Terrified by the supernatural incident, Li Dong immediately transferred one thousand taels of silver and the ownership deed to a profitable cosmetics shop on East Street into Li Xiyue’s name. Without wasting another moment, he arranged for a carriage to escort her back to Zhu Family Village.
The wealthier a man became, the more desperately he clung to his own life. Li Dong had always felt uneasy living inside a manor that still carried the lingering shadow of the Zhu family, and after witnessing what he believed to be Old Master Zhu Shou’s vengeful spirit, every dark corner of the estate seemed haunted to him.
Since most of his business interests had already shifted toward the provincial capital, he made a swift decision. Under the cover of night, he packed up his entire household and quietly fled the county seat.
By the time the gossip spread through the markets, Li Xiyue had already settled comfortably back into the ancestral Zhu residence in the village.
“A guilty conscience really does crumble at the slightest scare,” she mused with amusement.
Honestly, squeezing a thousand taels and an entire storefront out of the notoriously stingy Li Dong had exceeded even her own expectations.
The entire plan had worked flawlessly thanks to the high-end drone hidden inside her pocket dimension. By wrapping the device in white cloth and using a voice modulation program to imitate the raspy voice of an elderly man, she had created the perfect illusion of a floating ghost outside the second-floor window.
Back when she bought her survival gear in the modern world, the shop owner had strongly recommended the drone. At the time, she purchased it on impulse. Unfortunately, there was no way to recharge its batteries in this era, otherwise it would have become her ultimate weapon for tormenting her enemies.
Three days after Li Xiyue returned to Zhu Family Village, Zhu Qingshan officially hired a local matchmaker and sent her to the estate.
Since both families had already reached a silent agreement, and Li Dong had explicitly forbidden anyone from interfering, Wang Dani had no power left to stop the marriage.
Naturally, the matchmaker was delighted. A smooth arrangement with no family disputes and guaranteed payment was the dream assignment. Humming happily, she collected the couple’s birth charts to compare their Eight Characters.
“Once the compatibility is confirmed,” she said cheerfully, “my next visit will be for the formal delivery of the betrothal gifts. Young Mistress, you should begin preparing yourself.”
Li Xiyue lowered her eyes shyly and nodded.
Zhu Qingshan watched her act and nearly laughed.
“You’ll need to wait a little longer,” he told her gently. “Tomorrow morning I have to escort a caravan to Jinling. The round trip should take about seven or eight days. Once I return, I’ll personally bring the betrothal gifts to your door.”
After a slight pause, he added, “If you become bored while I’m gone, you can visit Qinghe. She’d be happy to keep you company.”
Li Xiyue blinked in surprise, warmth quietly spreading through her chest.
Why does this man suddenly seem so considerate?
“Then be careful on the road,” she murmured softly while adjusting his collar. “Come back safely.”
Zhu Qingshan smiled and nodded.
The moment the two men stepped out of the courtyard, Wang Dani’s fake smile vanished instantly.
“Hmph! Young girls really are foolish. Choosing a husband based on his face alone,” she sneered. “When you’re starving in some freezing kitchen with no rice left to cook, let’s see if regret can fill your stomach.”
Li Xiyue blinked innocently. “But Aunt, weren’t you the one who publicly declared that Zhu Qingshan was the best marriage prospect in the entire village?”
“How could a poor peasant compare to Master Zhang?” Wang Dani snapped defensively. “He’s nothing but a dirt farmer!”
“If you admire Master Zhang so much,” Li Xiyue replied sweetly, “then perhaps you should divorce Uncle Tiezhu and marry into the Zhang household yourself. You could eat luxurious meals, wear expensive silk, and never worry about money again. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
Zhu Tiezhu immediately shot his wife a dark glare.
Wang Dani’s face turned bright red. “What nonsense are you babbling about?! Is this how you repay someone trying to look out for you? One day you’ll regret this!”
Li Xiyue ignored her completely.
Realizing they couldn’t gain any advantage against her, the couple muttered angrily under their breath and left.
News of the engagement spread through the village faster than wildfire. Every time Li Xiyue stepped outside, the village women greeted her with teasing smiles and warm congratulations.
Of course, not everyone was pleased.
Li Xiyue stopped walking and narrowed her eyes at the graceful woman blocking her path.
“Miss Wang,” she said calmly, “what exactly is the meaning of this?”
Wang Zhen’er stood there with tears glistening at the corners of her eyes, looking as delicate and pitiful as a flower growing beside a misty stream. Combined with her supernatural luck, it was no wonder Prince Wei had fallen for her in the original story.
Unfortunately, Wang Zhen’er remained fully devoted to playing the role of the tragic white lotus.
“Miss Li,” she said softly, her voice trembling, “please allow me to congratulate you on finally obtaining the man you always wanted. I sincerely hope you and Brother Zhu will live together in lifelong happiness and harmony.”
At first glance, the words sounded harmless. But the emphasis on “the man you always wanted” carried a sharp hidden insult.
Li Xiyue smiled brightly.
“Thank you for your blessings, Miss Wang. Qingshan and I will absolutely live a wonderful life together. We’ll stay loyal to each other until our hair turns white. Thankfully, neither of us is the type to abandon our partner halfway and seek someone else.”
Wang Zhen’er’s expression instantly stiffened.
Her fingers clenched so tightly around her handkerchief that the fabric nearly tore apart.
Even though she had personally discarded Zhu Qingshan, seeing him become formally engaged to Li Xiyue so quickly filled her with furious jealousy.
These two must have secretly been involved long ago…
Then her thoughts drifted toward Zhao An, who had already left the village without leaving behind a single message.
Could it be… he never plans to come back?
No. Impossible.
