Chapter 13: It Is Not My Fault, Nor Should I Be the One to Feel Ashamed

Chapter 13: The Fault Is Not Mine, Nor Should I Be the One Ashamed

The courtyard was in total chaos. Xu Fen’s hair was singed, and visible burn marks marred his face.

The fire on his body had only been extinguished after he rolled around in the snow. Now, having narrowly escaped death, he lay on the ground gasping for breath.

The Xu family members were all faces of fury.

Mother Xu rushed forward, spitting with rage: "Is there no way to speak of this reasonably? We may live in the Hu family's house, but that doesn't mean we can be bullied at will!"

Yu Tingwan stood alone, wrapped in an outer garment.

"He intended to commit an indecent act against me."

Madam Wang had never imagined Xu Fen would be so audacious; amidst her shock, she felt even more regretful that he had failed to succeed.

What a useless man!

She joined the Xu family in berating Yu Tingwan.

"Regardless of the circumstances, it was wrong of you to strike someone."

"If anything were to happen to your second brother Xu, how am I supposed to account for it?"

The Xu family was originally in the wrong, and they had no standing, but with Madam Wang's interference, Mother Xu also became righteous and indignant, pointing at Yu Tingwan and cursing.

"Entering your room just to get handsy? Did my son just pull at your clothes, or did he touch you?"

"What are you pretending for? If you hadn't seduced him—if you were decent—would my son have come looking for you with such a smear on his name?"

These words were vulgar; had it been any other girl, she would have died of shame and indignation.

But Yu Tingwan did not.

The wind blew her hair; she reached up to tuck a strand behind her ear, remaining silent.

Little Mrs. Xu had completely forgotten the terror Yu Tingwan had instilled in her.

"Yu Tingwan! Just how much of a grudge do you hold against my second brother to harm him like this!"

Mother Xu’s shrewd eyes darted around. She made an imposing declaration: "In short, if there is no explanation for this matter, don't expect to have a peaceful life!"

The commotion was significant enough to alert even the Village Head.

When he arrived, many villagers were gathered outside the Hu house, whispering amongst themselves. Before he could even enter, he had already heard the gist of the situation.

"This Xu Fen came to propose marriage before, but Hu Dazhu refused. Who would have thought he wouldn't change his ways? He actually tried to sneak into Wan-niang's room at night."

"His mother is inside throwing a tantrum, saying that Xu Fen's injuries are inseparable from Wan-niang. She says the room was broken into, so Wan-niang's virtue can't be much better. If she wants to keep her reputation, she should marry Xu Fen."

"Bah, how shameless! They're trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat."

The Village Head's face darkened. As soon as he stepped inside, he saw the dark-complexioned and plain-looking Xu Fen on the ground.

Xu Fen was actually feeling quite smug at this moment.

"Cousin Yu, just submit to me."

"We've already ended up like this; why make a spectacle of ourselves for everyone to laugh at?"

Anger surged within Yu Tingwan, and she could not suppress it no matter what.

With a cold face, she stepped forward and delivered two kicks directly to Xu Fen's face.

"Ah!"

"You dare hit my son!"

Mother Xu's eyes widened, and she moved to roll up her sleeves, but would the people of Xilin Village let her get her way?

Li Lian rushed over and pulled Yu Tingwan back.

"Good child, don't be angry, don't be angry."

"We will certainly seek justice for you in this matter."

If not for her strength, Yu Tingwan would have lunged forward to deliver two more kicks.

"A scoundrel like you is even worthy of lusting after me?"

Utterly disgusted, Yu Tingwan gave a cold smile and looked toward Madam Wang.

"What does Auntie think?"

Madam Wang found herself in a difficult position.

"Wan-niang, I see that this boy Xu Fen is quite devoted to you. It is indeed his fault, he was just momentarily confused..."

"But after tonight, if you don't marry him, who else can you marry?"

"Even if you are innocent, you won't be able to prove it. In my view, it would be better for our two families to become even closer through marriage."

"Have you said enough?"

Yu Tingwan showed no mercy.

