Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 66 - 64 Reaffirming the Engagement

Chapter 66: Chapter 64: Reaffirming the Engagement

Chapter 66 -64: Reaffirming the Engagement

Ming Zhijie left with his servant, heading for the hut as soon as he left the Shen family’s doorway.

Shen Bao’er and Mrs.

Lan pretended to be heartbroken and returned to their room, and the others felt uneasy to continue watching the spectacle at the village chief’s house, so they all returned to the main living quarters.

Xiao’er didn’t expect that Shen Bao’er, so clever yet so naive, would act so swiftly.

It was smart of her to reject the proposal soon after the engagement had just been set so that there would be less negative impact than being engaged for a long period.

Many people didn’t know about the engagement since it wasn’t celebrated grandly due to Ming Zhijie’s weak health.

A portion of the villagers knew, but since there wasn’t a public engagement banquet held in the village, it was easily overlooked.

Her naivety lies in placing herself too highly, lacking self-awareness.

In this era, marriages usually obey parents’ arrangements.

Even if she was being raised as a well-bred young miss, there are too many well-bred ladies in the world.

Among a group of similar ladies, why would Guan Xuanyi and his parents choose a knockoff well-bred lady?

People standing at different positions can see distinct views.

In this era, marriages between families of equal social rank were more appreciated by the elders because the couples could share a mutual understanding, which would avoid a lot of trouble.

The concept of marrying up or down only applies within the same circle.

Shen Nirui couldn’t help but cry.

She was a blooming young girl who had been full of beautiful dreams about her future husband and wedding, never imagining it would be settled in such a humiliating way.

“My poor girl!” said Mrs.

Bai, the village chief’s wife as she hugged her daughter, her eyes welling up with tears.

Her precious treasure had just started marriage talks and was now being forced to marry a man who was physically weak.

In her opinion, the most important quality of a husband is good health.

Without good health, how could he take good care of his family and protect his wife and child?

She had heard from her son that even though Ming Zhijie was always ill, his academic skills were still excellent.

But without good health, no matter how talented he was, she could not accept him.

What if her daughter became a widow so young?

“Rui’er, Brother Zhijie is also a good match.

His character, moral integrity, knowledge, and family background all make him a good fit,” Shen Zixuan comforted her by patting Shen Nirui’s head.

“Even if he’s good, the one he likes is not me!” How could there be any happiness in marrying a man who doesn’t love you?

She desired a loving husband endowed with similar affection as her parents, living a life as loving as her parents’.

After hearing this, Shen Zixuan stopped speaking.

Anyone with discerning eyes could see that Ming Zhijie’s heart was set on Shen Bao’er.

“Brother Zixuan, I noticed that Young Master Ming appeared a bit pale.

I suggest you intercept him and take him to see Doctor Luo,” advised one of the siblings.

After hearing this, Shen Zixuan also felt unsure about his classmate’s frail health, “Father, Mother, I’m going to check on Brother Zhijie!”

The village chief nodded in agreement.

Mrs.

Bai felt more and more reluctant to agree to this marriage.

It would be a lifetime of worry!

“Husband, we can’t agree to this marriage!

With his weak health, it’s like sending our daughter off to be a widow!”

“What are you talking about?

Weakness can be treated.

And who else would dare to marry Nirui in her current state?

If she marries far away, out of our sight, would you feel at ease?”

Hearing this, Mrs.

Bai stayed silent, feeling torn between reluctance and acceptance.

Just then, Shen Nirui had a stomachache again, and she ran into the hut clutching her stomach.

“Did Rui’er eat something wrong?” Seeing this, Mrs.

Bai couldn’t bother with the other problem, worrying about her daughter’s health.

“Wait for Sister Nirui to come out, then take her to see Doctor Luo.

Then it will be clear.” As long as both are diagnosed to have been given a laxative, surely Ming Zhijie’s deep affection for Shen Bao’er will dwindle, which could be beneficial for their future marriage.

