Chapter Nine, No Evidence.

Words alone are not enough. Would you dare to provide written evidence, dear nephew?

As soon as Meng Qiuxiang spoke, everyone's gaze shifted to her.

What? Torn?

Upon hearing Qiao Zheng's question, even Xiao Dingshan felt helpless and said, "There is no evidence. You have torn up the marriage certificate. Sigh..."

All of this, it turns out, is because Yuniang has long had the idea of marrying herself.

Unfortunately, I cannot refuse, but these days, every move of Yuniang is seen by Xiaomo. As a modern person, to be honest, Xiaomo is very moved by Yuniang's actions and also admires her loyalty and unwavering support for the Xia family.

Qiao Zheng heard the words and said coldly: "Nephew, what you said is correct, so Yuniang should listen to her husband's family!"

Xiao Mo was also troubled in his heart. It's not that he didn't want to establish this document, but how should it be established?

Oh, the injustice... Lin Han sighed as he stood up, shaking his head repeatedly. He looked towards the door of the Xiao family and realized that he was powerless at this point. He decided to leave the Xiao family.

Yes, Xiao Mo cannot say such words, which shows his great respect for Yu Niang. Moreover, from the way Xiao Mo and Yu Niang address each other, their relationship seems to be more than just a typical relationship between uncle and niece. Yu Niang is determined not to leave the Xiao family, and there may be some unknown reasons behind this!

Meng Qiuxiang shook her head and said, "It's my fault. I thought Haor could come back safely. After going through so much trouble to find a wife, how could we easily send her back? Besides, I was afraid of angering the in-laws, so I forced Xiao Hao and Yuniang to get married. Who would have thought it would lead to the current situation!"

Meng Qiuxiang's tears were not yet dry, her voice still choked: "Don't make things difficult for Xiaomo, he was in a coma for three years before waking up... He doesn't know anything, this evidence, Xiaomo cannot be convicted!"

Qiao Zheng asked discontentedly, "Mother-in-law, what does this mean?"

Xiao Mo also frowned. If what Meng Qiu Xiang said is true, then the situation becomes serious. If it is not handled properly, Qiao Zheng will be furious and sue the Xiao family in the county government office, accusing them of forcibly taking Yu Niang for three years. The Xiao family has nothing to say in response, and in the end, they will definitely have to face a lawsuit. Given the current situation of the Xiao family, how can they bear it?

Lin Chong was surprised to hear this, and then said to Xiao's mother, "Sister-in-law, why has this matter not been mentioned all along?"

Meng Qiuxiang's mood seemed to have eased a lot. She turned around and grabbed Yuniang's hand, saying, "Child, you have suffered so much over the years! But this marriage contract, Xiaomo cannot fulfill, because you are innocent. You and Xiaohao have not gone through the wedding ceremony, nor have you paid respects to heaven and earth. The only thing that binds you is a piece of paper. But on the night before you and Xiaohao were to be married, Xiaohao received news of conscription. At that time, Xiaomo was already seriously ill. Xiaohao felt that he couldn't delay you, so he tore up the marriage contract... Tore up the marriage contract!"

Xiao Mo leaned against the door for a long time, feeling a bit weak. After hearing Qiao Zheng's words, he answered with difficulty, "As for my own body, who else but myself can make decisions?"

With a speechless glance at this foolish youngster, Xiao Mo didn't know what to say. After all, Yu Niang was his sister-in-law. If he didn't fulfill this promise, he was afraid that Yu Niang would be disappointed, and the Qiao family would not let it go. But if he did fulfill it, what would it become?

After Qiao Zheng finished speaking, he looked at Xiao Mo. Xiao Mo secretly lamented in his heart. He had long known that Qiao Zheng was definitely not an easy opponent, but he didn't expect him to be so difficult to deal with.

At this moment, in the courtyard of the Xiao family, two respected uncles from the town, Liang Zhenglin, Qiao father and son, Meng Qiuxiang, and Yu Niang, were all staring at Xiao Mo, watching how he would answer Qiao Zheng's question about whether to establish this character.

Pull it, this kind of document is too absurd. Even if Xiao Mo has lived for two lifetimes and has a thick skin, he still wouldn't dare to casually issue such a ridiculous document.

In the era of male dominance, women's status is so low! Especially for widows, in some places they are even called "ghost wives", meaning the wives of ghosts. If a man marries a widow, after he dies and goes to the underworld, he will have to compete with the widow's former husband for his body. That's why it's so difficult for widows to remarry!

At this point, Xiao Mo suddenly felt a shock in his heart.

After speaking, Lin Han looked at Qiao Zheng meaningfully.

