Seeing Su Ruanruan's displeased expression, Duan Zhuang asked anxiously, "Ruanruan, what's wrong? Is there something you can't say? We're already at their doorstep, there's no reason to go back. If we turn back without a reason, with so many people watching, who would want to marry their daughter into our family in the future?"
Liu nudged Duan Zhuang's arm and took out a string of copper coins from her bosom. "Go and give these eighty-eight copper coins to the matchmaker, and also bring some snacks. Tell her to go inside and tell the people in the house that there's an emergency at home today, and we have to go back quickly. We'll come back another day on a better day."
Duan Zhuang glanced at the two men again, but said nothing more. He simply took the copper coins and slowly moved toward the oxcart, unsure of what to say next.
Liu glanced at Duan Zhuang, who had walked away, before moving closer to Su Ruanruan and asking in a low voice, "Ruanruan, what exactly happened?"
Su Ruanruan closed her eyes briefly, then leaned close to Liu's ear and told her everything she had seen in the forest that day.
Upon hearing this, something exploded in Liu's mind, and she froze on the spot, staring at Su Ruanruan in disbelief.
"Ruanruan, we can't joke about this. Are you sure you didn't see it wrong?"
Su Ruanruan nodded. "Aunt, there's no mistake. I only thought the girl looked familiar at first, and I was startled when I remembered who she was. This is a matter that concerns Brother Tie's entire life, so we have to be careful, don't you think?"
Liu let out a long sigh, and after a long while said, "That makes sense."
They were anxious for Da Tie to get married, but if the woman was really so promiscuous, they absolutely could not accept her.
On the other side of the carriage, Duan Zhuang looked at the matchmaker with an embarrassed expression.
The matchmaker's smile remained unchanged. "Is everything alright? Let's go inside quickly, or we'll miss the auspicious time."
She nudged the stunned Da Tie again, "You silly child, are you so happy you've gone mad? Hurry up and take everything from the oxcart to meet your future in-laws and your delicate little wife."
Da Tie didn't know what his cousin and mother were talking about, but when he heard the matchmaker's words, he still grinned shyly and scratched his head.
Seeing Da Tie reach for the gifts, Duan Zhuang quickly stopped him.
"Father? Father, what's wrong?"
The matchmaker stepped forward and knocked on the door a few times, but no one in the courtyard came to open it.
Turning around, he saw the father and son standing dumbfounded on the oxcart, not moving an inch.
"What's wrong?" The matchmaker returned, her eyes fixed on Duan Zhuang.
Even Da Tie was puzzled and asked, "Dad, what's wrong?"
Duan Zhuang placed the string of coins in his hand into the matchmaker's hand and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Auntie, I'm really sorry, as you can see, someone from home just came to urge us to go back quickly."
"The three boys at home have stomach problems for some reason, and they're in so much pain they can't breathe. We have to go back and check on them right away. I'm really sorry, please take these coins and have some tea. It's a shame you made this trip for nothing."
"We'd appreciate it if you could go in and talk to them. We'll come back to visit another day."
He glanced again at the snacks on the carriage, but ultimately didn't take them out.
Since Ruan Ruan came to stop them, there must be a reason. Although he didn't know what the reason was, it certainly wasn't because of his family.
Moreover, he could tell that the family had been avoiding them for so long.
There must be something on their mind.
Giving these pastries to them is not as good as leaving them for Erzhu, Sanwang, and Xiaoxi to eat.
When Da Tie heard that San Zhu was ill, he couldn't help but feel a little panicked.
"I'm sorry, Auntie, it's really unfortunate today. No one from Uncle Wang's house has come out either. I'll have to trouble you to tell them we're leaving now."
The matchmaker clutched the string of copper coins in her hand, watching the oxcart turn around.
What's going on here?
Having been a matchmaker for half my life, this is the first time I've ever seen someone arrive at the other person's door and then leave with their belongings.
She looked back at the tightly closed gate. The Wang family was something else; all the neighbors knew to come out and see what was going on. She didn't believe they hadn't heard the commotion at the gate.
They're not even married yet, and he's already trying to manipulate his future in-laws. I wonder how things will turn out for him.
The Duan family had all boarded the carriage and were preparing to leave, so there was no need for her to stay.
This closed door is not only a warning to her future in-laws, but also a warning to her as well.
Ultimately, this family was still not entirely satisfied with the marriage, which is why they embarrassed her like that.
Thinking about it carefully, this honest young man and the girl in the family are not particularly well-matched.
If it's uncertain, then it's uncertain. Anyway, they've already given her the money she owed the matchmaker.
She remembered that there were still a few young girls in the village who had just reached the age of marriage.
The matchmaker glanced around and saw a pretty girl in the distance holding a wooden basin, staring blankly at the person standing next to the oxcart.
Her gaze swept over, and the girl, as if caught red-handed, quickly lowered her head and went back into the courtyard.
The matchmaker's eyes darted around, and she swayed her hips as she walked towards the courtyard.
The girl was feeding chickens in the yard when the matchmaker smiled and said, "Young lady, may I ask you for a bowl of water?"
...
On the oxcart, Da Tie kept asking how San Zhu was doing.
But Liu and Ruanruan both said it was nothing serious, and her father lowered his eyes and remained silent.
The group of people were acting strangely.
They wouldn't have left in such a hurry if it weren't for something important.
They must be hiding something from him.
But there were other people on the oxcart, so he couldn't ask any more questions.
Never mind, they are all his closest relatives, they would never harm him.
The oxcart moved slowly along the road, drawing increasing curiosity from the surrounding neighbors.
What happened? How could they just leave like that?
Did he know that Li was a shrew and change his mind at the last minute?
Suddenly someone shouted, "Wang Chunya, your man is gone!"
The thunderous shout startled everyone in the room.
What happened?
They couldn't wait any longer after only knocking on the door a few times?
Wang Shun glared at Li Shi, "It's all your fault! Why did you have to put on airs and offend your in-laws?"
Wang Shun quickly got up and went out of the courtyard, only to find the gate empty and the oxcart carrying people and goods already driving away.
He slapped his forehead in frustration and prepared to go back.
But then Li rushed out of the house and coldly looked at the people in the carriage.
Suddenly his gaze darkened, fixing on a familiar figure.
"Su Ruanruan, you bitch, stop right there, don't go!"
Like an enraged cow, she was about to rush towards the carriage when Wang Shun quickly stopped her, asking, "Where are you going again?"
Seeing that she was being stopped, Li's eyes were filled with rage, and she slapped Wang Shun across the face.
The force wasn't particularly strong, but it wasn't weak either; several finger marks instantly appeared on Wang Shun's somewhat rough face.
Wang Shun was somewhat stunned. This woman had hit him before, but that was behind closed doors. But today, she actually hit him in front of so many neighbors and clan brothers. He had completely lost face.
Wang Chunya leaned against the door frame, her heart pounding, sensing that something bad was going to happen today.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
