Chapter 451 – The Big Devil
It would have been better to marry off the insane Xu Ru early, and send her far away.
In exchange for a bride price, her family would no longer acknowledge Xu Ru as their daughter.
After all, even though Xu Ru had lost her mind, she was still a young, unmarried woman, and she still had the ability to bear children.
Xu Jinning was left dumbfounded as she listened.
“So Xu Ru was married off?”
Xu Xiangdong nodded. “They say it was a marriage, but in reality, it was more like selling her. Do you know who they married her to?”
Xu Jinning shook her head. It couldn’t have been a decent family.
Xu Xiangdong quickly explained. “They married her off to a family deep in the mountains.”
“That family had lived in the mountains for generations, with little contact with the outside world. Because it was so backward and remote, no girl would ever be willing to marry into that place.”
“There were many men there, but few women.”
“The family Xu Ru’s relatives chose for her had four sons— the oldest was over forty, and the youngest was in his teens. None of them had ever been married.”
“I heard the bride price was 100 yuan.”
“Xu Ru’s family married the insane Xu Ru to the eldest son of that family.”
“They said they wanted a bride for their eldest son, who was over forty, to marry and have children with, but…”
Xu Xiangdong trailed off, but Xu Jinning could already guess the rest.
Xu Ru had lost her mind.
She was sent off alone and, in reality, sold into that family. They only wanted a woman to continue the family line, but was it possible that only the eldest son would have children with her?
Clearly not.
Whatever the case, once Xu Ru entered that family, her fate would be to constantly bear children.
Of course, this was only Xu Jinning’s speculation, but she felt there was a good chance her guess was right.
Xu Jinning thought about it, reflecting on Xu Jinwen’s several novels.
Apart from Xu Jinwen, also known as Lin Wangshu, who was currently doing okay, the other female protagonists all met tragic ends.
Especially Murong Jing, who was completely wiped out.
…
After the Qingming Festival, Xu Jinning and the others planned to return to Beijing.
However, before leaving, Xu Jinning and Xie Ting’an confirmed with her father the date for their wedding banquet.
It was set for May in the lunar calendar, around the time of the Dragon Boat Festival.
By then, Song Yi would have already returned, and everyone would be together. It was time for the wedding to take place.
The couple decided to hold two wedding ceremonies.
One in Beijing and another in Qinghe Village.
The reason for two banquets was quite simple.
One banquet would suffice, but Xu Jinning couldn’t decide whether to have it in Beijing or Qinghe Village.
Even though Xie Ting’an had said, “It’s up to you.”
Wherever she chose, that’s where they would have it.
But…
If they chose Qinghe Village, that would be nice. Her closest friends and family were there, and even her parents lived there.
Besides, the people of Qinghe Village had always been genuinely kind to her.
Previously, many had asked Zhang Ailian about when Xu Jinning was getting married, and if she held the banquet in Qinghe Village, they all wanted to contribute and attend.
So many people had asked that Zhang Ailian didn’t want to disappoint the villagers.
If the wedding banquet was held in Qinghe Village, her parents wouldn’t have to travel far.
But…
Grandpa Xie would have to make the trip.
Although he could fly,
His status now, compared to three years ago, was different.
Traveling was much more complicated for him nowadays.
Moreover, Grandpa Xie was advanced in age, and if possible, it was best to avoid long-distance travel for him.
If they chose to hold the wedding banquet in Beijing instead,
Grandpa Xie had previously mentioned that the banquet might be quite grand. After all, Xie Ting’an was the heir of the Xie family and the only one recognized by Grandpa Xie to carry on the family line.
In the future, when Grandpa Xie was no longer around, Xie Ting’an would become the head of the Xie family.
As Xie Ting’an’s wife, Xu Jinning would be the mistress of the Xie family.
The role of the mistress of the Xie family carried significant weight.
In Beijing, that title was far from ordinary.
Grandpa Xie had thought that if the banquet were held in Beijing, they could invite those he was acquainted with.
Given his status, those whom Grandpa Xie knew and would invite to his grandson’s wedding would certainly be people of considerable standing.
At such a wedding banquet, they could formally introduce Xu Jinning to these individuals, which would also signify the family’s recognition of her as the granddaughter-in-law and the future mistress of the Xie family.
Xu Jinning wasn’t so noble as to claim she didn’t care about such things.
Especially since Xie Ting’an was part of the Xie family. By marrying him, she was destined to lead this kind of life in the future.
She wasn’t afraid.
She also knew how much Grandpa Xie valued her.
So…
After weighing all these considerations, they decided to hold two weddings.
First, in Beijing, and then in May, they would return to Qinghe Village for the second one.
This way, everyone would be happy.
Xu Jinning shared her idea with Xie Ting’an and their families.
They all expressed their support.
And so, the plan was set.
Upon returning to Beijing, Grandpa Xie was already preparing for her and Xie Ting’an’s wedding banquet.
Although the old man was advanced in age, he was now retired and had plenty of free time.
Besides…
This was the wedding banquet of his grandson and granddaughter-in-law, so naturally, he was deeply invested in the preparations.
Moreover, he was very pleased.
In his joy, he felt much lighter and more energized.
Perhaps it was true that a happy event could uplift one’s spirit.
After confirming the wedding date, Grandpa Xie’s friends all received invitations to the banquet.
The marriage of Old Master Xie’s only grandson was a major event.
It created quite a stir in the Beijing social circle.
Everyone knew that having Old Master Xie himself handle the arrangements and send out invitations meant that the future granddaughter-in-law had won his approval.
As a result, people were very curious about the future mistress of the Xie family.
When they saw Xu Jinning’s name on the invitation…
Someone murmured, “This name seems so familiar. I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere before.”
“I remember, the new rising star in the National Translation Department—couldn’t it be Xu Jinning?” someone said.
“Yes, it must be that Big Devil.”
That’s right, “Big Devil” was the affectionate nickname the Beijing social circle had given Xu Jinning, who worked in the National Translation Department.
Over the past three years, Xu Jinning had been making waves in the department.
From handling small domestic conference translations to now managing large international conference translations…
In these three years, Xu Jinning had become a force to be reckoned with.
Whenever she was in charge of simultaneous translations, there had never been a mistake, and her efficiency and quality were exceptionally high.
She was proficient in many foreign languages, mastering those that others found difficult with ease.
Thus, within just one year of working in the National Translation Department, Xu Jinning’s reputation had spread widely.
Her renown only grew, and even the new juniors couldn’t match her.
Naturally, they admired and looked up to her.
As a result, she was secretly given the nickname “Big Devil.”
And within two years, that nickname had spread throughout the Beijing social circle.