Chapter 3: Betrothal

Madam Wen was momentarily stunned.

Old Master Jiang felt a twinge of shame. He stepped forward and explained the situation repeatedly, making it clear that it wasn’t that Caiyuan Jiang had changed her mind about marriage or that the Wen family’s honor was being compromised. Rather, Caiyuan Jiang had originally been betrothed to the Chen family. Now, since the Jiang family’s young daughter was of marriageable age, having just graduated from two years of high school, well-educated and attractive, the praise was endless—emphasizing that she was by no means a random choice to appease the Wen family.

“Um…” Madam Wen opened her mouth for a long time, uncertain how to respond.

The elderly couple of the Jiang family were honest and modest; although this marriage proposal wasn’t aggressively pursued by them, it was still difficult to speak plainly about it.

Caiyuan Jiang, however, was poised and calm as Madam Wen appraised her. She showed no sign of guilt or timidity, standing upright like a slender poplar tree.

Madam Wen’s expression softened, mainly because Caiyuan Jiang was indeed beautiful! Her delicate features made her heart melt, and perhaps her son, who had high standards, might be willing.

So, she followed Old Master Jiang’s lead and went inside to discuss matters gently.

Once both families had gone inside, Caiyuan Jiang stood at the doorway waiting for her elder brother. Soon, a tall young man hurried back in a fluster.

His first words upon entering were: “Sister, you can’t marry into the Wen family!”

“I’ve found out that the Wen family has had no descendants for generations. It was foretold long ago that Wen Zongfu would have no children. Their family line is dying out—once prosperous, now on the verge of extinction!”

Caiyuan frowned deeply. Indeed, the Wen family had no children in the previous generation. She grabbed her brother’s sleeve and said, “Brother, don’t get caught up in superstition. Saying ‘no descendants’ sounds so harsh.”

“It’s a fact!” he insisted.

“Have you even tried?” Caiyuan rolled her eyes.

Older Brother Jiang fell silent. If he had tried, things would have been different.

“Listen to me, sister, we shouldn’t marry them.” He patted her head and was about to go inform their parents.

But Caiyuan acted quickly, pulling him aside to warn, “Brother, don’t ruin things for me. The Wen family is fine. Where else can you find such a good match for a girl?”

“He can’t have children…” Brother Jiang tried to reason.

“But the Chen family can, and they have two already. If I marry there, I’d have to be a stepmother. That’s a hard role to play, isn’t it?” Caiyuan released her brother’s hand. “You didn’t want me to marry into the Chen family, and now that there’s another chance, why should I care if he can have children or not? I’m willing to marry.”

“Sis…”

“Do you trust me? Trust that I can live my life well?”

Brother Jiang looked into his sister’s bright eyes and fell silent for a moment. Caiyuan was smart, capable, and had her own opinions. When he wasn’t home, she managed the household.

He sighed deeply. “Are you sure?”

She nodded without hesitation.

She had suffered enough with children before. Life without them was far better—free and easy forever.

On Caiyuan’s side, she was willing, and on Madam Wen’s side, though reluctant, after hearing Old Master Jiang’s explanation, they agreed to the new match.

Their reluctance stemmed from Caiyuan’s slender frame, which gave the impression that childbirth would be difficult.

Worried for her, Madam Wen touched Caiyuan’s hand before she left and urged, “Take good care of your health.”

Caiyuan promised she would.

After seeing off the Wen family, Old Master Jiang handed over the 500-yuan bride price Madam Wen had brought to Jiang’s mother.

A full 500 yuan, complete with all the customary gifts: a bicycle, a radio, a watch, and a sewing machine!

Each item was the talk of Jiangshui Village—the Jiang family’s third daughter was truly blessed!

The villagers, unaware of the rumors about the Wen family’s lack of heirs, envied the generous dowry.

As the Jiang family’s second sister-in-law passed the house of the four-member Jiang family, she slammed the iron gate in frustration.

Five hundred yuan! The three gifts and one turn—all of it! Her heart ached at the thought.

Because of Caiyuan’s intervention, the eldest brother never told their parents about the Wen family’s rumored infertility, sparing the elderly couple unnecessary worry.

Caiyuan took the bride price home and began preparing for her marriage in peace.

Her parents loved her dearly and gave her 200 yuan to purchase additional dowry items herself.

After all, the Wen family was making a grand match, and their own family couldn’t lose face.

The eldest brother even contributed the 30 yuan he had saved for Caiyuan’s trousseau. He didn’t have much; most of his earnings had gone to support the family.

Caiyuan initially refused, but when her brother glared fiercely, she had no choice but to accept.

That night, as she lay in bed before sleep, Caiyuan couldn’t help but recall her previous life’s marriage preparations. Back then, the engagement was also set, but since she was marrying into a second marriage and becoming a stepmother, the atmosphere in the Jiang household was gloomy.

The Chen family’s bride price was modest—just fifty yuan, plus some chickens, ducks, and fish.

At the time, she was naive and unfamiliar with marriage, holding little anticipation.

But this time, she couldn’t help but think of Wen Zongfu, the man she was to marry this life.

She didn’t expect a perfect marriage but still hoped to marry someone who would respect her and give her dignity.

She could only hope…