Lila Green spotted Doggie Lee and paused, recognizing him. But Lila was busy giving Arthur Evans a proper thrashing and had no time for Doggie Lee.
Doggie Lee rubbed his eyes, then quickly pulled his younger brother Ernie Lee over and pointed at Lila Green, whispering, "Ernie, look—isn't that bride the one we used to meet at Delight Parlor?"
Ernie Lee gave Doggie Lee a hearty slap on the shoulder and laughed, "Brother, are your eyes muddled? The Evans family’s new bride is the golden heiress from the Leo Family, not some working girl from Delight Parlor. Still, now that you mention it, I do miss Lila—the way she danced, the way she poured wine, such a spirited lass! Shame we were always short of coins and had to share her, never enough for a good time. One day, when I have silver to spare, I'll book her for a whole night, just myself!"
Doggie Lee tugged Ernie Lee insistently, "Just look, I swear that's Lila Green!"
Ernie Lee peered over, and when he saw Lila Green's fierce glare, he leapt back in fright, exclaiming, "Mercy, is that Lila Green? I've been with her so many times, I'd know her even if she were ashes!"
Ernie Lee immediately beckoned over his gang of village scoundrels, all of whom had shared nights with Lila Green. They recognized her at once—the so-called golden heiress the Evans family had married was none other than the famed courtesan from Delight Parlor!
The Lee brothers were notorious loudmouths, and right there at the wedding feast, they began spinning the tale for laughs. Doggie Lee pointed at Helen Parker and Grandma Evans, snickering, "So your precious bride is just a former courtesan from Delight Parlor! Hahaha! Arthur Evans, you poor turtle, your wife has warmed the beds of half the village!"
Arthur Evans, his head swollen from the scuffle, heard Doggie Lee’s words and, in a fit of rage, shoved Lila Green aside and stormed over, grabbing Doggie Lee by the collar, his eyes blazing, "You spout nothing but nonsense! My wife is the only daughter of Mr. Leo Liu, the richest man in the neighboring city. Slander her again, and I’ll see you pay!"
Doggie Lee laughed even louder, "A golden heiress? Look at her—does she look like she comes from wealth? Where’s her kin? Where’s her dowry? All she had was a battered sedan chair and nothing else. Only blockheads like your family would believe she’s a lady of fortune. Hahaha! Arthur Evans, if you don’t believe me, ask my mates! They all know your wife—down to the mole on her backside!"
"Lies!" Arthur Evans’s eyes blazed red, his fury palpable.
Doggie Lee gathered Ernie Lee and his band of scoundrels, jeering at Arthur Evans with raucous laughter.
Helen Parker and Grandma Evans were stunned, mouths agape. They thought they’d secured a golden heiress, only to find she was a courtesan from the brothel!
"Explain yourself!" Arthur Evans’s face was ashen as he advanced on Lila Green, step by step.
Lila Green raised her chin, her eyes sparkling with defiance. "You want an explanation? Fine! I, Lila Green, was indeed a courtesan at Delight Parlor. So what? I earned my silver fair and square. I never stole, never cheated, never harmed a soul. If you’re so bothered, why don’t you ask your precious villagers how many times they visited me?"
The crowd burst into laughter and jeers. Doggie Lee and Ernie Lee, red-faced, stammered, "She’s shameless!" But Lila Green only smiled, her gaze proud and unyielding.
Helen Parker’s face went white as a sheet. She clutched her chest, staggered, and fainted on the spot.
Grandma Evans rushed to her side, wailing, "Oh heavens, our Evans family is ruined!"