Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Human nature is complex.

Old Madam Liu's malice was beyond doubt, and she herself knew that what she had done was wrong.

But for the sake of her daughter, she was willing to risk everything—her life meant nothing, and she did not fear descending into hell after death.

With the evidence that Old Madam Liu had long prepared to exonerate Han Zhenzhen, and with Han Zhenzhen herself being hard-hearted, no matter how the prefect interrogated her, she simply refused to confess.

In the end, the prefect had no choice but to sentence the Liu family members and Old Madam Liu's sister, Midwife Wang, according to the law.

"Having now investigated the facts of this case, with conclusive evidence, and in accordance with the statutes of our dynasty, I hereby pronounce the following judgment—"

"Midwife Wang and Old Madam Liu, as principal offenders, are to receive one hundred strokes with the cane and be exiled three thousand li (roughly a thousand miles)..."

"The members of the Liu family, for concealing the truth and involvement in abuse, are to receive fifty strokes with the cane and be exiled one thousand li... This sentence takes effect immediately. The bailiffs shall escort them on their journey without delay!"

After all, Xianglian was still alive, so a death sentence couldn't be handed down.

But exile was no light punishment either—not to mention the hardships of the journey, upon reaching the place of exile, they would spend the rest of their lives doing hard labor.

For those who couldn't turn their luck around, death would've been easier.

The Liu family members immediately wailed: "Injustice, Your Honor! We are truly innocent! It was all that wretched Wang woman's nonsense..."

Midwife Wang wasn't any better off, eaten up by regret.

Her sons and grandsons crowded around her, weeping and cursing: "Mother, you were a fool! How could you help Aunt do something so wicked? Now look what you've done—you've ruined yourself, and our whole family won't be able to hold our heads up in the village anymore..."

Getting pointed at, shunned, and pushed aside would be the least of it—if the clan elder, for the sake of the family's reputation, crossed their family out of the clan registry, they'd have no way to make a living.

Thinking of how she had dragged her children and grandchildren into this ruin, Midwife Wang was in total despair.

That's when her birth family, the Wangs, showed up.

When the Wang clan elders heard what happened, two of them passed out on the spot, just muttering over and over: "Disgrace... an absolute disgrace!"

With such a vicious woman coming from their clan, how could the Wang girls and boys ever find spouses again?

In one stroke, Old Madam Liu had destroyed the reputation of both her husband's family and her natal family, making both clans and villages notorious far and wide.

But did she regret it?

Of course not—after all, she'd ended up like this because both her in-laws and her own family had pushed her to it.

If her in-laws had treated her decently, or if her own family had backed her up, she'd never have gone down this road.

Dragging them all down with her was exactly what she wanted.

But this outcome didn't sit well with the Han family at all!

Because Han Zhenzhen had gotten off scot-free.

And worse, as she left, her face barely hid her smugness.

"Dad, Mom, since you won't acknowledge me, then from today on, I'm no longer your daughter. You can just keep your precious real daughter. But—"

"You two take care of yourselves. After all, your real daughter's health is ruined from living with the Lius, and I'm afraid... she won't be around to take care of you for much longer. When you end up burying your own child, don't cry too hard."

Then she swaggered off.

Han's mother and her two sisters-in-law were furious, cursing: "That ungrateful snake! Her parents doted on her for thirty years, and this is the crap she talks?!"

This ex-sister-in-law was rotten to the core, still daring to act so high and mighty.

But Grandpa Han, Grandma Han, Dad, Second Uncle, and Third Uncle said nothing—they just stared at Han Zhenzhen's... no, Liu Zhenzhen's retreating back, their eyes dark and heavy, impossible to read.

After a long pause.

Grandpa Han finally said calmly: "Let's go. Home."

Clan Elder Han also kept his usual expression, waving to the Han folks: "Back to the village."

The group looked like they weren't bothered at all by Liu Zhenzhen's smug look.

But Han Zhang knew Liu Zhenzhen was in for a world of trouble.

After all, what had Grandpa Han, Clan Elder Han, and the others been through in their youth?

Losing their family, war and fire, fleeing famine... Those boys, none even ten yet, survived all that and ended up putting down roots in Shangpo Village, building families and careers. How could they be simple folks?

It was only because the Hans were usually so honest that everyone had overlooked how deep Grandpa Han and his old brothers really were.

If Liu Zhenzhen had been smart enough to keep her head down, she might've just ended up poor for the rest of her life.

But since she still dared to act so cocky, Grandpa Han wouldn't show an ounce of mercy.

And sure enough,

after they got back from the yamen,

Clan Elder Han clasped his hands to the villagers who'd come along, speaking sincerely:

"This time, we owe much to all you fellow villagers for coming along to bolster our presence. Otherwise, with Liu Wangshi's cunning and the Lius' shamelessness, they might've twisted the truth and gotten away with it. The whole Han clan will remember your help."

"Tomorrow, we'll prepare a simple feast. We hope you'll all come, have a few cups of wine and some simple dishes... so the Han family can show our thanks."

Life in the countryside was tough, and the moment they heard there'd be free food and drink, everyone's eyes lit up.

