"Thank you, sir. Here's your fare." Yuan Doudou took out ten coins and handed them over.

The driver waved his hand, still shaken, and said, "Miss, you almost got into an accident while riding in my rickshaw today. I feel really bad about it, and I absolutely cannot accept the fare."

Seeing his insistence, Yuan Doudou could only thank him and turn to go home.

Before she even reached her doorstep, Yuan Doudou saw a dozen or so people gathered in front of the courtyard gate, whispering and sighing among themselves.

"It's really strange. One thing after another happens to the An family. It's as if God wants their family line to end."

"I reckon it's because he offended the Tai Sui (a deity associated with bad luck). An Bisheng died suddenly, his eyes wide open in death. Something filthy must have gotten into his house."

They talked to each other, expressing their opinions, and all believed that no one from Anjia would ever return.

Someone turned around, saw Yuan Doudou, and their face turned pale with fright.

"How is that possible?" Li Xueqing's eyes widened, her tongue tied in knots.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

"It's DouDou back! She's alright!" someone exclaimed. They all thought the person who died outside had returned unharmed.

Yuan Doudou, puzzled, stepped forward and calmly asked, "What brings you to linger in front of my house?"

Zhang Aiju squeezed out from behind, grasped Yuan Doudou's shoulders, and carefully looked her up and down.

She breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that Yuan Doudou was alright and hugged her in her arms.

"Thank goodness, you're alright," she said, her voice choked with emotion.

The coachman's words still echoed in her ears, telling her not to spread the word, because those who didn't know the truth would suspect that she had been defiled by bandits.

At that point, there will be no way to defend oneself, and even jumping into the Yellow River won't clear one's name.

"Auntie, I've been fine all along, what are you worried about?" Yuan Doudou asked knowingly.

She guessed that someone had leaked the information beforehand, and that person was most likely the leaker.

"Impossible! I clearly saw you encounter bandits!" Li Xueqing shouted, jumping three feet high.

It really was her.

Yuan Doudou smiled brightly, walked closer to Li Xueqing, and questioned, "Oh? How did you know I encountered bandits? Did you see it with your own eyes?"

She was indeed flustered at the time, but she could tell at a glance whether there were other people around.

"Of course I saw it with my own eyes!" Li Xueqing shouted at the top of her lungs, veins bulging on her neck.

"You mean you encountered bandits? How did you escape?" Yuan Doudou's gaze was sharp as she pressed closer.

Li Xueqing shrank back, and her mother, Wang Cuihua, rushed over and grabbed her, saying, "Don't listen to her, she's talking nonsense."

"Mother, don't stop me. I haven't finished yet. I encountered bandits, but they didn't see me. They surrounded Yuan Doudou and forced her to come up the mountain to be their wife."

Yuan Doudou was certain that she wasn't making things up, but genuinely knew.

"But I never encountered it. You might be mistaken. If you don't believe me, you can ask the driver at the time. He can testify for me." But it's pointless to ask. That driver would absolutely not tell you.

“Yes, Li Xueqing, have you been traumatized and are you having hysteria? If Dou Dou encountered bandits, how could she possibly come back safely?” Zhang Aiju believed Yuan Dou Dou; she would never lie.

This was also what puzzled Li Xueqing. Yes, when she saw the bandits, she was so frightened that she turned and ran away, and didn't have time to see what was happening behind her.

“We can ask Angie. He’s a little kid, and he’s unlikely to lie.” Angie is only two years old, so he would never lie. He would just say what he saw.

"Anji, tell your aunt, did you and your mother encounter bandits on the way?" Li Xueqing squatted down, pretending to be gentle and kind.

Angie took a step back and said with disgust, "You're a bad person, you're not my aunt. I was asleep in my mother's arms and I don't know anything."

"See? Anji slept the whole way, which means the carriage was safe. Alright, everyone, let's go back." Zhang Aiju was completely relieved to see that Anji had proven Yuan Doudou's innocence.

"Impossible, they're in cahoots to cheat people." Li Xueqing shook her head frantically, looking rather abnormal.

"Alright, go home now. You've already embarrassed yourself enough."

Wang Cuihua pulled Li Xueqing home. She was almost driven crazy by this girl. She had lost her virginity before even leaving the house. Now she couldn't find a good solution and could only keep her at home.

She never does anything productive, never helps with farm work, and always hangs out at Wang Qiqiang's house, but the man doesn't like his daughter and acts like he doesn't see her at all.

"Auntie, thank you for speaking up for me."

After everyone had left, Zhang Aiju remained standing there, and Yuan Doudou was grateful to her.

Zhang Aiju smiled, somewhat embarrassed. She had her wild thoughts; she even wondered what would happen if Yuan Doudou really encountered bandits. If the bandits let Yuan Doudou go, how would she live the rest of her life?

My son Qiqiang has always loved Doudou. If she were to be abused and leave behind a child, would Qiqiang be able to accept it? Would he be angry and resentful that he didn't take good care of Doudou?

She could only shake off these thoughts; thankfully, DouDou was alright.

"Dou Dou, don't blame me for being nosy, but try to go to town less often in the future. If you really have to go, take Qi Qiang with you. He can protect you." Her son doesn't have any other skills, but he's big and strong. He also trained with a master in the village in his younger days and knows some self-defense skills.

Yuan Doudou listened attentively. She herself was still shaken. This time, not only was she in great danger, but Anji was too. What would happen to her son if something happened to her? This was something she had to consider.

"Thank you for your concern, Auntie. I will be more careful in the future."

Zhang Aiju gave a few instructions and then went back first. There was so much work to do at home, and the fields also needed someone to take care of them.

Yuan Doudou closed the courtyard gate, and finally, she could hear some peace and quiet.

Her knees buckled instantly. She took Angie's hand and led her into the house, closed the door, and silently got into bed. She took off Angie's clothes, put her in the blankets, and whispered, "Wait for me, I'll boil water for you to take a bath."

All she wants right now is a hot shower to relax and ease her tension.

Anji nodded obediently. He sensed his mother's fear, but he was very brave, truly like a little guardian protecting Yuan Doudou's Sun Quan.

"Mommy, don't be afraid, I will always protect you." Yuan Doudou said in his childish voice when he reached the door.

Yuan Doudou smiled and gave Anji a thumbs up, saying, "You're really great."

"Anji, your mother will always protect you."

Today, thanks to Angie, everyone believed they hadn't encountered bandits. Otherwise, the village would have been filled with gossip, and no one would have paid any attention to her or Angie.

She was very flustered, afraid that Angie would let something slip and all her efforts would be in vain.

Angie's offhand answer stunned her. He was not even three years old, yet he chose to lie for his mother's reputation.

That takes a lot of courage.