After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

He paid closer attention, only to find that the girl's eyes held no other emotion besides surprise and joy.

When Shen Congrong arrived, Ke Mingyue immediately relaxed upon seeing him, chattering excitedly about the grandeur of the Marquis's mansion, comparing the magnificent gatehouse to the icy plains.

When Shen Congrong suggested that she stay at the Marquis's residence for a while, she refused, proudly saying that they had bought a small house in the capital and had their own home.

At that moment, he realized that this girl was different from others.

"Is it really as good as you say?" Madam Niu looked suspicious and leaned closer to Xiong Feng, saying, "You just mentioned this Miss Ke, and Su Tai knew about her immediately. Does Su Tai know her too?"

Xiong Feng nodded, "Miss Ke's grandmother is Aunt Shen's eldest aunt. According to seniority, Miss Ke should call Aunt Shen 'aunt'."

Niu fell silent instantly.

Just as Xiong Feng thought she was going to object, Madam Niu suddenly spoke up: "Since you think it's good, then ask someone to say so! Your grandmother can't help you, so you have to work hard yourself."

Xiong Feng raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "Grandma, I thought she wouldn't agree."

Madam Niu glanced at him a few times, then gave a light snort of annoyance, "You're my only grandson, so naturally I hope everything goes well for you. If that girl is really as you say, why would I object? I'm just afraid you'll follow in your father's footsteps!"

Xiong Feng's expression turned serious, and he sat up straight. "Grandma, don't worry, I'm not my father, and I will never become like him."

Niu nodded and said nothing more.

Now that Xiong Feng had found a girl he liked, the Niu family was no longer in a hurry and turned their attention to Mo Chunxiang.

Every day, Mo Chunxiang was subjected to strict rules, forced to serve others, which made her suffer terribly.

Mo Chunxiang was filled with hatred and wanted to strangle Niu Shi several times.

Fortunately, the maids and servants were prepared and kept a close eye on Mo Chunxiang, giving her no chance to make a move.

Mo Chunxiang couldn't bear it any longer and wanted to leave, but the maids and servants wouldn't let her. So she cried, made a scene, and even threatened to hang herself, which only resulted in Niu Shi beating her even more severely.

Many officials in the county government often heard Mo Chunxiang's wailing. Su Yongzhang felt that this couldn't go on, so he consulted with Xiong Feng. "Brother, I suggest you buy another house in the county town to settle your aunt. In the long run, this will not be good for you. You don't know, but the people below are secretly talking about it."

Although the old lady is keeping things under control, and these matters don't concern you much, they still have some impact.

Xiong Feng smiled with his eyes lowered, then looked up again, showing no sign of urgency. "Thank you for reminding me, Brother Yongzhang. Don't worry, this matter will be resolved soon, and there won't be any negative consequences."

Su Yongzhang was surprised. He knew about the Xiong family's situation and how shameless Mo Chunxiang was. This person would never let Xiong Feng off easily. How could he properly resolve this?

Soon someone answered his question.

One day, a burly man carrying a basket of bows and arrows came to the county government office.

He looks like a hunter from the mountains; his accent doesn't sound like a local.

As the constables grew suspicious, the hunter cautiously spoke up, "I'm looking for my wife."

The constable listened for a while before he understood, then glared at him with angry eyes, "This is the yamen (government office), you want us to help you find a wife?"

The hunter quickly shook his head, smiling somewhat naively, "No, no, my wife's name is Mo Chunxiang. Someone said she lives in the county government office, so I came to ask."

"What? Mo Chunxiang doesn't know?" The constable's impatient expression instantly turned to astonishment. The two looked at each other, and after confirming with the hunter several times, they trembled with fear and hurriedly went inside to report.

"Sir, something terrible has happened! A hunter has come from outside, saying he's looking for a wife, and that her name is Mo Chunxiang." The constable was extremely nervous, with a hint of gossip in his voice.

The officials in the government office all looked at Xiong Feng.

Su Yongzhang

He slammed his fist on the table in anger, “Nonsense! Who came here to cause trouble! Come on, I’ll go with you to see what’s going on.”

Su Yongzhang stormed into the yamen, but seeing the crowds outside, he didn't want to escalate the situation, so he let the hunter in to talk.

"What's your wife's name? What does she look like?" Su Yongzhang's tone was somewhat sharp.

The hunter also became excited. "Her name is Mo Chunxiang. She is a widow from Ximen Village in Moshi Town. She has a knife scar on her face and is disfigured."

Su Yongzhang's heart sank. Damn it! Everything matched.

He sized up the hunter several times, his mind racing, before finally managing to squeeze out some questions, "How did you meet Mo Shi? Did she marry you willingly?"

The hunter found these questions baffling. “Sir, I met my wife on my way down the mountain to sell my prey. She was in a terrible state; she was almost starving to death by the roadside. I didn’t want to help her, but she begged me to take her in. She even said that if I gave her a bite to eat, she would marry me.”

I happened to be unmarried at the time, so I gave her some dry rations. When I returned from selling my game, I ran into her again on the road. She followed me everywhere, insisting on marrying me. How can you say she wasn't willing?

Su Yongzhang's ugly face darkened even more. It seemed that Mo Chunxiang was a widow who had remarried. In that case, as long as the man in front of him didn't let her go, Mo Chunxiang would no longer be a member of the Xiong family, which would be perfect for helping Xiong Feng get rid of this burden.

Thinking of this, Su Yongzhang's expression softened again, and he spoke to the hunter much more kindly, "Do you have any witnesses to what you're saying?"

The hunter nodded. "When I married her, I had the paperwork prepared with the town official; otherwise, her household registration wouldn't have been under my jurisdiction."

The constables were all stunned.

Officer Li couldn't help but ask, "Since her household registration is with you, why did she come back?"

Upon hearing this, the hunter was so angry that he gritted his teeth. "I thought she was a grateful person, but who knew that she not only doesn't know how to be grateful, but is also lazy and good-for-nothing. After marrying me, she has headaches and pains every few days and doesn't want to do any work. She even does laundry and cooks reluctantly."

I figured I'd finally gotten a wife, and I hadn't even had to pay a dowry, so I just put up with it. At worst, I'd just have to work harder until she gave birth to my child.

After raising her for so many years, she hasn't laid a single egg and has become increasingly lazy. I couldn't take it anymore, so I disciplined her twice, and she ran away.

I really can't swallow this insult. I have to get her back. She has to serve me for the same number of years I've served her—that's fair!

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, feeling sympathy for a man who beat his wife for the first time – it was truly unbelievable.

Su Yongzhang coughed a few times and whispered something in Officer Li's ear for a while.

Officer Li quickly went to see Xiong Feng and explained the situation to him.

"My lord, the current situation requires your decision."

Xiong Feng paused, his face righteous, before finally finishing his sentence, "Since Lord Su has taken over this matter, then we'll follow Lord Su's orders. Whatever the law stipulates, we'll proceed accordingly; there's no need to ask me." (End of Chapter)