Chapter 27 – Rush Marriage

Madam Zhou answered the door, and when she saw the visitors, her face turned even darker.

The people who came were none other than Xie Jiabao’s parents.

Not only had they come in person, but they’d also brought along a young man no one had seen before. Combined with the news they’d just received earlier, the old couple immediately had a sinking feeling in their hearts.

Seeing the expressions on the old couple’s faces, Xia Daohua instantly lost any desire to return to the fourth household. She quietly slipped back into the old couple’s room. Fortunately, everyone’s emotions were running high at the moment, and no one noticed her.

The visitors hardly bothered with formalities. As soon as they entered, they tossed the things in their hands onto the table.

The pale-faced, thin-cheeked, pointy-chinned Madam Xie shamelessly clutched Madam Zhou’s hand and began wailing loudly:

“Sister Zhou, how did my life end up so bitter?!”

Equally gaunt, Old Master Xie grabbed Old Master Xia’s hand, sighing deeply with every breath, stringing together sigh after sigh:

“Sigh! Sigh! I don’t know what terrible sins our Xie family must’ve committed—sigh!”

Their exaggerated performance left the Xia couple bewildered.

Could it be… that Xie Jiabao had already passed away?

But then, looking at how they were dressed, there wasn’t any sign of mourning attire…

Moreover, according to the customs of Beiguan Town, families in mourning were not supposed to casually enter others’ homes.

Even if it were a relative, they shouldn’t barge into the house to deliver death news. Instead, a message should be relayed discreetly. It was simply unheard of for grieving parents to personally show up like this to deliver such news.

So, if Xie Jiabao wasn’t dead, then why were the Xie couple acting like this, as if someone had died?

The two wailed and rambled on for a long while, dodging the main topic entirely.

By now, not only were the Xia couple completely confused, but even the young man they brought with them looked visibly impatient.

Unwilling to listen to the endless prattle of the old folks, he cut straight to the point:

“My cousin was ambushed a few days ago and fell into a frozen river.

He doesn’t know how to swim. The moment he opened his mouth to call for help, he swallowed a whole bellyful of icy river water.

Luckily, a kind passerby saved him.

But after the shock and being soaked in freezing water for so long, his body couldn’t take it. Even though he drank a big bowl of strong ginger soup afterward, he still developed a high fever that very night.

When he fell ill, my uncle and aunt were beside themselves with worry. They hired several doctors in a row. Silver flowed like water, and bitter medicinal soup was poured down his throat endlessly—still, he didn’t improve.

He kept losing weight and now lies groggy in bed all day. So my uncle and aunt went to Huangtao Village to consult Hu Banxian.

Hu Banxian performed a ritual to expel evil spirits, but he said that alone wouldn’t be enough. A joyous event was still needed to balance the misfortune.

We’ve already selected his burial plot, prepared a fine-quality coffin, and made burial clothes with the best brocade.

Still, he remains on the verge of death, unable to get up from bed.

Later, he stopped eating entirely. These past few days, he can’t even swallow congee.

Not even the bitter medicine can go down anymore.

He’s skin and bones now—just a sack of flesh draped over bones. It’s truly pitiful!”

As he spoke, the Xie couple’s crying grew louder again.

Once their emotions had subsided slightly, the young man continued:

“With my cousin this sick, and clearly on the edge, our family decided it’s time to go through with the wedding.

After all, there’s only one thing left undone for the rush marriage ritual.

And maybe—just maybe—this wedding will save his life!”

Throughout his speech, the Xie couple didn’t say a word.

Madam Xie only clung tightly to Madam Zhou, weeping and using Zhou’s sleeve to wipe her eyes and nose.

Old Master Xie also gripped Old Master Xia’s arm like a vice, sighing endlessly.

The Xia couple were both furious and helpless.

The Xie family had placed a cruel dilemma in front of them.

If they refused the rush marriage, they’d be seen as heartless, abandoning someone in need. But if they agreed, it would mean pushing their own daughter into a pit of fire.

They truly loved their child.

Seeing the pitiful looks on the Xie couple’s faces, they couldn’t bring themselves to outright refuse.

But agreeing? That would mean sacrificing their daughter—and they couldn’t do that either.

As the Xia couple hesitated, the young man from the Xie family spoke again:

“This marriage is between my cousin and his fiancée. In the end, it’s her choice. Whether or not she wants to marry—let her speak for herself.”

Hearing this, the Xia couple’s expressions changed dramatically.

So now that they hadn’t agreed, they were going to pressure Yujiao directly?

Xia Yujiao’s face was contorted with pain. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She shut her eyes, clenched her teeth, and was just about to speak with a resolute expression—

But Xia Daohua was quicker.

She snatched a frosted persimmon from the table and stuffed it right into Yujiao’s half-opened mouth with a plop.

Startled by the sudden cold and sweet taste, Xia Yujiao was caught off guard. The word “I…” got stuck in her throat, and all she could do was groan.

In that instant, all eyes turned to Xia Daohua.

With an innocent expression, she asked:

“Why are you all looking at me?

Brother, your cousin is sick—so why don’t you take him to a doctor instead of arranging a rush marriage?

Do you actually want him to get better?

If you really believed he could be cured, why didn’t you seek out Imperial Physician Wang?

Look at the back of my head—there’s still a huge wound that hasn’t fully healed!

Back then, everyone said I was going to die.

But my grandparents took me to Puji Hall, and Physician Wang saved me.

We didn’t say, ‘Let’s marry her off to cure her,’ now did we?”

The young man’s face turned crimson. He glared at Xia Daohua, furious.
“You rotten little brat! You dare slander me with such vile accusations?”

Xia Daohua looked confused.
“I just suggested taking him to see Physician Wang—how is that slander?

Or… is it because you really don’t want him to recover?

If he dies, your uncle and aunt will only have you left to rely on. And all their family assets… would go to you, right?”

“You—!” The young man was livid. He rolled up his sleeves, ready to storm over and give her a beating.

Xia Daohua looked frightened and ducked behind Xia Yujiao, peeking her head out timidly:

“Hey! Don’t tell me I hit the nail on the head, and now you want to kill me to keep me quiet?”