"No... I just thought that since we're all neighbors, it's best not to escalate things too much."
Although the village head said this, a hint of worry lingered on his face, seemingly reluctant to speak frankly with Rong Zhi.
Rong Zhi guessed that perhaps because she was an outsider, the village head didn't want to disrupt the harmony among the villagers for her sake.
This was understandable, but Rong Zhi felt she had to intervene to stand up for her friend.
Rong Zhi smiled, "Village Head, please rest assured, I have a sense of proportion. Moreover, as you said, we are all neighbors. If someone disregards rules and reason, and insists on disturbing others' lives, wouldn't that also disrupt the village's harmony? If we don't address it now, those children might become worse as they grow older, potentially resorting to murder and arson."
With that, she cast a meaningful glance at Ji Dong beside her.
Although their conversation had some discrepancies, Rong Zhi's words indicated she didn't plan to report them to the authorities, which relieved Yu Rong.
"Since you put it that way, how do you intend to handle it?"
Just as Rong Zhi was about to speak, she heard footsteps. Liu Hong also caught up and, seeing Rong Zhi with the village head and no signs of conflict, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Rong Zhi said, "You're here at the perfect time. I have an idea I want to discuss with you."
"What idea?"
Rong Zhi gestured for Liu Hong to lean closer and whispered to the village head and Liu Hong. During this time, Ji Dong repeatedly craned his neck, trying to eavesdrop, but was intimidated back by Rong Zhi's gaze.
Finally, the village head listened with surprise, "This... will it work?"
Rong Zhi smiled, "As long as you cooperate fully and the act is convincing enough, it will definitely work."
Yu Rong hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded, "Alright then, I'll go gather people now."
He then pointed at Ji Dong beside him and said, "This person is in your hands."
With that, the village head strode towards the village to gather people.
Rong Zhi said, "Brother Liu, I'll have to trouble you and Xin Lan to perform a scene in a moment."
Liu Hong's face showed gratitude, "Thank you, Miss Lin, for thinking so thoughtfully for me and Xin Lan."
"You are my friends, so of course, I must consider you. Go back and prepare first. Later, just follow the village head's lead and don't speak."
"Okay," Liu Hong readily agreed and went to prepare.
At this moment, Ji Dong cautiously approached, seeming hesitant to ask but daring to, "What idea did you just come up with?"
Rong Zhi turned to look at him, a hint of murderous intent flashing in her eyes, as if icy cold, instantly freezing Ji Dong.
Ji Dong, scared, recoiled, wishing he could run away right then. However, before he could even take a step, he suddenly heard a *slap* and felt a sharp pain on his face, which instantly swelled up. His previously pale complexion rapidly turned a bruised red.
He let out a pained wail, but before he could finish, Rong Zhi grabbed his ear and whispered, "Help me put on a show, and I'll let bygones be bygones regarding the house. Otherwise, I'll have you living in the Lingshui County jail, sharing 'feelings' with the overseers from morning till night."
Ji Dong shivered, and the next moment he was nodding like a pecking chicken, as if the injuries from his previous trip to Lingshui County had all returned.
Rong Zhi borrowed a rope from Yu Cheng's house and tied Ji Dong up securely before standing by the entrance of the haunted house to wait.
Before long, a group of people suddenly appeared from the village and stormed into Gu Xin Lan's home. Cries of alarm were heard from inside, followed by the group emerging with a bound Gu Xin Lan, Liu Hong, and Wu Gui Xiang.
One person took out a gong, striking it rhythmically while shouting loudly, "The hunter Liu Hong's family, harboring a criminal, will be handed over to the authorities for investigation!"
"The hunter Liu Hong's family, harboring a criminal, will be handed over to the authorities for investigation!"
"The hunter Liu Hong's family, harboring a criminal, will be handed over to the authorities for investigation!"
...
After repeating this several times, they hadn't gone far before several households peeked out, whispering amongst themselves, wondering what trick was being played.
Some of the more curious ones ran out, asking the village head at the front what was going on. The village head merely glanced at him with narrowed eyes and continued walking with his hands behind his back, showing no intention of explaining.
The more he acted this way, the more curious the surrounding people became. Unknowingly, more and more people came out to watch the spectacle, soon forming a long procession, which naturally included those who relished others' misfortune. Tie Dan's mother was one of them.
"What law did they break? Why are they tied up?" someone asked, not understanding.
Tie Dan's mother's face lit up with a smile, "Who cares what law they broke? There's a good show to watch this time."
She cheerfully followed the village head, leaning in to ask, "Village Head, what happened to Liu the hunter? How many years will he get? Will they chop off his head?"
Yu Rong glared at her, his disgust almost palpable. If it weren't for her loose tongue and jealousy, he wouldn't have had to go through all this trouble.
If he could control everyone's reaction today, it would be fine. But if he couldn't, his authority as village head would be undermined.
Seeing that the village head didn't answer and even glared at her, Tie Dan's mother was utterly bewildered. She muttered and returned to the crowd.
As the crowd walked, they arrived near the haunted house.
There were fewer houses near the haunted house, and the area was spacious. When there was any major event in the village, people would gather here. Just as Rong Zhi saw them, she walked over, grabbing Ji Dong.
As Rong Zhi approached, she saw several villagers bringing Liu Hong, Gu Xin Lan, and Wu Gui Xiang to the front.
