Transmigrated Leftover Woman in Rural Style

Li Xiaonuan looked at Wei Yu, wondering if she could tell Qi Ji about that matter. After all, Qi Ji was a sensitive person, and Wei Yu had clearly reprimanded Li Xiaonuan for making unfounded suspicions. After thinking for a moment, Li Xiaonuan remained silent.

Qi Ji retorted firmly, "I am also a victim in this matter, and I have the right to know all the facts."

Wei Yu was somewhat anxious, but Qi Ji's request was impossible to refuse. He looked coldly at Li Xiaonuan and threatened, "Don't say things you shouldn't say. As for hypothetical situations, I advise you to just keep them in your mind."

Li Xiaonuan was exasperated. How could she possibly say anything about someone so fiercely protective of their ex-lover? Besides, he was also an old acquaintance of Qi Ji's; even if she told him, Qi Ji wouldn't believe her. It seemed she'd have to figure out a solution herself. Hoping for help from these two was futile; she didn't want to end up being sacrificed by them.

"It's nothing serious, just a little conflict with Young Mistress Wei and Miss Chu. I'm going back now; my mother and the others must be very worried after hearing the rumors."

Biting back her bitterness, Li Xiaonuan proudly rose and left. She didn't want anything to do with those two anymore, not even the most ordinary contact. Thinking about it, she felt truly ridiculous; she'd failed so badly as a substitute.

"Li Xiaonuan, Li village girl, come back here to me."

"Miss Li, we haven't finished talking yet."

Li Xiaonuan sneered, ignoring her. Could this matter even be discussed further? Since her transmigration, the most powerful people she had offended were the goddesses in these two people's eyes.

Qi Ji, Chu Lin is a wound in your heart. Even if she really did it, you can't help me fairly from the perspective of a victim.

Wei Yu, Chu Lin is your secret. You even defend her with such confidence, so it's impossible for you to help me.

Walking straight out of the Guest's Home building, Li Xiaonuan let out a long sigh of relief. The stifling feeling hadn't disappeared; instead, it had brought a sense of oppression. Only now did Li Xiaonuan truly realize how difficult it was to live freely and without restraint in this unfamiliar world.

She realized she now needed a powerful backer, a very strong one. However, even the strongest mountain has its limits. Her only hope was to become stronger herself. But for now, she was still just an ant.

Over there, Li Xiaonuan walked home in a daze. Over here, Qi Ji questioned Wei Yu: "What happened in the conflict that Miss Li mentioned? I want to hear the details."

Wei Yu was already troubled by Li Xiaonuan's sudden coldness and aloofness, and upon hearing Qi Ji's question, he became even more impatient, saying, "It's nothing, just a normal conflict. Both of them were at fault in that matter. Don't you trust Chu Lin?"

Qi Ji remained silent upon hearing this, sitting in deep thought. After a long while, he finally said, "I trust Chu Lin, but Chu Xun'er's personality is worrying."

After speaking, Qi Ji got up and left. Wei Yu stared at Qi Ji's retreating figure, unable to come to his senses for a long time. What happened to them? Weren't they discussing the rumors? How did it end up like this?

Thinking of Li Xiaonuan's departure without looking back, Wei Yu felt somewhat annoyed. Since the rumors didn't harm him, why bother getting involved? That damned country bumpkin, insisting on dragging unrelated people into it; it seems he misjudged her after all.

Qi Ji analyzed the situation repeatedly along the way and found that Li Xiaonuan's words made some sense. After all, he had recently come to terms with many things and was able to view many situations calmly. Therefore, he felt that Chu Lin was very likely to take revenge on Li Xiaonuan.

However, he trusted Chu Lin deep down and didn't want to involve her in this matter. Besides, he didn't seem to have much of a relationship with Li Xiaonuan, so why would he help her investigate this matter without any reservations?

And so, neither of the two men, caught in the vortex of rumors, decided to get involved. Just as Li Xiaonuan had predicted. Therefore, when they came to apologize afterward, Li Xiaonuan did not accept it. But that's a story for later.

Li Xiaonuan returned home in a daze to find a crowd gathered in the courtyard, anxiously waiting for her return. Outside the courtyard, another group of people were also gathered, loudly discussing the rumors circulating.

Feeling utterly helpless, Li Xiaonuan squeezed through the crowd and entered the house. Facing the worried Su mother and son, Li Xiaonuan forced a smile and comforted them, "Mother, what are you afraid of? At worst, we'll go to court. Right and wrong will be clear in a debate. The law is strict and will give me justice."

The old lady grumbled from the side, "Hmph, going to court costs money. Do you think your fifty taels is enough for the magistrate to see?"

Chen said gloatingly, "Xiao Nuan, why don't you go and beg that young master of the Wei family to take you in? Anyway, you're already his, he won't abandon you."

Li Xiaonuan was already angry, and after Chen's provocation, she could no longer hold back. She yelled at Chen, "Fifth Aunt, a selfish person like you will never understand what it means to be 'a gentleman is open and honest'."

No one expected Li Xiaonuan to explode, so they were all stunned. When they came to their senses, Chen pointed at Li Xiaonuan's nose and scolded, "You, Li Xiaonuan, no wonder people talk about you. Look at you, so capable, even scolding your elders. If you don't explain yourself clearly today, I'm not finished with you."

Li Xiaonuan smiled. She pulled the bill from her sleeve and loudly questioned, "Fifth Aunt, I'm going to make things clear to you now. This bill is the list of goods you displayed at my banquet. I'll read it aloud to everyone now. Three bolts of printed fine cotton cloth, silver..."

As Li Xiaonuan finished reading the bill, the relatives present all looked on in disbelief. Fifth Uncle took the bill directly from Li Xiaonuan's hand to examine it. After seeing it clearly, he shouted, "Did you really buy these things, or did Xiaonuan pay for them? Give me back the items right now and take them to get a refund."

The old woman scolded him with heartache, "Oh dear, you spendthrift woman, doing such a shameful thing. That's not just two taels of silver, but more than twenty taels! How could you do such a thing?"

Fourth Aunt Li sat beside the old lady, comforting her while also criticizing Chen. Fourth Uncle sat there with a dark face, seemingly lost in thought. But it wasn't hard to see the anger hidden in his gaze towards Li Xiaonuan.

Tang and Mao finally gathered around. Third Aunt Mao asked Li Xiaonuan with concern, "Xiaonuan, don't be afraid. No matter what happens, you still have us. Tell me, what do you plan to do?"

Li Xiaonuan replied casually, "It's alright, I'll go to court to file a complaint first thing tomorrow morning. Isn't it said that the law punishes those who spread gossip? I'll ask the officials to help investigate and see who's got an itchy tongue and doesn't want it anymore."

Mrs. Tang said worriedly, "But, Xiao Nuan, once you've been in court and come out, it will be very difficult for your reputation to recover."

Li Xiaonuan smiled wryly and confidently, "I'd rather have a bad reputation than be burned to death. I can always earn back my reputation, but I only have one life."