In my previous life, I lived a miserable life. I never expected that even after finally crossing over, things would still go so wrong. Not only did I end up in a village of widows, but even my sister-in-law is a widow, and she even wants to marry me.

Xiao Mo rolled her eyes in her heart. Qiao Wenxuan is even more outrageous. He actually demanded in front of so many people that Xiao Mo give Yu Niang a lifetime of happiness!

Seeing Lin Han stand up, Xiao Dingshan also stood up and said to Xiao Mo, "Xiao Mo, Uncle can only help up to this point with this matter, sigh..."

Could it be that in the future, if Yuniang stays with the Xiao family and refuses to remarry, and cannot obtain happiness, he will marry Yuniang himself in order to fulfill his promise?

When Xiao Mo spoke, everyone's attention naturally focused on him. Yu Niang, being observant, noticed that Xiao Mo seemed unable to hold on, knowing that his illness had not yet healed. She was afraid that he was forcing himself to stand for too long, so she got up to support him. Thinking of how Xiao Mo had persisted for her, she was moved and tears welled up in her eyes. She called out, "Zi Heng..."

Everyone nodded. At this moment, as the village head of Changle Town, Lin Chong also stood up and said, "Indeed, over the past three years, Yuniang has indeed single-handedly supported the Xiao family. What Ziheng just said is not wrong!"

Xiao Mo shook his head and said, "Uncle Shi's words are not wrong. However, the Xiao family has fallen to this day, with both father and brothers gone, leaving only an elderly mother who is advanced in age. Xiao Mo has been unfilial and suffered a serious illness for three years. Mother is heartbroken and unable to manage the family affairs. Therefore, all matters big and small in the family are handled by Yu Niang. In other words, if Xiao Mo remains unconscious until now, then the one speaking for the Xiao family should be Yu Niang. I wonder if Uncle Shi, the uncles, and Lin Lichang agree with Xiao Mo's words just now?"

Is it true that Yuniang really means to marry herself?

Yuniang's mind also became blank, and she didn't even know how to think.

What am I then?

Upon hearing that Xiao Mo would let Yu Niang make her own decision, Qiao Zheng's expression turned ugly.

No wonder Yuniang, even though she suffered from Meng Qiuxiang's grievances in the Xiao family, had no intention of leaving the Xiao family at all.

Upon hearing Meng Qiuxiang's words, both Qiao Zheng and Xiao Mo were dumbfounded. Of course, the person who couldn't accept this news the most was Yuniang.

Nowadays, Qiao Zheng's gaze has softened a lot compared to his previous sternness. When Xiao Mo saw him, his heart stirred. Striking while the iron is hot, he quickly said to Qiao Zheng, "Uncle Shi, in my opinion, it's better for Miss Yu to stay in the Xiao family. If Miss Yu changes her mind in the future, the Xiao family will not force her to stay. What do you think?"

After speaking, Xiao Dingshan also left, leaving only Lin Chong with a stern face, still sitting in the hall of the Xiao family with that dignified middle-aged man.

With so many elders present, coupled with Xiao Mo's clear stance, Meng Qiuxiang simply fell silent.

Qiao Zheng, with a cold expression, replied, "What if Yuniang's feelings remain unchanged?"

What Qiao Zheng means, is he still holding on to Meng Qiuxiang's words from the beginning? Xiao Mowen snorted coldly in his heart, thinking to himself: "Are you trying to compete with me in eloquence? I have lived for two lifetimes, with nothing else in my mind except a wealth of knowledge. Can your eloquence really surpass mine?"

Mr. Lao's words are very pertinent and fair. After listening to Mr. Qiao, it seems that he understands something.

Qiao Zheng snorted and said with an unhappy expression, "Zi Heng, you are supposed to be a scholar, how can you not even distinguish between respect and disrespect? Yu Niang is just a woman, how can she make decisions?"

Xiao Mo felt speechless for a moment, what is this all about?

At this moment, Yuniang was already shocked by Xiaomo's words, her mouth wide open and unable to close. With Xiaomo's words, she seemed to see hope again!

Yuniang felt as if the sky had collapsed. Over the past three years, she had been guarding this status, but in the end, she wasted her youth in vain. Without a marriage certificate or completing the traditional wedding rituals, she remained unmarried even after three years of entering the household. In other words, Yuniang could not be considered a member of the Xiao family.

What has that become?

Under the gaze of the crowd, Xiao Mo finally made up his mind, picked up the brush, and was about to start writing the document. At this moment, however, everyone heard Meng Qiuxiang shout, "Wait!"

Lin Han said, "Regardless of how the Xiao family treated Miss Yu, based solely on what Ziheng said just now, Miss Yu's three years in the Xiao family have been worthwhile!"

