Chapter 34 Retribution If they are really sentenced to death, it will be him...
News has wings, and gossip has imagination.
The huge Yaowangzhuang is home to three production teams, more than 300 households, and nearly 2,000 people.
In just one lunch break, the news that the Yao family's daughter had been switched spread throughout the village.
Many people were shocked.
"Didn't Yao Jingye say that the child was born from Wang Fang's seduction of Yao Jingzong?"
"He's bullshit! Who is Yao Jingzong to be interested in a country woman like Wang Fang?"
"That's right! Xie Chunxing is a top student who graduated from a girls' school. Wang Fang is nothing!"
"I thought it was outrageous. I thought Yao Jingzong was used to feasting on delicious food and wanted to try some simple porridge and vegetables. It turns out it was Yao Jingye who spread the rumor! How wicked!"
"I was just saying it was strange. Last year, when their old man was in the hospital, he ignored everyone and just kept grabbing Zhizhi's hand. I guess it's because someone who's dying can notice something unusual."
"Stop talking now, or I'll accuse you of supernatural powers."
The group of people had to change the subject and asked Yao Erdan and Wang Fang how to deal with it.
Someone well-informed has already passed on the news—
"Didn't Yao Erdan and Wang Fang sell their two daughters? If you include Yao Zhizhi, they might even get the death penalty!"
"Is this true?"
"I don't know, but I heard it's possible."
"There is a law that says trafficking three or more people can result in the death penalty."
“Does selling your own children count?”
"Yes, of course!"
A group of ordinary people who did not understand the law opened the door to a new world.
The Yao sisters in the yard were also shocked.
Yao Yingying had fallen pale into Yao Taotao's arms. She couldn't believe what she heard.
Yao Mengmeng ran out of the east room because the news was too unbelievable.
Only Yao Ningning sat silently by the bed, staring at the hungry child.
The three sisters outside all looked at Yao Jingzong in disbelief.
Although Yao Taotao couldn't accept the news for the time being, she still asked, "Uncle Jingzong, are you telling the truth? Zhizhi...she...where is our sister?"
Yao Miaomiao hated everyone in Yao Erdan's family equally. With a cold face, she said quietly, "She's been sentenced. She conspired with others to murder Yao Genbao and was sentenced to five years."
The three sisters looked at each other. Yao Taotao pushed Yao Mengmeng back into the house and said, "You're in confinement after childbirth, so don't join in the fun."
She was a little confused: "Sister, can you tell me what's going on?"
Yao Miaomiao scoffed. She didn't believe they really didn't know. "Is it that hard to guess? Yao Genbao, a toad, wanted to eat swan meat and become my son-in-law. He went to find your sister Yao Jingjing. Yao Jingjing was afraid of exposing her identity, so she pushed him off the mountaintop. Such a big thing, didn't Yao Genbao discuss it with you before he left?"
"No." Yao Taotao was confused. "Cousin, we really don't know this. So now... can we just swap the two families' children?"
"You're dreaming. Your parents sold two of their own daughters, plus my sister was sold to an agricultural expert nine years ago. That's exactly three people in total, enough to warrant the death penalty." Yao Miaomiao rolled her eyes. She couldn't stand this family no matter how she looked at them.
Yao Taotao was silent.
Yao Yingying, who was in his arms, found it hard to accept such a severe sentence. She struggled to stand and asked, "Didn't Uncle Jingye snatch Zhizhi back? Does that count as trafficking?"
"Why doesn't it count? Didn't they take the money? Wasn't the deal done?" Yao Zhizhi's heart turned cold when she heard this.
Is it because the elder sister is heartbroken?
Did she feel sorry for the parents who were worse than animals? The parents who almost forced her to marry that second-hand, disgusting guy?
The parents who sold her two biological sisters?
Yao Zhizhi didn't understand: "Sister, what do you want to say?"
"Nothing... nothing." Yao Yingying was so sad when she heard that her parents were going to be sentenced to death that she didn't even have the energy to make lunch.
Although she hated them, she didn't want them to die. Without their parents' support, wouldn't it be like they had no family at home?
Even if she gets married in the future, she will be bullied by her in-laws.
