曾被一举人退过亲
“a scholar broke off our engagement.”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
臣在乡下时
“when I was in the countryside,”
曾被一举人退过亲
“a scholar broke off our engagement.”
“I had to take a matrilocal husband”
Direct spoken expression in this communicative setting.
In imperial China, having an engagement broken by the groom's side inflicted severe social disgrace on the bride's entire family, often ruining her future marriage prospects.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
break off an engagement
A traditional term referring to the formal cancellation of a betrothal, typically carrying significant social stigma.
provincial civil service graduate
Historical term designating a scholar who passed the provincial-level imperial examination.
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“I kept retreating,”
“If we hastily break off the engagement,”
“After being reprimanded by the elders many times,”
“if we pull out now, it'll all be for nothing.”
“never again achieved a single”
“[Hou Jun] [Couple] [Xia Xue] Xia Xue had a boyfriend—”