Chapter 22: Either Surrender or Raise the Stakes

No one had expected Wen Yao to suddenly act so recklessly, not even her own family. When the village chief shouted, the Wen family responded almost instinctively to stop Wen Yao, and Wen Nong, who was closest to the Li family's gate, was the first to rush forward.

Just as Wen Yao was about to slam herself against the Li family's door, Wen Nong managed to intercept her. Li Shi and Cai Shi followed closely, grabbing Wen Yao with all their strength.

"They're driving her to death! The Li family is driving her to death!" Li Shi shouted even louder than Second Tiger's mother.

Wen Yao cried, struggled, threatened to die, and glanced furtively at Li Shi, wishing she could give her two thumbs up. This second aunt was truly remarkable.

Wen Yao's desperate lunge terrified the Li family. If Wen Yao really died at their doorstep today, who would dare come to buy meat from them in the future? Who would invite them to slaughter pigs? The thought made Li San glare fiercely at Second Tiger's mother and shout at the Wen family, "What exactly do you want?"

With apparent weakness, Wen Yao pushed aside one of her brothers who stood in front of her and declared, "I want an apology. Apologize in front of everyone. Second Tiger must apologize to my brother, Second Tiger's mother must apologize to me, to my second and third aunts, and you and your two sons must apologize to my uncles and brothers. Let everyone see you acknowledge your wrongdoing!"

"Bah! You're dreaming," Li San retorted, scowling.

"Fine, you don't have to agree," Wen Yao replied, scanning the crowd. "If you refuse, I'll kill myself right here, in front of everyone. When a life is lost, the authorities will be involved. If the magistrates learn of what you've done—slandering, cursing, beating, and driving me to death—they'll throw your entire family into prison. If you don't believe me, just try it."

In this era of absolute imperial authority, all common people instinctively feared officials, and the Li family was no exception. Yet, those long accustomed to arrogance were not easily cowed.

It was no longer a matter of apologizing or not; if the Li family allowed themselves to be subdued by Wen Yao, a mere girl from the Wen family, how would they hold their place in Gu Tong Village in the future?

Li Er understood this well, and Second Tiger's mother understood even better. Her arrogance had always depended on the Li family's intimidation in the village.

"Little girl, who are you trying to scare? Prison? You think the magistrates will do as you say?" Second Tiger's mother spat contemptuously.

Wen Yao let out a cold laugh. "My father may have been muddled in the past, but he still holds a scholar's title. If a scholar's daughter dies at your doorstep, do you think the magistrates will ignore it?"

Her words changed the expressions of Li San and Second Tiger's mother. Even the village chief glanced curiously at Wen Yao, who had always been quiet and withdrawn.

No one had ever seen such fierceness in this girl before.

"Wen Yao, whatever happened, there's no need to make such a scene. We're all neighbors," the village chief said, trying to mediate. After all, these disputes were common in the village; escalating matters would only harm Gu Tong Village's reputation.

Wen Yao pushed aside Li Shi and Cai Shi, looked at the village chief, and bowed. "Village Chief, my mother left, but before she did, she and my father went to the magistrate's office to process their separation. They're no longer related in marriage, and whoever she chooses to marry is her own affair. But today, the Li family has humiliated me in front of everyone, ruined my reputation, and allowed Second Tiger to insult and beat my brother. If I simply gloss over this matter, wouldn't it mean that I accept Second Tiger's mother's slander and rumors about me?"

The village chief was taken aback by her sharp words. "Well, that's not what I meant... So, what do you think should be done?" He was now genuinely worried Wen Yao might drag her scholar father to escalate the issue.

It was really a small matter; rural folk always gossiped a bit.

Had they given up? Giving up was good.

Wen Yao pointed to her family members nearby. "Look at my second and third uncles, my brothers, and my second aunt, her hair has been pulled out."

Li Shi, still stunned by Wen Yao's fighting spirit, suddenly realized what to do and began clutching her head, moaning loudly.

"Oh, second aunt, are you alright?" Wen Yao exaggerated, crying out and supporting Li Shi.

The village chief wished he could turn and leave, but at this point, he could not.

"Li San, Li San's wife, Wen Yao is right. You cursed and beat them; you were in the wrong. Apologize to the Wen family," the village chief commanded.

Li San gritted his teeth, and Second Tiger's mother protested, "Why should we apologize? They hit us too!"

The village chief almost kicked them, snapping, "Did you say those things? Did you curse them? Wasn't it your son who started the fight? If you won't apologize, fine. Wen Yao, I won't intervene anymore. Go report to the authorities, let the magistrate handle it. If arrests or punishments happen, so be it."

He made as if to leave.

Seeing this, Li San and Second Tiger's mother panicked, uncertain what to do. Would the county magistrate really care about this?

Perhaps Wen Yao was telling the truth; Wen Xiu Yi was, after all, a scholar and had spoken to the magistrate before.

The thought of their whole family being thrown in jail terrified them.

"Village Chief, wait—wait! We'll apologize," Li San called out, grabbing Second Tiger.

"Sorry," Li San said, pressing Second Tiger's head down, forcing him to apologize to the Wen family.

Second Tiger bristled with resentment but couldn't break free from his father's grip and was forced to bow to Wen Yao and her family.

Wen Yao then looked to Second Tiger's mother.

She was about to spit and curse, but Li San shot her a fierce glare, and she immediately backed down.

"Sorry," she muttered, unwillingly.

This was exactly the effect Wen Yao wanted. Whether their apologies were sincere or not, she wanted everyone to see that her family was no longer the same as before—they were not to be bullied at will.

The village chief sighed in relief; the matter was resolved.

"Wen Yao, they've apologized. Is this enough?" he asked.

Wen Yao smiled. "Of course, Uncle Village Chief, whatever you say goes. But as you see, my uncles, brothers, and second aunt have all been injured..."

The village chief's face changed color as if he'd stepped into a dye shop. In the end, after his persuasion, the Li family compensated the Wen family fifty coins for medicine for their injuries.

As for the Li family themselves? They were all sturdy and showed no visible injuries, while the Wen family had truly suffered.