Chapter 2, The Blind Man Zhu Quan

There have always been women watching around. As soon as Bai Gong was buried, Bai Xiaobi was tied up in a bridal sedan chair by Young Master Fan. At this moment, she did not know how her family's business was faring. With no brothers at home, she had no choice but to return and manage it herself, so she nodded and said, "I will come tomorrow morning to help my uncle grind the flour"

Zhu Xiazi clutched his chest and coughed, his voice trembling: "The old servant has gone back to grind the flour."

The steward turned to Master Fan, but his eyes were glancing at Young Master Fan, and he asked with a stiffened resolve: "Is this girl... to be sent back?"

Young Master Fan was filled with anger and said, "This blind man is ungrateful; he has only ground a little flour, yet he has eaten our family's free meals for so many years. Why hasn't Grandmother chased him away!"

"This is my retribution," Zhu Quan shook his head, "I, with this old body, have not many years left to live. However, that girl carries the name of a husband-killer; staying here may ruin your entire life. I can only hope to see my master again in the future, so that he can take you away."

Zhu Xiazi said: "The reputation of being a husband-killer has spread, and from now on..."

"Be quiet!" The old lady struck her cane against the ground, and a cold glint flashed in her originally kind eyes. "Has that Zhang family boy ever been ill? The neighbors all know about it; ask clearly before making any statements."

A sudden turn of events revealed that the bride, who had been snatched away, was fated to bring misfortune to her husband. Clearly, this wedding could no longer proceed. The entire hall of neighbors was left in limbo, unable to leave or stay, creating a situation that was exceedingly awkward and uncomfortable. Master Fan felt a loss of face, and the words he needed to say were difficult to utter; he merely kept his mouth tightly closed, his expression so grim it seemed he could squeeze out ink.

Bai Xiaobi said: "If I don't marry, then I won't marry; I am not afraid at all. What is there to go out for?"

Stop! The old lady suddenly stood up

Zhu Quan chuckled: "You are still young and do not understand these things. It is likely already dark outside. You should go back first. It does not matter whether you come over tomorrow morning or not; no one is paying attention to us."

Young Master Fan strode forward in a huff and pulled off the bride's veil without a word

"If there is a next time, take care of your own life!" The old lady did not overly blame, and in a lukewarm manner said, "At least you still know how to protect your master. Starting tomorrow, you won't need to grind flour anymore."

Young Master Fan was furious, disregarding everything, and shouted: "The blind man should not be grinding the mill, yet here you are spouting nonsense. Are you tired of living?" As he spoke, he walked over and was about to kick him: "You say she brings misfortune, then tell me how exactly does she do that?"

Zhu Xiazi did not feel much joy, and with a bitter smile said, "The old servant is idle anyway."

Until his figure disappeared, the villagers finally came to their senses and began to discuss in low voices. No one noticed that the bride's hand, which was tightly gripping the silver hairpin in her sleeve, gradually relaxed

The good thing is about to fall through, Young Master Fan scolded: "Grandmother, do not believe it, it must be his fabrication!"

Young Master Fan exclaimed anxiously: "Grandmother!"

I shall not disturb you any longer and will take my leave now. The young man in blue closed his folding fan, clasped his hands in salute, and left the room.

Zhu Xiazi remained silent for a long time, then coldly laughed and said: "If it were not for me, Zhu Quan, would they have today? Those ungrateful beings will eventually... hum."

Zhu Xiazi was left speechless

Young Master Fan was agitated: "Father, all the relatives and neighbors have already arrived, what should we do! If a blind person speaks nonsense, can we take it seriously? If this gets out, it will be a joke..."

The old lady coldly said: "Are you dissatisfied with the way we have treated you?"

Bai Xiaobi hurriedly knelt down: "When I was young, I once met Uncle Zhu. Today, it was Uncle who saved me. I am filled with gratitude and do not dare to blame you. I originally intended to..." She fell silent, lowering her head.

Bai Xiaobi stood up, feeling uneasy: "Will they really give up?"

Zhu Xiazi nodded and said: "Good girl, I did not misjudge you, get up."

They believed the words of a blind man grinding grain without question, much to the astonishment of the neighbors

Zhu Xiazi smiled faintly: "Others do not believe my words, but the Fan family will certainly believe them."

Bai Xiaobi bowed slightly to Master Fan and then followed Zhu Xiazi

Zhu Quan? Bai Xiaobi heard his name for the first time and pondered, "Everyone outside says they have taken in Uncle Zhu"

Zhu Xiazi trembled as he leaned against the door frame, anxiously saying: "What the old servant said is the truth. This young lady was first promised to the Zhang family, with the engagement set for the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month. On that day, the young master of the Zhang family fell ill. The young master, not believing it, sent someone to inquire further. The old servant, with all his loyalty, did not expect that she would cause harm to the young master."

The beautiful bride stood before him, feeling frustrated for not being able to have her. Moreover, how could someone he fancied be given to another? Young Master Fan sneered, "What is the point of sending her back? Since she is destined to bring misfortune to her husband, letting her go would only harm men. I will spend money to bury her father, and she will have to work for my family. First, let her..." He paused, glaring fiercely at Zhu Xiezi, "Let her go and grind flour with Zhu Xiezi. If she is destined to bring misfortune to her husband, can she even get married? If the Zhang family dares to take her, let them come and claim her. I want to see how she brings misfortune. If she doesn't kill him..."