Ming Zhijie already felt that something was off the moment he finished paying his respects.

He hadn’t eaten much but had a bowl of chicken soup, only because Shen Bao’er served it to him.

However, not long after he finished the soup, he had a stomach ache!

Conveniently, he ran into Mrs.

Lan on his way to the hut.

If not for what she said, he would not have entered directly.

Why did Mrs.

Lan purposefully suggest that the hut was unoccupied?

He’s her future son-in-law.

How would this harm benefit her?

She probably didn’t purposely set him up.

Ming Zhijie shook his head.

Who could it be?

“Brother Zhijie, let me take you to the village doctor.

You look rather pale.” Shen Zixuan felt relief when he saw that Ming Zhijie hadn’t left after searching for a while.

With doubt in his mind, Ming Zhijie agreed.

———

The group left Doctor Luo’s home with a sullen-faced Ming Zhijie.

He didn’t understand why Shen Bao’er did what she did.

If she didn’t want to marry him, she could have rejected the matchmaker directly.

Why agree initially and then set him up with another woman?

Didn’t she know that a woman’s reputation was crucial?

She was harming an innocent person.

How could she bear that guilt?

He had seen how much she loved small animals and thought she had a kind heart.

“I remember, during dinner, Shen Bei’er switched bowls of chicken soup with me!”

“Why did she switch soup bowls with you?” Mrs.

Bai found it strange.

“I had a piece of chicken leg in my soup, and she said she loved chicken legs.”

Mrs.

Bai:…

Shen Bei’er is just like Mrs.

Li, a similar kind indeed…

The unfortunate part is that her petty greed indirectly harmed her daughter!

The more Ming Zhijie heard this, the more disappointed he felt.

This was the woman he admired, who would harm even her own sister to call off her engagement.

Yet, she failed and implicated others!

He was truly blind!

“Aunt Shen, Uncle Shen, I’ll send someone to discuss the marriage tomorrow.

I promise not to make it difficult for Miss Shen.

I’ll take my leave now.” After saying that, he also bowed to Shen Nirui, “Miss Shen, my apologies for the offense earlier.”

The next day, Ming Zhijie decisively canceled his engagement with Shen Bao’er and sent a matchmaker to the village chief’s house to propose.

On an auspicious day soon after, the County Magistrate’s generous engagement gifts were sent to the village chief’s house, making the villagers green with envy.

The date for Shen Nirui’s wedding was also set, just after the central examination next spring.

When Shen Bao’er found out that the engagement gifts Ming Zhijie gave to Shen Nirui were more than what he had given her, she was furious but also felt more confident that calling off her engagement was the right move.

Ever since Mrs.

Liu learned that the main family was involved in Shen Nirui’s matter, she became more wary of them.

She believed more than ever that Yun’er’s disappearance was intentional.

Shen Chengyao didn’t say much, but lately, he had been making frequent trips to the county.

First, to find any good shops for sale, and second, to inquire about Yun’er’s situation at the Government Office.

In the meantime, the wine jars that Xiao’er had previously ordered were delivered.

It was just in time for the wine to be filtered and undergo secondary fermentation.

The secondary fermentation requires two to three weeks.

After fermentation, the wine will become clear with some sediment at the bottom.

That’s when it is transferred to another jar and sealed.

The leftover sediment can be thrown away, and then the wine can be considered ready.

The fermentation of golden cherry wine had also ended.

The brewing process of golden cherry wine was much more complicated.

It required adding sugar water, citric acid water, and yeast during fermentation.

After fermentation, the juice needed to be separated, mixed with other ingredients, and then frozen, glued, and filtered.

Finally, the top of the liquid needed to be covered with alcohol before it could be stored.

The entire process needs at least a year.

The resulting wine is mellow, full-bodied, moderately sweet and sour, with a harmonious combination of fruit and wine aromas.