Beisitian didn't want to endure it, nor did she want to exist as the 'little widow' who was once so timid she didn't even dare to speak. Now, she could seize this opportunity to 'change'.
It's common for people to undergo major personality changes during times of upheaval, especially after experiencing life and death!
Half a month ago, Beisitian was carried out of the mountains, covered in blood. Everyone thought she wouldn't make it, but surprisingly she survived. After going through such a crisis, she now made this statement to remind everyone, providing them with a 'reasonable' explanation, making them all suddenly realize!
Beisitian certainly wanted to get her statement out first. In her past life, she traveled all over Jiangnan with her master and personally witnessed many riots incited by manipulating the ignorant. Although they were small-scale, the scenes at the time were terrifying, with everyone looking fierce and red-eyed, seemingly unwilling to stop till death, leaving a deep impression on her!
If her 'change' were taken by those with hidden intentions and turned into stories of possession by ghosts or spirits, and then claimed that her personality changed due to the crisis, it would not have much effect.
Now it was confirmed that her 'major personality change' was because of this incident, so even if someone tried to stir up trouble, the effect would be minimal.
This is called establishing a preemptive narrative!
The villagers around were full of discussions; everyone knew what kind of person Beisitian used to be. To put it nicely, she was timid and didn't like to talk; to put it bluntly, she couldn't be coaxed into speaking even with three whacks!
Pushing a person to change like this showed that Little Sweet was indeed pushed down the mountain by Zhang Lianqiao, but how could Zhang Lianqiao, who has always been obedient, do such a thing?
The crowd, initially just there for the spectacle, now had many starting to sympathize with Beisitian. The stifled little widow was forced to speak out, and the Zhang Family was indeed too oppressive!
Those who had been oppressed by the Zhang Family in the past now stood firmly on Beisitian's side without a moment's hesitation.
Zhang Shuncai felt a bit dazed, wondering how the village women suddenly began to speak for the little widow. What did the little widow say just now?
"Brother!"
Just as Zhang Shuncai hadn't figured out what happened, a delicate voice rang out. He quickly turned around to see his sister coming in from behind.
"Qiao'er, quickly tell everyone whether the little widow fell by herself!"
Zhang Shuncai was blunt and impulsive, but not stupid. He knew this situation was unfavorable for him. Although they had always relied on the Old Zhang Family's numbers and feared no one, they still had to live in this village for generations. Those women had sharp tongues; they could nag someone to death. Besides, he wanted compensation!
Their Qiao'er was always smart, so she should naturally say something at this time!
Zhang Lianqiao looked around and saw many people pointing fingers at her. Her eyes reddened, and her small mouth pouted, "This matter should blame me; I have a significant responsibility for Little Sweet being injured. I shouldn't have ignored it. If only I had insisted more... Blame me, it's all my fault!"
Zhang Lianqiao had a delicate face, fair and smooth, with a good figure, wearing a floral blouse with two patches on the elbows, which were not easily noticeable unless closely looked at. Among the many dark-skinned and rough village women, though not standing out like a crane among chickens, she was quite conspicuous, more like a girl from the city!
Many young folks in the village fancied her, and even some who worked in the city, having seen the world, favored her a lot, saying that no city girls were as fashionable as her!
Beisitian coldly watched Zhang Lianqiao. If she had started by denying it, the villagers might not have believed her because of the preconceived notion already established. Now she directly blamed herself, speaking vaguely. A little thought would make people feel something was fishy!
Sure enough, after a brief silence, some of the village women felt they had figured out some truth and began whispering to those nearby.
This time, the tone of the discussions was not just in favor of Beisitian; instead, they began to doubt her, questioning if Luo Er's family was trying to extort money from the Zhang Family because of their poverty.
Some women pointed fingers at both sides, with some believing Beisitian was indeed pushed down by Zhang Lianqiao, while others thought not, saying Zhang Lianqiao was too sensible to do such things, while Beisitian's personality wouldn't make up such nonsense. Each had their opinions.
Zhang Shuncai, seeing this, quietly gave his sister a thumbs-up. Sure enough, it was different once his sister came!
"My sister is just so sensible and well-behaved. At home and out, she doesn't even raise her voice. She can't bear to watch when we slaughter pigs at New Year's. Do you think my sister could push someone down a mountain?" Zhang Shuncai took the opportunity to say.
Kao Village is only so big; who doesn't know what everyone is like? Zhang Lianqiao looked good, dressed fashionably and had an excellent disposition, making many families want her as a daughter-in-law.
In contrast, Beisitian, young but already a little widow with a timid personality, always lowering her head without saying a word when meeting people, taking three questions to give one small answer like a mosquito buzzing, not to mention her looks with no flesh on her face, looking dusky and dried, feeling poky even to touch, and able to be blown away by a strong wind. Who would favor such a person?
From a sensory perspective, the crowd would definitely lean toward Zhang Lianqiao. However, the domineering Zhang Family in the village, especially the eldest Zhang Shuncai and the third Zhang Shungui, were notorious and had offended many, which showed in times like this.
In her past life, Beisitian had seen all sorts of people; since setting off on a journey with her master, she always dressed as a man, handling most of the eating, drinking, lodging, and traveling herself, inevitably meeting people from all walks of life. She had seen women like Zhang Lianqiao, often using cheap tricks behind closed doors, with nothing to show for.
Beisitian showed a confused expression on her face, "I find it very strange too. My character is not likeable, even when Sister Qiao often talks to me and takes me to the mountains to dig yams. I also like Sister Qiao the most, but I don't know why, at the mention of my deceased husband, Sister Qiao would seem agitated, especially that day on the mountain..."
"Little Sweet!" Zhang Lianqiao's face turned a bit pale and quickly interrupted her.
She really didn't expect Beisitian, who barely said a few sentences all day, to suddenly be so talkative today!
If she keeps talking, who knows what kind of problems might arise!
"Sister Qiao, what's wrong?" Beisitian's eyes flickered with teasing as she intentionally asked.
"N-No, it's nothing..."
"Oh, then I'll continue."
"No, I wanted to say that I'm sorry to you!" Zhang Lianqiao hurriedly said.