Gu Yunche sat on a nearby stool, waiting for Mu Guiying to wake up. His gaze rested on her face as her complexion gradually regained color and her sweat subsided.
When Mu Guiying awoke, the faint scent of soap filled her nostrils. She tilted her head and glanced around, her eyes falling on a neatly folded man’s shirt.
Frowning, she tried to recall: Where was she?
“Guiying, you’re awake!”
The village Party branch secretary sighed as he saw the dazed look in Mu Guiying’s eyes. “I’m the village Party branch secretary!”
Mu Guiying paused, remembering that in the book, the village Party branch secretary had been very kind to her—one of the few in the village who had shown her genuine goodwill.
Her eyes grew warm. “Old Secretary, you have to help me!”
Seeing that Mu Guiying was awake, Gu Yunche walked over, picked up the shirt nearby, and draped it over her soiled clothes.
“Now that you’re awake, take your time and speak.”
Mu Guiying glanced at the shirt on her shoulders, surprised that Gu Yunche would show concern for her.
She lowered her eyes, recalling what had happened before she fainted. She had come to find the village Party branch secretary. According to the original book’s description, there was a persimmon tree outside his house.
Mu Guiying had found the secretary’s home but didn’t know where he was at the time. She rushed into the room closest to the courtyard gate, not realizing it was where Gu Yunche was staying.
Would he misunderstand again, thinking she had deliberately barged into his room?
Mu Guiying looked apologetically at Gu Yunche. “Regiment Commander Gu, I’ve caused you trouble.”
As she spoke, she tried to get out of bed.
Just then, Liu E tried to rush forward but was blocked by Gu Yunche’s outstretched arm.
Liu E winked and gestured frantically.
She hurriedly spoke up, “Guiying, hurry up and tell everyone who exactly bullied you? My eldest son got injured protecting you. I don’t blame you, and I’m not looking for trouble, but as your aunt, I still have to help you seek justice!”
Her words carried a hidden meaning.
Mu Guiying understood what Liu E was implying.
She glanced at the villagers gathered around to watch the commotion, then looked at Gu Yunche’s anxious expression. She had already guessed what had happened while she was unconscious.
Seeing Mu Guiying lower her eyelids and remain silent, Liu E grew impatient. “Guiying, a woman’s reputation is everything. If your reputation is ruined, forget about the two men in our family—you won’t find a single man in the entire village willing to marry you.”
Was she threatening her?
Mu Guiying shot Liu E a disdainful look.
“What exactly are you trying to say, Aunt?”
Liu E was momentarily stunned. She hadn’t expected the usually sharp Mu Guiying to falter at such a critical moment and even ask her what she meant. Wasn’t her meaning clear enough?
She winked at Mu Guiying again. “Guiying, tell the truth. The village Party branch secretary is here, the villagers are here—they’ll stand up for you. No matter how high-ranking an official is, they can’t be above the law.”
Her words were even more explicit now!
The village Party branch secretary, seeing Liu E trying to manipulate Mu Guiying into smearing Gu Yunche’s reputation, was furious. “Liu E, don’t go too far. If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll call the township police station right now and report you.”
Liu E was intimidated into silence but continued to glare fiercely at Mu Guiying.
Mu Guiying knew that in this era, there were no surveillance cameras, no recordings, and no mobile phones. It would be all too easy to falsely accuse Gu Yunche.
She looked at Gu Yunche. His brow was stern and cold, and his 188-centimeter frame loomed like a mountain, imposing and intimidating.
Mu Guiying pondered her words. How could she convince Gu Yunche to let go of his suspicion that she was trying to cling to him and take her away from Liu E’s home?
If she misspoke, Gu Yunche would harbor resentment, and Liu E would seize upon any mistake to pester him into paying to settle the matter.
Then Mu Guiying would follow the same old path, ultimately meeting her end in a smuggling boat.
She smoothed her hair.
"Aunt, I'm timid and dare not harm others, but I also don't want to wrong an innocent person. It was…"
But Gu Yunche cut her off.
