Chapter 111 The Young Master Comes to Propose

The medicine Xiao Zhang gave me was so expensive!

He was so poor, and that's how he squandered all his hunting money!

Li Meng was covered in injuries, and the entire bottle of medicine had been applied to her body.

How can I repay the 3 taels of silver?

"But if you try to kill yourself again, it really won't be worth it. I promise I won't save you again."

Lu Qingqing said, "You're not even afraid of death, so why would you be afraid of refusing a marriage proposal and never getting married again?"

"If I'm not afraid of death, why would I be afraid of marrying again and choosing over again?"

Li Meng burst into tears.

"I'm just afraid of bringing shame and disgrace to my father and brother! It would be better if I died."

Yes, what drives women to their deaths is never the suffering itself, but the terrible rumors.

"They will only lose face if you die, and they will never be able to change the fact that they have a sister whose reputation is ruined."

When anyone brings it up, everyone will gossip about it behind their back.

But if you live a glamorous life, a life that makes people envious, jealous, and inferior to you, the stains splattered on you will crumble and fall off like dried mud.

Only then will your father and brother have something to be proud of!

Liang Youtian is the one who deserves to die; if anyone should die, it's him. Why are you trying to kill yourself?!

Although Lu Qingqing is younger than Li Meng, Li Meng feels that Lu Qingqing is like an older sister, teaching and guiding her.

It seemed as if a wide road had appeared before her eyes.

It's no longer a dark, dead-end alley with no way forward.

Her sisters-in-law all kept their distance from her, treating her like something dirty.

Lu Qingqing, however, was thinking of her, letting her live for others to see.

After their conversation, Li Meng completely regarded Lu Qingqing as her best friend and confided all her secrets to her.

After all, they received different educations from a young age.

Diligent and capable, married and with children, serving one's parents-in-law, and respecting one's husband—this is the path that this era has laid out for women.

Li Meng is kind-hearted and doesn't want her family to be caught up in rumors because of her.

Despite being terrified, faced with the choice between getting married and not getting married, she decided to choose to get married.

"Qingqing, didn't you see? Xiao Zhang punched Liang Youtian three meters away."

"You tell me, if he were to hit me, wouldn't one punch send me flying all the way down the mountain?"

Lu Qingqing wanted to laugh.

Why did he hit you? A good man's fist is for protecting women, not for hitting them.

Only useless cowards hit women.

"But... why did he marry me? I just... if it's for the sake of my reputation, I'm afraid it's against my will..." This is what Li Meng fears most.

If she's unwilling, she'll inevitably harbor resentment and beat him sooner or later.

If that's the case, she'll choose the first option.

I won't get married!

Yes, that's why Xiao Zhang wanted to marry Li Meng.

Lu Qingqing also wanted to know.

Even if he saw people naked while rescuing them, it's understandable. He won't marry them; no one is forcing him to. Only Li Meng will be criticized.

It's not quite right to say he can't find a wife and has to make do.

There was once a beautiful young widow who didn't want anything from him, but he didn't want anything either.

Although Li Meng is good-looking, her reputation is not as good as that of the young widow.

Why did he want to marry her?

"Isn't he coming to propose tomorrow? We'll find out by asking!"

Lu Qingqing decided to witness the marriage proposal of the mysterious Xiao Zhang in person.

This damn curiosity!

The next day, Lu Qingqing and her father arrived at the Li family early in the morning.

Unexpectedly, the group of elderly women from the village arrived much earlier than her.

Sitting in the corner, he craned his neck and waited while weaving wheat stalks.

The older women's group wasn't there; they'd all gone to dig for medicinal herbs.

None of the three members of the Li family left home; they boiled water and waited for Xiao Zhang to bring the matchmaker.

The eldest and second eldest sons' families were also secretly watching from a corner.

The sun had moved from its slant to its zenith, and it was almost 9 AM.

The older women couldn't keep an eye on everything anymore; they had to go home and cook.

Xiao Zhang is still nowhere to be seen.

Old Crow Li's straight back suddenly bent over.

"No need to heat the tea, I won't be coming."

The third brother said with a stern face, "You can't play games like this. I'll go up the mountain and ask him..."

