Afterward, the brigade leader convened a mass meeting where he commended Yuanchun for her heroic act of bravery.
The brigade leader also called upon Uncle Zheng to testify that when Yuanchun rescued Cao Hui, she had dragged him to the shore by his foot rather than carrying him in her arms. Finally, the brigade leader warned the villagers against spreading malicious gossip, stating that a young hero who had saved a life should not be brought to tears or treated unfairly.
From then on, no one in the village dared to mention the rumors regarding Yuanchun’s reputation. Even Cao Hui's two sisters-in-law would steer clear of her; if they happened to cross paths, they would keep their heads down and hurry past, signaling that since they could not afford to provoke her, they would simply stay out of her way. Yuanchun did not mind; as long as they didn't point fingers at her face and call her a slut or a jinx, she was indifferent to the Cao family's attitude toward her.
Chapter 1118