If you don’t believe it, look at the fourth child. As soon as the child was born, his in-laws secretly registered his household registration, and he had no right to protest at all.
This is still a case of marrying into the family.
Yao Yingying, harboring some unrealistic expectations, asked, "Is it possible to get a life sentence? After all, they've raised you this far."
"Big sister!" Yao Taotao quickly interrupted her, "What nonsense are you talking about! Does Zhizhi need them to take care of her? She has her own parents, and her conditions are so much better than ours! You can't confuse right and wrong just for the sake of filial piety!"
"I just don't want to lose my mother's home in the future." Yao Yingying was filled with grief. This matter had been made public in front of the elders and fellow villagers. The future of them and their sisters could be imagined.
Not only will she not be able to choose a good husband-in-law, but even if she does get married, she will be oppressed and bullied.
Maybe I'll be an old maid for the rest of my life.
But being an old maid will still make her get bullied. She cannot rely on her own brother at all. She cannot always rely on her brother-in-law for support. It is not realistic.
Whether out of consideration for her parents' upbringing or out of responsibility for her sisters, Yao Yingying wanted to fight for it.
She knelt down with a plop: "Uncle Jingzong, Aunt Xing, all the mistakes are my parents' fault. I won't make excuses for them. I am willing to repay the debt they owe you. I only ask that you show some mercy and don't let my sisters—"
Before she could finish her words, Yao Yingying's mouth was covered.
Yao Taotao leaned over and held her mouth and nose. "Uncle Jingzong, Aunt Xing, just handle this matter as it should be handled. Don't consider us. This is unfair to Lao Wu. My sister is not very smart. She is foolish and filial. Don't bother with her."
Having said that, Yao Taotao dragged Yao Yingying directly into the west room and slapped her twice in the face to tell her to calm down.
Then he called Yao Ningning over and said, "Keep an eye on Big Sister, don't let her go out and fart."
Finally, he went to the east room to warn Yao Mengmeng: "You are not allowed to plead for mercy for my parents! If you dare to come out and make trouble, I will steal your son away and let you taste the pain of Uncle Jingzong and Aunt Xing!"
Yao Mengmeng was already frightened by the successive news, and now her second sister was still threatening her. She could only cry and hug the golden beans in her arms: "Second sister, please don't be like this, I didn't offend you! I won't get involved, I will listen to you in everything! Don't steal my golden beans!"
"Idiot!" Yao Taotao rolled her eyes and closed the door.
After coming out, she glanced at the Yao family members in the yard and the excited villagers around her.
She knew that there was no turning back.
Instead of crying and making everyone unhappy, it is better to show the right attitude and at least let people know that although the girl from the Yao family has a pair of beastly parents, she can distinguish right from wrong and will not act unreasonable.
Let’s not talk about anything else, just say that Zhizhi has been planning and worrying about her sisters time and time again, with true feelings and all her heart.
If such a good sister is hindered from upholding justice, then what is the difference between the four of them and little beasts?
She couldn't bear it!
We will never allow another beast to appear in this family!
She walked to the door and hushed the seething crowd: "Dear uncles, aunts, and fellow countrymen, I have a few words to say."
Everyone looked at her, wondering what shocking statement she would make.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she choked up, "Zhizhi is a good girl. We are lucky to have lived with her for eighteen years. She taught us to resist injustice and to fight for freedom. We all like her very much and hope she is happy."
However, before today, we did not know that our luck was built on her misfortune.
My parents' beastly behavior is really excessive, and we have no intention of defending them at all.
From today on, No. 24, Group 7, Team 3, Yaowangzhuang is no longer Yao Erdan’s home. I am the one who calls the shots in this family.
I strongly condemn what Yao Erdan and Wang Fang did, and I am determined to draw a clear line between myself and such scum.
If they are sentenced to death, it is their retribution. We, the Yao sisters, will not blame others.
I also ask all fellow villagers to learn from this lesson and not to have any evil thoughts! This is New China now, and children cannot be sold casually."
After saying this, Yao Taotao knelt before Yao Jingzong and Xie Chunxing. "Uncle Jingzong, Aunt Xing, we were not aware of this matter, but I still feel deeply guilty and uneasy. Please allow me to kowtow and apologize on behalf of my parents."
