TSWPF -Chapter 128 Facing Off

Li Qingling held back the urge to pull her hand away and felt a little embarrassed as she spoke. “Isn’t this a bit… improper? How could I let you and Grandpa provide a dowry for me?” If they wanted her betrothal gifts, then she’d let them provide the bridal dowry. “In our custom, isn’t it that however much the groom’s family gives for the betrothal gifts, the bride’s family has to match with the same amount for the dowry?”

At this, Madam Liu’s expression stiffened. She gripped Li Qingling’s hand harder than intended. When she heard Li Qingling cry out in pain, she gritted her teeth and finally let go.

“Who told you that? We don’t have such a custom here,” Madam Liu snorted inwardly. She hadn’t even seen the betrothal gifts yet, and the girl was already thinking of getting a dowry from her side—how greedy.

Li Qingling lowered her eyes to look at her reddened wrist, lightly tugging at the corner of her mouth. “I heard it from Sister Xiaohe. She said this was the custom here.” Tilting her head, she looked at Madam Liu, puzzled. “Could it be that I heard wrong?”

Madam Liu clenched her hand, forcing a smile on her face. Just to get the betrothal gifts, she was patiently explaining to Li Qingling: “Every family’s situation is different. Families with better conditions will prepare a better dowry for their daughters. Families with less means… not so much.” She glanced at Li Qingling. Seeing her still confused, she continued, “Think about it: if the groom’s family is wealthy and gives a generous betrothal gift, but the bride’s family is too poor to put food on the table, how could they possibly match the groom’s gifts? Right?”

“Hearing Grandma explain it like this, it does make sense,” Li Qingling nodded, clearly enlightened.

“You see, you’re still young and haven’t thought of these things,” Madam Liu said, slightly relieved that Li Qingling had listened. “You don’t have to worry too much about these matters. I’ll handle everything properly for you.”

Once she got Li Qingling’s betrothal gifts, she could help her son marry a proper bride.

Thinking of the family her son liked, who demanded such a large betrothal, her heart ached.

Yet, the bride she preferred wasn’t the one her son wanted; he wanted the girl surnamed Huang from the neighboring village. If he couldn’t marry her, he wouldn’t marry at all.

With no one around him who truly understood him, how could she feel at ease?

For her son, she would have to compromise.

Li Qingling smiled and complimented Madam Liu, making her feel quite pleased. Then she asked, “Grandma, I wonder how much dowry you’re planning to prepare for me?”

Although she didn’t care much about the betrothal gifts, she didn’t want Madam Liu to profit from them.

When her own family struggled, when there wasn’t even rice to cook, where was Madam Liu then?

Now, she thought she could benefit—no way.

“Don’t worry! I will prepare your dowry, but I can’t tell you yet.”

Madam Liu wasn’t foolish. If she revealed the dowry now, how could she then bring the betrothal gifts into Li Qingling’s home?

Hearing this, Li Qingling widened her eyes in disbelief. “Isn’t the dowry supposed to be revealed in advance? Why can’t you tell me?” Did she take her for a three-year-old, knowing nothing? Was she trying to deceive her?

If she were really that naive, how could she have held this household together? She would have already been eaten alive by others.

“The dowry can’t be revealed in advance. You’ll only get the list the day before your wedding,” Madam Liu said, feigning sadness. “Xiaoling, do you not trust Grandma? Do you think I’m after your dowry?”

She reached up to touch the corner of her eye, as if Li Qingling had broken her heart.

“I didn’t expect my good intentions to be twisted like this…” Her voice choked with emotion at the end.

Li Qingling twitched the corner of her mouth, watching Madam Liu put on this act.

If an outsider saw this, they’d really think Madam Liu was wholeheartedly concerned for her!

“What’s going on?” Before Li Qingling could speak, Aunt Huang’s voice came from outside.

Looking up, Li Qingling saw Li Qingning peeking from behind Aunt Huang, winking at her.

She almost laughed. That little rascal probably saw Madam Liu giving her a hard time and ran to fetch Aunt Huang.

She puckered her lips. Li Qingning made a silly face at her and then ran off again. No doubt, she went back outside to play crazily.

“Aunt Huang, you came? Come in and have a seat!” Li Qingling got up to greet her, taking her hand and helping her sit.

She poured a cup of tea for Aunt Huang and pushed it toward her.

Aunt Huang smiled at Li Qingling, taking a sip. “I’m just a simpleton; I don’t usually drink tea, but Xiaoling, your tea really is good. Looks like I’ll have to come more often.” Then she turned, surprised, to Madam Liu. “Ah, Madam Liu, you’re here too? You came for the tea too?”

