Xiao Wenjing frowned, feeling a surge of frustration. He had given all the money he had worked so hard to earn to his mother, and he had no money left to prepare for his niece's dowry.

The mother looked at Xiao Wenjing with a hint of displeasure in her eyes. Seeing this, Xiao Wenjing quickly explained, "Mother, I... I really don't have any money."

“I know you don’t have any money right now, but you can ask Jingchuan and his wife for it! They will definitely help you. If that doesn’t work, have Jingchuan borrow five hundred taels from the Protector General.”

Granny Yang muttered to herself, "My second grandson has done a great service, he must have received a bonus. Maybe he's hidden that money away."

007, who was in charge of monitoring Granny Yang, was furious with her. This old hag was disgusting. What did Xiao Zhenzhu's marriage have to do with his master? She even had the nerve to ask Xiao Jingchuan to borrow money.

"Mother, how can this be!" Xiao Wenjing hurriedly refused. "Although Chuan'er is a soldier of the Protector General, he is of low status and his words carry little weight. How could he dare to borrow money from the Protector General?"

Granny Yang persisted, "Wenjing, you underestimate Chuan'er. Let alone five hundred taels, he could borrow five thousand taels."

Xiao Wenjing's chest heaved with anger. He knew his mother had always favored his younger brother, but he never expected her to be so heartless.

He could manage four or five taels, but five hundred taels was really too much.

Fearing that Xiao Wenjing would agree to provide a dowry, 007 quickly informed Shen Yunsheng, "Master, please come out and take a look! That old hag is forcing your father-in-law to prepare a dowry for Xiao Zhenzhu!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yunsheng immediately put down what he was doing and went out to take a look. This old woman was being too unreasonable. What did Xiao Zhenzhu's marriage have to do with them? Why should her father-in-law prepare a dowry?

When Shen Yunsheng arrived under the osmanthus tree, he saw Granny Yang and her father-in-law arguing incessantly.

"Mother, I will not agree to this. Chuan'er has sacrificed too much for this family. I cannot sacrifice him." Xiao Wenjing's voice suddenly became louder.

"What can we do? Pearl is getting married soon, she can't be without a dowry!" Granny Yang deliberately wiped away her tears. Lately, her eldest son had become increasingly disobedient, and she had to find a way to improve their relationship.

After listening for a while, Shen Yunsheng finally couldn't help but speak up: "Grandma, you're really funny. When Pearl gets married, why don't you go to Second Uncle to prepare the dowry? What's the use of going to my father?"

Granny Yang glared fiercely at Chen Yunsheng, "You...you're too cruel! If Pearl doesn't have a dowry, how do you think her in-laws will view her?"

Shen Yunsheng sneered, "If you want to prepare a dowry for Xiao Zhenzhu, you should go to her parents. What does it have to do with us? If you continue to be unreasonable, don't blame me for being impolite."

Granny Yang was speechless, and could only glare angrily at Shen Yunsheng.

"Wenjing, look at your good daughter-in-law, she's even learned to talk back."

“I’m talking back, what can you do to me? Just because you’re an elder doesn’t mean you can dictate other people’s lives. If you feel sorry for Pearl, then prepare your own dowry and don’t drag us into this.”

Shen Yunsheng clenched her fists in anger. This old viper was disgusting. When she couldn't win an argument, she would complain. It was so annoying.

Xiao Wenjing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. With his daughter-in-law around, he felt at ease. He was really afraid that his mother would force him to borrow money.

At this moment, Xiao Jingchuan returned from outside. Seeing that his wife looked unwell, he took the initiative to ask her what was wrong.

"Wife, is it because the old lady is making things difficult for you?"

"The old lady asked my father to help Pearl prepare her dowry. She was quite arrogant, asking for five hundred taels right off the bat."

Shen Yunsheng was furious. Having a mama's boy father-in-law at home was exhausting.

"Hmph! Five hundred taels? She really dares to ask for such an exorbitant amount." Xiao Jingchuan looked at Granny Yang with a cold expression. When his elder sister got married, she wouldn't even give him five coins. Now that Xiao Zhenzhu is getting married, she wants them to prepare five hundred taels. Who does she think she is, asking for five hundred taels?

Old Lady Yang shamelessly retorted, "Pearl is your sister. It's an honor for you to ask you to prepare her dowry."

Xiao Jingchuan's gaze was like a knife. "I don't need anyone to flatter me. Don't even think about making our eldest son's family provide a dowry. Even if I had the money, I wouldn't give it."

"Fine! You lot!" Granny Yang pointed at Shen Yunsheng and his wife and cursed, "A bunch of heartless bastards, you don't even help your own people."

"Grandma, even among our own people, there's a distinction. It's our right not to help, but it's a favor if we do. You have no right to make us a sucker," Shen Yunsheng said indifferently. After a while, she added, "Your tactics are outdated. Next time you cause trouble, you can try a new approach."

After saying that, Shen Yunsheng pulled Xiao Jingchuan back into the house.

Granny Yang was so angry she was jumping up and down. She glared at Xiao Wenjing and stormed out of the courtyard.

Back in the house, Shen Yunsheng couldn't help but sigh softly, "Husband, that old viper is too crazy. We must be careful."

Xiao Jingchuan took his wife's hands and comforted her gently, "My wife, don't worry, I won't let her succeed. We will absolutely not give her those five hundred taels of silver. At worst, we'll just sever ties."

Shen Yunsheng nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.

"By the way, I heard from Mom that you went next door to buy bricks. Did you buy them?"

"It's already been purchased, and they will deliver it tomorrow."

Xiao Jingchuan sneered inwardly. The old poisonous woman wanted 1,200 taels of silver. That was just wishful thinking. This time, he would not only ruin the old poisonous woman's reputation, but also destroy Xiao Zhenzhu.

"Husband, let's build a new gate. Since we've separated our households, there's no need for us to share a courtyard."

Shen Yunsheng picked up the teapot and poured a cup of warm water for her husband.

“My wife is right. I’ve already bought the bricks for the wall. We can build it ourselves and save on labor costs.”

Xiao Jingchuan took the teacup and drank it all in one gulp. The weather was too hot, and one cup wasn't enough. After he finished, he went to pour himself another cup.

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