Chapter 132: If you do not know, then so be it; there is no need to rush.

Jiang Chengyan, along with Madame Zhao and Father Jiang, searched back and forth multiple times, yet they could not find Bai Yan. Madame Zhao and Father Jiang had gone up the mountain to look, while Jiang Chengyan stayed at home, fearing that if the little rabbit returned and no one was there, she would be frightened.

When Jiang Chengyan pushed open the gate, that chubby, snow-white rabbit hopped toward him. Even though he had petted its head that morning, Jiang Chengyan now grabbed the rabbit by its ears and deposited it into the tall grass.

The large white rabbit looked back at Jiang Chengyan once before darting deep into the grass, vanishing from sight.

Having settled the rabbit, Jiang Chengyan returned to the courtyard and sat quietly in her small lounge chair. The three scratch marks from her fingernails on his face remained strikingly visible.

………………

By the time noon approached, there was still no news.

Jiang Chengyan let out a long sigh. Just as he was about to stand up, he heard a knocking at the gate and rose quickly.

However, when he opened the door, it was not the person he longed to see.

The matchmaker let out a cackling laugh. Even at her advanced age, seeing Jiang Chengyan’s appearance made her head swim with excitement.

This young man was truly handsome!

"Ah Yan, I’ve found you another excellent match, my boy!" The matchmaker was brimming with excitement, her face wreathed in smiles as she looked at Jiang Chengyan as if he were being offered a fortune.

Jiang Chengyan sneered and grabbed the woman by her collar, ready to toss her out without the slightest regard for her age.

But the matchmaker clung tightly to the gate, shouting, "Ah Yan, I know what you’re going to say! You’re married, I know! But for a young man as outstanding as you, taking a second wife is no difficult feat! Besides, the young lady I’m introducing today is the adopted daughter of Landlord Shen! The Shen family managed to have a son, and this adopted daughter’s luck was instrumental in that! If you marry her, you’ll receive a large sum of silver! I thought of you first for such a wonderful opportunity!"

The matchmaker chattered on, but Jiang Chengyan had no desire to listen; his face was filled with impatience.

Just then, a slender figure suddenly appeared behind the matchmaker. Jiang Chengyan’s hand, poised to deal with the woman, froze. He shoved the matchmaker aside, strode forward, and pulled the slender figure into his arms.

Holding her close, he looked her over, checking for any signs of injury.

"Did you run up the mountain?" All his emotions condensed into those five words.

"She wants you to take a concubine?" Bai Yan frowned; she had just heard the matchmaker’s words.

Bai Yan’s body was trembling due to an unusual sensation, but Jiang Chengyan assumed the little rabbit was still angry and fuming.

"I won't," the man replied firmly.

"Marrying someone else would just cost more money," he added as an afterthought, clearly intended for the rabbit’s ears.

Upon hearing that it would cost more money, Bai Yan immediately shook her head. "You are not allowed to marry her!" Every penny belonged to her.

Seeing her shivering grow more intense, Jiang Chengyan hurried to carry her into the house.

For now, she only cared about money; if he could bind her to him with money, so be it.

If she didn't understand love yet, so be it. They would take it slow.

The matchmaker took it all in. With her years of experience, she could tell that Jiang Chengyan would never marry anyone else. That young woman was truly something, to be able to tether a man like him.

Once inside the house, Bai Yan shifted uneasily in his arms. Her face flushed, she looked at Jiang Chengyan and whispered, "Husband, I... I don't feel well."