Liu Hong and the other two lowered their heads, appearing resigned to their fate. In reality, they were still communicating through glances. Liu Hong gave Gu Xin Lan a reassuring look, signaling her not to be afraid, and Gu Xin Lan returned a smile.
Actually, she wasn't scared at all and even found it rather amusing.
As for Wu Gui Xiang, she had already heard Liu Hong's explanation and knew there was nothing to worry about. She just glared around the crowd, searching for the gossip-mongering Tie Dan's mother, wishing she could kill her with her gaze.
The crowd buzzed with discussion, speculating on why they were tied up. Just then, the village head spoke.
"Everyone, quiet down." Yu Rong waved his hands in the air. Once the crowd quieted down, he continued, "As you all know, Zhang Chu's daughter appeared in the village some time ago. Liu the hunter's family not only didn't drive her away but even spoke up for her, preventing everyone from seeking revenge for their kin. I know you all hold grudges, so today, I've brought them here to be punished publicly!"
At these words, a sudden, jarring cheer erupted from the crowd. It was none other than Tie Dan's mother.
Everyone around looked at her, and Tie Dan's mother awkwardly shut her mouth.
Although many felt the same way, they were still neighbors and couldn't truly express it. Only the simple-minded Tie Dan's mother would be so blunt.
At this point, a villager couldn't help but ask, "Village Head, how should these two be punished?"
"The nation has its laws, and the family has its rules. Liu the hunter's family hasn't broken any laws, so they will be punished according to village rules: 100 lashes each until they learn their lesson."
The "whips" used in the village were actually willow branches commonly found by the roadside, dipped in saltwater. The pain of being lashed with them was immense. This method was typically used as a warning for serious offenses, such as adultery, grave theft, or robbery, when the village didn't wish to report to the authorities.
Now, for simply speaking a few words on behalf of Zhang Ya Jing, Liu Hong's family was facing such a severe consequence. Some in the crowd looked surprised, while others felt it was unfair and voiced their objections.
"Village Head, isn't this going too far? Liu Hong and Gu Xin Lan were getting married at the time. It was just to prevent chaos during the wedding, not to champion Zhang Ya Jing's cause."
However, such individuals were a minority. The crowd turned to see who it was, and it turned out to be Lu Yuan Xiu.
His act of defense was quickly met with ridicule.
"Scholar Lu, why are you so eager to speak up for Gu Xin Lan? She's not your wife anymore, so stop meddling in what's not your business."
"Exactly! Your family doesn't have anyone who was trafficked, and you weren't dragged to Lingshui County for hard labor. You speak from a position of privilege. Don't think you can point fingers just because you've read a few books. If you truly find it unfair, go up and take the lashes for them."
Tie Dan's mother let out a gloating laugh, "Scholar Lu might even be willing. I saw Scholar Lu and Gu Xin Lan being close on the road not long ago. Perhaps they're going to rekindle their old flame."
At these words, the whispers in the crowd grew louder, and many unfriendly gazes fell upon Lu Yuan Xiu.
"Enough!"
Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Yu Rong shouted loudly, silencing the crowd.
"Today, we're discussing Zhang Ya Jing's matter. Anyone who spreads baseless rumors will be punished as well!"
Only then did the crowd quiet down. Lu Yuan Xiu's face turned as black as charcoal.
Under everyone's gaze, the man who had been ringing the gong handed over a thick, long willow branch, still dripping with saltwater. A single lash with this would surely tear the skin and flesh.
Yu Rong, however, did not strike immediately. He slowly asked the crowd, "Everyone, do you think Zhang Ya Jing, although not involved in human trafficking, is the daughter of Zhang Chu, and Liu Hong spoke up for her, thus deserving death?"
Intermittent nods came from the crowd. Without Lu Yuan Xiu, a small portion truly felt this way, while another portion was following the trend. As for those who felt it was unfair, they dared not speak after witnessing Lu Yuan Xiu's fate.
Yu Rong sneered, "If that's the case, then today, it won't be just these three who are punished. There are others as well."
"Ah? Others? Who?"
The crowd looked around, searching among themselves.
At this moment, Yu Rong shouted, "Anyone who has spent time on the Lingshui County mine, step forward!"
The villagers were bewildered, but some slowly stepped forward, forming a line in front of the crowd.
"Village Head, are they also sinners? They are victims!"
Someone realized what was happening and quickly asked.
Yu Rong said, "They went up the mountain to mine, and the money they earned went into Zhang Chu's pocket. Their day's labor was enough for Zhang Chu to live lavishly for a month. If we talk about support, although they didn't say it, they personally supported that beast. Are they not guilty?"
The villagers felt something was wrong and were about to retort when Yu Rong continued, "According to your logic, anyone who provides even the slightest benefit to that corrupt official is a sinner. Then wouldn't they be committing a heinous crime?"
The crowd fell silent.
Anyone could see that this was sheer sophistry. They finally realized that this was not the punishment they had imagined. Lu Yuan Xiu's furrowed brow suddenly relaxed slightly. Perhaps things were not as dire as he had thought. This was just a scheme by the village head, and Xin Lan would be fine.
He looked at Gu Xin Lan, only to see her turning her head to look at Liu Hong, a barely perceptible smile gracing her lips.
Lu Yuan Xiu's heart suddenly felt as if a piece had been scooped out.
In front of everyone, even if the punishment was fake, she wasn't the least bit nervous and even had the leisure to smile, and such a happy smile at that.