After the separation, I took my whole family to eat delicious food and drink spicy

After leaving Matchmaker Wang's house, Li Fang walked briskly back home. She was thinking about how to report the good news to Su, and also thinking about how much benefit she could get from it.

In Su's room, she was sewing a new dress with her head down. She looked calm, but in reality, her heart was already surging. Hearing Li Fang's return, she looked up, a barely perceptible sharpness flashing in her eyes. "How's it going? Did you find out?"

Li Fang hurried forward, lowering her voice and repeating to Su what Wang Po, the matchmaker, had said, word for word. When she mentioned the betrothal gift, she emphasized it, as if the gold, silver, and jewelry were within her reach.

Upon hearing this, Su's lips curled up into a subtle smile, but she quickly regained her usual composure. "Well, that does sound good. But we can't rush into anything. We need to think it over carefully," she said, putting down her needlework, a calculating glint in her eyes.

"Mom, you are right. But we have to hurry up, so as not to cause any more trouble." Li Fang added anxiously. She knew in her heart that once this marriage was completed, she would be able to get a lot of benefits from Su.

Su nodded and motioned for Li Fang to lean closer. "Go tell Matchmaker Wang this and ask her to sound out the man's intentions and see if they can increase the betrothal gift. Also, be careful not to let anyone know we're in such a hurry to marry off our daughter, or they'll look down on us."

Li Fang nodded repeatedly, secretly admiring Su's shrewdness.

Meanwhile, Li Xiaoxiao was oblivious to the impending disaster. Her body gradually recovered, and so did her mood. Every day, she sat in the yard, gazing at the familiar sky, her heart filled with longing for the future. She didn't know what lay ahead, but she believed that no matter what the future held, she would face it bravely.

However, fate didn't seem to intend for her to continue living such a carefree life. One evening, Li Xiaoxiao was feeding chickens in the yard when she heard hurried footsteps. She looked up and saw Li Fangshi walking towards her with a beaming face.

"Xiaoxiao, I have good news to tell you!" Li Fang said as she pulled Li Xiaoxiao's hand, as if she was afraid that she would run away.

Li Xiaoxiao looked at Li Fangshi with a puzzled expression, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart. "What good news?" she asked softly.

Li Fangshi didn't answer her question directly, but said mysteriously, "You'll soon find a good home. There's a wealthy and well-behaved family in town who's waiting to marry you!"

Li Xiaoxiao's face turned pale upon hearing this. She suddenly pulled her hand back and took a few steps back, her eyes full of determination. "No! I don't want to get married! I want to stay home!"

Seeing this, Li Fang's face darkened and her tone became stern. "Nonsense! Girls have to get married when they grow up. This is your fate and also a blessing for our family. Don't be so ungrateful!"

Li Xiaoxiao shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "I don't want it! I don't know anything, how can I get married? They'll bully me!" Li Xiaoxiao hoped that by pretending to be weak, she would gain sympathy and perhaps even call off the marriage. But she underestimated the allure of money for the Su family.

Su, who was sewing shoe soles in her room, was so angry that she threw the soles onto the bed. She walked out of the room and yelled at Li Xiaoxiao, "You said you don't want to marry me, then don't marry me. I'm still here! I have the final say on your marriage. It's already been decided. Just sit back and wait to be the bride!"

Li Xiaoxiao stood there in a daze, watching Li Fangshi and Sushi's retreating figures, her heart filled with anger. She had to do something, otherwise these people would really think she was the original owner and so easy to bully.

In the evening, Li Xiaoxiao told Bai about the engagement. Bai's face was full of worry after hearing it. Since ancient times, a girl's marriage has been determined by her parents and the matchmaker. When Li Shan was around, Xiaoxiao could make her own decision on her marriage, but now that Li Shan is gone, Su will definitely hold on to Xiaoxiao's marriage and not let go.

Li Xiaoxiao reached out and held Bai's hand, whispering, "Don't worry, mother. There will always be a way. Mother, first try to find out about that family and see if they are as good as my aunt says. I'm worried there might be some deception. If they are as good as she says, why doesn't she marry her daughter to them?"

After hearing what Li Xiaoxiao said, a glimmer of realization flashed across Mrs. Bai's eyes. She patted the back of Li Xiaoxiao's hand and comforted her, "Xiaoxiao, you're right. We can't easily believe what they say. I'll go find out about that family tomorrow to see if they're really as wealthy and kind as your aunt-in-law said. As for you, don't be impulsive. Be careful in everything you do."

The next morning, while going to the market in town, Bai quietly inquired about the family's situation with her neighbors. She discovered that while the family did have some wealth in town, the man was said to be in poor health and could die at any time. That's why his family was so anxious to find a matchmaker to bring him good luck. This news made Bai even more worried. If Xiaoxiao really married into the family, she would truly be a widow.

Bai returned home dejected and told Li Xiaoxiao what she had learned in town. Li Xiaoxiao was also furious. No wonder Li Fang and the others were so eager to help arrange this marriage. The man had actually offered a betrothal gift of thirty taels, which would have been enough for a peasant family to cover their expenses for several years.

Li Xiaoxiao calmed down and said comfortingly, "Mom, don't worry. I won't marry him. At worst, we can just live separately. That way, you can decide my marriage."

After hearing Li Xiaoxiao's words, Bai was shocked. She had never thought about moving out and living on her own. Without the protection of the Li family, how would she, a widow with three children and no skills, make a living? Thinking about it, Bai also expressed her concerns.

"Mom, don't worry. I'm fine now. I will find a way to make money to support you and your brothers and sisters. What we need to do now is to find a way to reject the marriage and then divide the family." After saying that, Li Xiaoxiao told Bai about his plan.

After listening to Li Xiaoxiao's arrangements, Bai gradually felt relieved.

The next morning, after breakfast, everyone from the first and second wives went to work in the fields, and Bai Shi also joined them. Li Xiaoxiao and the others stayed at home, feeding the chickens and pigs, cleaning the yard, etc.

Perhaps Matchmaker Wang had informed Li Fangshi ahead of time that a man would come to propose marriage today, so neither Su nor Li Fangshi left the house. At noon, Matchmaker Wang led a handsomely decorated carriage to a stop in front of the Li family's gate, drawing a crowd of onlookers. A middle-aged man in fine clothes emerged from the carriage, followed by several servants carrying various gifts. He was clearly here to propose marriage.

Seeing this, Li Fang and Su smiled with satisfaction on their faces, and hurried forward to greet this "distinguished guest" warmly.

However, to Li Xiaoxiao, all this seemed like a ridiculous farce. She stood aside and watched silently. Li Xiaoxiao clenched her fists, her heart filled with anger and resentment. She knew she had to take action to prevent this absurd marriage from becoming a reality.