The other members of the Qiao family were also wiping away tears and sighing.
Qiao Lian'er never expected that there would be miasma on Leigong Mountain, let alone the primeval ancient forest.
No wonder the Qiao family members were so fearless when they talked about going to Leigong Mountain; it turns out there really was a life-threatening situation.
“They’re out of danger, but we won’t dare go to Leigong Mountain anymore. The nearby mountains are almost all hunted out. How are we, the Qiao family, supposed to survive?” Qiao Laosan shook his head.
Qiao Xi'er lost interest in making handkerchiefs and sat down with everyone in the courtyard. After a moment of hesitation and struggle, she finally stood up.
"Grandma, how about I go to town and work as a maid for a wealthy family? That way I can earn more money than embroidering handkerchiefs."
"Nonsense." Old Man Qiao raised his face and scolded, making Qiao Xi'er tremble.
“No girl in our Qiao family can work as a maid in someone else’s house. You think it’s just about serving tea and water? There’s a lot more to it than you can see. Don’t be so naive. Even if we Qiao family members starve to death together and have to beg for food, we will not let you go.”
Maids in wealthy households often had to endure harassment from their male masters and servants, and sometimes even lost their chastity, with no one to confide in.
Qiao Xi'er had never heard such harsh words before. She was clearly frightened, and her eyes were filled with tears as she looked very aggrieved.
Grandma Qiao pulled her to sit down: "Xi'er, don't blame your master for speaking harshly. Being a maid is not easy. You have to endure a lot of humiliation. Now that you are in the Qiao family, although life is a little difficult, everyone will protect you and no one will bully you."
“Yes, your grandfather is doing this for your own good. We’ll get through this together. Don’t have any other plans. We’ll discuss the marriage we arranged with the Shen family in a couple of years when things are a little better, and then we’ll marry you off to them,” said Qiao Xi’er’s mother, Madam Feng.
Qiao Xi'er wiped away her tears and nodded gently.
She knew that every word her family said was for her benefit.
Qiao Yunni had to make up her mind several times before she finally spoke with difficulty: "Mother, we took three taels of silver from over there, which should be enough to last us for two or three months."
She had wanted to bring this up for a long time, but she hadn't because her mother managed the money, and she didn't want to overstep her bounds.
Given the current situation at home, including the outstanding medical bills from the village doctor, she finally couldn't hold back any longer.
Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Qiao immediately said seriously, "No, this is your dowry. It was before, it is now, and we will add more in the future. Even if you meet a suitable family, it will be your second marriage, and they will look down on you to some extent. What your family can do for you is to give you more dowry to support you and give you someone to rely on."
Song Laosan said, "Yes, sister, your mother has kept these three taels of silver safe for you. You are still young and cannot live a lonely life like this. We will carefully select a good family for you so that you will have someone to accompany you. Family is family, and a husband is a husband. They are ultimately different."
Madam Feng: “Sister, we are all very touched by your kind intentions, but we cannot touch your dowry. Father and Mother already felt guilty about marrying you off to the Song family. Although you have just returned, we are already making plans for your next family.”
Qiao Yunni hadn't expected everyone to think this way. Her nose tingled, and she saw everyone's faces blurry.
Second sister-in-law Wan: "Sister, don't overthink it. It's not that we can't keep you at home. You can stay in the Qiao family for the rest of your life. Do you think we're short of people to take care of you? We're just worried that you'll be lonely. It's a pity that you didn't have a husband's love and companionship before."
Qiao Yunni didn't overthink it; she understood what everyone meant.
The more she felt this way, the more she wanted to cry.
Qiao Lian'er walked up to Old Man Qiao and Old Lady Qiao: "Grandpa and Grandma, I have something to tell you."
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