Xie Baotian subtly sowed discord, his words implying that Xie Yushu's glory had nothing to do with the Xie family.
How could Xie Dafu agree? That was an imperial edict! Even the county magistrate's family didn't have such a thing. To have it displayed in their clan was such an honor. It would be enough for him to hold his head high wherever he went!
Besides, this is not just a matter of honor. He is a fourth-rank village lord. With just a little effort, the clan's life can be made better. How could he possibly give up the fat meat that is already in his mouth!
So he shamelessly said to Xie Baotian...
"What are you saying, nephew? There's an old saying that even if you break a bone, the tendons are still connected! We're all descendants of the same ancestor, how can you just break them like that!"
If you think your uncle is wrong, I'll throw you a banquet to apologize later!
Although Xie Baotian was soft-hearted, the thought of their ruthless attitude just now chilled his heart, so he still ignored them!
Xie Dafu was secretly annoyed, but dared not utter a sound.
After kowtowing, Old Madam Xiao stood up and then remembered that her son was also an official. Why should she be afraid of them? She also felt ashamed that her legs had gone weak with fear. She wanted to regain some face, and she couldn't stand Xie Yushu's success and resented Xie Dafu's incompetence. So she jumped up again, raised her head, and addressed Han Zhongyu...
"My lord, my son is also an official, and a great general at that!"
"Let me tell you, Xie Yushu has character flaws. She's just a discarded woman, a used shoe we don't want. Don't be fooled by her!"
Xie Yujiao couldn't stand seeing Xie Yushu doing well. She had originally planned to trample her underfoot, but who knew that Xie Yushu would suddenly turn the tables? She wanted to pull Xie Yushu down immediately and joined in.
"Yes, that's right. She was disrespectful to her parents-in-law, unchaste, and always running away from home, which is why she was divorced. Don't be fooled by her appearance!"
A disgraced woman like her should be drowned!
"presumptuous!
You audacious shrew! How dare you insult the Lady of the Township, a title bestowed upon you by the Emperor himself! Are you saying that the Emperor is incompetent and unable to distinguish right from wrong?
"Disrespecting imperial authority, insulting the local lord, and committing insubordination—what should Magistrate Liu do according to the law?"
Han Zhongyu suddenly flew into a rage, startling Magistrate Liu so much that he trembled, and Old Madam Xiao and Xie Yujiao were almost scared to death!
Magistrate Liu also secretly resented these two reckless fools. Of all the things they could say, they dared to disregard the Emperor's grace. Even if he were to behead them, there would be no one to seek justice!
So he said tremblingly
"Disrespecting the Emperor's grace and committing insubordination will be punished according to the severity of the offense. The most serious offenses will result in beheading, while the least serious offenses will result in fifty strokes of the cane as a warning to others!"
Upon hearing about beheading, Old Mrs. Xiao and Xie Yujiao were truly horrified!
He knelt down with a thud
"We did not disrespect the Emperor's grace! Your Excellency, we were not referring to the Emperor, we were referring to Xie Yushu!"
"How dare you! Xie Yushu was granted the title of Lady Jingde by the Emperor himself for her meritorious service in offering advice!"
You wicked women dare to insult the Lady of the Township, personally appointed by His Majesty, and yet you say it's not disrespect for the Emperor's authority!
Considering you are just country bumpkins who don't know the rules, I'll spare your heads. Guards, carry out the execution according to the law!
"Since she's pregnant, we'll replace the spanking with a slap on the face!"
"No, no! Sir, you can't hit us! My son is a general, a great general! You can't hit us!"
Grandma Xiao panicked and struggled to dodge while bringing up Xiao Yi to scare people!
"Hmph! Disrespecting imperial authority! Don't even mention the family members of officials; even if your son were here, he would be punished for failing to manage his family properly. A great man should cultivate himself, manage his family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world. If you can't manage your family, how can you govern the country!"
However, considering that your son is still serving the country, I will show leniency and punish him lightly!
Upon hearing that they would be treated leniently, the two women immediately nodded, "Yes, yes, we were impolite. Please forgive us for the sake of my son!"
He was about to get up after saying that.
Unexpectedly, Han Zhongyu snorted coldly.
"If you are exempted from punishment, where is the imperial authority?!"
Where is the authority of the law?
"Considering your son's service to the country, this lenient punishment is already the greatest concession I can make. Guards, slap each of them twenty times. If they dare to offend again, their punishment will be doubled!"
As soon as Han Zhongyu finished speaking, two officers stepped forward and, ignoring the struggles of Old Madam Xiao and Xie Yujiao, grabbed them by the collars and slapped them hard across the face!
After the twenty slaps were finished, both men's faces were numb, and their mouths were agape. They were so scared that they could only tremble and couldn't say a word!
Xie Yushu was not pitiful at all. The Xie family was full of foul language and their insults were extremely vicious, especially Old Madam Xiao. Which young lady or young wife hadn't suffered from her foul language? Giving her a lesson would teach her a lesson!
Seeing Xie Yujiao still covering her mouth and glaring at her viciously, Xie Yushu leisurely walked over and said...
"Who just made me kneel down?"
I'm so sorry, but I've been granted the title of Fourth-Rank Township Lady. Until your man gets you the title of Fourth-Rank Yiren, you'll have to kneel and bow to me every time you see me!
But you look rather miserable today! So, I'll waive the formalities for you!"
Seeing Xie Yushu's arrogant appearance, Xie Yujiao was so angry that she wanted to grind her teeth to powder, but she dared not say anything more and could only lower her head to hide the hatred and resentment in her eyes.
Xie Yushu didn't care whether she hated her or not; she just wanted to maintain her composure and continued...
"Your Excellency, does anyone under your command know the proper etiquette for paying respects to the village head?"
"Please send someone to educate them, so that some people won't be ignorant and spew insults. Offending me is one thing, but tarnishing His Majesty's reputation is something neither of us can afford!"
Since Magistrate Liu and his entourage were all there, I took the opportunity to use Magistrate Liu's words to completely elevate my own status.
This will make it clear to these people that he is not someone they can hit or scold at will.
Before you speak to her, you'd better be clear about your own position. Don't take advantage of your familiarity with Xie Baotian or her to think she's ignorant and say or think things you shouldn't!
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