24: Chapter 24 Defending Innocence 24: Chapter 24 Defending Innocence An Hao’s aggrieved look made the villagers unable to bear watching.
Such a good child, acting so desperately, must have been wronged.
Thinking of An Hao’s mother’s good reputation while she was alive, everyone felt that Yang Yonghua was very likely slandering the child.
On normal days, Widow Zhang had nothing to do and loved to watch the excitement and hear about unusual things, but she wasn’t brainless.
Looking at the scene before her, she seemed to think that she had just made a wrong guess.
“I’m telling you, Yonghua, how much of what you say is true, eh?
If you’ve really wronged An Hao, you better come out with it quick and clear her name.
Are you really going to stand by and watch the child hang herself at your doorstep?
Isn’t that a sin!” Widow Zhang’s sharp tongue turned the tide as soon as her upper lip touched her lower lip.
Yonghua, what exactly is going on!” one person said, and a bunch of others followed suit, creating an uproar.
“Yang Yonghua, if my An Hao dies, I’ll fight you to the death!” An Shuchao shouted through gritted teeth.
Seeing that things had gotten completely out of hand, Yang Yonghua knew she had to clarify or she’d never get past this; she bit the bullet and blurted out, “I saw An Hao enter the small grove, so I hid nearby to watch.
I thought if she didn’t come out for a while, I’d go and see what she was up to.
Who knew, she came out in less than five minutes.
I wasn’t exactly lying!”
“Then you say she slept with Simpleton!
What can be done in five minutes?
To walk into that little grove behind the village chief’s house takes two minutes, another two to get out—only one minute to stay there!” Widow Zhang shouted loudly.
Yang Yonghua, how can you frame someone’s child like that?
A girl holds her reputation more dear than her life, do you think she would do such a thing?” An Hao’s neighbor, Big Sister Li, finally spoke up.
Suddenly, there was a huge backlash, and the people who initially came to watch the An Family’s trouble began to question Yang Yonghua.
She was so overwhelmed by the questions she couldn’t defend herself.
I was just angry with that girl, not showing any respect to her elders, pushing me into the water in this cold weather!”
That’s because you pushed her and you fell in yourself!”
I…” Yang Yonghua was completely shut down by the confrontation.
Seeing that the villagers believed she was being framed, An Hao knew it was time to let the matter rest, as continuing could be bad for everyone involved.
She just wanted to defend her innocence without causing more trouble.
“Auntie Yang, now that you’ve admitted to framing me, I hope you won’t do it again in the future.
Also, my mother has been gone for many years, and I don’t want to hear you speaking ill of her behind my back!” An Hao said seriously.
Alright!” Yang Yonghua agreed quickly.
“Let’s end this matter here, and if I hear anyone speaking ill of me behind my back again, I will consider it your doing.” An Hao finished, then bowed to the villagers, “Thank you, all the aunties, big sisters, uncles, and big brothers, for helping me reclaim my innocence!
Thank you for standing up for me!”
“An Hao, don’t be afraid!
A clean hand wants no washing.
If anyone dares to gossip about this behind your back, Big Sister Li will be the first to stand up for you!” An Hao’s neighbor, Big Sister Li, thumped her chest to show her support.
“Thank you, Big Sister Li!” An Hao bowed deeply to her.
“Alright, let’s break it up,” Widow Zhang waved her hand at the crowd, and the onlookers dispersed.