I won't be a prince's concubine; I'll cook delicious food and raise two villainous cu

Shen Yu slowly stepped out of the threshold, revealing a face as delicate and fair as a newly blossoming lotus. Her skin was so tender and white that it seemed as if water could drip from it if pinched lightly. Her stunning beauty instantly captivated everyone's attention.

Although her white dress was dusty and torn in a few places, the fabric was so delicate and smooth that it was a superior material that these rural women had never seen in their lives. She wore no hair ornaments, but her hair was styled in an exquisite and unique way that these rural women, who only knew how to style simple hair, could never do.

The group of unsophisticated village women fell silent instantly, their eyes widening as they looked Shen Yu up and down with astonishment.

This woman, with her elegant demeanor and stunning beauty, doesn't seem like the frivolous and wanton vixen Ye Xiaoqin described at all.

Shen Yu was also secretly surprised. She never expected that just a slight change in her attitude would attract these sisters-in-law and aunts to come to her door in advance.

In her previous life, Ye Xiaoqin at least waited a whole night before persuading these people to go up the mountain; in this life, only half a day had passed before she couldn't hold back anymore?

These women arrived in such a hurry that Ye Xiaoqin must have spread even more unbearable rumors behind their backs than in her previous life! However, Shen Yu of today is no longer the naive and ignorant modern girl who had just transmigrated in her previous life.

This time, she was determined to deal with these village women properly and would never again be at their mercy!

Leaning on her crutch, Shen Yu gritted her teeth and endured the pain in her legs, taking a few more difficult steps towards the courtyard gate. Her gaze calmly swept over the group of women before her, and she spoke loudly, "I overheard most of what you all said inside. May I ask what brings you all up the mountain today?"

She was poised and dignified, as if she were about to confront everyone face to face.

The group of women who rushed up the mountain were somewhat at a loss because of her commotion. But when they thought of those vile rumors, they gritted their teeth and decided that they had to get to the bottom of things today and could not tolerate the filth ruining the reputation of Chenjia Village.

A burly woman spoke first, her tone tinged with accusation: "Who exactly is this young lady? Why is she alone at Li Dalang's house?"

"We heard from others that a prostitute in the city recently redeemed herself and ran away. If she hides in our Chenjia Village, how will the girls in our village ever get married or hold their heads high again?"

Another woman chimed in, her face serious, "Li Dalang is an honest man, usually quiet and never causing trouble. But if he brings home a woman of questionable character, ruining the reputation of our entire Chenjia Village, we will absolutely not allow it!"

"Exactly! You're so beautiful, and your clothes and belongings don't seem like those of an ordinary girl. How did you end up in these deep mountains?"

"Could it be that Li Dalang has taken a fancy to your looks and wants to marry you? That's unacceptable! If our village's reputation is ruined, my daughter's marriage will be affected!"

"Who are you? Tell the truth! If you're not someone you know, get out of here! Otherwise..."

Hearing this, Shen Yu raised an eyebrow slightly and simply asked, "Otherwise, what do you want?"

An older woman who appeared quite authoritative stepped forward from the crowd, her eyes fierce and cold. She said menacingly, "Then don't blame us for being ruthless and dragging you to be drowned in a pig cage!"

The Chen family village has always valued reputation and female chastity. If a prostitute of unknown origin were to ruin the village's reputation, the entire clan would not let it go.

As soon as the old woman finished speaking, several strong women took a half step forward, staring at Shen Yu warily, as if they would immediately take her away and "execute" her as soon as they confirmed her identity as a "prostitute".

Shen Yu's gaze swept over Ye Xiaoqin at the back of the crowd without making a sound. The woman was staring at her with a venomous look, as if she wanted to devour her alive.

Ye Xiaoqin thought she was well hidden, but little did she know that Shen Yu had already noticed her gaze. Since Ye Xiaoqin insisted on throwing this dirty water on her, then she wouldn't be surprised if she retaliated!

Seeing this, Li Shuozhou hurriedly spoke up to defend himself: "Don't talk nonsense! My brother is not the kind of person who lusts after beautiful women, he just..."

