The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Chapter 13 The fault is not mine, and I should not feel ashamed either.
The courtyard was in chaos. Xu Fen's hair was singed and there were obvious burn marks on his face.

The fire on his body was extinguished after he rolled around in the snow. Now, he lay on the ground, panting heavily, having survived the ordeal.

The Xu family members were filled with anger.

Xu's mother rushed forward, spitting as she spoke: "Can't we talk things out properly? We live in the Hu family's house, but that doesn't mean we're just going to let them bully us."

Yu Tingwan stood alone, wearing an outer robe.

"He tried to do something to me."

Wang never expected Xu Fen to be so audacious. She was surprised and even more disappointed that he had failed.

It’s really useless!

She joined the Xu family in criticizing Yu Tingwan.

"No matter what, it was wrong of you to hurt someone."

"If something happens to your Second Brother Xu, how am I supposed to explain this?"

The Xu family was in the wrong and couldn't stand firm, but with Wang Shi's interference, Xu's mother also became self-righteous and started cursing at Yu Tingwan.

"You came into your room just to try and touch you? Did my son tear your clothes or touch you?"

"What are you pretending for? If you hadn't seduced him, would my son have come looking for you in the dark if you were a decent person?"

These words are vulgar; if it were any other girl, she would have been mortified and furious.

It is possible that Yu heard nothing that evening.

The wind ruffled her hair; she reached up and tucked it behind her ear without saying a word.

Xiao Xu even forgot the fear of being dominated by Yu Tingwan.

"Yu Tingwan! What grudge do you have against my second brother that you would do this to him!"

Mother Xu's shrewd eyes darted around. She declared arrogantly, "In short, if this matter isn't resolved, you won't have an easy time either!"

The commotion was quite large, and even the village head was alerted.

When he arrived, a number of villagers were whispering outside the Hu family's house. Before he even went in, he overheard what had happened.

"Xu Fen had proposed marriage before, but Hu Dazhu refused. Who would have thought he would be so stubborn and try to sneak into his stepmother's room at night?"

“His mother is making a scene inside now, saying that Xu Fen’s injuries are related to Wan Niang, that the house was broken into, and that Wan Niang’s innocence is questionable. She says that if she wants a good reputation, she should become Xu Fen’s wife.”

"Pah, how shameless! They're trying to get something for nothing."

The village headman frowned. As soon as he entered, he saw Xu Fen, who had a dark complexion and unremarkable appearance, standing on the ground.

Xu Fen was very pleased with himself at that moment.

"Cousin Yu, just give in to me."

"We're already in this state, why make ourselves a laughingstock?"

Yu Tingwan's anger flared up and she couldn't suppress it.
With a cold expression, she stepped forward and kicked Xu Fen twice in the face on the ground.

"what!"

"How dare you hit my son!"

Xu's mother's eyes widened, and she was about to roll up her sleeves, but would the people of Xilin Village let her succeed?
Li Lian rushed over and dragged Yu Tingwan back.

"Good child, don't be angry, don't be angry."

"We will definitely get justice for you in this matter."

If she weren't so strong, Yu Tingwan could have dashed out and kicked her a couple more times.

"You bastard, how dare you even dream of me?"

Yu Tingwan felt extremely disgusted, gave a cold smile, and looked at Wang Shi.

What does your aunt think?

Wang presented a difficult case.

“My dear mother, I can see that Xu Fen cares about you. He was indeed wrong in this matter; he acted rashly in a moment of confusion…”

"But after tonight, if you don't marry him, who else can you marry?"

"Even if you are innocent, you can't prove it. In my opinion, it would be better for our two families to become even closer through marriage."

"Have you said enough?"

Yu Tingwan showed no mercy whatsoever.

“Since the incident, my aunt has only sided with the Xu family and hasn’t said a word for me.”

"That's true. My aunt can't stand to see me doing well, and she's definitely eager to push me into a pit of fire." Wang choked up.

But after the Dong family incident, how could she possibly vent her anger on Yu Tingwan in front of everyone?
Why do you look at me like that?

Yu Tingwan didn't want to see her clumsy acting.

“My aunt complained from the beginning that I hurt him.”

Wang did not deny it, feeling that she was in the right: "He is, after all, your cousin's biological brother."

"My aunt means I have to swallow this bitter pill. He broke in at night, and I shouldn't have resisted. Even if I was humiliated, I should have let it go for my cousin's sake?"

Wang's eyes widened, and seeing the village head's face darken, she quickly denied it.

"No. I mean the Hu family only has such a small place, and I live next door to you. You just have to call me and I'll come right away. How could I let you suffer a loss?"

"Now the whole village knows about it. What good will that do you, a young woman,?

This remark drew nods from most of the people present.

After all, family shame should not be made public.

Yu Tingwan remained unmoved, her voice indifferent.

"If I hadn't intervened, and this beast had covered my mouth, I probably wouldn't have even had a chance to call for help."

"Even if I cry for help, I don't believe you will save me."

“Don’t you understand, Aunt? I’d rather have my reputation ruined than entrust my life to you. What does reputation matter? What’s more important than protecting me?”

Wang was furious: "How dare you..."

"enough!"

The village head roared, "Isn't this a joke enough?"

"Wang! You're the aunt-in-law!"

“If the Xu family were a good family, I wouldn’t say anything, but Xu Fen is a notorious scoundrel!”

Mother Xu was displeased: "What are you saying?"

The village head interrupted abruptly: "This is Xilin Village! My stepmother is from Xilin Village! Who gave you the right to speak? Whether you're a relative or not, if I, the village head, decide to kick your whole family out, no one will dare to say a word!"

"If this marriage goes through today, won't all those scoundrels who can't find wives be plotting to sneak into the girls' rooms in our village under the cover of night?"

"Can I set this precedent?"

For a moment, everyone watching the spectacle held their breath, their anger turning into rage.

Yes! This isn't just Yu Tingwan's problem! Every family has a daughter!

Yu Tingwan's back remained ramrod straight, though she was also feeling lingering fear.

If it weren't for her insomnia, if it weren't for...

She didn't dare to think too much.

She looked coldly at Xu's mother: "Your son is a beast. I find it unlucky to even look at him, and I find it disgusting to even utter a single word from him."

"Even if he succeeded today, so what? The fault is not mine, and I shouldn't feel ashamed. Do you think I'm one of those shy girls who can be manipulated at will and dare not utter a word when something happens?"

Xu Fen didn't like hearing those words.

His smile vanished, replaced by a gloomy expression. "You have the nerve to criticize me? I haven't even criticized your mother..."

He couldn't say the rest of his words because he was so frightened by Xiao Xu that he covered his mouth tightly.

This matter was a taboo in the Hu family. After learning about it from Hu Dalang, who was drunk, Xiao Xu couldn't keep her mouth shut and blurted it out after returning to her parents' home.

But I repeatedly told them not to mention it outside.

Who would have thought it would turn out like this?
Yu Tingwan: "What happened to my mother? Tell me, let him talk!"

Ms. Xu was extremely cautious.

Not only did Wang's expression change, but everyone present also felt strange.

"If I, Yu Tingwan, am to marry, the other party must be an upright and honest person."

"You're saying I seduced him?"

She acted as if she had heard a joke.

"Did I seduce him because he was ugly, or to become a slave to the dirt poor Xu family, or because I saw that he was capable, even though he's old and only knows how to steal chickens and dogs and show off his self-righteous cleverness?"

(End of this chapter)