Yao Jingzong and Xie Chunxing did not stop them, but just looked at Yao Zhizhi together.
She is the biggest victim.
Yao Zhizhi was furious. She stood up, clenching her fists. "Second sister, think it over. If you do anything on their behalf, you will be irreconcilable with me. Are you sure you want to kowtow?"
"Zhizhi, I didn't mean that." Yao Taotao quickly stood up, "I just wanted to do something to make you feel better."
"Then remember to bring your sisters to the courtroom to observe the trial." Yao Zhizhi looked at her expressionlessly. "The trial will begin tomorrow."
Yao Taotao clenched her fists and nodded with tears in her eyes.
Why did God arrange it this way? She didn't understand.
She likes the fifth sister the most, so why would she prepare such a difficult problem for them to test their sisterly relationship?
She felt so sad and wanted to hug her sister, but she was the child of the perpetrator. What right did she have to pull and tug at her sister in public and pretend to be a loving sister?
Isn’t it disgusting?
Disgusting, even she felt disgusted.
Not to mention Zhizhi and her family.
Yao Taotao could only smile and cry: "Okay, I will definitely go."
Yao Zhizhi was ready to leave. She felt uncomfortable staying here for even a second longer.
As expected, in this family, only the second sister knows what is going on. As for the eldest sister, well, since she likes to be a filial daughter, then let her be one.
She even wanted to introduce them to someone, she was so self-indulgent.
She looked at Yao Taotao coldly, walked into the main room silently, and pushed open the door of the west room.
Yao Ningning was hugging Yao Yingying and trying to comfort her.
Yao Zhizhi looked at her, but said to Yao Taotao: "There must be a traitor among you. If you don't believe me, ask Yao Ningning."
Yao Taotao looked at the panicked Yao Ningning in surprise, grabbed her arm, and asked, "Did you know this a long time ago?"
Yao Ningning didn't say anything, shrinking her neck and trying to hide, but Yao Taotao pulled her out and pressed her in front of Yao Zhizhi: "Kowtow and apologize!"
Yao Zhizhi sneered: "No need, just ask clearly yourself. From now on, it will be up to you to decide which of the people around you are human and which are ghosts. I'm leaving."
"Zhizhi!" Yao Taotao was anxious and quickly grabbed her sleeve, tears streaming down her face. "You... do you still recognize me as your sister?"
"No." Yao Zhizhi turned around and walked out. She heard Yao Taotao crying behind her. Yao Zhizhi couldn't bear it anymore, so she walked back and patted her shoulder. "Aren't you going to be the head of the family? Then act like one. Why are you crying?"
"Zhizhi!" Yao Taotao couldn't stand it anymore and hugged Yao Zhizhi regardless. "It doesn't matter if you don't recognize me, I recognize you. You will always be my sister, my best sister."
"Remember to come tomorrow." Yao Zhizhi pushed her away and left without looking back.
Never want to come back again.
Goodbye, Yaowangzhuang.
Goodbye, Team 3, Group 7, Number 24.
Goodbye, four sisters.
Goodbye, misplaced Yao Zhizhi.
Goodbye, shitty first half of my life.
Yao Miaomiao quickly chased after her, hugged her shoulders tightly, and handed her a handkerchief.
Yao Zhizhi turned around and smiled: "Sister, I'm not crying. I won't cry for something like this."
Yao Miaomiao pulled her and looked at her carefully again and again. It seemed that she really didn't cry.
But she knew her sister was very upset, so she could only hold her sister's shoulders tightly and said, "It's not shameful to cry."
"A fine tradition, huh?" Yao Zhizhi smiled and called out from the doorway, "Qi Changxiao, call your parents, brother, and sister-in-law, and go home."
It wasn't that Qi Changxiao didn't want to leave, but Yao Mengmeng chased him out, clinging to the door frame, crying and begging him to keep Yao Zhizhi and talk to her before leaving.
He didn't want to act on his own, so he quickly carried the child to the gate of the courtyard. Yao Zhizhi shook her head after hearing this: "No need, go home."
"Zhizhi!" Seeing that she refused to turn back, Yao Mengmeng rushed out anxiously, "Don't you have anything to say to me?"
