Divorced by her husband's family and rejected by her own! She defiantly turned her life around

When the man who came arrived was invited by Feng Dazhi to sit in the next room, he refused, saying, "No need. This scholar thinks the scenery in this courtyard is quite beautiful and wants to appreciate it."

He took out a folding fan from his sleeve, fanning himself while looking up at the sky, sometimes counting the bricks and tiles in the courtyard, and sometimes peeking into the house.

The sisters hid behind the house, watching and eavesdropping. Liu Siyue pointed at the man and said, "Look at that man, isn't he crazy? It's a cloudy day with a strong wind, and he's actually fanning himself. He's just putting on airs like a pig with a scallion in its nose."

"In April, that person must have been a scholar, a refined and cultured man."

"A refined scoundrel, he's obviously no good. Why would someone you've never met come knocking on your door?"

Does your older sister like this type of man?

Liu Ruyun was so frightened that she quickly denied it, "No, no, no, I was just saying that based on his clothes and face, just saying!"

Liu Ruyun knew that her cousin had been hurt by scholars, so she was prejudiced against scholars and thought that no scholar was a good person.

"Who do you think that man came to find a partner? There's a prize for the correct answer."

"Judging from her age, she should be around 20 years old. I think she's here to meet the eldest sister, and we also think she's here to meet the eldest sister."

Liu Ruyun's face flushed red instantly. Seeing her like that, Liu Siyue understood everything. So, her older sister liked pretty boys.

"In April, who did you think he came to meet for marriage?"

"I observed this person's clothes and behavior, and he is indeed a scholar. Look at the long gown he is wearing; it's already faded from washing, which shows that his family is not well-off."

Then I noticed his eyes were darting around, looking at the sky and the ground, counting our house, looking it over several times.

When my fourth uncle invited him earlier, he looked at him with disdain and contempt, which shows that he looks down on people from the countryside.

I'm certain this person is after money and wants our family to help them out.

As for who to consult, perhaps I would be the one?

"Why you?"

"Because I'm famous, he wants to find someone rich who can make money and support his education."

"Ah, so that's what it is!"

"Do you dare to make a bet with me? If I lose, I'll give each of you one tael of silver; if you lose, each of you will give me 500 coins."

The others thought Liu Siyue's analysis made a lot of sense, but Liu Ruyun said, "Siyue, I'll bet you. To be fair, I'll also take one tael of silver."

"Okay, let's take a good look."

Liu Ruyun didn't believe that all scholars were so heartless and ungrateful. If she won, she would definitely have a good talk with Siyue and not condemn all people just because one person made a mistake.

Matchmaker Wang's voice was loud and clear. "Madam Liu, I am the famous Matchmaker Wang from Lingshui County. I have helped many of the good marriages in our county. They are all living happily ever after and are loving couples."

I'm a straightforward matchmaker, and Scholar Xue is very sincere. He came with me today to propose marriage to your family in April.

Xue Xiucai lived in the county town and had his own house. He only had an old mother. When his new wife came into the family, she became Xiucai's wife and was in charge of the household.

"Scholar Xue, come in."

When Xue Yongliang heard Wang the matchmaker call him, he immediately straightened his clothes and walked steadily into the main room.

"This junior, Xue Yongliang, greets Madam Liu."

"Madam Liu, look at him. Not only is Xue Xiucai handsome, but he is also very learned. The teachers in the county school all praise him as a promising talent. He will surely pass the imperial examination next autumn and become a successful candidate in the provincial examination."

Xue Yongliang stood aside, looking confident of victory. A bunch of country bumpkins who had never seen the world would rush to fawn over him, seeing this scholar.

Madam Feng sized up Xue Xiucai. He was not bad-looking, but he didn't look very pleasing to the eye. He looked like a rooster that was about to crow.

Xue Yongliang thought that when he announced his title as a scholar, the group of country folk would immediately stand up and bow to him, but to his surprise, they remained seated and motionless.

Forget it, I won't argue with them. They're just a bunch of country bumpkins who don't know any manners.

"Scholar Xue came to propose marriage to my daughter in April. Have you met her? Do you know her?"

"I have never met Lady Liu before, but everyone knows about her heroic act of saving people in the county town. Although we have never met, we have long been acquainted in spirit."

"This humble man admires Lady Liu and sincerely wishes to marry her. I hope Madam will grant my request."

"Although I am a country woman, I know that marriage is a matter of parents' wishes and matchmakers' words. Scholar Xue's parents are still alive, so why should he come to propose marriage on his own? This is unreasonable."

Scholar Xue is a learned man; he should be more polite than a country woman like me.

Scholar Xue said he sincerely wanted to marry you, but where is your sincerity?

My daughter isn't someone anyone can just marry off with a few words.

"Madam Liu, my presence here is a sign of my sincerity. I, Xue Yongliang, have already obtained the title of Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination), and I am certain that I will be on the list of successful candidates in next year's autumn examination."

"It is a wonderful marriage for Lady Liu to marry me. In the future, I will rise to prominence, and Lady Liu will become an official's wife. I can also take care of her family."

"With such excellent qualities, why hasn't Scholar Xue married yet?"

"I am ashamed to say that my family is poor and my mother has been bedridden for many years and needs to be nourished with medicine."

He had married a few years ago, but his wife passed away young due to illness. He observed two years of mourning, which was considered a fulfillment of their marital bond.

"I also long for a warm home and wish to marry Lady Liu."

"Scholar Xue's words make perfect sense, but how will you support your wife? I have another daughter, and what about you?"

"My predicament is only temporary. Lady Liu is very capable. As long as she can manage the household with her dowry, take care of her mother, and support me in my imperial examinations, when I reach a high position in the court, that will be the time to request an official title for her. She will also compensate me tenfold for the dowry I used."

Your other daughters will also marry into official families, become officials' wives, and make connections with the powerful and influential because they were born later in life.

As for her daughter, I am willing to treat that child as my own and raise her as my own daughter.

Madam Feng finally understood that this was a shameless person who wanted to get something for nothing and was trying to take advantage of her daughter.

Xue Xiucai felt that his words were sincere and earnest, and no one would refuse them.

"Scholar Xue, your conditions are too good for us country folk. We can't possibly be worthy of you. Please leave!"

"What does Madam mean by this?"

"I don't want to embarrass the scholar, but does the scholar really want me to speak so bluntly?"

"Then let me make this clear: I do not agree to this marriage, understand?"

Xue Yongliang's face immediately fell. "What's so great about a used woman? You should be grateful that I'm interested in her. You don't know what's good for you."

When Liu Siyue heard someone cursing her, she couldn't stand it anymore. She took out her paintbrush and quickly painted her face full of pockmarks, and painted her lips so red that they looked like she had drunk blood.

She reached the main room in a few steps, stood in front of Xue Xiucai, and grinned.

"Wow!

"How ugly!" He was so frightened that he took a few steps back, and if it weren't for the door frame, he would have fallen to the ground.

"Scholar Xue, haven't you admired me for a long time? Haven't you already become acquainted with me in spirit?"

The conditions you mentioned are very tempting. I had already agreed to marry you, and even if my mother disagreed, I was willing to live a life of hardship with you.

I can spin thread, weave cloth, and make candied hawthorns. I'm willing to take care of your mother, earn money to support the family, and help you on your path to success.

"No, no, no, I don't want to marry you. Why do you look different from the rumors?"

"You think I'm ugly and don't want to marry me now, that's an insult to me, and you shouldn't call me a slut."