After the elder brother's death, the younger brother insisted on giving a written guarantee to ensure the lifelong happiness of his sister-in-law.

After Lin Chong finished speaking, another old man stood up. The old man's surname was also Lin, his name was Han, his courtesy name was Dewang. He was Lin Chong's paternal uncle and also the elder of Changle Town. He was quite prestigious in the vicinity of Changle Town and was good friends with Xiao Dinshan. This time, Lin Han was able to come to the Xiao family because he was invited by Xiao Dinshan to help deal with the matter of Yuniang.

Xiao Mo knew that Qiao Zheng would say this, because recently Xiao Mo had been lying in bed with nothing to do, so he looked up many books about the customs and sentiments of the An Dynasty. Some of them also mentioned women. After reading the description of women in the books, Xiao Mo couldn't help but sigh.

However, why should Yuniang make this decision?

Xiao Mo looked at Meng Qiuxiang with an inquiring expression, but Meng Qiuxiang remained motionless and silent. She just sat in the chair with her head down, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

Upon thinking about it, Xiao Mo could explain clearly why Yuniang was able to take care of herself consistently for three years, why she was unwilling to leave the Xiao family and remarry, and why she shed tears secretly after seeing herself getting close to Hu Yunxue yesterday.

Recalling the way Yuniang looked at me on ordinary days, the way she cried while touching my face yesterday when I was half asleep and half awake, and the reason why she would rather be beaten to death by Qiao Zheng than let go of her grip on returning to the Qiao family.

Feeling Joe's strange gaze, Xiao Mo knew that Joe's feelings might have changed. As the saying goes, the eyes are the windows to a person's soul. Through the changes in a person's gaze, one can feel their inner thoughts.

It is widely known that Yuniang is unwilling to leave the Xiao family, and if she could express this in front of everyone at this moment, then Qiao Zheng's request for her from the Xiao family would not be seen as the Xiao family forcing Yuniang to stay, but rather as the Qiao family forcing her to leave.

Upon seeing Xiao Mo hesitate, at this moment, Yu Niang's elder brother Qiao Wenxuan said discontentedly, "You've said so much, but it turns out that you're only good at talking and dare not guarantee my sister's lifelong happiness in front of everyone!"

Upon looking at Yuniang again, she was still in a dazed state, completely slumped and sitting on the ground, feeling utterly powerless.

However, admiration and touched are not love.

No, I still need to find an opportunity to ask Yuniang alone and clarify her intentions. It's possible that I misunderstood, but how should I handle the current situation?

Why can't it be established? Hearing Mrs. Xiao's words, everyone felt that there seemed to be some hidden truth in the matter, and Xiao Mo was also somewhat surprised. However, the one most worried about this issue is still Qiao Zheng.

At this point, Qiao Zheng's gaze towards Xiao Mo changed. It transformed from previous dissatisfaction to current scrutiny, as if he was looking at a son-in-law.

"Xiao Mo replied, 'If that's the case, then my Xiao family will take care of Miss Yu for her entire life. Although my family is currently facing difficulties, it may be too early for me to promise anything. However, I still want to say that the Xiao family will only get better in the future. As long as I, Xiao Mo, am here, I will not let Miss Yu suffer any grievances, whether it is in the Xiao family or in the entire An Dynasty!'"

Yu Niang's body is somewhat frail, and it was a bit difficult for her to support Xiao Mo, but she still managed to help him sit down on the chair. Xiao Mo gave a slight smile to Yu Niang, then said to Qiao Zheng, "Uncle Shi, I previously said that one should follow the father at home, but Yu Niang has already married, and after marriage, one should follow the husband. However, my elder brother didn't have the chance to lift Yu Niang's veil before he was forcibly conscripted into the army and ultimately died in battle! With the husband gone, Yu Niang is still at Yunying's place, so where would the offspring come from?" He then said to Qiao Zheng, "Uncle Shi, I previously said that one should follow the father at home, but Yu Niang has already married, and after marriage, one should follow the husband. However, my elder brother didn't have the chance to lift Yu Niang's veil before he was forcibly conscripted into the army and ultimately died in battle! With the husband gone, Yu Niang is still at Yunying's place, so where would the offspring come from?"

At this moment, Qiao Zheng finally came to his senses. He looked coldly at the people in the hall and asked in a deep voice, "So, you mean to say that the Xiao family tore up the marriage contract beforehand, and Yu Niang is not actually a member of the Xiao family?"

Under these circumstances, Xiaomo could naturally and justifiably keep Yuniang, and even had the upper hand in the argument, leaving Qiao Zheng with nothing to say.