Chapter 99: Orphans and Widows

Hearing his brother’s words, Gu Mingcheng felt a bit embarrassed and quickly reached out to pull Lady Li aside. “There are so many grown men here; you don’t need to say anything. Hurry back inside and get ready—Xiu Yun and the others might be back any moment.”

Lady Li was reluctant but had no choice, so she turned and walked away.

Meanwhile, Gu Chengyong glared fiercely at the man from the Jiang family opposite him. “I don’t care how powerful or well-connected your Jiang family is. Your son led seven or eight boys to pick a fight without a word and beat up my daughter and my disciple—that’s wrong. When my son arrived and stepped in to help his sister, that was only right and proper.”

“You want an explanation from me today? Well, I want one from you too. My daughter is still lying at the Miao household, and my disciple was left battered by your son. How do you propose we handle this? If not, let’s go to the magistrate and see how the official deals with it.”

The Jiang family man seemed taken aback. When his son had returned home earlier, he only mentioned that he’d gotten into a fight with the Gu family’s children and that someone had been injured, but he hadn’t mentioned that the Miao family’s son was also hurt. Turning to Jiang Kaiyu, who was whining on someone’s back, he asked, “Did you also beat the son of Doctor Miao?”

Before Jiang Kaiyu could answer, Miao Suwen stepped forward with Shao Yuan in tow. “Everyone, look at this! My son was beaten into this state by seven or eight of their kids. And Jiao Niang, just six years old—how could she have provoked them? She’s now bedridden and can’t get up. Is this how your Jiang family raises children? So unruly and unreasonable from such a young age—what kind of adults will they grow into?”

Despite Miao Suwen’s accusations, the Jiang family man’s tone softened. “Doctor Miao, there must be some misunderstanding. Perhaps my son made a mistake and accidentally hurt your son?”

The sudden change in attitude puzzled those gathered. Hearing his father’s gentle tone, Jiang Kaiyu’s anger flared. “There’s no misunderstanding! I meant to beat that brat. I want that wretched woman to know that the Jiang family does not welcome her. If she thinks she can become my stepmother, she’s dreaming.”

Jiang Kaiyu’s outburst silenced everyone in Gu’s courtyard and the onlookers outside. Faces exchanged confused glances, unsure of what he meant.

The Jiang family man and a woman in her fifties looked awkward.

The Jiang patriarch had four sons. The second son was an official after passing the imperial exams, while the eldest, third, and fourth sons lived at home. The eldest son’s wife had given birth to a son and a daughter; the second son had two sons; the third son had two daughters; and the youngest son had married only last year, with no children yet.

A couple of years ago, the eldest son’s wife suddenly fell ill and died, leaving behind a son and a daughter. Being a wealthy family, the Jiangs could not let their eldest son remain alone. The matriarch searched far and wide and found a new wife for her son. Unfortunately, that wife also passed away last year. Undeterred, the matriarch sought yet another bride for her son.

Because the eldest son had lost two wives, the family’s reputation took a hit, and no suitable match was found quickly. The matriarch grew anxious and fell ill. Around this time, Doctor Miao arrived in the village. The matriarch sought treatment from him, and over time, she grew fond of him.

Seizing the opportunity, the matriarch brought up the idea of marriage to her son. Miao Suwen was handsome, kind-hearted, and possessed unparalleled medical skills. The eldest son was quite taken with him, and mother and son planned to send matchmakers after the festival.

They believed that as a widow raising children alone, Miao Suwen had endured much hardship. Marrying into such a wealthy family as the Jiangs would be a blessing from past lives. Once the Jiang family made the proposal, there would be no refusal.

Mother and son discussed this happily, unaware that Jiang Kaiyu had secretly overheard. Not wanting his father to remarry, Jiang Kaiyu vowed to teach Miao Suwen and his mother a lesson. It happened that Shao Yuan and Jiao Yan had gone out to gather herbs and were seen by Jiang Kaiyu, who led a group of tenant children to provoke them.

The Jiang family man had not expected his son to shout such things so openly and felt embarrassed. He looked to Miao Suwen, intending to explain.

