Traveling through the late Ming Dynasty to promote Chinese civilization

Chapter 257 Scandalous Rumors

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In ancient times, a woman's reputation was of utmost importance. If what Zhang Ming said was true, then all the prominent families in Guangzhou would treat the mother and daughter as their own possessions. Not only would Aunt Jiang have no hope of remarrying, but Duan Mengrou's desire to find a good family would also become a pipe dream. Her good intentions had been seen as evil.

Liu Ye couldn't help but ask, "Sigh, how did things get to this point? I didn't even touch them, mother and daughter."

Zhang Ming shook his head: "I don't know how this rumor spread. Some people say that such a large bank was entrusted to a weak woman, not because Manager Duan is so capable, but because she was able to rise to power entirely because of her powerful and military-holding mistress. To get the bank, she didn't hesitate to frame her adoptive father, and even had her and her mother share a husband to win her mistress's favor... These words sound very plausible. Besides, it's true that Manager Duan is in charge of the bank. One person tells ten, ten tell a hundred, and public opinion can be deceiving. Even white can be turned into black. Sir, who would dare to touch your woman? Tell me, whose head is harder than that of the former Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, Wang Zunde?"

Liu Ye was both shocked and furious. The talk of a mistress and a mother and daughter sharing a husband was utterly slanderous.

"This is clearly a frame-up, a blatant lie, and you actually believe it?" Liu Ye said angrily.

Zhang Ming hurriedly tried to clear his name: "Sir, you are wise. I know the whole story of what happened at the money shop. How could I believe such rumors? But when something like this happens, no matter how hard you try, you can't explain yourself. Your reputation is certainly damaged, but the mother and daughter are even more pitiful. That's why I advised you to take them in, so as not to be smeared with this mud for nothing. Firstly, it would save the mother and daughter from their plight and give them a proper status, so they wouldn't have to live out their lives alone with the stigma of promiscuity. Secondly, it's also in accordance with the old saying, 'Don't let the good stuff go to outsiders.' A woman as beautiful, shrewd, capable, and warm as Manager Duan is hard to find even with a lantern. Don't let her benefit an outsider."

What kind of logic is this? Does being falsely accused of theft and wronged mean that to avoid bearing the infamy, one should actually steal and rob? Liu Ye wanted to refute Zhang Ming's fallacious reasoning, but the thought of getting tainted instead of eating mutton made him very unhappy, and he had no energy to argue. He picked up a full glass of wine on the table and drank it all in one gulp.

In the west wing of the backyard, Duan Mengrou and her mother, Aunt Jiang, sat facing each other in the dim light.

Aunt Jiang's face flushed crimson, as if she had applied a layer of rouge. She covered her face and said, "It's understandable for you to show your face and entertain guests, but what would it look like if I went? Wouldn't that just confirm the rumors going around?"

Duan Mengrou replied softly, "Master specifically asked Mother to accompany him, so how could I refuse? My daughter and I went from being looked down upon by the servants of the Gao family to becoming the masters of the Gao mansion. I even became the manager of the largest money shop in Guangdong. All of this was given to me by Master. If he were to turn his back on us, he could bring us down from the clouds in an instant. As for the gossip from outsiders, let them go. As long as I have a clear conscience, that's enough."

Aunt Jiang's mind was in turmoil as Liu Ye's handsome face flashed before her eyes. If he were an old man with white hair, it would be more polite for both of them to go out and accompany him. But he was a handsome young man who was only a few years younger than her. Coupled with that malicious rumor, how awkward would the scene be?

The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became: "If I really go, it's one thing for the servants to gossip, but what if the master gets drunk and tries to touch me? I've been in the Gao family for seven years. Since the third year, your dead godfather has had a new lover and complained that I'm not romantic enough. He hasn't touched me since. I haven't been touched by a man for four years. If the master really touches me, how can I face anyone?"

Duan Mengrou was speechless. Her mother was overthinking things. Besides, she, a virgin, was standing in front of her. Why wasn't her mother worried about whether her daughter was in danger?