The Tofu Queen: A Modern Woman's Ancient Kingdom Journey

Jiang Huaiyu lowered her hand, her voice firm and resolute as she addressed the crowd, her tone transitioning from an emotional appeal to one of righteous authority:

"I demand clarity. What crime have I committed, Aunt, that warrants such treatment? Please, enumerate them all for me."

Xu Chunhua stood frozen, momentarily forgetting to defend herself. Her hesitation caused the crowd to erupt in a long, mocking chorus of "Oooh!"

"I never stole your jade pendant!" Xu Chunhua finally shouted, her face flushed with humiliation and anger.

Feeling the jade pendant safely tucked in her undergarments, she regained her composure. There was no way they could find it—even if they searched her house, they wouldn't dare search her body.

Before Jiang Huaiyu could respond, the headman's patience snapped. With a sharp movement, he kicked open the courtyard door. His sharp eyes landed on the wall near Jiang Huaiyu's house, noting the scuff marks left by someone climbing over it.

Though there were no clear footprints, the evidence of someone scrambling over the wall was damning enough.

The headman's expression darkened as his suspicions solidified. Whether Xu Chunhua had stolen the pendant or not, her involvement was nearly impossible to deny now.

"Chunhua," the headman growled, suppressing his fury, "I'll give you one chance. If you took the pendant, hand it over now. I'll mediate—apologize to this young lady and offer her compensation. If she agrees, this matter can be settled here and now."

He turned to Jiang Huaiyu, his gaze sharp with implied menace. "I trust you'd respect my authority and let this slide, wouldn't you, Miss Jiang?"

Jiang Huaiyu met his stare without flinching. She wasn't some fragile girl afraid of authority, nor was she easily cowed by veiled threats. If she could address thousands of people in her past life, she wouldn't be intimidated by this village headman.

Besides, his plan—aimed at minimizing the fallout—would only work if Xu Chunhua cooperated. But Jiang Huaiyu had already factored in Xu Chunhua's predictable arrogance.

"I didn't steal anything!" Xu Chunhua shrieked, her voice piercing. She clung to the jade pendant hidden in her undergarments, her confidence bolstered. "Uncle, you have to believe me! That fox next door spends her days seducing people! Last time, she accused me of killing her chickens! This is just another one of her baseless lies!"

Her words only riled the crowd further.

"Pah! Xu Chunhua, you admitted killing the chickens for a few coins last time!"

"Thick-skinned like her? Of course, she wouldn't care!"

"Be careful! If you cross her, she'll barge into your home and start throwing herself around, claiming you owe her something!"

The villagers mocked and jeered, their disdain palpable.

Xu Chunhua fumed, her face livid. She opened her mouth to retaliate but was overwhelmed by the sheer number of voices ridiculing her. She had no way to win against the crowd.

The headman, irritated and exasperated, barked an order: "Little Liu, get some men and search this place!"

A wiry young man saluted crisply before dashing off.

Jiang Huaiyu allowed herself a small smile. "The headman's impartiality is truly commendable," she said softly, her tone almost teasing.

Everything was going exactly as she planned. Xu Chunhua, once arrogant and untouchable, had fallen right into her trap.

The headman slumped into a chair, trying to compose himself. His hand twitched as he reached for the table but recoiled at the sight of the greasy grime coating its surface. His face darkened further.

"Can't even keep your house clean. With such lazy habits, no wonder you behave so shamelessly. Even if this pendant isn't found here, Chunhua, I'm going to teach you a lesson today!"

Zheng Xiaoyue leaned toward Jiang Huaiyu, whispering, "It looks like the headman is more just than we thought. Chunhua's in for a rough time."

Jiang Huaiyu smiled but said nothing.

While the headman's scolding might seem fair, it was also calculated. By loudly berating Xu Chunhua, he created the illusion of impartiality. This way, even if he later ruled lightly, it would appear he had been severe enough.

"Everyone scatter! Don't you have work to do, food to cook, or children to mind?" The headman roared at the crowd peering through the doorway.

Although most of the villagers dispersed, a few women slipped inside, eager to witness the drama firsthand.

The headman scowled at them, realizing their chatter would keep the story alive in the village for weeks. He glared at Xu Chunhua, silently blaming her for his predicament.

When Little Liu returned with several sturdy young men, they immediately set to work.

"Search the house thoroughly," the headman ordered. "Check every drawer and cupboard. If there's an inner compartment, break it open. Find the pendant."

The men entered Xu Chunhua's shabby home, overturning what little furniture she owned.

Though Xu Chunhua's face flushed with anger, she didn't dare interfere. She gripped her apron tightly, muttering under her breath, "They can search all they want. That pendant's safe where it is. Let's see what you fools can find!"

After a while, the men returned, shaking their heads.

"No pendant," Little Liu reported. "This place is so poor, we couldn't even find a coin."

The headman frowned deeply.

"Search the yard and kitchen," he ordered.

Once again, the men dispersed, combing through every corner. But when they returned, they were empty-handed.

Xu Chunhua's confidence soared. Standing proudly, she folded her arms and sneered, "See? I told you I didn't take anything! Now, are you going to apologize for accusing me?"

The headman hesitated but turned to Jiang Huaiyu. "Miss Jiang, it seems there's no evidence against her. Perhaps it's time to let this matter rest?"

Xu Chunhua's smirk widened.

Jiang Huaiyu, however, was unfazed.

"Auntie," she said, her tone deceptively gentle, "are you absolutely certain you didn't take it?"

"Of course!" Xu Chunhua barked.

"I see." Jiang Huaiyu nodded, taking a step forward.

Xu Chunhua puffed out her chest, radiating smugness. She was about to speak again when Jiang Huaiyu suddenly stumbled, her foot slipping on the uneven ground.

Instinctively, she reached out to steady herself, her hand catching Xu Chunhua's collar.

"No!" Xu Chunhua shrieked, but it was too late.

Her sudden flinch caused her neckline to tug, and a glittering jade pendant fell from her bodice, landing in the dirt with a soft thud.

The crowd gasped.

The headman's pipe clattered to the ground.

Xu Chunhua froze, her face ashen.