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

Old Mrs. Liu thought for a moment, "How about this, we'll ask for two taels of silver as betrothal gifts, but we also need to buy a silver hairpin for August, make two new outfits, and provide festival gifts for every year. We also need clothes for all four seasons, for me, my husband, and his parents."

Every year during the Lunar New Year, he had to give his parents one tael of silver as a filial gift.

"I say, Aunt Liu, it's been so many years since I've seen you out and about. The moment you open your mouth, it's truly an eye-opener for me. This isn't like you're marrying off your granddaughter! Even when you're dividing the family property for your son, you wouldn't ask for this much. How much does your Da Niu give you every year after he's separated from his family?"

How could you say that?!

Alright, alright, I don't want to waste any more time arguing with you. Let's call it a day.

"Hey, hey, you can't leave! The Bai family's son and my August have already met today. If word gets out, what will become of August's reputation?"

"What does this mean? They're still blaming me. I've been a matchmaker for so many years, and I've never seen anyone say that a match is guaranteed to happen after a meeting."

Given your family's character, ask around Liujia Village, who would be willing to marry your daughter?

Not to mention Liujia Village, no one in the dozen or so surrounding villages is willing to marry.

Your daughter is so precious, so wonderful, then you should raise her yourselves!

"Don't be angry, we can talk things over."

Liu Dahu found these women's dawdling really annoying. "Matchmaker Jiang, go back and tell the Bai family that it's 5 taels of silver. August can take her away today. From today onwards, August belongs to the Bai family."

"Da Hu, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to sever ties with us?"

"If I keep kissing her, I can sell her to a slave trader and still get five taels of silver."

"You can get five taels of silver by selling her to a slave trader, but then you'll never see your daughter again. She'll no longer be a free person but a slave."

"So what if she's a slave? We raised her, shouldn't she repay us? When she goes to her master's house and receives her monthly wages, shouldn't she give them to us?"

Jiang, the matchmaker, felt a chill run down her spine. How could a father say such a thing?

Liu Bayue, who was eavesdropping outside, shuddered. How cruel! He actually wanted to sell her. God help me, Bai Qiming, you must come and marry me. You said you liked me.

"Liu Dahu, you actually want to sell your daughter? You're trying to bring shame to our Liu Family Village! I'll tell the village chief and clan head right now."

Such a disgraceful incident must not happen in Liujia Village.

"I didn't say I was going to sell my daughter; I was just using an analogy."

"Is this an example of someone who can be easily defeated? Don't you see what kind of times we live in? Those who can afford to spend two taels of silver to get a wife are people who love their sons and whose families are not poor."

To be honest, given the current conditions in our Liujia Village, I don't know how many girls would want to marry into it.

Huang Lanhua smiled obsequiously, "Auntie, please go to the Bai family again. Just say it's 5 taels of silver, and they can take her away today. Please put in a good word for our family, and you'll definitely get your share of the matchmaker's money."

"We've been best friends for so many years, so I'll make the trip again."

August, who had been eavesdropping outside, immediately hid and watched as Matchmaker Jiang left.

Liu Bayue returned to her room with a heavy heart. She knelt on the ground, clasped her hands together, and prayed for God's blessing.

Jiang, the matchmaker, arrived at the Bai family's residence. "Young lady of the Bai family," she said, "the Liu family said that with a dowry of five taels of silver, you can bring your son back today."

"What? Five taels of silver as a betrothal gift, and you're bringing her back today?"

What are they trying to do? We're taking a wife, not buying a servant.

What kind of business is it to bring someone back today? Not only does it tarnish the girl's reputation, but it also makes us seem impolite.

Although we are farmers, we know that marriage is a major event in a person's life, so how can we be so hasty?

I only have one son, Qiming. How can his marriage be handled so carelessly? Our family wants a daughter-in-law who is properly married, not someone to be sold like an object.

"The Bai family girl is so sensible. It's truly a blessing for her to marry into your family in August."

What should we do now? I'll go and give them a heads-up.

"Five taels of silver is indeed too much, but for my son's sake, I agreed."

We must complete all the necessary wedding procedures. We can get engaged before the new year, and then choose a date after the new year to bring her home.

"The Bai family girl is a straightforward person; her words and actions are impeccable."

When do you plan to formally propose marriage? That way I can go and tell them.

"Let's do it the day after tomorrow, good things come in pairs, it's the 20th of the twelfth lunar month."

"I'll come over first thing the day after tomorrow. Make sure you have everything ready."

"Thank you so much, Sister Jiang. I'll definitely thank you properly once things are settled!"

Jiang, the matchmaker, was overjoyed. She had successfully arranged another marriage today, and both sides had given her gifts as thanks. She couldn't hide the smile on her face.

"Sister Jiang, why are you so happy today? Is there some good news? Tell us so we can share in your joy."

"Oh my, what wonderful news! I'm not afraid to tell you, I've successfully arranged another marriage for you today."

"Oh, who have you been matchmaking for this time?"

"The Bai family's son and Liu Dahu's youngest daughter, August, are the new residents of our village."

"What? Someone actually dares to marry his daughter?"

"You can't understand it, can you? I can't understand it either, but it's done!"

Do you know how much the betrothal gift is? It'll scare you to death!

"How much more could there be? Two taels of silver at most!"

"See, see, I told you your vision was too narrow. Let me tell you, the dowry is five taels of silver."

"Five taels of silver to marry their daughter? Have the Bai family lost their minds? Are they missing a screw or something?"

The woman approached the matchmaker, Jiang, and said, "Sister-in-law Jiang, to tell you the truth, my eldest sister has a daughter who is very beautiful, much prettier than that August girl. Go and talk to the Bai family. If they are willing, I will introduce my niece to them."

We don't need much in the dowry, just three taels of silver will do. The eldest sister's family are honest people; they would never act unreasonably.

"I can't do such a despicable thing. Both families have already made an agreement. What kind of behavior is it for you to interfere like this?"

If your niece wants to marry into our village, I can find her another match. Look at our village, the demand for young men is only going to increase, so she should hurry up and find someone suitable.

"When the New Year comes, I'll invite my niece to stay at my house for a couple of days. You see, I'll introduce her to someone nice. Actually, I've got my eye on a family."

Whose house is it?

"It's Shi Tou, Liu Youtian's son!"

"Okay, I'll ask them for you another day. If they're interested, bring your niece over so we can meet."

"To tell you the truth, Liu Youtian's family is now one of the wealthiest in our village. Don't be fooled by the fact that they haven't renovated their house yet; they're saving up money, and they might be starting to build it by spring."

"I know, I know. I'm leaving this to you. If this works out, you'll definitely get your share of the benefits."

"Leave it to me. I'm not going to chat with you anymore; I have important business to attend to."

When the matchmaker arrived at the Liu family, she said, "Oh, Lan Hua, how come your family's August is so lucky?"

The Bai family agreed and were willing to offer a dowry of five taels of silver. They said they wanted to marry August openly and in a grand manner, as it was about marrying a wife, not buying a servant.

Look how generous they are, and look at your petty ways, what kind of things have you been doing?

"Sister Jiang, thank you so much! Have they said when they'll come to propose marriage? You should prepare accordingly."

"I told you, Sister Bai said good things come in pairs, she'll come the day after tomorrow, which is the 20th of the twelfth lunar month."

I must say, the Bai family girl is quite discerning; marrying her in August won't be a bad thing.