The commotion over at the old Yang Family house eventually roused the village chief, the Lizheng, and others; there was just no helping it. Although the two families did not come to blows, they argued so fiercely it was irreconcilable.
The Wang Family, despite having more people, only had Lin Yue’e capable of quarreling. She alone couldn’t out-argue Yang Anshi, and Wang Sheng and his sons didn’t dare to get physical. After all, they were to become in-laws, and throwing punches would leave no room for reconciliation.
It must be said, in this regard, the three men shared an unspoken agreement.
The Yang Family also feared the ferocity of the Wang father and sons, always leaving room for negotiation even in their arguments.
No resolution could be reached no matter how much they argued.
Yang Rusong did not hide, but he was not one to quarrel; he merely stated that he had not touched Wang Baozhu, and it would disgrace his scholarly reputation. Yet Wang Baozhu looked at him with tearful eyes, "When you laid your hands on me, why didn’t you think it was beneath a scholar then?"
The onlookers immediately murmured in sympathy.
Every time Yang Mancang heard about troubles at the old Yang mansion, his head started throbbing—this family just couldn’t keep the peace. However, he couldn’t just ignore the situation.
"What’s happened now?" Yang Mancang asked with a look of helplessness.
"Village chief, you must stand up for my Treasure Bead..." As soon as Lin Yue’e saw Yang Mancang, she burst into tears, "Otherwise, my innocent girl won’t survive this..."
As soon as Lin Yue’e spoke up, the Yang Family also raised their voices, one side accusing the other of trying to swindle them, merely because they saw their grandson became a Scholar and wanted to latch onto their family.
Another claimed that the other party had ruined an innocent girl and refused to own up after the act.
Yang Mancang also wore a look of helplessness; with both sides claiming to be in the right, the case grew muddled.
"My poor innocent girl has been treated like this, and yet you dare to say you did nothing?" Lin Yue’e glared, even tugging her daughter’s gown to reveal the marks on her neck.
The surrounding crowd immediately started whispering amongst themselves.
"Lin Yue’e, don’t take offense at my blunt words, but who doesn’t know what your daughter is like? The whole village knows," sneered Feng Caie, "At such a young age, she was seen nuzzling with men in the forest or hayloft. Do you think we’re all blind? Now that dog has ditched her? So she wants us to play the fool? Keep dreaming..."
"Don’t slander my girl’s reputation; she was innocent and just playing around before..."
"Bah!" Feng Caie spat, glancing around at everyone before raising her voice; "Ma Jiabao, come out, your lover is calling you out..."
Tian Jinhua, having been barred from contact by Yang Ruxin, hadn’t partaken in the feast that day, but came to watch the excitement. Hearing Feng Caie’s shout, she quickly began to drag her son away.
"Mom, I fancy Treasure Bead..." Ma Jiabao tugged at Tian Jinhua, reluctant to leave.
"You fool, they’ve made it clear they’re aiming high. Are you eager to be cuckolded?"
"Isn’t it because you stopped me from seeing her? She got angry, didn’t she?" Ma Jiabao pouted, "Anyway, I fancy her..."
"Then you should ask if they fancy you or not," Tian Jinhua retorted smartly, releasing her son’s hand.
Ma Jiabao turned to approach, but then he heard Wang Baozhu speak up, "I...I have a witness..."
"What witness?" Feng Caie felt her heart sink.
"It’s a witness who can prove Scholar Yang took liberties with me..." Wang Baozhu slightly raised her eyebrow, "He was gone after the deed, but I couldn’t move because I twisted my ankle. It was a kind passerby who helped inform my family..."