They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 202 Gossip and Rumors
"If this happens again, you won't be able to stay at this county school."

Xu Tong's heart skipped a beat: "Yes, yes."

The dean's gaze swept over the three of them again, and he reprimanded them sternly: "You are also at fault. A gentleman uses words, not fists. Is the county school for teaching you to fight? It is an insult to scholarship. All three of you, go water the garden."

You need to work on your mental strength.

The three men didn't dare to object, they simply said, "Yes."

Lu Xiaoyue couldn't help but say, "Dou Zhongli and Zhang Miao were also here yesterday. Xu Tong, you've always been close to them. Didn't they try to dissuade you from talking nonsense?"

Xu Tong was taken aback, feeling somewhat aggrieved: it was clearly a bad thing that everyone did together, but he had to bear the consequences alone.

Dou Zhongli wasn't there, and Zhang Miao was startled, fearing punishment, she quickly said, "We tried to persuade him, but he... he didn't listen."

Xu Tong suddenly looked over, and Zhang Miao guiltily avoided his gaze, subconsciously straightening her posture to appear open and honest.

Xu Tong was furious. What a selfish bastard!

However, he could not refute Zhang Miao's words and involve Zhang Miao. He had no evidence, and Zhang Miao might not admit it. If the two sides argued, the county school would definitely conduct a thorough investigation, and it would be difficult to guarantee that Dou Zhongli would not be exposed.

He dared to offend Zhang Miao, but he dared not offend Dou Zhongli.

If Dou Zhongli is punished by the county school for this, he will definitely hold a grudge against him. Given his personality, not only will he never be able to get any more benefits from him, but he will also certainly teach him a lesson.

He had no choice but to swallow this bitter pill alone.

Xu Tong looked dejected and did not refute Zhang Miao's words.

The dean and several other gentlemen were even angrier.

“This child is truly incorrigible! You will copy the Analects and Mencius twenty times each and hand them to me within five days.”

"Yes"

Xu Tong felt incredibly frustrated.

In the past, copying books could be sold for money. Could he possibly ask the dean for money for copying books? Who would be willing to do this if it weren't for the money?

Copying books is exhausting!

The dean summoned all the students and announced the whole story. Xu Tong apologized in public.

This matter has been revealed.

Dou Zhongli was furious, and her relationship with Liang Mingxuan and the others became increasingly irreconcilable.

The rumors circulating in the village and county school were disproven on their own.

The situation was fine at the county school, but in the village, Zhang and others were extremely frustrated.

I had prepared a whole bunch of sarcastic remarks, ready to gloat and watch the show, but I missed my target completely, which was extremely boring.

Bai dared not make too many moves to attract attention, Zhang was stupid and gave up in frustration, but the one who was most upset was Aunt Hua, the village's number one gossip.

Aunt Hua wasn't a bad person, but she was a chatterbox. Whenever she heard about gossip, her eyes would light up and she would insist on finding out more. Then she would embellish and exaggerate her stories with great enthusiasm, talking nonsense. Strangely, she could always make it sound plausible and self-consistent, making it sound more real than the truth.

The happiest and most fulfilling moments for her were when everyone gathered around, listening intently to her ramblings. It wasn't that no one had ever angrily confronted her, but she was sharp-tongued, adept at sophistry, and her husband and two sons were both unreasonable and domineering, so no one had ever gotten the better of her.

Ironically, she thought that Xu Zhichun couldn't possibly support his brother-in-law Liang Mingxuan on his own and that things would only get worse. But to her surprise, he was doing better and better, which made her feel uneasy.

She was overjoyed to finally see something interesting about their family.

It turned out to be all for nothing.

I felt depressed again.

That day, when she saw Yang Ming carrying a hoe back from the fields, and noticed that he looked much better and more energetic than before, and that although his clothes were made of coarse cloth, they were obviously newly made, Aunt Hua felt uneasy again.

What were these two like before? After currying favor with that Xu family, they changed completely. I heard they've been helping Xu take care of her konjac field, and it seems they even paid her, a few dozen coins a month.

The more Aunt Hua thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. When Yang Ming passed by her and greeted her with a smile, calling out "Auntie!" Aunt Hua impulsively relapsed into her old habit and said to Yang Ming with a grin, "Look at you, your life is getting better and better, hahaha."

Yang Ming was taken aback, not expecting Aunt Hua to start a conversation with him. Feeling embarrassed to leave, he stopped and smiled somewhat awkwardly, "It's much better than before, thanks to Zhichun. Otherwise, I don't know what would have happened to my son and me."

Yu Yangming's words were heartfelt gratitude, but Aunt Hua's eyes lit up: "Isn't this the start of some gossip?"

Aunt Hua winked and said, "To be honest, Zhichun really takes exceptional care of you two, father and son. Haven't you given it a second thought?"

Yang Ming was puzzled: "Huh? What are you considering?"

Aunt Hua chuckled, her eyes brimming with ambiguity: "Oh, you're not some greenhorn, don't you understand? Your woman's been gone for so many years, and you're still in your prime, don't you miss her when there's no one in your bed at night? The nights are so long."

Yang Ming blushed and stammered, "Aunt Hua, what nonsense are you talking about!"

"This isn't nonsense! I'm absolutely serious!" Seeing Yang Ming's embarrassment, Aunt Hua burst into laughter, finding it amusing and becoming even more unrestrained: "I'm serious! You've lost your woman, and Zhichun has lost her man—isn't this perfect? ​​If she wasn't interested, why is she so good to you and your son, when so many families in the village are struggling? You're a man, are you going to wait for the woman to make the first move? Don't be a coward, go for it! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, hahaha!"

"Enough!" Yang Ming's face was flushed red, and he was panting heavily. "Aunt Hua, Xu Niangzi and I are completely innocent. Don't spread rumors and ruin Xu Niangzi's reputation! You, you, you're harming someone!"

Aunt Hua glared at him angrily: "Look at you! I was trying to help you with some good ideas, and you're cursing me instead. You're really ungrateful for my kindness."

"Don't talk nonsense! Don't talk nonsense!"

Yang Ming practically fled in panic.

When Yang Ming returned home, he was completely distraught. He slammed his fist against the wall, muttering, "Damn it, damn it."

"Dad," Yang Xiaoan was walking behind him, but she had gone to the vegetable garden to pick some vegetables, so she returned a little late, "What did Aunt Hua mean when she said I was going to have a mother? Did she arrange a marriage for you, Dad?"

Yang Ming was both shocked and furious: "She told you?"

Yang Xiaoan was stunned. Was it really true? A strange feeling welled up inside him. He and his father had relied on each other for many years, and of course he didn't want his father to marry a stranger he didn't know. But if his father wanted to marry her, he would support him.

"Um"

"Don't listen to her nonsense!"

Yang Ming was shocked, angry, and afraid.

He hadn't planned to tell anyone about this; it was too embarrassing and awkward.

But he forgot that even if he didn't speak up, Aunt Hua still had a mouth!
(End of this chapter)