As the day drew closer, Wang Chengwen's health gradually improved.
Recently, he has even been able to walk with the help of others.
Seeing this, Wang Xiuxiu breathed a sigh of relief and then secretly sent a message to the county.
Just two days later, a richly decorated carriage drove into Taoyuan Village, attracting the attention of the villagers.
The carriage stopped directly in front of the Wang family's gate. An elegantly dressed old woman stepped out of the carriage, followed by a young maid.
Her gaze was cold and sharp, and the corners of her mouth were slightly downturned, exuding arrogance and disdain.
Upon seeing this, Wang Degui quickly stepped forward and asked awkwardly, "Sir, have you come to the wrong place? If you need directions, I can help you."
The old woman glanced at him sideways and said coldly, "You've come to the right place, this is your house."
Wang Degui was taken aback and before he could react, Chen Chunhua quickly stepped forward and asked with a smile, "What brings you here, esteemed guest?"
The old woman snorted coldly, her tone full of impatience: "Where is Wang Xiuxiu? Tell her to come out. I'm here to take her away."
Upon hearing this, Chen Chunhua panicked. "Xiuxiu? You...you're from Magistrate Liu's family? But the wedding isn't here yet..."
"County Magistrate Liu?" The old woman frowned, her tone becoming even colder. "How dare any Tom, Dick, or Harry get involved with our family? I am a member of the Cheng family of Quanzhou! Where is Wang Xiuxiu? I'm not talking to you. Tell her to come out and answer me!"
Chen Chunhua was intimidated by her imposing manner and involuntarily obeyed, turning around to call Wang Xiuxiu.
When she came to her senses, she was both shocked and angry, but she had no choice but to swallow it all and dare not utter a sound.
Wang Xiuxiu walked out slowly, curtsied to the old woman, and said respectfully, "Granny Lu, you've arrived."
Granny Lu nodded slightly, her tone softening: "Have all the matters at home been taken care of?"
"Reporting to Granny, everything has been taken care of," Wang Xiuxiu replied.
"That's good, let's set off now," said Granny Lu, turning to get into the carriage.
Seeing this, Chen Chunhua quickly stopped her: "Granny, this won't do! This girl will be getting married in a couple of days!"
"Marry her off?" Granny Lu sneered, her eyes like knives. "A mere county magistrate dares to snatch someone from my Cheng family? How dare you! You've already taken the deposit, and you still dare to promise one woman to two masters?"
Chen Chunhua and Wang Degui were so frightened by her imposing manner that they turned pale and stammered, "This...this...we didn't know anything about it..."
Seeing this, Wang Xiuxiu stepped forward and curtsied to Granny Lu, saying, "Granny, please wait a moment while I say a few words to them and then I'll be right back."
Granny Lu nodded, her tone softening slightly: "Hurry up, don't be late."
Once inside, Chen Chunhua could no longer contain herself. Her face was filled with panic and anger as she reached out to grab Wang Xiuxiu's ear: "You brat, did you embezzle money and send people to beat us up?"
Wang Xiuxiu, however, remained calm and composed, raising her hand and waving Chen Chunhua aside.
Upon seeing this, Wang Degui glared angrily and raised his hand to strike her.
"You unfilial daughter, how dare you lay a hand on your mother!"
Wang Xiuxiu looked at him coldly, "She's not my mother, my mother died long ago! Don't be impatient, you'll have your chance to shine later!"
Wang Degui was stunned by her words, stood there dumbfounded, and slowly lowered his hand.
Wang Xiuxiu ignored them and went straight to explaining the matter.
Upon hearing this, Chen Chunhua's face turned deathly pale. It took her a while to react before she shrieked, "You damned girl! Go tell that man you've changed your mind! What kind of woman sells herself like that!"
"It's too late. You've already taken their deposit. Aren't you going back?" Wang Xiuxiu replied calmly.
"What deposit? When did we receive it?!" Chen Chunhua's eyes widened, her voice trembling.
Suddenly, Chen Chunhua seemed to realize something, and a look of astonishment appeared on her face. "Could it be... that ginseng?"
At this point, Wang Xiuxiu was too lazy to pretend anymore. "That's right, it's that ginseng. It was sent by the Cheng family. Do you know the Cheng family? They are relatives of the emperor. Even your beloved County Magistrate Liu would have to kowtow to them."
Upon hearing this, Chen Chunhua and Wang Degui turned ashen-faced, as if struck by lightning.
They never imagined that the century-old ginseng that saved their lives belonged to the Cheng family.
Looking at their shocked, angry, and helpless expressions, Wang Xiuxiu felt a surge of pleasure.
He turned and walked out of the house, taking one last look at Wang Chengwu's tightly closed door.
Wang Xiuxiu withdrew her gaze and curtsied to Granny Lu, saying, "Granny, we can go now."
