“Brother Beihai, Second Sister-in-law, Xiaolan is still an innocent child. I will do everything in my power to save her.”
Song Beichen turned his head away, unable to bear looking at the pitiful pair kneeling before him.
“But as her parents, the two of you truly need to reflect on your actions.”
At the mention of this niece, Zhou Rong’s eyes also reddened.
Xiaolan had once woven a beautiful flower crown for her.
The girl was hardworking, sensible, and, by some blessing, had not inherited even a trace of her parents’ laziness.
Earlier, Old Madam Wu had desperately tried to protect the wooden chest that contained her life’s savings.
She had fought fiercely against the Zhao family’s servants and guards.
As a result, she had been beaten badly.
A large patch of scalp had been torn away, leaving her head covered in blood.
The sight was so gruesome that the surrounding villagers instinctively stepped back in disgust.
“Song Beichen, you unfilial beast!”
Old Madam Wu shrieked hysterically.
“This old woman regrets giving birth to a monster like you!”
“They’re your own brothers!”
“They were beaten half to death by the Zhao family and thrown back here, all because you allowed your vicious little wolves to commit such crimes!”
“Our ancestral home has been destroyed!”
“Everything this old woman owned has been taken away!”
“We have no way to survive anymore!”
Her voice grew increasingly shrill.
“Today, I’ll beat you to death myself and cleanse the Song family of a traitor!”
The crowd was still watching her outburst when, before Zhou Rong or the brothers could react, Old Madam Wu suddenly charged forward.
With a violent shove, she pushed Song Beichen out of his wheelchair.
Crash!
The wheelchair overturned.
Song Beichen was thrown heavily onto the ground.
Both knees slammed hard against the rough stone pavement.
“Father!”
Song Wen and Song Wu shouted at the same time.
They rushed forward and hurriedly helped him up.
“Are your legs alright?”
Meanwhile, Zhou Rong’s expression darkened completely.
She lunged forward and grabbed Old Madam Wu’s wrists like iron shackles.
With the help of their neighbor, Old Madam Zhao, she forcibly dragged the screaming old woman aside.
Song Beichen clutched his knees.
His face had gone deathly pale from the pain.
“Mother…”
His voice trembled slightly.
“Do you truly hate me that much?”
“Do you hate me so deeply that you must also hate my wife and children?”
For years, Zhou Rong had endured every grievance for the sake of maintaining family harmony.
She had retreated again and again.
Yet the second and third branches had still refused to spare her daughter.
They had actually tried to sell and abduct her child.
That was something Zhou Rong could never forgive.
Nor did she intend to endure it any longer.
Since they had committed such evil, they would pay the price.
“Beichen.”
Zhou Rong’s voice was firm and resolute.
“We’re going to the county seat to save Xiaolan.”
“And while we’re there, we’re reporting this directly to the magistrate.”
“Brother Beihai and Brother Beishan kidnapped a child for money. That’s a crime.”
“We’ll send both of them straight to prison.”
The moment those words fell, Song Wu’s eyes lit up.
“Father, Mother, I’m fast enough to run there myself!”
“I’ll go borrow Village Chief Wang’s donkey cart right now!”
Before anyone could stop him, he took off like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Watching him disappear, Old Master Song became frantic.
He slammed his tobacco pipe against the ground repeatedly.
“Beichen, son! Don’t act recklessly!”
“They’re your brothers!”
“Brothers born of the same parents!”
“Listen to your father and let this matter go!”
“If you drag them into court and send them to prison, your reputation will be ruined throughout the entire county!”
His face flushed red with agitation.
“And your Brother Beishan is taking the imperial examination next spring!”
“Are you trying to destroy his future?”
Then he turned toward the remaining members of the family.
“Beihai! Beishan!”
“What are you standing there for?”
“Hurry and stop Song Wu!”
“Under no circumstances can you allow him to report this to the county magistrate!”
“If they committed a crime, then they must bear the consequences.”
Song Beichen’s voice was cold.
“Father. Mother.”
“You should also prepare yourselves for whatever follows.”
Having said that, he no longer wished to waste another word.
Supported by Song Wen, he headed toward Village Chief Wang’s home.
Zhou Rong followed closely beside him.
By the time they arrived, Song Wu had already reached the house ahead of them.
He had delivered the basket containing twenty eggs and ten jin of premium white rice.
After listening to the young man’s explanation of everything that had happened, Village Chief Wang found himself caught in a difficult position.
Just then, he noticed Song Beichen’s family approaching through the gate.
He immediately instructed his wife to bring out several stools and invited them to sit in the courtyard.
“Beichen.”
Village Chief Wang let out a long sigh.
“I’ve watched you grow up since you were a child.”
“I know you’re an honest and kind-hearted man.”
He shook his head helplessly.
“As for your two younger brothers, they’ve truly behaved like beasts.”
“I understand the pain and anger you’re carrying.”
His expression became grave.
“However, reporting this matter to the county magistrate is no small matter.”
“It concerns not only your family.”
“It will also affect the reputation and honor of our entire village.”