Chapter 66: Her Own Explanation

Although Little Six was not wailing, his face was streaked with tears and snot, bearing several fresh marks from willow switches. He looked truly pitiful, gazing earnestly at Bai Xi.

“Grand-aunt…”

Bai Xi felt a bit awkward; if she guessed correctly, all this was likely the result of her own careless actions.

Little Six’s mother was distressed at the sight of her son. She wanted to ask what mischief had led to such punishment, but with Grand-aunt present, she dared not overstep. Fortunately, the old woman had stopped beating her son, so she relaxed somewhat. Now, Little Six’s mother was grateful she hadn’t stopped her husband from informing Grand-aunt earlier.

“Don’t pretend you didn’t!” Old Madam Chen said angrily. “Don’t try to act pitiful. You can’t fool us, and you certainly can’t fool Grand-aunt.”

Little Six’s grandmother snapped, “Exactly. Let me tell you, you’d better leave quickly and stop causing trouble in our village.”

Most people didn’t quite understand, but Bai Xi, listening carefully, grasped the crux of the matter.

Were they suspecting that Little Shun and the others were possessed?

Bai Xi had originally wanted to use this incident to show the villagers she was not the goddess who bestows children. Unexpectedly, instead of correcting the children’s innocent words, the villagers believed they were possessed by something unclean.

Though this was caused by Bai Xi, she had no intention of admitting fault—she didn’t even know what it meant to confess.

Someone grew curious and began to ask, “Aunt Li, what’s going on? Why tie up Little Six, and what happened with Little Shun and the others?”

“Yes, Aunt Chen, what’s the matter?”

Though it was embarrassing, at this point, Little Six’s grandmother and Old Madam Chen felt it couldn’t be hidden any longer, so they began explaining in a flurry of overlapping voices.

“We’re not heartless people, but…”

Chen Rui, listening on the side, was stunned, mouth agape. She glanced at the children who had been beaten, then at Bai Xi, wanting to speak but ultimately remaining silent, quietly standing aside.

Little Black sensed no danger. Hearing Old Madam Chen and Little Six’s grandmother, a trace of contempt flickered in its eyes. What spirit or demon would dare appear before its mistress? Any that approached would be suppressed instantly—let alone possess someone.

“Enough!” Bai Xi snapped coldly. “I told you not to quarrel; you’re giving me a headache. When I’m asking questions, do not interrupt.”

At her words, Old Madam Chen and Little Six’s grandmother quickly apologized, showing no reluctance, their faces full of embarrassment. They knew it was wrong to quarrel in Grand-aunt’s presence.

“Stand up, all of you.”

“And untie Little Six.”

This was directed at the sobbing Little Shun and his companions.

“Grand-aunt…” Little Six’s grandmother tried to intervene.

“Silence!” Bai Xi shot her a glare and said angrily, “Did you take my words as wind in your ears? Am I Grand-aunt, or are you?” Though her voice was soft and childlike, Bai Xi kept her face cold.

Little Six’s grandmother hurriedly apologized, “It’s my fault, my fault. Please don’t be angry, Grand-aunt.”

She did feel for her grandson, but what if he really was possessed? She wouldn’t mind dying, but if Grand-aunt were harmed, the Li family would be the eternal sinners of Niuluo Village.

Bai Xi wasn’t about to quibble further, rolling her eyes in exasperation before continuing.

“You all know about me giving Li Jia pumpkin seeds, don’t you?”

Everyone nodded.

“I gave them pumpkin seeds as well,” Bai Xi said, blinking and sweeping her gaze over the crowd. “So, is it wrong for them to say they’re going to have children?”

The implication was clear: if anyone was to blame, it was the adults. If they hadn’t been saying that the pumpkin seeds she gave would make people have children, the boys wouldn’t have been so anxious.

“But that’s not the same!” someone protested. “Grand-aunt, those boys are so young, and they’re boys! Saying they’re going to have children—what else could that mean if not possession?” The speaker wanted to say “possessed by demons,” but, mindful of Bai Xi’s presence and not wanting to frighten her, kept it vague.

“Exactly! Everyone knows that bearing children is a woman’s matter. And besides, you gave Sister Li pumpkin seeds for luck and to help her have a son. These two things can’t be compared.”

Bai Xi was speechless; she realized the villagers had their own logic for everything.

Glancing at the onlookers, Bai Xi asked a group of men, “When you were their age, did you know that having children was a woman’s matter?”

The men looked at each other, thought for a moment—some hesitated and shook their heads, others answered frankly, “We didn’t know.”

Who would know? Only after growing up and getting married did they learn about these things. It wasn’t that children didn’t ask where they came from, but their parents never explained. Some said babies came from under the armpit, some from the belly button, some from the soles of the feet, or from under the bed…

In short, they didn’t know as children; only as they grew, bit by bit, did they learn. There had been plenty of childhood misunderstandings, but no one ever thought to properly explain to a child. How could anyone bring themselves to do so? If questioned too closely, a slap and a glare silenced any further inquiry.

“So, why blame them?”

At these words, everyone immediately understood what Bai Xi meant. In fact, hearing Old Madam Chen and Little Six’s grandmother, the younger women had guessed that Little Shun and the others had simply made a childish mistake. But seeing the willow switches, they hesitated—after all, willow branches were used to ward off evil. If they weren’t possessed, why treat their own children so harshly?

Now, with Bai Xi’s few words, the crowd was stunned. People looked at each other, unsure what to say.

Old Madam Chen and Little Six’s grandmother were even more taken aback. They exchanged glances, then turned to Bai Xi, their eyes full of shock and bewilderment.

“So—so we were wrong?”

Just then, Chen Daliu, who’d heard about the incident, hurried over, followed by the families of Little Shun and the others.

From a distance, he saw Old Madam Chen holding half a willow switch and Little Six’s grandmother gripping a nearly broken branch, both staring intently at Bai Xi. Chen Daliu’s heart leaped, and he shouted loudly.

“Stop! What are you two doing? Have you grown bold or gotten above yourselves—daring to hold willow switches before Grand-aunt? Do you want to be driven out of the village?!”

“We weren’t, no!” the two women shook their heads frantically, then glanced at the willow switches in their hands. Next moment, they gasped and hurriedly dropped them.

(Thank you, little sweethearts, for your concern and comfort. I’ve seen it, and it warms my heart, makes me happy. I’ll work to change my rambling ways and strive to write even better. Thank you…)