The courtyard was in complete chaos, Xu Fen's hair was singed, leaving visible burn marks on his face.
The fire on him was extinguished after he rolled in the snow. Now, having escaped death, he lay on the ground panting heavily.
The Xu family's faces were full of anger.
Mrs. Xu rushed forward, spitting with rage: "Why can't we talk things over? We may be living in the Hu Family, but we won't let anyone bully us."
Yu Tingwan stood alone, draped in an outer garment.
"He wanted to violate me."
Mrs. Wang was shocked that Xu Fen would be so bold and reckless; beyond astonishment, she was regretful that he hadn't succeeded.
Truly useless!
She joined the Xu Family in berating Yu Tingwan.
"No matter what, it's wrong of you to hurt someone."
"If something bad happens to your Second Brother Xu, how am I supposed to explain it?"
Originally, the Xu Family was in the wrong, and they couldn't stand their ground. Yet, with Mrs. Wang's interference, Mrs. Xu also gained confidence and pointed at Yu Tingwan, scolding her.
"Entering your room was to make a move on you? Did my son tug at your clothes or touch you?"
"What are you pretending about? If you didn't seduce him, if you were proper, would my son come over to bother you?"
The words were vulgar, and if it were any other girl, she would have been shamed to death.
But not Yu Tingwan.
The wind blew her hair, she tucked it behind her ear with her hand, saying nothing.
Mrs. Xiao had long forgotten the fear Yu Tingwan commanded.
"Yu Tingwan! What grudge do you have with my Second Brother to harm him like this!"
Mrs. Xu's clever eyes turned. She domineeringly announced, "In any case, if this matter isn't resolved to an explanation, you won't have a good time either!"
The commotion didn't go unnoticed, even the Village Chief was alerted.
When he arrived, many villagers were whispering outside the Hu Family's house. Before he entered, he already gleaned the gist of the situation.
"Xu Fen proposed before, Hu Dazhu didn't agree, who would think he'd still be incorrigible, trying to sneak into Wan Niang's room in the night."
"His mother is inside now, making a scene, claiming that Xu Fen's injury is closely related to Wan Niang, the room was pried open, Wan Niang's innocence isn't clean, if you want a reputation, become Xu Fen's wife."
"Peh, how shameless, trying to get something for nothing."
The Village Chief's face darkened, walking in, he saw the dark-complexioned, unremarkable Xu Fen on the ground.
Xu Fen looked quite pleased.
"Cousin Yu, just give in to me."
"Things have come to this, why make everyone laugh?"
The anger in Yu Tingwan surfaced fiercely, unable to hold it back.
She approached him with a cold expression and kicked Xu Fen twice in the face.
"Ah!"
"How dare you hit my son!"
Mrs. Xu glared, about to roll up her sleeves, but would the people of Xilin Village let her succeed?
Li Lian rushed over, dragging Yu Tingwan back.
"Good child, don't be angry, don't be angry."
"We'll definitely seek justice for you in this matter."
If it weren't for her strength, Yu Tingwan would have leaped forward to deliver two more kicks.
"A scoundrel like you, are you worthy of coveting me?"
Yu Tingwan felt utterly disgusted, giving a cold laugh, looking at Mrs. Wang.
"What does Aunt think?"
Mrs. Wang was in a difficult position.
"Wan Niang, I see Xu Fen is earnest about you. It's true he was wrong, momentarily confused, that's why…"
"But after tonight, who else can you marry if not him?"
"Even if you're innocent, it's hard to explain. In Aunt's view, why not let the two families become close through this alliance?"
"Have you said enough?"
Yu Tingwan showed no mercy.
"From the start of the incident, Aunt has only sided with the Xu Family, not a word for me."
"True. Aunt can't stand seeing me well, hastily pushing me into the fire pit."
Mrs. Wang choked.
But after the Dong Family incident, under the watchful eyes of everyone, how could she vent her anger on Yu Tingwan?
"How can you see me like this?"
Yu Tingwan had no desire to see her lousy acting.
"Aunt blamed me for injuring him from the start."
Mrs. Wang didn't deny it, feeling justified: "That's your cousin's own brother."
"Aunt means I should swallow the defeat, that I shouldn't resist when he broke in, even if humiliated, I should let it pass for cousin's sake?"
Mrs. Wang's eyes widened, seeing the Village Chief's face darken, she quickly denied.
"No, I mean with Hu Family's place being so small, and me living right next to you, if you called out I'd have come, how could I let you suffer?"
"Now, the whole village knows, how is that good for a girl like you?"
These words made most present nod.
After all, family scandals shouldn't be spread outside.
Yu Tingwan showed no reaction, her voice cold.
"Had I not fought back, if this beast had covered my mouth, I wouldn't even have had the chance to call for help."
"Even if I did cry out, I don't believe you'd save me."
"Doesn't Aunt understand? I'd rather ruin my reputation than entrust my life to you. What of reputation, what's more important than saving myself?"
Mrs. Wang was angry: "You dare…"
"Enough!"
The Village Chief roared: "Haven't you had enough of a joke?"
"Mrs. Wang! Aren't you her aunt!"
"If the Xu Family were decent people, I would say nothing, but Xu Fen is a notorious rogue!"
Mrs. Xu discontent: "What are you saying?"
The Village Chief interrupted: "This is Xilin Village! Wan Niang is one of ours! Who are you to speak? Even if you're relatives, if I decide to kick your whole family out, no one would dare utter a word!"
"If this marriage were to proceed, wouldn't other rogues calculatingly crawl into our village girls' rooms too?"
"Can I set such a precedent?"
At this, all the bystanders held their breath, turning into indignation.
Indeed! This wasn't only about Yu Tingwan! Didn't every family have daughters!
Yu Tingwan's back remained straight, though she was still afraid.
Had she not been unable to sleep, if not for…
She dared not think further.
She looked coldly at Mrs. Xu: "Your son is an animal, even looking at him feels unlucky, speaking a word feels filthy."
"Even if his plans failed today, what if he had succeeded? The fault still wouldn't be mine, the shame shouldn't be mine. Do you think I'd let you manipulate me like those weak-willed girls, too scared to make a sound after things happen?"
Xu Fen didn't like hearing this.
His smile faded, sinisterly: "You actually have the face to despise me? I haven't even mentioned your mother…"
But he never finished his words, clamped shut by a frightened Mrs. Xiao.
This matter was forbidden in the Hu Family, Mrs. Xiao had learned it from a drunk Hu Dalang and carelessly let it slip back at her parents', repeatedly warning them to keep it a secret.
Who would think it could come to this?
Yu Tingwan: "What about my mother? Speak, let him speak!"
Mrs. Xiao trembled.
Not to mention Mrs. Wang's changed expression, everyone present felt an odd mood.
"Yu Tingwan, if I am to marry, the partner must be upright and proper."
"You say I enticed him?"
She seemed to hear a joke.
"Did I entice him because I fancy his ugliness, or to join the miserably poor Xu Family as a beast of burden, or admire his talent, at a ripe age of only being able to steal and boast of baseless cleverness?"