Chapter 4: This Is Shanshow Village (Errata)

Page 1/3

Elder Cao wore a troubled expression and said, “Life is unpredictable; this is beyond our control. Brother Xi is a good young man, and our family has been very satisfied with him. Brother Bin holds him in his heart as well. But who could have anticipated such a misfortune? Brother Xi’s face is truly ruined now. This isn’t something we can blame ourselves for. In my opinion, it’s best to call off the engagement.”

Liu Xiufeng’s heart ached for her child, and seeing the entire Cao family in her home filled her with rage. She scolded them, “You speak as if you are the ones wronged, as if you are so burdened by this. You are heartless, despising my son’s appearance now, and trying to shift the blame onto us. If you had any conscience, you would warmly welcome my Brother Xi into your family instead of coming here with a crowd just to call off the engagement!”

Matchmaker Wang let out a soft sigh and quickly went to comfort Liu Xiufeng, “Sister Liu, please don’t be upset. We are just trying to discuss this calmly. There’s no need to rush over the child’s matters.”

Ye Shan couldn’t hold back and burst into the room. The sturdy man stood in the hall, fuming, “Is my Brother Xi no longer presentable? You’re rushing here to call off the match when the wedding is only two months away. This is a slap in my family’s face! How can my Brother Xi have any dignity after this?”

Cao Bin’s mother was no pushover either. Having managed the household finances for decades, she was sharp and fierce. Gone was the gentle and honest demeanor she had when they first came to propose. Raising her voice, she said, “Don’t blame us for this. Did we burn Brother Xi’s face? It was your negligence that caused his injury. Now that his looks are ruined, he’s shameful to show around. How could we let him marry into our family? If our son married him, it would be a joke!”

Liu Xiufeng was furious at such words about Ye Xi and tried to rush forward to strike her, but Matchmaker Wang and several other Cao family members quickly held her back. The hall erupted into chaos.

Ye elder slammed the table heavily and declared, “Calling off the engagement is acceptable, but your family must compensate for the damage to my Brother Xi’s reputation.” The Cao family’s attitude today made it clear they were reluctant to call it off. If the marriage went through, life would be unbearable for Brother Xi. It was better to concede and end the engagement—but not without compensation.

Liu Xiufeng said, “Exactly. You must compensate my Brother Xi to help him patch up his losses.”

Cao Bin’s mother was reluctant to part with money. She was always tight-fisted, refusing, “If your son hadn’t burned his face, this engagement would be settled by now. And you want us to pay compensation? No way!”

Ye elder replied firmly, “Then we won’t call it off. If this escalates to the magistrate’s office, it’s your family who backed out first!”

“Exactly. Let it escalate if you want. The fault isn’t ours; it’s your family coming to cancel the engagement,” Liu Xiufeng said.

Seeing the Ye family’s stance, Elder Cao took charge and said, “Compensation is fine. You keep one tael of the betrothal money; the remaining four taels will be returned to us.”

Liu Xiufeng was even more furious, “One tael? Are you treating us like beggars? We will keep three taels and return two!”

Cao Bin’s mother would not yield, “You’re robbing us! You won’t earn three taels even if you work the fields all year. This is nothing but opportunism!”

Ye Shan, unable to hold back, argued fiercely, “Is my Brother Xi’s reputation worthless? No one in ten miles has ever had an engagement broken off like this. This is a slap in my brother’s face! Three taels is nothing!”

The rest of the Cao family stood and shouted back at the Ye family. Ye Shan was furious and wanted to go find the village elders. Were they bullying them just because the Ye family had no power?

Just as he turned, Ye Xi suddenly appeared at the door. He quietly stood there, watching the chaos inside.

“Brother Xi,” Ye Shan called softly, afraid he might be upset by the scene. “Go back inside. We’ll handle this for you. Don’t be afraid.”

Ye Xi shook his head. This matter arose because of him. Besides, many villagers had gathered outside, craning their necks to watch. How could he hide indoors?

“Big brother, this is because of my marriage. I shouldn’t hide from it.”

With that, Ye Xi stepped over the threshold into the hall. “Uncles, aunts, please stop arguing. I am willing to call off this engagement.”

His words silenced the room. Everyone wiped their tears and returned to their seats.

Ye Xi looked at his parents before continuing, “Since the Cao family no longer wants me, there’s no point in dragging this out. Our family isn’t the type to cling desperately and cause a scene. Clinging on would only make us a laughingstock.”

Page 2/3

Only then did Cao Bin’s mother flick her eyelids and glance at Ye Xi. Seeing he wore a veil, she said, “That’s more like it. Brother Xi is sensible after all. If you hadn’t accidentally burned your face, I would have been happy to welcome you into our family.”

Ye elder, feeling sorry for his son, said, “Brother Xi, the engagement can be called off, but we must still get the compensation owed to us.”

Ye Xi replied, “Our family isn’t after your money. We just want an explanation. Your Cao family is not some royal household. I don’t have to marry into your family, but you should publicly apologize and clarify that this isn’t because of any flaw in my character—it’s because your family values appearance more than integrity. You owe me that.”

Liu Xiufeng wiped her tears and nodded, “That’s right! I don’t even want that one tael!”