She had invested too much effort into saving him. Heaven itself would never let her fail.
Watching Wang Zhen’er’s rapidly changing expression, Li Xiyue couldn’t care less about her emotional turmoil. Carrying her newly purchased embroidery silk, she simply walked past her and continued toward the Zhu household.
Halfway there, she encountered Zhu Chenggang and his wife, Madame Chen, returning from work in the fields.
“Uncle Chenggang, Aunt Chen,” Li Xiyue greeted warmly with a polite bow. “Have you both just returned from the fields?”
Madame Chen’s eyes immediately lit up.
“Xiyue! Are you heading to see Qinghe?” she asked cheerfully. “Our eldest son just came home from the city today! I’m preparing a big meal for the family. You must come join us!”
Their eldest son, Zhu Qingmu, worked as an apprentice chef in the county seat and rarely had the chance to return home.
Looking at Madame Chen’s sincere smile, Li Xiyue felt a rare warmth in her heart.
“I appreciate the invitation, Aunt,” she replied gently, “but today should be reserved for your family reunion. It wouldn’t be proper for me to intrude. Once some time has passed, I’ll definitely come visit.”
“What a thoughtful child,” Madame Chen laughed. “Fine then, this aunt will wait until the day I can finally drink the bridal tea from you and Qingshan!”
Li Xiyue’s cheeks flushed red.
After saying goodbye, she continued walking until she arrived at the Zhu residence.
The courtyard gate was slightly open. Inside, Zhu Qinghe sat beneath the shade of a tree, happily holding a fluffy little yellow puppy.
The moment the puppy noticed Li Xiyue, it began barking excitedly.
“Sister Li!” Zhu Qinghe exclaimed happily. “Come inside!”
She immediately jumped up to prepare tea, but Li Xiyue hurriedly stopped her.
“Please don’t trouble yourself. I only came to deliver some materials.”
Ignoring her protest, Zhu Qinghe still rushed into the kitchen.
Li Xiyue could only laugh helplessly.
Picking up the fluffy puppy circling her feet, she gently stroked its fur until it relaxed contentedly in her lap.
“Our Doudou is adorable, isn’t he?” Zhu Qinghe asked proudly as she returned carrying tea and mung bean cakes.
“Big Brother specifically brought him home because his escort work keeps him away for long periods. He was worried about leaving two women alone in the house.”
Li Xiyue nearly choked on her tea.
“He brought the dog for your protection,” she corrected calmly.
Zhu Qinghe giggled mischievously.
“Then why was he never worried during all those years when I stayed here alone?”
Li Xiyue instantly fell silent.
There was no safe answer to that question.
Quickly changing the subject, she handed over the colorful embroidery silk she had purchased.
Zhu Qinghe gasped in delight.
“These colors are beautiful! Sister Li, your taste is incredible!” she exclaimed. “Don’t worry, I’ll personally handle your wedding dress!”
Li Xiyue felt genuinely touched.
“Sister Qinghe, you’re working too hard for me.”
“It’s no trouble at all!” Zhu Qinghe replied happily, already completely absorbed in sorting the silk threads.
Watching the girl become fully immersed in embroidery, Li Xiyue smiled softly.
She suddenly remembered the expensive Suzhou embroidery pieces stored inside her pocket dimension, delicate silk fans, scarves, and hand-embroidered accessories. She decided she would give them to Qinghe later.
Carefully placing the sleeping Doudou back into his straw basket, Li Xiyue quietly said her farewell and left.
At long last, the day for the formal betrothal gifts arrived.
Li Xiyue woke before dawn to prepare herself. She styled her hair into a simple elegant bun and applied a thin layer of lipstick from her hidden modern cosmetics.
The moment Zhu Qingshan stepped into the room and saw her, he froze.
He had always known she was beautiful.
But in his previous life, the original Li Xiyue had been crushed by years of abuse until she became timid and withdrawn, dulling her natural beauty.
This woman standing before him now was entirely different.
She radiated vitality and confidence, like a deer leaping freely through a mountain forest.
Dressed in bright festive clothing, the matchmaker stepped forward and loudly announced the betrothal gifts.
“Sixty taels of silver! One matching set of silver hairpins, earrings, and bracelets! Six bolts of fine fabric, six jars of wine, six tins of mountain tea, six boxes of pastries, and two live geese!”
The villagers watching outside gasped loudly.
This was an extremely generous betrothal gift by village standards. Most peasant families only offered twenty taels at most.
Miss Li truly married well.
The official contracts were signed, formally establishing the engagement.
“Congratulations to both of you!” the matchmaker declared with a wide toothy grin. “In all my years arranging marriages, I’ve never seen a pair so perfectly matched!”
Li Xiyue had to use every ounce of self-control not to laugh at the woman’s enormous missing front tooth.
The wedding date was officially set for the twenty-third day of the sixth lunar month, an extremely auspicious day for marriage.
The timing was perfect.
They would complete the wedding just before the catastrophic rains arrived.
After the villagers finally dispersed, Wang Dani immediately stared greedily at the pile of silver and gifts. The moment Li Xiyue turned away, she began dragging the items toward her own room.
Li Xiyue instantly stopped her.
“What exactly do you think you’re doing?”
Wang Dani puffed up aggressively.
“Your parents aren’t even in this province! You’ve lived under our roof for three years and eaten our food the entire time! If you want to leave this household and get married, then every single one of these betrothal gifts belongs to us!”
In her mind, she had already planned how to spend the silver. The sixty taels would be perfect for arranging a marriage for her son.
Li Xiyue slowly turned around and stared at her aunt.
“Aunt,” she said flatly, “are you dreaming in broad daylight?”