Seeing that Xia Changjiang had already ceded land, the Huang family had no choice but to pay compensation.
Ten taels of silver is not a small amount for a farmer; it could very well be the entire family's life savings.
The Huang family is now afraid of Xia Chunmei and dares not cause her any more trouble, but they can cause trouble for Xia Changjiang. They have come to hate Xia Changjiang and Chen Sanhua.
He decided to find an opportunity to get revenge.
Their matter is temporarily resolved, but things aren't over with the Fan family yet.
"Chunmei, about your marriage with Baowen..."
"Auntie, it's too late today. Let's talk again on the 24th when my aunt comes."
Madam Fan, with a loving expression, affectionately stroked Xia Chunmei's head: "Okay, I'll listen to you. You rest well and don't be afraid."
Fan Mingli: "Chunmei, I'll say it again: we've decided on you as the eldest grandson's wife of the Fan family. Too much has happened today, so get some rest tonight. We'll discuss the marriage when your aunt arrives."
...
That night, one bombshell after another kept the whole village awake.
No one expected that Xia Changjiang and Chen Sanhua harbored malicious intentions and conspired with Xia Honghua to harm Xia Chunmei.
"Chunmei has made a fortune this time."
"The compensation alone is fifteen taels of silver, and we still have two mu of land. We won't have to worry about making a living in the future."
"She's lucky to be alive, otherwise she would have jumped into the river today."
...
The villagers were talking about it.
After condemning Xia Changjiang and his wife, everyone began to envy Xia Chunmei, since no one in the village could afford fifteen taels of silver.
"Chunmei, you've really suffered." Xia Mingshi looked at Xia Chunmei with great heartache.
Who could have imagined that a marriage arranged many years ago would bring such a disaster upon Xia Chunmei!
"Grandma, what's so hard about this? Life is just like this."
"You need to be careful with your money. I bet there are a lot of people who are envious of your wealth, so be careful," Xia Mingshi reminded her.
"That's good, make sure the doors and windows are closed properly," Aunt Pear Blossom added.
"Yes, I'll be careful. But keeping money in my hands is never safe. I want to tear down the house and rebuild, and spend the money. Uncle Qiang, can you help me with this?"
“Chunmei, you sisters are going to get married soon. The house can be renovated. There’s no need to tear it down and rebuild it. It’s a waste of money,” Xia Mingshi said.
“Let’s rebuild it. My sister is still young and will live here for at least twelve or thirteen years. Besides, my father has no sons. I think my little sister can stay at home and find a husband to continue the Xia family line.”
"Zhaolang" means to find a husband who will come to your door.
Xia Ping'an hadn't expected Xia Chunmei to think so far ahead. He was a native of ancient times, and of course he regretted not having a son, but he was happy to have someone to continue the family line.
Xia Ping'an looked at Xia Chunmei gratefully and said thank you repeatedly.
In reality, Xia Chunmei didn't really intend for Yaomei to find a husband at home. The talk of finding a husband and continuing the family line was just a way to shut everyone up.
As a young woman, she built such a big house, and many people were bound to try to dissuade her. Xia Chunmei didn't want to listen to those nonsense, so she came up with this excuse in a moment of inspiration.
“Chunmei’s words make some sense. In that case, let’s build it,” Xia Qiang said. “The sooner it’s built, the better it will be in winter.”
“I don’t know anything about building houses, so I’ll have to trouble Uncle Qiang.”
“Building a house is a good thing, Uncle. Of course I can help, but it’s too late today. You should go back and get some rest. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
Xia Chunmei brought her three younger sisters home.
"Sister, waaaah..." When they got home, Xia Qiumei and Xia Dongmei hugged Xia Chunmei and cried loudly.
"Alright, why are you crying? You're perfectly fine now. Wipe your tears and snot."
"How could they be so mean?" Xia Dongmei's eyes widened in anger.
"Now you know why I took the whole village fishing."
