Chapter 178 I can adopt you as my godson
Cheng Wanwan's smile gradually disappeared.
She looked at the betrothal gift box in front of her, then glanced at the beaming matchmaker Huang, and had no idea how to respond.
She always thought Shen Zheng was just playing around like a child and never took it seriously, but she never expected that Magistrate Shen would come to propose marriage.
Despite having interacted with Magistrate Shen so many times, she genuinely felt that he had no romantic feelings for her whatsoever.
Whenever Magistrate Shen showed even the slightest interest, she would nip it in the bud.
"Magistrate Shen is thirty-five this year, a handsome and dignified man. His household is completely empty, with no women in sight. He has a sixty-year-old mother and a sixteen-year-old son; the Shen family consists of only three people," Matchmaker Huang said with a smile. "After you marry into the family, Zhao Chengshi, you'll be in charge. You'll be the magistrate's wife of Ping'an County, with carriages and maids to serve you. How glamorous that is..."
The people of Dahe Village were all stunned.
The county magistrate actually wants to marry the widow from their Dahe Village!
What incredible luck Da Shan's mother had to be chosen by the county magistrate at first glance! From then on, Da Shan's mother became the county magistrate's wife!
Good heavens, their Dahe Village actually produced a county magistrate's wife!
Grandma Zhao opened her lips, wanting to say something, but didn't know what to say.
She hopes that her eldest daughter-in-law's family will have a better life, but she doesn't mean that her eldest daughter-in-law should marry out of the family. What will happen to the four children after she marries out?
However, she had to admit that the title of county magistrate's wife was very tempting. If the eldest son's wife agreed to the marriage, the Zhao family would have no reason to object.
Grandma Zhao panicked a little and grabbed Grandpa Zhao's hand.
Old Zhao sighed deeply. His eldest daughter-in-law was so capable; she would leave Dahe Village sooner or later, which was something he had expected.
He only hoped that after his eldest daughter-in-law became the county magistrate's wife, she wouldn't forget the four children of the Zhao family.
Over here, Old Mrs. Cheng's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. She thought she had misheard, but when she saw that everyone in Dahe Village had a stunned expression, she knew that it was true. The county magistrate really wanted to marry Cheng Wanwan, this little whore!
This is the county magistrate, the highest-ranking official in a county. If that little prostitute becomes the magistrate's wife, the Cheng family will prosper.
Grandma Cheng's eyes lit up, and she was about to speak up and answer on behalf of Cheng Wanwan.
Then I heard a clear voice.
“Everyone in Dahe Village knows that I, Zhao Chengshi, only have my deceased husband in my heart. I swore at the grave of my children’s father that I would never remarry in this life,” Cheng Wanwan said slowly. “Please ask Matchmaker Huang to go back and tell the magistrate that these things should also be taken back.”
The matchmaker picked at her ear: "What did you say? I didn't hear you."
“My mother said she will never remarry in this lifetime.” Zhao Sidan said confidently, “Even if it’s the county magistrate, my mother won’t marry him.”
"Your Excellency, Magistrate Shen of Ping'an County, do you even know who I'm talking about?" Matchmaker Huang exclaimed incredulously. "Do you know how many young women in the city want to marry Your Excellency? Instead of marrying those respectable girls, Your Excellency is proposing to you, a woman who has given birth to four sons. What a disgrace! How can you refuse Your Excellency's marriage proposal? Are you insane?"
Shen Zheng squeezed through the crowd: "Auntie, don't refuse so quickly. My dad is a very good person. Please think about it again."
Cheng Wanwan said solemnly, "Xiao Zheng, I know what you mean. I can recognize you as my godson, and you can call me 'Mom,' but marrying your father is impossible."
“Good godmother, let’s recognize her as godmother.” Old Mrs. Zhao quickly said, “Does anyone in our village know what kind of ceremony is needed to recognize a godmother? Let’s do it together today.”
