After Xu Xiucai’s speech, the onlookers couldn’t help but nod in agreement.
His manners were quite proper, and the Yu family should have taken the opportunity to accept the marriage proposal. Besides, everyone knew that Yu Banxia liked Xu Xiucai.
Yesterday’s words were probably just spoken out of anger.
If she really knew that Xu Xiucai had come to propose, she would likely be happier than anyone.
Some people also looked around, trying to see where Yu Banxia had gone.
“Xu Xiucai, you’re supposed to be a scholar, so how is it that you can’t understand what others are saying?”
“I’ve already said it—our Xiaxia will not marry, and we do not agree to this marriage!” Madam Wu spoke up again.
Madam Ji couldn’t hold back any longer and said anxiously, “Mother-in-law, although marriage is arranged by matchmakers and decided by parents, it’s well known that Banxia likes my Ziyan.”
“Your Banxia’s reputation has long been ruined, while my Ziyan is a scholar and will one day pass the imperial examinations and rank among the top three.”
“At the very least, shouldn’t Yu Banxia be allowed to make her own choice?”
Madam Wu couldn’t help but laugh. “So you do know about my Xiaxia’s sacrifices over the past two years and her ruined reputation?”
“Then why didn’t you come to propose earlier?”
“Now that my Xiaxia has changed her mind, you’re suddenly in a hurry. What were you doing earlier?”
“Get out! The Yu family does not agree to this marriage.”
With that, she picked up a nearby broom and directly drove Xu Xiucai, his mother, and the matchmaker, Madam Ge, out of the house.
Madam Ji tried to force her way back in, but the door slammed shut with a bang.
She nearly injured her nose, and her face turned pale with anger as she stood outside the door, shouting, “What a fine Yu family! We, the Xu family, have already shown you enough respect. Since you refuse to accept it, don’t blame me for what I’m about to say.”
“What kind of decent person is your Yu Banxia? She’s probably already slept with my Ziyan behind your backs.”
“Taking advantage of Yu Banxia’s absence to drive us away—just wait and see how Yu Banxia reacts when she returns… Ah… Ugh… You old hag, I’m not done with you!”
As Madam Ji was cursing outside the door, it suddenly swung open. Before she could finish her words, Madam Wu splashed a basin of foul-smelling slop water all over her.
Ugh…
“Get lost!”
“If you dare spread rumors in front of my house again, I’ll tear your mouth apart!”
“Who do you think you are? Three years ago, someone climbed into the bed of a crippled old widower for a bit of money. Disgusting!” Madam Wu’s words frightened Madam Ji, her face turning pale.
Her lips moved, but in the end, she didn’t dare say anything and turned to leave in disgrace.
Xu Xiucai’s expression also darkened. As her son, how could he not know what his mother had done?
Knowing that Madam Wu was aware of the matter, he didn’t dare cause any more trouble here.
They had come with pride but left in disgrace.
Xu Xiucai turned and glanced at Yu Banxia’s house, snorted, and left with a dark expression.
“Auntie, what were you talking about earlier?” Aunt Zhao asked curiously.
Madam Wu shot her a glare and said, “Being curious about everything won’t do you any good. Everyone, disperse. There’s nothing more to see.”
Aunt Zhao didn’t dare argue with Madam Wu and headed home, still filled with curiosity.
The other villagers who had gathered also dispersed. Since they were all from the same clan, watching someone else’s misfortune meant they were also involved, so naturally, they wouldn’t gossip too much.Wu Zhuxiang hesitated, “Grandma, if we drive Xu Xiucai away like this, won’t Xiaxia blame us when she finds out after returning?”
“I know my own granddaughter. If she says she doesn’t want him anymore, she definitely won’t change her mind—just like me.” Madam Wu glanced at her granddaughter-in-law, speaking with a hint of pride.
Hearing her mother-in-law say this, Fan Cuilan felt slightly reassured.
