When Jiang Datiao said he was going back to call someone, Liu Pozi experienced a brief moment of panic, but then quickly realized he was just going to call the daughter-in-law’s elder sister over.

The panic immediately vanished without a trace.

She sneered and said, “Yanzi, I used to think you were a smart person, but how come you’re doing such foolish things now? Do you think Jiang Yu belongs to your family? Don’t you know what her maternal family is like? You want Datiao to go back and call her sister-in-law over, but when Datiao comes back alone later, you’d better not be laughing too hard!”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu’s pale face turned even paler.

She clenched her teeth and softly persuaded Zhou Yan, who was shielding her behind, “Second sister-in-law, please go back, I’ll be fine.”

Even if life was hard, she couldn’t drag the people who cared about her down with her.

Besides, it wouldn’t be long before things got better.

Zhou Yan wouldn’t back down.

She was just as uncertain inside but didn’t show it on the outside.

With determination, she said, “What’s the matter? Is it because your daughter-in-law has someone supporting her, so you can’t hit her? But when there’s no one to back her up, does she have to be beaten to death?”

Liu Pozi slapped her own clothes and spoke with authority, “She’s my Liu family’s daughter-in-law, brought into the family with ten taels of silver. It’s her duty to be filial to her in-laws, serve her husband, and bear children for the family. But she hasn’t done any of that! What’s wrong with beating her? Doesn’t she deserve it? Go ask around the village, isn’t it proper for a mother-in-law to teach her daughter-in-law manners?”

Zhou Yan, pretending not to know about Liu Sheng’s widow cousin, raised her voice and asked, “Isn’t it your son’s problem that the Liu family hasn’t had heirs? Why are you blaming it on Jiang Yu? If one side can be blamed on the woman, what about both sides? Are you saying both men are blameless?”

The distance between Shili Village and Qili Village wasn’t far.

Walking round-trip took about half an hour. Dato was quick on his feet and would return in about the time it took to brew a cup of tea.

It would take at least three cups of tea to call everyone over and explain the situation.

She had to stall for time.

No matter how many people or how few came, at least for the time being, she couldn’t let Jiang Yu be beaten by Liu Pozi.

Liu Pozi, who would usually shrink back when discussing this issue, stood upright now, her voice so loud that it seemed like she wanted the whole village to hear: “Everyone, come look! Come, come, look!”

She waited until the neighbors came out and stretched their necks to peer over the adobe wall.

Then, she smugly said, “Zhou Yan is an outsider, so it’s understandable she doesn’t know. I’m afraid there are others in the village who don’t know either, so I’ll explain everything today!

My son is in good health, there’s nothing wrong with him! I’ve been saying, if there are no children, it’s the woman’s fault, how could it be the man’s fault? Now my cousin’s daughter has my son’s child, tell me, whose problem is this?”

Zhou Yan quickly responded, “Whose problem it is, I don’t know, but how are you so sure the child in her belly is your son’s?”

“Liu Sheng is already married twice! He’s not good-looking, and he’s short. If your niece can like him, then wouldn’t any other man also be suitable?”

As soon as Zhou Yan finished, the crowd of villagers outside the adobe wall exploded in a loud clamor!

“Yeah, how can Liu Pozi be so sure it’s your son’s child?”

“A widow, getting involved with her cousin, how could that be good? Just because she says it’s your son’s, does that make it true?”

“Zhou Yan’s right! Liu Sheng isn’t good-looking, and he’s short. What could a young woman like about him? Unless she wants him to be a ‘green-headed turtle’!”

…

The villagers had always disliked Liu Pozi’s arrogant attitude, especially how she would beat her daughter-in-law severely—filial piety was important, but you couldn’t just beat someone to death.

That was taking a life, wasn’t it?

They subtly used Liu Sheng’s poor health as a weapon against Liu Pozi.

Ever since Liu Sheng’s widow cousin got pregnant, Liu Pozi had immediately reverted to her old self, and now they frequently heard Jiang Yu’s cries for mercy.

Now, after hearing Zhou Yan’s words, the villagers immediately felt that she had a point.

Whether it was true or not, they were all on Zhou Yan’s side.

Liu Pozi was so angry she was trembling, and she pounded her chest to calm herself. Fuming, she shouted, “You’re just jealous! You can’t stand seeing the Liu family have heirs!”

Inside the house, a woman wiped her tears with a handkerchief and sobbed, “Cousin Sheng, besides the previous one, I only have you. You must believe me.”

Liu Sheng felt sorry for her, his short stature quickly stepping forward to comfort her, “Of course, I believe you! I’m in good health, it’s Jiang Yu’s fault, and your land is fertile.”

Then he angrily stood up and cursed, “Zhou Yan is too much! Her husband doesn’t care about her, but today I’ll teach her a good lesson in place of her husband!”

“Chun Tao, wait inside for me. After I deal with Zhou Yan, we’ll have Jiang Yu come in to serve you!”

Wang Chun Tao touched her stomach and smiled shyly, “Okay, I’ll wait with my son.”

It was great!

Not only had she found a father for her son, but she also found someone to rely on, and the whole family believed her.

She glanced at the short figure walking away with disdain.

It only took a couple of minutes, and she couldn’t understand where her cousin got his confidence that there was nothing wrong with him…

---

Jiang Datiao ran all the way, breathing heavily.

He first rushed to his home to tell his father and brother about Jiang Yu’s broken leg.

Then, he quickly went to Shen Qing’s house.

Yan Zi and Xiao Yu were still at Liu’s house, and although Yan Zi was from Shili Village, he didn’t trust Liu Pozi to not lash out in anger.

Especially with Yan Zi’s sharp tongue, he really didn’t feel at ease!

He rushed to Shen Qing’s house and found the courtyard door locked.

He hurriedly knocked on the wooden door, shouting in a panic, “Sister-in-law, Jiang Yu’s been beaten at Liu’s house! Her legs aren’t working properly, I don’t know if they’re broken, but you need to go see what to do!”

Hearing the commotion, Huo Bing quickly came forward and opened the courtyard door.

She anxiously asked, “Uncle Datiao, what happened to Little Aunt?”

Jiang Datiao, dripping with sweat, swallowed dryly, about to explain when Shen Qing came out of the house with a cold expression.

She walked while instructing, “Ah Bing, don’t ask, go get water and let your Uncle Datiao catch his breath.

Eldest Son, Third Son, Fourth Son, stop what you’re doing. Go to Second Son, Third Uncle, Fifth Uncle, and other villagers’ homes and tell them your little aunt is being beaten to death by the Liu family! Ask them to help us seek justice!

Jiang Shui, you stay behind. Men have their own battles, and women have their own tasks. You, your sister-in-law, and Xiao Li will make as many flatbreads and steamed buns as you can. When the people come back, they’ll need food.

Don’t skimp on the food. If they can’t finish it, let them take it home. We can’t let them go hungry!

Also, boil all the eggs and duck eggs at home; prepare a clean set of clothes, and heat a tub of water. Stay here and wait for me to bring your little aunt home.”