The matchmaker, perhaps having received instructions beforehand, adopted a humble demeanor. Although Li Qingrou didn't care much about reputation, Liu Yixuan did. As a scholar, his name could not be tarnished.
Upon seeing the matchmaker arrive, everyone put down their work and gathered at the Liu family's entrance, curious to see if it was a proposal or a breaking of engagement.
"My dear sisters, I am truly sorry. People say it's better to tear down ten temples than to break up one marriage. I truly didn't want to take this job, but I cannot afford to offend the Li family..." Matchmaker Wang often worked in the surrounding villages and never deceived people when making matches, which is why everyone habitually sought her out. It was she who had arranged the engagement with the Liu family in the first place.
"I know it's not your fault. If anyone is to blame, it's us for being blind and misjudging people. Wait here, I'll go get the engagement tokens for you now," Mother Liu said calmly.
This surprised Matchmaker Wang, who had expected a confrontation. She raised an eyebrow in astonishment. The Liu family's investment in Liu Yixuan over the years was evident to all, yet their efforts were benefiting someone else. She had thought the Liu family would cause a scene, but they accepted it so calmly. This was not what Matchmaker Wang had anticipated.
In reality, Mother Liu wasn't accepting it calmly. Her daughter had analyzed the situation with her the previous night, saying Liu Yixuan was not a good match. Although breaking off an engagement carried a bad reputation, it was still better than suffering after marriage. Mother Liu agreed with this reasoning. Despite feeling unbalanced, she accepted the matter with outward calm.
The moment she received the engagement tokens, Matchmaker Wang felt a bit dazed. However, this state lasted only a short while. As soon as she stepped out of the Liu family's gate, she was surrounded by people. This was because there were many young men and women of marriageable age in the village, all eager to find good partners.
As the crowd dispersed, the news of the broken engagement between the Liu and Liu families spread throughout the village. Wu Caiwei was pleased with this outcome, wanting nothing more to do with the Liu family. As for what others gossiped about behind their backs, that was their own business.
Upon hearing the news, Liu Yixuan breathed a sigh of relief. If he had known it would be this easy to break off the engagement, why would he have gone to so much trouble?
After the engagement was broken, Liu Yixuan maintained a low profile for a while, not wanting to give anyone any ammunition. Meanwhile, Wu Caiwei was not idle. She was learning some self-defense techniques from her two sisters. Frankly, she would have preferred to learn martial arts, but due to her age, it was not suitable for her to practice martial arts, so she learned some basic self-defense.
One day, the village was particularly lively. Qiu Shuang, who had returned from gathering information, reported that Liu Yixuan had gone to the Li family with betrothal gifts to get engaged.
Wu Caiwei was indifferent to this. The scumbag and the bitch had finally gotten together, and now they could slowly be reeled in.
Liu Yixuan and Li Qingrou were in the throes of their passion, especially after their engagement. They could now openly associate with each other, seeing each other almost every day.
On this particular day, he gleefully clutched the tens of taels of silver he had obtained from Li Qingrou.
Previously, getting a few taels from the Liu family was considered a lot. Now, a little from the Li family's fingertips was enough for his entire family to live for several years.
As he walked into a patch of overgrown woods, a sack was suddenly thrown over his head, followed by punches and kicks. The attackers deliberately targeted his right hand, and with a "crack," a scream rang out.
After what felt like countless blows, the surroundings returned to quiet, with only the chirping of birds audible. Liu Yixuan trembled as he pulled off the sack. He cautiously looked around, but there wasn't a soul in sight.
Clutching his injured arm, he walked towards the town. Large beads of sweat streamed down his forehead. This was the most he had suffered in his life.
Even more unlucky, there were no ox carts along the way. By the time he reached the town, he was nearly collapsing. He rushed to a pharmacy without any further delay, seeking a doctor. If a scholar's hand was ruined, his entire life would be over.
"Your hand is clearly broken," the doctor said, palpating his arm and observing his reaction. Liu Yixuan wished he could faint from the pain.
"My medical skills are limited. You can find a more skilled doctor in the county or prefectural city. If I set your hand with my technique, you won't be able to do heavy labor or write for extended periods in the future. I know this is difficult for you scholars to accept, so I must explain it to you first," the old doctor said diligently.
"If you can't even fix this, then I don't see why your clinic should stay open," Liu Yixuan had not yet spoken when Li Qingrou's voice preceded her appearance.
"How are you? Who is the damned soul who did this to you? If I find out who it is, I will make them wish they were dead," Li Qingrou said, gritting her teeth as she looked at Liu Yixuan's injuries.
"I don't know who it was. I've always been kind to others. That thief kept hitting my right hand, clearly intending to ruin my future. Qingrou, you must help me find the culprit and teach them a lesson," Liu Yixuan thought, filled with resentment. The loss would be immense if his hand could no longer write.
Finally, to be safe, they endured the pain and traveled to the county town in the Li family's carriage.
Shortly after, the authorities came to investigate, but found nothing, and the matter was eventually dropped.
Liu Yixuan remained at home to recuperate, requiring good food and drink. His two sisters-in-law often made sarcastic remarks.
To gain some peace, he took out twenty taels of silver, giving ten taels to each sister-in-law. Their expressions immediately changed from disdain to warmth.
Although their swift change of demeanor astonished Liu Yixuan, he was quite satisfied with the result. Every meal was delivered to his room separately, cool water was replaced, and dirty clothes were voluntarily washed.
This comfortable life lasted only three days. He was awakened from his nap by the commotion in the courtyard. It turned out that members of the Liu clan had heard he had struck it rich and wanted to borrow money.
"When did I strike it rich? I didn't know," Liu Yixuan asked, feigning surprise.
"Twenty taels upfront! That's a lifetime's savings for many families. If that's not striking it rich, what is?" a clan member said indignantly, assuming Liu Yixuan was pretending ignorance to avoid lending money.
"How is that possible?" Liu Yixuan was startled, not knowing who had spread the rumor. But at this moment, he couldn't possibly admit it. Sudan Novel Network.
"Don't pretend we don't know. Your children said they heard it at home and saw the silver. Goodness, I've never seen a silver ingot in my life," another clan member said, fearing he wouldn't lend them money and quickly explaining, "Don't underestimate children; they are the least likely to lie."
"If I say there isn't any, then there isn't. Are you trying to rob us?" Mother Liu returned and, after understanding the situation, looked at them warily.
"That's a harsh way to put it. We just want to borrow it for a while. Don't look down on people just because you have money."
"Yes, yes, so stingy. Just because you've hitched yourself to a rich young lady, I feel sorry for the Liu family."
...
Listening to the discussions, Liu Yixuan clenched his fists.