“I think Chunmei is right. We need to produce evidence. Without evidence, if someone’s reputation is ruined, there’s no way they can get away with not compensating them,” Aunt Lihua was the first to stand up and say.

“Sanhua, Shi Zhenxiang is your aunt, but you can’t be too biased. Don’t forget that you are our Xia family’s daughter-in-law. Don’t side with outsiders.”

"That's right. Even if we don't always side with the Xia family, we should at least be realistic."

...

Xia Chunmei finally provoked the dissatisfaction of the clansmen, and Xia Changjiang and his wife were furious.

"Everyone has misunderstood. That's not what I meant. I'm definitely on the side of the Xia family," Xia Chenshi explained.

"So you're saying you're just not on my side, or... you're doing this to me on purpose?"

Xia Chunmei squeezed out a few tears: "What have I done to wrong you? Is it because I have a good marriage prospect that you treat me like this? If Xiumei and Fan Baowen are truly in love, I... I can back out. I just hope you can let us sisters go, sob sob..."

"Ah, what does this have to do with your marriage?" Aunt Pear Blossom asked in surprise.

In fact, the villagers are not stupid, and they all have a feeling that Xia Chenshi and Xia Changjiang are targeting Xia Chunmei.

Otherwise, normally speaking, who would unjustly pin the blame on Xia Chunmei?

At this moment, the way people looked at them changed.

Xia Xiumei stomped her feet in anger: "Xia Chunmei, you bitch, why did you frame me?"

"But I heard people say that you like Fan Baowen, and that I am an orphan and poor, so I am not good enough for him. Only you are good enough for him. So I... I thought your parents were deliberately trying to frame me so that I would ruin my reputation, so that the Fan family would have a chance to break off the engagement, and then you could marry him without any problem."

As soon as Xia Chunmei finished speaking, Xia Changjiang, Xia Chenshi, and Xia Xiumei all turned deathly pale.

How did Xia Chunmei know so much? Who leaked the information?

Xia Chunmei sneered inwardly, but put on a look of joyful tears: "Since you don't like Fan Baowen, then you won't steal my marriage. I'm so happy, sister, thank you."

I'll thank you for what?!

Xia Chenshi wanted nothing more than to strangle Xia Chunmei; how could she possibly respond to those words?

Xia Chunmei's move was truly ruthless. By saying these things in public and putting them out in the open, she planted the seeds of doubt in everyone's hearts.

If Xia Xiumei marries Fan Baowen in the future, the clansmen will definitely think that they framed Xia Chunmei and stole her marriage!

Unless Xia Xiumei refuses to marry Fan Baowen, but that was their original intention!

Xia Changjiang and Xia Chenshi are now certain that Xia Chunmei had long since seen through their conspiracy!

That brat is really good at hiding her true colors!

A hard approach wouldn't work right now. Xia Changjiang and his wife exchanged a glance, and then Xia Changjiang softened his tone, saying, "This must be a misunderstanding. Someone is deliberately framing you. Chunmei, don't believe it. No one can take your marriage away from you, and no one will try to take it away."

"I'm relieved to hear your words, Chief. Sister Xiumei, I misunderstood you. Don't be angry. But you and Baowen should still keep some distance, otherwise I'll overthink things. I'm the most petty person."

Xia Xiumei was so angry at Xia Chunmei's veiled remarks that she felt like she was going to vomit blood. Her smiling face was definitely showing off!

Xia Xiumei was so angry she wanted to kill someone.

Xia Chenshi was also furious: "Chunmei, when did Xiumei get close to Fan Baowen? Don't talk nonsense and ruin Xiumei's reputation."

"Chunmei, your second uncle knows you're angry. Your second aunt was too hasty before. She lost her composure when she saw your great-aunt was injured. Don't be angry, and don't ruin Xiumei's reputation because of your anger."

Xia Changjiang knew that continuing to make a fuss would be useless, so he thought it best to let the matter drop and plan for the future.

“Aunt, since you have no evidence, you have to act properly. You can’t just let it go because Chunmei is young. Apologize and bring thirty eggs. Look how thin these children are. You are the elder, so you should take care of the younger generation.”

Shi Zhenxiang was so popular!

She was beaten so badly, and she still had to apologize and pay for the eggs. How aggrieved!

She had dominated Fanjiachong for decades, and had never suffered such a loss before, especially since Xia Chunmei was only fourteen years old!

She was defeated by a fourteen-year-old boy!

She couldn't swallow this insult!

Shi Zhenxiang glared at Xia Chunmei, then charged forward with the club in her hand. Just as the club was about to hit Xia Chunmei on the head, Xia Chunmei nimbly ducked down...

The club struck Xia Xiumei squarely on the forehead...

"ah……"

A deafening scream rang out.

Shi Zhenxiang and the Fan family were dumbfounded.

"Xiumei, Xiumei, how are you?"

Xia Chenshi's heart was bleeding. This daughter was the youngest and most beautiful in the family, and she was counting on her to marry into a good family so that the whole family could enjoy a life of happiness. What if she were seriously injured?

Xia Xiumei covered her head and cried uncontrollably.

"My God! What a vicious mind! If it weren't for Sister Xiumei blocking this for me today, my head would definitely be blown to bits! Old woman Fan, you're trying to kill someone! Coming to my Xia family's territory to commit violence! Folks, we can't let the murderer get away! Arrest her and take her to the authorities!"

Xia Chunmei shouted, instantly igniting the hatred of her clansmen.

Shi Zhenxiang and the Fan family also realized what was happening and quickly fled.

However, the quick-thinking clansmen still managed to capture Shi Zhenxiang. As for the others who escaped, it didn't matter; as long as the murderer was still around, that was fine.

"Xia Chunmei, you bitch, you framed me! You brat! I'm going to beat you up!" Shi Zhenxiang yelled, spitting everywhere.

"I knew you were going to hit me, but you misjudged the situation and hit Xiumei instead. I felt pain just hearing it."

Xia Chunmei was secretly delighted.

Why

In the original story, Xia Changjiang and his wife Xia Chenshi harmed the original owner because of her.

Knowing that the original owner of this body was engaged to Fan Baowen, she still took the initiative to seduce Fan Baowen, and the two secretly had an affair.

The Fan family also wanted to break off the engagement, but without a suitable reason, they would be in the wrong. Fan Baowen was a scholar, and breaking off the engagement without cause would tarnish his reputation.

Just then, Fan Baowen learned of Xia Xiumei's thoughts and expressed to her that he wanted to break off the engagement but had no reason to do so.

Thus, the Xia Chen family became the sword in his hand!

The smartest one was Fan Baowen. He got the better deal from Xia Xiumei, broke off his engagement with the original owner, and his reputation remained completely unaffected.

A win-win-win situation.

What a brilliant plan!