Wang Shi spoke viciously, glaring at Jiang Xia and the three children behind her.
Wu Ruixiang was momentarily speechless upon hearing this, as everything Wang Shi said was indeed true.
Five years ago, Jiang Xia had run away on her own. At first, everyone had criticized the Jiang family for being heartless, forcing their granddaughter to leave just to marry off their grandson.
But after one, two, and then three years passed with no news of Jiang Xia, a villager who had gone out to trade goods returned and said he had seen Jiang Xia in the city. She had taken up with some wild man and even had children.
When this news spread back to the village, it caused quite a stir, and public opinion shifted dramatically.
Five years later, Jiang Xia indeed returned to the village dressed in gold and silver, accompanied by four sons.
People whispered behind her back, saying she had become a concubine to some old man, then stirred up trouble by fooling around with others, and was eventually driven back home.
In an instant, Jiang Xia became the notorious, scandalous woman of the surrounding villages.
Not only did Wu Ruixiang think this way, but Jiang Xia, having absorbed the memories in her mind, also understood her own background and experiences.
She shot Wang Shi a disdainful look and said, "Wang Shi, if I remember correctly, when I returned half a year ago, most of the gold jewelry I brought with me was taken by you. At the time, you personally promised that this house would be given to me and my sons to live in."
"So? Now that the silver from pawning the jewelry is all spent, you want to go back on your word?"
Reminded by Jiang Xia, everyone present recalled the incident.
Wu Ruixiang looked at Wang Shi and said, "Old Aunt Jiang, I remember what Jiang Xia mentioned, and I believe the fellow villagers here remember it too."
Wang Shi was taken aback, her face instantly flushing with embarrassment.
Back then, when she learned that Jiang Xia had returned with a lot of gold jewelry, she had schemed to exchange this dilapidated thatched hut for it.
To avoid raising suspicions among the villagers about the origin of the jewelry, she had invited many villagers to witness the exchange. Little did she expect that this would now backfire on her!
Furious, Wang Shi planted her hands on her hips and retorted, "You little wench, do you think that tiny bit of gold was worth much? My house can't be sold to you for such a cheap price!"
Pfft—
Jiang Xia burst out laughing. "Wang Shi, this broken thatched hut is valuable now? What I gave you back then was solid gold jewelry. If you think it wasn't a fair trade, that's simple—return the gold jewelry to me, and I'll take my sons and leave right now!"
"You—" Wang Shi was so angry she couldn't speak, eyeing Jiang Xia suspiciously.
This girl was both ruthless and shrewd. Otherwise, she wouldn't have returned after five years with so much gold jewelry. But in the past, she had turned a blind eye to such matters. Why was she being so particular about it today?
At that moment, someone in the crowd outside couldn't stand it any longer and shouted, "This is too cruel! A widow and her children are already pitiable enough. How can a grandmother be so heartless as to drive them to the brink?"
"Exactly! She took so much gold from them back then, and now she wants to renege. What a vicious old woman!"
"She doesn’t even think about accumulating virtue for her own children, always doing such wicked things!"
Wu Ruixiang also stepped forward and said, "Old Aunt, you’re in the wrong today. Before things escalate further, you should go back home."
Hearing the discussions from the crowd and the village chief's words, Wang Shi felt even more furious and agitated. She turned and glared at Jiang Xia, cursing loudly, "You little wench, you win this round! Just see if you ever come begging to me in the future!"
Wang Shi spoke, glancing at her tall and sturdy grandson beside her. "Let's go!"
The two scurried to the doorway, where Wang Shi stopped again and spat fiercely.
"I'll see what heaven-defying skills you, this little wench, have to feed four little bastards!"
After hurling her harsh words, Wang Shi was about to leave when Jiang Xia's voice came from behind. "Stop!"
Wang Shi frowned and turned to look at her. "Little wench, can't wait to beg me already?"
Jiang Xia snorted coldly, her gaze resolute. "My sons bear my surname Jiang. They are the flesh and blood I carried for ten months, not some bastards! If you dare call them that in front of me again, I'll beat you every time I see you!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Shi snorted dismissively.
Jiang Xia weighed the fire poker in her hand. "Don't believe me? Just try!"
Wang Shi had wanted to mock her, but she was intimidated by Jiang Xia's stance. Though her tongue was sharp, she was actually a coward who was tough on the outside but weak inside.
Fearing Jiang Xia's stick might really land on her, she hurriedly turned and ran away.
Seeing Wang Shi leave, Wu Ruixiang waved his hand. "Folks, go on home. There's nothing more to see."
The crowd dispersed and headed home, and soon, the thatched cottage was quiet again.
Jiang Xia looked at Wu Ruixiang and said, "Uncle Wu, thank you for stepping in to uphold justice today."
Wu Ruixiang was taken aback and looked at Jiang Xia curiously. "Jiang Xia, you seem different."
He had intervened on Jiang Xia's behalf before, but she had always been indifferent.
He knew that when Jiang Xia returned this time, she was dressed in gold and silver, clearly living a prosperous life and likely looking down on the villagers from her past.
But today was different. Jiang Xia had actually thanked him on her own.
Combined with her earlier behavior, Wu Ruixiang felt much more at ease. He smiled and said, "Xia girl, I watched you grow up. No matter how you were before, as long as you can admit your mistakes and live well now, that's what matters."
Hearing this, Jiang Xia nodded firmly.