"I understand," Xia Qiumei nodded and said. "If we don't bring them along, they won't stand on our side, and Uncle Buffalo and the others won't swarm Huang Youtian with their carrying poles."
"That's right. We are outnumbered and outmatched, so even when we are in the right, we may not get the better of others. Therefore, we need to rely on everyone's strength. The only thing that can unite everyone is mutual benefit. Okay, go to sleep."
...
After sending her younger sisters to bed, Xia Chunmei said to Xia Ping'an, "Uncle, the Fan family and Xia Changjiang won't let this matter go. Keep a close eye on them, especially the Fan family."
"Didn't the Fan family say they wanted to get married soon? At this critical juncture, they shouldn't be up to any tricks, right?"
"The Fan family said they wanted to get married soon, but that was just for show; it was all an act."
First of all, Fan Baowen really wanted to marry someone else. He was just fooling Xia Xiumei and using her to harm me.
Secondly, Xia Changjiang and Chen Sanhua harmed me precisely to force Xia Xiumei to marry Fan Baowen. Now that their plan has failed, their conspiracy has been exposed, and their reputation is ruined, they certainly won't let it go easily and will definitely hold onto the Fan family tightly.
Xia Xiumei and Fan Baowen have already consummated their marriage. I suspect they will use this to their advantage against the Fan family. If Fan Baowen dares to marry me, they will definitely try to ruin his reputation.
Fan Baowen wanted to study and take the imperial examinations, so he couldn't be threatened by Xia Xiumei.
I guess they'll try to deal with Xia Xiumei first, and then deal with me. After all, we're in a very sensitive situation right now, and if the Fan family were to take action against me, it would easily arouse suspicion.
Xia Ping'an felt nervous when he heard Xia Chunmei say that.
"Then I'll go keep an eye on them now, and I'll let you know if anything happens."
After saying that, Xia Ping'an floated away.
As soon as he left, Xia Chunmei lay down on the bed, thinking that she could finally get a good night's sleep.
Xia Chunmei is able to get a good night's sleep.
But the Xia Changjiang family was in a different situation; the phrase "severe losses" doesn't even begin to describe it. How could they possibly sleep soundly?
"That bitch, I swear I won't rest until I kill her!" Xia Changjiang gritted his teeth in hatred as he lay on the bed.
"Zeng, go find Donglai tomorrow and call him back to avenge me!"
Zeng nodded timidly; she never dared to disobey her father-in-law's words.
"Father, Mother, what should I do?" Xia Xiumei knew that besides this incident, her reputation was probably ruined.
"What are you crying for?" Xia Changjiang shouted angrily, "Idiot!"
Chen Sanhua wiped away her tears and scolded, "When the Fan family said they would choose a date to marry Xia Chunmei, it was clearly just a temporary measure. But you stupidly objected. Doesn't that just tell everyone that you and Fan Baowen don't know each other, you idiot!"
After Chen Sanhua pointed it out, Xia Xiumei realized that she was completely wrong.
"I was really worried then, Mother, what should I do now? Can I still marry Baowen?"
“You’re already Fan Baowen’s woman. Who else would you marry if not him?” Chen Sanhua’s eyes flashed with ferocity. “If he dares to go back on his word, we’ll report him to the academy and say that he orchestrated all of this. He only sent us to do this to protect his reputation. Let’s see if he dares not to marry you!”
Hearing what the family of three said, Xia Ping'an was dumbfounded. He had to admit how amazing Xia Chunmei was; she had actually predicted everything!
At this time, the Fan family was unaware of Chen Sanhua's plans.
On the way back, Madam Fan kept complaining: "I never thought Xia Changjiang and Chen Sanhua were so stupid, and that Xia Xiumei is even more stupid. The whole family can't even handle an orphan girl! They deserve to end up like this! Husband, we can't really let Baowen marry Xia Chunmei, can we?"
