It had to be said, Mother Li was quite the actress, her tears flowing as she spoke.
Those around couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.
Coupled with the stories she told, it was enough to incite righteous anger.
"Don't you know perfectly well why I sent her in? What, did she plot against me, sell me off to another man, and I'm supposed to thank her for it?" Wen Yan retorted sarcastically, her voice loud.
Mother Li cursed the wretch inwardly, but continued to weep, "Your sister, when she did such a thing, I told you you must have misunderstood her. You just wouldn't believe me. With so many people in the family, why would you think it was your sister and not that man? Wen Yan, tell me honestly, did the Li family take you in? I'm not asking you to repay my kindness, just please, don't kick us when we're down. Let your sister out!"
As she spoke, she prepared to kowtow.
Some among the crowd, with their strong sense of empathy, couldn't stand it any longer.
They stepped forward and pulled Mother Li up.
Then, they turned to Wen Yan, "Wen Yan, isn't it? You're all family, after all. Why must you be so difficult?"
The other person's words seemed to pierce to the heart: "I've heard a little about the Wen family's affairs. I heard your mother had an affair and was kicked out. Whether that's the truth, I won't say for now. But the Li family is, after all, your mother's maiden family. Have you ever considered how your actions would affect your mother's standing?"
This immediately steered everyone's thoughts in another direction.
Wen Yan found it amusing, "Are you implying that if you were framed and almost assaulted, you would remain silent?"
"Firstly, you have no proof that it was that person. Secondly, considering how long the Li family has sheltered you, you shouldn't be so ruthless." The other person spoke with conviction, firm and resolute.
Mother Li knelt on the ground, weeping silently.
She had deliberately discarded her usual extravagant attire today, dressed in plain clothes with even a few holes. Coupled with her age of over forty, kneeling and crying there made people involuntarily think of their own elderly mothers, stirring a sense of pity.
"How pitiful. I don't think it warrants sending someone to prison."
The world always had its share of self-righteous individuals who enjoyed standing on moral high ground to manipulate others.
"Wen Yan, they're family. Besides, she didn't succeed. There's no need to push it this far."
"Yes, let's give each other some leeway."
"Look how pitiful she is."
The last sentence was spoken by Liu Huanhuan.
Liu Huanhuan frowned slightly and walked over to help Mother Li up.
Everyone's attention shifted to her.
Liu Huanhuan looked at Mother Li, "I know the Li family is in a difficult situation. My father had some dealings with the Li family in the past. I never expected them to have fallen so far. When I return, I'll speak with my father and see if we can help you through this difficult time."
Mother Li was overjoyed, "Really? Thank you. You're Miss Liu's daughter, aren't you? Huanhuan, right? I thought you looked familiar. Someone of your noble birth and kindness is rare. Such a good child."
Liu Huanhuan smiled slightly, "You still remember me. It's only right. We did have some dealings in the past."
These few simple words instantly elevated Liu Huanhuan to a pedestal of virtue.
In contrast, Liu Huanhuan, who had only a past business connection with the Li family, was willing to help them. Wen Yan, however, was taking advantage of their misfortune and sending her own kin to prison.
The crowd's gazes turned to pity.
"Huanhuan is truly kind, like a little fairy."
"Yes, she's willing to extend a hand to a stranger."
"I think it's quite good that the Li family took in Wen Yan, giving her a home. As for what Wen Yan said, I find it hard to believe. They're relatives, why be so heartless? Perhaps she just wanted to teach Wen Yan a lesson and didn't expect Wen Yan to catch her in the act. They share the same blood, how could she be so cruel?"
The last person's commentary swayed many.
Seeing that everyone was on her side, Mother Li felt a surge of triumph.
She had actually come to kneel before Wen Yan today, casting aside all her dignity.
Since she had come this far, she would see it through to the end!
She would make Wen Yan fall into the abyss, making everyone see her as a wicked person!
Mother Li thought maliciously.
By then, even if Wen Yan didn't want to release Li Mengyao, she would have to. And everyone would think she was a wicked woman!
"Bang!" Mother Li directly knelt before Wen Yan!
Everyone was stunned.
When had an elder ever knelt before a junior? It was practically inviting misfortune! Everyone felt uncomfortable.
However, Wen Yan clearly saw the calculation in Mother Li's eyes.
Then, Mother Li cried out, "Wen Yan, your aunt is kneeling to you. Everything that happened before was our fault. When you and your mother were at the Li family's, I didn't take good care of you, I'm sorry. But if you have any grievances, take them out on me. Your sister is still young. If you really send her to prison, won't her life be ruined? Kill me, torture me, do whatever you want to me. I'm not human, I didn't take good care of you..."
As she spoke, she suddenly began slapping herself!
"Slap, slap, slap—" The crisp sounds echoed down the corridor, indicating she was using real force.
Wen Yan was also shocked. She hadn't expected Mother Li to be so desperate. To save Li Mengyao, or rather, to ruin her own reputation, she was willing to discard her pride!
Fine.
Since she insisted on this, Wen Yan didn't mind playing along.
She stood to the side, watching with her arms crossed, looking utterly at ease.
Mother Li had expected Wen Yan to stop her. She never imagined Wen Yan would actually stand there and watch the show. Her face was already stinging, yet Wen Yan remained completely unfazed.
Should she continue hitting herself, or stop?
She was suddenly in a predicament, feeling a bit awkward.
Finally, Mother Li stopped.
Wen Yan looked at her, a half-smile playing on her lips, "Why did you stop? You should at least finish your act!"
Mother Li's face immediately turned awkward. She glanced at the collateral relatives behind her.
That cousin-aunt immediately rushed forward and grabbed Wen Yan's collar, "Wen Yan, don't go too far! Your aunt treated you so well before. What her daughter had, you also had. Don't forget, you're just a distant cousin of the Li family. It was only because the Wen family abandoned you that the Li family took you in. Now you want to send your own sister to prison? You truly have a venomous heart! Utterly wicked, you're simply a pest to the Li family!"
These words were spoken with righteous indignation and a stern demeanor.
Wen Yan, however, cut straight to the chase, "She asked you all to come here and cause trouble, didn't she? How much did she promise to pay you? I'll give you double."
"Really..." The cousin-aunt almost let slip, then quickly said, "What nonsense are you talking about? We simply can't stand what you're doing!"
"The Li family is on the verge of bankruptcy because of them. Do you really think following her will benefit you?" Wen Yan raised an eyebrow at the cousin-aunt.
The cousin-aunt did harbor some doubts about the Li family. Just a flicker of hesitation revealed her thoughts.
Mother Li wished she could kill this incompetent teammate.
She immediately wailed, "Yan Yan! Please, spare the Li family, spare your sister! We all beg you, please have mercy!"
This cry immediately brought the cousin-aunt and the others back to their senses.
Since they were already here, they had to play their part.
They had agreed beforehand: Mother Li would play the soft role, and the cousin-aunt and the others would play the hard role.
The cousin-aunt immediately said, "Wen Yan, at this point, you still suspect your own family? No wonder you could do such a cold-blooded thing! Let Mengyao go, or we won't leave today. The Li family is united!"
Every word pushed Wen Yan onto the pedestal of shame.