But the matter was unfortunately discovered by the sisters-in-law at ho.
In fact, it was also her own fault, as she accidentally let it slip and her brother’s wife ca to know about it. That woman then ridiculed her daily at ho, saying she tried to climb the social ladder, only to embarrassingly collect a face full of soot.
Now, just today, with the mother-in-law gone, she was mocked by her sister-in-law once again, and this left Ms.Liu Junior’s sister-in-law feeling quite disgruntled.
She even felt so suffocated with resentnt that she thought to herself, "I absolutely must get attached to the Ye Family, just to show you, and when the ti cos, I’ll slap your face just to spite you."
But the Ye Family had clearly already declined; what way could there be to turn things around?
With this thought, she found herself unable to sleep.
Perhaps it is true that when one cannot sleep at night, the mind becos clearer and more active. Indeed, she ca up with a plan, a malicious one at that. Moreover, it was her own unilateral sche. Would the Ye Family agree to it? Would they fall for her manipulation?
The next day, after Ms.Liu Junior’s sister-in-law had breakfast, she left her child with the sister-in-law and hurried out. She didn’t really have much to do, just to chat with people here and there; in the process, she brought up the matter of discussing a child’s marriage with the Ye Family last year.
The Ye Family, oh what kind of family were they? They were famous throughout several nearby villages. In the eyes of the villagers, they were practically of the landlord class.
No, they were even more prominent than landlords.
To discuss a child’s marriage with the Ye Family was to boast of an incredible feat. How could the Liu Family be so lucky?
Those in the know would say, "The Liu Family has a daughter married in Yangshu Village, and they are related to the Ye Family."
Oh, that was when everyone realized, no wonder they could get involved with such a family.
But there was one thing that everyone could not figure out. Had the match between the Ye Family and the Liu Family’s children been successfully agreed upon?
So people said, "If it had not been successful, why would the Liu Family go around spreading the word?"
Others argued, "It definitely wasn’t a success. What kind of household is the Ye Family? Why would they fancy a girl from such a humble family? Besides, this girl is so ordinary; if she could make it, anyone’s daughter could."
Regardless of whether it was a success or not, one thing was clear—there was talk of marriage between the Ye Family and the Liu Family, specifically the betrothal of children. The news spread from one to ten, and from ten to a hundred, soon enough, everyone in Liu Village knew about it, followed by the adjacent Li’s Village, and within three days, the word had reached Yangshu Village.
"Xiaxia, Xiaxia!"
Upon hearing the news, Ms.Luo imdiately went to find Yang Chuxia.
"Fourth Auntie, why have you co?" Ms.Luo had changed a lot recently and seldom visited her ho.
If she was coming over now, so eagerly with sweat on her forehead, could it be that sothing had happened?
"Xiaxia, I really didn’t spread this, I swear." As soon as Ms.Luo saw Yang Chuxia, she began to explain, to clear herself of any suspicion.
"What thing did you not spread?"
Yang Chuxia replied, sowhat puzzled.
"You don’t know?" Ms.Luo looked at her in shock.
"What should I know? I haven’t gone out these past few days, and everyone at ho has been busy with the spring planting."
She was indeed telling the truth; the Ye Family was strict with their servants, and even those who did not work in the fields rarely strolled around the village, so it was normal for her not to know about certain matters.
When Ms.Luo heard that she was still unaware, she beca more anxious, "It’s about the marriage discussion between your family and the Liu Family. The whole village is talking about it now, saying that your two families are arranging a child’s marriage. So say the arrangent was successful, so say it wasn’t; those who say it wasn’t are claiming that your family looks down on the Liu Family, considering them too lowly to be interested."
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