"Bring people over to calculate the date first, just to make a show of it. Once things have calmed down, we'll figure out a solution. Tomorrow, we must go into town and tell Baowen about this, and also tell him to be careful not to associate with Xia Xiumei anymore!" Fan Mingli instructed.
"But this Xia Chunmei is really quite clever, and she has a skill that can earn money. If it weren't for the fact that her family background is so much worse than the Yuan family, she could barely be considered a member of the Fan family," sighed Fan Hua, Fan Baowen's grandfather.
Upon hearing Fan Hua's words, Fan Jiangshi suddenly thought of her nephew. Once the wedding date was set and Xia Chunmei lowered her guard, she could easily "matchmake" Xia Chunmei with her nephew.
Xia Chunmei has a skill that allows her to earn money. She married her nephew, and her family's life improved.
It won't affect his son marrying a girl from the Yuan family; it's a win-win situation!
...
The Fan family and the Xia Changjiang family didn't sleep well at all that night.
The next morning, Fan Mingli was about to go into the city to find Fan Baowen when Chen Sanhua arrived just as he was leaving.
"What are you doing here?" Fan Mingli asked, somewhat displeased.
"You want me to say it here?"
Fan Mingli was also afraid that Chen Sanhua would say something that would damage Fan Baowen's reputation, so he invited her into his home.
"What are you doing here?" Madam Fan said angrily in a low voice, "Coming to my house at this time is just asking for trouble."
"I've come to discuss the marriage between my daughter Xiumei and Fan Baowen."
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
“My daughter gave her virginity to Fan Baowen. You can’t deny it. If Fan Baowen doesn’t marry my daughter, I’ll go to the academy and report him for deceiving a respectable young woman and instigating us to frame Xia Chunmei. Let’s see if he finishes his studies and then see if your Fan family will still have any face left.”
Upon hearing this, Fan Jiangshi and Fan Mingli looked at each other in shock.
"Our family is already in this state anyway. If Fan Baowen doesn't marry my daughter, then none of us can expect anything good." Chen Sanhua was already desperate.
At this moment, Madam Fan knew she couldn't provoke Chen Sanhua, even though she hated her intensely.
"Elder sister, at this critical juncture, our family has no choice but to agree to marry Xia Chunmei, otherwise people will start to have doubts," Fan Jiangshi said softly, softening her tone.
"Then you'd better figure out how to deal with Xia Chunmei. In short, if Fan Baowen really marries Xia Chunmei instead of my Xiumei, don't blame me. I'll give you three days to think it over. Give me a message when you've made up your mind."
After saying that, Chen Sanhua left gracefully.
Watching Chen Sanhua's departing figure, Fan Jiangshi and his wife clenched their hands tightly, wishing they could beat Chen Sanhua to death!
"What should we do?" Madam Fan asked, looking at Fan Mingli.
"You're asking me? Who should I ask?" Fan Mingli roared. "This wretched child! I warned him long ago not to give anyone any leverage over him, and now look what's happened! He can't even control himself with a little bit of meat!"
"What's the use of scolding our son now? It's obvious that those two old bastards, Xia Changjiang and Chen Sanhua, are clinging to us. The real solution is to go to the city and talk to Baowen about how to resolve this."
The couple, filled with anger, went into the city and confronted Fan Baowen, who was studying at the academy.
When Fan Baowen learned about these things, he was stunned. Two old men, both nearing fifty, couldn't handle Xia Chunmei, a girl who hadn't even come of age yet. Fan Baowen didn't know what to say.
When Fan Baowen learned that Chen Sanhua insisted that he marry Xia Xiumei, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, and his heart was filled with hatred.
Fan Mingli couldn't hold back and scolded Fan Baowen again.
"Father, Mother, I'll take care of Xia Xiumei here."
Are you confident?
Don't worry.
Since Xia Xiumei has threatened me, then don't blame me. Fan Baowen already has a plan in mind.
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