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Chapter 441: Chapter 444: The Cruel Stepmother_1
The next morning, Granny Li arrived at the Lin Family in Big Willow Village. Once she identified herself, Jiang’s Clan happily welcomed her in.
Jiang’s Clan was unusually generous, entertaining her guest with brown sugar water and peanuts for the first time ever.
Granny Li was the town’s matchmaker, and it seemed possible that some young master had taken a fancy to the girl Chao Lian.
Even if it was to become a concubine, that would turn the fortunes of the Lin Family around!
"Thank you for your hospitality, Madam. I have been entrusted to come to your home to ask for a marriage proposal. I wonder if Miss Lin is betrothed to anyone."
Jiang’s Clan quickly shook her head: "No, we would be troubled and grateful for Granny Li to help with this matter."
"Rest assured, I will surely introduce a good family for the child. The boy’s parents have passed away early, and he has no brothers. Marrying over there, she won’t need to serve parents-in-law, nor will she have any sister-in-law to compete with ..."
Jiang’s Clan hurriedly interrupted Granny Li before she could finish.
"Are you talking about Sun Erhu from Big Willow Village?"
Granny Li nodded: "That’s right, Erhu is hardworking and down-to-earth, not flashy at all, a man suited for family life."
Jiang’s Clan’s face instantly fell. Why did it have to be Sun Erhu?
No matter how decent Sun Erhu was, he was still a mere peasant. What prospects could he have!
"Granny Li, not to speak out of turn, but my Chao Lian is pretty and hardworking, skilled in embroidery, and is known in the village for it, on top of being a filial child. She would be well-suited to a young master from the town," Jiang’s Clan said proudly.
Keeping Chao Lian was originally her calculation to marry her off to someone in town.
Leveraging her son-in-law’s influence, she planned to secure a bright future for her own children.
Granny Li patiently advised: "High-status families pay much attention to matching social status; even if she marries in, her life won’t be easy."
"Life won’t be as hard as living in this village. I can’t stand to see her toiling in the fields for the rest of her life. Please help, Granny Li. It doesn’t matter if the groom is a bit older or already has a child or two."
Jiang’s Clan clutched her chest, displaying an expression of heartache.
In truth, she was simply worried that her many years of hopes would be dashed.
As for what kind of life Chao Lian would lead later, she didn’t care at all; in fact, if Chao Lian were to end up unhappy, she would be quite pleased.
It wasn’t that she was heartless, but rather that Chao Lian and her mother should have never existed.
Granny Li knew all too well what was in her heart. What an evil stepmother, actually considering sending her stepdaughter to become a concubine!
Even though a stepmother could not be expected to be like a real mother, she shouldn’t be so wicked!
Chao Lian, standing outside, bit her lip and immediately turned towards Sun Erhu’s Home, where they were likely making cured meat.
She didn’t care for the riches of the town; she just wanted to marry her Brother Erhu.
"Chao Lian, how come you’re out here?" Sun Erhu asked anxiously.
Ever since Granny Li went to the Lin Family, his heart had been in turmoil, not resting for a moment.
Chao Lian said faintly, "I need to talk to sister-in-law about something."
Being a girl, she couldn’t just say, "My mother won’t let me marry you, and I’m so anxious," could she?
Qiao Duo’er pulled Chao Lian to the corner so she wouldn’t feel pressured.
Chao Lian whispered, "My mother... she doesn’t agree to my marrying Brother Erhu. No matter what the matchmaker says, she’s adamant about not agreeing. She wants me to marry into the town."
This answer was within Qiao Duo’er’s expectations; it wasn’t that Granny Li’s skills were lacking, but that Jiang’s heart was insatiable. She would never easily give up her prey.
But luckily, Qiao Duo’er had a plan.
"I have a way, just relax and wait to become Erhu’s bride," she said.
Qiao Duo’er raised an eyebrow, teasing Chao Lian until her face turned red, before she walked back towards the Lin Family.
