Ling Chengyan's mother had taught her all about etiquette, so nobody was able to condemn her for any bad manners. Even if she only brought out a simplified version of her etiquette, it was enough to gain a good impression in front of the elders.
When she came out of the room, she could clearly hear the discussion between the elders. They were talking about how Ling Chengyan had the best manners among the younger generation as well as among the older generation.
Ling Chengyan's footsteps were light as she washed her face with a basin, not looking the least bit unusual.
When Wang Guitang and Zhou Xiuying saw the group of elders, they were like babies who had just seen their mother. They cried and cried, complaining about Ling Chengyan's unfilial and disobedient behavior.
Not to mention Wang Futang who already knew the situation, even the few elders frowned when they heard it.
Fifth Elder, who didn't have a beard and had short hair, was the oldest. He was the first to speak. "Don't cry, both of you. If you have something to say, say it. You said that Liansheng's wife was unfilial and disobedient, but you should at least make it clear what she did, right? Since we're the elders, we can't just believe what we hear."
Wang Guitang glared at the crying old woman and stomped on the ground with his uninjured foot. "Didn't you hear what the Fifth Elder said? If Ling Chengyan has bullied you, why don't you quickly tell it to the elders?"
Hearing this, Zhou Xiuying subconsciously turned to look at Wang Lianxiang. However, Wang Lianxiang was hiding in the corner under the bed and crying. She didn't even look at Zhou Xiuying.
Zhou Xiuying had no choice but to make up lies. She personally made Ling Chengyan seem more arrogant and domineering. Zhou Xiuying told the elders how Ling Chengyan ate more than ten eggs a day, rushed into her room many times to steal her fabric, and how Ling Chengyan liked to order her around.
Zhou Xiuying continued on, saying that she had scolded Ling Chengyan for eating and drinking well without sharing with others, and for snatching people's belongings. Wang Futang and the other elders couldn't help but frown when they heard the trivial things.
"Not to mention she's greedy, and she barely shows any respect to her elders." Wang Guitang was more observant than Zhou Xiuying. When he saw the faces of the elders, he knew he had to give assurance.
"Yes, it's all true. Ling Chengyan has done many bad things…" Wang Guitang stammered.
"That's enough." The grumpy Seventh Elder waved his hand to interrupt Zhou Xiuying. He frowned and said, "Don't bother with all that b*llshit. Wang Guitang, tell us, what's your purpose for calling us here?"
Zhou Xiuying subconsciously looked back at Wang Guitang. Now, Wang Guitang was scared of making a blunder. He wanted Zhou Xiuying and Wang Lianxiang to cry so that they could win some sympathy from the elders. If they were able to label Wang Liansheng's family as disrespectful and greedy, then their disownment could be done easily. He wouldn't have to sacrifice anything to drive that crazy Ling Chengyan away. Who would've thought that Zhou Xiuying would be so long-winded that she made the Seventh Elder impatient?
An idea popped up in Wang Guitang's mind and he immediately said, "We are a pair of weak husband and wife. My leg was injured, whereas Xiuying's got such a terrible headache that she couldn't get up for a while, and Linxiang cried a lot as she was forced to act as Ling Chengyan's servant. We really had no choice but to invite a few elders to uphold justice for us. We can only live a stable life if the elders helped us in disciplining Wang Liansheng's family."
The elders looked at each other and then at Wang Futang.
Wang Futang was the Eldest Uncle and also the Secretary of the brigade. It was up to him to decide how this matter should be dealt with.
Although Wang Futang was the Secretary of the brigade, he was a junior in front of the elders. The elders sat on chairs and high stools, while he had a small stool and sat by the door. He had been smoking with his head lowered, not saying a word.
The main problem was that both families' actions were too unpresentable and embarrassing. If it wasn't for the fact that he was in a position where he had to deal with these matters, he wouldn't have even wanted to be related to it at all.
At this moment, all the elders were staring at him. Wang Futang had no choice but to knock on his tobacco pipe and pot, straightening his back as he said, "Guitang, don't beat around the bush. What do you want us to do? Just say it clearly."
Wang Guitang didn't hold back this time and simply said three words, "Disown Ling Chengyan."
Zhou Xiuying suddenly spoke up amidst her initial silence, "We only want to kick out that unfilial and disobedient woman. Our Wang family can't have such a daughter-in-law."
Fifth Elder slowly said, "Zhou Xiuying, do you mean you only wish for Liansheng's wife to be thrown out? If so, I'll leave her two children for you to take care of."
Everyone knew that Wang Guitang and Zhou Xiuying weren't that magnanimous. They only want to disown Ling Chengyan, but that didn't mean they'd watch over her two children. It'd be strange if the couple that was well-known to be selfish were suddenly willing to work hard to raise Xiao Xing and Xiao Tian.
But before Wang Guitang and Zhou Xiuying could say anything else, Ling Chengyan suddenly appeared and said, "I'd be worried about leaving my children behind. Who knows where they might be sold off to?"
Under everyone's perplexed gazes, Ling Chengyan strode in and handed a few pieces of paper to Wang Futang.
Wang Futang's expression changed after he examined the papers. He grit his teeth and handed the paper to the Fifth Elder. He stood up from his stool and picked up a shoe. Roughly pulling Wang Guitang closer, he slapped Wang Guitang with the shoe.
"You're really blinded by money, how dare you sell a descendant of our Wang family? When life was difficult, our parents saved their food to feed you. They almost starved to death, but they didn't say they would sell you or give you away. Now that it's your turn to be an elder, you're actually planning to sell one of your grandchildren… Today is the day where I beat you to death, you muddle-headed brat..."
The infuriated Wang Futang smacked Wang Guitang repeatedly with the shoe, and Wang Guitang begged for mercy as he endured the hits.
Zhou Xiuying and Wang Lianxiang were both shocked. The both of them shriveled to the side, with no thoughts of stepping forward. Not to mention taking the beating for Wang Guitang, they couldn't even help him.
It was the Seventh Elder and two other elders who came forward and held Wang Futang back, saving Wang Guitang.
However, Wang Guitang's face was already swollen like a pig's head by then.
Ling Chengyan stood at the door of the room with her head lowered, not saying a word.
She had prepared the confession papers earlier as she knew this was going to happen. With the papers in hand, no matter if Wang Futang was really angry or just acting, nobody would be able to do anything against Ling Chengyan and her children.
The final result of the discussion was that Ling Chengyan would take her two children and live in a separate place. It just so happened that the two men living in the courtyard within the Zhi Qing District had just returned to the city, so there were two empty rooms in that courtyard. The East Court would pay for the renovation of the house, and Ling Chengyan along with her children will move to live there from now on.
There were two other women also living in that courtyard, thus they could keep Ling Chengyan and her children company.
The East Court compensated Ling Chengyan and her children with 200 yuan and food enough for three people. Additionally, they handed over a few pots, bowls, ladles, and other daily necessities along with two chickens and one pig.
In addition, the production team gave Ling Chengyan three pieces of land.
The next day, with Wang Futang's help, Ling Chengyan and the two children were able to list themselves as a new household, with a new household register and ticket books.