Julie hadn't even entered when she saw Xu Hui sneaking out after turning off the lights, slipping away into the night.
Julie quickly stepped aside to hide in the shadows.
Her eyes showed a hint of confusion, but she silently followed.
She watched Xu Hui walk into someone's house. When the door opened, the person inside looked left and right carefully before closing it again.
It was the house of the village's Widower Hu.
His wife had died two years ago. He had two other husbands during that time — one died from illness, and the other was sold off by his wife. Now he was left all alone.
Even though he was a widower, he had some silver and a few acres of good farmland left by his wife, so his life was comfortable. The only problem was that he was lonely.
Earlier that night, Xu Hui had already been drained by her rough husband. It was only after he fell asleep that she managed to sneak out.
Widower Hu was thirty-two years old. He wasn't handsome, but he was tall and strong, with tough and upright features.
As soon as he saw Xu Hui arrive, he quickly checked outside to make sure no one was around, then pulled her into his arms and shut the door tightly.
"My dear, I missed you so much. You haven't visited Qing'er for days," he said, holding her tightly by the waist.
Xu Hui, tired from serving her fierce husband at home, soon laid down on the bed and let Widower Hu carefully please her.
Before the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, the sounds inside became quiet.
Widower Hu still looked a little unsatisfied. This woman was becoming more useless — she couldn't last long anymore.
Xu Hui hadn't forgotten her real purpose for coming. She said softly, "Qing'er, I still need a lot of silver to take the exam in town. Can you help me a little? Once I pass and become a scholar, I will definitely marry you properly." As she spoke, her hand slid slowly over his chest and stomach.
Widower Hu felt tempted when he heard this. But the moment she asked for money, his heart became heavy. He remembered all the silver he had already given her and how none of it was ever paid back.
Silver was precious. Once spent, it was gone. He was still counting on that silver to live on in old age.
Though he felt unhappy inside, he didn't say no directly. Instead, he spoke in a roundabout way: "I don't have any silver left, dear. And after you pass your exam, you'll probably forget all about poor Qing'er."
Xu Hui quickly reassured him, pressing on: "Qing'er, you know my heart, don't you? You are the one I love most. Once I pass, I'll divorce that old, ugly husband of mine. I'll only be with you. How about that?"
In her heart, Xu Hui thought: Once I become an official, I'll get rid of both of you. You are both stains on my life.
Widower Hu, tricked by her sweet words, trembled a little with excitement. "Really? My dear… I… hurry…" he said, reaching for her.
Xu Hui's eyes flashed with disgust, but she still whispered sweetly, "My little Qing'er, you think I didn't satisfy you? Fine, I'll take care of you." She pushed him down and climbed on top of him.
Up on the roof, Julie had secretly moved a tile aside and was watching through the gap. She curled her lips in disgust.
The tricks people played under the cover of darkness were certainly… unusual.
Julie hadn't expected that Xu Hui was secretly meeting the village's Widower Hu.
Since they were both willing, and considering Xu Hui had tried to "steal her men," Julie decided to return the favor in her own way.
She took out a bamboo pipe and blew a thin stream of Qinghuan Smoke into the house through the gap. This smoke would boost their passion even more.
Then Julie quietly ran to the other side of the widower's house, stood on the main street, and in the loud voice of a forty-year-old woman, she shouted:
"Fire! Fire at Widower Hu's house! Fire!"
Soon, people from all over the village came rushing out, carrying buckets, running toward Widower Hu's house.
Inside, there were sudden screams and curses mixed together.
Hidden in the dark, Julie turned and disappeared into the night.
Hopefully, the husband at home would appreciate this "good brother" she delivered to him.
Xu Hui's husband was named Wang. Because Xu Hui's mother had arranged the marriage, and because his wife was a scholar — something rare within hundreds of miles — he often acted proud and arrogant.
Even though Xu Hui had failed the exams for several years, Wang still believed that one day she would succeed.
When that happened, he, as her main husband, could live a life of luxury.
He knew that his wife cared a lot about her reputation. So, as long as he firmly refused to let her take any concubines, those lowly men outside would never be allowed into their home.
He had been sleeping soundly, but woke up to the noise outside. He wanted to snuggle up to his wife and act afraid so she would comfort him, but when he reached out, he found she wasn't there.
He got dressed, ready to go look for her, when someone knocked on the door. Feeling sleepy and annoyed, he opened it.
At the door stood the husband from next door, who had always disliked Wang's bossy ways. In his opinion, Wang was nothing like a proper, gentle husband. He was jealous and, after so many years, still hadn't given Xu Hui any children.
Now, seeing the situation, the neighbor spoke with a bit of gloating in his eyes, "Your wife is at Widower Hu's house. You should go take a look. It's very lively over there."
Someone had already gone to call the village chief, Julie.
Julie had just returned to her room, taken off her disguise, and was sitting cross-legged on the bed, resting with her hair down, when villagers came knocking.
This situation was serious.
On one hand, Xu Hui was a scholar, someone who had official status. How could she do something so disgraceful with a widower?
If she really liked him, she should have officially married him rather than sneaking around.
On the other hand, if the matter wasn't spread too widely, it might just stay within the village and be forgotten.
It all depended on whether Julie would cover it up or handle it fairly.
Xu Hui still hadn't realized what had fully happened.
She just felt full of energy and excitement after what happened earlier, and hadn't been able to control herself...
Widower Hu was hiding under the covers, wrapping himself tightly.
Xu Hui was just about to deny everything and explain when Wang rushed in. Seeing the scene, he couldn't stop his tears from falling.
He wanted to hit Widower Hu, blaming him for seducing his wife.
Other people quickly stopped him.
At that moment, Julie arrived.
She didn't enter the bedroom, because the strong smell inside hadn't cleared. She waited in the main hall, telling them to get dressed and come out quickly.
Xu Hui was panicking, wondering what to do.
Why was her luck so bad? She didn't even get the silver she wanted, and now she had been caught.
Julie went straight to the point: "What do you plan to do? Bring him back as a concubine?" She looked at Xu Hui with cold, steady eyes.
Before Xu Hui could say anything, Wang shouted, "No! That little slut absolutely cannot be brought into our home. He's not worthy!"
Widower Hu, looking pitiful, hid behind Xu Hui, staying silent.
Xu Hui usually acted proud because she was educated. She hated fighting with her rude husband because it made her feel less dignified.
But now, with so many people watching, and especially in front of Julie, she directly slapped Wang hard across the face and said coldly, "Shut up. It's not your place to speak."
Wang looked at Xu Hui in shock.
But he also knew he shouldn't humiliate his wife in front of so many people.
He could only cover his face, crying quietly, not daring to talk back.
The truth was, a man's power depended entirely on how his wife treated him.
If a wife wanted to beat or sell him, he was nothing and couldn't resist.
Wang knew this deep down but had been blinded by Xu Hui's earlier indulgence.
Xu Hui had already calculated the risks and benefits in her mind. She bowed respectfully to Julie and said, "Village Chief, I plan to officially marry Widower Hu as my secondary husband."
She couldn't allow any gossip to ruin her reputation.
Julie wasn't surprised. She nodded and said, "Good. Settle it quickly. Since Widower Hu was married before, the ceremony should be kept simple. After today, this matter is over.
If I hear anyone spreading rumors, I'll personally come have a little chat with them."
Her sharp eyes swept over the villagers known for gossiping.
Those few troublemakers immediately shook their heads, swearing they wouldn't say a word.
After all, if the village lost face, they would also be dragged down. It wouldn't do them any good.
Everything was settled, and Julie turned and left.