Upholding Justice
The Hua couple followed Qingmu into Su Li's large courtyard. Seeing how everything was neatly and elegantly arranged, they felt a pang of envy. The couple didn't have grand ambitions; they just hoped to save enough money selling vegetables to tear down their old thatched hut and build a brick house, so they wouldn't have to endure the cold winds and leaks in winter.
Qingmu led the Hua couple to the entrance of the main hall and said, "Uncle, Auntie, my wife is waiting for you inside."
Auntie Hua and Uncle Hua exchanged glances, tightly gripping each other's arms, trembling as they walked in. They saw a young lady sitting at the main seat of the hall, elegant and beautiful like a fairy—it was Su Li.
"Uncle Hua, Auntie Hua, welcome! Please have a seat! Someone, bring tea and snacks!" Seeing them arrive, Su Li quickly stood up and warmly greeted them.
The Hua couple felt uneasy and anxious, hardly in the mood to drink tea or eat snacks. Seeing their expressions, Su Li couldn't bear it and silently scolded Sun Shi in her heart. She said, "I know about your vegetable-selling troubles. My third aunt has taken over half of your stall, hasn't she?"
Su Li spoke bluntly, which scared the couple so much their faces turned pale. They hurriedly jumped up, waving their hands, "No, no, that's not true."
Seeing their fearful and nervous looks, Su Li felt even more heartbroken. She thought to herself how hard it was for villagers to make a living. Sun Shi's actions of ruining others' livelihoods and threatening people truly angered Su Li.
"Don't be afraid, I won't take away your franchise rights to sell vegetables," Su Li reassured them as she sat them down, sighing, "I didn't know about my third aunt's actions before. Now that I do, I don't approve. The rules were clear when I signed contracts with you: each family sells vegetables on their own land, and they can negotiate to buy or rent land, but no one can forcibly take over others' stalls. If my third aunt had negotiated with you and bought or rented half your stall, that would be your private matter. But she took over half without paying or your consent—I absolutely won't allow that."
After Su Li's speech, the Hua couple was confused. Did she mean to stand up for them?
But logically, it shouldn't be so. Sun Shi was Su Li's own third aunt, and Su Sanyun had once helped her mother and daughter. Even if Su Li knew about this, normally she would turn a blind eye and pretend not to know.
Yet Su Li openly addressed the matter, which made people puzzled and hesitant to believe it.
Seeing their expressions, Su Li knew they were half-believing her words. After all, in ancient times, clan loyalty was strong. When benefits were involved, people naturally favored their own family first, not outsiders.
"My third aunt is my relative, that's true, but Uncle Hua and Auntie Hua are my fellow villagers. Regardless of closeness, I treat business matters fairly and equally. I won't favor anyone just because they're related to me. This matter was my third aunt's mistake, and I will stand up for you," Su Li said. "Uncle Hua, Auntie Hua, you must be tired after a day's work and haven't eaten yet, right? I'll have someone prepare some food for you. After you eat, I'll call my third uncle and others, and we'll settle this today to ensure you can sell vegetables smoothly tomorrow. How does that sound?"
Hearing this, the Hua couple realized Su Li was willing to uphold justice even against her own family. They were moved to tears and nodded eagerly, saying, "Alright, we'll follow your lead, Li. Whatever you say goes—we completely trust you!"