Chapter 65: Rumors Spread Everywhere

Kong Yizhang naturally understood what she meant; after all, he had already sent someone to investigate this Miss's situation yesterday and knew the things that had happened in her family: "Very well, I was going to give you a reward and a certificate of honor anyway."

Seeing Kong Yizhang agree, Liu Chuxue smiled and thanked him: With this honor, not only the villagers, but even the Liu family would have to think twice before doing anything, and their family's days in the village would be easier.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, they each went their separate ways.

Meanwhile, at Willow Tree Village, rumors were spreading everywhere: "Do you think the matter about the second daughter of the Shanliang family is true?"

"I don't know if it's true, but this matter was spread by the Liu family."

"Don't chatter nonsense; aren't you deliberately ruining this Miss's reputation?"

"We didn't say anything nonsense; this was said by her eldest uncle's wife; how can you blame us?"

"Exactly; if she were truly innocent, these words wouldn't have spread."

Not far away, Liu Ruxiang, who had returned to her maiden home to visit relatives, wore a face full of disapproval: "Mom, you've gone too far with this; when Second Uncle and Second Aunt return and learn you were the one spreading this, won't they break with you?"

Ge Xiulan dismissed it, saying: "With the cowardly nature of your Second Uncle and Second Aunt, I'm not afraid of them."

Liu Ruxiang was full of grievances: "Mom, why must you be at odds with the Second Branch? Where did Chuxue offend you that you must ruin her reputation?"

Ge Xiulan's face immediately darkened: "Which side are you on?"

"Mom, this isn't about which side or not; if you do this, how can my father and Second Uncle get along afterward?"

Ge Xiulan feared her eldest daughter would press the matter until the bottom was reached: "Enough, enough; a married daughter is like spilled water; mind your own business regarding your maiden home's affairs."

Her deal with the Chen family was something that could not see the light of day; naturally, she could not say she did this for her own son's future: "Mai Mang is still young; if you have nothing to do, go back early to look after the child."

Hearing her mother's tone, she knew something was being hidden from her and couldn't help but remind her: "Mom, even a clay figure has some earthy temper; you all should be careful; don't really cause trouble."

Having said her piece, she did not stay any longer.

Meanwhile, the couple of the Third Branch, who had overheard the conversation between the First Branch mother and daughter behind the wall corner: "Shanling, what do you think of this matter?"

Liu Shanling glanced at Ge Xiulan as she left: "Don't you know what kind of person the eldest sister-in-law is? She never rises early without profit; there must be something fishy in this."

"These past few days, the village has gone wild with rumors about Chuxue; I don't believe Father and Mother haven't heard, yet they haven't stopped it at all; just wait, when the Second Branch returns, there will be plenty of trouble."

"Anyway, it has nothing to do with us; why are you in such a hurry?"

"Our Xiao Man is already sixteen this year and will soon be spoken for; if the Second Branch's daughter has a bad reputation, do you think our branch will fare well? You truly have a pig's brain."

"Then the First Branch..."

Before he could finish speaking, his own wife interrupted him: "What's there to fear about the First Branch? Ruxiang already has three children; Jianqiang's wife has been pregnant for several months; as for those two younger ones, didn't the Old Master say Jian Dong has already found a job in the city and will go to work in a few days? As for the youngest, Ruhua, she is only thirteen; by the time she is matched, this matter will long be over."

"If this matter is left unchecked, the only branch that will suffer is ours."

"Then what do you say we do?"

"Naturally, we go find the village cadres to handle it."

"Isn't it improper to go directly to the village cadres without telling Father and Mother?"

"Can they solve it? If they had the will, the matter wouldn't have spread to that extent; I think they are simply condoning it; truly, I don't know what they are thinking."