Chapter 22: Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Many people were whispering and gossiping, clearly eager to know more about the unfolding events. The village leader’s demeanor was a bit too dramatic, but little did they know that other village leaders had reacted similarly.
This year and the past years had been tough for them; many had died from severe diseases followed by harsh winters, and it was expected that the difficulties would continue for many more years. Everyone was mentally prepared for it, yet, unexpectedly, right before the end of winter, a new hope had arisen.
"What has happened, village leader?" one man called out.
They were not interested in waiting for any formalities; they were desperate to know what was in the letter.
"Go back and call for an urgent meeting. This is definitely good news," the village leader said, his body was trembling.
He was so happy, quickly wiped his tears and looked at Yueqian with great respect.
"Your kindness this time, this old man will never forget. If anyone dares to harm you again, I will beat them with my cane," he said earnestly, casting a glance at the elderly man from the Mu family, definitely a warning.
The other party, startled by the gaze of the village leader, who also was his friend, but he also prayed that no further issues would arise. It wasn’t that he agreed with what was happening now.
"Village leader, I have a matter that I would need your help," Yueqian called out to him.
Of course, the village leader wouldn’t ignore her request. Compared to what she had done, any request she had would seem minor.
"Last night, my husband gave the Mu family a chance. However, today they did not come to apologize with a sense of guilt. There is only this Grandfather Mu. So, please revoke the rights of others, and if you give the rights to anyone involved in harming my husband and his younger siblings, I will claim back all rights and hand them to someone from outside the village instead."
Yueqian stated firmly. The old man, initially not intending to refuse, was shocked by her threat, feeling goosebumps on his arms.
This meant that if the Mu family threatened them or wanted to lease lots of land. She could transfer the lease rights to someone outside, then he, as the village leader who had taken on this issue, would have to face the anger of people in his village.
"Oh, of course, of course. I won’t let anyone have those rights, only stupid Old Mu, who hasn’t taken good care of his descendants, will retain any.”
"Thank you very much," Yueqian said. While others might not understand what was happening, or what would happen next, they could guess that the Mu family would not benefit from whatever was about to unfold.
The village leader’s group quickly departed as he had more important matters to attend to than watching this Old Mu apologize to this granddaughter-in-law. Although the village leader had intentions to repay the young woman from the capital who had recently become a member of their village, such repayments would have to wait after this.
For now, the priority was to convene a meeting as soon as possible about the major event that was about to take place.
So, now, there was just Grandfather Mu, who now looked extremely uneasy, standing and watching his grandchildren with guilt.
"Uh, Xiao Heng, Xiao Long, Huan’er, how... are you all doing?"
He looked worriedly at the injured faces of his three grandchildren.
"Heh, we’re all fine, sir. You don’t need to worry about us," Mu Heng said sternly.
Yesterday, during the fight, this old man did nothing to help them but stood back passively. Once his own children mentioned sending his grandchildren to be a scholar study in the city, possibly pass the exam and become a government official, he didn’t care about right or wrong.
Now he came back showing concern, but Mu Heng thought it was too late. The concern was worthless.
Mu Heng clenched his fist, growing angrier as he thought about it. He also wanted his brother to study. Before Yueqian’s matter arose, he had begged for mercy, asking the elders of Mu family to give back the farming land they took, since he intended to save money to send Xiao Long to school. He harbored high hopes that his siblings could get an education, not missing out on good opportunities like he had.
Who would have thought that those people would not care, and even fail to see that Xiao Long’s education could be beneficial for them.
To them, Xiao Long was just another grandchild without parents. No one thought Mu Heng’s dream could come true. He was the only one working to earn money to send his younger brother to school, unlike other families who, despite having both parents to contribute, still couldn’t afford to send their children to school.
Mu Heng was hurt because he didn’t ask anyone for money; he just wanted his rightful share back. Who would have thought that he would be dishonored and accused of being an unfilial child?
Because of this, he tried even harder, doubling his efforts. While others slept, he set animal traps for extra money. While others ate, he starved to save money.
By doing all this, it turned out that this caused his siblings to suffer more than before. The children became weak and seemed malnourished because he didn’t eat, making them too guilty to eat themselves. After both had recovered from illness, they had to change their approach.
Mu Heng, who seldom ventured deep into the forest to hunt, took life-threatening risks. Who would have thought that when he returned, he would be exploited once again? He managed to hunt a deer, yet they robbed a large share of the money. This event made him refuse to hunt with the Mu family ever again.
