Chapter 13: The Fault Is Not Mine, Nor Should the Shame Be Mine

 

Chaos erupted in the courtyard. Xu Fen’s hair was singed, his face bearing clear burn marks.

 

He had only managed to extinguish the flames by rolling in the snow. Now he lay on the ground, gasping for breath after surviving his ordeal.

 

The Xu family’s faces were contorted with anger.

 

Madam Xu rushed forward, spitting words in fury: “What couldn’t be discussed properly? We may live in the Hu household, but that doesn’t mean we can be bullied at will!”

 

Yu Tingwan stood alone, wrapped in an outer garment.

 

“He tried to take advantage of me.”

 

Madam Wang, stunned by Xu Fen’s brazenness, secretly felt disappointed that he hadn’t succeeded.

 

What a useless fool!

 

She joined the Xu family in berating Yu Tingwan.

 

“Regardless, harming someone was wrong.”

 

“If something happened to your Second Brother Xu, how would you have me explain it?”

 

The Xu family was clearly in the wrong here; they had no ground to stand on. However, with Madam Wang’s interference, Madam Xu felt emboldened and pointed at Yu Tingwan accusingly.

 

“Just because he entered your room, you assume he wanted to assault you? Did my son tear your clothes or grope you?”

 

“What are you pretending for? If you hadn’t seduced him, if you were proper, would my son have come looking for trouble at night?”

 

Such crude words would have left any other young woman mortified and furious.

 

But not Yu Tingwan.

 

As the wind lifted her hair, she simply tucked it behind her ear, remaining silent.

 

Xiao Xu had even forgotten her fear of being dominated by Yu Tingwan.

 

“Yu Tingwan! What deep grudge do you harbor against my second brother to harm him like this?”

 

Madam Xu’s shrewd eyes darted about. With an imposing tone, she declared, “In any case, if this matter isn’t properly resolved, don’t expect to have peace!”

 

The commotion was so great it drew the village chief’s attention.

 

When he arrived, many villagers had gathered outside the Hu household, whispering among themselves. Before he even entered, he had already grasped the situation.

 

“This Xu Fen had proposed marriage before, but Hu Dazhu refused. Who would have thought he’d be so shameless as to try sneaking into Tingwan’s room at night?”

 

“His mother is making a scene inside now, claiming Xu Fen’s injuries are Tingwan’s fault. The room was broken into, Tingwan’s reputation is tainted—if she wants to preserve her name, she should marry Xu Fen.”

 

“Pah! How utterly shameless! Trying to get something for nothing!”

 

The village chief’s face darkened as he entered and saw Xu Fen lying on the ground, dark-faced and unsightly.

 

At this moment, Xu Fen was quite pleased with himself.

 

“Cousin Yu, just give in to me.”

 

“Now that we’re in this situation, why let everyone laugh at us?”

 

Yu Tingwan’s anger surged uncontrollably. Cold-faced, she stepped forward and delivered two swift kicks to Xu Fen’s face.

 

“Ah!”

 

“You dare strike my son!”

 

Madam Xu’s eyes bulged as she rolled up her sleeves, but would the people of Xilin Village let her have her way? Li Lian rushed forward, pulling Yu Tingwan back.

 

“Good child, don’t be angry, don’t be angry.”

 

“We’ll definitely seek justice for you.”

 

If not for her strength, Yu Tingwan would have broken free to deliver more kicks.

 

“You worthless scoundrel, what makes you think you’re worthy of desiring me?”

 

Yu Tingwan was utterly disgusted. With a cold smile, she turned to Madam Wang.

 

“What does Aunt think?”

 

Madam Wang feigned difficulty.

 

“Wan’niang, I see Xu Fen has genuine feelings for you. Yes, what he did was wrong, just a moment of foolishness…”

 

“But after tonight, who else would marry you? Even if you’re innocent, who would believe it now? In your aunt’s opinion, our families might as well become closer through marriage.”

 

“Have you said enough?”

 

Yu Tingwan showed no mercy.

