The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Chapter 4 Condemned by thousands and despised by all

Matchmaker Liu choked, inexplicably flustered: "What you're saying is really hard to hear. Wang wants you to have a wealthy and prosperous later life; it's for your own good!"

“Squire Dong is older than you, Auntie.”

Matchmaker Liu didn't take it seriously: "So what? A man can still be as vigorous as a tiger after taking drugs."

"Once you enter the family, you'll be my stepmother. If you can get pregnant, all the better; if you can't, you can just take what's already taken."

Yu Tingwan said coldly, "Don't even mention that the first wife passed away less than a month ago, and the white lanterns of the Dong family haven't been taken down yet. What happened to all those concubines he took in the past? They were all tortured until they had no good skin left in less than half a year, and were rolled up in mats and thrown into the deep mountains to become food for jackals and tigers."

She asked calmly, "I have no grudge against my aunt, so why would she want to harm me?"

Matchmaker Liu's smile remained unchanged: "Look at what you're saying. Those people died because they were unlucky and couldn't enjoy their blessings. What does it have to do with the local gentry?"

Yu Tingwan was unwilling to argue with her: "Auntie has brought together quite a few people over the years, hasn't she?"

"You are a despicable person, eloquent and shameless, who has caused a lot of harm. You have pushed many good girls into the fire."

"That young master of the Wei family has shed blood on the battlefield. If he wakes up and learns that his younger sister died after getting married, what will happen to you?"

Matchmaker Liu jumped up and down: "You're insulting me? Everyone says the Hu family's niece has a lot of problems, but I didn't believe it at first. Who am I working so hard for? Don't be ungrateful!"

She finally understood why Madam Wang disliked Yu Tingwan!

This girl is definitely not likable!

She was so angry she was about to leave!

Marriage is a major life event, decided by parents and matchmakers. Since Yu Tingwan's parents were not around, her aunt, Wang, could make the decision!

Matchmaker Liu was furious; she was really going to make this marriage happen this time!
"If I remember correctly, my aunt has been a widow for three years now."

Yu Tingwan watched her furious back, but her eyes held a strange look.

Who would have thought that this matchmaker, Liu, would soon be caught in bed with another man and become a pariah?

"Auntie has no children and no ties, why should she stay here? Just so that the villagers can praise her for being loyal and kind, and for not remarrying even after her husband's death?"

Matchmaker Liu stopped in her tracks, suspicious, feeling that there was something more to her words.

As expected, Yu Tingwan's words caused a huge uproar: "But little did they know that my aunt and father-in-law were secretly having an affair."

Matchmaker Liu froze abruptly.

"I don't know if I'll accidentally reveal my aunt's dirty secrets one day."

Despite the biting cold wind, her back was covered in sweat. She refused to admit it and shrieked, "You're lying!"

Yu Tingwan asked curiously, "Does your father-in-law take drugs?"

It's incredibly potent, like a tiger.

Yu Tingwan continued to ask, "Auntie, at your age, why are you still embroidering mandarin ducks playing in the water on your bodice?"

It's none of your business what I do!

Yu Tingwan tilted her head and asked shyly, "Auntie, how come the birthmark on your butt looks like a butterfly? Don't tell me your father-in-law likes it, I like it too."

How could Yu Tingwan know about such a private matter?
The matchmaker nearly fainted. She suppressed her trembling, looked around frantically, and stammered, "Stop talking!"

The latter, however, smiled and showed no sign of threat.

Liu the matchmaker felt a chill run down her spine, and half of her scalp went numb instantly. How could she dare to play any tricks again?
She managed to squeeze out a sentence through trembling teeth: "Your aunt is so vicious that she can't tolerate you and is trying to ruin your future. I'm not like that. That Mr. Dong is practically dead. You're in the prime of your life, and you should be matched with a talented young man."

Yu Tingwan glanced at the sky, and seeing that she had solved a problem, her mood brightened.

Her faint smile remained, and she slowly and deliberately straightened the disheveled hem of her clothes, causing Liu the matchmaker to tremble three times.

"Your aunt has questionable character, but she should also consider the consequences of being condemned and despised by everyone, right?"

