Family Law

Just then, a burst of footsteps came from the distance. Judging by the aggressive momentum, quite a few people were coming.

The swaggering arrogance of Wang Meng's group faltered slightly, and they all turned toward the sound.

At the far end of the village road, a dozen or so men also came surging over, most of them Fang clansmen, carrying hoes, pitchforks, and the like.

At their head was none other than the Clan Elder who had publicly lost face yesterday.

Wang Meng's expression changed several times. He tightened his grip on the jujube-wood staff in his hand and narrowed his eyes at these uninvited guests.

One of his brothers behind him cursed under his breath. "Fuck, Fang Family people? Didn't they say they weren't going to meddle with this brat anymore?"

Supported by others, the Clan Elder walked up. He did not even glance at Fang Yuan standing at the courtyard gate, as though he were some irrelevant object.

He first clasped his hands toward Wang Meng and the others, forcing a stiff smile onto his face while keeping his tone low.

"Brothers of the Wang Family, you have come from afar, and we have failed to welcome you properly."

Unable to read his intentions, Wang Meng asked in a gruff voice, "Old man, you brought so many people here. Are you trying to back this brat up?" His staff pointed at Fang Yuan.

"Not at all, not at all." The Clan Elder hurriedly waved his hands, his face assuming an expression of grief and indignation. "This old man has come to clean house and enforce the Family Law!"

He turned sideways and finally swept Fang Yuan with the corner of his eye. That gaze was filled with disgust and coldness.

"This wretch! Yesterday, he showed no respect for his elders, collided with the Headman, beat a child, and even made... made outsiders laugh at our Fang Clan!

His deeds are vile; his heart deserves death!"

He paused to catch his breath, then turned to Wang Meng, his tone becoming righteous and high-minded.

"If Wang Family brothers have come to settle accounts with him, then he has only himself to blame. Our Fang Clan will never shield him! But..."

His tone shifted, and a troubled yet resolute expression appeared on his face.

"This child bears the Fang surname after all. He has committed grave wrongs and disgraced our family's honor. This Family Law should rightly be carried out by us Fang clansmen first!

Otherwise, how will the Fang Family have any face left to stand in Fang Family Village in the future?"

Wang Meng was left dazed by what he heard. The burly man behind him could not help sneering. "Old man, after all that circling around, aren't you just trying to protect your own? What bullshit Family Law!"

"It is absolutely not favoritism!" As though he had suffered the greatest insult, the Clan Elder slammed his cane down, raising his voice. "Today, before all of you, this old man will enforce the Family Law and severely punish this beast!

Let Wang Family brothers see that the Fang Clan is by no means a people unable to distinguish right from wrong!"

He suddenly turned his head and shouted sternly at Fang Yuan, "Wretch! Why are you not kneeling? Yesterday, you showed no regard for your elders. Today, this old man will teach you, on behalf of our ancestors, what rules are!"

Everyone watched his fine performance. On the surface, he was sacrificing kin for righteousness, but in truth, he was keeping the Wang Family people out of it.

The meaning was obvious: we will beat him ourselves while you watch. Once we are done, your anger will have subsided, so do not lay another hand on him.

Otherwise, if things truly spiraled out of control, neither side would look good.

Wang Meng narrowed his eyes and weighed the matter.

He had come to vent his anger for his younger sister and cripple one of Fang Yuan's legs. As for who did it, that was not the most important part.

Besides, judging by the old man's gritted teeth, this Family Law punishment would probably not be light.

He snorted and folded his arms. "Fine! I'll see exactly how you enforce this Family Law! If you go too easy on him, don't blame me for doing it myself!"

Seeing that Wang Meng had been placated, the Clan Elder felt somewhat relieved. He looked at Fang Yuan again, and beneath the coldness in his eyes was a trace of malicious satisfaction.

The humiliation of being slapped by Li Wangshi yesterday, along with his fury at Fang Yuan's defiance, had finally found an outlet.

"Men!" He waved a hand behind him. "Hold down this disobedient, unfilial thing! First, give him twenty strokes of the staff!"

As the Clan Elder listened to the scattered discussions around him, full of flattery—

"Clan Elder is righteous."

"Seventh Uncle-Grandfather is reasonable."

—a flicker of barely perceptible pride passed through his Muddied Old Eyes.

But when he looked at Fang Yuan, that pride was instantly replaced by icy viciousness.

He had never intended to merely put on a show.

On the way here, he had already secretly instructed the two clansmen who always obeyed his every command and had notoriously heavy hands.

Beat him to death if necessary, and pay special attention to his legs and feet! It would be best to cripple him outright!

That way, he could publicly enforce the Family Law, recover the face he had lost yesterday, and earn a reputation for impartiality and for defending the family's honor.

At the same time, he could completely get rid of Fang Yuan, this thorn in his side who had suddenly become disobedient, dared to defy him in public, and made him lose face!

A poor scholar who should have been firmly clutched in his palm, used to display the authority of the clan, had suddenly become so hard and rebellious.

That made him feel even more enraged and out of control than Li Wangshi's few slaps.

The two sturdy men who had received their instructions stepped forward with heavy staffs in hand, their eyes fierce. One on each side, they reached for Fang Yuan's arms, intending to force him to the ground.

At that moment, Liu Wanwan suddenly rushed out of the house. Her face was pale as paper, yet she spread her arms and stood firmly in front of Fang Yuan.

Her voice trembled, but it carried a desperate resolve. "Don't touch my husband! If you want to beat someone... beat me!"

The Clan Elder's grizzled brows twisted sharply, and his face instantly darkened as though water could drip from it.

He hated unexpected complications most of all! Beat a woman in public?

If word got out, would he still have his reputation for righteousness and reason? It would be easy enough to say, but ugly to hear! From beginning to end, his target had been Fang Yuan!

As long as Fang Yuan was crippled, would this orphan and widow not be putty in his hands, to knead round or flatten as he pleased?

There would be plenty of ways to slowly deal with them later. Why rush now and give people something to talk about?

"Outrageous!" the Clan Elder shouted sternly, slamming his cane heavily against the ground. "You, a woman, have no place speaking here! Get out of the way! Before the Family Law, how dare you throw a tantrum!"

Clansmen behind him immediately echoed him. "That's right! Lady Wan, hurry and move aside! Seventh Uncle-Grandfather is enforcing the Family Law—it is only right and proper!"

"The Clan Elder is doing this for your own good, cleaning house so that your lives can be peaceful afterward!"

The surrounding murmurs rose again, most of them agreeing with the Clan Elder.

They praised him for being "righteous and clear-minded," "putting no private feelings first." Some even thought Liu Wanwan was being unreasonable and had let down the Clan Elder's good intentions.

Wang Meng stood to one side with his arms folded, watching coldly, a mocking sneer on his lips.

He was more than happy to watch the Fang Family tear at each other like dogs.

Receiving a signal from the Clan Elder's eyes, the two men carrying out the punishment hesitated no longer and roughly reached out to shove Liu Wanwan aside.

Fang Yuan, who had remained silent like a reef, moved.