The old woman started her usual drama of crying, making a scene, and threatening to hang herself, moaning on the ground.
"My grandson was harmed, and I can't even come here to seek justice! This is such wickedness. Is there no justice in this world!"
Meng Xin shivered, her face pale, and explained, "Director Ruan, my mother is here to take care of me."
"If she's here to take care of you, then why are you two here by Cheng You's place?" Ruan Xianglian questioned sharply.
The old woman kicked her legs and shouted at the top of her lungs, "She harmed my grandson, and I'm here for compensation!"
"Where's the evidence?" Ruan Xianglian boomed.
Her face was icy cold as she stared at the old woman on the ground.
"My daughter only had a miscarriage after taking her medicine. What evidence do I need? If she doesn't pay, I'm not leaving today. I'll die right here at the entrance!"
Ruan Xianglian gave a cold laugh, "Go ahead and die! I'll watch you. This is a military compound, not your communal courtyard, where you can run wild!"
The old woman faltered for a moment, then quickly resumed her rogue act and lay on the ground.
"You're just trying to protect her. You're all in it together! My poor grandson..."
Ruan Xianglian's face darkened, her eyes glinting coldly.
"Xiao Lin, go call people and have this old woman who is insulting military families arrested. I suspect she's involved with reactionaries, deliberately causing chaos in the military zone to sow discord from within."
Meng Xin's face changed drastically, and she gathered all her strength to pull the old woman up.
"Director Ruan, I'll take my mother away right now. Please don't arrest her, please don't!"
If she were truly arrested, this old woman might have to be detained and interrogated despite her age.
Seeing the two of them slinking away, Ruan Xianglian's expression did not soften.
"Cheng You, don't dwell on what happened today. I'll go to the Song family's place and make sure you get an explanation."
Cheng You smiled slightly. "It makes me very uneasy that you're going to the trouble for my matters, Director Ruan. I heard there's a women's lecture meeting in a couple of days. Could you grant me ten minutes to prove my innocence?"
Ruan Xianglian pondered for a moment and nodded.
"But you can't behave like the old woman just now. We are civilized people, and our words must be reasoned and justified; we cannot slander others without basis."
Cheng You looked obedient. "Of course. Director Ruan, you are a leader among us women. I have always looked up to you as a role model and will never do anything out of line."
Ruan Xianglian felt she had a high level of awareness, truly worthy of being the daughter-in-law of the Qi family.
"Alright, then. I'll tell Xiao Lin to set aside ten minutes for you. You just prepare yourself."
With that, she headed towards Song Jianyang's office.
There was no point arguing with Meng Xin; it was better to speak directly with Song Jianyang.
The entire family couldn't even muster one sensible thought, sending the old woman to cause trouble at Cheng You's doorstep.
When Song Jianyang heard this, his face immediately darkened.
He secretly regretted not sending this troublesome old woman away, considering Meng Xin's miscarriage.
Ruan Xianglian repeatedly emphasized sending this old woman away or having her locked up.
Insulting military families could easily lead to a few days in detention.
Song Jianyang immediately returned home and instructed Song Jingye to send the person away.
Song Jingye was unwilling, gritting his teeth. "Why should we send her away? My wife, Xiao Yue, Cheng You poured cold water on her. She shouldn't be bullied like this!"
Song Jianyang's eyes were stern. "Why aren't you listening to what your mother-in-law said! She kept shouting that Cheng You caused your wife's harm. Do you have any proof? Without proof, why let her cause trouble!"
He had dragged this out until now, thinking of using this incident to create public opinion.
But he had hesitated to escalate the matter because of the lack of evidence!
What his mother-in-law, Song Jingye's mother-in-law, had done was essentially handing Cheng You leverage. If Cheng You decided to pursue it, she could have her jailed!
"I've already found someone to handle it. Don't get involved in this for now, and hurry up and send your mother-in-law away!"
Song Jingye's face contorted, and he suppressed his anger forcefully.
After he entered the house, Tang Jing asked, "What do you plan to do? Offending the Qi family will do us no good."
"It's just getting people to spread rumors and let the matter fester. It's not a big deal."
People have their own mouths to speak, and what they say is their own business, what does it have to do with him.
Thus, Meng Xin's mother, who had been there for less than two days, was sent away in disgrace.
The old woman initially wanted to refuse to leave, but Meng Xin knelt and begged her, and she reluctantly agreed to depart.
"Then give me some more money. I'll buy some supplements for your brother."
Meng Xin did not refuse and obediently gave her fifty yuan.
Because of the miscarriage, Song Jianyang had given her two hundred yuan as compensation.
She had originally wanted to give all two hundred to the old woman, but she dared not give too much at once.
Clutching fifty yuan, the old woman left contentedly.
After she left, what should have been a settled matter stirred up even greater waves, like a fermenting agent.
There were always people silently guiding public opinion, accusing Cheng You of selling fake medicine and causing harm, ultimately leading to Meng Xin's miscarriage.
Every time Tang Jing went out, she had to chat with people. "Everyone says I harmed Meng Xin, but I'm truly wronged. The doctor's report clearly states that the medicine Cheng You provided was problematic. We didn't pursue the matter of a life with her, yet she even poured a basin of cold water on my daughter-in-law!"
"She's in her postpartum confinement now. If she gets cold water on her, she might not be able to give birth in the future!"
People's ears were almost worn out from hearing it repeatedly.
However, no matter how many times they heard it, some people still agreed with her.
"Tang Jing, I won't talk about it today. We still have to go listen to the women's lecture meeting!" Aunt Dong said.
Tang Jing, still wanting to say more, replied, "Alright, we'll talk another day then."
Aunt Dong asked again, "Are you going?"
"I won't go."
Ruan Xianglian had helped Cheng You earlier, and Tang Jing held a grudge against her.
Aunt Dong nodded and went to listen by herself.
This lecture meeting was held every month, and it wasn't really anything special.
But everyone wanted to gain some recognition from Ruan Xianglian and build connections.
What if there was an opening in the Women's Federation in the future, and Ruan Xianglian chose them?
The positions in the Women's Federation were all leisurely, and everyone wanted them.
On this day, Xiao Lin on the stage was as usual, educating everyone on some gynecological knowledge and discussing the topic of handling marital relationships.
When the topic ended, everyone looked at the time, and it was still early.
Xiao Lin winked at Cheng You.
"For the remaining time, let us give the floor to Comrade Cheng You."
The audience was in an uproar. When did Cheng You join the Women's Federation?
Seeing that she was holding a document bag, she looked quite official.
Cheng You took the microphone wrapped in red cloth. "Excuse me for taking up everyone's time. I believe you've heard a lot of rumors about me these past few days. It takes one person to spread a rumor, but a hundred to refute it. Now, I can only refute it myself."
Aunt Dong, having just heard Tang Jing's words, completely believed the Song family.
Hearing Cheng You's words, she couldn't help but scoff.
"You say they're spreading rumors, so they are?"
Cheng You smiled at her. "That's why I brought evidence."