Divorced by her husband's family and rejected by her own! She defiantly turned her life around

Widow Wang's house collapsed, and Lu Yunping took her directly home. Today, he set up two tables at home and invited respected people from the village to witness him marrying a second wife. This was Widow Wang's request.

Widow Wang said that she didn't need to have a big celebration, but there had to be a ceremony. She couldn't just quietly enter the Lu family's house; what would the villagers think of her?

Widow Wang had her eye on the future of the Lu family. Lu Yunzhou, at such a young age, had already passed the preliminary examination and would be taking the provincial examination the following year. If he passed the provincial examination, he would become a scholar, and she would be the scholar's sister-in-law.

She had already inquired around the academy area, and the teachers there all praised her for her excellent learning and promising future. They said she might pass the imperial examinations, become a high-ranking official, and then she would be the wife of the eldest son of the Lu family, and her daughter would be a daughter of an official. She could then marry a wealthy young master, be served by servants, and live a life of luxury.

If she could give birth to a grandson for the Lu family and win over Granny Liu and Lu Yunping, her position in the family would be secure, and replacing Zhou Xiangxing would only be a matter of time. Just thinking about it made her very happy; she had made the right move.

The Lu family took a liking to Widow Wang, who was hardworking and capable, and had eight acres of excellent paddy fields. With a little girl by her side, it was just a matter of adding another pair of chopsticks. The girl was already six years old and could help feed the chickens and do chores.

Now she is pregnant with the Lu family's child. If it is a boy, that would be even better, as it would bring prosperity to the Lu family. In the future, there will be someone to do the work at home and in the fields, and Granny Liu can take good care of the family.

They each had their own plans and selfish motives; they were all driven by self-interest.

Soon, the villagers arrived, including the village chief and his wife, the village elders, and some virtuous old women. The surnames of the people in Bainiwan are quite diverse. They all fled here in the past and eventually settled down.

Today, Lu Yunping is marrying a second wife, and he has specially invited Lu Yunzhou back. This was also at the request of Widow Wang, who insisted that Lu Yunzhou call her "sister-in-law" in front of everyone.

Lu Yunping was dressed as a groom today, and Widow Wang was also wearing a bright red jacket, with makeup on her face and silk flowers in her hair. Dressed up like this, she was quite pretty.

Everyone was ushered to the reception room to witness the ceremony. Just as Lu Yunping and Widow Wang were about to perform the wedding ritual, Zhou Xiangxing rushed in, shouting, "Lu Yunping, I want a divorce!"

Everyone looked over and saw that Zhou Xiangxing's hair was a little messy. The Lu family members were even more puzzled. Wasn't she locked in the house? How did she get out?

Zhou Xiangxing knelt down in front of the village chief and the village elders with a thud. "Village chief, uncles and aunts, I want to divorce Lu Yunping. Please help me."

"If you want a divorce, then give up on that idea. We're not divorcing you, so be happy for now. You still want a divorce?"

Lu Yunping roared, "Zhou Xiangxing, get back home! What are you doing here causing trouble!"

Zhou Xiangxing completely ignored the mother and son, knelt on the ground and cried, "Please, uncles and aunts, help me. Lu Yunping and I really can't go on like this anymore."

"Just because he married a concubine?"

"Village chief, Lu Yunping has been having an affair with Widow Wang behind my back for a long time, and Widow Wang is already pregnant with Lu Yunping's illegitimate child."

"Zhou Xiangxing, shut up! Don't talk nonsense!"

"I'm talking nonsense. Just have a doctor take my pulse and everything will be clear."

Everyone looked at Widow Wang. Knowing that the truth couldn't be hidden forever, Widow Wang simply admitted it, "I am pregnant with Brother Yunping's child. Brother Yunping took pity on my daughter and me and wanted to take care of us. We were in love with each other and couldn't help ourselves, so we did something foolish. Please grant us your blessing."

"Village chief, if everyone in the village raises their children like this, what will become of their wives? Will everyone be able to follow their example in the future?"

If outsiders knew that this was the custom in Bainiwan, it would probably affect the marriage prospects of the younger generation in the village.

This is only one reason I want a divorce. The second reason is that Lu Yunping is a beast in human form. Ever since I married him, he has tormented me every day. I simply cannot live with him anymore; my heart cannot bear it any longer.

"Zhou, you shrew, how dare you slander my son! Everyone in the village knows that my Ping'er is filial, kind, considerate to his wife, and loving to his children. We will not admit to this crime."

Everyone in the village knew that Lu Yunping was a good person, so how could he torment his wife? To prove her point, Granny Liu stepped forward and grabbed Zhou Xiangxing's sleeve. "Look, everyone, she doesn't have a single injury. She just does some embroidery at home and doesn't have to do anything. Our family has been good enough to her, and she's still not satisfied."

Lu Yunping looked at Zhou Xiangxing with disdain. He didn't believe she would dare to show those injuries in front of so many people.

"Yes, Zhou, it is wrong for Lu Yunping to have an affair, but you can't accuse him of torturing you. You don't have any injuries on your body, so how can you say he tortured you?"

"I know you don't believe what I'm saying, but I ask all the ladies here to examine my injuries."

"Examine the injuries!"

"Yes, ladies, please examine my injuries to see if I'm lying."

The village elder's wife had long disliked Granny Liu's behavior in the village. Relying on her son who had passed the imperial examination, she looked down on everyone. She coughed lightly and said, "Since you each have your own version of events, in order to prove the innocence of both parties, let's find a house and take a look at the injury that Zhou mentioned."

"Let them test me then. My son has done nothing wrong, and I will make sure you clear his name." Lu Yunping was a little flustered. He tugged at Liu Pozi's clothes, and Liu Pozi comforted him, saying, "Don't be afraid. Your mother will stand up for you. Just for the fact that she falsely accused your husband, we can divorce her and go to her parents' home to get back the betrothal gifts."

Lu Yunping's face was as ugly as if he had swallowed a fly. He wanted to stop him, but that would make him look guilty. He calmed himself down and said, "Mrs. Zhou, stop making a scene. I know I was wrong to do this without discussing it with you beforehand. You can't let everyone laugh at us."

"Once today is over, I will definitely give you an explanation and make amends properly."

"Everyone has seen it, right? My son is such a reasonable person. But for the sake of my son's reputation, she wants to get a medical examination, so I'll grant her wish. Let's go get the examination now."

She knew her son better than anyone else, and knew that Zhou was just trying to intimidate them. She had more experience than she had ever had, and she was not going to be fooled by her. She was certain that as soon as she said those words, Zhou would bow down to her.

Zhou Xiangxing stood up from the ground. Her legs were numb from kneeling for so long. "Aunties, since Mother agrees, let's go to my room to have our injuries checked."

Several women followed Zhou Xiangxing toward her room. Granny Liu stood there, stunned. Widow Wang looked at Lu Yunping, as if to say, "Is this true? Did you really torment Zhou Xiangxing?"

Widow Wang was curious and wanted to go along to see, but Lu Yunping grabbed her arm. "You stay here and don't wander around. Be careful not to hurt the baby in your belly." Lu Yunping stopped Widow Wang because he was afraid that if she saw the injuries, she would become distant from him and fear him.

Widow Wang was overjoyed to see that Lu Yunping valued her unborn child so much, knowing that her child would be the most precious thing in the family after birth.

Watching Zhou Xiangxing and the others leave, she said, "Brother Yunping, we missed the auspicious time today. Won't that bring us bad luck?"

"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything!" These words successfully pleased Widow Wang, and at that moment she truly felt happy.