NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Confrontation
In the past few days, Zheng Xiaoyue and her husband had been busy with their tofu business. Although they could no longer sell the delicate tofu, their old-style tofu was just as popular. Understanding Jiang Huaiyu's temperament, they didn't insist on taking a larger share of the profits.
Instead, they allocated the earnings thoughtfully: 40% was set aside for Jiang Huaiyu, 40% was reserved for opening a shop in the county, 20% was handed over to the clan for communal projects, and they kept a mere 10% for themselves. The couple wasn't foolish—they had their principles. Even though Jiang Huaiyu had declined a share, they couldn't, in good conscience, pocket the money.
Their plan was simple: after a year, they'd return the money saved for Jiang Huaiyu in one lump sum.
With the clan's backing, Wang Dazhuang no longer had to peddle tofu alone. The villagers organized a few strong young men to help sell the tofu, while the women assisted in its production.
Meanwhile, in the county, word of the old-style tofu was spreading. It wasn't as soft and refined as the delicate tofu now featured in high-end dishes, but its affordability and versatility were attracting a steady stream of customers. The market for both styles was thriving, leaving opportunists frustrated at their inability to muscle in.
Jiang Huaiyu woke up feeling refreshed. She drew water from the well, letting it sit for a moment to cool, then gently wiped the rosy-cheeked Tangbao's face clean. Once he was fed and dressed, she carried him on her back and set out.
She arrived at the village headman's house, a simple clay-tile building that served as the local administrative office. Pushing the creaky wooden door open, she found the headman leisurely puffing on his pipe.
"Headman, I've come to report a theft," Jiang Huaiyu announced.
The headman nearly choked on his smoke. "A theft?"
Jiang Huaiyu nodded. "Yes, my house was broken into. First, someone trampled my chickens, and now a jade pendant worth 30 taels has gone missing. I only bought it recently from the Snowfall Pavilion in the county."
At first, the headman looked irritated, dismissing the mention of the chickens as trivial. But the moment she brought up the jade pendant and its value, his expression turned serious.
"Are you certain of this?" he asked, setting down his pipe.
"Absolutely," Jiang Huaiyu said firmly. "I wouldn't dare lie about such a matter. You know the consequences of making a false report."
The headman's eyes flickered, and he stroked his graying beard. "A theft of that magnitude isn't small. If the culprit is caught, they'll face at least ten years of hard labor. Alright, let's inspect the scene. If we can't identify the thief, we'll report it to the county magistrate and let the constables investigate."
Jiang Huaiyu offered a relieved smile. "Thank you, Headman. I appreciate your help."
As they walked toward her house, they encountered Zheng Xiaoyue on her way to buy pork. Seeing Jiang Huaiyu with the headman, Xiaoyue froze.
In the village, the headman was as powerful as a magistrate. Any disputes brought before him could result in harsh punishments, even imprisonment. Naturally, Zheng Xiaoyue grew anxious.
After greeting the headman respectfully, she quickly pulled Jiang Huaiyu aside. "Yuniang, are you involving the headman to deal with Xu Chunhua?" she whispered.
"Yes," Jiang Huaiyu replied simply.
Xiaoyue's eyes widened, and she glanced nervously at the headman, who appeared engrossed in his pipe. She leaned closer and whispered, "Did I forget to tell you? Xu Chunhua is the headman's cousin! No matter how outrageous her behavior, he always covers for her. That's why no one dares to stand up to her."
Raising an elegant eyebrow, Jiang Huaiyu's expression remained calm. "Don't worry, sister-in-law. Even if the headman were her father, I'd make him uphold justice today."
If the headman wanted to keep his position, he would have no choice but to act impartially in a case involving 30 taels.
Xiaoyue, reassured by Jiang Huaiyu's confidence, nodded hesitantly but still looked concerned.
When they arrived at Jiang Huaiyu's house, the headman inspected the scene. His eyes fell on the small plot of trampled land, its soil still damp, with footprints clearly visible. The prints led toward Xu Chunhua's house, fading as they scaled the shared wall.
The headman's face darkened. He recognized those footprints and the house they pointed to.
Could Xu Chunhua truly be so brazen?
Suppressing his frustration, he turned to Jiang Huaiyu. "Do you have the receipt for the pendant? I need to verify its value before proceeding."
"Of course." Jiang Huaiyu retrieved the receipt from her belongings and handed it over. The headman's eyes widened slightly as he confirmed the pendant's purchase price.
Zheng Xiaoyue, peeking over his shoulder, gasped. "Yuniang, was it that jade pendant that was stolen?"
"Yes," Jiang Huaiyu replied, her tone steady. "I discovered it missing this morning and noticed the footprints leading over the wall. That's why I sought the headman's help."
The headman's expression soured. The evidence was damning, and he knew Xu Chunhua's character all too well. He regretted not stepping in sooner when the chicken incident occurred. By letting her off, he had emboldened her.
Clearing his throat, he said, "These footprints lead to the neighbor's house. Let's go ask some questions."
They arrived at Xu Chunhua's door, and the headman pounded on it so hard that Jiang Huaiyu feared it might collapse.
Inside, Xu Chunhua was admiring the jade pendant. Startled by the loud knocks, she scrambled to hide it in her undergarments before shuffling to the door, muttering curses under her breath.
Opening the door, her eyes widened as she saw the headman, Jiang Huaiyu, and Zheng Xiaoyue standing there.
"Uncle?" she stammered, then caught sight of Jiang Huaiyu and immediately snarled, "What are you two doing here? Get lost!"
The headman's stern voice cut her off. "Xu Chunhua, did you sneak into Jiang Huaiyu's home yesterday and steal her jade pendant?"
"What?" Xu Chunhua exclaimed, genuinely confused.
Before she could gather her thoughts, Jiang Huaiyu spoke calmly. "Last time, Auntie denied stepping into my yard until evidence proved otherwise. Are you going to feign innocence again?"
Zheng Xiaoyue took her cue and launched into a tirade. "You rotten woman! Yuniang is a single mother trying to make a living. Why do you keep harassing her?"
Infuriated, Xu Chunhua slammed her door open and shouted, "Who are you calling rotten? You dare insult me?"
The headman bellowed, "Xu Chunhua, enough!"
She froze, stunned by the unexpected anger in his voice.
"Stop calling me uncle!" he barked. "If you've committed a crime, I'll make sure justice is served!"
Jiang Huaiyu stepped forward, her voice steady but tinged with sorrow. "Auntie, what did I do to deserve this? You've trampled my chickens, destroyed my crops, and now stolen my jade pendant. If I've wronged you in any way, tell me, and I'll make amends. But why resort to such actions?"
Her tone was calm yet powerful, drawing sympathetic murmurs from the gathered villagers.
Xu Chunhua's face twisted as she felt the tide of public opinion turning against her. She was no longer facing just Jiang Huaiyu, but the entire village's judgment.
And for the first time, Xu Chunhua felt truly cornered.