 

“Since this incident began, Aunt has only sided with the Xu family, not speaking a single word in my defense.”

 

“Indeed. Aunt can’t bear to see me well off, so you’re eager to push me into the fire pit.” 

 

Madam Wang choked.

 

But after the Dong family incident, how could she show anger toward Yu Tingwan with everyone watching?

 

 “How can you think of me this way?”

 

Yu Tingwan had no patience for her poor acting.

 

“Aunt blamed me from the very start for hurting him.”

 

Madam Wang didn’t deny it, feeling justified: “After all, he is your sister-in-law’s brother.”

 

“So Aunt means I should swallow this grievance? When he broke in at night, I shouldn’t have resisted? Even if I were violated, I should consider my sister-in-law’s feelings and keep quiet?”

 

Madam Wang’s eyes widened. Seeing the village chief’s darkening face, she hurriedly denied it.

 

“No! I meant that the Hu household is small, and I live right next door. If you had called out, I would have come immediately. How could I let you suffer?”

 

“Now that the whole village knows, what good does that do for a young woman like you?”

 

Most people present nodded at these words.

 

After all, family shame should not be aired publicly.

 

Yu Tingwan remained unmoved, her voice ice-cold.

 

“If I hadn’t fought back, if that beast had covered my mouth, I probably wouldn’t have had a chance to call for help.”

 

“Even if I had called out, I don’t believe you would have saved me.”

 

“Don’t you understand, Aunt? I’d rather have my reputation ruined than put my life in your hands. What about reputation? What could be more important than protecting myself?”

 

Madam Wang grew furious: “How dare you—”

 

“Enough!”

 

The village chief thundered: “Haven’t you made enough of a spectacle?”

 

“Madam Wang! You’re supposed to be her aunt!”

 

“If the Xu family were decent people, I wouldn’t say anything, but Xu Fen is a known scoundrel!”

 

Madam Xu protested: “What do you mean by that?”

 

The village chief cut her off forcefully: “This is Xilin Village! Yu Tingwan is one of our people! What right do you have to speak? Relatives or not, if I as village chief decide to drive your whole family away, no one would dare object!”

 

“If this marriage goes through today, won’t all those good-for-nothing rogues who can’t find wives start thinking they can sneak into our village girls’ rooms at night?”

 

“How can I set such a precedent?”

 

At once, all the onlookers held their breath, their indignation rising.

 

Indeed! This wasn’t just about Yu Tingwan! Who didn’t have daughters?

 

Yu Tingwan’s back remained straight as ever, though in truth, she also felt some lingering fear.

 

If she hadn’t been unable to sleep, if not for…

 

She dared not think further.

 

She looked coldly at Madam Xu: “Your son is a beast. I find it unlucky to even look at him. Speaking of him dirties my mouth.”

 

“Never mind that his scheme failed today—even if he had succeeded, so what? The fault is not mine, nor should the shame be mine. Did you think I was like those timid girls who would stay quiet and let you manipulate them after being violated?”

 

Xu Fen didn’t like hearing this.

 

His smile vanished as he darkly said, “You dare look down on me? I haven’t even complained about your mother…”

 

Before he could finish, Xiao Xu frantically covered his mouth.

 

This was the Hu family’s taboo. Xiao Xu had learned it from a drunken Hu Dalang and couldn’t keep quiet, telling her family when she returned home.

 

But she had repeatedly warned them never to mention it outside.

 

Who would have thought it would come to this?

 

Yu Tingwan demanded: “What about my mother? Speak! Let him speak!”

 

Xiao Xu trembled.

 

Not only did Madam Wang’s expression change, but everyone present also grew uncomfortable.

 

“If I, Yu Tingwan, am to marry, it must be to someone upright and honorable.”

 

“You say I seduced him?”

 

She seemed to have heard a joke.

 

“Did I seduce him because I was attracted to his ugliness? Or to be a servant in the dirt-poor Xu family? Or was I impressed by his capabilities—that at his age he can only steal and sneak around, showing off his self-proclaimed cleverness?”