"Erlang!" Shen Yu immediately interrupted him, her tone leaving no room for argument, "Go back to your room first and take care of Ya'er. You don't need to worry about things here."

A surge of anger rose within Li Shuozhou: This woman was the cause of all the trouble, why should he obey her orders? But when he met Shen Yu's firm and composed gaze, her face showed no sign of panic, and her calmness inexplicably soothed Li Shuozhou's agitated heart. He pursed his lips, and ultimately turned and went into the house without saying a word.

Shen Yu then turned her head again and looked at the group of village women in front of her.

Everyone thought she would become enraged and lose her temper, after all, no woman could remain calm when slandered like that.

But Shen Yu's eyes suddenly reddened, filled with tears, and she looked like she was about to cry, which made her look particularly pitiful.

"Aunties and sisters-in-law, I've traveled a long way from afar to find my relatives, and I finally found my cousin's house. But I was injured on the way and can't move easily. I haven't even had a chance to go down the mountain with my cousin to visit the neighbors, and yet these vile rumors have spread from who knows where, slandering me into such a despicable person." She wiped tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve, her voice choked with sobs. "I was born into an honest family, and now I'm being defamed like this. How can I ever get married, how can I ever face anyone again? Waaah..."

Shen Yu sneered inwardly. It's just an act; anyone can do that. She had already planned to find an excuse to stay at Li Xiaoyun's house.

In ancient society, a lone woman staying at the home of a strange man was already prone to gossip, so fabricating a relationship as "cousin" was the most appropriate thing to do.

She deliberately sent Li Shuozhou away because she was afraid that the boy would blurt out the truth. As long as the Li family wasn't present, she could just make up any identity and whatever she said would be true. Besides, Li Shuozhou would never expose her at this moment in order to protect his brother's innocence.

"What? She's Li Dalang's cousin?"

"Didn't Widow Ye say that she must be that prostitute who was redeemed? She even said she'd seen a portrait of that prostitute..."

The village women immediately erupted in chatter, whispering amongst themselves.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yu's face was filled with shock and grievance, and tears welled up as she questioned, "What portrait? If it really exists, then show it to me! You've falsely accused me of being a prostitute for no reason; do you really think I'm easy to bully?"

"My innocent reputation has been so easily tarnished, with people casually labeling me a lowly prostitute!"

Sobbing, Shen Yu threw her cane to the ground and made as if to smash her head against the stone wall. "What woman in the world can survive such humiliation? My cousin and younger cousin have never had a sister. Even if I die today, I will preserve my honor! Waaah..."

The sight of this virtuous woman being humiliated and choosing death to prove her innocence terrified the village women.

They were thinking to themselves, if this woman really was a prostitute, then so be it if she died; but if she really was Li Dalang's cousin, and a girl from an honest family, then they would have committed a terrible crime by driving someone to their death today!

"Stop her!" the leading aunt shouted hurriedly, rushing forward first, followed by several other women who held Shen Yu tightly.

Shen Yu then burst into tears, struggling and shouting, "Let me go! I don't want to live anymore! Let me die cleanly!"

Just then, a deep, angry shout suddenly came from outside the courtyard: "Aunties and sisters-in-law! What are you doing?!"

The entire room fell silent instantly, and everyone froze in place.

Li Xiaoyun, also known as Li Dalang, strode in carrying his prey, his face so gloomy it seemed like it could drip water.

The atmosphere instantly became incredibly awkward. The older women holding Shen Yu's hands dared not let go, fearing that if they did, she would try to kill herself again.

Shen Yu's heart skipped a beat, and she secretly groaned: Why did Li Dalang have to come back at this time? She hadn't had a chance to talk to him properly. If he denied her "cousin" status on the spot, she would be completely finished!

Now that things have come to this, the only option is to strike first! Shen Yu's body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground, simultaneously crying out in a tearful, aggrieved voice, "Cousin—waaaah… Yu'er doesn't want to live anymore! They actually said I'm a prostitute from the city, and they're going to drag me to be drowned in a pig cage! Cousin, you have to stand up for me…"