"How could such a thing happen? The reason I did this was to find a wife for Qiudong, and it was also because of your request. I didn't expect that Qiudong would get better after marrying Jinxia. Things have already turned out this way, so please don't be angry. Since I was the one who arranged this marriage, I will definitely find a way to handle this matter properly. Please rest assured, Auntie."

As the village head, Li Zheng often consulted Liang Shuyan on many matters. Thinking of this, he said apologetically, "Auntie, we can't entirely blame you for this. You meant well back then. Now that Qiu Dong's illness is cured, if Jin Xia has contact with her ex-husband, we really can't keep this daughter-in-law."

Jiao glanced at Liang Shuyan, took Liang Shuyan's hand and said, "Auntie, don't be angry. During that time, I did resent you, thinking that you didn't understand the situation, which led to this. Later, I found out that this had nothing to do with you. During that time, Jinxia was indeed abused by her in-laws and was jilted. Things have turned out this way, and Qiudong in our family doesn't want a divorce. We're in a difficult position."

Liang Shuyan could understand the feelings of Li Zheng and his wife, and then said, "No matter what, I was the matchmaker and guarantor of this marriage, so I have the right to ask about this matter. Don't be angry, I will go and find out what Jin Xia really means."

Jin Xia was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) with the door closed. When she saw Liang Shuyan come in, she knew what was going on and asked, "Auntie, you've come. Please sit down."

Liang Shuyan sat down and got straight to the point: "Jin Xia, do you know why I've come here today?"

Jin Xia nodded: "Auntie, I'm worried about my two children. They came to see me a few days ago. The children are so pitiful. They don't even have a few clothes to wear. So, I want to take the children with me, but my in-laws won't allow it. So, I'm thinking of getting a divorce from Qiu Dong."

"Think about it, what did your mother and I do when we ran away so far? Wasn't it all for you to have a fresh start? Now you want to go back. Do you think the children's father will treat you well? What if he beats and scolds you again? You say you feel bad and can't bear to part with those two children, but what about your children with Qiudong? Do you know how many people in the village envy your life now? Even if you and Qiudong divorce, if Qiudong agrees, you might never be able to come back. Think about it carefully."

Jinxia thought so too. Ever since she married Qiudong, her family had respected her a lot. No one treated her like a second-time bride. On the contrary, they respected her even more. Now that she had a child and Qiudong's illness had improved, it was time for them to live a good life. Why were these two children starting to worry about her again?

Seeing the child sleeping soundly on the kang (a heated brick bed), she felt reluctant to leave. She then said, "Auntie, I know about what you're talking about. Let me think about it. I'll give you an answer in two days. If I decide to stay, I will definitely take good care of my parents-in-law as before."

Liang Shuyan didn't say anything, got up and left.

Just as she stepped out of the village head's house, Aunt Liu followed her. When she saw Liang Shuyan's eyes, she seemed to instantly understand something.

"Her aunt, does Jin Xia have something to do with those two bastards?"

Fearing that Aunt Liu would cause trouble for Jin Xia, Liang Shuyan could only nod and grab her arm, saying, "Don't ask about this matter yet. I've already spoken to Jin Xia and told her to give her two days to think it over and see what she thinks."

Aunt Liu shouted angrily, "That heartless bastard! She was almost killed by that family back then. If we hadn't rescued her, this wouldn't have happened. Now, the Li family treats her so well, and she even has a child, but she still thinks about those beasts. Don't you think Jin Xia is being shameless? I must teach her a lesson, otherwise, I won't be able to vent my anger!"

"Alright, are you going to cause trouble at the village head's house now? If you want to teach Jinxia a lesson, find an opportunity to send her back to her parents' home. As her mother, you can give her a good talking-to. Once she leaves the village head's house, she may never have the chance to go back again."

In the village, rumors about Jinxia had already spread. The plump aunt whispered among herself, "I really didn't expect Jinxia to be so unlucky. Qiu Dong treated her so well, and now she's given birth to such a boy for him. What a wonderful thing, yet she's thinking of going back to her ex-husband's house. Tell me, how shameless of her! I think she should be beaten to death by her ex-husband!"

"That's right. Look at how the village head and his wife treat her like their own daughter-in-law. She secretly stole things from the village head's house and gave them to her ex-husband. She even wants to divorce Qiu Dong. It's such a pity for such a young man like Qiu Dong. If I had a daughter, I would introduce her to Qiu Dong. What's the point of having such a troublesome slut?"

"You're right. This Jinxia is just asking for trouble. She doesn't know how lucky she is. Let her get a divorce now. Once she's divorced, her tragic fate will just begin. Qiudong is such a good young man, why would he be afraid of not having a girl to be with? I'm going back to my parents' house to introduce a girl to Qiudong. Think about how good Lizheng and his wife are to her, Jinxia. This woman Jinxia is simply shameless!"

Jin Xia's reputation spread throughout Daling Village in no time. Aunt Liu couldn't stand it, so she asked Old Liu to call Jin Xia back, saying that there was something important to discuss.

Old Liu cursed loudly: "What? I have to do this shameful thing? This Jin Xia who won't die, I knew it. I shouldn't have let her stay, and I shouldn't have let her marry Qiu Dong. After what happened, I have to wear a cloth over my face when I go out. And you want me to go to the village head's house? I'm not going. Go by yourself."

Aunt Liu, panting heavily, paced around, grabbed a stick, and stormed towards the village head's house, only to be stopped by Old Liu: "You old geezer, are you trying to embarrass me, or are you going to fight your in-laws? Whether that brat Jinxia lives or dies is none of our business, but how have the village head and his wife treated people in our village? How have they treated Jinxia? And you're going to the village head's house with a stick? Aren't you just looking for trouble?"

Aunt Liu was so angry that she threw the fire poker aside: "Then tell me, how could we call Jin Xia here? I really can't stand it anymore. This Jin Xia is going to ruin the reputation of our Liu family!"

"I'll go, I'll go, okay?"