Chapter 143 Long Coveted

Yuan Wanru pointed at Zeng Gui's brother Zeng Qiang and said, "You and those people who appeared at the entrance of the village today, I will not miss any of them. You are all accomplices."

"He who follows in the footsteps of others in committing a crime without merit to absolve himself of his crime shall be punished with a lighter crime."

"Therefore, you, the accomplices in attempted murder, shall be punished with 100 strokes of the cane and exiled for a year and a half according to the law."

She looked at Yuan Xinhui with a smile: "Aunt, are there any other accomplices? If so, point them all out. We will never let anyone who bullies you go."

"I believe that the county magistrate will enforce the law impartially and ensure that every person who has committed a crime receives the punishment they deserve."

"If the county magistrate dares to protect the criminals in Xiaotang Village, then after returning to Beijing, I will go to Jingzhao Prefecture and the Imperial Censorate to submit a petition and let them make the judgment."

Yuan Xinhui covered her mouth, tears falling silently, she thought...

Unexpectedly, Wanru did not give up on her.

She nodded vigorously: "I'll tell you now."

Yuan Xinhui pointed at a middle-aged, dark and fat woman: "She has repeatedly echoed Zeng De's words and slandered me for adultery."

The fat black woman was horrified: "I'm not..."

Yuan Wanru said calmly: "Aunt, I'll remember her."

None of them paid any attention to the fat black woman. Yuan Xinhui then pointed at another tall and thin woman and said, "She is responsible for guarding Jie'er and me, and is also an accomplice."

For a moment, everyone was in danger, fearing that they would be pointed out by Yuan Xinhui.

Caning, exile, these crimes were enough to keep them at a distance.

"Li Zheng, let Yuan Shi divorce."

I don't know who said this, and then many people shouted, "Let Yuanshi divorce."

At this point, the village head certainly knew that they could not defeat these people.

After all, he received a salary from the court and was considered a minor official, so he was not completely ignorant of the law.

When he thought carefully about what Yuan Wanru said, he realized that there was not a single falsehood in it.

He took a deep breath and was about to say something, but Yuan Wanru smiled and said, "Divorce? We didn't say we wanted a divorce. We would rather destroy a temple than ruin a marriage. How could our Yuan family do such an immoral thing?"

"We are just following the law and seeking justice."

Lu Jiangnian laughed freely. He liked this kind of energy of his wife. Except for him, no one else could ever get any advantage from her.

"That's right. My wife is so kind, how could she do such a wicked thing? Even if you beg us, we won't divorce you."

"I have never abused my power to bully others as an official in the court. Even the emperor has praised me for being fair and honest. I will not ruin my good reputation because of the Yue family's affairs."

Outstanding skills, exquisite clothes, noble bearing, and calm speech and behavior.

The head of the village smiled bitterly. If he didn't want to bully others by taking advantage of his power, why did he mention that he was an official and also mentioned the emperor? Wasn't he clearly telling the people of Xiaotang Village that they had extraordinary origins and were people that Xiaotang Village couldn't afford to offend?

"What do you want?"

Yuan Wanru sat down leisurely, and Lu Jiangnian followed closely and sat next to her. He picked up a pot of tea and poured her a cup of tea: "My lady, don't be in a hurry, let's talk slowly."

His wife was well-educated and knew all the laws of the dynasty by heart. She handled everything without him having to do anything.

Countless stars burst out from Lu Jiangnian's eyes, lighting up his black pupils, and only a gentle and soft smile remained in his eyes.

She inadvertently met his eyes and felt her heart warm. The way this man looked at her was really hot.

Yuan Wanru immediately retracted her gaze and tried hard to keep calm on her face and not be moved by the man's beauty.

Her voice was clear and resounding throughout the ancestral hall: "My aunt just said that all these years, the dowry was lost to the Zeng family. Now that the dowry that the Yuan family carefully prepared is gone, won't the Zeng family have to support my aunt for the rest of her life?"

"After the divorce, my aunt returned to the Yuan family penniless, and the Yuan family had another expense. The account is clear at a glance. Of course, I will not do something that will lose money."

Yuan Wanru's purpose is very clear. Even if they divorce, she has to pay compensation.

"Madam, rest assured that Zeng Gui will return all of Yuan's dowry."

Yuan Wanru took a sip of tea and said nonchalantly, "Return it in full?"

"No, no, no, my aunt is still working like a slave in the Zeng family, and she hasn't even been paid. If there is no triple the dowry, the Yuan family will suffer in the end."

"you……"

Just as Zeng Qiang was about to speak, the village head looked at him fiercely and warned him to shut up.

"Three times is three times. After the divorce, you must pay three times the dowry as compensation to Yuanshi."

Although three times the amount was high, the village head knew that considering the status of these people, asking for this amount was already a generous gesture.

If he didn't want to make a big deal out of this and ruin the reputation of Xiaotang Village, he wouldn't bother with Zeng Gui's family's mess!

Yuan Wanru lowered her eyes and said slowly, "Zeng Xiaojie was almost killed by Zeng Gui. This kind of beast is not worthy of being his father."

"Don't worry, Yuanshi can take Zeng Xiaojie away, and no one from Zeng Gui's family is allowed to obstruct."

Li Zheng was a smart man. He had already followed Yuan Wanru's words and said what she wanted.

Yuan Wanru looked up at the head of the village and said, "Not only that, Zeng Xiaojie must be severed from the Zeng family. From now on, Zeng Xiaojie will change his name to Yuan Xiaojie and will no longer have any connection with the Zeng family."

The village head gritted his teeth and agreed to the request.

What if they don’t agree? Will the dozen or so men in the village be sentenced to exile?

He harmed so many people just for Yuanshi. How could he have the face to see the elders and fellow villagers in the village?

He thought Yuan Wanru would be satisfied, but she went on to say, "All those who have insulted my aunt must come to her and personally admit their mistakes and apologize. Otherwise, there will be no room for negotiation."

You could hear a pin drop in the entire ancestral hall.

Too arrogant! These outsiders are really too arrogant.

They had clearly agreed to the divorce and paid compensation. Zeng Xiaojie and Zeng Gui's family had severed ties. Every condition was extremely harsh, yet they agreed to it. Now they want everyone to apologize to the Yuan family?

Yuan Wanru sneered, her face full of sarcasm: "If you have backbone, you don't have to apologize. Insulting others wantonly is also a crime. It depends on how the county magistrate decides."

When you live under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.

The head of the village gave an order: "If you don't want to go to the county government to confess your crime, apologize to Yuan Shi immediately."

His face was very ugly, full of dark clouds, and his eyes stared straight at the villagers, forcing them to submit.

Finally, someone stood up and apologized to Yuan Xinhui.

With the first one, more people followed. Yuan Xinhui cried inconsolably, but her heart was unusually peaceful.

She could finally leave this damn place.

The head of the village was worried that the night would be too long and he immediately started to arrange the divorce. When it was completely dark, Yuan Xinhui got the divorce letter, the letter of severance of engagement, and three hundred taels of silver.

Everyone in Xiaotang Village was eager for them to leave. Yuan Wanru didn't mind staying overnight, but Yuan Xinhui wished she could grow wings and leave here as soon as possible.

She held Zeng Xiaojie in her arms and smiled with relief: "Wanru, thank you, let's go now."

It took an hour to reach the next village. After finally settling down, Yuan Wanru was taking a bath and Lu Jiangnian was lying on the bed, his heart was beating.

He had coveted the area below the neck for a long time, and tonight he finally got what he wanted.

Really, exciting.