Chapter 131 You are not here to propose marriage, you are here to make enemies
Shen listened to Ma's words, which became more and more outrageous, and she was so angry that she was shaking all over. She picked up the big broom next to her and hit Ma. Third Uncle and Grandma Huang also came to help, and the yard was instantly in chaos.
Aunt Zhang, who was watching the excitement in the crowd, was usually quite friendly with Shen. Seeing that Ma had been hit hard by a broom, she stood up and pretended to mediate. She held Shen, who was agitated, and said, "Don't listen to her nonsense. Erya is a good child."
The village head had realized that he had been fooled by Ma. What kind of marriage proposal was this? It was a deliberate attempt to humiliate Erya. The elders also looked at Ma and her son with dark faces.
"Ma, you are deliberately deceiving us. Are you here to propose marriage? You are here to make enemies." The head of the village said angrily.
"This is outrageous. You tricked us elders into following you and becoming your accomplices." The elders were also indignant.
Ma didn't dare to give up now, and said directly: "Er Ya is my son's concubine from now on. She has already given her bellyband to my son. How could a daughter of a decent family give things to others privately like her? My son was reluctant to accept her because he was worried about her reputation. Otherwise, my son is like a fairy, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he is the Wenqu Star from heaven. How could he be interested in a peasant girl like her?"
Everyone was shocked when they saw Wang Xiucai took out a big red bellyband from his arms. Could it be that what Ma said was true, Erya really fell in love with Wang Xiucai, and gave him such a private item as a bellyband in private? Maybe she couldn't help herself in private, and the matter was already settled. Erya was still young, and Wang Xiucai was so cruel, everyone looked at Wang Xiucai with contempt.
Shen Zhen saw the bellyband in Wang Xiucai's hand and frowned, "Strange, how did it end up in your hand? It disappeared when we went to the stream to wash clothes today. We thought the clothes we put on the shore were washed away by the water when we went fishing."
When everyone heard what Shen Zhen said, they immediately understood that the clothes he picked up in the creek were not given by Erya at all.
"I remember now. When I went to the fields this morning, I saw Mr. Wang running out from the creek in a panic. It was where the big crooked willow tree was. I don't think he picked up the clothes at that time." said a man watching.
Shen Zhen's eyes widened and she said, "No, we were washing clothes under that tree. You didn't pick them up, you stole them while we were fishing. How despicable, bah."
"That's right. He is a scholar, but he did such sneaky things to tarnish the reputation of women. Fortunately, he didn't succeed."
"It's a pity that Arya's underwear still passed through his hands. This has damaged Arya's reputation to some extent."
The onlookers all felt sorry for Erya, as if the only way out for Erya was to marry into the Wang family.
Mr. Wang looked towards the Shen family with pride. No matter what means they used, Erya would eventually have to enter his house, unless she died to preserve her innocence.
But the Shen family was not in a hurry. They looked at Mr. Wang with a smile. Mr. Wang was suddenly frightened, as if he had missed some important information.
Shen Zhi smiled and stepped forward and asked, "Are you sure you want to take the owner of this bellyband, Erya, as your concubine?"
Mr. Wang said firmly: "Of course, I took Miss Erya's personal belongings, so I must be responsible for Miss Erya."
Shen Zhi snorted coldly, "I hope you won't regret it." Then he stepped forward and said to everyone, "Everyone bear witness that Mr. Wang wants to take the owner of this bellyband, Erya, as his concubine. Now I will reluctantly ask her if she is willing. After all, we are all good people, not lowly servants who are directly bought and sold. No matter how bold Mr. Wang is, he would not dare to do such a thing as robbing a woman."
Everyone answered that this was the truth and was willing to testify.
Shen Zhi walked up to a woman in the crowd. This woman was Guo Ning, Qin Zheng's wife. When Guo Ning was waiting to be married, she learned a few words from her father, a scholar.
"Sister-in-law, please help me check if there are any words embroidered on that bellyband to prove my identity." Shen Zhi said to Guo Ning.
Guo Ning was straightforward and happy to help. She took the bellyband from Wang Xiucai and looked through it carefully. As expected, she saw the word "Erya" on the inside of the collar. Her heart skipped a beat and her face changed. She really looked down on Wang Xiucai and didn't want Erya to fall into this fire pit. But just in case, she checked it again carefully and found a small yellow word in front of Erya. "Huang Erya?" She looked up and said loudly, with a question in her tone. Who is Huang Erya?
Wang Xiucai was startled and snatched the bellyband. There was indeed a small yellow character in front of Erya. What does it mean? Is there someone called Huang Erya? Wang Xiucai suddenly had a bad premonition.
When Grandma Huang saw that things had developed to this point, she blushed and walked up to the front of the village with her household registration.
"Li Zheng Qin, I am a villager of Shenjia Village. My granddaughter married Shen's younger brother. When they saw that I was alone and helpless, they took me in to live with them. Unexpectedly, I caused trouble for everyone. That bellyband is mine. My name is Huang Erya, and this is my household registration." Grandma Huang said as she handed the household registration to the village head.
The head of the village opened the household registration book and looked at the names on it with the elders. He blushed with embarrassment.
"Old sister, I'm sorry for making a fool of myself. This child has evil intentions. We in the village will discipline him." said an elder.
Grandma Huang smiled calmly, as if she didn't care at all. She turned and walked towards Mr. Wang, saying, "I am 72 years old this year, which happens to be my zodiac year. Two days before my granddaughter gave birth, she used a piece of material that was left over from making clothes for the baby to make me a red bellyband. She said it was used to ward off evil spirits. I haven't worn this dress yet, so it can't be considered a close-fitting item. Since Mr. Wang wants to take responsibility, I will warn you a few things. First, I am a woman from a respectable family and it is impossible for me to be a concubine. Second, I look down on you, a hypocritical villain with a sanctimonious appearance. Third, when I was young, I was awarded the chastity arch by the imperial court. You openly and deliberately framed me. I have the right to go to the government office and sue you."
The crowd burst into laughter. Wang Xiucai's efforts were probably in vain.
At this time, Mr. Wang's face turned pale and he said to himself, "Impossible, impossible."
Ma looked even more incredulous, and her face turned gloomy in an instant.
Shen Zhi walked up to Wang Xiucai with a half-smile on his face and said, "Just now you were determined to take my grandmother Huang as your concubine, why are you silent now? You are openly challenging the majesty of the court."
"You're talking nonsense. My son is the God of Literature who has descended to earth. Why would he marry a rag whose body is half buried in the ground?" Ma cursed with a gloomy face.