"Take good care of your children." Yao Zhizhi didn't look back. She walked under the scorching sun, along the country road that she had walked countless times, towards the broad future outside.
Yao Jingzong and his wife went to the back to visit the old man and left some money as a token of their appreciation. They met Yao Zhizhi at the commune station half an hour late.
*
After Yao Jingzong and others left, Yao Taotao and others looked like frost-bitten seedlings, wilting.
Yao Jingye took away the uncooked fish and meat along with the pot, and no one came out to say anything.
The four sisters looked at each other, and finally the other three all stared at Yao Ningning.
Yao Taotao pushed her rudely and said, "Tell me, when did you know that?"
Yao Ningning opened her mouth, but still didn't have the courage to speak, and stumbled back to the room at the back.
Yao Taotao raised her right hand to hit her, and she was so scared that she fell to the ground: "Don't hit me, don't hit me, I won't dare to do it again, never again."
Yao Taotao stared at her pitiful sister, who looked like a frightened bird, and suddenly burst into tears.
Yes, how could she forget that year when Ningning and Zhizhi were craving for candied haws. Ningning happened to have picked up fifty cents, so she took Zhizhi to buy candied haws.
Unexpectedly, they ran into their parents who were at the market. They thought they had stolen money from home and beat them up, almost to death.
If I remember correctly, there were cigarette burns on Ningning's arm.
She walked over, grabbed the third brother's arm, rolled up her sleeves and took a look, then silently pulled her sleeves down with only a sigh.
"I'm sorry, I won't do this again. I won't become the next Yao Erdan and Wang Fang." Yao Taotao turned around and glanced at Yao Yingying. "I'm sorry, I hit you. You can fight back."
"Taotao..." Yao Yingying turned her face away and wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. "Don't say anymore. It's my fault. I'll go cook."
"It's my fault too. I shouldn't have done that." Yao Taotao quickly chased after him. "I'll do it. You just help me."
In the main room, Yao Mengmeng supported Yao Ningning, who almost fell, and fell into deep thought.
No wonder when she joked with Zhizhi not to take the wrong child, Zhizhi walked out directly.
No wonder Zhizhi just stopped her third sister at the door and wouldn’t let her go out.
It turns out that this house hides so many secrets, sensational secrets.
She suddenly remembered the photo that Yao Zhizhi found in the cabinet last year. She quickly found a screwdriver, opened the lock, and found the photo again.
"Sister, this must be Yao Jingjing, right?" She showed the photo to Yao Ningning.
Yao Ningning shook her head, she didn’t know.
Yao Mengmeng went to the kitchen again. Yao Taotao snatched the photo and couldn't help but sneer: "She seems to be living a good life. Don't let me see her, otherwise I will be in trouble!"
At this time, the person in the photo was breastfeeding in prison with a depressed look on his face.
She would protest to the prison guards every day, but it was no use.
This was a decision made by their superiors. The prison guards were only responsible for guarding them and did not participate in decision-making.
Prison guard Cao Jia came over with food and said, "Stop making trouble. Your treatment is already pretty good. You have a single room, and you are allowed to breastfeed until your child is one year old. What else do you want?"
"You are abusing me, abusing me!" Yao Jingjing looked haggard. She never thought that Aunt Xing could not protect her.
Even that loser Duan Cheng can't help her, so what's the point of her having this man?
She cried and cursed, her tears falling into the food, adding a salty taste, but she ate it voraciously.
Cao Jia had never seen such a strange woman. After she finished eating, he locked the cell door and took the food out.
"It's so annoying. All the other female prisoners eat in the cafeteria, but she gets special treatment, and she curses all the time."
Colleague Cai Meixin smiled and said, "There's nothing we can do about it. After all, she's a new mother. The boss said she should be gentle in prison."
"Oh, what a sin! The child was born with a mother in prison. What was she thinking?"
"Who cares about her?" Cai Meixin turned her back. She had sprinkled some white powder into the enamel teacup, shook it evenly, added some water, and handed it to Cao Jia.
Cao Jia was already sleepy, and became even sleepier after drinking. He soon fell into a drowsy state and collapsed at the dining table.
