TSWPF -Chapter 146 Disdain

Upon hearing Li Qingfeng’s words, Madam Liu almost laughed in anger. Li Qingling kind and gentle? Who was kind and gentle? It certainly wasn’t Li Qingling!

Fuming, she pulled Li Qingfu behind her and glared fiercely at Li Qingling. “No matter what, Qingfu is your younger brother! How could you be so cruel to him?”

She would never let anyone harm her precious grandson without consequence.

Li Qingling reached out and patted Li Qingfeng on the shoulder, smiling. “Judging by Grandma’s expression, she doesn’t want us staying at her house. Xiaofeng, go tell Brother Zhimou—just carry the betrothal gifts around the village and bring them straight back to our home.”

She simply didn’t believe she couldn’t handle Madam Liu.

Sure enough, Madam Liu stiffened at these words. In her flustered state earlier, she had completely forgotten about this matter.

She almost slapped herself—how could she forget something so important?

If she saw Li Qingling’s betrothal gifts carried back to their home, she would regret it to death.

“Ai… ai…” Madam Liu hurried forward, grabbing Li Qingfeng’s hand and forcing a smile at Li Qingling. “Siblings arguing a little is normal. Earlier, Grandma got a bit flustered and misunderstood you—don’t take it to heart, alright?”

For the sake of securing her family’s betrothal gifts, Madam Liu could bow so low—it was astonishing to Li Qingling.

Truly, money could make even ghosts turn the millstone!

Li Qingfu, who had been proudly puffing up his chest, was dumbfounded. Grandma was supposed to stand up for him, so why was she now bowing to Li Qingling instead?

He tugged on Madam Liu’s sleeve. “Grandma, what are you doing? She bullied me! Didn’t you see?”

When had Grandma changed? In the past, whenever he quarreled with Li Qingling, she would always side with him unconditionally.

Madam Liu grit her teeth, glanced at Li Qingfu, sent him a subtle signal, then turned back to Li Qingling. “Xiaoling, you’re magnanimous. Forgive your cousin this once—he didn’t do it on purpose.”

For the sake of getting Li Qingling’s betrothal gifts, she had humbled herself.

Unfortunately, Li Qingfu wasn’t clever enough to notice the signal. All he knew was that Grandma wasn’t backing him this time, and he felt indignant.

He pouted, shouting, “Grandma, are you stupid? She’s the one who hurt me! Why are you defending her?!” He had never felt so helpless. “If she doesn’t give me an explanation today, her betrothal arrangements are going to be ruined.”

Before he even finished a few sentences, he was already threatening.

Li Qingling inwardly wanted to applaud—he had done her a big favor.

She never wanted the betrothal gifts to stay at the Li household, but out of respect for the village chief, she had agreed.

She subtly squeezed Li Qingfeng’s hand. He understood and squeezed back. She lowered her head and smiled, then looked up with a sad expression.

“Since my cousin despises me so much, I have no choice but to leave.” With that, she didn’t wait for Madam Liu to speak and strode out.

Seeing this, Madam Liu reached out to stop her, but Li Qingfeng blocked her, holding Li Qingling’s hand. “What should we do about Li Qingfu?”

Outside, Li Qingling’s reddened eyes caught the attention of the villagers.

“Xiaoling, what happened? Did someone bully you?” Aunt Huang rushed over, holding Li Qingling’s hands in concern.

She had heard the commotion inside but didn’t dare barge into the Li household. Now seeing Li Qingling emerge with red eyes, her imagination ran wild.

Lowering her head, Li Qingling whispered, “My cousin doesn’t want me in his house…”

That single sentence was enough for Aunt Huang to understand.

Clutching Li Qingling’s hand, she said angrily, “Let’s go home. Who cares about staying here?!”

Trying to grab Li Qingling’s betrothal gifts was one thing—but now showing her attitude too? Absolutely intolerable.

The commotion was loud enough that Old Li and Li Laifu, chatting nearby, had heard it. The father and son exchanged glances and hurried over.

“Niece, what happened? Did someone bully you? Tell your uncle—I’ll stand up for you,” Li Laifu said, smiling at Li Qingling.

Before Li Qingling could speak, Aunt Huang interjected, “We should ask your son. If your family doesn’t welcome Xiaoling here, why involve yourselves?”

She had a thousand grievances against the Li household.

