Chapter 127 - Zhu Pozi Revealed
Li Family’s Granny immediately nodded approvingly upon hearing this, and said, "I truly didn’t hear anything."
Zheng Family’s Granny wasn’t pleased. She began to yell, "You think you have superhuman hearing, able to hear everything?"
Li Family’s Granny stood her ground, a triumphant look on her face, "So what if I do? You can ask around the village. Despite my aging years, my ears still work fine. If Bai Ruozhu really called out for Zheng Giugiu that day, I assure you I would have heard it. That whole day, I didn’t step foot out of the house."
"Bai Ruozhu must’ve bribed you, that’s why you’re defending her," Zheng Granny retorted.
"I’m not siding with anyone, but justice. What if I said that the Bai Family’s third son had given your household some benefits? That’s why your fourth daughter is helping him lie," Li Granny fiercely retorted.
Seeing that the situation was turning into a verbal brawl between Li Family’s Granny and Zheng Family’s Granny, the village head hastily stopped them, commanding, "Both of you stop bickering like old wives, you are long past that age."
Both women glared at each other but quietened down, recognising the authority of the Village Head.
Bai Ruozhu thanked Li Granny again, saying, "Granny Li, anyone with clear judgement can see that you aren’t favouring me. Justice lies in the heart of the people."
Zheng Giugiu, who was standing behind her Granny suddenly cried even harder, sobbing as she said, "Bai Ruozhu, I have no grudge against you. Why do you want to hurt me? I’m getting married soon. Why won’t you let me get married with dignity?"
With her quivering voice and soft volume, Zheng Giugiu gave off a vulnerable and pitiful impression, like an innocent white flower.
"Then why did you accuse me of calling for Bai’s third son when we never had bad blood between us? You want to preserve your reputation, so I should forgo my innocence? It’s easy for you to smear my reputation, but where does that leave my family, and my baby? Because of one sentence from you, my grandfather was about to punish me according to our family law. I can endure that, but what about my crying, hungry baby?" Bai Ruozhu spat, her words filled with righteous anger.
"If you were so concerned about preserving your dignity before marriage, why did you get involved in this situation? If you honestly cared, why would you agree to my alleged plan? Even if you agreed for whatever reason, why would you personally go find Bai’s third son with so many people at home?"
Zheng Giugiu lacked her Granny’s skillful manipulation. At Bai Ruozhu’s questioning, she panicked, "I didn’t think too much into it... Who knew you’re so spiteful."
Bai Ruozhu disliked Zheng Giugiu more and more. She initially intended to let Zheng Giugiu off easy, but now she didn’t feel inclined to show any mercy.
"Zheng Giugiu, are you getting married into Deng Family from Liuye Village?" Bai Ruozhu asked.
Feeling nervous, Zheng Giugiu looked at Bai Ruozhu, unsure what she meant by her question.
"What? Are you planning to ruin my reputation in my future in-laws’ home?" Zheng Giugiu started crying again, as if Bai Ruozhu was bullying her.
Bai Ruozhu shook her head, saying, "I don’t have time for that. I heard Granny Zhu has relatives in Deng Family. A few days ago, she called you over to talk."
Zheng Giugiu looked shocked as she stared at Bai Ruozhu, her eyes wide open. Despite her ill intentions, she was an attractive girl.
"What nonsense are you talking about? How did the Zhu Family get involved again?" said Zheng Granny hurriedly, as she saw Zheng Giugiu was close to revealing the truth.
Bai Ruozhu calmly replied, "I could find a witness that proves you went to the Zhu Family’s house. As for whether or not you admit to it, that’s no longer within my control. But here’s a thought: I saved Zhu Family’s Xi Dandan, yet Granny Zhu has caused me so much trouble, returning kindness with evil. Do you think even if she was a distant relative of Deng Family, would they listen to her words?"
"What?" Bai Yihong, her father, was dumbfounded as he hadn’t heard anything about this before. "Ruozhu, are you saying Granny Zhu and Deng Family are distant relatives, and she asked Zheng Giugiu to testify for Bai’s third son? Just so they would speak well of her in front of her future in-laws?"
Bai Ruozhu nodded and said, "You can ask around about this. There isn’t a wall in the world without cracks. You’ll find some clues. As for the matter about Granny Zhu asking for Zheng Giugiu, I got that out of Xi Dandan."
Xi dandan was easily swayed. Before, he had helped his grandmother deceive Bai Ruozhu. But now, with just a few pieces of dim sum from Bai Ruozhu, he had even betrayed his own grandmother.
The bystanders didn’t know Bai Ruozhu had bribed Xi dandan with dim sum. They merely thought that Xi dandan had told her the truth out of gratitude for saving him. This made her story seem even more credible.
All the villagers’ eyes turned to Zheng Giugiu. To secure a good impression for her future in-laws, she had helped someone slander an innocent woman. A woman who had just given birth, and had a new baby to feed.
Looking at her now, Zheng Giugiu’s innocent look seemed all the more conspicuous.
"Miss Zheng is really selfish."
"Indeed, she doesn’t have much character. The Deng Family had certainly misjudged her."
"I heard that the Deng Family are honest people. What a shame they have to put up with such a daughter-in-law."
...
The villagers chattered endlessly, glancing at Zheng Giugiu with contempt. Eventually, Zheng Giugiu broke down from the pressure and cried out, "I didn’t lie to leave a good impression at my future in-laws, it was Granny Zhu. She threatened to slander me to the old lady of the Deng Family. I was... I was too scared."
Once again, Zhu Family was brought up. Given that Granny Zhu had a notorious reputation for being unreasonable, everyone believed Zheng Giugiu and started to sympathize with her.
Bai Ruozhu glanced coldly at Zheng Giugiu. "Miss," she said, "dry your tears. Otherwise, everyone will see how cheap you’ve become. I’m going to give you a piece of advice, in front of everyone here. Don’t victimize others for your own gain. Otherwise, you’ll carry that burden your whole life. Even if Granny Zhu was slandering you, it’s your life. You could prove her wrong slowly over time. If the Deng Family can’t tell right from wrong, your parents wouldn’t have married you off to them."
Overwhelmed with humiliation, Zheng Giugiu covered her face and began to sob uncontrollably.
Seeing that the truth was out, Bai Ruozhu once again bowed to the village head, saying, "Grandpa, the truth is out now. As for the rest, Bai Family’s head of household will handle it. Thank you for bearing witness today."
The village head nodded, saying, "The Zheng Family should leave and learn from this experience. Don’t let yourselves be easily manipulated, and lead honest lives. All the others, go back to your field work."
The crowd dispersed. Only those with sharp eyes saw the village head walk towards Zhu Family’s home.