The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 381: Reward Given to the Wrong Person (1)_1

Chapter 381: Chapter 381: Reward Given to the Wrong Person (1)_1

As Sun Xiujin thought more about it, her laughter grew. Pei Qin was still dreaming of being a wealthy young lady, while Old Pei’s House had already sold her off! Perhaps they even got a good price for her. Even if Young Master Shen still wanted to take her as his wife, with a marriage contract in hand, Xiujin wondered what kind of scene she would make!

Not to mention Young Master Zhang, even the Magistrate’s son couldn’t make it happen, and neither could he!

The person accompanying Zhang Shiqian seemed well-dressed too. If they really accused them of a wedding theft or fraud, Pei Qin’s reputation would be completely destroyed, ruining her for life!

After thinking it over, Sun Xiujin pretended to stroll the streets casually, following Zhang Shiqian and his companion, trying to find out what kind of marital arrangement Old Pei’s family had set up for Pei Qin and who the other party was.

Zhao Junchao had come to Taiping Town to buy soy sauce, intending to see Pei Qin. He had carefully chosen his best outfit. With an average but neatly groomed appearance, he managed to look quite presentable.

Soon, Sun Xiujin guessed Zhao Junchao’s name from Zhang Shiqian’s conversation. This Zhao Junchao was no match for Young Master Shen! She couldn’t help laughing. She found the Zhao family name familiar, and now with a name, it would be easier to inquire further later on.

When she returned home in a good mood, a smile still lingered on her lips.

Li Baoxiang stood outside, admiring a michelia flower planted in the courtyard. He had agreed to this marriage partly because he had seen Sun Xiujin caring for flowers, not as refined as those wealthy young ladies but still more cultured than the rustic village girls. Seeing Xiujin return, he greeted her respectfully with a bow.

Sun Xiujin curtsied slightly and was about to retreat to her room when she remembered the information she wanted to inquire about, and with a gleam in her eye, she approached him to chat, "Do you by any chance know someone from the county school named Zhao Junchao? A young miss of mine is betrothed to him."

The two of them were about to get married soon and were already planning the wedding procession route. The countryside didn’t have many formalities. Knowing that her daughter was reluctant and dissatisfied with the marriage, Miao’s smile deepened as she saw Xiujin take the initiative to speak to Li Baoxiang.

Upon hearing who Xiujin was asking about, Li Baoxiang’s expression changed suddenly, and his face grew dark and grim.

Xiujin, puzzled, asked, "Do you know this person? Is there a problem? My friend is betrothed to him but seems to know nothing about him."

Li Baoxiang snorted coldly, "Isn’t he the one who married into the Pei Wenli family, becoming Wenli’s brother-in-law!?"

Xiujin was surprised. Becoming Pei Wenli’s brother-in-law... But Zhang Shiqian was often with Pei Wenli, and after Wenli became a scholar, Zhang even contributed silver to the county school. The things he said about Zhao Junchao couldn’t all be false, could they?

"Are you a close friend of Wenli’s sister?" Li Baoxiang pressed further.

Guessing that there must have been an incident between Baoxiang and Zhao Junchao, Xiujin quickly concealed her astonishment, smiled, and said, "We just know each other, spoke a few times. The Zhao Junchao’s betrothed girl spoke with such pride that I became curious," she then tentatively asked him, "Have you had some past grievances with Zhao Junchao?"

Li Baoxiang pursed his lips in angry silence, not saying much, only advising, "You’d better keep your distance from that proud young miss in the future!"

Sun Xiujin had just concocted a tale to inquire about Zhao Junchao, and now that she had her answer, she naturally nodded with a smile, "Without meeting, there’s no association. Besides, our homes are miles apart!" She needed to think carefully: Zhao Junchao was Pei Wenli’s brother-in-law, yet his betrothed was Pei Qin. What exactly was going on here!?

After the preparations were made, the Li family left without lingering.

Miao’s approached Xiujin to talk, advising her to marry peacefully. Li Baoxiang was polite and considered quite the catch in the local area, and she wouldn’t fare poorly by marrying him.

Xiujin wasn’t in the mood to listen to this now. She had already decided on the marriage, so why bring it up again!?