CHAPTER 469: CHAPTER 466 I LIKE SHUANGSHUANG LIKE THIS (SEVENTEEN UPDATES)

The villagers were still gathered together, unwilling to leave.

With such big, explosive news, who would want to leave?

Xia Guagua and Wang Fugui had essentially become the talk of the village for the whole year.

Xia Guagua’s reputation was ruined; she hadn’t married yet, but was having an affair with a man, and in this abandoned house too.

Some villagers even said the house had clearly been renovated, implying they had been involved for some time and were intentionally scandalizing the Third Branch of the Mu Family’s daughter, only to be discovered by Aunt Zhang.

When Old Master Wang arrived, the villagers didn’t lower their voices; they spoke so audaciously even in his presence.

"My son?" Old Master Wang asked with some grief and indignation.

"Old Master Wang, you should be more concerned about my daughter. Your son tricked her into this broken place, intending to do something improper. If it wasn’t for the villagers discovering it in time, my daughter would have suffered greatly!"

Gu Jiulian’s single sentence exonerated Xia Guagua of any blame, making the incident entirely Wang Fugui’s responsibility.

Old Master Wang, who was already only half-listening, found the situation consistent with his son’s behavior, unsure how to explain.

He could only turn to his wife and his niece, Shen Rong, for support.

"Aunt Gu, things are as they are now, and the most important thing is to take them back home. With so many people watching, it’s a disgrace to both the Wang and Lu Families."

Shen Rong’s mind was sharper than most here.

Upon arrival, she noticed that some men in the village were looking at Xia Guagua with lecherous eyes, as if she wasn’t wearing clothes.

Moreover, Xia Guagua was wearing an old woman’s outfit, which inevitably led Shen Rong to think in the wrong direction.

"What Miss Shen said isn’t wrong. My daughter, who is of a different surname, has only me as a mother to care for her all these years. If I turn a blind eye, won’t my daughter be bullied to death?"

Gu Jiulian proved through her actions that she deserved an explanation today.

"Aunt, go inside and take care of my cousin. My uncle and I will discuss with Aunt Gu here."

Shen Rong naturally carried a strong, commanding presence that was difficult to refute when she spoke.

Even though she was raised in the Wang Family, she never felt out of place but instead considered the Wang Family her home.

"Let’s talk business now, Aunt Gu—what do you intend to do?" Shen Rong asked seriously.

At this point, even Old Master Wang was unrestrained, as his son was being cared for.

This was completely different from the last time.

Last time, Wang Fugui hit Yu Liulang, and Mu Shuangshuang taught Wang Fugui a lesson.

Old Master Wang not only didn’t hold them accountable but also paid for treatment.

Old Master Wang felt it was his son’s fault.

But this time, upon careful consideration, Old Master Wang felt that no single party was to blame.

If this daughter of the Lu Family hadn’t had some alliance with his son, they wouldn’t have chosen such a secluded place.

This abandoned house had been empty for years; why else would anyone come here?

So the gaze Old Master Wang directed toward Gu Jiulian and Xia Guagua carried some scrutiny.

Gu Jiulian fearlessly stood tall.

Even though the embarrassing situation involved her daughter, she would not be defeated.

"What can be done? My daughter’s reputation is ruined; no one wants to marry her anymore. Your son must take responsibility! Either prepare a compensation of one hundred silver taels, or marry my daughter with a dowry of thirty silver taels and an elaborate eight-carriage procession!"

As soon as Gu Jiulian spoke, the villagers exploded.

A dowry of thirty silver taels? What kind of pomp is this? In all these years, such a gesture had never been seen in the village. At most, villagers paid three to five taels for a bride, and well-off families might pay as much as ten taels, breaking the bank.

This... this was highway robbery!

Shen Rong shared similar sentiments with the villagers, believing Xia Guagua should be the one to suffer losses. How did Gu Jiulian have the audacity to demand such a dowry?

"What? Unwilling? Let me tell you, everyone in the village saw what happened today. It was your son, Wang Fugui, who forced my daughter. If you don’t admit it, I’ll report you to the government!"

Gu Jiulian was stubborn, demanding what she wanted, and if not given, she would surely cause a commotion.

Under the tree, one farce after another unfolded.

It was the matter between Old Lu Family and Old Wang Family this time, with Old Mu Family starting to withdraw.

Mr. Mu asked worriedly.

"Si Niang, where exactly is Shuang? Why haven’t I seen her?"

Yu Si Niang’s heart rang with alarm. "Dad, what do you mean? Still suspecting our Shuang? I’ve said it was the Lu Family’s girl, and it has nothing to do with our Shuang!"

"You woman can’t show a bit of care?" Old Mrs. Mu said.

"Enough! You old hag, the day’s business hasn’t been settled with you; I’ll teach you a lesson when we get back!" Mr. Mu shouted at Old Mrs. Mu, taking the Mu Family back home.

Gu Jiulian couldn’t reach a consensus with the Old Wang Family.

Gu Jiulian refused to compromise, no matter how much Xia Guagua cried and fussed.

In the end, the village head intervened; the matter would be discussed further when Wang Fugui woke up, and everyone dispersed.

Once the villagers left, Mu Shuangshuang jumped down from the tree.

Lu Yuanfeng followed closely behind!

"Shuang, what exactly happened just now? Tell me!"

Lu Yuanfeng was anxious, very anxious, extremely anxious!

"Let’s go to your backyard and chop some bamboo; we’ll talk while walking!"

Mu Shuangshuang told Lu Yuanfeng that she was hit by Wang Fugui with a stick but wasn’t knocked out due to his lack of strength. So, she decided to see what Wang Fugui was up to.

He ended up carrying her to the abandoned house.

After a while, Wang Fugui was affected by the drug, and Mu Shuangshuang made a move, tying him up just in time!

Coincidentally, the first person to arrive was Xia Guagua. Mu Shuangshuang hid in the shadows, watching Xia Guagua’s reaction to Wang Fugui and realized Xia Guagua was behind the mischief.

What followed was a natural progression; Mu Shuangshuang knocked out Xia Guagua and untied Wang Fugui.

She couldn’t care less about what transpired between them; Xia Guagua had set her up!

After explaining everything to Lu Yuanfeng in detail, Mu Shuangshuang lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers.

"Fengzi, do you think I was too harsh on Xia Guagua, destroying her reputation?" Mu Shuangshuang looked expectantly at Lu Yuanfeng, caring about his opinion!

This lifetime, Xia Guagua could forget about marrying a decent person; it was impossible since many men in the village had seen her body.

Her choices were to marry Wang Fugui or find a pre-married man with children or become a concubine!

But in the Da Ning Dynasty, it was better to live simply, even in poverty, as a wife to the poor than as a concubine. Xia Guagua’s life was seemingly ruined.

Despite that, Mu Shuangshuang didn’t regret it deep down; whoever devised such a harmful scheme should bear the consequences themselves!