“Alright, you go on with your work. I’ll feed Lian’er.”
Only after her mother-in-law spoke did Wu Zhuxiang silently return to her tasks, though she lacked her earlier enthusiasm.
She was afraid her sister-in-law would be angry with them when she returned.
…
Yu Banxia’s nose felt itchy, and she couldn’t help but sneeze.
“What’s wrong?” Yu Banyue looked at her worriedly, thinking Yu Banxia might have caught a cold.
Yu Banxia shook her head and smiled reassuringly at her. “It’s nothing, nothing. My nose just suddenly felt itchy. Maybe a small bug flew into it from the wind.”
“Then check if it’s still there.” Yu Banyue looked at her with concern.
Yu Banxia rubbed her nose and replied with a smile, “Seems like it’s gone now, Sister. How much longer until we reach the town?”
The old man driving the cart was an elder from the village, whom Yu Banxia addressed as Old Six.
Yu Bingsheng chuckled, “Almost there. We’ll arrive in about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.”
Not many people were heading to the town today. There was also a stern-faced, silent middle-aged man—a hunter from another village.
According to Yu Banyue, his name was An Cheng, a hunter from Anjia Village. It was said he had once served as a yamen runner in the county town.
Later, for unknown reasons, he returned to Anjia Village.
His wife and children were gone, and he spent his days alone, his face perpetually cold and intimidating. But in truth, he was a good person. Third Brother had learned hunting from him.
He was considered Third Brother’s half-teacher.
Today, he was also going to the town to sell furs and game, quietly chatting with Third Brother at the moment.
Amidst the swaying and jolting, just as Yu Banxia was growing drowsy, they arrived at Yunshan Town.
Each person paid one copper coin, presented their identity pass, and was allowed to enter the town.
“Mancang, I’ll head to Moonview Inn first to sell the game. So it’s settled—we’ll go hunting in the mountains together three days from now.”
An Cheng got off the cart and said to Yu Mancang.
Yu Mancang quickly nodded, “Alright, Uncle An Cheng. I’ll come find you in three days.”
“Don’t bother. I’ll come find you instead. The road from your village into the mountains is more convenient.” An Cheng waved his hand and said to Yu Mancang.
Yu Mancang acknowledged without insisting.
“We’ll set off back at a quarter past the hour of Shen. Make sure to return before then.” Yu Bingsheng reminded the three Yu siblings.
Yu Mancang acknowledged and limped ahead, leading his sisters toward the main street.
“Xiaxia, there are two medicine shops in Yunshan Town. One is Master Guo’s Compassionate Relief Hall, but its reputation isn’t great. The medicine prices are high, and they often mix in moldy herbs.”
Yu Mancang whispered.
“The other is Spring Revival Pavilion. Everyone says it’s an honest shop.”
“Then let’s go directly to Spring Revival Pavilion.” Yu Banxia genuinely didn’t know the situation in the town.
When the family hunted game to exchange for money in town, either Eldest Brother or Third Brother would come. What he said was certainly correct.
Yu Mancang nodded and led his sisters through a few twists and turns until they arrived in front of a medicine shop.
Yu Banxia noticed that Compassionate Relief Hall wasn’t far either—just across the street diagonally from Spring Revival Pavilion.
“Are you here to purchase medicine or seek treatment?” The shop assistant, seeing someone enter, quickly greeted them.Yu Mancang walked over and said, “It’s like this. My sister and I gathered some medicinal herbs in the mountains yesterday and wanted to sell them at your shop. Is the shopkeeper available?”
The clerk quickly replied that it was possible, and there was no need to find the shopkeeper—he could decide to purchase them himself. However, he needed to inspect the quality of the herbs first.
“Let’s talk in the inner room!” Yu Banxia spoke up. The clerk glanced at the young girl wearing a veil.
He wondered to himself, what kind of herbs had they brought that required speaking in the inner room?
Though he was puzzled, the clerk still led them into the inner room.