Take Me Away, My Love - Chapter 10 - The Truth

In fact, while the two of them were causing a commotion, quite a few villagers had already gathered nearby. The island wasn’t very large to begin with, and if someone with a loud voice yelled from the east end, those at the west end could still hear it clearly.

Some people showed trust towards Li Minchun and Jian Yiqing. After all, since they arrived on Zhenmu Island, they had always been straightforward and honest, never doing anything outrageous. How could such a scandal involving Xiu’er come out of the blue?

Others chose to believe in Juanzi and her husband. After all, they were children who grew up in the village. How could they not trust them?

The crowd was chattering, perhaps even more lively than the center of the dispute, with everyone expressing their own opinions.

As more people gathered around, Li Minchun and Jian Yiqing showed no particular expression. They were indifferent, almost like spectators themselves.

This reaction, however, unsettled Juanzi and her husband.

Zhang Xiang quietly asked his wife, “Juanzi, do you think he really assaulted our Xiu’er? The longer we stay here, the more unsure I feel.”

“Coward, they’re just pretending to be calm, don’t worry.” Although Juanzi spoke forcefully, she was actually quite unsure herself. Truth be told, those two were really composed. Could it be they got it wrong? But then she remembered Xiu’er’s tearful and extremely pitiful face, which raised more doubts.

Zhang Xiang glanced at the villagers around them, addressing them somewhat nervously, “We rushed here and forgot to ask Xiu’er. What if…”

This comment hit the nail on the head, causing Juanzi to panic as well. “What should we do?”

She remembered that it was indeed Li Minchun who had suggested notifying the patriarch, and it seemed they really had a clear conscience.

“Let’s go…”

With that, the couple attempted to sneak away quietly.

Such a small trick couldn’t possibly escape Li Minchun’s sharp eyes. Having been silently observing, Li Minchun finally spoke up, loudly declaring, “You two came here today looking to cause trouble for my husband and me. The patriarch hasn’t even arrived, the matter isn’t clear yet, and you’re already trying to leave. Doesn’t that seem a bit inappropriate?”

Originally, not many had paid much attention to them, but with Li Minchun’s words, nearly everyone’s gaze immediately shifted toward the couple.

Realizing they couldn’t leave, they gave up, yet still pretended to be assertive, saying, “Who said we were leaving? The matter with Xiu’er isn’t resolved, where would we go? We’re not leaving!”

Though their words were tough, inwardly they felt uneasy, sensing an approaching danger.

Before long, Xiao Ru’s father arrived with the patriarch. The patriarch, with a rosy complexion, made his way through the crowd and was invited to join them.

Seeing the patriarch, Li Minchun quickly offered a seat, with a respect and politeness that the patriarch found quite gratifying. After all, as the leader here, maintaining good relations with the patriarch was essential for anyone wanting to find their footing.

“What happened here?”

The patriarch asked as soon as he sat down.

Everyone present began explaining the situation in a clamor of voices, each recounting what happened.

Although there were some exaggerations and speculations mixed in, the general idea was conveyed clearly.

Throughout this, Li Minchun and Jian Yiqing remained silent, not saying much.

“Since you’re involved, why don’t you tell us what happened today?” the patriarch addressed Jian Yiqing.

Jian Yiqing finally spoke up, “The truth of what happened today could be easily clarified by asking Xiu’er herself, don’t you think?”

Although Jian Yiqing’s words were forceful, they were straightforward. However, Juanzi and her husband wouldn’t accept this. “What are you trying to pull? How can you expect a young girl to speak out about something like this? Patriarch, you’ve watched Xiu’er grow up-how pure and kind she is-and now, not only has she been wronged by this beast of a man, but he’s also denying it! You must stand up for our Xiu’er.”

As Juanzi spoke, she began to sob, making it appear as if she was genuinely heartbroken.

However, everyone here knew that Juanzi wasn’t kind-hearted. Since Xiu’er was growing older without getting married, she constantly berated her with all sorts of harsh words, complaining about Xiu’er living at home eating for free.

As soon as she found a man, regardless of who he was, she tried every way possible to marry Xiu’er off.

Xiu’er’s first husband was a tuberculosis victim whom the family hoped would have a change of luck by marrying her. Because the bride price¹ was substantial, Juanzi was desperate to have Xiu’er marry him.

Unfortunately, her dream was short-lived. Before the bride price could even warm her hands, the man passed away. The groom’s family, naturally dissatisfied, took back the bride price.

This set the stage for everything that followed.

“If the person involved isn’t speaking, what are we outsiders arguing about? No matter how much we say, it would probably just be pointless.” This was said by Xiao Ru’s mom. While she was as outspoken as Juanzi, she was genuinely kind-hearted.

The patriarch nodded in agreement; Xiao Ru’s mom had made a valid point.

So, he addressed the crowd, “Bring Xiu’er here immediately.”

Soon enough, those who had been sent returned with Xiu’er.

With her eyes red and swollen, Xiu’er looked at the crowd gathered and felt a mix of surprise and fear. Years of being treated like an outcast had made her uncomfortable under everyone’s gaze.

“Xiu’er, quickly tell us, were you really violated by that scoundrel today? Speak up,” Juanzi urged nervously from the side, fearing Xiu’er might say something wrong.

“Huh?”

Xiu’er was bewildered by such a question.

Violated by that scoundrel? It was clearly her who had tried to get close to him, only to be disgustedly pushed away. Thinking of this brought tears to Xiu’er’s eyes again.

Her pitiful appearance convinced the crowd further, and it seemed evident to them that what was being said was true-Xiu’er had indeed been violated by Jian Yiqing.

