Old Mrs. Zhao ignored Cheng's intrusive questions and continued to inquire, "How much is the bride price? If it's too much, that won't do!"
Such in-laws are already a headache enough; if they ask for an exorbitant amount, we absolutely will not agree.
Tao thought for a moment, then said softly, "It will start with ten taels of silver..."
"Hiss..." Everyone at the dinner table was shocked and incredulous.
Let alone the fact that ten taels of silver was an astronomical sum, the main reason was the precedent of Zhao Dagou spending ten taels of silver to marry a wife in the village. Everyone felt it was unlucky and dared not touch it.
"However, after much persuasion from Yulan's mother, that family finally lowered the bride price to six taels of silver. If they think it's feasible, they can bring her home after the New Year," Tao Shi said in one breath.
I'll be able to marry her after the New Year...
Zhao Tiezhu nearly choked on the cornbread in his mouth. He... he wasn't ready at all; this was all happening too fast!
After listening, Old Lady Zhao remained silent.
When Madam Cheng heard that it would cost six taels of silver to marry a wife, she immediately realized that her son's marriage was also a problem.
When she looked up, she saw that Zhao Pang was still eating heartily as if nothing had happened, and Cheng felt furious.
Why is their family living like this now, in such a wretched state! Why are both of my sister-in-law's sons married?!
This is simply unfair!
Suddenly, Mrs. Cheng lost her appetite. Seeing her three children eating so heartily, she felt a surge of anger.
"Eat, eat, all you know how to do is eat!" Madam Cheng tapped her bowl with her chopsticks.
Startled, Fatty Zhao and Skinny Zhao quickly dropped their chopsticks and sat up straight. Little Zhao, however, remained unfazed by her mother's imposing presence, calmly continuing to gnaw on her chicken leg.
“Mother…” Madam Cheng was very angry. When she turned to look at Old Lady Zhao, her eyes were filled with grievance.
We can't let her see her sister-in-law's two sons get married while her own son is still a bachelor.
Old Mrs. Zhao glanced at Madam Cheng, then turned to Madam Tao and continued, "In that case, let's start making arrangements after the third day of the Lunar New Year. Although the time is short, the proper etiquette cannot be neglected."
Zhao Xiangbei was also very happy and quickly replied, "Mother, don't worry. I'll go find Yonghe this afternoon and discuss Tiezhu's matter with him."
"Yes, I heard that Luo, the eldest sister-in-law from Yulan's family, is bringing Han Xiu over tomorrow. Tiezhu, you should get ready and come with me to meet the young lady."
After listening to his mother's words, Zhao Tiezhu nodded somewhat embarrassedly.
Old Mrs. Zhao nodded, "Alright then, I, this old woman, will not interfere in Tie Zhu's affairs."
Undeterred, Madam Cheng called out again, "Mother, that Fatty Zhao..."
"Alright, I've already arranged Zhao Pang's marriage for you." Old Mrs. Zhao didn't want to listen to Cheng Shi's nagging anymore, so she quickly interrupted her.
“My brother’s family in the same village has a daughter who is eighteen years old this year. I can tell you something about her.”
"What?" Madam Cheng was startled and looked disgusted. "Eighteen years old is considered an old maid. My Zhao Pang is only sixteen. This is not appropriate."
When Wan Cunhua heard that they were from the same village, she became very curious. She sat down next to them, eating her meal while listening intently.
Zhao Xiangnan interrupted Cheng Shi, "Let our mother explain in detail. If it's not appropriate, our mother won't bring it up."
Cheng then awkwardly shut her mouth.
Old Mrs. Zhao continued, "It's a bit late to get married at eighteen, but girls become sensible as they grow up. Look at the son you raised, it's a miracle he even found a wife, with his looks like Fatty Zhao."
"If you agree, I'll let the village beauty go back to her parents' home to talk to them. If you don't think so, then you can decide Zhao Pang's marriage yourselves."
After finishing her sentence, Old Lady Zhao drank the bowl of white rice porridge in one gulp. The white rice porridge was cooked until it was sticky and delicious!
Cheng was not one to make decisions on her own. She muttered under her breath, "Alright, alright, let the children meet them first."
If the bride price is too high and she can't afford it, then this happy occasion will be in vain.
"Alright, village beauty, then go back to your parents' house tomorrow and have your father talk to that rich kid next door. Let him know what the outcome is then," Old Lady Zhao instructed.
Wan Cunhua nodded, "I understand, Grandma."
Uncle Kai's eldest daughter, Wan Mengzhu, is a year older than Wan Cunhua, and the two have been good friends since childhood.
What surprised Wan Cunhua was that she had been married for a year, so why hadn't Wan Mengzhu gotten married yet?
Didn't she always say she wanted to marry into the city? Why has she kept putting it off and turned herself into an old maid?
Wan Cunhua felt a little disdainful. Although she got along well with Wan Mengzhu, the two of them secretly compared themselves to each other.
Neither of them wanted the other to be better off than the other.
Moreover, Wan Cunhua felt that if Wan Meng, who was so arrogant, married into her third aunt's family, they definitely wouldn't get along.
With Third Aunt's temper, either Wan Mengzhu will die, or Third Aunt will perish.
These days are really going to be interesting.
With this in mind, Wan Cunhua secretly resolved to make this marriage happen.
Tao and her daughter-in-law prepared a table full of dishes, but their own family didn't eat much.
The New Year's Eve dinner was a scene of undercurrents. The children didn't bother to chew properly and just stuffed food into their mouths haphazardly.
They were afraid that if they were even a little slow, the food on their plates would be gone.
Even though Tao and Zhao Xiangbei were both known for their good tempers, they couldn't help but feel angry.
The three children from the third family are all like vicious wolves, as if they haven't eaten in eight lifetimes.
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