Chapter 39: Public Opinion

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

On the elevated platform outside the village chief’s house.

“I gathered everyone here today for a reason! There’s something to discuss.” Wu Feng looked at the gathered crowd, thinking about ways to explain to Xiang Wan.

“What’s the matter?” Everyone asked in confusion.

Their village rarely held such meetings unless there was a significant issue in someone’s family that required collective decision-making. Otherwise, they wouldn’t come together except for special occasions.

“Today, it’s mainly about those rumors about Miss Xiang Wan that are circulating in the village.” Wu Feng hadn’t even finished his sentence when the people below started to murmur and consider leaving.

“What’s there to say? She’s not even from our village!”

“I still have work to do. No time for this!”

“Is it appropriate to discuss this openly? There are children around!”

“Shameless people are invincible!”

Everyone spoke one after another, not giving Wu Feng a chance to say a second sentence.

“Shut up!” Huo Xiao stood beside the village chief and shouted at the crowd below.

Everyone fell silent. Huo Xiao gestured for the village chief to continue.

Seeing that no one was speaking, Wu Feng quickly finished what he wanted to say, “These past few days, I believe everyone has heard the rumors about Miss Xiang Wan. In response to these rumors, Miss Xiang Wan has decided to take legal action. Every person who participated in spreading false accusations and insults against her will receive a court summons!”

“Court? Why?”

“We didn’t say anything!”

The same people who were just acting arrogantly a moment ago suddenly shrunk back like quails, not daring to speak anymore.

“Hello, everyone. I am Xiang Wan.” She walked to the front of the platform, looking at the people below, “I don’t know where these rumors came from, but they have severely affected my normal life and have taken a toll on my mental health.”

Seeing the silent crowd, she continued, “I came to this unfamiliar environment for the first time, with no grudges against any of you. Why did you slander me like this? Tarnish my innocence! Therefore, I’ve decided to take all of you to court!”

As she spoke, she swayed unsteadily. Huo Xiao quickly caught her.

In reality, all the talk about taking them to court was a threat. Those who had seen the world beyond the small mountain village had left, leaving behind those who were unfamiliar with the law.

Xiang Wan had seized upon this point. She had asked the village chief to help announce it because it would be more persuasive coming from him.

In this matter, Wu Feng dared not oppose. Others might not know about Xiang Wan’s background, which is why they dared to defame her. However, Wu Feng knew very well.

Even the mayor treated her with respect, so how could he dare to say anything? Even if it was black color, he had to call it red.

Hence, the scene that had just unfolded.

Huo Xiao helped her to rest.

“I’m Xiang Wan’s fiancé, Huo Xiao. Everyone knows who I am. We don’t want to be too absolute. If you can find the person who spread the rumors first, we’ll withdraw the lawsuit against that person. We’ll keep our word!” Huo Xiao glanced at the people below the stage.

“Alright, now everyone knows the situation. Don’t doubt the truth of this matter, or you might end up like Liu Chun and the others!” The village chief reminded them kindly.

The people below looked at each other, shoving each other in response.

“It’s you, Wang Er! You were the one who told me about this! You described it in detail! I was blind and trusted the wrong person!”

“It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me! I heard it from Zhao Liu!”

…

“I remember it started from the women!”

“That’s right! I recall now. It was the Yuan family’s girl who said it first!”

Yuan Min remained silent in the crowd as she glared with resentment at Xiang Wan who seemed about to faint.

What to do now? Yuan Min panicked and stammered, “It wasn’t me, I heard it from someone else too!”

“Who told you that!”

“I forgot… Ah!” Yuan Min was dragged to the front of the stage.

Looking up at the person holding her, Yuan Min’s gaze met the dark eyes of Huo Xiao. She was so scared that she didn’t dare move or think randomly.

“There are only a few people in the village. How could you not remember who you heard it from?” Huo Xiao yanked her collar and dragged her onto the stage.

“I don’t remember! It wasn’t me!” Yuan Min struggled desperately to break free, but there was no way her strength could overcome his.

“It’s you! It’s you!” The crowd began to jeer as someone took the stage.

They were eager for someone to come forward and admit to the accusation, so they could escape being accused themselves.