The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

After Gu Jingzhe finished speaking, he stood quietly to the side.

Prefect Yao's sharp eyes swept over Old Master Gu, Xu Dabao, and the others, causing the parties involved in the incident to shrink back.

"Lord Yao Yao, you must do me justice! I am engaged to Gu Xiaoxue. The betrothal gifts have already been exchanged, and we are set to welcome her into our home in half a month."

Xu Dabao was worried that Prefect Yao would favor Gu Xiaoxue because of the relationship between Tong Huaqiong and Gu Jingzhe.

He had put in so much effort; he had to marry Gu Xiaoxue.

Especially with the appearance of Liu Qingsong, he could not tolerate Gu Xiaoxue being taken away by Liu Qingsong.

Prefect Yao didn't even glance at Xu Dabao, but instead looked at Gu Xiaoxue and asked, "Are you willing to marry Xu Dabao?"

Gu Xiaoxue gritted her teeth and said, "I don't want to."

Xu Dabao stared intently at Gu Xiaoxue, as if he wanted to devour her.

Liu Qingsong breathed a sigh of relief.

Xu Dabao wanted to implicate Liu Qingsong and Gu Xiaoxue in an affair, but he dared not do so because Prefect Yao was there. He was so angry that his lips turned white.

Upon hearing this, Madam Yu said, "Lord Yao, since Gu Xiaoxue is unwilling to marry my son, then let's annul the engagement. However, Gu Ruinian, you must return the five hundred taels of silver we owed you."

Xu Dabao called out "Mother," but was glared at by Madam Yu.

Gu Xiaoxue dared to poison Xu Dabao even before they were married. If she becomes Xu Dabao's wife in the future, wouldn't she be able to wipe out the entire Xu family?

If Gu Xiaoxue valued her life, she could still control her. But now it's clear she doesn't want to live and wants to drag the Xu family down with her.

She can't afford a daughter-in-law like that.

The marriage can be called off, but the money cannot be left unpaid.

Even if Prefect Yao were here, it would be a matter of course for debtors to pay their debts.

Not to be outdone, Old Master Gu knelt down and tearfully complained to Prefect Yao that the Xu family had vandalized the Gu family and forced them to admit to a debt of five hundred taels.

Old Mrs. Gu then loudly cursed Xu Zaohua as a shameless woman, saying that Xu Zaohua, a widow, had slept with her young grandson and that the Xu family should compensate the Gu family with money. The Gu family's loss was due to the fact that they didn't have Xu Dabao and Xu Erbao, those two beastly sons who drove people to their deaths, to support them.

Prefect Yao remained expressionless.

In rural areas, cases are like a tangled mess, knotted at one end and tied at the other, making it difficult even for an honest official to resolve.

Moreover, this case was clearly caused by the extramarital affairs of the two families, with the culprits being the son of the Gu family and the daughter of the Xu family.

What laws did Gu Ruinian and Xu Zaohua violate?

That's not the case.

At most, it's a moral flaw.

Prefect Yao originally went to the countryside during the harvest season to delve into agriculture, but instead began a rural case.

Ultimately, under the intervention of Prefect Yao, the marriage between Gu Xiaoxue and Xu Dabao was null and void, as was the five hundred taels of silver owed by the second branch of the Gu family to the Xu family.

As for Gu Xiaoxue's attempt to poison Xu Dabao and Gu Ruinian, it's not illegal for a young woman to act out of desperation. Besides, the "pesticide" she used wasn't pesticide at all; Tong Huaqiong can testify that it was just brown sugar water.

So what's wrong with Gu Xiaoxue fighting for herself?

correct!
Although Xu Dabao was unconvinced, he knew he was in the wrong and dared not confront him directly.

"This humble subject humbly requests Lord Yao to make the decision."

Just after Prefect Yao finished dealing with the farce between the Gu and Xu families, Liu Qingsong staggered into the crowd and knelt down on the ground.

"What grievance do you have?" Prefect Yao asked.

Liu Tielian wanted nothing more than to beat his youngest son; what grievance could he possibly have?

When Yi arrived, she looked at her youngest son, then at Gu Xiaoxue, and sighed.

"I wish to marry Gu Xiaoxue, and I implore you, sir, to grant my request," Liu Qingsong said.

Gu Xiaoxue and Xu Dabao broke off their engagement under the intervention of Prefect Yao, but given Xu Dabao's temperament, he will probably cause trouble for Gu Xiaoxue.

