Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 37: Qingya, Don’t Be Afraid

Previously, when she wasn’t around, Zhou Huaihua had been spreading all sorts of baseless rumors, and Fei Zhenwu had pretended not to notice.

’But now he was hypocritically standing up to defend some so-called fairness. Who would believe him?’

’The husband and wife were clearly in the same boat.’

’Fei Zhenwu was just worried that his wife’s actions would affect his image.’

’The moment he saw his wife’s scheme was exposed, he immediately tried to wash his hands of her to save his own reputation.’

’She despised men like him—the kind who would push their wife out as a scapegoat at a critical moment.’

"Uncle, Aunt, please don’t let such a small matter harm your relationship. I’m fine, really. Aunt just misunderstood because she hadn’t tried the food I made before. I’ll make more for you to try in the future, to properly show my respect to you both."

Such emotional intelligence! Such a way with words!

The onlookers who had gathered for the drama began to feel sorry for Song Qingya.

An older woman who had just been accusing Song Qingya’s food of having issues rolled up her sleeves and started yelling at Zhou Huaihua.

"What kind of aunt are you? Look at how sensible this young lady is! She’s been wrongly accused, but she isn’t making a scene. Instead, she’s pitifully offering to cook for you in the future. Have you no conscience? How could you even stomach that meal?"

Song Qingya gently tugged on the older woman’s sleeve, the rims of her eyes turning red.

"Ma’am, please stop. Aunt isn’t in the wrong, she just misunderstood me."

Her voice trembled slightly.

"Sigh, this child is too soft-hearted!"

The older woman sighed and patted Song Qingya’s shoulder compassionately.

"If you’re so submissive, your aunt will walk all over you in the future," someone from the crowd couldn’t help but add.

...

Song Qingya just stood there, looking weak and helpless.

The scales in everyone’s hearts gradually tipped in her favor.

Seeing the situation turning against her, even the people who usually chatted with Zhou Huaihua and were on good terms with her had turned to support Song Qingya, all of them now criticizing her.

Zhou Huaihua was so furious she was speechless, her face turning ashen.

’What?’

’Song Qingya, kind?’

’Weak-willed?’

’She doesn’t hold grudges?’

’Good heavens, have they all forgotten how she wouldn’t yield an inch and nearly angered me to death before?!’

Zhou Huaihua was so enraged she couldn’t speak, her lips trembling.

Seeing this, Fei Zhenwu raised his hand as if to strike her.

Zhou Huaihua dodged and weaved, crying and shouting recklessly—

"What did I say that was wrong? I’m not framing you, Song Qingya, so stop playing the victim! You weren’t a virgin when you married into this family! You know damn well what scoundrel you were hooking up with! The Fei Family is already giving you face by not divorcing you, so stop being so shameless!"

Mid-shout, her voice suddenly trailed off, as if she had just realized something.

She froze completely.

Zhou Huaihua saw Fei Jin walk in from outside, his face livid, and her own color instantly drained, turning deathly pale.

Her eyes filled with panic.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Uncle, are you just going to stand there and watch?"

Fei Jin’s tone was ice-cold.

There wasn’t a trace of warmth in his eyes, only frigid rage.

In such a conservative era, a woman’s purity was an enormous matter.

Once a woman’s virtue was sullied, her reputation would be completely ruined.

For Zhou Huaihua to say such a thing on this occasion, she was clearly trying to blow the matter out of proportion.

Even though her fabricated rumors had been exposed, she still wanted to drag Song Qingya down with her and ruin her reputation.

She knew that uttering such words would cause a huge uproar.

But she had thrown all caution to the wind.

Even Fei Zhenwu, who had always indulged Zhou Huaihua, was stunned. He hadn’t expected her to be so reckless.

Although he also had his doubts about Song Qingya, this was, after all, a private matter for the Old Fei Family.

Even if something sordid had happened, outsiders could not be allowed to know.

He was so angry his throat constricted, and he couldn’t even speak properly.

"Zhou Huaihua, what nonsense are you spouting? Shut up!"

He waved his hand forcefully.

"You’re just afraid of the Fei Family losing face, aren’t you? Well, I’m not! If such a scandal really happened, why hide it?"

Zhou Huaihua’s voice grew even shriller.

"Shut your mouth! Haven’t you caused enough embarrassment?"

Fei Zhenwu was on the verge of a breakdown.

He slammed his hand on the table, creating a deafening BANG.

The people around were all stunned into silence.

Some people were well aware of Song Qingya’s circumstances, but gossiping in private was one thing; making a public scene was another entirely.

So the conflict between the Fei Family’s Aunt Zhou and her niece-in-law was this deep!

How could it escalate to this point?

Everyone began to murmur amongst themselves, some even whispering in hushed tones.

The more proper women in the crowd quickly ushered their husbands outside, shutting the doors and forbidding them from listening to the commotion.

They knew that if word of this got out, the repercussions for the family would be severe.

She was a new bride, after all. Even if there was some truth to it, they should have left her some dignity.

What if this escalated and the beautiful bride tried to jump into the river again?

If a new bride’s reputation was destroyed, her life would become incredibly difficult.

Fei Jin immediately walked to Song Qingya’s side.

"Qingya, don’t be afraid. It’s nothing serious."

No matter what happened, he would stand by her side and protect her from harm.

His attitude had completely changed.

His face dark, Fei Jin forcefully restrained his anger, stopping himself from laying a hand on Zhou Huaihua.

If they weren’t in front of a crowd, and if he didn’t have to consider the family’s reputation, he would have already charged forward to teach Zhou Huaihua a lesson.

But reason told him that now was not the time.

"Uncle, I think Aunt must be sick and confused. You should find a doctor to have a look at her."

Fei Jin said this while trying his best to remain calm.

In truth, he had already lost all patience with Zhou Huaihua.

"I’m not leaving! I’m not leaving!!"

Zhou Huaihua wouldn’t let anyone near her.

She had thrown caution to the wind.

She was determined to blow this matter up, no matter what.

She believed this was the only way to completely destroy Song Qingya’s reputation.

If she backed down now, Fei Zhenwu would surely not let her off the hook when they got home.

For her own sake, her only option was to brace herself and press on.

"Ajin, don’t worry. I know you’ve been wronged. But everyone’s here today, and they can all judge what’s right. Even if you divorce her, it wouldn’t be hard for you to find another young maiden, would it?"

Fei Zhenwu’s voice sounded somewhat cold.

He believed that with Fei Jin’s abilities and background, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to find a more suitable wife.

"What crazy things are you saying?"

Fei Jin finally couldn’t take it anymore.

’He simply couldn’t understand his uncle’s absurd point of view.’

’When had he ever said he wanted to abandon his current wife to find another woman?’

’Did he really think marriage was something that could be so easily discarded?’

’It didn’t matter what people said about him.’

’He was a man, after all. At worst, it might affect a promotion.’

’But Qingya was a woman.’

’She had traveled all this way from the city to marry him, pure and innocent. How could he let people talk about her like this?’