With everyone's support, things became much easier. Chen Xiaobei smiled at the Old Ancestor and said, "Old Ancestor, look, everyone agrees. This matter is settled."
The Old Ancestor's eyes welled up. He wiped away a tear, let out a long sigh.
"Alas, Xiaobei, what can I say? Our Hetou Village has been here for so many years. It's like a living Bodhisattva has come."
As he spoke, a crisp laugh drifted from the distance. Everyone turned to look. Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan, accompanied by Xiaohua, Du Juan, and Chen Qiao'er, were walking over, chatting and laughing.
Seeing them arrive, Chen Xiaobei's smile widened.
Cui Hongyu also cheerfully invited everyone to sit down for a meal. Shen Ziyan, however, rushed over and gave Cui Hongyu a big hug.
"Sister, you're finally back!" Before she could finish speaking, tears streamed down her face.
Cui Hongyu gently patted her shoulder. "Alright, alright, let's eat first."
With that, she led everyone to a nearby table to eat.
However, Shen Ziyan's action reminded the Old Ancestor. He looked at Chen Xiaobei. "Xiaobei, when do you think we should deal with those three scoundrels?"
Chen Xiaobei sighed. "Since it's our clan's rule, you decide."
Chen Xiaobei was conflicted. He was still reluctant to drown the three directly, but he also knew very well that if he didn't establish a precedent, who would take him, Chen Xiaobei, seriously in the future?
If people offended him, they would tie up Cui Hongyu. Not only would he have to go through a lot of trouble, but Cui Hongyu would also suffer. What about Chen Qiao'er in the future, or any children he might have later?
Therefore, Chen Sanqiu could only be considered to have run into trouble. He had to die today, whether he wanted to or not.
As for these villagers, they showed no pity for such a matter. On the contrary, they seemed excited.
There wasn't even a hint of sympathy in their words. In fact, it was understandable that the villagers were indifferent.
After all, what Chen Sanqiu had done was truly despicable.
The Old Ancestor hesitated no longer. He struck his cane on the ground. "Very well, after we eat, we'll proceed. Bad people must be punished."
"And let everyone see, so they don't do such heartless things in the future."
Instead, the crowd became agitated. While eating, they recounted stories about Chen Sanqiu, giving the impression that everyone was kicking him while he was down.
Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan were also very angry. As they ate, they cursed, "This Chen Sanqiu deserves it. Brother Xiaobei even let him live a few more days. If it were me, I would have cut off his head on the road."
"Yes, yes, you scoundrel! How dare you have designs on Sister Hongyu? Such a person deserves to die."
Seeing their discussion, Cui Hongyu waved her hand slightly. "Alright, you two younger sisters, eat. This matter is over now."
Huang Ying gave her a helpless look. "Sister, he's already like this, and you're still defending him. You're too kind!"
Cui Hongyu sighed. "I'm not defending him, I'm worried. This is too cruel. Take Qiao'er away later, don't let her see me like this."
Hearing this, Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying exchanged glances, understanding Cui Hongyu's intentions.
Thinking about it, such a cruel act would indeed not be good for a child.
Shen Ziyan's eyes darted, and she had an idea. She looked at Chen Qiao'er and said, "Qiao'er, I'm your teacher, and you should listen to me, right?"
Chen Qiao'er nodded. "Yes, you are my teacher. Of course, I'll listen to what you say."
"Then after we finish eating, let Xiaohua and Sister Du Juan accompany you to the study."
Chen Qiao'er nodded, looking like a well-behaved girl. "I've noted it. After eating, I'll go to the study and practice my calligraphy diligently."
Cui Hongyu seized the opportunity to get up, approached Chen Xiaobei, and shared her concerns. Chen Xiaobei listened and secretly admired her. He had to admit that Cui Hongyu considered issues very comprehensively.
Thinking this, he said to Chen Dayong, "Go and inform each household later. Don't let the children see. It might cause them panic."
The Old Ancestor nodded repeatedly at this. "Yes, yes, children shouldn't see!"
Upon hearing that there would be a spectacle to watch, the villagers' eating pace naturally quickened. The soldiers, hearing that the man was to be drowned, were also happy to witness the commotion.
The lunch concluded amidst a whirlwind of eating.
Cui Hongyu and the others didn't even have time to clear the dishes before they followed the crowd towards the small river east of the village.
The reason for choosing the east of the village was mainly to consider the villagers' sentiments.
The north of the village and the bend were primarily fishing areas, so the east was chosen. They would also need to send people to retrieve the body that evening, lest it rot in the river and affect the water quality. This was the extent of what Chen Xiaobei could manage.
Soon, three wooden cages were carried to the riverbank.
The wooden cages were indeed very narrow, only one person high and about a foot square.
In other words, once a person was stuffed inside, there was no room to move. Coupled with being tightly bound, escape was impossible.
Chen Sanqiu and the other two were dragged to the riverbank. Upon seeing the three wooden cages, all three panicked. Liu Xiaobao even wet himself directly out of fear.
Chen Sanqiu, with a tearful voice, shouted at the Old Ancestor, "Old Ancestor, please spare me! I won't dare again, I won't dare again."
The Old Ancestor snorted coldly. "Hmph, you know to beg for mercy now, but it's too late."
"Old Ancestor, I, I, I didn't do anything to Hongyu. My crime doesn't warrant death."
Chen Sanqiu wanted to argue his case. At this moment, Liu Xiaobao next to him spoke up. "Everyone, everyone, according to the clan rules, you want to drown Chen Sanqiu. I have no objections. But I'm not from your village. Liu's is just my cousin. Besides, I only helped Chen Sanqiu drive the carriage. You, you can't do this to me."
Chen Sanqiu's wife, Liu Shi, also quickly spoke up. "Yes, yes, Old Ancestor, I don't know anything. Whatever Sanqiu told me to do, I did it. I'm just a weak woman, what choice do I have?"
The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became somewhat strange. Some villagers felt that what these two said seemed reasonable. Chen Sanqiu was the main culprit. Su Dan Novel Network.
Just then, Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying stepped forward. Shen Ziyan pointed at Liu Xiaobao and said sternly, "Liu Xiaobao, stop pretending to be innocent. I already went to your house. Your neighbors also said that you and Chen Sanqiu had been plotting at home for several days, right?"
As she spoke, Shen Ziyan pulled Cui Hongyu. "Sister, you tell them."
Cui Hongyu looked at Liu Xiaobao with gritted teeth and said to the assembled crowd, "Everyone, don't be fooled by Liu Xiaobao's pitiful appearance now. It was he who tricked me into saying that an old friend wanted to see me and led me into the alley next to it."
"And you, Liu Shi, don't cry injustice here either."