After Qi Qingyao had talked it out with the kids, they loudly insisted on returning to the inn as there was nothing to eat in the village. They were hungry and wanted to eat! Qi Qingyao could only have the driver take them back first. After returning to the inn and starting on their lunch, Qi Qingyao heard the sounds of drums and cymbals outside. She did not know what was happening and the view from her room only overlooked the back street. Qi Qingyao called a servant over and asked him, “Hey, what’s happening outside?”
“I think someone’s condemning their daughter in public for being unfilial and unwilling to support their parents.” The server was also prone to gossip.
“They’re condemning her in public? That’s tough,” Qi Qingyao exclaimed.
“Yes,” The servant reiterated. “I heard that the daughter also didn’t abide by women’s morals.”
“Was she being adulterous?” Qi Qingyao was curious.
“No. I think she gave birth to children before marriage,” the servant said.
Qi Qingyao curled her lips and continued to munch on her bun. “So giving birth before marriage is not abiding by women’s morals? No one else would be troubled if the woman took care of her kids alone, so why is it an act that doesn’t abide by women’s morals?”
“It’s not a good thing to do,” the servant said.
“Then how is not abiding by women’s morals related to not supporting her parents? Why was she condemned in public?” There was no logic in this.
“I think the daughter broke off all relations with her family. Her parents think that she is unfilial,” the servant replied.
“Why does this story sound so familiar?” Qi Qingyao thought, massaging her chin.
The servant looked at the beautiful woman and asked casually, “This woman wouldn’t happen to be a friend of yours, would she?”
Qi Qingyao said, “What’s her name?”
The servant said, “She’s Qi Qingyao, the eleventh daughter of the Qi family.”
Qi Qingyao paused for a second before saying calmly, “I don’t know her.”
After saying that, Qi Qingyao took a few peeks outside from behind the doors of the inn. She saw a crowd outside; some people were beating drums and banging cymbals, while others raised banners. They looked overbearing, like a group of hooligans who wanted to take their money back from someone. They were also surrounded by many people who were just there for the drama.
Qi Qingyao raised her brows. She quietly went upstairs, quickly closed the door and bolted it down for good measure.
The children were eating their lunch with gusto. They turned back only to see Qi Qingyao pacing around the room, muttering with her hand on her forehead.
“Damn it, I’m wanted. Ah, no, I’m being publicly condemned with drums and cymbals.”
“Mother?” Xiaobao tilted his head, curious.
Qi Qingyao sat down and guzzled down a mouthful of chicken soup. She pointed outside. “Your grandfather is currently raising banners and beating drums outside. He’s getting ready to spread word about me everywhere.”
Erniu looked at their table, which was laden full of dishes, and said furiously, “Why would they do that? Mother is such a good person.”
Qi Qingyao said calmly, “We got rich and built a house, and he got nothing.”
“They went overboard. He’s bullying Mother.” Dabao looked angry.
“They want me to die.” Qi Qingyao slammed her palm on the table, but somehow managed to sound calm and elegant. “They’re trying to force me to submit. Moral coercion and all that.”
The children looked at the woman who was now their mother. They knew that she would definitely have a way.
Xiaobao asked, “What do we do now then, Mother?”
“Now,” Qi Qingyao harrumphed. “Hmph!”
Then she continued to drink her chicken soup with a smile and said, “We don’t need to pay them any mind.”
She continued meaningfully, “With money, we can bribe anyone. Anyone!”