The village chief stroked his beard calmly, showing no sign of panic.
“This is simple. The land you’ve used for three years without giving Li Miaomiao even a patch—now that you’ve planted potatoes, when they’re ready, you take half, and the other half, along with all remaining land, belongs entirely to Li Miaomiao.”
“This…”
Lin’s father opened his mouth to protest, but the village chief’s sharp gaze immediately cut him off, the earlier kindness gone.
“Any objections?”
“You’ve bullied Li Miaomiao and taken land that rightfully belongs to her. She could take this to the authorities, and then it won’t just be land and potatoes at stake,” Lin’s father warned.
Lin Dalang didn’t want anything to ruin his future. He quickly pulled his parents back, putting on a courteous expression.
“Village Chief, we accept your decision.”
The village chief sighed as he looked at Lin Dalang. Such a well-built, handsome young man, and yet such a cold-hearted rogue.
“Li Miaomiao, any objections?”
None at all. She had absolutely no objections.
She folded her hands and bowed to the village chief, her clear voice carrying a trace of amusement.
“Village Chief, you are wise.”
Glancing at the Lin family, she added with a smile, “Why wait for a date? Let’s settle this today.”
The village chief, preferring to avoid unnecessary trouble, agreed at once: “Very well, let’s handle it now.”
Three years of potato crops, and now half would go to Li Miaomiao. Lin’s parents were fuming—plans ruined, their anger had to be swallowed.
“Please, Village Chief,” Li Miaomiao said, smiling, gesturing politely.
Li Xiaorou, seeing her so courteous, couldn’t help thinking, Did falling into the river yesterday wash some sense into her?
The land lay on the back hill, with several paths leading there. Xiao Xian’s house at the village edge happened to be along one of them.
Because it was rarely traveled, the path was overgrown with weeds.
The village chief, old and weak-legged, chose the more commonly used path along with the group.
Passing several households, some villagers preparing to head to the fields greeted them.
Seeing Li Miaomiao carrying a chopping knife, and Li Xiaorou walking gracefully empty-handed, one middle-aged woman couldn’t help commenting:
“Li Miaomiao, I heard all your dowry is just stones. You tricked Xiao Xian, and now he has nothing. How will you live? Honestly, you might as well become Lin Dalang’s concubine, or at least your sister could take you in as a secondary wife.”
The woman, called Aunt Liu in the village, was all mouth and no skill. Her skin was dark and wrinkled, and her tone feigned concern.
Others going to the fields chimed in.
“Exactly! At least the Lin family has land, and Lin Dalang is handsome. Two kids in three years—what a happy life!”
“Yeah, yeah. Better to be a concubine than marry a cripple.”
Though historical dynasties regulated concubines, in this alternate era, ordinary people often took concubines as long as they could afford it. Officials usually turned a blind eye.
Hearing their words, Lin’s parents looked smug, grinning from ear to ear.
Lin’s mother pulled Li Xiaorou forward, her smile brighter than a blooming trumpet flower.
“Auntie Liu, my son wouldn’t marry a heartless, ugly woman. Our Xiaorou is perfect—caring for Dalang and me, her mother, is exceptional.”
Li Xiaorou blushed, shy yet pleased.
“Mother, your daughter-in-law will honor you and father.”
Lin’s father laughed heartily, stroking his beard.
“Xiaorou, bear us a few strong sons, and we won’t mistreat you.”
If the mother was naive, at least that could be excused—but the father had no sense at all.
These words made the well-meaning villagers feel sorry for Li Miaomiao, even offering advice.
“Li Miaomiao, you’ve only been with Xiao Xian a day. You might as well beg Lin Dalang’s forgiveness…”
Before Aunt Liu could finish, Lin’s mother cut her off with disdain: “My son wouldn’t marry a used rag.”
Li Xiaorou saw Li Miaomiao’s thoughtful expression. She must be jealous, regretting marrying Xiao Xian.
She would never let this wretched woman in.
Feigning gentle politeness, she said to the crowd: “Even though my sister has consummated her marriage, if she’s unhappy, I will try to convince Dalang to take her as a concubine.”
“Xiaorou, you’re too kind. People like her don’t deserve to enter our Lin household.”
Seeing Lin’s mother and Li Xiaorou in perfect agreement, Li Miaomiao almost laughed.
She couldn’t resist a clear, bright laugh.
The loud laughter, as if she had genuinely found joy, drew a tut from Aunt Liu: “This child…”
Li Miaomiao cast a sidelong glance at her, eyes curved in sincerity.
“Aunt Liu, didn’t your eldest son live in the county? Didn’t they have a big, fat daughter?”
Aunt Liu thought Li Miaomiao was subtly praising her son and said happily: “My eldest granddaughter is three years old, she…”
Li Miaomiao interrupted, still smiling:
“You like taking concubines, right? You’re too old now. Why not send your eldest granddaughter over early?”
Her words were far more cutting than the villagers’ veiled insults.
Aunt Liu’s face darkened with anger.
“You…”
Li Miaomiao ignored her, turning to the Lin family, a trace of scorn in her smile.
“Used rag?”
“A man who lost his virtue before marriage—I have no interest.”
In one sentence, she insulted both of them. It seemed directed at Lin Dalang but clearly referenced Li Xiaorou’s premarital history.
Their expressions changed instantly. Li Xiaorou was especially embarrassed.
Lin’s mother, furious, pointed at her: “Who are you calling filthy?”
“Whoever takes it personally, that’s on them.”
Seeing them fume, gripping sticks and hoes, Li Miaomiao kept her composure and walked to the roadside.
There stood a locust tree roughly as thick as two men’s arms.
She raised her chopping knife, gripping it tightly.
One swing, and the tree fell, leaving only a stump.
As the tree toppled, dust flew. The crowd hurriedly dodged.
Li Miaomiao walked slowly toward them, casually saying:
“My father is gone. I’m all alone now. I have a bad temper and cannot stand gossip. There’s a saying: ‘The barefoot have no fear of shoes.’ Well, that’s me right now.”
Everyone immediately remembered her mad behavior during her wedding yesterday evening.
She’s crazy!
Better to offend a rogue than a lunatic. A rogue might bother you for a while, but a lunatic would never let go.
Frightened, they stepped back.
Li Miaomiao smiled, satisfied with their expressions.
She had no desire to waste time with these self-righteous people.
“Anyone who dares speak ill of my husband or me in my presence from now on will meet the same end as this tree at Aunt Liu’s house today.”
“You… you dare kill?”