Chapter 50: Proposal

Shen Li looked at them coldly, "Fine, we'll wait for the county magistrate's office. Since it's a matter of life and death, you'd better go early tomorrow."

The words themselves sounded polite, but coming from Shen Li, they made Wang Qiang's parents feel as if their hearts were clogged with a filthy rag.

They glared viciously at Zhou Qing and Shen Li, "Just you wait!"

With that, Wang Qiang's parents and the clan leader from Wang Village left, and the courtyard fell silent.

Everyone had gathered for Mid-Autumn Festival moon viewing, but instead of enjoying the moon, they witnessed a major drama.

Outside Shen Li's house, there was a thick crowd of onlookers.

Cheng Wu stood at the forefront, his fists clenched tightly, staring at Zhou Qing and Shen Li in the courtyard.

He had clearly seen Shen Li taking advantage of Zhou Qing earlier.

His heart felt like it had been stabbed with scissors.

Zhou Qing was still holding onto Zhou Huaihai, who was struggling to hold on, groaning for help, "M-mother..."

Upon hearing Zhou Huaihai’s voice, Sun was so anxious, it felt like she was being fried in oil.

Supporting Old Zhou with one hand, she pointed at Zhou Qing with the other.

"The marriage is annulled, and we agreed to the clan leader's terms. What more do you want! Let him go!"

Zhou Qing said, "Words alone aren't enough, we need a written agreement."

She then turned to Zhou Huaishan, "Father, go write a document."

Shen Li stepped in, "I'll write it."

Zhou Ping quickly ran into the house to fetch paper and a brush. Shen Li started writing swiftly.

"First, the marriage between Zhou Qing and Wang Qiang is annulled."

Shen Li wrote a sentence, and Zhou Huaishan read it out loud.

Reading this sentence, Zhou Huaishan wanted to kick this rascal.

This opportunistic scoundrel!

Rolling his eyes inwardly, Zhou Huaishan quietly hummed.

Shen Li continued writing the second sentence.

"Second, from now on, Zhou Huaishan and Zhou Qing's affairs are not to be interfered with by Zhou Bingde, Zhou Huaihai, or their families. Violators will compensate Zhou Qing and Zhou Huaishan with five thousand taels of silver, and any interference will be null and void."

After reading this, Zhao quickly added, "Include my family as well."

Shen Li then wrote a third point in the same format.

"Fourth, Zhou Bingde, Zhou Huaihai, and their families are not to slander or frame Zhou Qing and Zhou Huaishan. Violators will compensate Zhou Qing and Zhou Huaishan with one hundred taels of silver."

Zhou Huaishan read this, then frowned, "It was five thousand taels just now, why is it only one hundred taels this time?"

Shen Li smiled, "I'll explain to you later, Master."

Once Shen Li finished writing and added the date, he handed the document to the clan leader, "Please review it."

Shen Li's respect for the clan leader made him feel quite pleased. He glanced over the document and then looked at Zhou Bingde, "Put your fingerprint on it."

"No ink pad." Old Zhou almost spat out these words through gritted teeth, glaring hatefully at Zhou Huaishan and Zhou Huailin.

His Zhou family had completely fallen apart.

The whole village knew that Zhou Bingde had to put his fingerprint on it!

What a disgrace!

"No problem."

Shen Li picked up the teacup they had been using to drink tea while viewing the moon, poured out the tea, and bit his own finger to let some blood drip into the cup.

The clan leader...

This young man is really determined!

Zhou Bingde looked at the cup, his cheekbones twitching on his iron-green face, "Fine, I'll do it!"

As if out of spite, Zhou Bingde dipped his thumb in the blood and pressed it onto the paper.

Once Zhou Bingde was done, it was Wang, Sun, and Zhou Huaihai's turn.

Zhou Qing put away the document, let go of Zhou Huaihai, and turned to Zhou Bingde, "I call you grandpa. Even if you don't care about me, don't harm me. If not for my sake, think about how your actions will affect Zhou Yuan's future!"