Gu Xiaoxue was all alone in the village with no one to rely on. The fact that Grandpa Gu and Gu Youtian were able to give Gu Xiaoxue to the Xu family to pay off their debts showed that Gu Xiaoxue's future was going to be very difficult.

Jia looked up, her expression anxious.

She wanted to object. She looked down on the Liu family completely.

Now that Xiaoxue and Xu Dabao's marriage is dissolved, Xiaoxue can be hired by a wealthy family in the city.

But with Prefect Yao present, she dared not speak.

Lord Yao said, "I can't make that decision myself; it depends on Gu Xiaoxue's willingness."

Everyone turned to look at Gu Xiaoxue.

Tong Huaqiong's gaze fell on Gu Xiaoxue, also wanting to know her choice.

Considering Gu Xiaoxue's future situation, choosing Liu Qingsong was a good choice for her.

Liu Qingsong is handsome and capable, and most importantly, he's willing to risk his life for Gu Xiaoxue.

Liu Tielian is the village chief, so even Xu Dabao wouldn't dare to mess with Gu Xiaoxue anymore.

Many young wives in the village eagerly hoped that Gu Xiaoxue would agree to marry Liu Qingsong. This was a rural romance happening right under their noses, and Liu Qingsong had even more guts than Gu Dashu. Gu Dashu had endured a beating from the Liu family to marry Liu Yue'e, but Liu Qingsong was willing to risk his life for Gu Xiaoxue.

Gu Xiaoxue said calmly, "I don't want to."

The crowd fell silent, then sighs soon followed.

"I do not want to."

Gu Xiaoxue stood in the crowd, her eyes resolute.

After being forced to vomit, Liu Qingsong resembled a young poplar tree ravaged by a fierce wind.

Why doesn't Xiaoxue want to?

"Qingsong is so good. He's capable and handsome. Moreover, he's in love with Xiaoxue and would risk his life for her. He'll love his wife dearly after they get married."

"I thought Xiaoxue was smart for not wanting to marry Xu Dabao, but looking at her now, she's not that smart at all. If she were really smart, would she have rejected Qingsong?"

Everyone sighed, shook their heads, and left the council hall.

Liu Qingsong, feeling utterly lost, wanted to ask Gu Xiaoxue why she was unwilling, but was dragged away by the Yi family.

Yi didn't want to arrange a marriage between the second branch of the Gu family, but Gu Xiaoxue publicly rejected her son, and she felt that Gu Xiaoxue was ungrateful.

What did her son do wrong that led to him being rejected in public?

Just wait and see, she's going to find a good marriage for her son.

She is even better looking and more charming than Gu Xiaoxue, and she doesn't have a family that would hold her back.

"Lord Yao, you haven't had lunch yet, have you? Come to my house for lunch," Tong Huaqiong said to Prefect Yao.

Prefect Yao had the same idea, and nodded with a smile.

Tong Huaqiong turned around and saw Gu Xiaoxue standing alone in the council hall. She waved to Gu Xiaoxue and said, "Xiaoxue, come to my house and help me cook."

Gu Xiaoxue stood there blankly, then Tong Pandi pulled her along to follow Tong Huaqiong.

After finishing his meal, Prefect Yao had to go to the next village, so he didn't linger.

“Aunt Tong, I still owe Miss Lian money,” Prefect Yao said after a moment’s hesitation.

Tong Huaqiong thought to herself, "Then I'll pay it for you."

They're all adults, why are they playing innocent tricks? They've just fallen for Lian Hengruo.

Remembering Aunt Tang's request to act as a matchmaker for Lian Hengruo, Tong Huaqiong directly asked Prefect Yao, "Lord Yao, has your family arranged a marriage for you?"

The dark-faced man in front of him suddenly blushed.

Prefect Yao said awkwardly, "No engagement has been arranged. Why is Aunt Tong suddenly bringing up engagements?"

Tong Huaqiong wanted to roll her eyes.

Keep pretending. Tong Huaqiong was absolutely certain that Prefect Yao had taken a liking to Lian Hengruo.

Tong Huaqiong said directly, "What do you think of Miss Lian? If you're interested, I can help you sound her out. Well, you're already in Pingchuan, why don't you go directly to the pearl stall to pay back the money and check things out? It's not good for you to keep owing this money."

Prefect Yao ran away, his face flushed. (End of Chapter)