A Good Country Wife
Chapter 270 - 264: Refuse to Admit Death_1

Chapter 270: Chapter 264: Refuse to Admit Death_1

As soon as Chunxi heard Zhao Jingui’s fury-filled shout of her name, her body trembled reflexively, and she shivered with cold. Just a few days ago, Zhao Jingui had beaten her, and the wounds had not yet healed. Now, seeing Zhao Jingui so infuriated again, she wondered what it was about this time. It couldn’t be that the You Family had spoken ill of her in front of Zhao Jingui again, could it? That malevolent woman was always stirring up trouble, seemingly eager to have Zhao Jingui beat Chunxi to death. Truly detestable—sooner or later, she would have to let the You Family taste this kind of humiliation as well.

Chunxi hardened her heart with these thoughts, but seeing Zhao Jingui’s fierce demeanor, she dared not approach him. She stood at the doorstep, shrinking back in fear. The sight of Chunxi looking so timid and acting oppressed only infuriated Zhao Jingui further, thinking she feigned her meekness when her actions were unbelievable, one after the other. Whom was she trying to fool with that abused appearance, intentionally causing him trouble?

When Zhao Jingui saw Chunxi did not come over, he strode towards her, picked her up, and threw her onto the open space in the yard, proceeding to punch and kick her. Chunxi, now seasoned by beatings, couldn’t care for anything else and curled up into a ball, shielding her head with her arms, not even pleading for mercy. She had learned her lesson; even if she begged, Zhao Jingui wouldn’t stop until he had vented his anger and would only become more violent.

The You Family came out upon hearing the commotion and saw Zhao Jingui chastising Chunxi. Judging by his look, he seemed to have encountered some irritation outside, "What’s the matter now? What has Chunxi done wrong to anger you, my dear brother?" The You Family only asked Zhao Jingui what the matter was, not intending to stop him from hitting Chunxi. Such a woman deserved to be beaten to death, saving them the trouble of her constant scheming—like having a venomous snake by one’s side, always ready to strike when you lest expect it.

"This shameless wretch, her deeds have become the talk of the village. On my way back, people pointed and made remarks about me—the number of them spitting behind my back, I can’t even count. I must beat this good-for-nothing dead," Zhao Jingui, realizing the You Family had come out, paused just long enough to answer her question, and spat on Chunxi disdainfully as he spoke.

Only then did Chunxi find the chance to defend herself. After all, she couldn’t take the fall for something she hadn’t done, "Jingui, it wasn’t me, I’ve been wronged! These past days, I’ve been working at home without a moment’s rest, with no time to go out. How could I have the leisure to do anything else? You must have heard wrong, or they are surely framing me. If you don’t believe it, ask sister You. She can testify that I haven’t been out."

After speaking, Chunxi looked expectantly toward the You Family. In her mind, despite how despicable and fond of stirring up trouble the You Family was, and how the You Family incited Zhao Jingui to abuse her, they had never fabricated anything from thin air. Indeed, she hadn’t been out these few days, except for that one time she went to the old Zhao Family house, and that was with the You Family’s permission. The You Family should tell the truth.

However, the You Family didn’t pick up on Chunxi’s words and instead turned to Zhao Jingui, "There’s more to this story? What has Chunxi done this time? Don’t tell me her promiscuous ways have led her to tempt men again; that is truly unforgivable. Otherwise, she won’t learn her lesson and will repeat the same behavior."

"No, it’s because she spied on Zhao Erhu’s method for sprouting beans and traded it with Zhao Lingxiang for silver coins. The entire village knows about it. The Lin Family used to treat this wretch well, and such ungrateful actions are bound to be condemned by the villagers. And it’s not the first time she’s done this kind of thing; a dog can’t change its nature. I must discipline her properly, beat her so she forever remembers not to commit such disgraceful acts."

Zhao Jingui spoke as if he were righteous, but the crux of the matter was simple: Chunxi had embarrassed him. If one were to truly consider character, he was no better than Chunxi. As the saying goes, "Birds of a feather flock together," having finished his piece, Zhao Jingui’s fists and feet found their way to Chunxi again.

Chunxi’s face paled the moment Zhao Jingui spoke like that. She knew that Jingui had discovered her affair with Zhao Lingxiang. However, she would never admit it, no matter what, because if she did, Zhao Jingui certainly wouldn’t let her off lightly, and the silver would be plundered by that adulterous pair.

"Jingui, it’s not true; it’s completely a rumor. You know that Lin Family’s Lin Yue has always been at odds with me. She must have deliberately come up with this idea to spread such news and frame me. Think about it, Lin Yue is such a shrewd woman; how could I possibly know the secrets of her household? This is simply slander; Lin Yue is too malicious," Chunxi said, with an unspeakable hatred for Lin Yue.

"Nonsense! My mother mentioned that Lin Yue is a kind-hearted person who has helped our family a lot in the past. It was your promiscuous behavior that was exposed, and Lin Yue saw through you, that’s why she doesn’t want to associate with you anymore. And here you are still lying to me. This didn’t come from Lin Yue’s side at all," said Zhao Jingui, growing even more angry as Chunxi continued to deny it.

"If not her, then who else could it be? I have no other enemies in the village. It must be those few familiar with Lin Yue, certainly under her direction," Chunxi couldn’t stand Lin Yue, and wanted to drag her into this mess. Besides, Chunxi did believe it was Lin Yue trying to set her up. After all, aside from Zhao Lingxiang, her maid, and herself, no one else in the Zhao Family’s old house knew what she and Zhao Lingxiang had talked about in that room. If Lin Yue had any evidence, she would have come knocking at her door by now. Of course, Chunxi didn’t expect that Li Xiaomei could have been eavesdropping outside the room.

"Still stubborn and refusing to admit it! I don’t care who spread it, but Zhao Lingxiang’s sister-in-law, Li Xiaomei, has personally confessed. They are direct relatives, would they lie about this? I think you, this shameless wretch, won’t confess without a beating, and you’re still trying to smear others," said Zhao Jingui, his blows growing fiercer as he beat Chunxi, who cried out in pain.

You Family’s You Shi was thinking of getting Zhao Jingui to give Chunxi a good beating, but when she heard Chunxi mention she got silver from Zhao Lingxiang, You Shi quickly stopped Zhao Jingui, "Brother Gui, what are you doing? Stop hitting her. You just beat her a few days ago, and her wounds haven’t healed yet. Besides, although what Chunxi did this time was indeed excessive and extremely ungrateful, she was, after all, thinking of this family."

"Really?" Zhao Jingui paused, "This woman would consider the family’s welfare?"

"Thank You, Sister You," Chunxi didn’t expect that You Shi, who had just refused to tell the truth, would now step in to stop Zhao Jingui and even surprisingly speak in her favor in front of him. Although Chunxi thought this was what You Shi owed her, she still showed a grateful expression on the surface.

You Shi smiled amiably at Chunxi, "No need to thank me. What thanks? We should be the ones thanking you, Chunxi."