Chen's mother wasted no time in finding a matchmaker. She had initially expected to have to travel to the prefectural city to propose, only to learn that the Liu family had already moved back to town the day Liu Wenyu returned.
Chen's mother was utterly bewildered. Did the Liu family know about her and Chen Yan's situation? Otherwise, why would they leave the prefectural city and cease their business?
That was, after all, their private affair. No matter how displeased she was with Liu Wenyu, she had no choice but to hold her nose and follow the matchmaker to propose. Her smile, however, was more akin to crying, and anyone could tell she was very unhappy with this marriage.
Old Master Liu actually looked down on Chen Yan. After all, he had seen more of the world in the prefectural city and met some wealthy gentlemen. Furthermore, it was obvious to everyone that Chen's mother was unwilling. He already felt his daughter was marrying down, and he hadn't even complained yet, yet they were already looking down on his daughter. His temper flared up.
Madame Liu knew her daughter's predicament. Seeing her husband's expression, she immediately grasped his hand and shook her head subtly. When the matchmaker mentioned the marriage, he agreed without a second word.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Chen's mother quickly left, unwilling even to stay for a meal.
"What kind of attitude is that? If she's unwilling, why come to propose?" Once they were alone, Old Master Liu sank onto a stool, secretly angered.
"You've been doing business out of town and haven't been home for months. You're not aware of what's been happening here. Wen Yu has been unlucky; she hasn't had any children after being married to Master Li for so many years. Now that Master Li has just died, she has a child born posthumously. With your understanding of Madame Li, how do you think she will treat Wen Yu if she finds out?"
Hearing this, Old Master Liu understood everything. His wife had been so accommodating entirely for their daughter's sake. He sighed helplessly.
The main reason they moved back from the prefectural city was Master Li's death. No one was willing to look after the Li family anymore, and their son was not cut out for business. They had no choice but to deal with their business in the prefectural city and return to the small town to live out their retirement.
As soon as Chen's mother walked through the door, she saw her son sitting by the doorway, looking at her expectantly.
"You child, you haven't recovered from your illness, how can you be out of bed?" Chen's mother rushed to him, supporting him as she led him back into the room.
"I'm fine. I've been lying down for so long, I'm practically moldy. It's good to come out and see the sun. How did things go today?" Chen Yan asked casually.
"Don't worry, your mother will do as she promised," Chen's mother knew exactly what her son was most concerned about. Although she felt extremely uncomfortable, she could only answer helplessly to ensure he recuperated well.
Chen Yan felt a sense of unreality upon receiving his mother's affirmation. He never thought the person he longed for would finally become his wife. He felt as if he had already recovered half his strength.
With both families in agreement, the betrothal and wedding ceremonies were quickly completed. During this period of recuperation, Chen Yan could already walk normally.
It was indeed as the doctor had said; he would pant after just a few steps, and his body felt significantly weaker, yet he was powerless to do anything about it.
In his eager anticipation, he finally waited for the wedding day. Early that morning, Chen Yan happily donned his groom's attire, mounted a grand horse, and went to fetch the bride.
The Liu family joyfully married off their daughter. When they had sent their daughter to be a concubine in the Li family, some had accused them of being vain and disregarding their daughter's well-being. Now that their daughter was becoming the principal wife, they felt they could finally hold their heads high.
The townspeople found their marriage to be both unexpected and somewhat logical. After all, Ouyang Xue had been unable to have children for twenty years, and it was time to find someone new to continue the family line.
Wu Caiwei, who had been busy, frowned with annoyance when she suddenly heard the news of their marriage, having forgotten such an important event.
They were too fortunate. If she had remembered sooner, their marriage wouldn't have gone so smoothly.
A few days later, rumors began circulating throughout the town and alleys that Chen Yan had bribed the doctor to place the blame for infertility on Ouyang Xue.
Initially, people didn't believe it. However, when asked, the doctor, being a benevolent physician, quickly avoided the topic. Seeing this, what else could people not understand?
Furthermore, the Ouyang family had been driven out of business by the Chen family. Seizing the opportunity, they revealed everything they knew, as they were speaking the truth.
The town's sentiment completely shifted. People would go out of their way to avoid seeing anyone from the Chen family, finding their actions truly unscrupulous.
To prove that Chen Yan was not infertile, they spread the word that Liu Wenyu was already two months pregnant.
Suddenly, the spotlight shifted back to the Liu family. People said the Liu family had poor moral character, that Chen Yan was involved with Liu Wenyu before he had even divorced, and even Liu's married daughters were affected.
The Liu couple were furious, and Liu Wenyu looked at him indignantly. "What do you mean by this? You want face, but don't I want face? Do you know I'm being pointed at every time I go out?"
"Just bear with it a little longer. It will be fine after some time," Chen Yan quickly comforted her.
"It's all fake to say you like me; you love yourself more. In time, people will indeed forget about this matter, but when they mention me, they will still think I'm promiscuous. My reputation is ruined," Liu Wenyu said, her anger rising at the sight of this unreliable man.
"I was willing to make a sacrifice for you, to admit that the child in your belly is mine. Can't you do something for me?" Chen Yan didn't think he had done anything wrong. Ouyang Xue had endured so many unpleasant words from him over the years, yet she had silently tolerated them.
"You act as if you made a great sacrifice, but in reality, don't you also need a child to prove yourself and continue the Chen family line?" Liu Wenyu sneered.
"Why can't I have children? Others may not know, but you still know? The Li family did that to me." Chen Yan felt resentful whenever this was mentioned.
"Wasn't it because of your ill intentions? You felt you were at a disadvantage when the Liu family broke off the engagement and tried to extort compensation from the Li family, which is why you were beaten?" At this moment, Liu Wenyu regretted her decision. She had initially thought a man willing to divorce for her sake was very reliable, but now it seemed she was merely his unattainable first love, someone he longed for precisely because he couldn't have her. Once married, he didn't cherish her.
"It's been so long, there's no use saying anything now. What's important is that we two must work together to live a good life. I know you've been wronged, don't worry, I will compensate you well. From now on, I'll do as you say, no matter what." After all, she was the person he had loved for so long; Chen Yan was still willing to yield to her.
Liu Wenyu simply turned her head and walked away. She felt as if she had just escaped a tiger's den only to fall into a wolf's lair, often lamenting the unfairness of fate.