Chapter 8: Where to Put Your Face
Zhang’s face flushed red. “What nonsense are you spouting? Talking about things that aren’t true. Who’s even thinking about your Bai Shitang family? Who’s holding a grudge against your family because of this? You dare to speak so recklessly in broad daylight? I think you’re just scheming behind people’s backs, you filthy-mouthed wretch. I should shut that filthy mouth of yours!”
“I’m speaking the truth.”
Su Mulan scrutinized Zhang carefully, enunciating each word clearly. “What do you say, Sister Zhang?”
Indeed, it was the truth—a blunt truth that matched the facts without any exaggeration.
Her family did propose a marriage with Bai family.
As for the rest, those were all fantasies fabricated by Zhang herself.
However, her rebuttals only served to incriminate herself, revealing all her hidden motives.
“If Sister Zhang thinks I’m lying, why not call a few people over to ask if this actually happened?” Su Mulan tilted her head.
Seeing Su Mulan’s deliberate questioning demeanor, Zhang’s nose flared with anger.
Ask what?! It was an actual event that happened. No matter who she asks, what Su Mulan said is the truth.
Many people in the past proposed marriage to the Bai family, not just her, and such proposals falling through were common. Interactions between neighboring villages were normal affairs, often discussed openly among locals without much fuss.
But for Zhang and Su Mulan to argue about this here and now, if word of this were to spread, it would carry a different implication in others’ eyes.
Married for many years, with a bunch of children, still holding a grudge against Bai family, the resentment runs so deep that even the wife and children of others are constantly harassed…
In a farming family, where people work hard every day without much entertainment, gossip and rumors have become a favorite pastime after meals. It can be said that if someone farts at one end of the village, within half a day, people at the other end will smell it.
If Su Mulan spreads this matter recklessly, where will she put her face?
Wouldn’t she be unable to stand up straight in her in-laws’ home?
“You’re quite vicious, you little wretch,” Zhang spat angrily. “You’ve truly forgotten how you entered this family back then. Look at your own behavior, shameless creature, yet you still dare to criticize others.”
“Whether my past behavior was bad or I’m shameless, I still married into the rightful Bai Shitang family. Sister Zhang, you should watch your words in the future and speak less of what shouldn’t be said.”
Su Mulan raised her eyebrows slightly. “But then again, Sister Zhang can speak without caution, and it’s fine. At worst, I just need to be more careful with my words.”
“Since Sister Zhang enjoys bringing up old matters and past grievances, then let me speak about them too. It’s no big deal, right, Sister Zhang?”
“You…”
Zhang was choked by Su Mulan’s words, feeling a tightness in her chest. She took several breaths in succession, then rubbed her chest resentfully and glared at Su Mulan before storming off angrily.
It was just a brief interlude, and Su Mulan didn’t take it to heart, continuing to stoop and weed the grass.
The four children, however, exchanged glances and began whispering in the gaps of the corn fields.
“Elder sister, Aunt Zhang…” It was Bai Lixia who spoke. “Is she not a good person?”
Though Bai Lixia was only eight years old, she was smart. She had understood Su Mulan’s words just now quite clearly.