Xiejiazhuang became lively again because of the return of many tribesmen.
Especially when they heard that Hu San was instigated by a maid from the Song family in the east of the county town, everyone found it inexplicable.
These are not even close to each other!
Xie Laosan was not a kind person and deliberately kept his words secretive. He only said that the maid was called Mei Lan and she was Miss Song's personal maid.
Moreover, he repeatedly emphasized that Hu San thought he had received the benefit of twenty taels of silver from Mei Lan, so he took the risk and wanted to ruin the reputation of his second sister-in-law.
Many of Xie's female relatives were shocked.
Twenty taels of silver!
This is not twenty copper coins. For a family of three, this is enough for more than ten years!
"Isn't this possible? A maid only earns three to four hundred cents a month. Even a favored maid only earns six to seven hundred cents. Where did she get twenty taels of silver? "
"Yes, a girl may not be able to save enough even if she saves her whole life!"
For a small county like Gaoyang County, an income of several hundred cash a month is already pretty good.
Most of them have never left the county, or even the town. How do they know that the maids of real powerful families can have two taels of silver a month.
Therefore, in their opinion, these twenty taels of silver were simply unthinkable.
Xie Laosan said this deliberately, and what he said was true. Mei Lan himself admitted that he only paid ten taels first, and then paid another ten taels after the matter was completed.
Xie Laosan thought about the thirty taels of silver in his arms, and said: "The county magistrate is a wise man. He exposed Hu San's lies in just a few words. Moreover, Mei Lan was taken to the court for his attempt to destroy My second sister-in-law's reputation was finally exposed in court. The county magistrate not only sentenced them to death, but also ordered them to be imprisoned, and also asked them to compensate my second sister-in-law thirty taels of silver."
Widow Wang heard this: "Thirty taels?"
"Isn't it! Harming people is such a good job? How can you not pay the price? This time, my second sister-in-law was lucky. It happened that the good boy picked up the money bag and went down the mountain early. Otherwise, he would have been harmed before he knew it. What's it like?"
Widow Wang felt guilty after hearing this. She lowered her head and did not dare to speak any more.
An aunt on the side echoed: "That's right! The world is difficult, and the life of our women's families is even more difficult. A woman's reputation is so important. A bastard like Hu San should be beheaded for the sake of the people. Get rid of the harm!”
That being said, the county magistrate would certainly not kill anyone just because of this matter.
What's more, this matter didn't happen. If you put it this way, the county magistrate's sentence was quite severe.
Xie Laosan deliberately made a fuss about the thirty taels of silver. Xie Xiuran couldn't stop him even if he wanted to. He could only angrily think about suing him when he went back and letting his parents scold him.
Xie Laosan invited the clan leader and village chief to his home again, and did not avoid anyone when he spoke.
"Grandpa, uncle, this thirty taels of silver was handed over to me by the Liu family's uncle. It was awarded to my second sister-in-law. I can hold this silver to my fingertips, but if I take it home directly..."
The following words were not said, but the two elders naturally understood.
These thirty taels of silver were probably going to be robbed by that old woman.
"Let's go. Anyway, we have been the master once, and this time is not the last time."
"Yes, thank you very much, Patriarch."
The clan leader was already over 70 years old and was willing to go on another trip. Xie Laosan quickly stepped forward to help him.
Because the case was closed, everyone in the Xie family came out to hear the result.
Grandma Xie heard that Mei Lan was also arrested and was thrown into jail, which made her feel very sad.
Although they failed to reveal the mastermind, everyone is not a fool. Maybe Mei Lan is protecting the master, but Miss Song's reputation is ruined. Even if Xie Xiuwen really divorces Liu Ruolan in the future, the Xie family will not Such a woman is allowed to enter.
Even as a concubine, it’s impossible!
This time, it can be said that Miss Song lost both her wife and her troops.
The twenty taels of silver that Mei Lan wanted to compensate were naturally paid by the Song family. Just as everyone expected, how could a person working as a maid save twenty taels of silver?
Finally, the clan leader made the decision and asked Xie Laosan to take out the silver.
"Since the county magistrate awarded this to Xiuwen's wife, the money should belong to her. She was the one who suffered in this matter. She was humiliated by you for no apparent reason last night. You should be glad that the Liu family came to Come forward, otherwise, if Xiuwen's wife gets too angry and hangs herself with a rope in the house, how can you and your family have the dignity to live in this world!"
Grandpa Xie's face turned red, he was so embarrassed!
If the truth was discovered after Mrs. Liu's death, then the parents-in-law would have become the executioners who forced their daughter-in-law to death, and they would indeed have no shame in living in this world.
Thinking about what his wife said last night, Mr. Xie quickly made a decision.
"Uncle, don't worry. We will definitely be more careful in the future. This thirty taels of silver is what the second daughter-in-law should get, and it can be regarded as a relief for the two of them."
Seeing that he was finally not confused, the clan leader nodded with satisfaction.
In front of the clan leader and village chief, Mr. Xie also wanted to save his image.
"Damn Xiu Ran, you were really wrong this time. You shouldn't have jumped to conclusions without listening to your daughter-in-law's self-defense. You are an elder, and I will give you some respect. It's just that you will be banned for a month from today. You can't go anywhere. You are not allowed to go. In addition, I remember that there are a few bolts of fine cotton in the warehouse. I will ask the second daughter-in-law to go over and pick two bolts. Whichever she picks will be the one, and you are not allowed to stop her. "
Xie Grandma was naturally reluctant to part with it. Fine cotton cloth was hard to come by and expensive. She had originally planned to make two gowns for her eldest son and eldest grandson, but now her second wife had to give them to her. How could she not feel distressed?
But the matter has already happened, and she has indeed made a mistake in front of all the clan members, and she does not dare to object at all.
Grandpa Xie looked at Xie Xiuran and his wife again: "Mr. Gao, you shouldn't have been talking nonsense last night. You must know that bad words can hurt people. As the eldest sister-in-law, how can you be so ignorant of right and wrong! I will punish you. Come down and do housework for a month. In addition, you must make amends to your second daughter-in-law and make her forgive you."
Mrs. Gao was heartbroken. It was her mother-in-law who was clearly in charge of this matter. She was just playing the drums from the side. Isn't this too harsh a punishment?
"Yes, Dad, my daughter-in-law has taken note of it."
Xie Xiuran didn't fare well either. Although he didn't say anything last night, he failed to take care of his mother-in-law. This was a big mistake.
Therefore, Xie Xiuran was fined one month's salary.
This is actually not painful, but in front of the clan leader, it can be regarded as a statement of attitude, at least no one will say that he favors the first wife and treats the second wife harshly.
The clan leader and village chief were indeed very satisfied. They left one after another, and Grandma Xie started acting like a monster again.
(End of chapter)