Cai Meixin hurried out and let a few people in.
Tonight, all the other female prisoners were drugged and fell into a deep sleep. Only Yao Jingjing was still awake.
Yao Jingjing was carried out before she even had time to react.
In the sight, a dead woman was dragged in. Strangely, the woman looked a bit like Yao Jingjing.
Yao Jingjing rushed in and wanted to take the child out, but was pushed out.
The visitor also did not forget to fake a suicide scene, and left the child inside to confuse the public.
Yao Jingjing stamped her feet anxiously: "My child!"
"I'll bring it back to you tomorrow morning after completing the formalities. Hurry and leave." The hooded woman gave the order in a deep voice.
Yao Jingjing was reluctant and refused to listen. In the end, she was knocked unconscious by the woman's palm knife and was dragged out.
Yao Jingjing was sent to the countryside. She woke up during the day and cried and made a fuss for the child.
The woman walked in, took off her hood, and handed the child to her. "What are you fussing about? We agreed that you can rest assured that I'm here."
"Auntie Xing, are you okay?" Yao Jingjing was pleasantly surprised and quickly took the child over.
"What could happen? It's just the same trick again. From today on, there is no Aunt Xing and no Yao Jingjing in this world." The woman threw two fake identity documents to her.
Yao Jingjing picked it up and looked at it: "Wang Xueying?"
"Isn't it okay to take your mother's last name?" The woman lit a cigarette and sat next to him.
Yao Jingjing quickly held the child away and said, "Auntie Xing, what will your name be from now on?"
"Call her Wang Zhaodi. From now on, you and I will address each other as mother and daughter, and the child will be called Wang Ziduan." The woman smiled and dusted off the ash from her cigarette. "The Duan family's little prince, do you understand?"
Yao Jingjing suddenly realized: "I...Does Duan Cheng know?"
"I know. One child alone isn't enough. You need to give birth to more children of the Duan family. I'll arrange for you to meet later." The woman turned around and squinted at Yao Jingjing. "Your biological sister also gave birth to a son. I plan to send your son to her to raise, and then bring her son back to you. Of course, I won't let her know. I'm just telling you, don't get excited. This is for long-term considerations. If our identities are exposed, at least this child can grow up safely in the countryside. Your sister is a son-in-law, and she treasures her son very much. She won't let him suffer."
"But..." Yao Jingjing never expected that the price of being rescued would be this. She would rather not come out.
How could she bear to give her own child to someone else to raise? She couldn't bear it and was about to collapse.
The woman put out her cigarette, stood up, walked over to her, and pinched her chin. "No buts. I'm going to get you out, so you have to obey me. You don't think I'm really a good person, do you? Listen carefully, from now on, what I say is what I mean. If you don't listen, then I can only send you on your way."
Yao Jingjing cried bitterly, she couldn't bear to let go, she couldn't bear to let go.
The woman wasn't completely cold and heartless. She warned, "Don't worry, I'll take you with me. You still have a few days to spend with your son. Be careful on the way. If you're discovered, I won't be able to save you a second time."
Yao Jingjing closed her eyes and let the tears fall.
She wasn't too optimistic about the plan: "It's been almost a month since the baby was born. Wouldn't it be noticeable if I changed it?"
"No, you're sisters, and you both gave birth to sons. The children haven't grown up yet, so you can't tell." The woman held up a photo. "Look, the midwife at the clinic took it. Doesn't he look a lot like your son?"
Yao Jingjing took the photo and was stunned.
They do look alike. But...
The woman put the photo away and said, "No, but. The court hearing is going on today. Your biological parents will most likely be sentenced to death. Yao Jingjing, you have no choice but to cooperate with me."
Yao Jingjing was completely desperate and cried while holding her child.
After the woman left, she called the contact person there.
The court session happened to be held these few days, so there was an opportunity to take action.
After taking the train ticket, the woman hurried back to the countryside to pick up Yao Jingjing and her son.
*
Yicheng Court.
Yao Zhizhi brought her husband and child to the door early in the morning, waiting for the court to begin.
The other three daughters of the Yao family also came.
Yao Zhizhi glanced around in surprise and found that one person was missing, and the child was not with them.
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