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Jiang Yue’s engagement to the Han family had been arranged by her aunt.
It’s been three years since then.
The delay was because the groom-to-be, Han Shiguo, was a soldier and too busy. After his family had arranged the engagement on his behalf, he hadn’t had time to come back for the wedding. That’s why it had been postponed.
But after waiting for three years, why had she suddenly changed her mind and decided not to marry him, instead getting involved with Wang Hesong?
Back in the house:
Zhou Guiyun, along with her two daughters-in-law, Zhao Aiying and Zhao Aifeng, had now fully grasped the situation.
Zhou Guiyun’s face darkened, “Where did you hear such nonsense? Jiang Yue is engaged to someone from Han Family Village. I just heard from her mother a few days ago that Han Shiguo has taken leave and will be coming back soon. Once he’s back, the two families will go ahead with the wedding!”
Matchmaker Zhang said, “This is absolutely true. I was just as angry—everything was fine, and then suddenly it changed! I could tell Old Lady Wang was genuinely satisfied with your daughter, Jiang Qian, so I went to confront her. That’s when I heard her say it herself. She even asked me to help arrange a marriage proposal and dowry with your brother-in-law’s family. I refused—I won’t deal with such bad business and ruin my reputation!”
Even though she was a matchmaker who enjoyed earning her fees, she had no intention of earning money from such underhanded dealings. It wasn’t worth damaging her own credibility!
Zhou Guiyun’s face darkened with anger.
She knew that if Matchmaker Zhang dared to say something like this, it was definitely the truth.
Zhao Aiying and Zhao Aifeng were even more furious, and they immediately started cursing, “I always knew Jiang Yue wasn’t an honest person! She’s been stepping on Jiang Qian’s reputation all along, claiming how capable and virtuous she is. Look at her now, doing such disgraceful things!”
“Canceling an engagement of three years just to steal her cousin’s? How desperate is she? Can’t she find anyone else to marry?”
…
Outside, Jiang Qian listened to her sisters-in-law’s angry outbursts, realizing how furious they were. Even her mother seemed so angry that Jiang Qian worried it might affect her health.
After signaling her father to keep watch outside, Jiang Qian stepped into the house.
The moment she entered, the tense atmosphere made everyone fall silent. Zhou Guiyun’s face was dark with anger, and Zhao Aiying, Zhao Aifeng, and Matchmaker Zhang all stopped talking.
Jiang Qian took the initiative to speak. “I’ve been standing at the door for a while. I’ve heard everything you’ve said, and I already know about it. Wang Hesong himself came by earlier today to tell me the engagement meeting for tomorrow has been canceled.”
“That bastard dared to come find you?” Zhao Aiying exclaimed angrily.
Jiang Qian smiled calmly, not at all bothered. “Sister-in-law, don’t get so worked up. I don’t see this as a bad thing. Finding a three-legged toad might be hard, but two-legged men are everywhere, right? If a man can be swayed with just a wave, then I’m lucky to have seen his true colors early on. You all should be happy for me.”
Her clear and level-headed words eased the tension in Zhou Guiyun, Zhao Aiying, and Zhao Aifeng’s expressions.
Zhao Aifeng chimed in, “Little sister is right. That Wang fellow isn’t good enough for our Qian anyway!”
“Exactly, just a fickle bastard. Who would still care about him?” Zhao Aiying added.
Zhou Guiyun wasn’t desperate either. She didn’t want anyone thinking her daughter was unable to find a husband. Their family certainly wasn’t keen on the Wang family anymore. Missing out on a daughter-in-law like hers was the Wang family’s loss!
But she immediately looked at Matchmaker Zhang and said, “No one outside knows about the arranged meeting tomorrow, but if word gets out and harms Qian’s reputation, I won’t stand for it.”
“I understand, I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll keep my lips sealed!” Matchmaker Zhang quickly assured her.
As she spoke, Matchmaker Zhang glanced over at Jiang Qian, who stood tall and graceful, radiating a scholarly air. She didn’t resemble a village girl at all—more like a city-educated university student!
She smiled and said, “Qian, don’t worry. Auntie will find you someone a thousand times better than that Wang boy, someone who will completely outshine him!”
Jiang Qian smiled politely but didn’t say much.
After settling the matter, Matchmaker Zhang didn’t linger any longer. As she left the Jiang household, she saw Jiang Qian’s father still guarding the door. She exchanged a few polite words before heading off.
However, just as she stepped out of Wuxing Brigade, an idea crossed her mind. She hurried home and told her son to hop on his bicycle and ride straight to Han Family Village.
“The second daughter of the Jiang family has clearly gotten involved with that Wang boy,” Matchmaker Zhang thought. “Now the engagement with the Han family’s officer is up for grabs!”
She knew she had to hurry over and ask about it.
Once Matchmaker Zhang left, Zhou Guiyun reassured her daughter a bit more. Seeing that Jiang Qian really wasn’t bothered by the situation, she finally relaxed. However, without wasting any time, she and Jiang Qian’s father headed straight for Jiang’s second uncle’s house.
When Jiang’s second uncle and his wife, Sun, saw the elder brother and sister-in-law coming, they felt a little guilty. But they figured that the elder brother and sister-in-law probably didn’t know about the situation yet…
With a loud “slap!” Zhou Guiyun, enraged, landed a heavy blow on Sun’s face, sending her staggering backward.
Zhou Guiyun, used to hard farm work, had no shortage of strength, and the slap was enough to knock Sun’s face askew.
“Big Aunt, what are you doing?” Jiang Yue, who had just returned from work, rushed out of the house to see her mother hit, her expression changing as she hurried over to support her.
Another “slap!” Zhou Guiyun, still fuming, struck Jiang Yue as well, her face swelling instantly from the force.
Sun quickly shielded her daughter, crying out, “Big Sister-in-law, if you’re angry, take it out on me! Don’t hit Yue’er!”
“Big Sister-in-law, let’s talk this over calmly…” Jiang Yue’s father, Second Uncle Jiang, spoke nervously, his face tense, trying to mediate the situation.
Zhou Guiyun glared sharply at the couple. “You two are something else, aren’t you? Your daughter does something this outrageous, and you cover for her? I just came over yesterday to tell you to come to our house tomorrow because Qian was supposed to meet a potential match. And now you pull this stunt today?!”
Though seething with anger, Zhou Guiyun still lowered her voice as she spoke, knowing Captain Jiang was keeping watch outside.
Second Uncle Jiang realized that the truth could no longer be hidden once Zhou Guiyun stormed in and started attacking. Hearing her accusations, he hastily responded, “Big Sister-in-law, please calm down. This… this matter, we didn’t deliberately keep it from you. We only just found out ourselves!”
Sun Shi, feeling cornered, continued to explain in a low voice, “Big Sister-in-law, I swear, we really didn’t know anything about it. You came to tell us yesterday about the match with the Wang family, but before that, we had no idea. It was only last night that Yue’er finally admitted that she wanted to break off her engagement with the Han family because she’s been seeing Wang Hesong. I was furious and immediately asked if she knew about Wang Hesong being set up with Qian. But Yue’er, this foolish girl, didn’t know anything! Wang Hesong never mentioned it to her!”
Zhou Guiyun shot a scornful glance at Jiang Yue. “You’re telling me you didn’t know Wang Hesong was supposed to meet Qian for a match?”
Jiang Yue quickly denied the accusation of stealing her cousin’s match. “Aunt, I didn’t know. If I had known, how could I possibly have gotten involved with Wang Hesong?” she said defensively.