"I was wondering why you rushed out in such a hurry! So it turns out you came here to see Dahe. It’s because you knew Dahe was back and couldn’t wait to ask about his exam results, right?" said the village chief’s wife, Zheng Chunhua, with a big smile as she walked in.
Meng Yao quickly stood up to greet her, "Sister-in-law, you’re here. I was just thinking of coming to find you after a rest."
"I had to come. You know our elder brother; after half a lifetime, he’s still so stubborn!" Zheng Chunhua said with a helpless look. "Just after hearing a few cries, he wanted to step in and make decisions for them. It’s a good thing the villagers say he’s the fairest of all. Fair he may be, but that’s not enough here!"
Zheng Chunhua pointed a finger at the village chief’s head, shaking her head and sighing.
"All his cleverness is used up in studying. Yet, unfortunately, it’s not enough for studying. Otherwise, I might potentially be an official’s wife now." Zheng Chunhua joked.
The village chief, a bit embarrassed, said, "At home, you can say whatever you want, but outside, give me a little face, will you?"
Zheng Chunhua rolled her eyes at him, "What’s your face worth? Doesn’t it just get overexcited with a little flattery, making you think you’re the embodiment of justice and fairness?"
"No, no such thing," the village chief denied.
Zheng Chunhua couldn’t be bothered to argue with him. She took Meng Yao’s hand with an apologetic look, "Meng sister, don’t take him seriously. Whatever he said just now, just treat it as nonsense. Don’t I know what kind of girl Xiaohua is?"
"We certainly were at fault for tying someone to a tree. The high fever was a fright, and it’s thanks to Young Master Han’s luck that it was only a false alarm. Had we been less lucky and affected his brain, we would have..." Meng Yao hesitated.
When you need to soften your stance, you must do so.
Zheng Chunhua patted Meng Yao’s hand, showing her understanding.
Changing her tone, Meng Yao said, "So, we are willing to apologize to the Han Family and cover the medical expenses. But one thing needs to be clarified: was it our Xiaohua who wouldn’t leave Young Master Han alone, or was it Young Master Han harassing our Xiaohua? I hope sister-in-law and the village chief can witness this."
"Sister, you are straightforward, absolutely," Zheng Chunhua said with a smile, "Face the drum and say what needs to be said clearly. Won’t that solve the problem?"
With differing opinions, of course, there needed to be a face-to-face confrontation.
"How about this, you and Xiaohua come to my house now. I’ll inform the Han Family so Young Master Han and his mother can come too," suggested Zheng Chunhua.
"Is this... okay?" The village chief stood up, rubbing his hands.
"If this isn’t okay, what is? Like you, making assumptions and believing Madam Han’s words first without question?" Zheng Chunhua rolled her eyes.
The village chief sighed, "Then let’s do as you say."
The village chief and Zheng Chunhua left the Zhao Family, one after the other.
"I didn’t realize the village chief uncle is afraid of his wife!" Zhao Dahe said, looking as if he’d discovered a new world.
Meng Yao hadn’t expected it either. In her impression, Zheng Chunhua was just a straightforward woman.
During New Year, Meng Yao had a good chat with Zheng Chunhua and found her companionable.
Now she could see that Zheng Chunhua had significant authority at home and was very discerning.
No one in the village knew the village chief was henpecked, which meant Zheng Chunhua had always given him face outside their home.
Their previous performance was probably a result of urgency and her belief that no one from the Zhao Family would gossip.
Meng Yao tapped Zhao Dahe on the head, "Having a strong wife is a blessing for the village chief! Don’t talk about this outside."
Zhao Dahe covered his head, "Mom, can you stop hitting me on the head every time? Can’t you just speak instead of hitting me? What if I get stupid because of this?"
"Don’t worry, your head is hard enough; even if I hit you with a brick, you wouldn’t get stupid. At most, you’d feel dizzy and nauseous for a few days," Meng Yao said.
Zhao Dahe: Is this my real mother?
"Alright, stop muttering. See if your big brother and sister-in-law need any help. Be a bit more observant, and don’t act like a wooden post thinking nothing concerns you," Meng Yao added.
With a face full of grievance, Zhao Dahe went to find Dajiang.
Meng Yao led Zhao Xiaohua towards the village chief’s house.
On the way, Zhao Xiaohua was a bit nervous, "Mom, Madam Han is not easy to deal with."
"We’re going to clarify the facts, no need to worry about handling it," Meng Yao replied.
Even if Madam Han insisted on lying, Meng Yao wasn’t afraid; wasn’t her study of psychology well-practiced?
Meng Yao’s calm demeanor gradually put Zhao Xiaohua at ease. Apologize where necessary, but no one should pin false accusations on her.
Madam Han didn’t want to go to the village chief’s house at all.
But the village chief’s wife was relentless, threatening to tell everyone that it was her son harassing that wretched girl if she refused.
If she let that happen, her son’s name would be ruined.
So, Madam Han agreed to Zheng Chunhua’s request, albeit reluctantly.
"Mom, didn’t I tell you? That’s the end of this matter, what did you do now?" Han Muchi said with a gloomy face as he came out from the house, his tone displeased.
"I’m just worried about you, suffering such a grievance! Can’t I ask for an explanation? I even d land for rituals!" Madam Han argued stubbornly.
"So, you’re going to reverse right and wrong?" Han Muchi looked dark enough to drip water.
"Though I don’t know why you fancy that wretched girl Zhao Xiaohua. Who are you? If you fancy her, it’s her blessing. She should obediently listen to you instead of causing such a fuss," Madam Han insisted.
Her son was considered an excellent match by many when he was in the Capital City.
Why should he be dismissed by a petite rural girl?
Han Muchi took a deep breath, "I’ll go with you to the village chief’s house."
"Go, go for what? What are you going there for? Are they worthy? I can go by myself!" Madam Han snapped.
"I drank excessively and lost control; this is my issue, and I should explain it personally," Han Muchi said.
"Those rural folks..."
"Mom!" Han Muchi interrupted Madam Han’s words in displeasure. "If you don’t listen to me, let’s move back to the Capital City."
Where they’d face constant sarcasm, cold looks, and be trampled upon with humiliation.
Madam Han gave up, "Fine, let’s go. Why are you so hasty?"
Returning to the Capital City would definitely be done with grandeur.
Madam Han and Han Muchi eventually arrived late.
Zheng Chunhua, with a bit of sarcasm, said, "Noble families certainly have more formalities when going out."
Just as Madam Han was about to retort, Han Muchi pulled her back, making her swallow her words.
Han Muchi spoke politely, "Previously, many of my mother’s remarks were inappropriate. Here, I apologize to Madam Zhao and Miss Zhao. Additionally, I express regret for my actions without thinking under the influence of alcohol."
The village chief: How’s this completely different from what Madam Han complained about? So, was he slapped in the face now?