Ye Shan agreed, “Brother Xi is right! Don’t expect to take all the advantage. If you’re calling off the engagement, you should openly apologize to restore my brother’s reputation!”

The Cao family naturally refused. Such humiliation was something they would never admit to, fearing ridicule from others.

Cao Bin’s mother scoffed, “We absolutely won’t do that! Don’t you fear the disgrace of our family’s name?”

Elder Cao also rejected the idea, unwilling to bring such shame upon themselves.

“Then just stick to the three taels compensation,” Ye Xi said calmly.

Cao Bin’s mother, protective of her silver, felt her heart bleed at the thought of giving away three taels. She gritted her teeth and bargained, “Three taels is impossible. At most, one tael.”

The matter reached a stalemate. Both families refused to back down as the sun began to set. At that moment, someone outside shouted, “Cao Bin is here!”

Cao Bin hurried over after school. He knew his parents planned to come to Shanxiu Village to end the engagement, and he expected the Ye family wouldn’t let it go easily.

Entering the Ye family hall, which was packed with people, his mother scolded him, “Why did you come? This is something your father, the uncles, and I can handle. You don’t need to show your face.”

Cao Bin pursed his lips and replied, “It’s my engagement after all. It’s better if I come myself.”

Ye Xi stood nearby, observing the young man in a blue long robe. After the engagement was arranged, Cao Bin had visited once. Ye Xi had peered from behind a door crack and found him to be gentle and refined, with a scholarly air. He was satisfied with him.

Now, face to face for the first time, Ye Xi lowered his eyes and thought: Could it be that Cao Bin came to refuse the engagement breakup?

Cao Bin also glanced at Ye Xi. Standing beside his brother Ye Shan, he looked somewhat small but was slender and graceful. Though veiled, his exposed brows and eyes were strikingly beautiful. Cao Bin sighed inwardly, regretting the burn. Ye Xi’s appearance was exquisite—wealthy town ladies likely lacked such delicate charm. He hoped the facial injury wasn’t too serious and might be treatable.

Cao Bin made the polite scholar’s bow. “This matter is our family’s fault. We ask the Ye family to forgive us.”

The Ye family’s anger eased somewhat, relieved that the Cao family sent someone courteous.

Ye Xi returned the bow.

Cao Bin said, “Actually, this marriage doesn’t have to be called off. The rumor about Brother Ye’s burn is just gossip. If it can be healed, all the better. If so, I am willing to marry Brother Ye.”

He really could not give up on such a handsome young man. Even daughters of wealthy families in town rarely had such exquisite features. This young man was a rare find.

Ye Xi’s eyes lowered gradually, a faint self-mocking smile playing on his lips. He had thought Cao Bin was sincere and polite, but it turned out he was also superficial and cared only about appearances.

Page 3/3

He smiled lightly and asked, “What if the burn on my face cannot be healed? Would you still marry me?”

Cao Bin opened his mouth but was at a loss for words, his expression awkward and troubled.

Seeing this, Ye Xi already had his answer. He gently lifted the veil off his face.

The Ye family gasped, “Brother Xi!”

But it was too late; Ye Xi had exposed the burn on his left cheek.

The room fell silent except for gasps. Ye Xi could see the emotions in each person’s eyes—surprise, shock, and then settled disdain.

Cao Bin, seeing the burn up close, took a step back in fright, unwilling to look again.

Ye Xi smiled faintly, rewrapped his veil, and softly asked, “Do you still want to wait for me to be healed before marrying me?”

Cao Bin cleared his throat and said no more.

His mother rose, full of disdain. “In my opinion, Brother Xi’s face is beyond repair. With such an appearance, it’s no wonder our family refuses. Even the village’s old bachelors wouldn’t want him. Our Bin is preparing for the imperial examination. If he marries someone disfigured, he will be a laughingstock across the countryside.”

The Ye family wanted to rebuke her, but Ye Xi calmly said, “Then Cao family, please make a polite bow and apologize. Let this engagement be ended.”

Cao Bin initially worried about how breaking the engagement would damage his family’s reputation. But after seeing Ye Xi’s shocking face, he no longer cared. He hurriedly bowed to Ye Xi. “We wronged you, Brother Xi. Please take care of yourself in the future.”

Ye Xi said, “We will keep the betrothal money. Since you refuse to apologize publicly, you must pay compensation. We agreed: three taels, or we will call in the elders and village chief to judge.”

Ye Xi had made his decision. His parents could not say much more. At least there was a solution.

Cao Bin’s mother still hated to part with the money, but after a stern scolding from Elder Cao, she relented. This was the best outcome.

After both families agreed, Matchmaker Wang tore up the engagement contract. Both families signed documents to end the engagement.

Cao Bin left hurriedly with his family, likely terrified by Ye Xi’s face.

Ye Shan patted his brother’s back affectionately. “Brother Xi, you’ve been wronged.”

Ye Xi exhaled deeply, feeling somewhat relieved, “I actually think this is a good thing for me. If I hadn’t been injured, I wouldn’t have seen the true faces of the Cao family—the harshness of Cao Bin’s mother and the hypocrisy of Cao Bin himself. If I had married into that family, I don’t know how much more suffering I would have endured.”

With the engagement ended, he was now a free man.