Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Making Inquiries

A perfectly good family, suddenly shattered and destroyed.

What remains is a madwoman, who just looks so pitiful.

After hearing the news, the Liu Family often went over to take care of things.

One day, while Liu Qinghe was on duty, he decided to take a detour to Master Wu’s home during a patrol, intending to check on the teacher’s wife and bring some food.

But unexpectedly, upon arrival, he discovered two ruffians trying to bully her.

Liu Qinghe didn’t hesitate for a second, and directly apprehended them.

However, the teacher’s wife could no longer be saved.

It turned out that during the struggle, the back of her head hit a rock, and although there was no blood, there was internal bleeding.

When sent to the medical clinic, the doctor took a look and shook his head.

Perhaps it was the fleeting clarity before death, the teacher’s wife suddenly became clear-minded.

But instead of leaving any last words, her clarity was filled with curses directed at Liu Qinghe.

If not for the desire to save more money for marrying Liu Meiniang, her son wouldn’t have gone on that escort job and wouldn’t have died.

So she cursed that Liu Meiniang would never find a husband and remain an old maid.

After cursing, she passed away.

At that time, there were quite a few patients in the clinic, and upon hearing such words, rumors naturally spread.

In truth, the arrangement between the two families was only a verbal agreement by the elders, without even exchanging tokens.

It was said to be an engagement, but in fact, nothing formal was done.

Yet, Liu Meiniang’s reputation was tarnished just like that.

Even Yi Meng couldn’t help but keep sighing.

Looking at the young girl in front of her, at sixteen or seventeen, she was like a blooming flower.

Beautiful and gentle in temperament, if not for that incident, she could have been a sought-after match for many good men.

However, this era is such that once a woman’s reputation is tainted, no matter how good she is, she can’t find a husband.

If she has to marry, it can only be to widowers or families with sick people.

In short, don’t even think about marrying into a good family.

“Sister-in-law, sorry, I, I said too much.”

Liu Meiniang was already in tears.

There were some things she couldn’t bring herself to tell her own mother, yet today, she poured them out to someone she met for the first time.

“Good child, speaking out makes the heart feel a bit lighter. Don’t worry, sister-in-law won’t spread this.”

Yi Meng solemnly promised, fearing the girl might dwell too much on it and get caught up in negative thoughts.

Liu Meiniang wiped her tears, nodded, and said: “Thank you, sister-in-law.”

“I heard that your family will also be staying in the village; if you’re ever free, come look for me at my house, we can chat.”

Yi Meng invited.

Liu Meiniang nodded more vigorously, and her eyes brightened a little.

In the city, her childhood friends had stopped associating with her after the incident.

For years, she’s stayed cooped up in that little courtyard at home.

Now she can finally have new friends again, Liu Meiniang was genuinely delighted.

Yi Meng instructed Liu Meiniang to wash her face with some clear water in the kitchen, and also offered her some of her facial cream.

After chatting casually for a while, Liu Meiniang’s eyes weren’t as red, and just then, Liu Family members came to call Liu Meiniang.

Though the Qi Family prepared a room for them, the Liu family eventually decided to return to the city.

Liu Qinghe, being a government official, was familiar with the city gate guards, so they weren’t worried about entering the city.

After the Liu Family left, Mrs. Qi eagerly called her fourth son into the room.

“Tomorrow, go into the city to inquire about that Liu Family’s little sister. If she’s suitable, we’ll send a matchmaker to propose!”

Mrs. Qi was vigorous, having her eyes particularly set on Liu Meiniang.

She was pretty, and had a good temperament.

Moreover, Mrs. Liu Sr. mentioned that Liu Meiniang was skillful in doing laundry and cooking at home.

Such a good girl reaching sixteen without getting married, Mrs. Liu Sr. claimed she was reluctant to let go and wanted to keep her for a few more years, but Mrs. Qi suspected there must be another reason.

That’s why Mrs. Qi was so eager to have Qi Quanjin gather information.

As long as there’s no major problem, this young daughter-in-law, she’s set on!

As for the youngest son’s opinion?

Mrs. Qi didn’t take that young rascal seriously at all.

Just arranging a marriage for him was already very considerate.

Qi Quanjin agreed and went to talk to his second brother.

When it comes to gathering information, his second brother was much better at it than he was.

Qi Ercai wasn’t surprised by such arrangements, and directly stated he would go into the city early the next morning, and the brothers dispersed.

Returning to his room, Qi Quanjin, while tending to his wife’s feet, shared the old lady’s thoughts.

Yi Meng was surprised: “Proposing for Old Lump?”

“Yeah! You didn’t know?”

Qi Quanjin was rather astonished.

Yi Meng blinked: “Seems like… I knew.”

If Qi Quanjin hadn’t brought it up, Yi Meng would have truly forgotten about it.

It seemed her mother-in-law had mentioned it, but she accidentally forgot it.

A bit awkward.

Qi Quanjin laughed and said, “Wife, I think you might fall into the three-year pregnancy brain fuzz again.”

“You scram!”

Yi Meng playfully rolled her eyes at him, then asked: “So what do you all think? By the way, what about the Liu Family’s attitude?”

“Don’t know yet! Mother wants to first check on that Liu Family’s little sister before sending a matchmaker to propose.”

Qi Quanjin dried the water off his wife’s feet.

Yi Meng thought about what Liu Meiniang had shared and hesitated but ultimately chose to keep it a secret.

She had promised not to tell others, so she had to keep her word.

As for her own family, Yi Meng wasn’t worried.

This matter was significant enough to affect Liu Meiniang’s marriage prospects; surely many in the city knew.

Once her family inquires in the city, it wouldn’t be difficult to learn the gist.

At that time, it depends on her mother-in-law’s attitude.

If her mother-in-law doesn’t mind, then wait for the Liu Family to speak first.

If the Liu Family speaks up, that means sincerity.

If not, it’s either urgency to marry off their daughter or reluctance to let their daughter marry beneath her station.

Either way, it’s her mother-in-law’s decision to make, not hers as a daughter-in-law.

Yi Meng pondered and said to Qi Quanjin: “Mother’s arrangements are what they are, but privately ask Old Lump’s opinion. After all, it’s about marrying him off, and whether he likes it is the most important.”

“I think so too; after all, she’ll be spending her life with Old Lump, and if he doesn’t like her, no matter how wonderful the Liu Family’s sister is, forcing them together isn’t right.”

Qi Quanjin agreed wholeheartedly.

He and his wife married for love, having gradually developed feelings for each other.

The marital arrangements for his three older brothers were made by the family.

Though those arrangements turned out well, and their lives were smooth, compared to him and his fifth brother’s couple, something was still lacking.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep