Chapter 21: Arranging a Match for Su Fu

“Mother, what are we going to do? We clearly told them to spread that Su Fu was abandoned because she offended a noble in the capital. But they went too far—taking our money and twisting the story like this. This nonsense about ‘climbing up the social ladder’ — my cousin is nothing like that.”

“Mother, please say something. Didn’t you investigate thoroughly? Cousin is definitely not that kind of person.”

The woman frowned, pondering for a long moment before saying, “Why are you in such a rush? Whether or not your cousin really abandoned Su Fu and her daughter, if he has truly allied himself with a noble family, he will soon rise to great heights. Then even being his concubine would bring endless wealth and honor.”

“But mother, I don’t want to be a concubine.”

Hearing this, the stern-faced woman glanced at Liu Zhenzhen and said coldly, “Su Fu is far more beautiful than you, yet she couldn’t keep your cousin’s heart. With your looks, do you really think your cousin will spare you a second glance?”

Liu Zhenzhen was stunned. “Mother, how can you say that about your own daughter? Even if I’m like a willow branch swaying in the wind, I’m still a relative of the Ning family. No matter what, cousin shouldn’t make me a concubine.”

“That’s enough. Under no circumstances can your cousin find out that we’re the ones spreading these rumors.” The woman couldn’t understand how the gossip had gotten so twisted.

“It wasn’t us originally. Those gossiping women didn’t listen properly. We only wanted to clear cousin’s name about abandoning Su Fu, but somehow it all got distorted.”

Zhou Xiu glared at her with a mixture of frustration and anger. “You’re so foolish. Even if they misunderstood, this whole thing started with us. Didn’t you hear them? It was your Ning family cousin himself who said it. We can’t deny responsibility.”

“If cousin finds out we started this, do you think he’d still marry you?”

Liu Zhenzhen’s face turned pale. “Th-then what should I do?”

“Of course…” Zhou Xiu’s words hung in the air.

At that moment, Su Wan stood quietly at the door and glanced toward the alley with a faint smile. If she wasn’t mistaken, those two women were Ning family relatives—Zhou Lan’s sister Zhou Xiu and her daughter Liu Zhenzhen.

Liu Zhenzhen had long been infatuated with Ning Yumo. When the Ning family still lived in Qinghe village, she often visited them.

Liu Zhenzhen disliked Su Fu bitterly and had always hoped Ning Yumo would abandon Su Fu. Now that her wish had come true, she would surely head to the capital to seek him out.

Thinking this, Su Wan smiled quietly to herself.

That worthless wretch Liu Zhenzhen was no match for the Ping Le County Lord, but she might cause some trouble—and maybe even say things she shouldn’t.

For the sake of her political career, Ning Yumo would betray even his closest relatives—let alone distant cousins.

The rumor had almost become common knowledge, and those who knew the truth felt no sympathy for the Su family. As a result, the Su family’s general store was flooded with customers daily.

Liu Zhenzhen had never expected that her attempt to tarnish Su Fu as a forsaken, lowly village woman would instead bring prosperity to the Su family’s shop.

There were even those who coveted Su Fu’s beauty, sending matchmakers to propose marriage.

“From the Su family, I am Matchmaker Wang from Liushu Village. You may have heard of me. Today, I come on behalf of the Jiang family in the same village to propose.”

“Jiang’s eldest son passed away two years ago. Don’t be fooled by his roughness—he’s truly hardworking. He earns two taels every month working at the docks unloading goods,” the matchmaker said, covering her mouth with a smile.

Su Fu gave her a sharp glance and stood up to show her out,
 “Please leave. I have no intention of remarrying.”

Rejected, the matchmaker’s face fell.
 “Young lady of the Su family, how can you not remarry at your age? If not for yourself, you should consider your daughter, shouldn’t you?”

Su Fu saw she was persistent and spoke with rising anger,
 “If Jiang’s eldest son is so good, why don’t you marry him yourself? Don’t tell me you don’t know his wife was beaten to death by him.”

Xia Xian’s family lived in Liushu Village; this matchmaker was clearly treating her like a fool.

The matchmaker’s smile stiffened as she replied,
 “No decent person would kill someone without cause. It must be that woman’s unchaste behavior. I heard you’re refined and wise, so surely you’re…”

“Enough! If you don’t leave now, I’ll have to throw you out,” Su Fu interrupted, her already troubled mood worsening.

Matchmaker Wang realized Su Fu’s displeasure and scowled,
 “Su Fu, the whole town knows you’re a discarded woman. What are you proud of? I want to see who would dare take you with a daughter in tow.”

Just as she finished speaking, Ji Sang and Su Wan stepped out, one after the other, lifting the curtain.

Meeting Ji Sang’s cold gaze, Matchmaker Wang was startled. Before she could think who this man was, Su Wan’s clear childlike voice rang out,
 “Master, this ugly woman is bullying my mother. Wanwan doesn’t like her.”

“Then I’ll teach her a lesson,” Ji Sang said. “I want to see how well you’ve learned your martial arts.”

No sooner had Su Wan spoken, she flew forward and kicked Matchmaker Wang to the ground. So fast, Su Fu couldn’t stop her.

“Wanwan, don’t…” Su Fu cried out.

“Mother, don’t be afraid. Wanwan has learned martial arts now. She will never let anyone bully you again.”

Matchmaker Wang was shocked and screamed, trying to stand up, but Su Wan jumped up, landing from the air and breaking her leg.

“Ah…” Matchmaker Wang screamed in pain, crawling toward the door, stretching out her hand to seek help from passersby.

The passerby was none other than Wang Shun.
 “Uh, the young shopkeeper is truly heroic and gallant, a model for us all. I won’t disturb your entertainment any longer.” Saying this, he and two companions quickly fled.

Running far away, he patted his chest with a look of lingering fear, “Terrifying, absolutely terrifying. Luckily, luckily I didn’t make a move that day.” Even a little girl was so fierce—what about the bigger one? Wouldn’t she have ended him with a single throat slash?

The more Wang Shun thought about it, the more he felt his previous apology lacked sincerity. He needed to bring a generous gift and visit them to build a good relationship.

Meanwhile, Su Wan dragged the woman back and started punching Wang Pozi repeatedly, swinging her fists left and right until the matchmaker’s face was bruised and battered—everyone recognized the scene.

Su Fu was stunned, unable to believe that in just two days, her daughter had become so formidable, even able to easily drag a woman weighing about 150 jin back.

“Wanwan, stop, stop! Spare her, spare her!” Su Fu hurried forward to pull Su Wan away.

Su Wan brushed the hair off her forehead and gave her mother a warm smile, “Mom, isn’t your daughter amazing?”

“Amazing, but…” Su Fu hesitated.

“Mom, that woman told you to push you into the fire, into the hands of that violent man. She’s not worthy of being human. Bad people who do evil must be punished. If you keep tolerating them, they’ll only get worse,” Su Wan pouted, seeming to say this casually but with meaning.

Ji Sang chimed in, “Exactly, Mrs. Su. Sometimes if you just keep enduring, they’ll never let you go.”

These words reminded Su Fu of Zhou Shi. She had been anxious and fearful all these days, worried that the Ning family would harm the Su family to keep the fact that Ning Yumo had married a princess of Pingle County secret.

Just because you don’t think about something doesn’t mean it won’t happen. If they can do things like abandoning wife and child, it shows their minds are clouded by greed.

Su Fu sat in her chair, staring blankly with a mournful expression.

Wang Pozi knelt on the ground and apologized before Su Wan finally let her go.