“Alright then, let Su Ying come out. Su Da Mei, why haven’t you gone to fetch your second sister yet?”
The crowd spoke to Su Juan with hostile tones.
Their true intention was to find ways to make Su Ying agree to become He Changchun’s concubine.
Having no choice, Su Juan could only sigh and call Su Ying out.
“Su Ying, what exactly is going on with you? Although the family shop hasn’t been doing well and hasn’t earned much money, if you’re in difficulty, you could have directly come to your second aunt. Even if I had to sell all our pots and pans, I would gather what you need. Why must you resort to such things!
Look at all this commotion you’ve caused. Your grandmother even got a headache from anger over this matter. How can you be so troublesome?”
The moment Mrs. He saw Su Ying emerge, she couldn’t resist putting on her caring persona, but was interrupted by He Changchun.
Aunt, please don’t speak to Ying like that. She must be feeling unwell. You should comfort her more. Sister Ying, how have you been recently? Has the food not been to your taste? Whatever you want to eat, just tell your Changchun brother. I’ll get everything for you, as long as you’re well!”
These words of concern immediately made everyone present burn with jealousy.
Look at what a fine young man this is – not only did he pass the provincial imperial exam with high honors, but he’s also so warm and considerate. What a pity that such an excellent match is being wasted on this shameless little hussy!
Su Ying deliberately put on a confused expression as she looked up at He Changchun, then intentionally took two steps back, asking him with a bewildered face, “What does this mean?”No, no, Ying sister, are you willing to marry me? I know you… you’re still willing to marry me, right?”
After hesitating for a long time, He Changchun finally managed to blurt out these words.
The crowd was furious, wanting to properly advise him that this wasn’t about marriage, but about taking a concubine!
Before anyone could speak up, Su Ying declared, “Well, this was an engagement arranged when my father was still alive. I naturally have no objections. If He Juren wishes to marry me, then he should discuss it with my family and choose an auspicious date. Why must he do this in front of so many people… ugh…”
Before she could finish her sentence, a morning sickness gesture caused an uproar among the crowd, followed by a torrent of scolding.
“Truly shameless! After doing such things, she still has the face to ask for a proper marriage proposal and an auspicious date…”
“Exactly! Let me tell you, stop daydreaming! He Juren is no ordinary person – he has a bright future ahead of him. He can’t marry an unchaste woman like you!”
“If I were you, I’d just jump in the river and die. I wouldn’t have the face to shamelessly ask someone to marry me…”
Harsh words came one after another. Su Ying’s face turned deathly pale as she squeezed out a few tears, looking anxiously at Mrs. He.
“Second Aunt, what’s happening? Please save me!”
Mrs. He sneered, then quickly resumed her disappointed expression. “Yingzi, oh, why must you do such things? If you don’t want to be a concubine, your second aunt can continue to support you!”
“What things? What’s wrong with me? Ugh…”
Su Ying deliberately asked with feigned confusion, then couldn’t help retching again.
“Oh, must you play dumb? We’ve all been through this – who doesn’t recognize these as signs of morning sickness? Do you think everyone is as foolish as you?”
Mrs. He was delighted. With this veil torn away, she was finally liberated – pretending all these years had been quite exhausting anyway.
Su Ying widened her tear-filled eyes, gazing at Mrs. He with a pitiful expression. “Aunt, don’t you believe me? Even Doctor Sun said I’m fine. If you don’t believe me, go ask Doctor Sun!”
The crowd couldn’t resist exposing her act. “Did you bribe Doctor Sun too?”
Hearing this, Su Ying lowered her head in grievance, not daring to look at anyone. Upon closer inspection, her entire body was trembling.
Half of her face had nearly healed after applying ointment over the past few days, and it would likely recover completely in another half month.
This vulnerable appearance made He Changchun’s heart itch with desire. Suppressing the urge to rush over and hold her in his arms, he gently comforted her, “I believe you, I believe you. Whether you’re affected or not, I’ll always treat you well. Sister Ying, let me take you home?”
His plan was to take her home first, then seize the opportunity to break ties with the Su family, demanding justice for the girl and the return of her family property. This way, Su Ying would surely be immensely grateful to him. He could then logically explain the stakes, confident that between her status and his official career, she would undoubtedly choose the latter.
Su Ying merely kept her head down, silent, as if tacitly agreeing to the matter.
Just then, a voice suddenly emerged.
“This woman carries too heavy a Killing Aura. Whether as a wife or concubine, she will inevitably bring ruin to any household. Now that she’s pregnant, the Killing Aura is even more unstoppable. I fear it may bring disaster to the entire village. I urge everyone to be cautious! I propose drowning her in a pond!”
The crowd was startled and turned to see a Black-robed Taoist approaching with a Dust Whisk in hand. People quickly made way for him.
The Black-robed Taoist stopped before Su Ying, his sinister eyes scrutinizing her up and down.
“This woman’s brow is dark, her Killing Aura overwhelming, with signs of breaking through constraints. I’ve said my piece—the decision is yours to make!”
Having spoken, he shook his head.
Su Ying’s face turned deathly pale, but inwardly she was rejoicing.
It seemed this Taoist must have been summoned by the Su family. They likely knew He Changchun wanted to use her to seize the Su family’s wealth. To prevent his success, they had no choice but to force her to die.
Just as she had anticipated!
What a pity—the reputation the Su family had painstakingly maintained for years was about to be destroyed today!
The crowd panicked upon hearing this. Over the years, many had claimed the three Su siblings carried a Killing Aura. Now, with a Taoist confirming it, Su Ying truly couldn’t be allowed to remain.
People are often like this: once their interests are threatened, they spare no effort to crush whoever jeopardizes them.
Now, convinced by the Taoist’s words, they turned their spears toward Su Ying.
“If that’s really the case, this girl can’t be allowed to stay!”
“That’s right! Drown her in the pond, drown her in the pond!”
“Village head, you’re in charge of our Xiaoke Village. Give the order—should we drown her or not?”
“She’s a calamity! If we don’t kill her, we’ll never have peace again!”
“Think about where they live—snakes appearing for no reason, fires breaking out inexplicably, even people burned to death! Village head, you mustn’t be soft-hearted!”
Everyone focused their attention on Village head Wang Changde, urging him to make a decision.
To burn someone alive or drown them in a pond, their word alone wasn’t enough—this matter required the village head’s approval, otherwise they would be treating human life as worthless.
Seeing the strong public sentiment and somewhat believing the Taoist priest’s words himself, the village head was inclined to nod in agreement.
Su Ying noticed this and immediately screamed, clutching Mrs. He’s arm, “Aunt, save me! Tell them I’m not pregnant, I’m not an evil star, I won’t bring killing aura to the village, I don’t want to be drowned in the pond!”
Mrs. He pushed Su Ying away and said helplessly, “Yingzi, aren’t you making things difficult for me? I want you safe and sound too, but you can’t expect everyone to suffer misfortune because of you!”
“Aunt, don’t you believe me? Have you never believed me at all? Is it so hard for you to speak up for me? Please help me summon Doctor Sun, go and invite him for me!”
Su Ying deliberately feigned a panicked expression.
At this point, Mrs. He openly declared, “Enough! I’ve covered for you more than enough. I came here this morning—you and your elder sister bribed Doctor Sun to lie for you. Don’t think I don’t know!”