Chapter 82: Chapter 82 The Marriage is Off (2)_1 Chapter 82: Chapter 82 The Marriage is Off (2)_1 The woman pursed her lips, adjusting her hairpin, and whispered in a secretive tone, “You don’t know, but the young master here caused trouble again not too long ago.
I heard that while he was out playing, he took a fancy to a village girl who wasn’t even fourteen yet.
Alas, the poor thing was just taken advantage of like that.
Master Magistrate was busy arranging his son’s marriage with a daughter from a prominent family, so of course, he couldn’t let that village girl into his house.
He immediately gave some silver to keep her quiet.
That poor girl’s family is actually well-off, and she’s a good person, too.
She almost hung herself out of despair.
What a pity, her marriage was already discussed, but now it’s been blown off.
Her father, for fear that something might happen to his daughter, hurried to have a matchmaker find her a country lad; not caring much about the family, as long as the man is honest.”
Lin Yuan listened with interest, but truthfully, she hardly believed half of the woman’s story, taking it as nothing more than a tale.
However, when she caught a glimpse of Lan Hua, she saw the girl’s complexion turn paler and paler, her hands clenched tight, and Lin Yuan had a bad feeling.
Could this family’s daughter be…
“Auntie, won’t this family’s daughter go to that young master’s family to seek justice?
Are they really just going to let it go and keep the peace?” Lan Hua originally wanted to ask outright who the girl was, but wouldn’t that expose her own brother?
Fortunately, Lin Yuan was quick-witted and asked first, earning a grateful glance from Lan Hua.
The auntie curled her lip, “How can they seek justice?
That girl’s parents are both old, and she’s also got a sister who’s only ten, who will stand up for them?
Besides, they’re up against the Master Magistrate, the most important person in Zhuma Town.
They would be foolish to stir up trouble by going to his doorstep!
Now they just have to suffer in silence.
Hey, there are many girls in our town who’ve been spoiled, including that one…”
The woman continued talking, but neither Lin Yuan nor Lan Hua was in the mood to listen anymore.
From Lan Hua’s expression, Lin Yuan’s guess was confirmed.
Not just Lan Hua, even Lin Fugui, who was driving the cart ahead, seemed upset, probably having guessed the answer from the woman’s words.
Lin Yuan was silent the entire journey, aware that Lin Changqing’s marriage prospects were now ruined.
When they returned to the Lin family’s valley, Lin Fugui was dejectedly organizing the ox cart.
Lan Hua and a few others started for home first, with her spirits visibly low.
Lin Yuan patted her on the shoulder, consoling her, “Lan Hua, you should be happy.
If you hadn’t been cautious and inquired about this earlier, it might have been your brother who would suffer in silence in the future.”
Although it wasn’t the girl’s fault she was dishonored, in this era, it is ultimately difficult to tolerate a woman who’s lost her chastity.
The girl’s path in life will probably not be easy from here on.
“Yes, I should be happy, but…” Thinking of her own family’s situation, Lan Hua sighed again, “But think about it.
With my family’s condition, my brother is looked down upon as an apprentice in town and can only do manual labor.
He’s not really learning anything valuable.
After completing his apprenticeship, he’ll still have to learn a skill on his own.”
Lin Yuan had seen Lin Changqing, and he was a smart lad.
If he had a good master to teach him, perhaps in the future…
“Hey Lan Hua, I have an idea!
Why don’t you hear me out first?” Lin Yuan pulled Lan Hua’s arm and whispered a few sentences into her ear, and Lan Hua’s eyes lit up more and more as she listened.
I’ll go talk to my brother right away!” Lan Hua was overjoyed, but then she looked worriedly at Lin Yuan, “What about your father, he…”
“Don’t worry, my father will agree!” Lin Yuan said confidently, thumping her chest, but she still thought it best to seek her father’s approval at home first.