Old Lady Liu came over carrying a manure bucket, her whole body blazing with fury. Facing the direction of the Su family, she launched into a furious tirade at the top of her voice.
"I wonder which shameless bastard is jealous of my Qiao'er and has been scheming behind our backs. If you've got the guts, then come out and face us openly!
"You don't dare say it to our faces and only know how to hide behind our backs like rats. You filthy, disgraceful wretches—I'll tear you all apart sooner or later."
The two village women had already grown somewhat frightened when Tian Guihua interrupted them. Now, seeing Old Lady Liu equally furious, they deeply regretted stopping Liu Chunfang.
"Auntie Liu, we... we only happened to hear a little about it. We didn't take it seriously."
"Right, right, we only came to tell you, so you wouldn't remain completely in the dark."
Afraid Old Lady Liu would come after her, one of them hurriedly whispered:
"Auntie Liu, I heard it was Su Qiaoqiao who spread the rumor. She made it sound so convincing at the time.
"But nobody believed her. Just look at her mother—who would believe anything she says?"
"I knew it was those shameless wretches. I'm going to find her."
Old Lady Liu set down the manure bucket, rolled up her sleeves, and stormed off.
Afraid she would suffer for it, Liu Chunfang quickly set her basket on the ground as well and chased after her. "Mom, I'm coming with you."
Tian Guihua had wanted to follow them too, but when she saw the basket full of vegetables on the ground, she hurriedly craned her neck and shouted at their retreating backs:
"Auntie Liu, Chunfang, go on ahead. I'll carry this manure bucket and basket to your