Liu Cheng's father: "How can we confirm this?"

Liu Chengniang thought for a moment: "Didn't she throw me up in the tree today? Let's use that to say she's possessed. If she doesn't admit it, we'll invite the 'Sage Sai' over." The 'Sage Sai' is very famous in this area. "If the 'Sage Sai' says she's possessed, she'll be possessed even if she doesn't want to."

"Easier said than done, do you think even a god would listen to us?"

"Money makes the world go round. Besides, that girl definitely has something going on."

Although Liu Cheng's father was reluctant to spend the money, he knew that if he didn't confirm the matter, his family's reputation would suffer: "Alright. Take more money with you when you go."

"Hmm. My in-laws, too, why are they giving me money? If they hadn't given me any, I wouldn't be so angry." She had no intention of returning the money to Xiaoman's family. "And my son, he insists on returning the money to the Han family."

"My son said that the Han family's money must be returned."

"How could they have the nerve to want her? Their daughter is so stupid."

"How is he stupid?"

"Not even knowing if she's been poisoned, isn't that stupid? I regret letting my son marry her."

"Alright, alright, the wedding is already done, it's too late to say anything now. They'll be returning to their parents' home tomorrow, give the money to your son."

"Hmm." She had money, but didn't want to repay the Wang family. Unexpectedly, after going around in circles, she still had to repay them.

Liu Chengniang stood up from her chair: "I will spread the word right now that Wang Xiaoman is possessed by an evil spirit."

"Wait a minute. Tell your son. He's not happy that you caused trouble at the Wang family's house earlier."

"Who am I doing this for? Honestly." Liu Cheng's mother went out and called Liu Cheng over: "Son, don't you think Wang Xiaoman has changed?"

"She has changed, so much so that I don't even recognize her anymore."

Don't you think it's strange?

Liu Cheng thought for a moment: "It is a bit strange."

Liu Cheng's mother voiced her guess. At first, Liu Cheng thought his mother was talking nonsense. But upon further reflection, it wasn't impossible.

"This is what I'm thinking..." Liu Cheng's mother explained her plan: "Is my idea good?"

“You have money at home? Then why do you say you don’t? If I had known you had money, I would have ridden back to get it. Back then, all the horses in our village were at Lili’s house.”

"Oh, let's not talk about that now. What do you think of Mother's idea?"

"Let me think about it." Liu Cheng also wanted to confirm Xiaoman's possession, but firstly, his mother's meager funds might not be of interest to the so-called "immortal." Secondly, his family's reputation was already tarnished; if people found out they had bribed the "immortal" to frame Xiaoman, they wouldn't be able to stay in Hongqi Village. Thirdly, he also felt that Xiaoman was suspicious, and if Xiaoman was suspicious, then his family wouldn't need to bribe the "immortal."

“Mother, we can’t just say Wang Xiaoman is possessed by an evil spirit. We have to say it like this…”

Liu Chengniang nodded as she listened: "Hmm...hmm...okay, we'll do it your way."

"

In Hongqi Village, there is a large locust tree where the village women often chat. Liu Chengniang walked towards it after leaving her house.

There was a group of women chatting, but they stopped talking as soon as she walked by.

Liu Cheng's mother found a place to sit down: "Do you know why I don't want Liu Cheng to marry Wang Xiaoman?"

Dog Egg's Mother: "Why?"

Hongmei's mother and Liu Cheng's mother didn't get along: "What else could it be? Isn't it just because you think Xiaoman is illiterate and doesn't have a job? Don't you think that if it weren't for the Wang family, would your son have been able to go to high school? Would he have been able to get a job in the county?"

Potato Girl also disapproved of the Liu family: "Exactly. They're crossing the river and then burning the bridge."

Liu Chengniang: "Am I that kind of person? Let me tell you, I broke off the engagement because I found that Wang Xiaoman was becoming more and more capable and something was wrong with her."

Hongmei Niang: "So what if you're strong? Being strong means you're not afraid of being bullied."

Dog Egg's Mom: "What's wrong with Xiaoman?"

Liu Chengniang: "What's wrong? You're going to throw me up a tree?"

"cannot."

"That's right, isn't it strange that a girl like her has such great strength?"

Dog Egg's Mom: "Yeah, how come she's so strong?"

Hongmei Niang and Tudou Niang didn't say anything; they also found it strange.

Liu Chengniang: "I don't know either, but she started acting strangely last year."

Dog Egg's Mother: "You mean she's possessed?"

“I didn’t say that. I just thought her strength was abnormal. I heard from my cousin’s relatives that there was a man in their village who became incredibly strong after being possessed by an evil spirit. Not only was he strong, but he also beat people. He beat not only adults, but also children. The villagers couldn’t stand it, so they went to his father. His father had no choice but to spend money to hire a Taoist priest. The Taoist priest performed a ritual, and he was cured.”

This was the idea Liu Cheng came up with for his mother. First, they would lead everyone to believe that Xiaoman was possessed by an evil spirit and might attack people at any moment, making her very dangerous. Then, they would incite everyone to go to Xiaoman's house and cause trouble, forcing Xiaoman's parents to pay someone to examine her. After the Wang family agreed to hire someone, they would say that the thing possessing Xiaoman must be very powerful, and perhaps only a sage could subdue it.

Liu Cheng felt that those less famous might not be able to win over Xiaoman. If Sai Shenxian said Xiaoman had problems, then their family was right to break off the engagement. If Sai Shenxian said Xiaoman had no problems, then his mother would admit she was overthinking things. Everyone could understand a mother worrying more about her son. That way, their family wouldn't have to spend money, and their reputation would be better.

Liu Chengniang: "It's easy for us adults to avoid her if we know she has a problem. But what about the children? They're young and don't understand. Even if you tell them that someone has a problem and they should avoid her, they won't remember. What if..."

Her words stirred up the women under the big locust tree. Even Red Plum Girl and Potato Girl felt they should invite someone back to take a look.

Dog Egg's Mother: "No, we have to talk to Xiaoman's parents."

"Yes. What if the child upsets her and she throws the child up a tree again?"

"Yes, yes, let's go find them now."

"Yes, let's go now. My Tiger is such a rascal, always running around the village. What if... Oh dear, everyone hurry up."

Red Plum Girl and Potato Girl followed.

Liu Cheng's mother stood up, dusted herself off, and followed. As she walked, she thought to herself: My son is so clever.

Xiaoman's mother was tidying up in the yard when a group of people entered through the door. Xiaoman's mother was startled: "You...you people, what's going on?"

Dog Egg's Mother: "You should quickly find someone to take a look at Xiaoman."

"Find someone to take a look at Xiaoman? Look at what?"

"What evil spirit have you taken a fancy to?"

"You're the one who's possessed."

"Your Xiaoman is really possessed."

"Your Gou Dan is the one who's possessed. Gou Dan's mom, what did my Xiao Man do to you?"

"without."

"Then why do you say that?"

“I… Liu Chengniang, you tell her.”

Liu Chengniang originally wanted to stay in the back and not say anything. But now she couldn't: "Didn't your Xiaoman throw me up a tree? Everyone thinks she's abnormally strong and is afraid she's unclean, so they want you to bring someone back to check on her."

Xiaoman came out and glanced at the people in the courtyard: "Do you think I'm possessed?"

Dog Egg's Mother: "Mm."

The others remained silent.

Xiaoman glanced at Gou Dan's mother. "Idiot." "Then you should call someone over. I'll wait."