Dusk, the waxing crescent moon.

This is not the romance of the moon rising above the willow branches and lovers meeting at dusk.

There are too many people here. Just look at how promiscuous Pei Jinnu is; even the women from the brothel might not be as good as her.

Then look at Chang Dalang, who has transformed into the eldest son of the Earl of Fumin. He is also handsome, and many women would be tempted by him!

Some confident young women and their mothers squeezed out of the crowd, ready to attack Pei Jinnu.

Even men are ready to snatch away sons-in-law and brothers-in-law!

Don't we refuse gifts? Isn't marriage a good thing?

Although they were merchants, some were wealthy businessmen, and their status was not ordinary. Besides, no one was afraid of Pei Jinnu, who was a concubine's daughter from a poor family.

This scene is much more lively than the traditional "catching a son-in-law" contest! There are people all around!

When Pei Jinnu approached Chang Dalang, tears welled up in her eyes before she could speak.

He Shuiying put down her daughter and went over to slap Pei Jinnu!

Pei Jinnu's attempt to seduce Chang Dalang failed, but that wasn't her main motivation, so she simply knelt down.

He Shuiying slapped him again: "The Pei family kidnapped us, do you think kneeling down will do you any good? You're not qualified!"

oh!

The onlookers thought the wicked mother-in-law was bullying her young daughter-in-law, and the feud between the Pei and Chang families had returned.

The Chang family harbors a deep-seated hatred for the Pei family!

He Shuiying cried, wishing she could tear her apart: "You Pei family are going too far! Do you think you can just let it go because we didn't file a complaint? You're so lewd, and you still want to force my son?"

Pei Jinnu thought that He Shi was not like that!

Pei Jinnu was a very pretty girl.

Some people protested, "Isn't this a good thing?"

He Shuiying asked, "Are you taking it back?"

Someone responded, "He's just a lowly servant; how could Miss Pei possibly be interested in him?"

Pei Jinnu cried to Chang Dalang, "Have you forgotten that night?"

He Shuiying slapped her hard across the face: "We were locked up in the manor, and your young lady from the Pei family went there to act like a slut, and you expect me to take responsibility? Even if you're pregnant, we don't even know whose child it is!"

He Shuiying was bullied before. But now they want to bully her son and won't allow her to fight back?

If this wretched woman were to enter the Chang family, even the Empress would likely not show her any sympathy.

The excitement of the onlookers!

"Miss Pei is really something; I almost got dragged into a ditch!"

"Nonsense! Isn't that just Miss Pei wanting to marry Chang Dalang, but Chang Dalang refused?"

"Chang Dalang is so handsome, hahaha!"

Pei Jinnu's maidservant hurriedly exclaimed, "Second Miss is clearly taking pity on them!"

He Shuiying grabbed her and slapped her: "Your family kidnaps people, and you even have someone pitiful? My family can't afford your pitifulness!"

The crowd cheered!

"Does the Pei family still want to pity Uncle Fumin?"

"I wonder who's more pitiful!"

"The Pei family still hasn't figured out the situation!"

"Miss Pei looks down on country bumpkins, doesn't she? She probably doesn't know that Uncle Fumin still has to go back to farming."

"So that everyone knows, Chang Dalang is going back to farming. Those who want to go to Baishi Village can reconsider."

Later, it's unclear: "Why go back to Baishi Village?"

Those who arrived first exclaimed excitedly, "Her Majesty said the Chang family can only farm; those who don't will be punished with beatings. Which young lady would like to farm?"

Angrily: "Your Majesty is being so unreasonable!"

Several villagers from Baishi Village chimed in, "You look down on farmers? Do you even eat?"

Farmers should be confident and assertive.

Farming isn't scary; many people in the countryside live quite well. What's scary is farming but not having enough to eat.

Just imagine farming the land and living a wonderful life; it's much better than getting a beating.

As long as everyone farms, they have the Empress's support, so they are truly confident.

