TSWPF -Chapter 147 Calculations

The villagers had already said plenty—the sheer amount of betrothal gifts was truly unprecedented in the village.

Everyone sided with Aunt Huang, and Madam Liu didn’t dare speak recklessly. If she did, the villagers would immediately scold her.

Though she kept her mouth shut, in her heart she hated Aunt Huang intensely, thinking her far too meddlesome.

Old Li worried that Madam Liu might say something unpleasant and offend the entire village, so he quickly stepped forward, took the list of betrothal gifts from her hand, and smiled, “So many gifts—how could they be too few? Our Xiaoling is truly blessed.” He glanced around the villagers with a smile, then politely added, “Everyone, come in and have some tea!”

As soon as he said this, Liu Zhimou walked up to the village chief with a very respectful tone: “Village Chief, my parents have passed away, and I have no other relatives. For my marriage, I’ll need your help.” Then he pulled out another list of betrothal gifts and handed it to the chief. “This is another list of gifts. Please, Village Chief, take a look and see if it’s proper.”

Hearing such earnest words from Liu Zhimou, the village chief felt a sense of relief. He reached out, took the list, and began studying it carefully.

Zeng Tietou caught Liu Zhimou’s gaze and, smiling, stepped forward, loudly declaring, “I’m sure none of you have ever seen so many betrothal gifts before. Want to take a look?”

His words struck the villagers’ hearts—they had long wanted to see, but out of modesty hadn’t dared to ask. Now that Zeng Tietou said it aloud, everyone eagerly agreed, curious about what precious gifts were inside.

Li Laifu’s heart sank. If everyone saw the contents, how could he switch anything?

“These are Xiaoling’s betrothal gifts. How can we let everyone handle them freely? What if something gets damaged—who will compensate?”

The villagers, who had been tempted, hesitated after hearing Li Laifu’s words. Their families weren’t rich; if anything broke, how could they possibly pay for it? Perhaps it was better not to look after all.

At that moment, Li Qingling spoke up with a smile: “It’s okay. If uncles and aunts want to see, let them have a look. Just don’t touch anything.”

Her words reassured the villagers as if they’d been injected with courage.

Zeng Tietou seized the opportunity. Without waiting for Li Laifu to stop him, he quickly opened the chest, revealing its contents.

The villagers gasped and marveled. They had never seen such fine items before, and today their eyes were opened.

The women envied and admired Li Qingling—they thought she was truly blessed, able to marry Liu Zhimou and receive so many gifts.

Moreover, she was a capable person, so her dowry would undoubtedly be substantial as well.

In the past, with no parents, they had assumed she could barely survive, yet now she had such fortune.

For a moment, the villagers’ feelings were complex.

“These betrothal gifts are indeed excellent. Uncle Li and Aunt Li are fortunate to have such a granddaughter,” Zeng Tietou said, seeing that everyone had glimpsed the gifts. He quickly closed the chest lid. “Today we’ve truly opened our eyes. Thank you for letting us see.”

He congratulated Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou before stepping aside.

Li Laifu and Madam Liu were unhappy, silently blaming Zeng Tietou for being meddlesome. If it weren’t for him, the villagers wouldn’t have seen the gifts.

The betrothal gifts were practically on display, and their plan was much harder to carry out.

Liu Zhimou’s goal had been achieved, and he smiled.

If Old Li’s family wanted to tamper with the gifts, it would depend on his consent.

He didn’t believe that, after so many people had seen the gifts, they would dare act.

If they did, they wouldn’t blame him for being ruthless.

It wasn’t that he cared much for the gifts, but like Li Qingling, he didn’t want Old Li’s family to profit.

“Not at all,” Li Qingling said, then turned to Old Li. “Grandpa, keep the betrothal gifts and the lists here. I’ll prepare my dowry myself, so there’s no need to trouble you.”

Originally, she had planned to play a trick on Old Li, but upon thinking further, she decided against it. Even if Old Li prepared her dowry, it wouldn’t be impressive. She might as well handle it herself.

“That… that won’t do. Your parents aren’t here, so we should prepare your betrothal gifts,” Old Li said. With so many villagers watching, he couldn’t simply agree to Li Qingling’s suggestion.

