A Good Country Wife Chapter 54 - 54 Punishment Decision1

Chapter 54: Chapter 54 Punishnt Decision_1

Chapter 54: Chapter 54 Punishnt Decision_1

“Genbao’s family, do you think we’re all blind or fools? If it wasn’t you who smashed the things, could it possibly be that Erhu’s own family did it? Are they out of their minds, smashing their own belongings for no reason? Even making up lies, you can’t conjure up a more convincing one. There’s no use trying to shirk responsibility today. Things will be settled as they should be, or else there’s no need for to be the village head.” Seeing Zhao Erhu’s adamant attitude, the village head realized that without a satisfactory explanation, the issue wouldn’t be settled today. He had no desire to watch further squabbles and laid down his stance directly.

“Village head, listen to you talk! How would I know why Erhu’s wife would do such a thing? She was the first to lay hands. I already said I wouldn’t hold it against her. Why don’t we just let this matter go, village head?”

Zhao Lan herself felt that her retorts were growing weak. If the roles were reversed, she’d likely think the sa as the village head. At the ti, she even wondered if Erhu’s wife had gone mad. Now it seed this woman’s scheming was terrifyingly deep; she must have been lying in wait for her.

Third Uncle has always been partial to Zhao Erhu. Seeing Zhao Lan relentlessly biting at Erhu’s wife, unrepentant and stubborn, he was so angry he puffed out his beard and glared. “Genbao’s family, stop with the useless talk. Are you still trying to fra Erhu’s wife? The village head is speaking my mind as well. Give us a straight answer—are you compensating or not? If you refuse to compensate, there’s no need for further prattle. Since you’ve injured Erhu’s wife, I’ll have soone report it to the governnt right away, and you can explain yourself to the magistrate at the governnt office. But once it goes to court, whether you can leave or not isn’t sothing we can decide—you weigh it for yourself.”

This was a blatant threat, and Third Uncle felt emboldened to speak this way because his son worked as a constable in the governnt office. Otherwise, who would dare to easily provoke the authorities? Because of this connection, the village head was extrely respectful to Third Uncle. After all, while the village head might seem prestigious and commanding in the village, he wasn’t even considered an official. He too was scared of being associated with the word ‘official’.

“No, please, Third Uncle, don’t! You know what kind of place the governnt is; if I end up there, nothing good can co of it. I absolutely must not go there.”

As soon as Zhao Lan heard Third Uncle threaten to take her to the governnt, she was imdiately dumbfounded and anxiously wanted to keep explaining. Yet no one present was willing to believe her. The village head and Third Uncle spoke such firm words that she didn’t dare to retort further; otherwise, if she really was taken to the governnt, she would not only face corporal punishnt but might not be released without losing everything she had. If things really got to that point, whether her husband would stand up for her was another question, and the old hag at ho would surely be delighted if she stayed in jail and never ca out.

“If you don’t want the matter to reach the governnt, then you must accept the village head’s decision. Will you compensate for the things you broke in Erhu’s household and the dical expenses for Erhu’s wife, or will you admit fault?!” Third Uncle wasn’t an arrogant man and still showed great respect to the village head, his words containing ample deference. The village head listened and felt comfortable.

“I’ll compensate, that’s settled,” Zhao Lan knew that at this stage, she was bound to suffer the loss. Despite nearly vomiting blood in frustration, she had no choice but to reluctantly agree. The silver might be gone, but she could save it up bit by bit. If she were to be sent to jail, it wouldn’t be so easy to get out, and at her age, she couldn’t withstand such tornt.

Finally, after consulting with the village head and Third Uncle, they decided that Zhao Lan would pay three taels of silver in compensation. Moreover, they made Zhao Lan kneel and reflect at the village ancestral hall for an afternoon—a rather severe punishnt, especially considering it was for a younger family mber. Zhao Erhu understood this and agreed without objections, accepting the written agreent Zhao Lan set down from the village head’s hands.