Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 109 - 107: Ridiculous Person

"Auntie Liu, are you confusing something? Since when did Wen Hui become your daughter-in-law?" Mrs. Liu had an unsettling feeling in her heart.

"There’s no confusion. Yesterday, your mother herself went to settle it and even asked me to come over today to see my future daughter-in-law! I’ve been quite busy at home, so when I saw the right person, I just took her away. Didn’t she tell you about this last night?" Zhuang Linsheng pushed aside Mrs. Liu and looked around for who his new daughter-in-law could be.

"My mother arranged it herself? How could she meddle in Wen Hui’s marriage matters without consulting me!" Shen Chengyao was surprised by his mother’s latest act. He had been waiting to be scolded by her, wondering why she’d been silent so far.

He didn’t expect that her silence was due to her carefully crafted plan. His mother quickly arranged an adoption ceremony for Wen Hui, then shipped her off to marry someone! If his newly adopted sister was forced to marry his cousin, he would surely be vilified! His cousin is really... awful! His mother’s actions were utterly shocking!

"Why shouldn’t she intervene? Your family adopted her as your sister, didn’t you call her mother too? She’s all alone in this world, wouldn’t she be grateful if someone managed her wedding arrangements for her? Do you really think that your mother enjoys worrying about these things? She’s doing it all for your sake!" Zhuang Linshi looked at Shen Chengyao with a disappointed expression.

"We wish she wouldn’t interfere in our family affairs!" Xiao’er and her siblings all had the same thought.

"Although I did adopt Wen Hui as my sister, we can’t just arrange her marriage without even asking her opinion! That’s utterly disrespectful!" Mrs. Liu was absolutely furious! She’d acted out of a desire to support Wen Hui, but now look what had happened! This was causing even more harm than good!

Zhuang Jiaqiang was so formidable that nobody within ten miles dared to marry him. Mrs. Shen was indeed very cunning. Wen Hui was a kind-hearted girl. If she got married into his family, they would treat her like clay to mold as they pleased! It was like escaping from a pack of wolves only to be confronted by a ferocious tiger!

"Why shouldn’t we? She’s a jinx and has no one to rely on. You arranging her marriage is something she wouldn’t dare to refuse. Whether she’s happy about it or not, it doesn’t matter! Just take her to the wedding ceremony! Once the rice is cooked, she’d be stuck, whether she likes it or not!" Zhuang Linshi couldn’t understand why they’d consider the woman’s opinion in such a matter. Doing what was easiest was the logical option!

"Auntie, my grandma must not be informed about the situation. Miss Wen Hui has already been promised in marriage!" Xiao’er had already sent Yun’er to inform Xu Wenhui. This was a temporary measure, if she didn’t want to get married, they could overturn the decision later. The foreman, Liang, had already agreed. It’s so outrageous to take advantage of Wen Hui’s lack of support and family!

"Who would believe you? She’s just bad luck! She has no dowry and is used goods – a worn-out shoe – and someone wants to marry her? Who are you trying to fool? Mrs. Shen told me that she attempted suicide yesterday, so anyone who’s betrothed to her should come today to break it off! Our family is the only one brave enough to take her! Nobody in the surrounding villages dares to engage with her, out of fear that misfortune will befall them! So, she’d better start packing her things and come home with me. If she misses her chance today, she may never have another one! And remember to send the dowry over within the next couple of days!" Zhuang Linshi grew angry, she thought they were bluffing to demand a betrothal gift!

Xiao’er had to admit defeat. She was impressed that she had the gall to claim attempted suicide. Was Mrs. Shen trying to console herself? Her allegation was linked directly to the attempted suicide!

In ancient times, a woman’s reputation was very important – rumors were more terrifying than a tiger, pushing people to the verge of despair and forcing them to take their own lives! The rumor-monger could then feel absolved by saying that the victim had committed suicide out of guilt!

"I dare take her! The person she’s engaged to is me. I came here today not to cancel the engagement, but to ask for her hand in marriage! Brother Chengyao and I had already discussed this. Today, we’ll double the joy!" Foreman Liang stood up. Now, he realized how grossly she had been bullied. What had she gone through that led a woman, abandoned for so many years, to attempt suicide?

"Now, brother, I see you’re able-bodied and well-dressed – you don’t look poor at all. You, a perfectly good catch, why are you interested in this jinx instead of any other girl? You’re just here to add to the chaos! Get out of here, and stop fighting with my son for his bride! Also, no matter what tricks you try to pull, I’m not giving any betrothal gifts. If I have to give a gift, shouldn’t I be marrying a virgin girl!"

Blimey! Xiao’er quickly lowered her head. Although it wasn’t appropriate to laugh at this moment, she found it comical. Some people can be so ridiculous!

No matter how much betrothal gift you offer, there won’t be any virgins who would dare to marry you!

"You should not be fighting with me for Wen Hui, Miss Xu is already engaged to me! Moreover, stop calling her a jinx; she’s never done anything to you!" Foreman Liang looked at Zhuang Linshi as if she were a monster and spoke seriously, word after word.

Are all women now like this? Can’t they understand a simple conversation? He hadn’t interacted with many women for a long time, and he didn’t know how to describe current women – they’re incomparably...unique!

"Are you serious?" Zhuang Linshi was stunned. So, someone had actually come to snatch her son’s bride? Were they not trying to trick her? That couldn’t be, if he didn’t find a wife soon, the family responsibilities would crush her!

"It’s true!" Foreman Liang nodded solemnly. Finally, they were on the same page!

"Your engagement doesn’t count! Nobody knows about it! As soon as I stepped in, I announced she’s my son’s bride!"

"Our whole family knows about it! Auntie Youfu was the matchmaker! Right, Auntie?" Xiao’er quickly pulled Auntie Youfu over and winked at her.

"Yes, yes, yes, I saw that Foreman Liang was single and Wen Hui was all alone too, so I helped them get engaged! Both families already verbally agreed!" Auntie Youfu also played along and quickly confirmed the claim.

Whispers spread among the crowd of villagers.

"They really were engaged, what luck Miss Xu has to be liked by Foreman Liang!"

"When did Wen Hui and Foreman Liang get together?"

"I thought Mrs. Liu’s adoption was in order to arrange a marriage for Mrs. Shen’s nephew. Guess not! If I were Wen Hui, I’d also choose Foreman Liang over Mrs. Shen’s nephew!"

"Mrs. Shen is so calculating, Mrs. Liu adopts a sister, then her nephew comes to claim a bride!"

"Goodness, Wen Hui sure has stumbled into a pit of good fortune. Foreman Liang even has a house in town! She won’t have to serve her in-laws if she marries him. She’ll become the lady of the house as soon as she moves in! That’s a genuinely good life!"

"Maybe Foreman Liang only wants to take her as a concubine, we can’t be sure..."

...

"Zhuang Linshi sure dares to dream. Her son? Marry a virgin girl? If I were Wen Hui and knew I was to marry him, I’d rather hang myself and die again!"

"Absolutely. I’d rather die than marry him."