Chapter 28
"Didn’t we already have a gathering on the first day of the month? Today isn’t even the fifteenth, so why call another meeting and demand everyone attend?"
"Do you think the village head is gathering everyone to find out who spread those rumors?"
"Why should we be afraid? It wasn’t us who said it, we just heard it from others. Such shameful things, others would try to cover them up, not shout about them to the whole village. If they can’t find out who did it, wouldn’t that be a huge joke?"
After lunch, the villagers received the notice and gradually made their way to the Ji family. Along the road, people walked together, speculating about why the village head had urgently called for this meeting and what announcement he was going to make.
The mother and son from the You family also received the notice. Even though the relationship between the two families were strained, when it came to important gatherings like this, they still had to attend—after all, village affairs were only made known through such meetings.
Not going would be like openly snubbing the village head in front of the whole village. If not everyone was present, the meeting wouldn’t proceed, and making the whole village wait for one person would undoubtedly offend everyone.
You's mother actually didn’t want to go to the meeting. This sudden gathering, with no prior warning, made her uneasy.
But since the Ji family had issued such an urgent notice, no matter how influential the You family was, they still had to show some respect to the village head in matters like this.
Thinking this, she decided to go alone. Recently, his son had been preoccupied with matters concerning the Ji family, and with the imperial exams in the capital coming up after the New Year, his time for studying was already limited. If this continued, he might not perform well in the spring exams, which would make things difficult with the Xue family.
But the Ji family’s laborer had specifically insisted that everyone must attend. You's mother was displeased and snapped at the laborer a few times. However, the laborer had the audacity to wait until she finished scolding him before pressuring her and her son to head out early, which only added to her annoyance.
On the way, You's mother noticed the villagers whispering among themselves, their gazes occasionally sweeping over her and her son. Her heart grew even more unsettled.
"Lingxiao, is this meeting targeting our family?"
You Lingxiao adjusted his sleeves. The summons had been so urgent that he hadn’t even had time to tidy his appearance properly. His mind was still preoccupied with the thought of seeing Ji Taoyu at the Ji family.
"Why would Uncle Ji target us for no reason? Don’t overthink it, Mother."
You's mother tugged at You Lingxiao’s sleeve. "But that matter—"
"Mother!"
You Lingxiao raised his voice slightly. "Are you afraid others won’t find out? Why must you keep bringing it up?"
Seeing her son’s irritation, You's mother wisely shut her mouth.
Before long, nearly all the villagers had arrived at the Ji family at the appointed time.
Ji Yangzong checked names against a roster. Since everyone in the village was required to attend, the crowd in the Ji family’s courtyard was even larger than last time, with some spilling out the main gate.
Not knowing what the matter was, some families had brought their children along for the excitement. The kids ran around the courtyard, squeezing through the crowd, turning the Ji residence into a chaotic mess.
Huo Shu stood under the eaves of the Ji house, arms crossed, watching as the You mother and son entered with the crowd. His gaze was colder than ever.
He had taken a long kitchen cleaver from the Ji family’s kitchen and was testing its sharpness by running his thumb along the blade.
"If Wang niangzi can really clear things up today, the You family’s reputation will be ruined. Do you think the Xue family will hold a grudge against us because of this?"
Hearing the worried voice beside him, Huo Shu lowered the knife to his side. He glanced down and saw the little ger who had sidled up to him, his face full of concern.
He replied calmly, "Don’t worry. The You family climbed up by currying favor with the Xue family for profit. If that profit is cut off, the Xue family won’t bother with them anymore."
"Huh?"
Ji Taoyu looked at Huo Shu in confusion, not quite understanding his meaning.
"There are countless scholars in the world, and the Xue family has many disciples besides You Lingxiao. If he can’t conduct himself properly and gets tangled in scandal, the Xue family won’t waste their time cleaning up after a mere juren."
"But if he becomes a jinshi, that might change."
[Jinshi (进士): Metropolitan Graduate, the highest degree awarded to scholars who passed the final, palace-level examination in the capital]
Huo Shu met Ji Taoyu’s gaze. "But he won’t pass."
Ji Taoyu raised his eyebrows. "Brother Huo isn’t an official from the Ministry of Rites. How can you be so sure he won’t pass?"
Huo Shu looked away. "I once became a fortune teller under a bridge. If I say he won’t pass, he won’t."
Ji Taoyu narrowed his eyes. What kind of fortune-teller under a bridge looks like you? Would anyone even dare to ask you to tell their fortune?
And now, of all times, he could still joke.
Huo Shu seemed to hear the little ger let out a soft hum. He was about to say something more when Ji Yangzong’s voice cut in first.
"Today, I’ve called everyone here on short notice, taking up your time. I know some of you might be unhappy about it. But even so, there’s a matter I must address, one so heinous that if we let such behavior spread in our village, there will be no peace in the future!"
The noisy courtyard gradually quieted under Ji Yangzong’s forceful voice. Parents pulled their rowdy children close, covering their mouths to keep them silent as everyone turned their attention to him.
"Our village has always been rife with gossip and rumors. I know everyone likes to chat idly, and as long as it’s harmless, I’ve never said anything. But now, someone has maliciously spread lies to slander others, such behavior is truly chilling!"
The crowd murmured. Those who had participated in the gossip about the Ji family, hearing Ji Yangzong actually bring it up publicly, guiltily lowered their heads.
Those who hadn’t known about it grew even more curious, eager to find out what rumor had angered Ji Yangzong enough to summon the entire village for a reprimand.
Thank you for the update!!!
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