Looking back, the old man, who seemed fair, was actually dishonest. If he could turn a blind eye, he pretended not to see at all. Although he wasn’t a man to speak like a selfish, he stood behind those people, watching him being bullied without a flinch.
Mu Heng could no longer trust such a person.
Yesterday, when the money was stolen, even though this old man had promised, Mu Heng had lost all hope in the Mu family. Initially, if they had returned the money, Mu Heng had planned to ask the village leader to revoke the Mu family’s land lease rights as well.
He was just a step behind Yueqian in making his move. So, this old man got a chance to secure the lease for another 50 mu.
"Xiao Heng," Grandfather Mu felt incredibly ashamed.
Seeing his capable grandson look at him like that, he didn’t know what else he could say anymore.
Back when Mu Heng was still on good terms with them, he helped spot and set numerous traps. Sometimes his vision was sharper than others, spotting rabbits and chickens that others could not see. He hunted a great deal of game, and helped others hunt more successfully.
Previously, while he was around, everyone was unaware and did not think it was due to this kid’s help. Only after Mu Heng left did their income decrease, and then everyone realized that having Mu Heng with them had enhanced their hunting success.
However... after all they had done, how could they have the face to ask this young man to hunt with them again?
When Mu Heng hunted with other hunters, he heard rumors that Mu Heng helped others find wild animals, increasing the income of that group of hunters. But this group was not like the Mu family. They clearly saw the difference and even said that Mu Heng brought them good luck.
Even upon hearing this, they felt envious but couldn’t do anything about it. How could they force someone who had lost the desire to stay?
Grandfather Mu never thought things would escalate to this extent. Previously, there was an incident that almost reached the authorities, so they drafted an agreement not to interfere with each other in exchange for more than ten mu of land.
Yet, a few months later, they went after the money belonging to A’Heng’s wife again, prompting threats to report to the governor. This was a significantly troublesome affair. Even though the women didn’t believe that the other party had real connections with the governor, he knew well what kind of person the cart driver was. Men in the house who had gone selling with him knew too.
Eventually, they decided to have him return the money to end the problem, as the money had been acquired through improper means.
Of course, the worst outcome for them now, Grandfather Mu still didn’t know.
The consequences of their vile actions the day before had angered the villainess of the story. Hence... from now on, they should not expect to receive anything good from them again.
"Please leave, sir. There is nothing left for you here," Yueqian was well aware of the discomfort of everyone present.
The children said nothing, seemingly having lost all regard for the old man.
Upon hearing this, Grandfather Mu choked up slightly. He looked at his granddaughter-in-law, who spoke so harshly, with displeasure forming. How could she say there was nothing left for him here? Wasn’t that mean she thought he was no different from a thief? If there was nothing left for him, perhaps he should not stay.
Despite knowing they had gone too far, was such a statement really appropriate?
"Xiao Long, Huan’er, let’s go inside. We haven’t finished eating yet," Yueqian gently stroked their heads.
She coaxed the two kids back inside before turning to look at her husband.
"Let’s go inside. It’s getting late, and you have several places to deliver news today. Eat till full before you go, and hurry back for lunch," she casted a gaze toward Mu Heng, urged him to come inside.
In normal circumstances, it would be highly impolite to let a guest leave on their own. They must stand and see off the guest at the front of the house. If being more courteous, they would wait until the guest was out of sight.
By letting everyone inside now, Yueqian was effectively taking on the blame of being unfilial, sparing others the discomfort. She was willing to act as an ill-mannered villainess. She did not care. After all, she was a Young Villainess Qin, she did not care whether she would get a new nickname or not.
"Indeed, let’s go inside. It’s not good for you to stay out front. It’s getting cold," Mu Heng approached his wife.
He embraced her slender waist with an affection that he did not bother to hide.
Since his wife was willing to be an ill-mannered person, he too played the role of the ungrateful, slapping the face of the guest along with her.
"Xiao Heng." The old man was slightly shocked after seeing his grandson’s demeanor. However, he couldn’t say anything further as the 4 of them entered the house as if he was invisible to them.
“This granddaughter-in-law... would she turn the children into villains? Sigh. It’s all down to karma. Your children have chosen this path themselves. I, the grandfather, cannot be blamed."
The old man spoke as he watched the children go, as if he felt an overwhelming pity for them.
