Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

Li Changming snorted. "From now on, every time they come, we’ll chase them away. We have to chase them off until they’re scared out of their wits. I think if our village dares to make a scene, the other villages will definitely follow suit—they’re even poorer than we are, so life will only get harder for them."

He clenched his fists, his heart in turmoil. Yan was his younger cousin, and he had watched helplessly as she was taken away today. ’I wanted so badly to rush up and slaughter that dog of an official, but I was afraid of bringing disaster to my family and the village, so I held myself back.’

Qingmu thought for a moment and said, "One more thing. Everyone should save up your money and hide it. We’ll have to endure some hardship for the next few years and just live like we did before. At the very least, starting right now, no more making new clothes." Everyone readily agreed.

Mr. Zhou said in a low voice, "Everyone, don’t worry too much. Besides, your worrying is useless. Even if this County Magistrate Li leaves, there’s no guarantee the next one they send will be as fair and wise as County Magistrate Hu. Changyu, pay close attention for a while. If there are any developments at the imperial court, come back and tell me as soon as you hear anything. Don’t have someone bring a message—that’s risky. This County Magistrate Li has already taken notice of you."

Although Li Changyu found the old Scholar very strange, he still agreed.

That evening, Mr. Zhou returned to his residence. He sat silently in the courtyard for a long time, still as a statue, as if waiting and hoping for something. The oppressive heat of the summer night sent ripples across his heart, which was normally as calm as a still well.

As Qingmu and Zhang Huai headed home, they saw Little Shitou waving at them from the Zheng Family Courtyard from a long way off. When the two entered the yard, they saw Juhua and Liu Yunlan sitting under the peach tree, whispering to each other. Mrs. Yang, Zheng Changhe, as well as Zhang Dashuan’s family and Zhao San’s family were all there.

Seeing them return, Zhao San quickly asked, "How did it go? Is that dog of an official gone? Did he give you two a hard time?"

Qingmu walked straight over to Liu Yunlan, gave her a smile, and squeezed onto the bench beside her. The bench was a little short, making their seat unsteady, so he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.

Liu Yunlan was surprised and shy that he would act so intimately in front of so many people. She hastily glanced around, but breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that everyone was waiting for Qingmu and Zhang Huai to speak and hadn’t noticed them.

Zhang Huai also walked over to Juhua. She quickly pulled the small stool out from under Zhao Qing for him to sit on, then settled Zhao Qing onto her lap.

After Zhang Huai sat down, he glanced at Qingmu, sighed, and said, "He’s gone. And he took Yan with him. Yan’s mother cried until she fainted."

Everyone was shocked and looked at each other in dismay. Mrs. He was particularly upset—’Yan’s mother begged me for help, but even if I had agreed, the outcome would have been the same.’

Zhang Huai quickly reassured everyone, saying that Yan might still be able to come back. He then repeated what Mr. Zhou had said, and only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

Juhua listened in a daze. ’That little girl who loved looking pretty... will she ever be able to come back after this? To be honest, this is even harder for me to stomach than a corrupt official raising taxes.’ Her mind raced, but she had no idea what to do.

In any dynasty, in any country, even in a different time and place, there was no shortage of such injustice. In her previous life, no matter how perfect the legal system became or how hard leaders tried to provide security for the common people, all kinds of unfairness still emerged endlessly, enough to make one numb.

As the conversation turned back to County Magistrate Li’s visit to the Zheng family’s home that day, Qingmu’s anger flared up again. He whipped his head around to stare intently at Liu Yunlan.

Liu Yunlan looked at him, feeling anxious. She was afraid he would blame her for embarrassing him earlier. But to her surprise, Qingmu looked at her for a long moment, then suddenly grinned. "From now on, you can just keep talking and acting like that. In any case, I don’t mind."

Juhua, who had just managed to pull her thoughts back to the present, stared wide-eyed at her brother. Zhao San roared with laughter, and Little Shitou was so delighted he couldn’t stop laughing, which made Liu Yunlan’s face flush red.

Zhang Huai explained to Juhua, "This County Magistrate Li will be in his post for three years. Who knows what might happen down the line? It’s better for Sister-in-law to be cautious."

He had grown up with Qingmu, so he understood him better than anyone. The moment Qingmu opened his mouth, Zhang Huai knew what he was thinking.

Liu Yunlan finally relaxed, a sweet feeling blooming in her heart. Pursing her lips to hold back a smile, she said to Qingmu, "I’m afraid that’ll be a little difficult. I was actually pretty scared today, but when I saw that dog of an official, I got so angry I wanted to take a bite out of him. That’s why I felt like cursing him out like a shrew, and it felt so good afterward—because in my heart, I really was cursing him. But if I act like that at home all the time... I... I’m afraid I’ll forget myself. And besides, walking with my feet splayed out is really uncomfortable."

Juhua let out a PFFT of laughter. ’This really is putting my sister-in-law in a tough spot. That kind of coarse country-woman persona isn’t built in a day; it’s tied to one’s personal habits. At least her mother, Mrs. Yang, isn’t that unsightly, to say nothing of Liu Yunlan, who’s still a new bride.’

Juhua then suggested, "You don’t have to force the act all the time. Sister Yunlan, you just need to be a little feisty in front of outsiders. After a couple of years, you won’t have to pretend anymore."

’By that time, even if she doesn’t become ugly, she’ll probably just blend in with everyone else! It would be hard for her to get her looks back unless she starts doing regular facial treatments like I used to.’

But Mrs. Yang said, "I don’t think she needs to pretend. Why act like that when you’re just living a normal life at home? Yunlan is right, you can’t fake it convincingly if you don’t have real anger in your heart! You all stop overthinking this and relax. The moment she sees those official masters, she’ll naturally turn into a shrew. Anyone who runs into that dog of an official would want to curse him out. And why be polite about it? Of course it feels better to jump around and clap while you’re shouting! Isn’t that right, Shitou’s mother?"

Shitou’s mother and Mrs. He were both frank women. Upon hearing this, Shitou’s mother’s eyes went wide as she declared, "You’re damn right! If it were me today, I would’ve cursed out eight generations of his ancestors! Who needs to pretend? Yunlan, us country wives have to be a little shrewish sometimes, otherwise life is just too hard. Next time someone acts like that toward you, I don’t care if he’s an official or a commoner, you just let loose and raise hell. Do it once and you’ll make a name for yourself. After that, no one will dare to provoke you, and they won’t see you as some great beauty, either."

Everyone burst into laughter.