A moment later, the two elders of the Jiang family returned.
Wu Caiwei saw the somber gazes they cast her and knew they must have encountered Jiang Yongnian on the way back.
"You've grown up now, with a mind of your own, and don't listen to your uncle's words anymore. The hardships are yet to come. I heard this is a rare and good marriage." Old Mrs. Jiang felt her granddaughter was simply ungrateful.
"No matter what you say, I'll state my position here: I do not agree to this marriage. If you care about me at all, a quick inquiry in the city will tell you all you need to know." Wu Caiwei couldn't be bothered to argue with them. Though she had grown up with them and her upbringing was slightly better than other village girls, they, with their extreme preference for sons over daughters, couldn't have been truly good to her.
"Even if Young Master Ye isn't suitable, what does it matter? He's a wealthy merchant. Once you're married, you'll eat delicacies, be served by maids and servants. Besides, if there weren't any issues, why would he set his sights on a farmer's daughter like you?" Old Mrs. Jiang looked at her as if she were an idiot, brimming with anger.
"What if he wants my life?" Wu Caiwei stared at them, unblinking, waiting to see their reaction.
"What are you thinking, girl? Your uncle and aunt personally agreed to this. They wouldn't harm you." Jiang Dagui quickly interjected. He trusted his son and daughter. The Jiang family's current prosperity, unique in the village, was all thanks to their efforts.
"They wouldn't harm me? What wouldn't they do for wealth and status? Knowing he's buying a life with money, they'd sacrifice me without hesitation just to get in with the Ye family." Wu Caiwei had never harbored much hope for the two elders, so there was no disappointment.
In their eyes, their son and daughter were far more important than their "borrowed" granddaughter. Even if they thought her fears were fanciful and impossible, and even if they knew the truth, they would still sacrifice her without a second thought for the sake of the Jiang family and their son and daughter's interests.
"What an ungrateful wretch! We raised you for so long, yet you're still not loyal, and you resent your uncle and aunt. Your uncle said you must marry, whether you like it or not. You can deal with it yourself." Old Mrs. Jiang couldn't be bothered to speak to her any further. She was just a girl, not even of Jiang blood. Her son and daughter’s word was final.
Watching the two elders of the Jiang family leave in anger, Wu Caiwei shrugged and rolled her eyes. They were truly a family; even their departing figures were strikingly similar to Jiang Yongnian and his wife.
She thought her firm refusal would bring her some peace, but to her surprise, her aunt arrived the next day.
Jiang Feng arrived in a luxurious carriage and stopped at her home. Seeing the envious gazes of the onlookers, she straightened her back and proudly walked into the courtyard.
She saw her parents first, who presented gifts and inquired about her well-being before turning their attention to Wu Caiwei.
"Hanyue, come here quickly. Look what Auntie brought you." Saying this, she took a box from a maid and handed it to her.
Wu Caiwei, adopting a "take it if it's free" mentality, immediately stepped forward and accepted it.
The original owner had doted on her aunt, and whenever her aunt visited, she would always bring her gifts. She believed her aunt showed her special care because her parents had passed away early, and she was deeply grateful. Knowing the truth, Wu Caiwei couldn't bring herself to feel close to her.
"Why aren't you opening it? See if you like it. Auntie picked it out with great care." Jiang Feng looked at her expectantly.
Reluctantly, Wu Caiwei opened it and glanced inside. Two golden hairpins lay within. She said blandly, "Thank you, Auntie. I like them very much."
Jiang Feng frowned unconsciously, displeased with her reaction. She clearly felt a much greater distance from her this time, which was not a good sign.
So, she took Wu Caiwei's hand and had her sit beside her, looking at her with concern. "I heard you were very resistant to the marriage proposal from the Ye family. Can you tell Auntie why?"
"Isn't Auntie asking what she already knows? I don't believe you're unaware of the Ye family's situation. And yet you still want to persuade me to marry? Has all these years of your care been a lie?" Wu Caiwei wanted to confirm her attitude again, as she was the original owner's birth mother. Her attitude today would determine her own future stance towards her.
"It's not what you think. The young master of the Ye family is indeed critically ill and needs a bride for 'chongxi' (a ritualistic marriage to ward off misfortune). However, they have promised that if the 'chongxi' is successful, you will be the legitimate young madam of the Ye family. If it fails, they will provide you with a dowry to remarry." Jiang Feng, though advising Jiang Hanyue, knew in her heart that things were not as simple as they seemed.
If it were that simple, why offer such tempting conditions? Given the Ye family's status, if it were merely for 'chongxi', people would flock to them. They wouldn't offer conditions and simultaneously demand that the bride's elders sign indentured servitude contracts.
This was clearly a trap. However, her husband, for the first time in a long while, had come to her chambers to discuss this matter seriously, promising that if successful, he would transfer the Liu Family Winery to their son's name.
At first, she didn't want to push her own daughter forward. Instead, she approached her elder brother. Though her brother was usually only motivated by profit, he truly loved his two daughters. A little inquiry revealed the hidden dangers, and he refused outright. Not wanting to miss the opportunity to forge ties with the Ye family, he pushed Jiang Hanyue forward.
Jiang Feng hesitated for only a moment before nodding resolutely. At her core, she was a selfish person. Although Jiang Hanyue was her biological daughter and she was reluctant, her life in the Liu residence was not good. If this could elevate her status in the household, the deal was absolutely worth it.
Originally, she thought she would be in charge after the deaths of Old Master Liu and Madam Liu. However, her only son, Liu Wenjie, had been spoiled rotten by her. He was proficient in everything from drinking to womanizing and gambling, and as fast as a rabbit when it came to studying or business.
Over the years, she had gradually lost favor. She had only one child, while Concubine Bai gave birth one after another. Her children were also accomplished. The second young master was a skilled businessman, capable of independent operation. The third young master was a promising scholar, already a Xiucai at a young age, with immeasurable potential.
To the uninformed, she was still the glorious Madam Liu. But those who knew understood that Old Master Liu had abandoned them, mother and son, and even the servants had begun to treat them with indifference.
She had considered resorting to underhanded tactics, but as ruthless as she was, she had grown up in a village, and her methods were crude, no match for Concubine Bai, who had grown up in the opulent backyards of noble families.
Finally, an opportunity presented itself, and she had no intention of letting it go.