Chapter 1413: Chapter 1413: The Dong Family Proposes Marriage

Young Master Dou is not just all talk; he already had Dou Zhi brush against families who have partnerships with the Dou Family, vowing to find a high-class wealthy household, allowing Shang Xiuyu to marry again gloriously and infuriate the Lin Family.

"Marry again? You, a prostitute, still want to marry again? Even if you die, you’ll still be the ghost of my Lin Family. You dare marry again, I’ll destroy you!" Lin Guangtong went insane. He didn’t particularly like Shang Xiuyu, but if his original wife remarried, then what face would he have to show?

County Magistrate Zheng was truly annoyed with Lin Guangtong and instructed the government officials: "Gag him."

"Yes." The government officials immediately gagged Lin Guangtong with rough cloth.

"The Lin Family has no virtue, and since Miss Shang is willing to divorce, this official will follow the desire and judge Lin Guangtong and Miss Shang to divorce." County Magistrate Zheng had the court clerk write two copies of the divorce papers, allowing Shang Xiuyu and Lin Guangtong to press their fingerprints, and after registering and stamping them at the government office, handed one copy of the divorce papers to the Shang Family.

"Village Chief Shang, quickly present your granddaughter’s dowry list, and the county government will send people to help retrieve the dowry from the Lin Family."

The Shang Family’s status was not as high as the Lin Family’s; County Magistrate Zheng worried that if the Shang Family went to retrieve the dowry, the Lin Family might not comply.

"Thank you, Master. You truly are a fair and just magistrate." Village Chief Shang was moved to tears, holding the divorce papers and finally feeling relieved.

However, at this moment, Shang Xiuyu spoke: "Master, although Ms. Lin Su is not a good person, she was after all my civilian woman’s mother-in-law. I wish to ask you to spare her from public humiliation and a year of imprisonment, allow her to return home, and let the Shang and Lin families part amicably."

This comment left everyone in the courtroom stunned.

Ms. Zhang shouted: "Sister Yu, that poisonous woman Lin Su caused you so much harm; how can you let her go? Don’t be afraid; the family will stand up for you. We’ll make sure Lin Su is finished!"

Scholar Shang furrowed his brows deeply, thinking that this woman Ms. Zhang... Really lacked sense.

He said to Village Chief Shang: "Uncle, let’s follow Sister Yu’s idea. It’s a good deed. Spread this out, it’ll benefit not only Sister Yu but also our Shang Family, and people may say we are a virtuous, kind-hearted family."

Village Chief Shang considered it and agreed repeatedly: "Wenyuan, you truly understand the reasoning."

He promptly addressed County Magistrate Zheng: "Master, Sister Yu’s thoughts are the same as the whole family’s thoughts. Please, Master, help us out."

County Magistrate Zheng knew this matter was indeed beneficial for the Shang Family and Shang Xiuyu, so he agreed readily.

After a busy session, the case finally settled. County Magistrate Zheng declared the court dismissed, and the Lin Family members were escorted away. Shang Xiuyu fainted too.

"Sister Yu!" The Shang Family were quick to have Doctor Wu check on her.

After examining her, Doctor Wu smiled: "It’s nothing, just held on for too long and needs a good sleep."

However...

"Her miscarrying was due to being drugged, and her body suffered some damage. She needs to take medicine to recuperate for one or two years; otherwise, it will be hard to bear children." Doctor Wu prescribed two prescriptions for Shang Xiuyu, explaining how to use them, and handed them to... Shang Laoda’s Wife.

Shang Laoer’s Wife, although Shang Xiuyu’s birth mother, seemed unreliable.

Shang Laoda’s Wife accepted the prescriptions, carefully kept them, and thanked Doctor Wu.

"Quickly carry the child home to recover." Doctor Wu instructed.

Upon hearing this, Village Chief Shang’s family hurriedly took Shang Xiuyu home.

By the time they arrived home, the sky was completely dark. Village Chief Shang didn’t rest, instead he took Shang Laoda, Shang Laoer, and the eldest and second grandsons to Gu Qingliang’s family to apologize: "Today’s events were wrong on our part, causing you trouble."

