Lin Granny spat on the ground in her direction.
“You? Looking down on one tael of silver? You’re just jealous! My little sister didn’t teach you enough of a lesson just now. Speaking of which, you were one of the people spreading those rumors too. And you still dare show your face? Third Wu’s wife, do you want to lose your head as well?”
Third Wu’s wife immediately lost her nerve.
She lightly slapped her own mouth and laughed awkwardly.
“I must’ve had lard in my brain back then. Listen to this foolish mouth of mine.”
Doctor Ma glanced at her before saying,
“Generally speaking, white fungus doesn’t grow alone.”
Jinxiu smiled and picked up the conversation.
“I’m certainly not as lucky as Doctor Ma.”
“I only found four small white fungus mushrooms in total.”
“I sold them for three taels of silver.”
These were the lower-grade cultivated white fungus she had exchanged from the system.
Their quality was average.
It was enough to shut Granny Bai up without attracting too much attention.
Otherwise, thieves might start eyeing the Xie family.
Even so…
Three taels of silver still made the villagers green with envy.
They had walked the road to town countless times.
Why had none of them ever found white fungus?
The Xie family really had incredible luck.
The village chief nodded.
“This proves Jinxiu is not a jinx.”
He looked coldly at Granny Bai.
“Granny Bai.”
“Have you got anything left to say now?”
“A bet is a bet.”
“You owe Jinxiu an apology.”
“And you’ll compensate her with five hundred copper coins.”
Granny Bai immediately pulled a miserable face.
“I’ll apologize.”
“But Old Madam Tian hit me first.”
“I haven’t even asked her to pay for my medical expenses.”
Song Muhuo’s face darkened.
“How about this?”
“We won’t pursue the matter of Old Madam Tian hitting my wife.”
“We’ll call it even.”
“She only needs to apologize, and we’ll let this matter end here.”
The village chief’s eyebrows shot up.
He barked,
“Granny Bai started this with her loose tongue.”
“Getting beaten served her right.”
“Do you realize how serious it is to call a young woman a jinx?”
“If she had thinner skin…”
“She might’ve thrown herself into a river long ago.”
“In that case…”
“You would’ve been responsible for her death.”
Granny Bai muttered under her breath.
Is it really that serious?
She’s standing here perfectly fine.
Meanwhile, the bruises on my face are real.
The village chief sighed.
“You’re fortunate this didn’t cost someone their life.”
“Otherwise…”
“This matter wouldn’t end so simply.”
He turned sharply toward her.
“Mrs. Bai.”
“Close your mouth.”
“Or I’ll divorce you.”
Song Muhuo glared fiercely at his wife.
She still wanted to argue?
She had already humiliated the entire family.
If this truly reached the county magistrate…
Did she want everyone in the family executed?
Clutching her chest in anger, Granny Bai gasped for breath.
“Song Muhuo!”
“The only reason I offended the Xie family today was because of you!”
“If it weren’t for what happened back then—”
Old Madam Tian rolled her eyes.
“Oh, shut it already.”
“Back then, back then…”
“You keep bringing it up as if you’re afraid people might forget.”
“Everyone knows Song Muhuo got caught passing off inferior goods as quality merchandise.”
“That’s why he lost everything.”
“A person ought to have a conscience.”
The implication couldn’t have been clearer.
Song Muhuo had none.
Served him right.
His face alternated between red and green.
His fists clenched and loosened repeatedly.
Finally, he shot Granny Bai a murderous glare.
“I’ll count to three.”
“Go get the silver.”
His expression was terrifying.
It looked as though he might hit her at any moment.
Granny Bai shrank back.
Her legs trembling, she slowly shuffled into the house.
After dragging her feet for quite some time…
She returned with a half-tael silver ingot and reluctantly handed it to Jinxiu.
“Thanks.”
Jinxiu accepted it with a radiant smile.
Granny Bai hated that smile so much her teeth nearly cracked.
Then…
Xie Jinnan calmly added another blow.
“Apologize to Jinxiu.”
Granny Bai nearly fainted from rage.
“I’m her elder!”
“You expect me to apologize to her?”
“Can she even bear that?”
Jinnan replied calmly,
“When you know you’ve done wrong, correcting yourself is the greatest virtue.”
“If you’re wrong…”
“You apologize.”
“It has nothing to do with age or seniority.”
Old Madam Tian stepped forward.
“Looks like you aren’t sincerely repentant.”
“Fine.”
“I’ll drag you straight to the authorities.”
