He feigned a sprained ankle, delaying his escape for a moment. As the bandits closed in, he seized the opportunity, striking one of them and, in Wang Yougen's disbelieving eyes, shoving him towards the attackers.
Naturally, there were more than just the two of them involved in the trade caravan. But with the bandits' arrival, everyone scrambled to flee, and no one noticed what transpired between them. By the time they reached safety, the group realized Wang Yougen hadn't followed.
They quickly reported the incident to the authorities. When the officials found Wang Yougen, he had already sustained multiple stab wounds and was dead.
He returned to the village alone with Wang Yougen's body. All the way back, he pondered. If he, a grown man, were to care for an orphan and a widow, he would surely be gossiped about. But if Wang Yougen had died saving him, wouldn't it be more convenient to frame it as a repayment of a debt?
With this thought in mind, upon returning to the village, he painted a thrilling account of the events, fabricating a story that Wang Yougen had shielded him from a fatal blow, that he had survived, but Wang Yougen had perished.
The merchants, too, were a mix of people from all corners, gathered for mutual support on the road. Once the trade was done, they would disperse. Besides, many in the village had never even left their township in their lives.
Indeed, he helped Liu Yu with the funeral arrangements and looked after Xiao Rui. Every day, he sent Sun Yuanyue to deliver things – money, food, necessities. His expenses mounted rapidly, and everyone praised him for his loyalty and compassion.
Even Wang Yougen's parents, at most, ignored him; they couldn't utter any harsh words.
The next day, Mother Li enlisted the help of a matchmaker to inquire about pretty girls. She didn't mind if they were divorced or widows with children.
This was the first time a matchmaker had encountered such a request. In rural areas, people generally believed that a girl of average looks, diligent, kind, virtuous, and from a not-too-poor family was ideal. Girls with good looks weren't always seen as an advantage in farming households; many mothers-in-law thought exceptional beauty could lead to trouble.
Of course, as long as the matchmaker received payment, she would find suitable girls.
Mother Li spared no expense this time, feeling a pang of regret. But the thought of her son being free from that enchantress made it all worthwhile.
Her conversation with her son the previous day had ended in disagreement. She had pondered all night and decided to proceed according to her own wishes, refusing to let that enchantress enter the family.
What man doesn't appreciate beauty? As long as they found a pretty one, she believed it would make her son change his mind. Wasn't Liu Yu pretty? Besides her good looks, what else did she have?
After expressing her resolve to her parents, Li Youcai spent his days at Liu Yu's home. Seeing that his parents no longer obstructed them, he assumed they had agreed. Their relationship quickly blossomed.
One day, Mother Li asked Li Youcai to accompany her to the market. Li Youcai didn't think much of it, assuming his mother wanted to buy something. He was even considering buying some cosmetics for Liu Yu at the market.
Upon arriving at the market, Mother Li led Li Youcai straight to the matchmaker's house.
As they walked, Li Youcai wondered which of their family members or relatives were of marriageable age and needed a matchmaker.
Coincidentally, not long after Mother Li spoke with the matchmaker, a steward from a county approached her. He said that his master wanted to find a reliable and honest man in the countryside for a maid from their household.
At first, the matchmaker hadn't paid much attention. But upon seeing the woman, she was stunned by her beauty.
Having worked as a matchmaker for decades, seeing all sorts of people, and having frequented the backyards of wealthy families, she immediately realized that the master likely favored her, but the mistress couldn't tolerate her.
With her discerning eye, she could tell the girl was no longer chaste. However, such looks in a village could be problematic. Therefore, she sent word to Mother Li, inviting her to see the girl.
If Mother Li didn't mind, then she had no reason to. If she disagreed, she would look for someone else. But with such beauty in this setting, finding a reliable match was extremely difficult. If she remained unmarried for too long, she would likely end up in a brothel.
After a perfunctory greeting, the matchmaker and Mother Li began to converse. From their dialogue, Li Youcai finally understood that his mother, disregarding his wishes, had brought him here for a blind date. His expression turned grim, and a wave of irritation washed over him.
Casually looking up, he saw a woman slowly walking in. Li Youcai felt as if his eyes were glued to her, unable to look away.
Qingping was accustomed to such gazes. Everyone had told her she was beautiful since she was a child. It was because of her appearance that her parents had sold her for a good price.
She knew exactly why she was here today. She disdained these "mud legs," but she had to feign docility to buy time. Otherwise, she was certain that the mistress, in her ruthlessness, would sell her to a brothel.
She firmly believed that the master would come to her rescue. The mistress wanted to get rid of her while he was away. She had worked hard to reach this point and couldn't afford to fail.
Mother Li was also dumbfounded. Seeing the woman's every smile, glance, and movement like a painting, she unconsciously swallowed. She was too beautiful.
Although Mother Li was a villager with little experience of the world, her intuition told her that if this woman were to become her daughter-in-law, it would bring no good. Such beauty was a source of trouble wherever it went. She began to waver, her smile becoming strained.
Qingping breathed a sigh of relief. This country bumpkin had some self-awareness. It wasn't that she was unwilling; it was that they weren't interested in her. They couldn't blame her.
Seeing Mother Li's expression, the matchmaker understood immediately and quickly sent Qingping away.
The two women then chatted about other matters. Finally, the matchmaker promised to do her best to find a suitable woman for Mother Li, who then left contentedly.
As the woman left, Li Youcai felt his heart leave with her. He realized that such beautiful women existed in the world. He had always thought Sun Yu was beautiful and perfect, but now he understood his own ignorance.
Li Youcai followed his mother, leaving with frequent backward glances, hoping to see that woman again.
Mother Li saw through her son's reaction but didn't say anything. It seemed Liu Yu's place in his heart wasn't that significant. If not for the woman's overwhelming beauty, bringing her home wouldn't have been a bad choice.
Li Youcai had seen much of the world through his travels as a merchant. Although the woman's voice and appearance lingered in his mind, he knew such a woman could never belong to him, nor was he willing to live in the countryside his whole life.
In the past, when he went on his trading trips, he'd heard others talk about the exquisite beauty of concubines and maids in wealthy households. At the time, he had scoffed, thinking to himself, "Could they be more beautiful than Liu Yu, who was once a lady of noble birth?"
Today's experiences had changed his perspective. Without him realizing it, Liu Yu's standing in his heart was subtly shifting.
A woman's intuition is the most accurate. Although Li Youcai said nothing and seemed no different than usual, Liu Yu felt she was no longer as important to him.
This wouldn't do. She had to do something to change the situation, as Li Youcai was her last hope.