If he didn’t refuse, the villagers would criticize him behind his back.

Li Qingling glanced at Old Li, saw his intention, and inwardly snorted, though she spoke kindly to persuade him.

Li Laifu, standing nearby, looked at Li Qingling and then Old Li. His eyes shifted, and he said, “Niece, dowry matters should be handled by the elders. How can a young girl like you take care of it? Give us the money, and we’ll manage everything for you properly.”

He planned to manipulate the betrothal gifts, but that would be noticed. If he got the silver from Li Qingling to handle the dowry, it would be easier to pocket some for himself.

Li Qingling saw right through him—he was full of ill intentions.

Her expression remained unchanged, her lips curled slightly as she said, “Thank you for your kindness, Uncle. I’ve mostly prepared the dowry, so there’s no need to trouble you.”

She wasn’t foolish—once the silver went into Li Laifu’s hands, it would be difficult to retrieve.

Moreover, her situation with Liu Zhimou was special. Her dowry didn’t need to be as extravagant as other girls’. Some simple preparation would suffice.

She didn’t care what others said behind her back—they couldn’t affect her.

Seeing Li Qingling resolute, Li Laifu was frustrated. That clever girl made it nearly impossible to seize any silver from her.

“All that matters is that it’s prepared,” he said, forcing a smile, then turned to have the villagers help carry the gifts into his house.

Since he couldn’t get silver from Li Qingling, he would have to attempt it through the gifts.

This was hardly his fault—it was that clever girl’s stinginess.

After the villagers helped move the gifts inside, they celebrated a little in the Old Li household before leaving.

Li Qingling didn’t stay either; after a few words with Old Li, she followed Liu Zhimou home.

“I think Uncle is scheming over the betrothal gifts and dowry,” Li Qingling said to Liu Zhimou at home. “If it were ordinary gifts, I wouldn’t mind, but these are yours. I have to care about them.”

Hearing this, Liu Zhimou was pleased. She cared about him, so she cared about his belongings.

He reached out, stroked her head, and reassured her: “I’ve instructed Uncle Zeng to watch carefully. If anything happens, he’ll report to us.” He didn’t want Li Laifu to ruin his gifts.

Li Qingling nodded, then shot him a glance. “When did you prepare so many gifts without me knowing?” That little man had hidden it well; she hadn’t noticed at all.

If she had known, she wouldn’t have let him move so many gifts.

She didn’t care for formalities—she only cared if he treated her well.

Even if the wedding offered plenty of gifts, what good were they if he didn’t treat her properly?

Liu Zhimou held her hand and smiled. “Ever since I intended to marry you, I’ve been secretly preparing them, little by little each day. By the time you agreed to marry me, everything was nearly ready.”

Li Qingling raised an eyebrow, questioning, “You prepared so early—weren’t you afraid I’d refuse?” If she had said no, all his preparations would have been wasted.

“I wouldn’t. I’ll convince you,” he said confidently. He knew she was soft-hearted; with a little acting pitiful and a few gentle words, she would surely agree.

Li Qingling twitched her lips, feeling she had stepped right into a trap he had laid long ago.

“You’re confident. But what if I don’t agree? Then what?”

“You’ll agree.”

“…“ He sounded so certain and confident—should she burst his bubble?

Li Qingling scoffed and spoke frankly: she wouldn’t prepare much dowry—just enough. A wedding was troublesome and exhausting; simplicity was better.

Liu Zhimou understood her dislike of fuss and smiled, letting her decide. Whatever made her happy was fine.

Seeing him so understanding, Li Qingling smiled too.

“Actually, whether we marry or not, it’s almost the same—we’d still live together.”

How could it be the same? If they weren’t married, he couldn’t share a bed with her or have children with her.

Of course, he only thought this privately, never speaking it aloud.

He squeezed her plump little hand, nodded, and acknowledged her words.

Li Qingling, seeing his agreement, continued chatting with him about other things.

No matter what she said, he smiled and nodded.

“Are you even listening to me?”

“I am. Haven’t I nodded along?”

She doubted he was truly listening because he nodded at every word with a smile.

Just as she was about to scold him, a sharp scream from Li Qingling’s sister outside startled them.

Both jumped up and ran out.