They knew the Hans had been raking in money with that match workshop lately—if they were throwing a banquet, the meat, dishes, and wine would be top-notch!

While secretly swallowing their spit, they waved their hands, pretending to be modest:

"Oh, it was nothing, just a little help! Clan Elder Han, you're too kind! We just tagged along for the fun, didn't really do anything—hardly worth all this..."

A polite refusal—the Hans knew the drill!

Grandpa Han immediately clasped his hands and pushed again: "You deserve it, you deserve it. Even a drop of kindness should be repaid with a flood. For all of you neighbors to be willing to stand with our Han family at the courthouse today, risking the officers' anger—this simple meal is hardly enough. You all really must come and join us."

After a bit more polite back-and-forth, the thank-you banquet was set.

The villagers headed home happy, telling their families not to cook tonight—save their stomachs for the good food tomorrow!

After seeing the villagers off,

Clan Elder Han then said to the rest of the clan: "Everyone, head home for now. A few elders, come with me to Old Six's place to talk about Fifth Girl's adoption into the family."

Then the clan leader and the elders followed Grandpa Han back to his house.

After they got back to the Han family, Grandma Han took Han Zhang's mother and the other daughters-in-law into the kitchen to fix dinner, while Han Zhang followed Grandpa Han into the main hall.

Just as Han Zhang figured Grandpa Han and the others were about to start a "family meeting," he saw Grandpa Han go to the corner of the hall, fumble around for a bit, and open a hidden door.

Han Zhang: ...

Wait, is this for real?

The Han family's little farmhouse actually had a hidden mechanism and a secret door?

Why didn't the original owner's memories have any hint of this?

Seeing the look of total confusion on Han Zhang's face, Grandpa Han smiled and handed him a black cloak, saying:

"Good grandson, put this cloak on and let's head out. I'll fill you in on the way."

Clan Chief Han and the others grinned and gave his shoulder a pat, each putting on cloaks to hide their faces before slipping through the hidden door one after another.

What was behind the hidden door wasn't as fancy as he'd imagined—just a tunnel.

They'd only been walking a few minutes when they hit the end of the tunnel.

A few minutes later, they popped out into a super remote, wild forest with a river nearby.

Then they dragged an old bamboo raft out of the woods.

Everyone climbed on, with one of the Elders at the helm, drifting downstream with the current.

Only then did Grandpa Han finally tell Han Zhang the truth.

"...Back when the Han family hit hard times, more than just us few got out, but only about a dozen made it to the capital alive. The rest either died or vanished without a trace."

"Once we got to the capital, your great-grandfather figured we shouldn't put all our eggs in one basket. Plus, there was always friction between the legitimate and illegitimate branches, and folks weren't exactly on the same page back then. So he split the rest into two groups, each left to fend for themselves."

"We six legitimate brothers settled in Shangpo Village and have been farming ever since."

"As for the illegitimate brothers, they weren't willing to accept poverty, so they kept heading out to make their way..."

"Over the years, we've lived apart, but we're all still Han family blood. Even if we've had our spats, they're not blood feuds, and when it counts, we still back each other up."

"Now that you're about to make your mark, and with your aunt's mess, it's time to get everyone together for a sit-down."

Han Zhang was surprised, but not totally blown away—just curious: "Grandpa, what are those grandpas I've never met up to these days?"

This whole meeting is so hush-hush—cloaks over faces, secret tunnels!

It all feels a little sketchy.

At his question, Grandpa Han and Clan Chief Han's faces got visibly awkward.

They dodged the question: "You'll find out soon enough."

Han Zhang: ...

Grandpa, the way you guys are acting is really freaking me out.

Since Grandpa Han and the others wouldn't spill, Han Zhang had no choice but to tag along quietly.

The bamboo raft drifted with the current, twisting and turning for about half an hour before finally pulling up at the foot of a mountain.

Once on shore, they trekked through thick woods, took lonely mountain trails... made countless turns at forks and paths, and finally climbed up to the mountainside.

Finally, they reached a place that looked like a mountain stronghold.

The folks there had good intel—they probably got word the moment they started up the mountain.

So when Han Zhang and the others got to the stronghold's gate, a few burly old guys with bushy beards were already waiting.

Fierce eyes, menacing vibes, and axes and long knives tucked at their waists.

Straight-up bandit looks!

When they saw them arrive, the fierce looks on those old bandits' faces instantly turned to delight, and they laughed as they came over:

"Big brother, second brother, third brother... sixth brother! We've been waiting forever for you guys!"

"It's been years, brothers—are you all still hale and hearty? Come on in, we've got food and booze ready at the stronghold. Today, you brothers have to drink a few rounds with us, and we'll really catch up."

With that, they warmly pulled Grandpa Han and the others into the stronghold.

The burly men nearby also saluted in unison, saying: "Chief, Second Chief, Third Chief... Sixth Chief."

Then, they all turned to Han Zhang and boomed in unison:

"Young Chief."

Han Zhang: ...

Weren't we supposed to be farmers, noble descendants, and upstanding folks?

So I'm the bandit's grandson after all!