Madam Liu forced a smile and nodded. She didn’t intend to stay any longer and stood up, saying she had business at home.

“Grandma, stay a bit longer. I still don’t fully understand the betrothal and dowry stuff. Could you explain it a bit more?”

Aunt Huang also stood, gently pressing Madam Liu’s shoulders and pushing her back into her chair. “So this is about the dowry? Then I’ll stay and listen.” She glanced at Li Qingling and smiled knowingly. “Where were you two up to just now?”

Seeing Madam Liu’s stiff expression, Li Qingling laughed inwardly.

With Aunt Huang here, let’s see how thick-skinned Madam Liu could be.

Li Qingling recounted the earlier conversation briefly. “It’s my first time getting married, so I don’t really understand. I need to ask for your advice.”

Aunt Huang widened her mouth, glaring at Madam Liu. “Liu Chunhua, did you really say that to Xiaoling? Don’t bully her just because she’s young and naïve! Don’t just make things up!” She had seen shameless people before, but never anyone this shameless.

She genuinely admired Madam Liu—for saying something like that without embarrassment. If it were her, she would have wanted to dig a hole and hide.

“This… isn’t it like this?” Li Qingling looked at Aunt Huang, then at Madam Liu, puzzled. “Grandma, that’s what you just said, right? Or were you lying to me?”

She pinched her thigh to stop herself from laughing.

That mischievous Ningning really picked the perfect person to call—Aunt Huang, whose sharp tongue could shame anyone.

Madam Liu’s face turned red and white in waves. She pressed her lips tightly, took a deep breath, and forced down her anger. If it weren’t for the outsider, she would have slapped Li Qingling already.

Pretend… just keep pretending…

If Ningning hadn’t brought Aunt Huang here, how could it have been such a convenient coincidence?

“Liu Chunhua, you’re Xiaoling’s own grandmother. How can you lie to her like this?” Before Madam Liu could speak, Aunt Huang jumped in. “If anyone overheard, they’d think you’re after Xiaoling’s betrothal gifts!”

She had been called by little Ningning, thinking something serious was happening. Turns out it was Madam Liu, shamelessly trying to get Li Qingling’s gifts.

Li Qingling was her benefactor, who had brought her family wealth and a good life. For that alone, she wouldn’t let Madam Liu succeed.

“When did I ever lie to her? Huh? Which eye did you see me lying with?” Madam Liu finally snapped. She stood up, overturning the chair, hand on her waist, pointing at Aunt Huang, yelling, “Which family doesn’t give betrothal gifts when getting married? When your son got married, didn’t you give gifts to the bride’s family? If you hadn’t given betrothal gifts, would you even have a daughter-in-law?”

That woman, Huang, really spoke without feeling any pain herself.

Moreover, this was their family matter. Why should an outsider interfere?

Aunt Huang ignored Madam Liu entirely, leisurely lifting her teacup and taking a sip, making Madam Liu nearly jump with anger.

“Huang, this is our family matter. You, as an outsider, have no right to speak. If you have free time, go home and take care of your grandson!” Madam Liu glared at Aunt Huang, then turned to Li Qingling. “Xiaoling, this is our family matter. Huang isn’t appropriate here. You should send her away.”

Since Li Qingling had called Aunt Huang, she should have called her away.

Li Qingling looked at Madam Liu, troubled. “Aunt Huang treats me like her own daughter. It’s fine for her to listen in a little. Sending her away would be foolish. Grandma, what are you afraid of, hmm?”

Aunt Huang put down her cup and looked at Madam Liu. “Of course she’s afraid! If I’m here, it’ll be harder for you to try to get her betrothal gifts!” She smiled innocently, as if she hadn’t noticed Madam Liu’s increasingly darkening face. “Liu Chunhua, why don’t we just sit here and properly discuss Xiaoling’s betrothal gifts?”

That woman, Liu Chunhua, wouldn’t learn unless taught a lesson.

“Discuss what? What right do you have to discuss? Who are you to this family?” Madam Liu wanted to leave, but couldn’t swallow her anger. “Get out… get out… leave immediately!”

Aunt Huang didn’t react at all, still smiling. “Didn’t you hear what Xiaoling said? I treat her as my own daughter. When it comes to her marriage, I will definitely have a say.” Xiaoling had no parents. Aunt Huang would help with her marriage, ensuring she wasn’t cheated by that shameless woman.