Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

Zheng Changhe recalled that Liu’er’s mother had cursed Juhua on more than one occasion; they had practically become enemies with the Zheng Family. He felt deeply uneasy. With a pained expression, he said to Juhua, "Daughter, can’t we just stay out of other people’s business? If Li Changliang wants to marry Liu’er, even his own father can’t stop him. But if Liu’er refuses and you go stick your nose in it, people will just curse you."

Mrs. Yang, however, thought, ’A kind heart is always rewarded. Look, didn’t the rash on her face clear up on its own? This baby will surely be born safely too.’ With a decisive wave of her hand, she declared, "I’ll go talk to them. I’m old and thick-skinned. They can’t do anything to me for saying a few words, and if an argument breaks out, I can out-shout you any day."

Juhua quickly waved her hands. "Where are your minds wandering? This isn’t some shameful secret. I’ll say it in front of everyone. Whether they get married or not, it ultimately has to be what they both want. Do you really think I’m going to cause trouble?"

Huai Zi looked at Juhua and suddenly said, "Let’s go. I’ll go with you. Say whatever you want. If anyone dares to complain, I’ll chew them out."

He and Zhang Dashuan looked at the two of them and exchanged a helpless, bitter smile. Then, they both followed them out.

The whole group came pouring out of the house again.

Liu’er’s mother was terrified when she saw them. She thought Juhua had miscarried and that the Zheng Family and the Zhang family had come to settle the score with her. But when she caught sight of Zhang Huai helping Juhua walk in the center of the group, her heart finally calmed down. Still, she was puzzled. ’She looks perfectly fine, so what are they all doing out here?’

But then she saw Huai Zi help Juhua walk straight over to Liu’er.

Liu’er’s mother knew a thing or two about Juhua. She was nothing like her quiet exterior suggested—the girl was no pushover. ’What is she doing here?’ She warily stepped in front of Liu’er, demanding, "What do you want?"

Zhang Huai shot her a vicious glare, ignoring her completely. Juhua didn’t look at her either, speaking directly to Liu’er. "Li Changliang is right. If you marry him, you become part of the Li Family. Even if you die, he’ll visit your grave often. Besides, you’re perfectly alive right now. Are you really that eager to die?"

Everyone was stunned by Juhua’s words. It went without saying—who would want to die if they could live? Liu’er was even more bewildered, unable to guess what Juhua was thinking. It didn’t seem like she was being mocked.

Granny Hua had been relieved when Liu’er hadn’t accepted her son’s marriage proposal. But now Juhua had to run out and interfere. Livid, she shrieked, "Juhua, stop pretending to be some kind of saint! If you’re so benevolent, why don’t you let Huai Zi marry her? He proposed to her before, after all. It wouldn’t be out of line for him to take her as a concubine."

Zhang Huai’s eyes blazed. He roared, "You say that one more time! If I weren’t giving face to Changming and Changliang, I’d really let you have it."

Qingmu also stepped forward and said, "Changliang just said he’ll make his own decisions in this matter. What are you yelling for?"

Li Changming frowned. As he held his mother back to keep her from saying more, he watched Juhua with suspicion. ’She’s never been one to meddle,’ he thought. ’Why is she getting involved in this mess?’ Even Meizi found it strange.

Juhua, however, nonchalantly turned to Granny Hua and said, "Auntie is right. As kind as he is, Huai Zi has no intention of marrying Sister Liu’er. There are plenty of young men here who probably sympathize with Sister Liu’er, but only Li Changliang has said he wants to marry her. Surely you don’t think your son Changliang wants to marry her just out of pity, do you?"

Granny Hua pursed her lips at Juhua, thinking, ’If Changliang isn’t marrying her out of pity, then he must have lost his mind.’ Everyone else was thinking the same thing—that Li Changliang just felt sorry for Liu’er and couldn’t stand to see her family cast her aside. That had to be why he wanted to marry her. Even Liu’er herself believed it.

Juhua smiled faintly. "Li Changliang is such a kind man, so why didn’t he come to my family to propose marriage back in the day? Though I was ugly, I was at least alive and kicking—in much better shape than Sister Liu’er is now. Sister Liu’er, please don’t be angry. I’m just using it as an example."

Liu’er silently shook her head, her expression bleak. ’It’s not just "much better,"’ she thought. ’If I were healthy, what would I have to fear, even if my face was covered in a rash?’

Liu’er’s mother, however, glared at Juhua, her chest swelling with rage. ’This rash-faced girl wasn’t even fit to carry Liu’er’s shoes back in the day, and now she’s acting like she’s her equal! It’s enough to make me die of anger!’

Li Changliang was completely taken aback by Juhua’s words, looking both awkward and miserable. Zhang Huai was even more uncomfortable—after all, he had once said out loud that he didn’t want to marry Juhua. Granny Hua was dying to shout, ’But I was the one who was dead set on having you as my younger daughter-in-law! Who knew you would go and marry Huai Zi!’ As for Liu Sanshun, his feelings were more complicated still.

Juhua said softly to Li Changliang, "If you’re only marrying Sister Liu’er out of pity, there’s no need—you could just help her out. She probably wouldn’t appreciate being married out of pity, either. She could have just stayed with the Tang family, right? But... if you truly have feelings for her, then that’s another matter entirely..."

Li Changliang’s heart skipped a beat. He snapped his head up to look at Juhua. She gave him a nod and flicked her eyes toward Liu’er.

His face flushed red, and his mouth went dry. He clenched his fists, released them, and clenched them again. After a long moment of silence, he suddenly turned to Liu’er and said with conviction, "I’m not doing this out of pity. I’ve liked you for a long, long time! I’ve always liked you! I... I dream of making you my wife. Even if you only have a few days to live, I still want to marry you. I would be happy just to have you as my wife for a single day."

Liu’er stared at him, stunned and speechless, as tears streamed endlessly down her cheeks.

Li Changliang said softly, "I’ll always stay by your side. Even after you die, I’ll visit your grave often to keep you company. I won’t let them bury you in some forgotten, weed-choked patch of land."

His words were so heartbreaking that many of the married women in the crowd began to cry. The men stood in silence. Liu’er’s mother burst into loud sobs, and even Sun Tiezhu was seen wiping his eyes. Mrs. Wang didn’t dare make a sound.

Twilight had fallen. A gentle spring evening breeze, carrying the first hints of moonlight, caressed their faces. The damp air teemed with the vibrant promise of new life, a force that nurtures all creation. Yet no one could feel its beauty. All they felt was the profound desolation of the moonlight, as bleak as the cold Qinghui of an autumn night.

Li Changming finally understood why his brother had been acting so madly. He exchanged a glance with Meizi, having already decided in his heart to help him.

Only Juhua found it unbearable. ’These people are all acting like Liu’er is already dead,’ she thought. ’Can’t any of them think on the bright side?’