The Chen family patriarch finished speaking and cupped his hands, thanking the crowd. The crowd gradually stirred. Those who did not meet the age requirement dispersed to the sides.
Even if they couldn't participate in the bride-seeking event, receiving some celebratory rice and money was still good. In front of so many people, the Chen family patriarch would not say anything unpleasant.
However, if someone who did not meet the requirements rashly rushed forward to snatch the embroidered ball, with the Chen family's manpower and financial resources, they would not only get no celebratory rice or money but also face the possibility of retaliation.
Therefore, even though many people did not meet the requirements but wanted to try, after careful consideration, they chose the immediate benefits rather than losing everything in a futile attempt.
After a period of commotion, the number of people on both sides who did not meet the requirements significantly increased. However, a considerable number of people remained in the middle for the bride-seeking event. They all watched the third floor of the Yingbin Tower with eager anticipation, waiting for that beautiful figure to appear.
Miss Chen Wenyi, supported by her maids, appeared on the pavilion. Unlike other young ladies who felt shy as brides, her face was full of frustration and vexation.
Chen Wenyi looked at the people standing below, wishing she could just die. She was a college student in the 21st century, walking on the street when she was hit by falling debris and sent away. Who knew that when she opened her eyes, she had inexplicably transmigrated to this unknown place.
The real Chen Wenyi was also quite unfortunate. She had fallen down the stairs and hit her head, dying. When she opened her eyes, her soul had been replaced.
Fortunately, the original owner was highly favored in her family, loved by her parents, and excellent in her own right. Especially after her injury, her family's concern for her reached an appalling level. Gradually, Chen Wenyi accepted the absurd matter of transmigration.
But the reality was that there was no "most tragic" in life, only more tragic! Just as Chen Wenyi accepted the reality and recovered from her injuries, another piece of news that made her doubt her life arrived like a tidal wave.
She was actually going to hold an embroidered ball to seek a bride! Even more preposterous, the original owner knew about this and had agreed to it.
Seriously! This wasn't a TV drama, and she didn't have the destiny of a female lead, so how could she be arranged into such a plot?
Who could predict such a random event! What if her luck was bad and she ended up throwing the ball to a pig butcher? Moreover, in reality, it was very likely that the person might be even worse than a pig butcher.
After all, in those ancient farming novels, a pig butcher was considered a relatively decent trade.
Originally, she thought that with the original owner's excellent family background and personal qualities, her family would arrange a good marriage for her, and she could just be a salted fish and relax. Who knew things would take such a drastic turn.
Upon learning about the bride-seeking event, Chen Wenyi resolutely resisted. No matter how good her family was to her, she did not want to gamble her lifelong happiness.
So, she cried, threw tantrums, went on hunger strikes, and even attempted to run away several times. Of course, she was discovered and brought back every time. In short, she made the entire mansion restless.
The Chen family patriarch didn't understand why his daughter suddenly changed her mind, not only with such intense emotions but also with such a firm attitude, even wanting to escape the family.
Initially, seeing his daughter unwilling to treat marriage so casually, the Chen family patriarch had considered complying with her wishes. However, upon remembering what the expert had said, that her marriage not only concerned her personal happiness but also the rise and fall of the family, the Chen family patriarch's heart hardened.
The family took turns persuading Chen Wenyi. At first, she remained completely unresponsive. Her mother cried, made a scene, and threatened to hang herself, using every method possible. Finally, they had no choice but to tell her what the expert had said.
It was precisely because of these words that Chen Wenyi's mind slowly began to change.
The expert could predict that the original owner would face a calamity at sixteen, and she happened to transmigrate. The expert must have some abilities. In this light, his words about destined marriage couldn't be entirely dismissed as absurd.
She had accepted the matter of transmigration, so perhaps the destined person arranged by heaven wouldn't be too bad. Thinking of this, Chen Wenyi finally stopped resisting so fiercely.
However, regardless, she still felt some fear about marrying a complete stranger.
After all, this was ancient times where the "three obediences and four virtues" were emphasized. Unlike modern times where couples could divorce voluntarily if they were incompatible. In ancient times, whether a woman was divorced or voluntarily separated, the outcome was dire!
Forced onto the stage, Chen Wenyi looked at the surging crowd below, her hand holding the embroidered ball trembling uncontrollably. Having been given a second chance at life, she prayed her days wouldn't be too miserable!
She truly cursed her 1.0 good eyesight; after looking for a long time, she hadn't seen anyone pleasing to the eye. They were all either fat-headed and big-eared or short and stout. Seeing such ugly specimens showing up to join the fun, Chen Wenyi didn't know who to throw the ball to.
Finally seeing the true face of the protagonist, the crowd erupted in excited cheers. This Miss Chen was truly beautiful!
It was just that her complexion didn't look very good, and she had a look of gritted teeth. She held the ball in her hand for a long time without throwing it. Her gaze at them was fierce, as if she wasn't seeking a bride but trying to scare everyone away.
Su Muqing was also staring at Miss Chen. She was indeed quite attractive. A round face, large eyes, a delicate nose, and a small mouth, all coming together to give an impression of serene tranquility, possessing the aura of an ancient noble lady.
However, Su Muqing was quickly proven wrong by her own description. Because the serene expression of Miss Chen only lasted for a short time before her face began to change colors, as brilliant as a palette. It had to be said, she was quite cute!
It was just that such a young lady from a prominent family, paired with such expressions, made Su Muqing feel an indescribable strangeness and a sense of familiarity.
Su Muqing frowned. She was certain she had never met this Miss Chen before. So where did this inexplicable sense of familiarity come from?
"Daughter, the auspicious time is almost over, why haven't you thrown it yet? If you miss the auspicious time, it will be too late!" Seeing Chen Wenyi almost crushing the embroidered ball in her hand, the Chen family patriarch's forehead broke out in a sweat.
That expert had said that the auspicious time was only a quarter of an hour, and half of it had already passed.
"Wait! Let me look again!" Chen Wenyi became even more nervous when her father said this. It wasn't that she didn't want to throw it, but she simply hadn't seen anyone she found pleasing.