With the family in such turmoil, Zhou Qing stopped calling Zhou Yuan her elder brother, addressing him by name instead.

Sun wanted to say something but was silenced by a glare from Old Zhou, who turned and walked away with a dark expression.

The clan leader watched Old Zhou's back and sighed.

Indeed.

Harming Zhou Qing would also implicate Zhou Yuan.

Once Zhou Qing released Zhou Huaihai, he jumped up and slapped Wang hard.

"Ignorant woman, look at what you've done. Apologize to Qing right now!" With one slap and one sentence, he completely distanced himself from the matter.

But Wang, having been slapped, could say nothing.

What could she say!

Could she tell the whole village that Zhou Huaihai was involved too?

She couldn't!

Zhou Huaihai still had to teach at the clan school, his livelihood depended on it, not to mention... Zhou Yuan was also involved.

Thinking about how this matter might affect Zhou Yuan, Wang glared resentfully at Zhou Qing.

If she hadn't made such a fuss, none of this would have happened!

After all the commotion, things finally calmed down.

As Zhou Huaihai left, Wang and Sun followed suit.

The clan leader waved to the onlookers, "Disperse, disperse. Every household has its own trivial matters, nothing worth watching. Go home!"

Once the onlookers were gone, the clan leader patted Zhou Huaishan on the shoulder, "Shan, study hard. Once you pass the imperial exams, no one will dare to bully Qing."

He smiled encouragingly.

Zhou Huaishan...

I know you're trying to comfort me, but could you find another way?

With a thick, honest face, he forced a smile that looked worse than crying.

The clan leader sighed and left.

Everyone had left, but Cheng Wu stood at the gate, hesitating and struggling for a long time before finally mustering the courage to walk in.

"Sister Qing."

As he spoke, Cheng Wu felt his voice trembling. Not just his voice, his entire body was shaking.

Everyone in the courtyard looked at Cheng Wu.

Cheng Wu...

After failing his confession last time, even though he tried to build up his courage again, he still couldn't speak up.

"I... I..."

These words "I want to marry you" were on the tip of his tongue but wouldn't come out.

After a long struggle, Cheng Wu’s shoulders slumped, his eyelids drooping.

"Sister Qing, are you alright?"

Shen Li squinted his eyes, moving behind Zhou Qing under the pretense of setting down the teacup.

Zhou Qing smiled at Cheng Wu, "I'm fine. What could be wrong? You saw everything."

Cheng Wu felt a pang in his heart.

He saw everything!

He saw that young boss kiss her!

But now Sister Qing was acting as if nothing had happened, telling him she was fine.

His mind in a mess, Cheng Wu forced a smile, "As long as you're fine, Sister Qing. I'll be going now."

He turned and left.

Zhou Huaishan gave Cheng Wu a meaningful look.

He hadn't realized his daughter had such charm.

Once Cheng Wu left, Zhou Qing slapped Shen Li on the chest.

"Thanks for your quick thinking today. Thank you!"

She then winked at Shen Li, her expression saying: Good brother, very loyal!

Shen Li...

Zhou Yao’s eye twitched, "Big sis, this happened in front of the whole village. You two... this... this..."

Shen Li turned to Zhou Huaishan, "Master, I will take responsibility for today's events. I will follow all the proper marriage customs and protocols."

Zhou Qing immediately rolled her eyes.

"What proper customs and protocols! Do you think I, Zhou Qing, am the kind of person who repays a life-saving debt with my body? Relax, I know you did it as a last resort. Thanks a lot."

Zhou Yao bit her lip, "But, big sis, he already did that. If you don't marry him, how will you face the villagers' gossip?"

Zhou Qing was kissed in front of everyone!

Zhou Qing looked unconcerned, "Let them talk if they want. I don't care."

Zhou Huaishan squinted at Shen Li.

Something's up!

After a moment of silence, Zhou Huaishan pointed his finger at Shen Li.

"I'm telling you, if Cheng Wu proposes to my daughter tomorrow and she agrees, I’ll approve without hesitation. As for you, unless I pass the imperial exams, don't even think about it!"