Divorced woman with child travels through time

"Come in, come in and let's talk."

Chen Wenfang opened the door and welcomed Wang, the matchmaker, into the house. She then carried firewood into the yard and offered her some peanuts.

Chen Xuanyu was also eating peanuts next to him when Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "Aunt Wang, you should know that I am new here and do not understand these social customs. My husband's elders passed away early, and my husband died less than a year ago. Is it appropriate for me to marry into this family?" Chen Wenfang was actually already expressing her refusal.

Matchmaker Wang laughed, "These are certainly suitable. Don't you know who asked me to come? It was you, Madam Chen. I wouldn't ask just anyone for this."

Chen Wenfang thought to herself, "Is this person deliberately ignoring human language?" She then went along with her words, saying, "Which family is that? It's not really appropriate for someone my age to do this."

Matchmaker Wang said, "They are the only powerful and wealthy family in Wangjia Village. Everyone treats them with respect. If you marry into their family, you'll be living a life of luxury. You'll never have to worry about food or clothing, and you'll be adorned with gold and silver."

Chen Wenfang thought to herself, "I don't believe you for a second. What powerful or wealthy family is there in Wangjiazhuang?" So she deliberately said, "Well, this humble woman doesn't know much about powerful or wealthy people. I'm afraid I'm not worthy of their status."

Granny Wang laughed and said, "It's that scholar who has taken a liking to you; you're incredibly lucky!"

Chen Wenfang sneered inwardly. "Do you want this good fortune? Damn it! That old scholar! He's over forty, and his daughter is already so old! So shameless!" Not wanting to retaliate, she smiled and said, "My husband has passed away, and I should observe three years of mourning for him. This custom cannot be broken."

Granny Wang laughed and said, "You came from the south, which is far away, so nobody will know. It's no big deal."

Chen Wenfang was furious. How could this old man be so shameless? She had refused him several times already. So she bluntly said, "Master Wang, you also have a wife. You're not here to take me as a concubine, are you?"

Even though Wang Po was called out, she wasn't angry. She casually said, "I always said that Madam Chen is clever. Since you guessed it, I'll be blunt. With your family's circumstances, it's your good fortune that Master Wang has taken a liking to you. Once Master Wang passes the imperial examination, you'll be the husband of a top scholar!"

Then she added, "With your qualifications, if you didn't know herbs and have some good looks, Master Wang wouldn't have taken a liking to you."

Chen Wenfang was so angry that she laughed and said, "I wonder how much dowry Master Wang is willing to offer to take me as his concubine?"

Granny Wang continued, "Given your family's circumstances, the house belongs to your cousins, and you still want a dowry? You even have a child to support, yet Master Wang hasn't looked down on you."

"Damn it," Chen Wenfang cursed inwardly. She stood up and said with a smile, "So you mean if Master Wang doesn't mind my child, I'll have to rush to become a concubine for someone who can be my father? If you think so highly of me, why don't you go for it? I think you're quite good-looking, know how to dress, and are very beautiful. As the saying goes, a woman in her middle age is even more alluring. Aren't you more suitable?"

Granny Wang's face flushed red and then turned pale. "You, you, you..." she stammered, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

This Madam Chen is quite formidable; her words are subtle yet insidious, sounding both like a compliment and a scolding.

Seeing that Granny Wang was speechless after being rebuked, Chen Wenfang felt a little better and said, "Aunt Wang, I have no intention of remarrying. Thank you for your trouble. Goodbye."

Granny Wang said angrily, "You won't marry into such a good family. Let's see if you'll ever be able to get married in the future, hmph..."

She swayed her hips and stormed off angrily.

Chen Xuanyu only half understood what she was saying. He chased after her, throwing a small stone at her. Wang Po turned around, looked at him, and scolded, "You little rascal!" Then she turned back to Chen Wenfang and scolded, "You good-for-nothing! What are you pretending for? You've raised nothing good either!"

Chen Wenfang grabbed a broom and chased after her, while Granny Wang screamed and cursed as she ran away.

"What a damn bad luck..." Chen Wenfang spat, beckoned her son in, and closed the courtyard gate.