"Comrade Mu, think carefully before you speak!"
Mu Guiying's unspoken words were intercepted by Gu Yunche. Frowning, she looked at the handsome, upright man before her, feeling a pang of bitterness.
Gu Yunche feared she might speak carelessly and even more that she would cling to him.
Probably, in the original story, Mu Guiying's desperate attempt to climb into his bed had left him with a deep-seated loathing. In his mind, Mu Guiying was someone who could neither speak well nor do good.
Thinking of this, Mu Guiying let out a long sigh.
She lowered her gaze to the white shirt draped over her, clenched her hands, and steadied herself.
"It was Regiment Commander Gu who saved me. He didn't assault or rape me. The one who tried to take advantage and rape me was Aunt's foolish eldest son. I ran to the Party branch secretary's house to ask him to stand up for me, but I fainted as soon as I entered."
Mu Guiying took a breath, speaking calmly and unhurriedly.
"Regiment Commander Gu arrived in the village yesterday. I didn't know he was staying in this room at the Party branch secretary's house, so I barged in. So, this whole matter has nothing to do with Regiment Commander Gu."
Gu Yunche's handsome features relaxed slightly, his expression softening.
He lowered his eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips, then turned to glare at the nosy villagers. "Is everyone clear now?"
The villagers nodded repeatedly, cursing Liu E for being despicable before dispersing.
Coming to her senses, Liu E hadn't expected Mu Guiying to say such things. Back then, when she learned that Gu Yunche had come to take Mu Guiying to the capital, she had discussed with Mu Guiying the idea of getting her to sleep with Gu Yunche, and Mu Guiying had agreed readily.
Now, seeing how the situation had changed, Mu Guiying was altering her story!
"Mu Guiying, you black-hearted ingrate! When I discussed drugging Regiment Commander Gu to sleep with him, you agreed without hesitation. Now that you see he's determined to protect you, you change your tune?"
Liu E tried to rush at Mu Guiying to claw at her but was stopped by the Party branch secretary.
He scolded, "Liu E, if you keep causing trouble, I'll call the township police station right now. If they can't arrest your eldest son, they'll arrest you."
Only after hearing this did Liu E reluctantly shut her mouth, glaring fiercely at Mu Guiying and spitting in her direction.
"Shameless wretch! Do you think going to the capital will turn you into a phoenix? What a joke! Can a golden phoenix emerge from a nest of country hens?"
The Party branch secretary dragged Liu E away as she struggled and cursed.
Mu Guiying retorted, "Whether I become a phoenix or not is none of your concern, Aunt. Instead of wasting time cursing me, you'd better think about how to treat your fool son's illness and where to get the money for your second son's wedding!"
Liu E stomped in fury.
But both the Party branch secretary and his wife held her back, pushing her out, so she couldn't reach Mu Guiying.
Frustrated and furious, she turned to Gu Yunche, who was staring coldly at Mu Guiying, and said, "Regiment Commander Gu, Mu Guiying is no good—full of wicked schemes. You'd better keep your eyes open and not fall into her trap."
Hearing Liu E's words, Mu Guiying bit her lip, feeling somewhat guilty after all.
After all, when she transmigrated, Gu Yunche had already drunk the drugged Tiger Whip Wine, and in the original novel, Mu Guiying was indeed involved in the early planning. In the original story, Mu Guiying was beaten before reluctantly agreeing. However, her initial refusal was because she had never met Gu Yunche and was uneasy about him. After seeing Gu Yunche in person, she was captivated by his handsome appearance and tall, robust physique.
To put it bluntly, in the original novel, Mu Guiying was overcome with infatuation and developed a desire to seduce Gu Yunche, which is why she did not stop him from drinking the wine in time.
At that moment, Mu Guiying glanced up at Gu Yunche.
His expression was grim, and the way he looked at her had returned to its previous coldness and impatience.
Mu Guiying pondered for a moment before cautiously asking, "Regiment Commander Gu, if I say I was beaten severely and forced to participate in drugging you, would you believe me?"