When Fang Yao learned that Li Xuemiao’s family had also held a Return-to-the-bride's-family banquet, she knew Xu Manjiang had managed to deceive the Li family.
Wang Cuilian claimed it was the old lady who hosted, but in reality, she was likely forced into it by the Li family, having no choice but to comply.
This alone was enough to show that Wang Cuilian was already in cahoots with the Li family. The so-called "talking things over" was nothing more than taking advantage of Xu Qingzhou’s return to unit to bully them over the compensation issue!
Fang Yao wasn’t about to indulge her. Before Wang Hua could speak, she stood up and walked right up to Wang Cuilian.
"What does Second Aunt want to discuss with us? Splitting the blame evenly and having me return the money to your family? Fine, then I’ll go call the village chief right now and report this to the city authorities. Let’s sort this out from start to finish and see whether taking the wrong person is a bigger responsibility, or sleeping with the wrong person is!"
Wang Cuilian’s face immediately turned green with rage: "Bah! Always wanting to spread things outside, as if this is some glorious affair? You little hussy, how can you be so shameless!"
"Xu Qingzhou and I are completely innocent. Our marriage was properly arranged, and that’s something that can be justified anywhere. Not like some people, sneaking into the Bridal Chamber like rats burrowing into a hole—not only embarrassing themselves but refusing to save face!"
"You… you’re utterly disrespectful! Do you even have any regard for us elders? Sister-in-law, are you really going to indulge her like this, letting her speak to me this way?" Unable to argue with Fang Yao, Wang Cuilian turned her frustration on Wang Hua.
Wang Hua usually didn’t bother with her out of disdain, but she couldn’t stand by and watch her daughter-in-law be bullied. She immediately steeled herself.
"Sister-in-law, you should go back. I have nothing to discuss with you. I agree with Yao Yao—if you insist on reasoning this out, then let the authorities handle it. Arguing privately won’t get us anywhere."
"Fine, I see how it is. You’ve all ganged up after taking advantage, not caring whether my Man Jiang lives or dies. You’re forcing me to my death…"
Wang Cuilian wailed as she rushed into the courtyard, plopping down on the ground and crying: "Heavens, open your eyes and see! This nest of heartless creatures is pushing me to my death, waaah…"
Her hysterical sobbing soon drew neighbors peering over the wall to watch the spectacle.
Wang Hua was about to go outside, but Fang Yao stopped her: "Mom, let her make a scene. She won’t stop until she’s completely humiliated. Paying her any attention would only be giving her face."
Though anxious, Wang Hua listened to her and stayed inside.
Wang Cuilian put on a one-woman show in the courtyard, crying and wailing with no one to play along, only drawing laughter from the neighbors.
Xu Manjiang and Li Xuemiao arrived late, sensing something was wrong, and hurried over to help her up.
"Mom, what are you doing again? Get up quickly, everyone’s watching!" Surrounded by villagers, Xu Manjiang’s face burned with shame, nowhere to hide.
Li Xuemiao remained composed. Having exchanged Bridal Chambers with Fang Yao and lost all the Bride price Xu Manjiang had given her, she was unwilling to accept it. She cleverly guided her parents and teamed up with Wang Cuilian, taking advantage of Xu Qingzhou’s absence today to try and reclaim the Bride price.
Seeing that her efforts had failed, she raised her shrill voice in the courtyard, crying, "Mom, please don't do this! Whatever the fault, it's all mine and Man Jiang's! We were caught red-handed, and now they won't let it go. I can only blame my own bad luck. I chose to follow Man Jiang, and I accept all the hardship and humiliation. Who made me lack the good fortune of someone like Fang Yao? She clearly married a military officer, gained an advantage, and then turned around to bite the hand that fed her—not satisfied with extorting compensation, she even wants to make us lose face in the village! Who should I hate? Who should I blame? Wuwu…"
Li Xuemiao's heart-wrenching sobs silenced the neighbors watching from the walls, who mulled over the meaning behind her words.
"Logically speaking, Man Jiang's wife did gain an advantage by ending up with Qingzhou."
"That's right. The Li family's daughter marrying Man Jiang was a step down, and yet they accepted the match without complaint. They even had to pay compensation—how unlucky!"
"Qingzhou's new wife is really something. The day before yesterday, she beat Man Jiang black and blue. She may look wronged, but she's no fool. Turning around and marrying Qingzhou shows she knows exactly where her interests lie!"
"Ah, look at this! What should have been a Double Happiness occasion has turned into such a mess. Just watching it is embarrassing!"
The discussions in the courtyard were heard clearly inside the house. Wang Hua trembled with anxiety, wanting to rush out, but Fang Yao pulled her back.
"Mom, don't go. I'll handle it!" With that, Fang Yao pushed the door open and stepped into the courtyard.
Facing the scrutiny of countless eyes, she suddenly understood why Xu Qingzhou had taken a liking to her.
Perhaps he, too, knew Wang Hua's temperament. He desperately needed a sharp blade to guard his rear.
"Since everyone is here today, I'll explain this matter once more. When the bridal chambers were mixed up, Xu Qingzhou and I immediately went to swap back. But Xu Manjiang and Li Xuemiao didn't even turn on the lights—they just slept together. As a result, I lost my husband, and Xu Qingzhou's rightful wife was tainted. If this happened to anyone else, who could accept it?"
"The fault lies with Xu Manjiang and Li Xuemiao. Xu Qingzhou and I are the victims. If Li Xuemiao is truly as wronged as she claims, she could have reported Xu Manjiang for rape. There's no need for her to come to my courtyard and play the victim while shifting blame. Anyone can turn the tables, but I, Fang Yao, won't stand for it! If they had any shame, they wouldn't come to the victims to cause trouble. Plainly speaking, they just want to shirk responsibility. If those who made the mistake don't take responsibility, who will speak up for us victims? If justice works this way, then anyone who suffers wrongs in the future should just accept it—they'd deserve it and have no one to blame but themselves!"
As soon as Fang Yao finished speaking, those who had been gossiping on the walls fell silent, their expressions awkward.
A few who had conflicts with Wang Cuilian decisively sided with Fang Yao and spoke up for her.
"Wang Cuilian, your son has already taken Qingzhou's original wife. Don't come here to make trouble. The Xu Family's reputation, built over a lifetime, isn't enough for a few of you to ruin!"
"If Qingzhou's wife hadn't spoken up, I would have thought Man Jiang's wife was in the right. But on second thought, no bride is so foolish as to not recognize her own husband. Not even turning on the lights on the wedding night—I think the village Party branch secretary's daughter is just too eager!"
"Then don't blame Fang Yao or Qingzhou. Whoever makes a mistake should take responsibility. Refusing to admit it afterward is just shameless!"
The neighbors' words not only flushed Wang Cuilian's face with shame but also made Xu Manjiang wish he could vanish into the ground. He shook off Wang Cuilian's hand and said, "You deal with this yourself!" before turning and running out of the courtyard.
Li Xuemiao, needless to say, turned pale, then ashen, and in her panic, she too abandoned Wang Cuilian and turned to flee.
After a stunned two seconds, Wang Cuilian had no choice but to rely on her thick-skinned resilience and ran out of the courtyard, wailing and sobbing.
The farce came to a temporary halt. Fang Yao watched the three women flee in disarray, brushed off her sleeves, and returned indoors.
She thought the matter was over, but at noon, Old Mrs. Xu personally came to their door, humbly pleading with them to go to the front courtyard and meet Li Xuemiao's parents.
"Wang Hua, Qingzhou and Yao Yao's marriage is settled, but I can't just stand by and watch Man Jiang be sent to prison by the Li family!"