Old Master Tao hurriedly rebuked, "What are you making such a fuss about? You don't care about your reputation, but I do!"
He valued his reputation above all else in his life.
If he lost face in his old age, what face would he have to meet his ancestors in the afterlife?
As if receiving a signal, Madam Yu and Tao Fangfang ferociously lunged at Tao Lengshuang, "Today, we must teach you a good lesson."
Old Master Tao stood there, watching to see if any villagers were coming from outside, also ensuring Tao Lengshuang had no chance to escape.
"We'll see who teaches whom a lesson." Tao Lengshuang swung her staff hard at Madam Yu and Tao Fangfang.
The staff moved with formidable power, and the whistling wind could be clearly heard.
Madam Yu and Tao Fangfang, startled, retreated repeatedly, looking at Tao Lengshuang with fear in their eyes, clearly not expecting her to actually strike.
"You scoundrel!"
Old Master Tao's face turned ashen, his eyes blazing with anger as he looked at her, but he lowered his voice, "If I don't teach you a proper lesson today, you won't understand filial piety and proper conduct."
At his command, Madam Yu and Tao Fangfang found sticks and once again rushed at Tao Lengshuang.
Knowing she was no match for Madam Yu and her daughter at the moment, Tao Lengshuang simply shouted loudly, "Murder! Murder! Old Master Tao is killing me!"
Her cries grew louder and sharper with each shout, as if she were truly about to be killed.
"What's going on? What's going on? Has someone really been killed?"
At this moment, the sound of footsteps and murmuring voices could be heard.
Old Master Tao's expression changed, and he quickly told Madam Yu and her daughter to stop.
With a sinister look, he spoke in a kind tone, "Lengshuang, you child, you're making trouble again."
"Look at you, your son is already four years old, and you're still so prone to causing trouble. You can't even hold the family together."
Tao Lengshuang knew very well that his words were for the villagers outside, so she continued to shout, "That's not right."
"How wicked is your Tao Dagou? He was shouting threats at my Xiao Feng, saying he'd be responsible if he was killed.
Such a young child, and he dares to do such things. Can you say it wasn't taught at home?"
The villagers who had gathered heard this and began to murmur amongst themselves.
"That Tao Dagou is truly detestable. Last time, he beat my grandson so badly he was disfigured. I went to the Tao family for an explanation, but they twisted things around and blamed me. It nearly killed me."
"That Tao Dagou is a village bully. He's no different from Tao Lengshuang. Tao Dagou has done no end of evil, and he often steals from the village. Aren't these things ultimately benefiting the Tao family?"
"This time, Tao Dagou even says such things. Who knows what he'll do in the future, maybe even murder and arson."
Old Master Tao's face was extremely unsightly, but he wisely changed the subject, "How could you, as an aunt, shout threats at Dagou and almost injure him with a sickle?"
When the surrounding villagers heard this, some scorned Tao Lengshuang for being vicious, but more were pleased.
"Oh, heaven has opened its eyes! It's just a shame he didn't manage to kill that dog, Tao Dagou."
"Tao Lengshuang is too wicked. No matter what, he's still a child. How could she try to kill him?"
"I think you're speaking without understanding the situation. Everyone in the village knows what kind of person Tao Dagou is. He's been causing trouble for people since he was young. He even dares to harass girls, forcing several to commit suicide or marry widowers."
"Tao Lengshuang, I suddenly find you much more agreeable. Next time, you must finish off Tao Dagou."
Tao Lengshuang's cold gaze fell on Old Master Tao, and she said unhurriedly, "Listen, listen. You don't even need me to do anything. Sooner or later, your family will bring about your own downfall."
When the villagers' anger reached its peak, it would be the end for the Tao family.
Old Master Tao's face was as unpleasant as if he had swallowed a fly.
He thought of himself as a good person and had always maintained his reputation well, but he never expected that not a single villager would help him today.
It was all the fault of this wicked creature, Tao Lengshuang!
"It's a fact that you injured Dagou."
As he spoke, Madam Yu and Tao Fangfang began to cry out.
"It's unjust! Tao Lengshuang wanted to kill my Dagou, and no one is intervening. What will happen in the future?"
"My poor nephew is lying in bed, weak and ill, all because of you, Tao Lengshuang."
The mother and daughter played their parts, not only belittling Tao Lengshuang but also portraying her as a wicked person who committed all sorts of evil.
Tao Lengshuang impatiently picked at her ear, her expression growing colder, "Since you all say Tao Dagou is dying, then I, as his aunt, should send him off."
She picked up the sickle and strode out menacingly.
Old Master Tao and the other two were caught off guard by her move and froze for two seconds.
Seeing that Tao Lengshuang was indeed going to hack Tao Dagou to death, the three of them truly panicked and quickly blocked her path.
"This is murder. I'm telling you, I won't let you ruin the reputation of the Tao family and yourself," Old Master Tao threatened.
Tao Lengshuang was amused, looking at him with mocking eyes, "Does the Tao family have any reputation?"
"No!" a villager shouted, "Who in the surrounding villages doesn't know that the Tao family are the most wicked scoundrels? Even beggars wouldn't marry daughters from the Tao family."
"Did you hear that?"
Tao Lengshuang saw Old Master Tao's face become even more unsightly, and her mood became extremely pleasant. "If the three of you stay here any longer, by tomorrow, your entire family will become the village's laughingstock, pointed at wherever you go."
Old Master Tao, as if seeing the villagers pointing fingers, covered his face with his sleeve and quickly walked out.
"Old man..."
Madam Yu, unwilling, felt a pang of fear when faced with Tao Lengshuang wielding the sickle, "You wicked creature, you just wait! I won't let this go."
Dropping this threat with a show of bravado, she and Tao Fangfang went to chase after Old Master Tao.
Tao Lengshuang closed the door, shutting out the scrutinizing gazes of the villagers, but she didn't notice a peculiar, searching look.
Mo Lingxi, however, raised his eyes, a dark glint flashing in their depths.
"Mother is amazing!"
Xiao Feng's eyes sparkled with admiration as he circled his mother, "When I grow up, I want to be as strong as Mother, to protect Mother and Father, and not let bad people bully you."
Tao Lengshuang's eyes softened, and she pinched his cheek, "Then Mother will wait for our Xiao Feng to protect me."
Xiao Feng nodded vigorously, patted his little chest, and earnestly promised, "Mother, Xiao Feng is very strong. I can drive away all the bad guys."
Tao Lengshuang praised him, ignoring Mo Lingxi's scrutinizing gaze, "Mother will take Xiao Feng up the mountain to find things this afternoon, okay?"
Xiao Feng readily agreed, eager to spend more time with his mother.
...
After waking from their midday nap, Tao Lengshuang prepared her tools and water pouch and led Xiao Feng towards the foot of the mountain.
Halfway there, the mother and son encountered the village chief, who had come looking for Tao Lengshuang.
The village chief had thick eyebrows and a square face, and his expression was habitually stern.
He made no attempt to hide his displeasure and said gruffly, "Tao Lengshuang, if you cause any more trouble, I will deal with you according to the village rules."