Old Mrs. Yan was accommodating: "Village Chief, you are too kind. This matter was the Lin Family’s fault, your family is innocent. My family understands and won’t hold it against you."

She added: "Besides, we are relatives by marriage, so it’s only right... What was that saying?"

Gu Qingliang answered: "Grandmother, it’s sharing blessings and hardships."

"Yes, yes, that’s the saying. So, Village Chief, there’s no need to apologize. We are family." Old Mrs. Yan said with a smile.

Village Chief Shang, hearing this, almost shed tears: "To be relatives with your family is truly fortune for the Shang Family."

Earlier, he thought marrying into Gu Qingliang’s family was a loss, but after today’s events, hearing these words, Village Chief Shang felt his family had climbed high.

After apologizing, Village Chief Shang and his companions hurried back.

Meanwhile, Young Master Dou and Gu Jin’an were not idle, having notified storytellers to publicize the despicable deeds of the Lin Family.

The Lin Family’s reputation became infamous across Jianghuai and Jiangnan.

The folk in both regions began berating the Lin Family: "Truly a beastly family, treating their daughter-in-law not like a human, beating her so that there isn’t a piece of her body unharmed."

"Even using a knife to cut several scars on Shang Xiuyu’s belly, cutting back and forth; it’s simply inhuman! Just thinking about it now makes me shiver."

"It’s not just that; I heard there were numerous puncture marks on her body made by Ms. Lin Su using a sewing needle, and though the wounds are small, they are painfully agonizing; completely inexcusable!"

While everyone was busy cursing the Lin Family, another said: "Hey, have you heard? The wealthy Dong Family from Jinling wants their third brother to propose to Shang Xiuyu."

"Huh? Where did you hear that? How could it be? That Dong Family is a huge wealth holder in Jinling; why would they propose for their brother to a divorced woman returning home?"

"You don’t know, do you? The Dong Family has business ties with the Gu Family and Young Master Dou’s family. The Shang Family is related by marriage to the Gu Family, and the Gu Family is acquainted with Young Master Dou’s family. By marrying Shang Xiuyu, the Dong Family’s relationships with the Gu Family and Dou Family will solidify. This marriage proposal by the Dong Family isn’t at a loss."

"Furthermore, the Dong Family’s brother is also remarrying, so remarrying a successive wife usually doesn’t excessively regard family status."

The people, after hearing, asked again: "Then what about Dong Family’s third brother’s former wife? Did she divorce, get abandoned, or pass away?"

"She passed away; Mr. Dong’s wife died two years ago during childbirth, leaving behind a daughter."

"Oh, then Shang Xiuyu truly is fortunate."

Though people spoke of Shang Xiuyu being fortunate, many doubted that Mr. Dong would really propose to Shang Xiuyu. After all, Shang Xiuyu had just divorced, and the Dong Family was genuinely wealthy; even if marrying a successive wife, they wouldn’t likely choose a rural village chief’s granddaughter over a wealthy daughter from the prefecture.

However, this matter is absolutely true.

At this moment, Mr. Dong, accompanied by Gu Jin’an and Scholar Shang, had already arrived at Village Chief Shang’s house, personally speaking of the proposal.

Village Chief Shang was dumbfounded: "What? Mr. Dong, are you kidding?"

Mr. Dong smiled: "You’re too kind. Marriage matters, how dare Dong joke about that? Dong Family earnestly wishes for this, hoping Village Chief Shang will consider."

"This..." Village Chief Shang found it difficult, thought for a moment, and declined: "Mr. Dong, your family’s goodwill, I appreciate it, but this marriage cannot be. My granddaughter just returned home from divorce and is recuperating. It’s not suitable to discuss marriage for at least two years."

Village Chief Shang looked at Mr. Dong and added: "Sister Yu has already married wrongly once; she cannot marry wrongly again."

Mr. Dong understood and asked with a smile: "Village Chief Shang, are you concerned the Dong Family is only interested in benefits without genuine affection?"

Village Chief Shang’s thoughts aligned with that.

Mr. Dong said: "Actually, Dong accepted this matter indeed considering some benefits, but my third brother’s intention was not for benefits. He was moved after hearing your granddaughter’s plea for Ms. Lin Su and thus proposed."

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