Chapter 186: Chapter 186: Unresolvable
Thereâs an old saying, "A kind word warms three winter months, a harsh word chills six summer days," and nothing could be truer than the gossip and rumors swirling around us now.
Upon hearing those slanderous rumors, Madam Zhou and the others felt chilled to the bone. If they were accused of grave crimes, that would be one thing, but they were just weak women and children who had always behaved themselves.
"Mother, donât cry. There are plenty of people who canât stand to see others do well, taking advantage of the situation to benefit themselves. Itâs just human nature, nothing to cry about," Wufu said, comforting Madam Zhou as she continued to wipe away her tears.
"You donât understand; a womanâs reputation is important." To be spoken about in such a way, and in such indecent terms at that, how could this be tolerated? How would they ever marry off?
"As long as you stand straight, you need not fear a crooked shadow. Theyâre just talking nonsense because theyâre jealous of us. The more they do this, the better we need to live," Wufu said, not as preoccupied with reputation as she.
"Besides, arenât they afraid of their conscience being split for speaking such words? In our poor, remote village, where would such men come from? No one would believe such things. Brothels exist in town centers, not places like this. Itâs just jealousy and envy."
"And those who do believe such talk are blind in both eyes and heart. People who canât see the forest for the trees are not worth pitying or associating with."
Anyone with clear eyes would recognize it as slander. If they believe it, theyâre fools, and what good can come from such people?
Upon hearing those words, Madam Zhou hastily stopped her, "Wufu, donât talk nonsense."
Wufu smiled, "We walk the straight path and stand upright, we have nothing to fear."
Madam Zhou opened her mouth but said nothing.
"Miss, Liu Jin was beaten. Are we just going to let that go?" Hongyu wasnât happy about it.
Wufu glanced at Liu Jinâs swollen face, saying with a smile, "Of course we canât just let it go. His face was beaten so badly heâs nearly unrecognizable. How could we just leave it at that?"
To have their names dragged through the mud and their own people beatenâthinking they would let it slide was a pipe dream.
Wufu was protective of her own.
"Wufu, what are you planning to do?" Madam Zhou felt her heart pounding at her daughterâs belligerent demeanor.
"Mother, I know what Iâm doing, donât worry," Wufu said with a soft smile.
If they let themselves be bullied this far without fighting back, they would be bullied forever!
"Miss, Iâll go with you," Liu Jin stood up. Though small and weak, he had to protect his miss.
"How can you go with that face? Stay and rest at home. Iâll accompany Miss," Hongyu said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation for a good show.
Wufu gave her a look.
Hongyu felt a bit guilty and dared not speak.
But Madam Zhou was quite worried and hesitant, saying, "Wufu, that Baozi is a bastard. Heâs the king of the village children. If you go and he hurts you, what will we do?"
Hongyu, who had witnessed Wufuâs domineering spirit, thought to herself, "You might as well pray that bastard doesnât get beaten too badly by the miss."
"Mother, when theyâve bullied us to this point, we canât back down. If we do, those people will only grow bolder and worse," Wufuâs tone was devoid of warmth.
She needed to show everyone that even if they were women and children considered weak, she, Wufu, would not be bullied easily.
Without waiting for Madam Zhou to reply, Wufu called for Liu Jin. Seeing Hongyuâs eager look, she said, "You stay at home. When someone has been beaten, itâs the adults who need to demand justice. Since you werenât the one beaten, how would it be convincing?"
Hongyuâs mouth twitched slightly. Her lady was truly something, framing her search for a brawl in such righteous terms.
Alright then, she found the words authoritative yet genuine, so genuine that it unexpected brought joy to her heart.