After traveling through time, I was raised by a little brat

The verdict finally came, and Yang Hongtao and the others silently carried Yang Laosi's cold body back home. The night had already darkened as dark as ink, a thick, impenetrable darkness engulfing the entire world. They clutched burning torches, their dim light illuminating the winding road ahead, guiding them step by step toward the familiar yet unfamiliar village.

Yet, at this moment, Yang Hongtao's heart surged like surging ocean waves, filled with extreme anxiety and unease. He knew he had completely failed his father and the earnest expectations of so many of his fellow villagers. The men who had been entrusted with the important task of negotiating had all met with misfortune: some received one-year prison sentences, and most heartbreakingly, Boss Yang had received a year's service followed by a ruthless death sentence! How could he explain this to Boss Yang's family? The thought weighed heavily on his heart, as if a huge rock weighed down his chest, making it nearly impossible to breathe.

Yang Hongtao confidently assumed the position of village chief, relying on his status as a scholar. He fully expected to make significant contributions and lead Yangjia Village toward a brighter future. But he could never have anticipated such a dramatic change in such a short period of time. He began to worry about how his fellow villagers would view him, a village chief who had failed to protect their fellow villagers and had contributed to the tragedy.

The group trudged on, their morale low and their steps unsteadily limping. Along the way, save for the occasional thud of footsteps, there was no other sound. The night journey, which should have been bustling with activity, now seemed eerily silent, even the chirping of insects seemed to fade into the darkness. Having returned well after mealtime, everyone was already ravenous, but exhaustion now dominated, and the hunger paled.

As we drew closer to the village entrance, a faint yellow light suddenly pierced the darkness and caught our eye. It was a lantern, emitting a warm glow, hanging high beneath a locust tree. Like a dazzling pearl, the lantern stood silently, illuminating the path for those returning home.

A flicker of unconcealable joy first crossed the passerby's face, but it was fleeting, replaced by a deep, solemn expression. This trip to the county seat had been a disaster for Yang Village. They had botched the job, completely losing face. They didn't know how they would explain it to the villagers upon their return. However, the only slight consolation was the benevolent heart of the county magistrate, who had actually dispatched men to dig up the dam.

Before long, the group hurried to the village entrance. By then, nearly every one of Yangjia Village's more than one hundred households had sent representatives to anxiously await the scene, each one brimming with unease, as if awaiting the final verdict of fate. Naturally, among them were Boss Yang and the families of those sentenced.

The women, taking advantage of the dim light from the lanterns, busily mended their clothes. After all, it was the busy farming season, and time was precious. Even during this long wait, they dared not spare a moment's leisure. Aside from the occasional soft rustle of needlework, the entire village remained utterly hushed, a stifling silence.

However, this tranquility was eventually shattered. As Yang Hongtao and his companions slowly approached, carrying the cold body of Yang Lao Si, a low gasp of surprise erupted from the crowd. Immediately, someone hurried to alert the elders, urging them to come quickly. It turned out that Yangjia Village was actually a vast clan, stretching back five generations, with all members more or less related by blood. The village chief also served as the clan leader, but unfortunately, he was still young, and faced with such a serious incident, he probably wouldn't be able to handle it properly in the short term.

Only then did Huang, the wife of Yang Lao Si, learn of her husband's misfortune. This devastating news struck her like a bolt from the blue, and she felt as if her entire world had collapsed. They had two adorable daughters, but tragically, those children had long since been cruelly sold, leaving them alone in the family. Yet, at this moment, Huang suddenly felt that the once familiar Yangjia Village had become so strange and cold.

Huang, like a candle in the wind, trembled, clinging to her husband's lifeless, cold, stiff body with all her might, as if this could pull him back from the abyss of death. Her tears flowed like a flood, streaming down her cheeks and onto her husband's pale face. Overwhelmed with grief, she could no longer suppress the pain and despair within her heart. She opened her mouth and burst into tears, her voice piercing and tragic, echoing throughout the village.

"Village chief! Who could be so cruel and heartless as to kill Yang Lao Si? My husband and I have always lived honest lives and never made enemies. Why did we suffer such a calamity?" Huang cried, pounding the ground with her hands. Her miserable cries echoed through the village for a long time. Passersby, hearing her sorrowful cries, were moved with pity and stopped to watch.

At that moment, the previously quiet crowd erupted in a commotion. A villager stepped forward, his face grim, his eyes etched with anger and indignation. He shouted, "It was Boss Yang who did this! This beast is completely devoid of humanity! To seize your family's property, he actually murdered his own brother! This atrocity is unforgivable!" Everyone was in uproar, whispering and discussing the situation. Some shook their heads and sighed, condemning Boss Yang's cruelty; others expressed disbelief, unable to imagine that the seemingly kind Boss Yang would commit such a heinous act.

Upon hearing this, Yang Lao Da's wife, Wen, was standing nearby and about to speak in her husband's defense, claiming that Yang Lao Da would never do such a heinous act and accusing the other party of pure fabrication and slander. But before she could finish her words, the villager added, "If it weren't for our county magistrate's concern for the people and his impartiality, who quickly investigated the truth and sentenced Yang Lao Da to death, I'm afraid this unjust case would have been buried in the sea!"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wen was furious. She refused to accept such an argument. She had always been known to be a fierce and aggressive person, and she was known to be a domineering and overbearing person in the village. So, at this moment, she simply could not tolerate someone slandering her husband like this, especially when this person confidently claimed that Mr. Yang had killed someone, and that the victim was his own brother. Mrs. Wen could no longer contain her rage and cursed, "Bah! You are full of shit, spewing nonsense! I will tear your stinking mouth apart!" With that, she pounced on the villager with her teeth and claws bared...