Volume One, Chapter Eight: The Widowed Mother Abandoned by Her Sons During the Year of Famine [Expression]
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Wang Wenxuan felt utterly uncomfortable under his mother-in-law’s gaze. “Mother, is there something wrong?”
“Hey, stop right there. Don’t call me mother. I just want to see what kind of beast can commit such despicable acts and still pretend nothing happened. What is your face made of? I’ve truly opened my eyes—such shamelessness!”
Wang Wenxuan’s expression stiffened, realizing his secret had been exposed. He turned, lifted his robe, and knelt before Chen Ling. Then, he slapped himself hard, his eyes reddening as he looked at her with deep emotion, choking up as he spoke:
“Ah Ling, I know I was wrong. Please, can you forgive me? Hitting you was never my intention; I was drunk and lost control. I love you, I really do. I swear, I’ll never drink again. Will you trust me one more time? Huh?”
Chen Ling took a step back, closed her eyes, clenched the hem of her clothes, and took a deep breath. After a moment, she opened her eyes and looked at him resolutely:
“You always say that. I forgive you, only to endure even worse beatings next time. I won’t believe you anymore!”
She knew her own brother and the villagers were her strong support. If she didn’t seize this moment, she would be a fool.
Summoning her courage, she turned to face the crowd. Instantly, a wave of unease surged through Wang Wenxuan’s heart.
“I want a divorce from Wang Wenxuan! Not just because he beat me, but for a more important reason!”
Chen Ling paused, then spoke each word with emphasis:
“He is! In! Human!!”
“Whoa!” The crowd suddenly exploded!
Scholar Wang stared at his son in shock, and Wu Xiuying, who had been feigning ignorance, suddenly looked up incredulously.
Wang Wenxuan’s eyes widened with rage! His long-hidden secret was now known to all!
Furious, he stood and tried to stop Chen Ling: “What nonsense are you spouting!”
Mo Mo stepped off Wu Xiuying, strode forward, and restrained the furious, inhuman son-in-law.
Her gaze couldn’t help moving downward, and she laughed quietly in her heart.
With a forceful grip, her hands clamped on him like iron tongs, rendering him immobile!
Only then did Wang Wenxuan understand why his corpulent mother couldn’t get up.
Seeing him struggle like a mad dog, barking wildly, Mo Mo slapped him hard across the mouth.
“Shut up! Don’t you know it’s rude to interrupt when others are speaking?!”
The pain silenced him instantly.
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After uttering those words, Chen Ling seemed to shed a heavy burden, speaking more smoothly.
“I’ve been married to Wang Wenxuan for nearly a year, and we haven’t consummated our marriage. How could I possibly be pregnant?
Because he is inhuman!
Besides, he likes men. Every time I escort him home, the classmates he visits are his lovers!
Once, when I went to deliver money to him, I saw it with my own eyes!
In the rented yard, he was pinned down by that man, engaged in shameful acts!”
Mo Mo and Sanbao exchanged shocked glances:
“Wow, playing around like that? Quite avant-garde!”
The villagers looked at Wang Wenxuan with disgust, pointing and whispering.
“Heavens, men with men? How can anyone bear to say it?”
“That boy was the one underneath. Tsk tsk, that’s truly disgraceful.”
“Well, if he can’t be on top, I guess he can only be underneath! Ha ha ha ha ha!”
...
Scholar Wang collapsed to the ground, lamenting the end of the Wang family line!
Wang Wenxuan’s eyes were bloodshot; he wished he could kill Chen Ling! He struggled wildly again.
“She’s lying! She’s lying! It’s not true! She made it up just to get a divorce!”
Wu Xiuying, seeing her son go mad, was heartbroken. She struggled up and charged at Chen Ling:
“You little she-devil, I’ll tear your mouth apart!”
Lin Cuihua’s eyes lit up. “Finally, my turn!”
She rolled up her sleeves and chased after her, delivering a kick that sent the corpulent figure crashing back to the ground with a thud.
Wu Xiuying wailed in despair, and with Wang Wenxuan’s mad shouting, the courtyard erupted into chaos.
Village Chief Wang and the villagers of Shanyao Village had arrived some time ago. After witnessing everything, not a single person stepped forward to help. The entire fault lay with Scholar Wang’s family.
Yet the matter had to be resolved.
Village Chief Wang sighed, braving the villagers’ fiery stares as he entered the courtyard.
“Village Chief Chen, Miss Mo, this matter is our Shanyao Village’s shame. We will give you an explanation. Now, I will arrange a divorce between the Wang boy and Miss Ling.
Miss Ling will take back all her dowry, and Scholar Wang’s family will pay fifty taels of silver compensation.
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The divorce papers will state clearly that this is Wang Wenxuan’s fault, with no blame on Miss Ling. Does that sound acceptable?”
Chen Qingxiang glanced at Mo Mo, who nodded.
“Very well. We have already inquired, and all the girls married from our village here have lived well.
So this is solely the fault of Scholar Wang’s family. Village Chief Wang, please don’t feel so guilty; we won’t hold a grudge.”
“Good, good, thank you, Village Chief Chen, for your understanding.”
Village Chief Wang looked down at the dazed Scholar Wang on the ground and shook his head. He called a boy to search his room and handed fifty taels of silver to Chen Ling.
With the matter settled, Mo Mo turned and grabbed the cheap son-in-law’s robe, dragging him to Wu Xiuying’s side, then slammed him hard onto the ground with a “bang.”
She then called her daughter: “Come on, show your mother how they beat you and give it back to them with interest!”
Receiving her mother’s encouraging gaze and seeing the two sprawled on the ground, Chen Ling felt an exhilarating sense of relief!
Old grudges and new hatreds surged in her heart. She grabbed a laundry mallet and began to beat her former mother-in-law relentlessly!
After finishing with her mother-in-law, she went after her impotent ex-husband. The courtyard quickly filled with howls and wails.
Acai and Huzi clapped excitedly nearby, their rosy cheeks flushed with enthusiasm, which made Chen Ling strike even harder!
Meanwhile, Mo Mo directed the villagers to start moving furniture. Unexpectedly, her daughter’s dowry—redwood wardrobes and dressing tables—were all in Wu Xiuying’s room.
They had been personally crafted by the original husband when he was still alive.
Furious, Mo Mo went over and beat the old hag lying on the ground once more.
After tidying up, everyone prepared to leave.
Village Chief Chen’s eldest son, Chen Youliang, helped his father lead the way, followed by villagers carrying the belongings.
Mo Mo brought up the rear with the children. A large group departed in a grand procession.
At the gate, the villagers of Shanyao Village watched them leave, whispering among themselves. This incident would be the talk of the village for a long time.
Back home, the villagers helped arrange the belongings.
Mo Mo told them to go notify everyone that there would be a feast with plenty of good wine and meat at the village square the day after tomorrow at noon.
Everyone responded loudly and left in high spirits.
She then sent Acai to help his sister tidy up the house she lived in before marriage. Returning to her own room, she locked the door and entered the private space.