Actually, if things had ended there, it would have just been a failed marriage proposal, and the two families wouldn't have become enemies.
But Gan Tao Niang not only rejected the marriage proposal, but also spread the news around, saying that Gan Quan was shameless and had no money but still dared to dream of marrying her daughter.
Despite the Gan family's prestigious reputation, they couldn't even afford a dowry of ten taels of silver, yet they dared to harm her precious daughter. Her daughter would rather never marry than marry Gan Quan.
These words quickly spread throughout the village, and Zhao and Gan Quan became the laughing stock of the villagers, with people pointing and gossiping about them wherever they went.
Zhao was furious. She hated Gan Tao Niang for her harsh words. If she wanted to refuse, she should just refuse. Why did she have to humiliate her son like that?
She also resented Ganli, resenting that Ganli had shamelessly exploited her family even after being married for many years, causing her to work hard for most of her life and still not have enough money to pay for her son's wedding!
One day, the original owner returned to the Gan family and begged the elderly couple for money, saying that Chen Yaozu wanted to buy new clothes.
Zhao was already furious about Gan Quan's marriage proposal, and seeing the original owner's state only fueled her anger. She couldn't help but bring up the matter of Gan Quan being rejected, saying:
"Aunt, you're also a member of the Gan family. We don't expect you to help the family, but you shouldn't be a burden on it either! You come asking for money every few days. Your nephews and nieces are all grown up and need money right now. Can't you come less often and take less?"
Upon hearing this, the original owner immediately became displeased, put on a stern face, and said sarcastically:
"Oh, I thought it was something serious? It's just about finding a wife, what's the big deal? Maybe Quan'er's time hasn't come yet!"
Besides, even if you never get married, that's fine too. Being single is so carefree and liberating!
Zhao was so angry at her words that she trembled all over. Pointing at the original owner of the body, she asked through gritted teeth:
"You make it sound so easy! If Yaozu never got married in his entire life, would you consider that a blessing?"
Upon hearing this, the original owner immediately flew into a rage, jumped up, pointed at Zhao's nose, and cursed:
"You're also an aunt, and this is how you curse your nephew? What are you up to?"
"Let me tell you, my son is going to be a high-ranking official. Not only will he get married and have children, but he'll also have several concubines to serve him. How could he not find a wife? Stop jinxing me!"
Zhao was so angry at her words that she almost fainted.
Unfortunately, no one in the family stood by her side. In the end, she could only watch helplessly as the original owner made a scene, took the money they had worked so hard for a month, and left without a word.
That's not all.
Because of the arranged marriage, Zhao and Gan Taoniang had become sworn enemies. They would fight and argue whenever they met, which became quite a spectacle in the village.
Gan Tao Niang was even more sarcastic, seizing every opportunity to mock Gan Quan, saying he was like a toad trying to eat swan meat and that he was not good enough for her daughter.
But little did anyone know, a terrible thing happened to Gan Tao's family not long after. Gan Tao's father went up the mountain to chop firewood, but accidentally fell off a cliff and died.
Upon hearing the news, Gan Taoniang was devastated and fainted on the spot. When she awoke, she found that she could no longer move her legs.
This was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for the Gan Tao family.
The Gan family has six children in total. Gan Tao is the eldest, and the other five younger brothers are still young. The oldest is just over ten years old, and the youngest is just learning to speak.
With the family's breadwinner gone and Gan Tao's mother falling ill, the burden of life suddenly fell on the shoulders of Gan Tao, this frail girl.
Although the two families had a major falling out over the marriage proposal, Gan Quan and Gan Tao's relationship remained completely unaffected.
Gan Quan felt sorry for Gan Tao, so whenever he had free time, he would go to help her family with chores, such as carrying water and chopping firewood. He would take on all the dirty and tiring work, just to help Gan Tao share some of the burden.
Gan Tao didn't say it, but she knew perfectly well what was going on and was very grateful.
But her mother disliked Gan Quan intensely, thinking he was like a weasel paying respects to a chicken—he had no good intentions!
While Gan Quan was working, she would lie on the bed and loudly curse him, telling him not to try to take advantage of her misfortune!
She not only cursed Gan Quan in front of him when he came to work, but also talked badly about Gan Quan when villagers came to visit.
She said that no matter how bad her family's situation was, she still wouldn't be interested in Gan Quan.
Her daughter is the most beautiful girl in the surrounding area, with both looks and good character. She could easily marry a wealthy man as his concubine. Gan Quan is just a toad, yet he wants to eat swan meat.
Zhao usually works in town, and by the time she returned, the matter had already spread like wildfire. Zhao was so angry that she was about to rush to Gan Tao Niang's house to argue with her, but Gan Quan held her back tightly.
Zhao was angry at her son for being so useless. She said that she didn't have to go and settle scores with Gan Tao's mother, but he could never work at Gan Tao's house again. Otherwise, she would strangle herself with her belt, which would be better than living in the world and being watched by others.
Gan Quan was worried that his mother's visit would embarrass his sweetheart, so he had no choice but to agree and never went to Gan Tao's house again.
Gan Tao knew what had happened and felt apologetic, but there was nothing she could do.
When Gan Tao Niang saw that Gan Quan wasn't coming, she scolded him for several days, saying that he was indeed faking it and couldn't keep up the act after only a few days of work.
Not only that, she was also going to great lengths to find a good marriage for her daughter.
As the saying goes, hard work pays off... She actually found a 'good marriage' for her daughter. A wealthy man lost his wife in middle age and wanted to find a second wife to manage the household.
Upon hearing this, Gan Tao's mother asked a matchmaker to go to her husband's house to promote Gan Tao, and secretly lured the old rich man to glance at her.
The other party was very satisfied with Gan Tao's appearance, so Gan Tao's mother felt that there was a chance. Worried that her daughter might disagree when the time came, she secretly gave Gan Tao a hint.
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