novelblue
Chapter 216 - 216 216 Undriven (3)_1
Chapter 216 - 216 216 Undriven (3)_1
?Chapter 216: Chapter 216 Undriven (3)_1 Chapter 216: Chapter 216 Undriven (3)_1 Several villagers who had heard exchanged nods of agreement.
“Miss, haven’t you read the Women’s Conduct?” the glamorous lady smirked at Lin Ziyin.
Her mocking smile suggested that she thought of Lin as a country bumpkin lacking in exposure and education.
“I am but a country girl, unprivileged enough to get an education.” Lin Ziyin’s remark sparked laughter in the two ladies of higher status.
“No wonder you attach no value to one’s purity.” The younger lady scornfully sneered, not bothering to hide her disdain.
“Could the ladies please listen to our grievances? These two grown men took liberties with my niece and planned to merely walk away. Can I not go to the government offices to report them?” Yan Daniu perked up when he saw respected figures extend their help.
“Please, madams, stand up for our girls.” Yan’s wife pleaded on her knees fervently.
Lin Ziyin watched the scene with a stoic expression, pondering over the identities of these two women. They had once tried to seize her tofu recipes at the marketplace, were later suppressed by Si Family and had now strangely surfaced again.
“Fear not, we’re here to step in when injustice is done. I absolutely despise those who misuse their power,” the young lady pompously stared at Lin Ziyin and suggested, “Sister, why don’t we play matchmakers and bless these girls with marriages?”
“We’ve just made vows at the temple. Facilitating two marriages might be a way to accumulate virtue.” The lady responded with a smile.
Picking up the inference, Yan Daniu, Yan Yun and others understood that these ladies planned to favor Yan family. Despite not understanding their motivations, they knew that not depending on those with power would be foolish.
“I thank you, madam and the young lady, on behalf of my poor nieces.” Yan’s wife was the first to kneel down in gratitude, “A girl’s reputation means everything to her. Without your guidance, they would be…” She choked up and couldn’t continue.
Seeing her tearful state, Yan Yun and Yan Liu immediately clung to her and began sobbing.
“According to Daqin’s laws, any man guilty of tarnishing a girl’s purity should be branded and jailed for three years. Even though you rescued the victims, it doesn’t atone for their lost honor. Bringing the girls into your home means adding allies within. Have you thought it through?” The lady smirked at Lin Ziyin provocatively.
“May I ask who you are?” Lin Ziyin was slightly irked. She could tell that escaping from the situation wouldn’t be easy.
“We’re helping you. You don’t need to remember our good deeds,” replied the young lady with a cold smirk, withholding her identity.
“I never knew Daqin’s laws were meant to be used like this. May I ask if anybody can meddle with another family’s business?”
“How dare you insult us?” The young lady was instantly triggered by Lin Ziyin’s comment.
“Ziyin.” Seeing Lin Ziyin clash with respected figures alarmed Lin Changshu and Guo Huiniang. Zige turned pale with fear.
“Though villagers of Shili Village are citizens of Daqin and subjects of the prince, we’ve never heard of any outsider having the right to enslave us. We can settle disputes at the government offices. Your kindness is appreciated.”
The villagers nodded in agreement before Lin Ziyin’s standpoint. Indeed, the stature of the visitors didn’t warrant them the right to force marriages. Even the prince would respect the laws of the Northern Land.
Red with temper, the young lady hissed, “Regardless of your attitude, today, your agreement becomes necessary.”
“Are you planning to resort to force, like you did when you tried stealing Lin family’s recipes earlier?” Lin Ziyin retorted with a cold smirk. Some matters can’t be handled merely with fear, especially now when she is no longer an anonymous, helpless villager.