Qiao Yuanming, who had been busy receiving villagers with his wife, froze upon hearing these words. Holding filial piety of utmost importance, he couldn't let his own mother harbor such a misunderstanding about him and hurriedly said, "Mother, what are you talking about? Even if I were unfilial, I would never neglect you."
Qiao Yuanming's words were especially sincere, as if he were afraid that Madam Zhao wouldn't believe him, fretting terribly.
With Madam Zhao speaking so loudly, naturally, all the villagers inside heard it. Madam Liu felt as if she had no place to hide her face—if it was just behind closed doors at home, that would be one thing, but with so many outsiders present, this old lady actually had the shamelessness to go this far!