The matchmaker was adept at reading people, so how could she not know her intentions? She concealed the fear that was spreading inch by inch from her heart: "What do you want me to do?"

The weather was freezing cold, and the river was covered with a thick layer of ice.

The sky was overcast, and it had been snowing for three days straight. Everywhere was a deep, bone-white white, and you would sink deep into the snow with every step, getting your shoes and socks completely wet.

After the falling out with Wang, Yu Tingwan showed no intention of seeking reconciliation whatsoever.

Since she went on strike, Wang has been really tired these past few days! She's busy with everything, both inside and outside the house! And she can't bear to make Xiao Xu do anything, for fear that something might happen to her precious grandson in her belly.

When Wang saw Yu Tingwan appear again with a bowl at mealtime, her anger flared up, and she wished she could devour the little slut alive.

Be patient, be patient a little longer, the Dong family will reply soon.

This meal consisted of bean rice, with very few grains of rice and mostly beans.

The soybeans were soaked for a short time, and Wang was reluctant to add oil, so they were very dry and hard to swallow.

Yu Tingwan spat out a small pebble without any expression.

This is the third one she has spat out.

But if she didn't eat, she would be hungry. She frowned and took another bite.

Madam Xu poked at the food with her chopsticks. She still preferred Yu Tingwan's cooking; at least it was edible. But Yu Tingwan was a troublemaker now, so how could she dare let her cook?

She cautiously glanced at Yu Tingwan, knowing that as someone living under someone else's roof, she had to be clear about her own worth.

If she were Yu Tingwan, she would have knelt down and kowtowed to Wang Shi to admit her mistake long ago.

In the past, Yu Tingwan might not have flattered Wang Shi, but she had always treated her with respect. Wang Shi made things difficult for her at every turn, but she never argued with her.

I don't know what's gotten into him lately.

Why are you looking at me, sister-in-law?

You're asking for it!
But Madam Xu, wary of her, said, "It's nothing."

Yu Tingwan nodded seriously: "Huh? Sister-in-law thinks Aunt's cooking looks like pig slop?"

Ms. Xu tensed up: ? ? ?

You noticed that too?
Wang: !!!
Yu Tingwan frowned: "Yes, Aunt's cooking skills are not good, but sister-in-law, go out and ask around, which mother-in-law is so busy taking care of her daughter-in-law? It's so cold, Aunt doesn't want to get her hands wet and freeze while washing soybeans, so she doesn't want to throw away the soaking water and puts them directly into the pot. If you find pebbles in your food, or if it doesn't suit your taste, can't you just bear with it?"

"Sister-in-law, don't be foolish. It's fine if you don't eat, but what if the child goes hungry?"

Seeing the guilty and flustered look in Xiao Xu's eyes, Wang felt her breathing become labored.

There have always been conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law.

She clearly knew that Yu Tingwan was trying to sow discord, but she couldn't help but overthink it!
She stared intently at Xiao Xu, a cold laugh escaping her lips.

"So what if it's not clean? Will it kill someone?"

"You really think I won't dare to lecture you just because you're knowledgeable?"

Little Xu's heart trembled: "Mother, I'm not. I just don't have an appetite."

Wang refused to believe it and poked her hard with her fingertip: "Who do you think you are?"

"I could make Dalang marry you back then, but I can make him divorce you after you give birth! His younger brother is successful, so why would he worry about not finding a wife?"

Ms. Xu's face turned deathly pale.

Yu Tingwan knew perfectly well that the Hu family had no money to marry off Hu Dalang in order to support Hu Yaozu's education.

Another drought struck, and many people starved to death that year.

Xiao Xu was acquired by Wang in exchange for a bag of rice.

Hu Dalang always disliked her appearance, but he managed to scare her.

But this is only the beginning.

Yu Tingwan concealed her sarcasm and said slowly, "Alright, what are you saying, Aunt? My sister-in-law is carrying the Hu family's child, don't scare her."

"Look how pale her little face is, what if her older cousin sees her like this..."

Yu Tingwan smiled and said, "Tell the truth."

"Oh, he won't feel bad."

(End of this chapter)