On weekdays, the old lady indulges him, and Master Fan does not dare to intervene with his son, which is why Young Master Fan behaves so recklessly. At this moment, with no one to back him up, Master Fan suddenly becomes stern, and he indeed does not dare to speak up.

In such a situation, laughter was not appropriate. Lord Fan was about to lose his temper, but upon hearing the flattering words from behind, he immediately found that smile less annoying. It was clear that the other party was helping him out of a predicament and giving him face, so he quickly nodded in agreement and even made a rare gesture of cupping his hands together, saying, "Thank you"

The bride who has just arrived is about to fly away, how could Young Master Fan bear to let her go? Moreover, the old lady shot him a fierce glare, her expression colder than ever: "Fortunately, Zhu the Blind is holding her; the wedding has not yet taken place. Otherwise, if something were to happen, no one would even know! Our Fan family has no shortage of suitable candidates; are we afraid we can't find a good daughter-in-law? There is no need to take such a risk; just return her to the Zhang family."

The neighbors regained their composure, and someone with knowledge stepped forward: "The young master of the Zhang family fell ill over two months ago."

The clothing is exquisite, and the demeanor is extraordinary. I did not notice that there were such individuals among the guests. Master Fan furrowed his brow, deep in thought

The old lady ignored him and turned to Zhu Xiazi: "Since you have known all along, why did you wait until now to speak? Are you just enjoying watching the Fan family make a fool of themselves?"

This blind old man is surnamed Zhu, and the villagers all recognize him, yet no one can clearly explain his origins. It is only known that he was not blind originally. Ten years ago, he passed through Menjing County and borrowed a place to stay at the home of a local gentry named Fan. Suddenly, he fell seriously ill and became blind from that point on. Fortunately, the Fan family, seeing that he was elderly and had nowhere to go, took him in. Those who are aware of their kindness at that time and their current arrogance can only shake their heads and sigh.

Master Fan, unusually, slammed the table and scolded: "You did a good deed, yet you still won't keep quiet!"

Master Fan did not express anything, merely gazing coldly at the back of Zhu the Blind, his expression exceedingly complex

The butler, understanding and considerate, stepped forward to mediate: "Today, regarding my young master's matter..."

Seeing his mother angry, Master Fan immediately glanced at his wife, Lady Liu, who understood and followed him inside to mediate.

Bai Xiaobi was puzzled

The conversation was not finished when all the neighbors and distant guests began to express their politeness, and together they took their leave. In the blink of an eye, the hall was emptied of all the guests, leaving it suddenly silent as a grave. Only the five people remained: the Fan family father and son, the steward, Zhu the blind man, and the bride. No one spoke, and the atmosphere had become extremely tense, almost frozen.

The bride instinctively took two steps back, her astonished little face clearly coming into view—this Bai Xiaobi indeed possessed remarkable beauty, with a delicate complexion and rosy lips, her brows and eyes like a painting, and her hair flowing like clouds. Although she came from a humble background, her delicate appearance was by no means inferior to that of the young ladies from affluent families

I know that I will probably never get married in the future, Bai Xiaobi clenched her fists, her eyes reddening, "My father was harmed to death by the Fan family. I would rather remain unmarried for a lifetime than marry into the Fan family!"

It is said that this blind man, Zhu, has been a servant in the Fan family. Due to his blindness, he is unable to perform any heavy labor and can only grind flour in the dilapidated courtyard by the back door every day to earn a meager meal. Unexpectedly, now that the master of the house is getting married, he suddenly comes out with this ominous remark. The master and mistress, along with the old lady, all changed their expressions, and the neighbors were all anxious for him.

It seems that this cup of celebratory wine cannot be consumed today," the young man in blue suddenly spoke. He approached, shaking his folding fan, with a smile that radiated warmth like spring. "Why should the host worry? The fate of children in marriage is predetermined by heaven. With your son's status and charm, will he still fear not finding a suitable match in the future? It is not worth taking risks over such a trivial matter.

Zhu Xiazi groped his way to sit on the bench, sighed, and his murky eyes appeared even more dull than usual: "Girl, do not blame me. Bai Gong is a good person, and now he has been harmed by them. I suspect you would certainly be unwilling to marry the enemy, fearing you might take drastic measures, which is why I said these words."

The place where Zhu Xiazi lived was a small courtyard cluttered with odds and ends. Under the eaves stood a heavy stone mill. The room was dimly lit and very simple, containing two long benches, a broken table, and a cold, hard bed board covered with a worn-out quilt, with cotton exposed in several places, already darkened and emitting an unpleasant odor. Upon entering the room, Bai Xiaobi was almost overwhelmed by the stench.

Grandmother has always insisted on doing things her way, and I have never heard her scold like this. Young Master Fan did not dare to defy her and quickly retracted his foot, saying indignantly: "Grandmother, today is clearly a day of great joy for me, how can he speak such nonsense?"

The old lady snorted coldly, leaning on her cane and supporting the maid as she turned and entered the room.

Hearing his well-founded words, Master Fan and his wife, Lady Liu, also displayed a look of tension and concern, simultaneously glancing at the old matriarch