"No way!" Old Mrs. Cheng said angrily, "Cheng Wanwan, have you gone mad? You dare to refuse the magistrate's marriage proposal? You're really asking for trouble! You're a widow whose husband has died. You should be lucky if any man wants you. For an official like the magistrate to take a liking to you is a blessing from our Cheng family's ancestors. You can't refuse! You must agree! You must become the magistrate's wife!"
Huang the matchmaker was the most famous matchmaker in Ping'an Town. She never failed to arrange a marriage, especially when the two parties were of very different social status. On the way there, she had imagined more than a hundred different reactions from Zhao Chengshi, but she never expected that the widow would refuse, and refuse without any mercy!
She now vaguely understands why the county magistrate would take a fancy to a village woman.
The matchmaker took a deep breath and said, "You don't need to be so quick to refuse. I'll give you three days to think it over. I'll come back in three days."
Cheng Wanwan didn't say anything more. After all, the other party was the county magistrate, and it would be disrespectful to refuse him without any mercy.
She can go to town tomorrow and talk to the magistrate privately.
The matchmaker, Huang, had the betrothal gifts loaded onto the carriage, which quickly drove out of Dahe Village and disappeared onto the main road.
Shen Zheng was distraught and stumbled into a chair.
The four Zhao boys beamed with joy, while Old Mrs. Zhao and Old Mr. Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.
The man who came with Old Lady Cheng was speechless. The county magistrate had been rejected by this widow, so it didn't seem so hard for him to accept. That's how people are; once someone is worse off than themselves, they suddenly don't feel so bad anymore.
"You stupid idiot, how dare you refuse the magistrate's marriage proposal!" Old Madam Cheng lost control of her emotions and rushed towards Cheng Wanwan, grabbing her collar. "This is a great and auspicious occasion for the Cheng family, and you dare to refuse it on your own? I'll beat you to death, you fool!"
“Grandma!!”
Cheng Zhao quickly went to pull the person away.
But Old Mrs. Cheng was furious and completely irrational; she started hitting people as soon as she saw someone.
Cheng Wanwan quickly dodged and took a step back. Grandma Zhao immediately shielded her behind her and started grappling with Grandma Cheng.
Just then, Zhao Sidan suddenly cried out in terror, "Look! Isn't a wild boar charging at us?!"
Everyone looked over, and sure enough, a black wild boar was charging straight into the yard from the other side of the mountain.
In broad daylight, I have no idea why wild boars would come down from the mountain.
The onlookers were stunned, their feet frozen in place.
Cheng Wanwan calmly said, "Scatter quickly and hide inside the house."
For some time now, the people of Dahe Village have become particularly obedient to Cheng Wanwan. As soon as she speaks, everyone immediately runs to the inner room to make way.
This wild boar is coming on strong; if it hits someone, it's no laughing matter.
A fully grown wild boar is incredibly strong; even three or four experienced hunters working together wouldn't be able to control it.
Grandma Cheng was completely absorbed in her emotions. While everyone else was trying to find a place to leave, she stood there and viciously cursed Cheng Wanwan as an idiot.
Cheng Zhao hurriedly went over and pulled her: "Grandma, come with me over there."
Old Mrs. Cheng shoved him away, pointed at Cheng Wanwan's nose, and cursed, "You little whore, you..."
The wild boar was getting closer.
Cheng Zhao rushed towards Old Madam Cheng.
Cheng Wanwan grabbed Cheng Zhao: "Are you crazy!"
Old Mrs. Cheng is courting death; she can't let this outstanding young man die with her.
She hugged Cheng Zhao and shouted, "Smaller!"
Little Dot had heard the commotion long ago and rushed over like a gust of wind.
The wild boar was getting closer and closer to Old Lady Cheng, making loud beast noises. Only then did Old Lady Cheng realize what had happened. She stood there in a daze, fell to the ground, and watched in horror as the wild boar roared and pounced on her.
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