“I never would have thought that Jian Yiqing, who looks so respectable, would turn out to be such a despicable person.”

The crowd began pointing fingers at Jian Yiqing, with almost everyone criticizing his actions.

“Patriarch, there should be someone here on Zhenmu Island who can verify matters of virginity, right? If we find someone to examine, perhaps the truth will be clear,” Jian Yiqing suggested.

His proposal immediately brought a particular person to mind: the village matchmaker, known as Auntie Hua. She was accustomed to matchmaking and she was also the one who conducted tests of a girl’s purity.

This practice ensured she would receive her matchmaker’s fee and determine the amount of the bride price from the groom’s family. Generally, if the bride was found to be a virgin, the bride price would be significant, and the matchmaker’s fee would be paid by the groom’s family.

If the bride wasn’t a virgin, the bride price would decrease, and the matchmaker’s fee would be paid by the bride’s family.

Thus, this aspect of her work was quite crucial.

Auntie Hua was soon called to the scene, appearing as flamboyant as Li Minchun imagined, dressed more extravagantly than a young bride.

“Don’t worry, leave this matter to me. I’ll handle it,” Auntie Hua said with a smile while gently taking Xiu’er by the hand and leading her to a room. After all, such private matters were best handled in solitude.

Watching Xiu’er follow Auntie Hua into the room, Li Minchun felt uneasy. Previously, she had already installed a bug in the room and had now switched it to recording mode.

Just as she anticipated…

Everything unfolded just as Li Minchun expected.

When Auntie Hua and Xiu’er emerged from the room, a sorrowful expression was plastered on Auntie Hua’s face. Rushing to the patriarch, she began speaking with a mournful tone, “Patriarch, you must stand up for Xiu’er. She… she’s indeed…”

There was no need to continue; the silence spoke volumes.

The patriarch’s expression turned cold. He couldn’t believe that his kindness in taking these two people in, despite objections, was repaid with such hostility.

Just as he was about to lose his temper, Li Minchun calmly played the recording she had made earlier. Instantly, the crowd’s disbelief turned to astonishment as they recognized the voices from what should have been a private conversation.

“Auntie Hua, how did it go?” That was clearly Xiu’er’s timid voice.

With a smile, Auntie Hua replied, “Congratulations! You haven’t been violated; everything’s intact.”

The moment these words played, the crowd erupted in shock.

Xiu’er hesitated for a moment before continuing, “What about this? Would this still mean I wasn’t violated?”

Xiu’er was acutely aware that this incident was a turning point for her. If it could help her become Jian Yiqing’s wife, losing some face would be worth it.

“Alright, auntie understands, just rest assured. I know what I should say later.”

Clutching a pearl tightly, Auntie Hua’s face was lit up with glee.

“Thank you very much then.”

…

The crowd had never come across such a conversation before, and beyond surprise, they were perplexed. Neither Xiu’er nor Auntie Hua appeared to be speaking, so where was this convincing voice coming from?

Li Minchun reached out and, with a peculiar ease, retrieved a large pearl from Auntie Hua’s possession. This pearl, which Xiu’er had long cherished as part of her dowry², had been a treasure she was reluctant to part with, showing she was willing to go to great lengths for this matter.

“Auntie Hua, care to explain how you came by this pearl?”

Caught off guard and guilty, Auntie Hua insisted it was hers despite her evident panic.

Li Minchun brought the pearl to her nose and took a sniff. “The scent of face powder on this pearl is entirely different from the fragrance on you. How would you explain that?”

The patriarch sniffed as well and confirmed the difference.

“That’s none of your business!”

With that, Auntie Hua hurriedly snatched the pearl back and clutched it to her chest.

Li Minchun remained calm as she addressed the patriarch, “I’m sure you heard the recording just now, patriarch. Auntie Hua clearly accepted a bribe to say those things, which proves that my husband is innocent.”

However, the patriarch voiced the question everyone was thinking, leaving Li Minchun both surprised and amused: “What is a recording?”

Oh my, how could she forget about that?

The community here was so isolated. For years, no one had entered or left this place. Talking to them about high-tech items like recordings and bugs seemed inconceivable; how could they possibly believe it?

In an instant, Li Minchun felt like she was the foolish one, so naive and unaware.

Even Jian Yiqing couldn’t help but chuckle. He spoke up, “Just like everyone doubts us, we also doubt Auntie Hua. It’s better to have someone else verify, and there should be at least three people present.”

His remark caused a stir among the onlookers.

Three people-if Xiu’er was indeed framing them, bribing three individuals would be no small task and would require considerable resources.

The patriarch nodded in agreement.

Sure enough, Xiu’er was unwilling to undergo another examination.

In the previous examination, she had sacrificed her only treasure, which, although painful, managed to settle things for her.

Now, three more? What could she possibly offer these three individuals? Naturally, she was adamant in her refusal.

Watching this unfold, Jian Yiqing’s lips curled into a cold smile. He pressed her with an imposing demeanor, “Won’t you still tell the truth? I think everyone here already has an idea of what’s going on. If you speak the truth, I can assure you no harm will come to you.”

His king-like presence truly shattered Xiu’er’s psychological defenses, leaving her confused and overwhelmed in front of Jian Yiqing.

Footnote:

1. Bride Price(彩礼):Bride price refers to a cultural practice where the groom or his family provides a payment to the bride’s family. It is often seen as a gesture of respect and can include money, goods, or livestock.
2. Dowry(嫁妆): A traditional practice where the bride brings property, money, or valuable items to her husband’s family at the time of marriage. It serves as a gesture of goodwill and support from the bride’s family to the newlyweds.