"From the moment this happened until now, Auntie has only sided with the Xu family. You haven't said a single word for me."

"That's right. Auntie cannot bear to see me do well; you are indeed eager to push me into a fire pit."

Madam Wang choked on her words.

But after the incident with the Dong family, how could she dare to vent her anger on Yu Tingwan in front of everyone?

"How can you look at me this way?"

Yu Tingwan had no desire to witness her clumsy acting.

"From the very beginning, Auntie blamed me for hurting him."

Madam Wang did not deny it, feeling she was in the right: "He is, after all, your cousin's brother-in-law."

"Does Auntie mean I must swallow this grievance? He broke in at night, and I shouldn't have resisted? Even if I were violated, I should let the matter rest for the sake of my cousin?"

Madam Wang's eyes widened. Seeing the Village Head's face darken, she hurriedly denied it.

"No. I mean the Hu family's place is so small, and I live right next door to you. If you called out, I would have come immediately. How could I let you suffer?"

"Now that the whole village knows, what good does this do for a young girl like you?"

Most of the people present nodded at these words.

After all, family scandals should not be aired in public.

Yu Tingwan remained unmoved, her voice cold.

"If I hadn't acted, I'm afraid I wouldn't have even had the chance to call for help before this beast muffled my mouth."

"Even if I had called for help, I don't believe you would have saved me."

"Does Auntie still not understand? I would rather have my reputation ruined than place my life in your hands. What does a reputation matter? What is more important than preserving my life?"

Madam Wang was incensed: "How dare you..."

"Enough!"

The Village Head roared: "Is this joke not entertaining enough for you?"

"Madam Wang! You are an aunt!"

"If the Xu family were a decent family, I wouldn't say anything, but this Xu Fen is a notorious hooligan!"

Mother Xu was displeased: "What kind of talk is that?"

The Village Head cut her off forcefully: "This is Xilin Village! Wan-niang is a member of Xilin Village! Is it your place to speak? Regardless of whether you are visiting relatives, if I, as the Village Head, decide to rule that your entire family be driven out, no one will dare to say a word!"

"If this marriage is allowed to proceed today, won't all the local thugs and ruffians who can't find wives start plotting to sneak into the rooms of our village girls in the dead of night?"

"Can I set such a precedent?"

For a moment, all the onlookers held their breath, their curiosity turning into indignation.

Indeed! This wasn't just Yu Tingwan's problem! Every family had daughters!

Yu Tingwan's back remained straight, though in truth, she was also feeling the aftershocks of fear.

If she hadn't been unable to sleep, if she hadn't...

She dared not think further.

She looked coldly at Mother Xu: "Your son is a beast. I find even looking at him unlucky, and speaking to him feels filthy."

"Never mind that his scheme failed today; even if he had succeeded, so what? The fault is not mine, nor should I be the one ashamed. Do you take me for one of those thin-skinned girls who, when something happens, is at your mercy and doesn't dare to speak up?"

Xu Fen did not like hearing this.

His smiling face vanished, replaced by a dark expression: "You have the nerve to look down on me? I didn't even look down on your mother..."

He could not finish his sentence, as Little Mrs. Xu terrifiedly clamped her hand over his mouth.

This matter was a taboo for the Hu family. After Little Mrs. Xu learned it from a drunken Hu Dalang, she couldn't keep her mouth shut and let it slip when she returned to her maiden home.

She had warned them repeatedly not to mention it outside.

How could it have turned out like this?

Yu Tingwan: "What about my mother? Say it! Let him say it!"

Little Mrs. Xu trembled with fear.

Not only did Madam Wang's expression change, but the emotions of everyone present became strange.

"If I, Yu Tingwan, am to marry, the other party must be upright, honest, and honorable."

"You say I seduced him?"

She spoke as if she had heard a joke.

"Did I seduce him because I took a liking to his ugliness? Or was it to go to the penniless Xu family to work like an ox or a horse? Or perhaps because I thought he was capable—a man of advanced age who knows nothing but stealing chickens and dogs, flaunting his self-important cleverness?"