It was still not easy to speak in front of so many people at the dinner table, so Liu's mother kept silent until after the meal, when Xiao's mother had washed all the pots and pans. Then she came up and took Xiao's mother's hand affectionately.
Xiao's mother took a look and thought, what is coming has finally come, well, just listen.
"Mother-in-law, I have something I want to discuss with you." Liu's mother put on a smile, but upon closer inspection, one could sense a hint of helplessness in her smile, which was a prelude to showing her pitifulness.
Xiao's mother knew it clearly in her mind. She knew that since they came to announce the good news of her son's marriage, she would definitely ask for money which would be related to the happy event. It would be hard to refuse something related to the happy event. It depends on the amount. After all, the relationship between the two families was there, and it would be unreasonable not to help.
"What's the matter? Just tell me. I will do my best to help you." Xiao's mother took her to a corner and lowered her voice deliberately.
"It's not that I need you to put in any effort, it's just... Oh, I'm embarrassed to ask you for help, but there's really nothing I can do." Liu's mother hesitated, pretending to be embarrassed.
These two old mothers have both seen these kinds of scenes and are both very good at acting.
"Just talk, old sister, I'm listening." Liu's mother is one year older than Xiao's mother, so it's reasonable for her to call her sister.
Seeing her attitude, Liu's mother thought there was hope, so she boldly explained her real purpose:
"This is what happened. My eldest son, Liu Jiang, is already 22 years old this year. Most men of his age would have children, but he is still single. This year, finally, a girl fell in love with him and was willing to live with him. As you know, my wife is not in good health. She fell ill in the early spring and spent a lot of money. It's not a coincidence that good things are about to happen at this critical moment.
I thought that such a good thing could not be delayed for too long, but the girl's family wanted a lot of dowry. They said that they wanted a dowry of four taels, plus a few feet of red cloth for the wedding dress, and a big mahogany box to add color. My dear sister, don't you think this poses a big problem for me?
There's the betrothal gift, the cloth, the mahogany box, and the wedding banquet, and I really have no choice. I'm broke, and I can't watch my child's good fortune go to waste, so I'm begging you." After Liu's mother finished speaking, she raised her hand to wipe her tears, looking aggrieved.
Xiao's mother knew it and had already prepared herself mentally.
I'm too lazy to argue, let's see how much she wants to borrow, but she has to make it clear in advance:
"Mother-in-law, I understand what you said, but you also know that my family just held a wedding for my fourth son a few days ago and married him off. Now my wallet is thin, but don't worry, I still have to help you a little. I still have one or two taels of silver left, and I will give it to you later. You can collect it first. After all, the matter of children is a big deal. You can find other relatives to collect it and marry your daughter-in-law first. As for the silver, there is a long way to go, so you can pay it back slowly in the future."
Xiao's mother was also very skilled, because she could already guess from what she had just said that if she were to speak first, she would probably ask for a huge sum of money, so she took the initiative and only took out one or two taels of silver, and she also had to pretend that she had tried her best.
She did have the money, but it belonged to Jiang Sui, and given the relationship between the two families, once the money was lent out, it would become a fixed debt and would be difficult to get back in the future.
As soon as Xiao's mother expressed her opinion, Liu's mother's smile froze on her face. She thought to herself, what can I do with this tael of silver?
"No, mother-in-law, I have borrowed all I can. Everyone is in trouble. I have no choice but to ask you for help. Can you lend me a little more?"
Having said that, Xiao's mother was somewhat unhappy, and her face darkened:
"Mother-in-law, what you said, if they have difficulties and can't come up with money, then we don't have difficulties? These days, everyone's life is not easy, not to mention, I have a big family waiting to eat. This one tael of silver is all we have. If you are willing to take it, take it. If you don't want to, forget it."
Xiao's mother doesn't tolerate her bad habits. She talks to you in a nice way, but you keep asking for more.
Seeing that they could not come to an agreement, Liu's mother simply stopped pretending and went to look for her daughter angrily.
The mother and daughter stayed in the room with the door closed, whispering something to each other. Liu's brother Liu Jiang was walking back and forth in the yard, looking around, and no one knew what he was thinking about.
After a while, the door opened, and Liu rushed out angrily, and went straight to Xiao's mother to make a scene:
Xiao's mother was sweeping the yard with a big broom when she saw her third daughter-in-law running towards her with a look of accusation on her face.
"Okay, you Xiao family members are smart enough. You have dozens of taels in your pocket, but you eat alone, favor the younger ones, hide things from everyone, and keep everyone in the dark. You keep saying that you are a family, but it turns out that you are more cunning than anyone else."
Xiao's mother was stunned by her for a moment, and the words she said were incomprehensible.
But Xiao's mother captured a key piece of information. She said they had dozens of taels of silver in their pockets.
Seeing his wife yelling loudly, Xiao Yi quickly stepped forward and pulled her aside and asked:
"What's wrong with you?"
Jiang Sui was originally in Xiao Lanlan's room learning to embroider a handkerchief with her. When she heard the noise, she ran out, and everyone ran to the yard.
Liu shook off Xiao Yi's hand, stared at him with wide eyes, and pointed at Xiao's mother:
"I'm sick? Xiao Yi, ask your mother yourself, is this human nature? She took her daughter-in-law and secretly went to the county to sell Ganoderma lucidum and ginseng, earning dozens of taels of silver. She didn't say a word and pretended to be so. If my family hadn't seen it with their own eyes, I would have thought they went to worship the gods.
As a result, she went to make a fortune quietly. She didn't plan to share any of the money she earned with you, but kept it all for her stupid son. I want to see who will take care of her in her old age since she is so partial to that stupid son."
“Bang!”
A resounding slap echoed throughout the yard.
Xiao Yi couldn't help it after all and slapped Liu in the face, because what she said was simply unbearable to hear. She scolded his mother for being a worthless person and his brother for being stupid.
Liu was stunned by the slap in the face. She covered her face and looked at him in disbelief.
However, Xiao Yi regretted it after he did it. He calmed down, thinking that his wife was still pregnant, and he didn't know where to put his outstretched hand.
In fact, the brothers of the Xiao family are all very good-tempered, emotionally stable and caring. They are also extremely filial, and the relationship between brothers is as solid as a rock.
He only took action because he was forced into a corner.
"I...I told you not to curse my mother and my brothers."
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