The Spirited Daughter-in-law and the Mountain Man

“There’s no need to step away. If we go into some alley to talk, people would think that we have something to hide.” She said impatiently, “If you want to say something, say it. If not, I’m leaving.” Instead of consoling her, she did not need any.

A passerby, seeing Chen Ershuan’s timid behavior, encouraged him, “Speak up, brother. You won’t be a man if you don’t say it!”

“I’ll say it!” Chen Ershuan cleared his throat loudly, but his words came out as a whisper, “Miss Su, I want to propose to you…”

Su Qingyue was stunned for a moment, sizing him up and down, “Umbrella seller man, you look like a decent person, are your eyes all right?”

“Exactly.” An aunt next to them couldn’t hold back her comments, “This girl is so ugly, yet this young man still finds her attractive, why would he set his sights on such an ugly person?”

Su Qingyue agreed, “This auntie really has a discerning eye!”

“This girl is remarkably extraordinary to be able to admit her ugliness.” A man nearby praised, “Umbrella seller, you must have put on the wrong pair of glasses when you left home.”

“I don’t care if she’s a bit ugly. Miss Su is the most clever woman I have ever met. I am just from a simple family, a virtuous wife is all I need…” Chen Ershuan looked at Su Qingyue sincerely, “Miss Su, considering all the effort I put into finding you in the Vegetable Market for so many days, please marry me!”

“You didn’t just hear that I sold a recipe for fifty taels of silver…”

“Absolutely not…” Chen Ershuan stated, “You can leave the recipe money to your family, and I’ll provide another twenty taels of silver as a dowry…”

“Being able to afford a dowry of twenty taels… This young man has got some assets.” The aunt nearby hastily asked, “Which family does this young man belong to…”

Seeing how sincere Chen Ershuan was, suggesting she leave the money for her family, although she wouldn’t marry him and she doesn’t really have a family, Su Qingyue replied, “I’m sorry, Brother Chen…”

“Are you not satisfied with my offer? Or…” Chen Ershuan wanted to say something else, but Su Qingyue interrupted, “Didn’t you hear that I’m already married? As they say, a virtuous woman would not marry twice. Although I am not a virtuous woman and my husband is not commendable, he hasn’t done anything wrong. Therefore, I don’t like to mess around, I am afraid I have to apologize to Brother Chen.”

Pulling over the eager aunt nearby, “Listening to you just now, you are familiar with girls ready to marry, right? Please help introduce some to our honest Brother Chen… I must be on my way.”

With that, she continued her journey.

Chen Ershuan watched as her figure disappeared into the crowd, a slight disappointment in his heart. In reality, marrying such an unattractive woman had caused quite an argument at home. The family, having no other choice, reluctantly agreed.

He had always assumed that such an unattractive woman would have a hard time getting married and thought it was good enough that he was willing to marry her, therefore he never asked if she was already married. He never thought she would be already taken.

“That ugly girl just now mentioned that you sell umbrellas, where is your house? How old are you this year?” The helpful aunt continued to inquire. Chen Ershuan, however, was feeling disheartened after the realization that his beloved was taken, and he had no desire to respond, “Thank you for your concern, auntie, but my family will handle my marriage matters.”

“Well, that’s fine too….”

Chen Ershuan continued to look in the direction Su Qingyue had left, visibly despondent.