She grabbed Granny Bai’s wrist and began pulling her away.
“All right! All right!”
“I’ll apologize!”
“I’ll apologize!”
“We’re all from the same village.”
“Let’s not make things uglier.”
Granny Bai forced out an awkward smile.
She was genuinely frightened.
Old Madam Tian was crazy enough to actually drag her before an official.
Turning toward Jinxiu, she lowered her head.
“Jinnan’s wife…”
“I was wrong.”
“I shouldn’t have spread those rumors about you.”
“This old woman got muddle-headed.”
“Please tell your grandmother…”
“…not to take me to the authorities.”
Old Madam Tian looked toward Jinxiu.
Seeing her nod…
She finally released Granny Bai’s hand.
“Hmph.”
“I’ll spare you this once.”
The village chief nodded with satisfaction.
At last…
The matter was settled.
“You’ve all seen what happened today.”
“From now on, mind your own tongues.”
“Otherwise…”
“Granny Bai will be your example.”
“All right.”
“Everyone go home.”
Jinxiu bowed politely.
“Thank you, Village Chief, for standing up for me.”
The village chief glanced at Xie Jinnan before waving dismissively.
“I’m the village chief.”
“It’s my duty.”
“You’ve been wronged.”
Meanwhile…
Old Madam Tian couldn’t have been happier.
Not only had they gained a substantial sum of money today…
She had finally taught Granny Bai a proper lesson.
For years, Granny Bai had constantly slandered her eldest son and daughter-in-law.
Every time she argued back…
She’d secretly lacked confidence.
Sometimes…
Even she had wondered…
Why had so many misfortunes befallen the Xie family one after another?
Had they really done something wrong?
Was Heaven punishing them?
Only today…
Did she finally hold her head high.
Now she was certain.
Everything Granny Bai had said over the years had been complete nonsense.
And Jinxiu was right.
The Xie family really would get better.
Granny Lin walked over smiling.
“Little sister…”
“Don’t want your basket anymore?”
“Then I’ll just carry it home for you.”
Old Madam Tian hurried over to help lower the heavy basket.
Then she turned toward Old Master Xie.
“Take it back home.”
“My dear sister…”
“Thank you so much today.”
“And thanks to Dajin, Erjin, and Sanjin too.”
Granny Lin warmly clasped her hand.
“You saved my Dajin years ago.”
“I’ve never forgotten that kindness.”
“I’ve long considered you my own little sister.”
“How could I stand by while someone bullied my sister?”
Old Madam Tian’s eyes grew moist.
“My good sister…”
The basket was surprisingly heavy.
Old Master Xie bent down to lift it.
After two attempts…
He still couldn’t get it onto his back.
“What on earth is in here?”
“Wife, did you pack stones?”
Old Madam Tian shot him a disdainful look.
“What stones?”
“It’s all the grain we bought today.”
“Grandpa.”
“I’ll carry it.”
Jinnan crouched down.
Jinxiu helped lift the basket onto his back.
“Husband…”
“Is it heavy?”
“Not at all.”
Tall and broad-shouldered, Xie Jinnan looked nothing like the stereotypical frail scholar.
He could farm, climb mountains, and work in rivers without issue.
This much weight was nothing to him.
Huang Mei, holding the bolts of cloth, smiled at Old Madam Tian.
“Mother…”
“Feeling much better now?”
Did she even need to ask?
Old Madam Tian puffed out her chest proudly.
Her face glowed with energy.
With a grand wave of her hand, she declared,
“Let’s go home…”
“…and eat meat!”
The entire group left in high spirits.
The villagers watched with unconcealed envy.
They wanted meat too…
As for the Song family…
They were too ashamed to remain outside.
They hurried indoors and slammed the door shut.
Soon afterward…
Sounds of smashing pottery and furious shouting echoed from inside.
Granny Bai and Song Muhuo had started fighting each other.
The younger members of the family scrambled to break them apart and calm them down.
The villagers couldn’t help thinking…
Life in the village really was never short of entertainment.
Old Madam Tian and the others walked ahead.
Jinxiu and Xie Jinnan trailed behind.
“Husband…”
She clasped her hands behind her back, her steps light.
“I have a feeling your relationship with the village chief isn’t ordinary.”
Jinnan turned his head.
His deep, tranquil eyes settled on her.
“What makes you say that?”
“It’s just a feeling.”
She smiled.
“It seemed like…”
“…the village chief was rather partial to us.”