Chen Zhancai was completely blinded by the prospect of 250 taels of silver.
Seeing Liu Fengjiao's stubbornness, his face darkened.
"Feng Jiao, what are you saying? It's as if I'm not Ruolan's biological father. I'm also heartbroken that Ruolan has lost her innocence."
But now that the die is cast, if Ruolan doesn't marry Fan Tong, who else can she marry? And who will be willing to marry her in the future?
Liu Fengjiao stammered, "But...but Fan Tong is really not a good man."
Chen Zhanliang completely lost his patience and shouted, "Fan Tong is not a good man. Does that mean that marrying a poor boy makes him a good man? Does that mean that letting him marry a poor boy and eat chaff and wild vegetables is a blessing?"
Why can't you think straight? The Fan family is rich and powerful. Even being a concubine would be a blessing. Do you think just anyone can become a concubine in the Fan family?
"Yes, Fengjiao, I've heard that even a concubine in the Fan family receives three taels of silver a month."
Old Mrs. Chen's eyes were full of envy.
"Three taels of silver, that's thirty-six taels a year. Which girl wouldn't want to marry into that family? Ruolan is fortunate to have this opportunity, so why aren't you willing?"
Liu Fengjiao's lips trembled; though she felt a thousand regrets, she was powerless to change anything.
If Ruolan doesn't marry Fan Tong now, she'll lose her chastity and no one will want her...
After a struggle with her conscience, Liu Fengjiao nodded with tears in her eyes.
"It seems this is Ruolan's fate."
Seeing her nod in agreement, Chen Zhancai was overjoyed.
“Mother, although our Ruolan is not a rich young lady, nor is she an illiterate country girl, she can at least read and write. If the Fan family comes to fetch the bride, we don’t need to ask for a ten-mile-long red bridal procession, but we must at least have a grand procession with music and a sedan chair carried by eight people.”
With red eyes, Liu Fengjiao asked, "Yes, we must make sure Ruolan gets married in style."
Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Chen frowned deeply and had no choice but to tell the truth.
"Feng Jiao, this might be a bit difficult. Master Fan said we should pick an auspicious day and send Ruolan over directly."
Liu Fengjiao was taken aback, a dull ache in her heart. "Sending it directly there won't do. Isn't that bullying us?"
"Yes, that's what I said at the time, but Fan Tong disagreed, saying that it was too extravagant and wasteful, and that we should save the money for Ruolan's livelihood. I wanted to refuse at the time, but then I thought it was a good idea. Having money in hand makes one feel at ease, and saving a hundred or so taels of silver will give us some extra money to support you in the future."
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Old Lady Chen had no choice but to make up stories and talk nonsense.
Old Chen, who had remained silent the whole time, listened with trepidation. This old woman was too good at making things up. His third son's wife was more cunning than a monkey, with a mind full of holes. How could she believe such nonsense?
But now that the words were out, in order to make Liu Fengjiao believe them, he could no longer remain silent and forced himself to continue rambling nonsense.
"Yes, Fengjiao, Master Fan also said that once Ruolan is married into the family, we will be real relatives. If there is anything difficult or troublesome in the future, just ask, and he will never refuse."
Listen to how kind they are; so let's not be too picky. Just pick a good day and send Ruolan there.
Liu Fengjiao believed it without a doubt; the anger in her eyes vanished, a slight smile appeared on her lips, and her words softened.
"I didn't expect Fan Tong to be so thoughtful. Since he is so considerate of Ruolan, then I, as his mother-in-law, will not pay attention to these formalities."
When Grandma Chen saw that she had agreed, she was overjoyed. She thought that the third son and his wife would throw a tantrum and complain about her, their mother, once they found out the truth. But she didn't expect that she could handle it so easily.
Old Chen finally felt relieved. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, secretly rejoicing that his third son's wife had been unusually confused; it was truly a blessing from heaven.
He glanced at Liu Fengjiao and coughed lightly, "Since everyone agrees, let's quickly choose a good day to send Ruolan over."
"Yes, yes, old man, you're right."
Old Mrs. Chen was worried that things might change if she delayed. If Fan Tong were to change his identity, it would be the end of her life. This matter had to be resolved as soon as possible.
Having made up her mind, she pretended to count on her fingers for a while, then looked at Chen Zhancai and his wife with feigned surprise.
"Oh dear, tomorrow is the most auspicious day this month. Other days are not suitable for weddings or funerals. How about tomorrow?"
Chen Zhancai didn't want to drag it out too long, since such a thing would be bad if it got out, so he nodded in agreement.
"Everything should be done sooner rather than later. Since tomorrow is an auspicious day, then..."
"Wait a moment."
Before he could finish speaking, Liu Fengjiao raised her hand to stop him.
"This is not urgent."
Chen Zhancai was taken aback. "Wife, what do you mean by this?"
"Fengjiao, this matter can't be delayed." Old Mrs. Chen thought she was going to back out, and her heart clenched instantly.
"As the saying goes, a woman's wedding day is her destiny, and a man's birth day is his destiny. Tomorrow is a once-in-a-lifetime auspicious day. If you miss this opportunity, you'll never have another chance. You can't let Ruolan's future be delayed."
"Don't rush, everyone. Everything has to be done slowly."
After pausing for a moment, Liu Fengjiao suddenly changed the subject, her tone becoming serious.
"Mother, how much dowry did Master Fan give us?"
Old Mrs. Chen's heart tightened. "Fengjiao, didn't I already tell you? Two hundred and fifty taels. I'll tell you what's on my mind. I haven't been making any dirty money behind your back. If you don't believe me, ask your father."
Old Chen quickly added, "Your mother is right. She has a silver note and a silver ingot stuffed in her trouser leg!"
Liu Fengjiao smiled faintly, "Father, Mother, why are you so nervous? How could I not believe you!"
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Chen Zhancai and gave him a wink.
Chen Zhancai immediately understood his wife's intention.
His wife was telling him to ask for the 250 taels of silver dowry money.
Although his parents treated him well, spending almost all of the family's money on him.
But as the saying goes, family is family, and money is money. If we don't ask for the money back, it feels a bit unbearable.
Money only feels truly secure when it's in your own pocket.
Furthermore, Ruolan is his own daughter; the betrothal gifts should rightfully be kept by him.
With that thought in mind, he no longer had any reservations and picked up the conversation.
"Mother, look, Fengjiao and I only have Ruolan as our daughter. We can't guarantee whether she'll have a good life or not in the future. So, we can't touch Ruolan's dowry money. Fengjiao has to keep it safe!"
......
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