When Yan Qingqing saw the evasive look in Shen Hongyan's eyes, she cursed inwardly, thinking, "She really is a fool. She's been sold out and she's still helping the seller count the money."
Seeing this, Aunt Chen, who was standing nearby, stopped her, saying, "Sister, it seems that the Third Miss has been frightened. There are so many people here, let's go back to the inn first."
Although Madam Shen softened somewhat after hearing these words, how could Yan Qingqing let them have their way?
So he said, "I don't know why Miss Shen would come to this riverbank. If she hadn't come here, this unexpected disaster probably wouldn't have happened."
Sure enough, as soon as Yan Qingqing finished speaking, Chen Hongyan pointed at Miss Chen and said, "Mother, it's her! It was this slut who made me lure Li Xinniang to the riverbank."
She said she had already made arrangements and was certain she could ruin Li Xinniang's reputation and teach Yan a lesson.
But who knew I'd be inexplicably pushed into the water too.
When Madam Shen heard Shen Hongyan's words, she sensed something was wrong, but it was too late to stop her.
As expected, Yan Qingqing said, "Your Shen family really has a lot of official power. I am just a widow, and it is already difficult to make a living with seven children."
Having finally built up a modest fortune, they had no idea where they had offended the Shen family to suffer such a devastating disaster.
"For the ladies and young mistresses of your Shen family, and even a concubine, to join forces to humiliate us, do you really think we, mother and daughter, have no way to survive?"
Yan Qingqing covered her face and wept as she spoke.
Now, Canghe Village is not only home to local villagers, but also to many tourists. After hearing this, they all pointed fingers at the Shen family, saying that they were bullying others by abusing their power.
The villagers of Canghe Village, in particular, were filled with righteous indignation, their faces turning ashen with anger.
Even with their thick skin, Madam Shen and the others couldn't withstand so much spittle.
Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Yan Qingqing wiped away non-existent tears and said with a resolute expression, "Don't think you're so great just because you're the wives of officials."
Although we are orphans and a widow, we have the entire Canghe Village behind us. Your humiliation is unacceptable; I will go to the county magistrate to file a complaint and demand justice for us.
After saying that, Yan Qingqing suddenly stepped forward, grabbed Shen Hongyan, and gave her a beating.
Shen Hongyan was no match for Yan Qingqing, and after a few rounds, she was beaten until she was howling in pain.
Madam Shen and the others never expected that Yan Qingqing would start a fight so easily. By the time they realized what was happening, Shen Hongyan's clothes had almost been stripped off by Yan Qingqing.
Madam Shen shouted, "Are you all dead? Watching Miss get beaten. Be careful, or I'll sell you all off later."
The people from the Shen family then stepped forward to pull Yan Qingqing away, but they were no match for her.
Yan Qingqing seized the opportunity to beat up Aunt Chen and Miss Chen again. These two were the real troublemakers; they delivered themselves to her doorstep, and she would feel guilty if she didn't beat them up.
Mu Xi stood aside, thinking that if the lady was no match for him, he would take action again, but what he saw left him dumbfounded.
Is this really the elegant and composed lady he knows? Are those women who slap faces, pull hair, and fight like shrewish women really his family's wives?
However, seeing Madam Shen and the others with their hair pulled like a bird's nest, howling in pain, but without a single injury on their faces, was truly satisfying.
To outsiders, it still seemed like the Shen family was bullying Yan Qingqing, a weak widow.
Mu Xi realized that his wife was definitely a master when it came to fighting.
After Yan Qingqing had finished playing and felt a bit tired, she stepped aside to look at her results.
Of course, Yan Qingqing only attacked the Shen family members; she didn't touch any of the other wealthy women from the provincial capital.
After recovering, Madam Shen pointed at Yan Qingqing and cursed, "Yan Shi! You shameless woman, how dare you hit me! I'll make you die!"
Yan Qingqing feigned fear and said, "Everyone, did you hear that? Madam Shen herself said she wanted me dead. You must testify for me when we get to the county government."
"If anything happens to me or my children one day, it will be the work of the Shen Tongzhi family in the prefectural city."
Yan Qingqing understood perfectly that she wanted to use her status as a vulnerable person and the sympathy of others to escalate the situation.
By completely breaking ties with Madam Shen and placing herself on the opposite side, they wouldn't dare to do anything to her for the time being.
Perhaps, for the sake of his reputation, Magistrate Shen would go to great lengths to protect her.
Although Madam Shen was foolish, she was, after all, a daughter of an official family from a young age, and her husband was also an official. After so many years of scheming and intrigue, she had some understanding of the ways of the world.
Hearing the continuous clamor of condemnation, he finally snapped out of his anger.
She's really gotten herself into big trouble for Magistrate Shen.
Thinking that he was already disliked by Magistrate Shen, he had only agreed to bring the two vile Chen sisters to seek justice for the Chen family in order to please Magistrate Shen, but now things had gone wrong.
Not only that, even her own daughter was schemed against by those two vile women, the Chen sisters. Madam Chen glared at the two sisters with malice, wishing she could devour them alive.
Aunt Chen saw Madam Shen's murderous gaze and felt a little scared.
But at the same time, he cursed Shen Hongyan in his heart for being just as stupid as her mother, not only stupid but also greedy.
Even Aunt Chen didn't expect that they could win over Shen Hongyan with just a set of ruby jewelry.
She promised to lead Li Xinniang to the riverbank when she left the house and then push her into the water when the opportunity arose.
Then, Yuan Huicong would seize the opportunity to jump into the water in public and rescue Li Xinniang. At that point, Li Xinniang would have no choice but to marry Yuan Huicong for the sake of her reputation.
Although they can't control Yan Qingqing and the others for the time being, Yuan Huicong is easy to control, and can even turn Yuan Huiniang and Yan Qingqing into enemies.
Both Yuan Huiniang and Li Xinniang own shares in the embroidery workshop. Once they gain control of Yuan Huicong's workshop, it will be theirs for the taking. It's a win-win situation.
But this perfect plan was ruined by that idiot Shen Hongyan.
Although Aunt Chen looked down on Madam Shen because she had three sons, Madam Shen had a powerful family background. Even though Magistrate Shen had disliked Madam Shen over the years, he would still support her as long as she didn't do anything foolish.
Seeing that Madam Shen was taking her anger out on her, Aunt Chen quickly changed the subject, saying, "Sister, now is not the time to pursue this matter. Our Third Miss has been wronged, and Madam Yan even beat us without regard for the law. She is just a poor commoner, while you are a lady of high rank."
Even if she goes to the county government, she'll still be in deep trouble.
Upon hearing this, Madam Shen's expression softened somewhat, and she turned her anger back on Yan Qingqing.
Then he said arrogantly, "Yes, I have the title of a fifth-rank official."
You, a lowly commoner, dare to assault a noblewoman of the imperial court! I wouldn't be too much of a fool to beat you to death today!
Yan Qingqing sighed, thinking to herself that this stupidity was indeed hereditary.
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