Chapter 1207: The Pearl Collector and the Princess
Chapter 1207 -1: The Pearl Collector and the Princess
In the early morning, the peaceful and beautiful small fishing village began to bustle.
After breakfast, the men went out to fish, the women got up to do housework, and the children started running around and playing.
In a cozy courtyard, things began to get busy as well.
“Anqing, we’re having your favorite seafood wontons this morning, go wash your face.” A gentle-looking woman said softly to her husband who had just woken up.
“I love the wontons you make. Whole shrimp, the aftertaste is endless. Where’s our daughter? Let her sleep a bit more. Kids need to sleep more to grow taller.” Li Anqing rubbed his eyes, chuckling.
“Slap!” The gentle woman slapped Li Anqing’s hand, “How many times have I told you not to rub your eyes with your hands? Go wash your face! Our daughter is still sleeping, the little lazy pig. I’ll cook her some more when she wakes up.”
“Got it, got it.” Li Anqing nodded with a smile, went to the courtyard to fetch some clear water, and began brushing his teeth and washing his face.
The woman’s name was Wang Linglan. She smiled as she watched the man in the courtyard, then turned back to continue cooking. She had the best husband in the world, and she truly felt lucky.
She wasn’t from this village; she was originally from another village where her parents favored boys over girls. Though they didn’t mistreat her, her childhood wasn’t easy. As she grew up, no one dared to propose to her, partly because her parents were notorious and her brother was lazy and gluttonous. But more importantly, the village fortune-teller said she was cursed to bring misfortune to her husband!
A husband-killer! Who would dare to marry her? No one wanted to die young.
Because of this, her life at home grew even harder. She was assigned all the housework and was subjected to constant scolding. Sometimes her mother would even pinch her, leaving bruises all over. She suffered in silence, with no one to confide in.
At the age of nineteen, nearly twenty, still no one dared to propose. Her parents and brother scolded her every day, especially her brother, because as long as his elder sister remained unmarried, he couldn’t get married himself.
She even contemplated death at that time.
Then came someone brave enough, Li Anqing.
Li Anqing didn’t even use a matchmaker; he proposed himself.
Her parents were overjoyed, thrilled to finally be able to marry off this cursed daughter and even get a bride price in return.
Li Anqing boldly sat in their chair and said, “The bride price is not a problem. I can even offer double to enable your son to marry.”
At this point, Wang Linglan’s parents were over the moon, ecstatic. Not only could they marry off the cursed daughter, but they would also get a substantial bride price. Where could better fortune be found?
“There’s just one condition: you must sever ties with your daughter forever. Sign and seal this agreement!” Li Anqing said calmly.
Without hesitation, Wang Linglan’s parents agreed at once. Her brother even urged them repeatedly.
“Don’t rush. I’ve called the arrest officer from the government office to witness this. This document is valid. It can’t be denied at your whim.” Li Anqing had called his good friend Cao Liangjun, who worked in the government office.
Wang Linglan was stunned. This was clearly well-prepared. Once her parents signed this document, it was as if they were selling her off completely. Her life or death from then on had nothing to do with her parents. What kind of life lay ahead for her, luck or misfortune? Her parents didn’t care, nor did they mind.
Wang Linglan felt hopeless and fearful of the unknown future.