Pei Jinnu had no choice but to go all out, crying, "I can serve you as a slave or maid."

Chang Zihan came over and asked, "Where's the indenture?"

Pei Jinnu looked at her; the face was so similar! She coaxed her pitifully, "Have you forgotten how your older sister treated you before?"

Chang Zihan replied, "You used to be the one who kidnapped us, and my family was the one who was kidnapped. You used to be high and mighty, and now you're kneeling here. You're a slave, and you still want to be someone's sister? You don't understand how to fool my whole family without a contract of indenture?"

Even if you don't understand, you still know what a contract of servitude is.

Pei Jinnu cried out mournfully, "My lord~~~..."

Chang Zihe said, "She really intends to sell herself. It's a pity my home isn't a brothel."

Everyone burst out laughing!

Everyone has witnessed how truly despicable Miss Pei is! Following Chang Dalang like this, what future does she have?

Is it possible that for the sake of the wealthy Chang family, one would be willing to stoop even lower?

They've already sent over beauties, with complete indentures.

With a kitchen knife in hand, Chang Zihe declared, "Do you want to take thirty lashes or do you want me to take the lashes?"

The two beauties said sweetly, "Young master..."

Chang Zihe found out: "You want me to be punished? You pity me, but I don't? When I was a child, Grandpa Rui said I was smart, but Scholar Bai wouldn't let me continue my studies. I was engaged, but that was ruined. The Pei family kidnapped my whole family and wanted to control our lives."

He Shuiying held her daughter and cried.

Zihan felt wronged again when she thought about it.

Several village women came over and sat on the ground crying.

They were supposed to be royalty, but now they're going back to farming.

Who can I tell my grievances to? Who wouldn't want a delicate maidservant to serve them?

The Empress won't allow it! I'm crying!

The villagers of Baishi Village all wept. A reward? None. A beautiful woman? None.

The whole village wept together, filled with sorrow; the world seemed to have changed!

A thunderclap boomed, and then the rain began to fall.

The crescent moon was still in the sky when the dark clouds managed to block it out; this action was legal.

Qing'e Palace.

Huan Yue sat under the Jixian Pavilion.

Although it's under a tree, there's a pavilion, so there's no fear of thunder.

The rain wasn't heavy; it didn't even penetrate the leaves to reach the ground.

Xie Zhou sat down next to his wife and gave her a kiss.

Huan Yue looked at him. Chang Chenghui hadn't eaten dinner again. Wasn't he concerned?

Xie Zhou was concerned about his wife and asked if she wanted to do anything at night.

A palace attendant ran over and reported, "Jing Que, the head of the Imperial Carriage Department, came through the Lü family."

Xie Zhou, get serious. What brings you here so late? General Lü has no intention of contacting the Crown Prince.

The eunuch broke out in a cold sweat: "Jing Que's sister is General Lü's concubine and the birth mother of General Lü Xiao. Jing Que has a legitimate daughter, Jing Wei, who is said to have taken a liking to Chang Dalang."

Huan Yue and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.

The Chang family naturally had to take the Jing family's actions seriously.

Huan Yue said, "Would you like Miss Jing and Miss Lü to come together tomorrow?"

The eunuch said, "Miss Jing and Miss Lü have a good relationship."

Since the Lü family has intervened, it won't be a problem for Miss Lü to make a trip.

Huan Yue said, "Ask Miss Wen if she's free, and invite her over to join us."

The rest was taken over by Chaoyun.

The Empress doesn't like banquets and is usually lonely, so inviting a few people over to have fun is a normal practice.

Another eunuch came and urgently reported to His Highness: "The Bai family of fifteen, including the scholar Bai, in Baishi Village, Changhe County, has been murdered."

Xie Zhou was shocked: "Has the news reached the palace?"

The eunuch reported, "An urgent report from Changhe County should have arrived."

Xie Zhou said decisively, "I will go and take a look." Then he said gently to his wife, "Don't be afraid."

Huan Yue was bewildered. What was she afraid of?