"Where are you going! You think you've made a big enough scene? They only mentioned it once, maybe they've changed their minds." Old Crow Li scolded.

Old Man Lu said in confusion, "That shouldn't be the case. Xiao Zhang doesn't seem like that kind of person."

Li Meng, who was inside the room, breathed a sigh of relief, but a strong sense of guilt rose within her again.

I've disappointed my father and brother again.

Suddenly, there was a noise outside.

It sounded like the beating of a gong.

Is anyone celebrating a wedding in Liuyun Village today?

I've never heard of that.

Li Laogua thought to himself: It's good that there's excitement elsewhere. I'll draw everyone there so they won't be laughing at me in front of his house.

Unexpectedly, they suddenly heard Granny Liu shouting.

"Little crow, little crow... The magistrate's son has come to propose marriage to Mengmeng!"

What? What?

"This Aunt Liu, why is she making fun of my daughter at a time like this!"

Although Granny Liu often spread rumors, she would never joke around with people.

What she just shouted was so outrageous, who would believe it!

However, everyone still ran out to see what was going on.

Granny Liu swore that this was the fastest she had ever run!

I ran from one end of the village to the other without stopping to catch my breath!

The group of older women had already surrounded her.

"Really...really, candy, peanuts, sprinkle them, hurry up..." Granny Liu held a few peanuts and a piece of brittle candy wrapped in kraft paper in her hand!

Oh my god!

Regardless of whether the news is true or not, the candy is real!

Sugar is very expensive!

In an instant, the group of elderly women who had been hunched over and walking with canes straightened up and walked briskly!

"Bao Shuan'er! Stop playing here! Go to the fields and call all the children back. The magistrate is throwing out candy!" Granny Liu said quickly, taking a deep breath.

Then he started panting again.

Lu Qingqing was really afraid that she would suddenly run out of breath and choke on the spot.

Then, the sound of the gong drew closer, and people became visible.

There were indeed a few yamen runners throwing things while banging gongs and drums.

However, most of the food was peanuts, and there were very few pieces of candy.

They were also carrying a large object covered with a red cloth.

Isn't that the kind of betrothal ceremony they're putting on?

And walking ahead of them was indeed Xu Rui.

He was accompanied by a tall, dashing young man in a brand-new long gown.

Even with her mind racing, Lu Qingqing couldn't figure out what was going on.

Those people quickly arrived at the Li family's door.

Xu Rui glanced at Lu Qingqing, then bowed to Li Laogua.

"Uncle Li, my name is Xu Rui. I've come today to propose marriage to my brother Zhang Lin."

Old Crow Li shook his head from side to side, looking around.

Who is Old Man Li?

Lu Qingqing: "Who is Zhang Lin?"

"Miss Qingqing, it's me!"

The dashing young man beside him grinned, revealing a set of bright white teeth.

Everyone: "..."

Hunter Xiao Zhang.

He shaved, put on new clothes, and finally revealed his true colors.

He's quite handsome and young!

Are Xiao Zhang and Xu Rui brothers?

Lu Qingqing suddenly realized.

Xu Rui used to go up the mountain not to watch birds. Turns out he was looking for Xiao Zhang!

"Father, quick, quick, please invite the magistrate's son into the house!" the fourth son stammered.

"Oh, oh, please come in, please come in." Old Crow Li's legs went weak again.

What's going on here?

Old Man Lu dragged him inside.

Xu Rui: "Miss Lu..."

He carried a bag of things, just like the peanut bags scattered by the constables, and handed it directly to Lu Qingqing.

"Oh. You've come as a matchmaker today?" Lu Qingqing asked, taking the invitation.

Thinking he wanted help scattering peanuts, he grabbed a handful and tossed them away.

Wow!

This bag was full of sugar!

In an instant, the child and the adult almost fought over it.

Lu Qingqing stopped throwing things randomly and started throwing them specifically at girls who were weak and shy.

Finally, Si Xi, Wang Jincai, and Hei Dan came running over.

"Si Xi, catch!"

He swung his arm, spun around a few times, and threw the bag in an arc.

Xu Rui: "...Yes."

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