Chapter 3: First Meeting with the Groom

As soon as Madam Zhou finished speaking, two young boys emerged from the back of the house.

One appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen years old—his name was Zhou Feng, the second eldest. The other looked about twelve or thirteen—his name was Zhou Zhao, the youngest.

The second eldest was blind, while the youngest was deaf.

Zhou Feng made a hand gesture in front of Zhou Zhao, who then helped guide his older brother toward Du Wanchun.

“Greetings, Sister-in-law,” they both said in unison, bowing respectfully.

The two brothers bore a strong resemblance to each other, with sharp brows and bright eyes. Their fair skin and tall, well-proportioned figures made them among the most handsome young men in all of Cheng’an County.

Du Wanchun quickly smiled and responded, “Greetings, Second Brother, Third Brother.”

Madam Zhou stepped between them and asked Zhou Feng, “Where is your elder brother?”

At the same time, she made a corresponding hand gesture to Zhou Zhao.

Before Zhou Feng could answer, Zhou Zhao quickly responded, “Big Brother is in the house.”

Du Wanchun was slightly surprised by his fluent reply and curiously asked, “Third Brother can speak?”

Since Zhou Zhao couldn’t hear her, Zhou Feng explained with a smile, “To answer Sister-in-law’s question, Third Brother wasn’t born deaf, so he knows how to speak.”

Du Wanchun was momentarily taken aback.

Madam Zhou moved beside her and sighed, “Zhao’er and Feng’er were both perfectly healthy before, but an accident changed everything.”

“What kind of accident?” Du Wanchun asked, intrigued.

Madam Zhou lowered her gaze, her expression turning solemn. After a long pause, she gently changed the subject, pulling Du Wanchun along as she spoke. “Wanchun, I know this marriage was rushed, and you must feel wronged. But in the future, we will make it up to you tenfold!”

Du Wanchun smiled, unconcerned. She had no interest in such empty reassurances—so long as she could leave the Du family, nothing else mattered.

“It’s alright, Auntie. I don’t mind,” she said with a warm smile.

Madam Zhou looked at Du Wanchun in surprise. The girl was poised and well-mannered, nothing like the fool she had heard about. It seemed likely that Liu Shi had deliberately spread rumors to bully this poor child.

Realizing she had found a true treasure, Madam Zhou was overjoyed. She took Du Wanchun’s hand and led her into the house. “Wanchun, our Ruiyuan is a good man in every way—it’s just that his legs aren’t strong, so he can’t walk. But the doctor says his condition is treatable.”

As she spoke, she lifted the curtain and called into the room, “Ruiyuan, your bride is here.”

Following her gaze, Du Wanchun looked inside. The dimly lit room had a small window, beside which sat a young man.

He was engrossed in a book, his head lowered, allowing a thin ray of light to spill over him like a delicate mist.

His features were strikingly handsome, but his face, shrouded in the faint haze of light and shadow, seemed almost unreal in its beauty.

At the sound of voices at the door, he raised his head slightly, his deep black eyes carrying a hint of coldness. He studied Du Wanchun for a long moment before his expression gradually softened.

He closed his book and said, “Mother, you should go. I have something to discuss with my bride.”

Madam Zhou’s brows furrowed slightly. She knew Zhou Ruiyuan was not entirely pleased with this marriage—not because he disdained the supposedly foolish girl, but because he worried that he would ruin a good woman’s future.

She stiffened her expression and said, “Alright, I’ll go make dinner. You two should have a proper talk.”

“Mm.” Zhou Ruiyuan responded softly.

Madam Zhou lifted the curtain and turned to leave.

Now, only Du Wanchun and Zhou Ruiyuan remained in the room. According to the traditional wedding customs of rural families, they should have been in the main hall performing the marriage ceremony.

Du Wanchun felt a bit awkward. Her face flushed slightly, and she didn’t know what to do.

Zhou Ruiyuan spoke to her gently, “Come closer.”

Startled, Du Wanchun hesitated for a moment before taking a few steps forward. She stole a glance at him from the corner of her eye.

The man sitting before her, unable to move, wore a plain grayish-white robe. His skin was fair, and his demeanor was refined. Though his current circumstances were humble, the noble air about him was unmistakable.

Du Wanchun’s heart pounded wildly.

Suddenly, a memory from years ago surfaced in her mind—the first time she had seen Zhou Ruiyuan.

At that time, she had been foolish and slow-witted, left starving all day by Liu Shi. Her stomach ached terribly, so she wandered barefoot along the field ridges, searching for Du Dajiang.

She walked a long way but never found him. In the end, she was stopped by a carriage at the entrance of the village.

Inside was a noblewoman asking for directions. The people in the carriage had wounds on their faces, as if they were fleeing from something.

She was too foolish to respond properly. No matter how many times they asked, she couldn’t give a coherent answer. In the end, hunger overwhelmed her, and she collapsed onto the ground, rolling in pain.

Just then, a young man lifted the carriage curtain, revealing a delicate but haggard face. He reached out and tossed her a steamed bun.

The bun was stained with blood. She hadn’t understood the significance at the time—she only knew to eat it eagerly, taking big bites while grinning foolishly up at him.

As she recalled this memory, a realization struck her. That young man’s legs had been covered in blood back then. Could it be that he had sustained his injury at that time?

A pang of sorrow welled up in her heart.

How could such a fine husband end up crippled?

At that moment, Zhou Ruiyuan suddenly spoke, “Miss, you don’t have to feel obligated by this marriage. My mother only sought out Matchmaker Liu with good intentions. If you’re unwilling, we can treat you as our younger sister and find you a better match in the future.”