Chapter 210: Rather Die Than Marry

Everyone looked at Xing’er, each with the same unspoken thought: ’What choice do you have besides marrying him?’

The Old Madam stood at the doorway, striking her cane against the ground. THUD! THUD! "You shut your mouth!" she screeched at Xing’er. "You disgraceful wretch!"

She looked at Shanzimama. "Alright, five taels of silver for the betrothal gift. Have someone come to our home tomorrow with the formal proposal."

Shanzi’s face lit up with joy.

Ms. Qian shrieked, "Mother, I don’t agree! Five taels of silver is far too little!"

The Old Madam glared at her. "What more could you want? Who else is to blame for this ’fine’ daughter you’ve raised! She has brought utter shame to the Gu Family!"

Xing’er looked at the Old Madam, her teeth clenched. "I won’t marry!"

"Nothing... nothing happened between us! I’m... I’m still a maiden! I absolutely will not marry him!"

Shanzi grew frantic. Just when it seemed everything was settled, he never expected Xing’er to suddenly back out.

"Xing’er, what do you mean by this?"

Xing’er glared at him. "Did you ever think of me when you were spreading those words? You ruined my reputation, made it so I can’t hold my head high. I would rather die than marry you!"

The moment she spoke, Xing’er suddenly dashed toward a pillar under the eaves and slammed her head against it.

Everyone cried out in alarm.

Her eldest aunt was nearby and quickly reached for Xing’er. She managed to grab one arm, but Xing’er still crashed into the pillar.

Then, Xing’er crumpled to the ground.

Her eldest aunt quickly caught her. Gu Fei saw a gash on Xing’er’s forehead, from which crimson blood slowly began to trickle.

Then came Ms. Qian’s scream, "Xing’er—"

Shanzi sprinted over, only to be shoved violently aside by Gu Zhong.

Gu Zhang shouted urgently, "Quick, get her inside!"

He then turned to Gu Rong, his voice a frantic rush, "Gu Rong, hurry and ask Liu Zhuangtou where to find a doctor! Go, quickly, bring a doctor back!"

Gu Rong gave a cry of assent and bolted out the door.

Aunt Liu and her eldest aunt quickly carried Xing’er inside and laid her on Ms. Qian’s bed.

Gu Fei followed them in. She saw Xing’er lying on the bed, eyes tightly shut. There was blood on her forehead, but not much, and it had already stopped flowing.

She frowned. ’An external wound would be simple enough—just stop the bleeding and prevent infection. But from the looks of it, I’m afraid it might be an internal injury.’

The crowd of onlookers outside the door had not yet dispersed. Gu Zhang bent into a deep bow before them. "My dear friends and neighbors," he began, "the girl, Xing’er, is still young. Her careless actions have led to this, and now we don’t even know if she will survive. For the sake of our shared community, I beg you to be charitable in your words."

The village chief hurried to say, "Don’t you worry, Zhang. We won’t spread idle gossip. Xing’er is a girl we’ve all watched grow up. We won’t bring her any harm."

Boss Zhang also chimed in, "Don’t worry, Second Brother Gu. I won’t even let my own wife and children breathe a word of this outside."

Gu Zhang then turned to Shanzi and Shanzimama.

Shanzimama lowered her head. "This is all my Shanzi’s fault. Whether Xing’er marries him or not, if my Shanzi dares to spout such nonsense again, I’ll beat him to death myself."

Shanzi stood beside her looking as if his soul had fled his body, completely lost in a daze.

Gu Zhang snorted, then turned and went back inside.

Gu Rong was gone for an hour before he returned, driving a mule cart.

A middle-aged doctor in a long robe followed Gu Rong, striding quickly into the house.

After inquiring about the situation, the doctor examined Xing’er’s complexion before taking her pulse.

After a long moment, the doctor opened his eyes and shook his head. "Injuries to the head are unpredictable. Let’s do this: I will prescribe a few doses of medicine for her to take. If she wakes up and is able to speak within the next few days, she might be fine. If she doesn’t wake up... well, there’s nothing more I can do."

Upon hearing this, Ms. Qian collapsed to the floor. ’The daughter I worked so hard to raise... could she be gone just like that?’