If it weren't for his father's determination to stop the newly appointed magistrate's sedan chair and file a complaint, even if it meant receiving thirty lashes, the original owner of this body would have died three years ago.
It was only because her father invited the county magistrate that she was spared her life.
However, this also ruined her reputation, and in order to shift all the blame onto her, the Xiao family decided to divorce her on behalf of Xiao Tianyi and expel her from the Xiao family along with Xiao Tianjue.
"Village Chief Lin, you've only just arrived and haven't asked anything yet, so how can you be so sure that today's events are my fault? Is it just because Sun shouted louder than the others?"
If all government offices judge cases this way, then there is no justice left in this world.
If you, the village chief, don't even have this much discernment, you might as well give this position to someone of virtue.
"you……"
Lin Tianfang was so angry with Lin Jiujiu that his face turned ashen.
That brat started by subtly mocking his lack of virtue.
If he were truly willing to give up his position as village chief, he wouldn't have held a grudge against Xiao Tianyi's parents for so long.
Even after people have died, they still won't let them go.
They will never find peace in the underworld.
They wouldn't stop until they saw their children being ruined by the Xiao family and meeting a bad end.
Sending their proudest eldest son to perform hard labor was also his proudest move.
It's all because those two were so prominent when they were around that some people in the village felt they should hand over the village chief position to that bastard Xiao Cheng'an.
Especially after Xiao Tianyi passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, those voices became even more incessant.
However, Xiao Cheng'an spoke in a condescending tone, telling everyone that he had no interest in the position of village chief.
But the position of village chief, which he didn't want, was something he desperately wanted to keep, and that was what angered Lin Tianfang the most.
He had been in the position of village chief for two or three decades. Why should he have to hand it over just because Xiao Cheng'an was good at making money and had a smart son?
But he acted superior and said he didn't think much of it.
He acted as if keeping his position was a favor from him.
So what if he was powerful before? He still died young, and his wife was also cursed to death.
No matter how smart the son is, in the end he will still be manipulated by him.
If I want them to live, they will live; if I want them to die, they will die.
Even this wretched woman who married into their family is no exception; if she has anyone to hate, she should hate her dead father-in-law.
For a fleeting moment, Lin Tianfang's hatred was so intense it almost became tangible.
Lin Jiujiu had only been back in the Lin family for four years, and she was unaware of the grudges in the village, so she naturally didn't know why Lin Tianfang hated her so much.
She even had the feeling that Lin Tianfang was looking at someone else through her.
Lin Tianfang and her grandfather Lin Tianchang were cousins. Lin's father was an honest and kind man who never offended anyone. Lin Jiujiu keenly sensed that his hatred was not directed at the Lin family.
It's even less likely that it was directed at him personally, since the original owner of this body had only been back for a short time and had no connection with Lin Tianfang's family.
Lin Jiujiu didn't understand, nor did she want to understand.
After all, in her eyes, Lin Tianfang was no different from a dead man.
She wouldn't kill him now, but she definitely wouldn't let him get away with it.
Lin Jiujiu put one hand behind her back, secretly made a hand seal, and flicked it towards Lin Tianfang.
If this old man does good deeds and accumulates merit in the future, that will be fine. But if he harbors any more wicked thoughts, it will definitely backfire on him, and he will suffer a lot.
Lin Jiujiu didn't even need to think much; given the old man's character, it would be strange if he did anything good.
When Lin Tianfang saw that Lin Jiujiu was not obediently listening to his instructions as usual, but instead said some rebellious things, he instantly became furious.
"Women and petty men are the most difficult to deal with."
Without looking at Lin Jiujiu anymore, he turned to face Lin's father.
"Fifth brother, this is the good daughter you raised. Is this how you taught her to respect her elders?"
As he finished speaking, everyone's attention shifted to Lin's father.
Lin's father was the fifth son in his family, and few people remembered his real name. The elders in the clan called him Lao Wu, while his peers in the village called him Lin Lao Wu, and the younger generation called him Uncle Wu.
When Lin's father was called out and was being watched by so many eyes, he felt somewhat flustered.
Just when Lin Jiujiu thought he would lecture her about filial piety, she heard her father, though his body shrank slightly, speak firmly.
"I think Jiu'er is right."
Even in court, evidence is crucial for judging cases. You can't simply determine who's right just because they spoke loudly.
Lin Jiujiu looked surprised. She hadn't expected her father to say something that, in the eyes of the ancients, was disobeying his elders and even considered extremely rebellious.
Lin Ze, the eldest brother, quietly patted her shoulder, signaling her to calm down.
He even whispered in her ear, "Don't look like that. Although our father is honest, he's not stupid. He can tell the difference between inside and outside, and he knows who to side with."
Lin Jiujiu turned around upon hearing the voice and suddenly realized that her older brother, whom she had taken for granted, was actually quite good-looking.
Lin Jiujiu didn't have time to appreciate the looks of her cheap family members, as Lin Tianfang was already furious and reprimanded them again.
"How dare you! Fifth Brother, although I am your uncle, your daughter has committed such a disgraceful act, ruining the reputation of the entire village. Do you expect me to show favoritism?"
This time, Lin Jiujiu didn't let her cheap old man stand up for her.
Instead, he stepped forward and blocked the two of them.
“Favoritism? What favoritism are you showing? Are you colluding with the Xiao family to create some kind of joint registration to seize my in-laws’ property, or are you helping the Xiao family force my poor husband to perform corvée labor as a scholar?”
I remember that according to the laws of our dynasty, anyone with a title or merit could be exempted from military service and corvée labor.
Moreover, he was not yet sixteen at the time, so even if he were to serve in the military, it wouldn't be his turn.
Are Xiao Tianshui, Xiao Changhe, and Xiao Changjiang dead?
"What? Are you afraid Xiao Tianyi won't die and will come after you for what his parents left behind? So impatient?"
Lin Jiujiu didn't say a word, but took a step forward. Lin Tianfang didn't know if he was intimidated by her aura or because he felt guilty, but he unconsciously took a half step back.
If Lin Xiaoxiao hadn't helped him up in time, he probably would have been forced to retreat outside by Lin Jiujiu.
Lin Tianfang became even angrier after realizing what had happened.
He raised his cane as if to strike.
"You brat, what nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever take anything from the Xiao family?"
Lin Jiujiu found it laughable that he so vehemently denied it.
She dared to say that because she already knew.
The moment the old man stepped into the courtyard, Lin Jiujiu sensed his malice. So she drew out a trace of his aura and calculated with her fingers. Although she couldn't know everything about his past, she could see some things that he considered important in the near future.
What she just said was what he considered his most secretive and proudest achievement.
"Really? You haven't done it before?"
What's hidden in that earthenware pot buried behind your stove?
There must be the Xiao family's land deeds among them.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com