Granny Lu nodded slightly, her cold gaze sweeping over everyone, and gestured for Wang Xiuxiu to get into the carriage.
Chen Chunhua and Wang Degui stood to the side, their smiles barely concealing their inner resentment.
Chen Chunhua's eyes darted around, and she feigned concern as she approached the carriage, shouting at the top of her lungs, "Xiuxiu, be careful on the road! Remember to send a message back when you get there! And when you get to the Cheng residence, don't cause any trouble for your master!"
As she spoke, she stood on tiptoe, as if she were truly reluctant to part.
Inside the carriage, Granny Lu gave a cold laugh, her voice coming through the curtain with a hint of sarcasm: "Since you've sold yourself, don't even think about coming here to beg for money. If you dare to have any wicked thoughts, don't blame me for being impolite!"
These words were like a knife, piercing straight to Chen Chunhua's heart.
Her face stiffened, she gritted her teeth, and dared not utter another word, only retreating to the side in a huff.
Wang Chengwu and his wife sensed something was wrong early on, and now they've disappeared without a trace.
The carriage started moving slowly, but Wang Chengwen suddenly staggered out of the courtyard.
His face was as pale as paper, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his steps were unsteady, as if he might collapse at any moment.
Seeing this, Chen Chunhua hurriedly stepped forward to help him, but he pushed her away.
"Don't stop me!" Wang Chengwen's voice was hoarse, his eyes filled with anxiety.
He struggled to take a few steps forward, but suddenly his legs gave way and he fell heavily to the ground.
Dust flew everywhere, and his palms were rubbed raw and bloody from the rough ground, but he seemed oblivious to the pain, staring intently at the carriage ahead.
Seeing this, Wang Chengwu rushed over from the house and tried to help him up, but Wang Chengwen pushed him away.
He murmured softly, "It's too late...it's all too late..." His voice was filled with endless sorrow.
As the carriage drove further and further away, it raised a cloud of dust, leaving the chaos and helplessness far behind.
Granny Lu saw this scene through the car window, and a trace of pity flashed in her eyes. "They're not all heartless. It's still early. If you want, go and say goodbye."
Wang Xiuxiu gratefully bowed to Granny Lu, then got off the carriage and quickly ran to Wang Chengwen's side, carefully helping him up.
Looking at her younger brother, whose face was haggard and whose expression was sorrowful, she felt a pang of sadness.
“Why did you do this…” Wang Xiuxiu sighed.
As if afraid that Wang Xiuxiu would run away, Wang Chengwen ignored the pain and held her hand tightly.
Tears instantly blurred her vision, and even her voice trembled: "Sister! Sister, don't go! I really didn't know that Father and Mother would do such a thing for me... You can't sell yourself... cough cough... You can't sell yourself for me..."
His words were full of regret and self-blame. Wang Xiuxiu took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away his tears.
“Even if it weren’t for you, I would still leave. This family can’t accept me. Besides, they’re not marrying me off entirely for your sake. I’ve investigated, and the Liu family isn’t a good family. Going to the Cheng family is the best way out I can find for myself.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Chengwen couldn't stop the tears from flowing.
Wang Xiuxiu gently hugged him and softly comforted him, "Don't be afraid. The Cheng family values my skills and treats me well. Take good care of your health and study hard. When you achieve success in the future, if you don't mind, go and bring your sister back. Then you can support me."
Wang Chengwen gripped her hand tightly, shaking his head frantically: "I don't mind! I don't mind!"
The little boy gripped his sister's hand tightly, shaking his head frantically, as if trying to express all his determination.
Wang Xiuxiu smiled and gently patted his shoulder: "Okay, let me tell you something. I played a prank. These next few days, the couple will probably be too scared to sleep. I'll tell them the truth in a few more days, when it's about time."
Wang Xiuxiu winked slyly, a smug smile spreading across her face.
Wang Chengwen was taken aback for a moment, then understood what she meant.
Wang Xiuxiu helped him straighten his clothes and whispered, "I left you a gift. Someone will come to deliver it for me in a few days. I've left you money for your future studies. It's in the vase by your bedside."
Seeing that he was about to refuse, Wang Xiuxiu immediately frowned and put on an unhappy look.
"No, you can't refuse. This is money your sister invested in your education, and you'll have to pay it back later. Don't be so preoccupied with this, like a little old man."
Before Wang Chengwen could say anything more, Wang Xiuxiu had already turned and walked towards the carriage.
She lifted the carriage curtain, glanced back at Wang Chengwen standing at the door, and waved to him.
The carriage slowly drove away from Taoyuan Village. As the curtain fluttered, it seemed as if a figure in a green robe flashed past behind a tree at the village entrance.
Wang Xiuxiu withdrew her gaze, no longer looking out of the car, her heart now at peace.
From then on, the future was uncertain, but at least she had secured a glimmer of hope for herself.
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