Rumors of Disgrace
"This, this isn't quite right. The contract never said we had to get vegetables every day. Besides, Su Li has already helped us earn a lot of silver. The fire in the field isn't her fault, and asking her for compensation is just unreasonable." The man looked conflicted.
Tang Shi stomped her foot and said, "What do you know! You just think the fire in the field isn't her fault!? I say it’s all Su Li’s fault! With her seductive ways, who knows how many wild men she’s been fooling around with, playing with their feelings. Someone got revenge on her by setting fire to her field and even kidnapped her. Tsk tsk, didn’t you see? When Yuanbao rescued Su Li, she was wrapped up tight, not letting anyone see her. That’s because Su Li was... oh dear, I’ve said too much. Everyone, don’t spread this outside!"
After Tang Shi’s words, the man’s heart wavered, but a woman nearby immediately chimed in, frowning: "This won’t do! Su Li caused trouble outside herself, and if she doesn’t handle it, it’s dragging us down and stopping us from making money. I’m not okay with that!"
"I’m not okay with it either!"
Tang Shi looked at the few households she had stirred up and felt extremely proud. After all, she had gotten silver from that wealthy young master, redeemed herself, and was no longer Su Li’s servant. With the remaining silver enough to last her a lifetime, she no longer had to sell vegetables or kowtow to Su Li’s face. She was fearless now, even hoping for Su Li’s downfall!
"Not okay? Then go ask Su Li for compensation!" Tang Shi stamped her feet and fanned herself.
The few households, already swayed by Tang Shi, all believed Su Li had caused trouble with some wild man outside, was careless, and had caused them to lose money. Full of righteous indignation, they immediately joined Tang Shi to go to Su Li’s house to demand an explanation.
But Su Li was sound asleep at this time. Most people were busy in the fields trying to salvage the losses. At home, only Mrs. Wang, Su Li’s four apprentices, and a few children were present.
Mrs. Wang, not wanting to wake her resting daughter, stepped forward herself and invited Tang Shi and the others into the hall to talk.
As soon as the man entered and saw Mrs. Wang, he launched into a barrage of questions: "Mrs. Wang, we’re grateful your family does business with us. But we signed a contract, even mortgaged our house deeds. Now your family can’t provide vegetables, isn’t that inappropriate?"
"Exactly! We’re losing dozens of wen every day. Who’s going to take responsibility?" another woman chimed in.
Mrs. Wang was clumsy with words and honest. Faced with such a group of aggressive people questioning her, she panicked for a moment, looking around. Bai Lu was also not there, and Su Li’s four apprentices were still new and unfamiliar with the household, so calling on them was useless.
Mrs. Wang was in a tough spot but felt that as a mother, she couldn’t always have her daughter step forward. She tried to reason with the villagers: "It’s like this, we don’t want accidents in the fields either. Our family is doing our best to salvage the situation, please don’t be anxious."
"How can we not be anxious? That’s so much money lost in one day! Your family might not care, but we do!" the woman refused to relent. "Anyway, you have to give us an explanation, or we won’t leave!"
Tang Shi sneered sarcastically: "Exactly! Your Su Li caused trouble with some wild men outside and got revenge, but she can’t drag the villagers down with her losses."
Mrs. Wang immediately got angry, pointing at Tang Shi: "What nonsense are you talking about? How did my Su Li cause trouble with wild men?!"
Tang Shi crossed her arms, smugly said, "Tsk tsk, don’t use your mistress’s status to pressure me. I’ve redeemed myself; I’m no longer your family’s servant! Yesterday, so many eyes saw your Su Li come back disheveled and in tatters. It’s obvious she was... taken advantage of outside. Only your son-in-law is a fool to be fooled by you. If it were anyone else, they’d have kicked Su Li out long ago for being so unclean!"