag of money, and now with the house deed, Grandma Wang assumed it was purchased. Regardless of the actual situation, they could only say it was bought with real money now, or else it would be hard to explain.

“My grandmother speaks the truth,” Wang Yuan’er stepped forward, sneering at Madam Hu. “I did give Goudan money, and he indeed gave me the house deed.” She was vague in her words, not explicitly saying it was sold, but it sounded the same to the listeners.

After she spoke, Wang Qing’er opened a tattered house deed in front of Madam Hu, “Take a good look at it.”

Madam Hu had already felt uneasy when Old Madam Wang mentioned buying the house. Could it be that the boy really sold the house? Seeing the house deed now, her face turned green. She quickly reached out to grab it, but Wang Qing’er swiftly retrieved it.

Madam Hu, frustrated, rolled her eyes and argued, “Who knows if that house deed is real? Even if it is, who knows if you harmed my nephew and took it? My nephew is missing, and you can say whatever you want.”

Now, they understood the meaning of countering an accusation with a false countercharge.

“Are you the reincarnation of the Second Brother, turning the tables?” Wang Qing’er couldn’t stand it, jumping up and pointing at her, scolding.

“Hmph! Hit the mark, didn’t I? That’s why you’re so angry.” Madam Hu was somewhat proud.

“You…”

Wang Yuan’er stopped her and coldly glanced at Madam Hu. Looking at the onlookers, she said, “Our Wang family has lived in Changle Town for generations, and everyone knows what kind of people we are. Would we commit such a heinous crime? Now, these outsiders are bullying us. I think it would be best to take this to the court. But…” Her tone changed, narrowing her eyes, “Do you think you and your family can handle the charges of slander? And what about the crime of forcibly entering a private residence? The house deed is in my possession, so this house is mine. You are trespassing!”