For several days in a row, the Zhao Family was shrouded in gloom.
Behind their backs, the neighbors all had their own discussions. Though the Wang Family had not publicly mentioned breaking off the engagement, and Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xiang could hardly speak of it to others, people often loved nothing more than gossiping based on shadows and whispers. Someone had seen the Wang Family's ox cart, and afterward everyone saw the father and daughter of the Zhao Family looking downcast. All kinds of rumors immediately began to multiply.
As the rumors spread, they became: Zhao Cheng had died in battle outside, so the Wang Family had called off the marriage alliance.
In truth, everyone knew that the news of the Yellow Heaven Army's crushing defeat in the Southern Wasteland had only just spread. Exactly who had died in battle and who was safe could not possibly be settled yet.
But many people had the rotten nature of kicking someone when they were down. They were not afraid that those around them lived hard lives—they were only afraid that those around them lived better than them. Even blood relatives, when they saw you fallen into poverty, might deliberately come and stomp on you. The more miserable you were, the happier they became.
This was exactly what the Zhao Family now faced.
Previously, because Zhao Cheng had become a Daoist, and later even a Chief Banner, the Zhao Family had lived the best life among all the neighbors.
And because of that status, though many people envied and resented them, they did not dare show it in the open, afraid of retaliation.
Not daring to show it did not mean it would disappear. Instead, it would keep building up inside them until the Zhao Family showed weakness, whereupon it would