“Are you talking nonsense? My mother and I have been fine. She never said she wanted to marry anyone else, let alone be your stepmother. Are you dreaming in broad daylight?” Shao Yuan, furious now, stepped forward toward the Jiang man and Jiang Kaiyu. “Get lost, all of you! Don’t think you can bully us just because we’re mother and son. If anyone dares to slander us again, I’ll tear their mouth apart, no matter what.”

Shao Yuan was enraged. His mother had raised him alone, enduring countless hardships. Being beautiful, she had previously faced such troubles, with bullies targeting her and trying to intimidate them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have wandered from place to place, staying where they could and leaving where they couldn’t. No one protected them.

Shao Yuan loved his mother fiercely and would not tolerate insults against her. His eyes red, fists clenched, he stared at those across from him. “I said, get lost.”

“Brother Qin, please don’t be like this. I just think it’s too hard for your mother to raise you alone. I want to take care of her. She’s a good person. You wouldn’t want her to live a hard life all alone, would you?” The Jiang man’s tone lowered, speaking politely to Shao Yuan.

“Shut up! I, Miao Suwen, live honestly and practice medicine sincerely. I have never envied anyone’s wealth.” Miao Suwen snapped harshly, stepping beside his son. His posture straightened, his dignified and beautiful face now bore a stern, unassailable aura fueled by anger. His gaze swept over the crowd before he spoke again. “Fellow villagers, please bear witness: I, Miao Suwen, have devoted myself to raising my son alone and have never entertained thoughts of remarriage. From now on, if anyone mentions this matter again, do not expect me to treat their ailments.”

At that moment, Miao Suwen spotted Qi Changwen arriving. “Uncle Qi, you must stand up for me today. If anyone in Qingshan Village mentions this again, I will have no choice but to leave.”

Qi Changwen, having overheard the situation from outside the crowd, nodded quickly. “Rest assured, niece. I will handle this properly. No one will dare trouble you again.”

Though Miao Suwen had been in Qingshan Village for just over a month, she had made many friends. She was a good doctor and never greedily charged people. Many were grateful to her. If she left, where would they find such a kind-hearted healer?

Immediately, many voices rose inside and outside the courtyard. “Doctor Miao, you’re a good person. We won’t let those shameless toads bother you again. Want to reach for the swan’s meat? Think about your own worth first!”

No one knew who shouted this, but the Jiang family man’s face darkened.

The Jiang family was the most prominent household in the village, and no one dared disrespect them. Though the eldest son’s secret was out, he was unfazed, thinking it might even help when the matchmakers came. He was certain Miao Suwen would not refuse.

But they never expected Miao Suwen to be so unyielding, nor the villagers to mock them openly, which embarrassed the Jiangs greatly.

“Doctor Miao, you’d better think carefully. You’ve offended the Jiang family here in Qingshan Village. Life won’t be easy for you from now on,” the Jiang eldest son said, furious and humiliated.

Miao Suwen chuckled coldly. “You’re just a rustic landlord from a small village, yet you speak so arrogantly—it’s laughable. I’ve practiced medicine for over ten years, traveled across the land, met countless nobles and officials, and I’m not afraid of you. If you have the ability, then show it. I want to see what you’ve got.”

“Consider this a warning. Don’t provoke me, or your official relatives won’t last long,” Miao Suwen said with a sneer before turning and leaving with his son.

Before stepping out, he added, “Fellow villagers, today the Jiang family threatened us openly. If anything happens to us from now on, it will be their doing. When that time comes, I hope you will bear witness.”

Outside, many laughed heartily. “No problem, Doctor Miao. We’ve got your back. The Jiang family isn’t well-liked around here, except by their tenants. Most people look down on them. Hearing what you said, many of us are ready to back you up.” This only fueled the Jiang family’s frustration and humiliation.

Miao Suwen bowed to the crowd and then left with his son.

Meanwhile, the Jiang family stood there, humiliated and scowling. “Gu family, just wait. This isn’t over. Hmph, I don’t believe you commoners can fight the Jiang family,” the Jiang eldest son muttered bitterly before storming off with a final glare.