"We didn't mean it like that——" Those who were gossiping still felt somewhat guilty.
Xiangcai spoke up directly, her voice loud and clear, "Then what do you mean? You'd rather believe a stranger's few words than trust in Muniang's character. After all, we've known her for a long time. Don't you know how principled she is? When the Qiao family kicked her out, did she ever ask them for help? All these years, hasn't she gotten by on her own through her hardships? How could such a woman of principles become someone's concubine?"
Her words shamed everyone; their faces flushed, unable to lift their heads. Not to mention the great benefits Muniang brought to the village; nearly all the villagers who could embroider worked in Muniang's embroidery room. The wages they received were almost twice that of the town's, adding much-needed income to their households. Yet, now they were swayed by someone's provocations and started to gossip behind her back, which was indeed very mean-spirited.