Li Laifu was furious that his son was ruining things, but he forced a smile and comforted Li Qingling softly, “Don’t be upset, niece. I’ll have your brother come out and apologize.” Then, he shouted toward the doorway, “Li Qingfu! Get out here!”

How could he have such a thoughtless son? Truly hopeless.

Old Li frowned slightly, staring at Li Qingling. He asked if she and Li Qingfu had quarreled.

Li Qingfu was his grandson; he didn’t want him to apologize to Li Qingling in front of everyone, as it would hurt Li Qingfu’s pride—and by extension, the Li family’s reputation.

This was unacceptable to him.

Li Qingling glanced at Old Li and recounted the events inside the house, adding, “Grandpa, if you’re not genuinely helping me, I won’t trouble you.”

She didn’t want these petty people meddling in her and Li Zhimou’s happiness.

Old Li silently scolded his ungrateful grandson but kept a composed face. “Xiaoling, that hurts your grandpa’s heart. You’re my granddaughter—how could we not sincerely help you?”

His words were delivered as if completely sincere.

“Exactly, niece, we’re your close family. Of course we’ll sincerely help with your wedding preparations,” Li Laifu added hurriedly. He was afraid Li Qingling would walk away, ruining his plans.

This was the last step—he couldn’t afford to let it fail.

“Niece, wait here. I’ll drag your ungrateful brother out to apologize to you.”

With that, he strode into the house and quickly dragged Li Qingfu out. He pinched Li Qingfu’s hand, forcing him to apologize to Li Qingling.

Though Li Qingfu was fierce, he feared his father.

Under Li Laifu’s pressure, Li Qingfu grudgingly apologized.

Li Qingling sighed inwardly—her wish to go home had been thwarted again.

Li Qingfu had apologized; holding onto the matter any longer would be her fault.

She looked coldly at Li Qingfu. “I forgive you this time. If there’s a next time, don’t blame me.” She was never a gentle person—anyone who crossed her would face her retaliation.

Today was her and Li Zhimou’s special day, so she forgave him—but it was a one-time exception.

Li Qingfu hated Li Qingling with all his heart but didn’t dare show it, only nodding reluctantly.

“All’s well between siblings; misunderstandings are cleared,” Li Laifu said, trying to ease the tension. “Zhimou will be here soon. Xiaoling, you should sit inside first.”

He needed to keep the stubborn girl in line—once he secured the betrothal gifts, he wouldn’t have to be polite anymore.

Li Qingling glanced at Li Laifu, nodded, and went inside with Li Qingfeng.

Soon after, Li Zhimou arrived with the betrothal gifts.

Madam Liu saw the boxes being carried in and couldn’t help raising her lips in delight.

With so many gifts, she could use them for her eldest son’s betrothal to the Huang family, saving a lot of silver.

“Oh! A pair of geese! Zhimou really knows his stuff!” Villagers murmured as they noticed a male and female goose among the gifts.

Geese were hard to catch—most villagers used chickens instead. The fact that Li Zhimou had brought a pair showed how much he valued Li Qingling.

“Yes, today we’re truly seeing something special,” someone added.

“This is the first betrothal gift like this in the village.”

Most villagers weren’t wealthy; betrothal gifts weren’t usually so extravagant. Seeing Li Zhimou’s gifts sparked both jealousy and admiration.

Li Zhimou handed one of the gift lists to Madam Liu. Her eyes lit up at the unfamiliar items.

But when she saw the amount of money at the end, her smile stiffened.

Sixteen taels?

Sixteen taels? Could this be a mistake? It seemed so little.

She had thought the money would be at least several dozen taels, if not over a hundred. How could it be only sixteen?

“Zhimou, this…” Madam Liu looked up at Li Zhimou, pointing at the money on the list. “Is this… a mistake?”

Li Zhimou’s expression remained calm. “Grandma, it’s like this. I don’t have much silver left after preparing all these gifts. I can only follow the village custom and provide sixteen taels.” He paused, then spoke even more sincerely. “Grandma, don’t worry. I will do my best and won’t treat Qingling unfairly.”

Who cared if he treated Li Qingling unfairly? She wanted the money!

Madam Liu’s face darkened further.

Aunt Huang, standing nearby, was not so patient. “Liu Chunhua, are you saying sixteen taels isn’t enough? Ask everyone—considering all these gifts plus sixteen taels, isn’t that plenty?”

Liu Chunhua’s appetite was truly big, daring to complain about sixteen taels. In the village, a family’s annual expenses barely reached one or two taels—the sixteen taels could last many years.