Chapter 208: Aren't you afraid?

Gou Laoqi's voice was loud; even though he was trussed up like a rice dumpling, he still held his head high and puffed out his chest.

He had the air of someone who was righteous and bold.

Cao Shi suddenly felt a bit guilty.

Although she had been drunk and not entirely clear-headed at the time, she hadn't completely lost her memory—she remembered that she had indeed taken the initiative to go up and get close to someone.

But under these circumstances, she would never admit it, even if beaten to death.

"I seduce you? You wouldn't even piss to look at your own virtue, you shameless toad—I'd seduce a stray dog on the road before I'd ever seduce you!"

Saying this, she plopped down on the ground, wailing, "It's utterly unfair—I got the advantage and still got framed; I might as well just die..."

Seeing that she didn't seem to be feigning tears, the onlookers also began to waver.

Could it be that Cao Shi wasn't willing at all, but was forced by Gou Laoqi?

Gou Laoqi, however, wasn't the least bit nervous, and shouted loudly, "Don't believe her lies—she's the one who seduced me. If you don't believe me, call Wang Hailin and Li San Maizi over; they were there too and can testify for me!"

Jiang Tong then had someone go fetch them.

Those two idlers had originally been hiding in the crowd, but seeing the situation, they realized they couldn't escape, so they stepped forward.

"Yes, we three loafers just happened to run into Cao Shi, and she said she was looking for a man to sleep with, even reaching out and touching us."

"Exactly, that's right—she seduced us! But let me make it clear first, I didn't touch her..."

Cao Shi jumped up from the ground, baring her teeth and clawing, lunging at the two men with eyes nearly bursting.

"Nonsense, you're talking nonsense! I'll beat you to death, beat you to death!"

The Jiang Clan Head struck his cane heavily, "Enough, what are you still making a fuss about?"

He took a deep breath and asked Cao Shi, "First tell me, why are you out here instead of sleeping at this late hour?"

Cao Shi was momentarily at a loss for words.

To be honest, she herself didn't know why she had come out.

Although Dragon Spring Village was relatively peaceful, at night women generally wouldn't go out unless accompanied by a man from the household.

First, for safety;

Second, it's also an old saying that women have heavy yin energy, making them prone to encountering unclean things when they go out at night.

So for her to be out alone wandering at such a late hour was in itself suspicious.

"I, I had a little drink, got muddled, so..." Cao Shi's eyes darted as she stammered.

That was the only explanation she could offer.

The Jiang Clan Head snorted coldly from his nose, "If you're muddled, you must have drunk more than just a little."

He turned and had someone summon Gan Pozi.

Gan Pozi was the only brewer in the village; her brewing technique wasn't great, but it was cheap and tasted decent, so everyone liked buying from her.

"Please go over and smell her to see if she's been drinking," the Jiang Clan Head said.

Gan Pozi agreed, cheerfully walking up to Cao Shi and gesturing for her to open her mouth and breathe out.

Cao Shi, feeling confident, cooperated fully.

As soon as she exhaled, Gan Pozi's face changed on the spot, and she nearly vomited from the stench.

"Good heavens, what have you been drinking? There's no alcohol smell at all—it's clearly a urine odor." Gan Pozi covered her nose and stepped back in disgust.

Cao Shi jumped up, "How can you not smell it? I definitely drank alcohol!"

Gan Pozi also didn't want to argue with her, but turned to the Jiang Clan Head, saying, "I've been brewing for decades; my nose is sharper than a dog's—I guarantee she hasn't had a drop of alcohol today."

As soon as those words left her mouth, everyone present erupted in an uproar.

She hadn't drunk alcohol, yet lied about having done so—why?

Naturally, it was to find an excuse for her dalliance with a man—best if she wasn't caught, but if she was caught red‑handed, she'd blame the drink.

She'd claim she was so drunk she couldn't remember what she'd done.

Then she'd shift the blame onto the man, saying he had taken advantage of her drunken state to force her, making her the victim as well.

That way, the charge would be much lighter.

But she hadn't expected that the old ginger is still spicy—the Jiang Clan Head actually summoned Gan Pozi, who saw through her lie.

The Jiang Clan Head's face fell long, and he asked his eldest grandson, "Jiang Tong, when you saw them, did Cao Shi show any resistance or cry for help?"

Jiang Tong thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No."

Not only that, she seemed to be enjoying it.

"See, I'm not lying—she's the one who seduced me, begged me for it; I was just doing a good deed!" Gou Laoqi said, full of self‑satisfaction.

The Gou Clan Head, who had been standing silently nearby, finally couldn't bear to watch any longer, stepped forward and kicked him over.

"You wretched cur, what are you proud of? Just because someone seduced you doesn't mean you can throw propriety to the wind—I tell you, Gou Laoqi, whether she was willing or not, this behavior of yours is called Tong Nü Gan, do you understand?"

Gou Laoqi's smile froze.

The next moment, his clan head announced loudly, "Gou Laoqi has engaged in illicit relations, his morals are corrupt; effective immediately he is expelled from the clan, and henceforth has no ties with our Gou family."

To be expelled from the clan is tantamount to losing the clan's protection.

Like rootless duckweed, he has nothing to rely on.

This is the harshest and most ruthless punishment for those who err.

At this point Gou Laoqi finally realized he should be afraid, he rolled wretchedly to the Gou Clan Head's feet, snot and tears flying, "I was wrong, I really was wrong—I shouldn't have been so self‑important, taking advantage of Cao Shi."

"Please, clan head, spare me this once—I swear I'll never dare again..."

"Too late!" the Gou Clan Head remained unmoved. "I wasn't lacking in giving you chances; you just refuse to mend your ways. Go on, get far away, and never come back."

Soon two men came over and dragged the wailing Gou Laoqi away.

Seeing this, the other two idlers trembled with fear.

Although the two hadn't yet had a chance to play cards with Cao Shi, they were no good either—they counted as accomplices.

Both clan heads also had grim faces as they took the person back; punishment was inevitably unavoidable.

As for Cao Shi, who bore the greatest guilt…

The Jiang Clan Head sighed, looked at Granny Yan, and said, "Your daughter-in-law, I won't say anything more; handle it yourself."

If this happened in another village, Cao Shi would surely face the punishment of being drowned in a pig cage.

But he doesn't like to do this, after all it's a living human life.

Granny Yan closed her eyes, then spoke with difficulty: "Please, clan head, help write a divorce letter; Cao Shi is unchaste and impure, our Jiang family… cannot possibly tolerate such a daughter-in-law!"

Cao Shi's body swayed, and she nearly fainted.

"No, Mother, Mother, believe me, I didn't lie, I really drank… Mother, I beg you, don't divorce me, waa…" She clung to Granny Yan's thigh, desperately pleading.

Granny Yan shoved her away forcefully, coldly saying, "It doesn't matter anymore."

Yes, whether voluntary or forced, it no longer matters.

Cao Shi's reputation is already ruined; if she remained in the household, it would only let the Jiang family's main branch become the village's laughingstock, forever unable to hold her head up.

At this point, the only solution is to cut the knot swiftly and draw a clear line with Cao Shi.

Cao Shi pleaded for a long time, but seeing Granny Yan still unwilling to relent, her spirit gradually collapsed.

No, she doesn't want to leave!.

Her husband, son, and daughter are all here; where could she go?

"Mother!" Cao Shi clung tightly to Granny Yan's arm, eyes wild, "You really intend to do this? Aren't you afraid I'll reveal what happened back then…"