Under Cheng You's insistence, a date was finally chosen to move Jiang Qing's grave.
Old Master Jiang selected someone to pick an auspicious day, choosing the earliest possible, the day after tomorrow.
This timing would allow them to finish everything and still make it back for Cheng Wenyu's school enrollment.
Upon hearing the news of Cheng Tianhua's death, Cheng Wenyu was utterly shocked.
He hadn't expected that in such a short time, the father figure who evoked complex emotions in him would depart from his life.
Compared to Cheng You, his resentment towards Cheng Tianhua was not as deep.
While Cheng Tianhua had neglected Cheng You, he had shown more care towards Cheng Wenyu as his son.
Furthermore, he didn't have a strong impression of Jiang Qing and wasn't particularly concerned with the love-hate entanglements between his parents.
He didn't view Cheng Tianhua, though at fault, as unforgivable.
Cheng You genuinely didn't shed a single tear for him, but Cheng Wenyu still felt somber for his father for a few days, which led the villagers to condemn Cheng You behind their backs again.
"Sis, do we really have to move Mom's grave?"
Cheng You looked at him calmly, "Do you also want to condemn me like those people?"
Cheng Wenyu shook his head, "Of course not."
He was still able to distinguish between close and distant relationships; his sister was undoubtedly more important than Cheng Tianhua.
"I just feel like what they're saying behind our backs is too harsh."
Especially Widow Lin.
Unable to stop Cheng You from moving the grave and not having benefited from the situation, she was determined to ruin Cheng You's reputation, hoping Cheng You would pay her to silence her.
Cheng You chuckled indifferently, "Haven't I been gossiped about enough already?"
Back when she was rescued from the river by Qi Chengyan, she had already been pressured by Song Yulian and Cheng Tao with rumors.
In reality, no matter what you do, the village gossip will never cease.
"Wenyu, I understand you're sad about Dad's passing; it's natural. I won't ask you to be like me, but you need to have a basic sense of right and wrong."
Cheng Wenyu remained silent, knowing full well.
In the quiet, Widow Lin's wails could be heard from outside again.
Cheng Tianhua's death seemed to have little impact on her.
She stayed around Qili Village every day, crying from morning till night, lamenting Cheng You's heartlessness.
However, on this particular day, Widow Lin called upon all of her maternal relatives to come to Qili Village.
She had three elder brothers and two elder sisters, not to mention relatives from their uncles' families.
Her siblings, along with their parents, were nearly as numerous as the entire Jiang family.
Although the elder Fengs were from Yancheng, Old Master Feng had been a commoner before joining the army and was no stranger to such scenes of commotion.
Frankly, it was all about "profit."
Seeing them put on such a dramatic performance, trying to extract money from Cheng You, the Jiang family was furious.
The two families then broke into a direct confrontation.
But Widow Lin's family was all brawn and no substance, and with fewer people, they were quickly at a disadvantage.
Terrified, Widow Lin wailed even louder, "Cheng You, if your dad were alive, he wouldn't just stand by and watch you bully me! I'm your stepmother, after all. You can't treat me like this. You're trying to drive me to my death! I don't want to live anymore!"
She made a resolute decision and banged her head against the ground, soon drawing blood.
Someone who couldn't stand it came forward disapprovingly and advised, "Cheng You, although this is a family matter, I still have to say a few words. First, the deceased deserve respect, and second, elders should be treated with precedence. Your father is gone, and Widow Lin was his wife when he was alive, making her your stepmother. You shouldn't treat her this way, no matter what."
Cheng You smiled and retorted, "Then tell me, what should I do? Treat her like my own mother and give her living expenses every month? She neither raised me nor gave birth to me, and just because she married Cheng Tianhua, I have to support her? Is there such a good thing in this world? Why would anyone work their fingers to the bone for money? They should all just become stepfathers and stepmothers!"
The person was momentarily speechless, then huffily waved his sleeve, and chided, "You're simply unreasonable!"
Liao Hongmei spat, "Zhang Laosi, if you like lecturing others so much, why don't you bring your own stepmother out of the pigsty and treat her well at home? Bah, how can you lecture others with such an unrighteous self!"
Although Liao Hongmei's words silenced Zhang Laosi, they couldn't silence the others.
Especially the condemning glances, which felt like countless needles piercing Cheng You.
Cheng You turned and went inside, closing her eyes.
Even so, she would resolutely press on.
Her mother's remains would be returning soon.
Before long, Jiang Dingcheng, who had brought back Jiang Qing's remains, arrived home.
He strode into the house, sweat dripping from his forehead, his hair drenched as if he had just washed it.
Old Master Jiang quickly stepped forward and asked, "Did you bring them back?"
Jiang Dingcheng's face was grim, and he said, "I brought them back, but I've already called the police."
Qi Chengyan was the first to react, "Uncle, are there problems with mother-in-law's remains?"
Jiang Dingcheng said coldly, "We're not sure yet. We'll know after an examination."
Old Master Jiang's face was solemn, his voice icy, "Whatever you suspect, just say it directly!"
"I suspect the cause of Jiang Qing's death!"
Jiang Dingcheng's words made everyone gasp in shock.
Especially Cheng You, who clenched her fists tightly, her eyes filled only with coldness.
"Impossible!"
Her mother died of an accident; that was something everyone knew.
From the beginning, no one had doubted the truth.
Jiang Dingcheng calmly asked, "Youyou, have you seen your mother's body?"
Cheng You froze, recalling past events.
Jiang Qing's death had always been buried deep within her heart, something she dared not think about.
Upon reflection, she realized she had never seen Jiang Qing's body.
Cheng Tianhua had said he feared she and her brother would be too sad, so Jiang Qing was buried very quickly.
So, it turned out to be because of...
Cheng You closed her eyes, hiding the sorrow in her gaze.
Her mother hadn't died of an accident!
Jiang Dingcheng's eyes were filled with grief, but he persisted, "The city's public security bureau has forensic examiners. As long as the coffin is opened and an autopsy is performed, everything will be revealed."
Cheng Wenyu's lips trembled, unable to process this information for a long time.
His father might be the murderer of his mother.
No one would believe it if he said it!
The onlookers who had been watching the Jiang family move Jiang Qing's grave were startled by the arrival of so many police officers.
After Liao Hongmei explained the situation to them, everyone understood what had happened.
"We called the police because we suspect that my sister-in-law did not die of an accident back then but was murdered by Cheng Tianhua! I said why Cheng Tianhua was so unwilling to move the grave; it turns out he was afraid we'd discover something amiss! I want to see who dares to say anything against Cheng You in front of me today. If there's anyone, I'll pull out your tongues!"
Liao Hongmei's words caused an uproar among the crowd.
No matter what, they had never imagined that Cheng Tianhua could do such a thing.