Before Lin Yiwei and his son could say anything, Li Cuihua jumped up, crying and shouting loudly, “Lin Yiwei, I thought you had good intentions, but in actuality, you just want to keep this girl around so that she’ll continue to suppress my family! That way, my Dazong won’t become an elementary scholar, and your son will be the only family in the village to have a scholar, right? You are only going to use the girl against us!”
Even Lin Mingqing’s refined face was dark. Lin Yiwei was so angry that his entire body was about to shake. Li Cuihua had dropped a giant accusation against them.
No matter how well-mannered Lin Yiwei was, he couldn’t help but shout angrily at Lin Daniu and the rest, “Lin Daniu, Li Cuihua, don’t your conscience hurt saying these things? My son already became an elementary scholar last year. Do I need to rely on a tactic as disgusting as this?
“In the past three generations of my family, there have been many scholars. In fact, my family has an advisor in the county office. Is there a need for me to be jealous of your family?
“Moreover, I have been the chief of this village for decades. I can honestly say that I’ve done the best for this village. I have worked hard, and I have never mistreated any of the villagers. I have never selfishly seized power for myself.
“I have devoted my whole life to serving the people of this village. But in the end, my character and conduct are being questioned and slandered.
“In that case, I’ll surrender my post as the village chief. I’ll focus on my grandchildren and raise more scholars in the future!”
Hearing that, the villagers exploded again.
Lin Yiwei had served the Lin Family Village for more than 30 years. Just like what he mentioned, he had wholeheartedly served the village, and his little brother was working as an advisor in the county office. It was a huge factor why the Lin Family Village was so peaceful and stable.
If Lin Yiwei really surrendered his post, the other villages would immediately invade the Lin Family Village. Furthermore, Lin Yiwei’s brother in the county office would come back to take revenge too. The whole Lin Family Village would suffer.
The villagers began to speak up for Li Yiwei.
“Lin Daniu, you’re not right to say something like that. The village chief and his son are only trying to save human life, but you’re slandering their name. If you ask me, you’re the one with bad intentions.”
A middle-aged man in his forties stood up and said, “I think you’re jealous of the village chief and his family. That’s why you’re slandering their name. Even normal villagers like us know that your words will bring questions to Mingqing’s character. We all know that once an elementary scholar’s conduct is questioned, the government will strip them of their title.
“If Mingqing is disqualified as an elementary scholar, once your Dazong passes the exam, he’ll be the only scholar in our village. Isn’t that what you’re plotting?”
“Damu has a point.”
“So it’s really Laosan’s family who is harboring these harmful thoughts.”
“Lin Laosan’s family is too vicious. Not only did they want to kill their granddaughter, but they also want to bring down the village chief and Mingqing. They are so despicable.”
The villagers were criticizing Lin Laosan’s family. Lin Laosan’s family was ashamed of the mockery.
“Lin Damu, don’t you spread nonsense here!” Lin Daniu was so angry that his face was red.
