TSWPF -Chapter 157 A Wounded Heart

After seeing Li Qingling and the others come out, the old man quickly strode over and asked how things had gone.

Earlier, he had gone with Li Qingning to play by the fish pond. After hearing about what had happened from villagers, he hurried over, only to find the courtyard gate locked. Unable to get inside, he could only wait outside anxiously.

Li Qingling smiled at him and said, “Let’s talk about it after we get home.”

The villagers, who had been pricking up their ears hoping to hear some gossip, all felt disappointed when they heard her words.

They were dying to know what had really happened. Why had Li Qingling carried the betrothal gifts back?

The old man understood as well. He gave a short “mm” and walked home with Li Qingling and the others.

When they reached home, Li Qingling noticed the villagers trailing behind. She smiled helplessly and said, “Uncles and aunties, something’s come up at home today, so it’s inconvenient to entertain everyone. Another day, when I have time, I’ll properly host you all.” With that, she neatly shut the courtyard gate.

Staring at the closed gate, the villagers immediately began discussing among themselves.

“What on earth happened in there? Why did Xiaoling carry the betrothal gifts back?”

“Maybe Old Li Tou’s family did something that angered Xiaoling, so she doesn’t want to marry out of that household anymore.”

“I’m telling you, today I saw Li Baozhu wearing a really pretty hairpin and a buyao, running over to play with Xiaoling. Not long after, she ran home crying, and Xiaoling and Zhimou followed her.” One auntie spoke mysteriously.

As soon as she said this, everyone’s gaze turned toward her, and they all asked what had happened.

The auntie looked smug and continued her wild speculation. “I bet Madam Liu and her lot coveted Xiaoling’s betrothal gifts. Xiaoling got angry and carried them back.”

“That Madam Liu is definitely capable of doing something like that.”

“I think so too…”

With all their random guesses, the villagers had more or less pieced the truth together. If Li Qingling had heard them, she probably would’ve given them a thumbs-up—such accurate guesses.

At this moment, however, Li Qingling was sitting in the main hall, being questioned by the old man about what exactly had happened.

With no choice, Li Qingling explained, “My so-called grandparents coveted half of my betrothal gifts. I couldn’t swallow that anger, so I carried them back.” If Old Li Tou and the others hadn’t gone too far, she wouldn’t have done this.

They were simply too greedy, daring to covet so much of her betrothal gifts.

Upon hearing this, the old man’s brows shot up. He shouted angrily, “Outrageous! How could such a thing happen!” Truly black-hearted—even coveting their own granddaughter’s betrothal gifts. “Did you get back the items they took?”

“I got some of them back, but some are still missing. They were probably given away by my eldest uncle. My grandfather said that once those items are recovered, he’ll send them straight to me.” After a pause, Li Qingling continued, “If he can’t get them back, I’ll make him compensate me in silver.” On this point, she absolutely wouldn’t suffer a loss.

Those betrothal gifts were bought by Liu Zhimou with great difficulty for her. There was no way she’d just let this slide. She had to teach them a hard lesson so they’d remember that she wasn’t someone they could bully.

Hearing this, the old man finally nodded in satisfaction. That was more like it.

Luckily, this girl didn’t have a soft, bodhisattva-like heart. She wouldn’t easily let Old Li Tou’s family off.

In his view, people who did wrong should be punished, not forgiven so easily.

All in all, this girl truly suited his taste.

…

A few days later, Old Li Tou personally came to see Li Qingling. Looking at her, he said coldly, “Some of the items have been recovered, but some are still missing. Take a look—how much are those worth? I’ll compensate you in silver.” As he spoke, he pushed the items he had brought straight in front of Li Qingling.

Li Qingling glanced at Old Li Tou. He must truly hate this granddaughter of his now.

She tugged at the corner of her mouth in a faint smile, opened the bundle right in front of him, and checked the contents—hairpins, buyao, bracelets…

Her eldest uncle was really generous, willing to give away such expensive things.

No wonder Madam Liu had pointed at his nose and scolded him as a spendthrift.

All these items together were worth no less than fifty taels of silver. Fifty taels was a huge sum for any family.

“Please wait a moment, sir. I’ll go fetch the list to check against it,” Li Qingling said. Without caring about Old Li Tou’s expression, she turned and went straight back to her room to get the betrothal inventory list.

When Old Li Tou heard her call him “sir,” his brows knit tightly together in displeasure.

But he himself had been the one to say they were cutting off relations. He couldn’t very well turn around and scold her now.

Deep down, he truly regretted it. He shouldn’t have spoken so impulsively.

Yet now, asking him to take those words back would be a blow to his pride.

Soon, Li Qingling returned with the betrothal list and spread it out in front of Old Li Tou, pointing out each item one by one.

After looking it over, Old Li Tou said bluntly, “What exactly is missing? How much compensation is needed? Just say it.” He really didn’t want to have any more contact with this granddaughter.

Seeing her made his emotions unbearably complicated.

Since that was the case, it was better not to see her at all.

Li Qingling lifted her eyes and glanced at Old Li Tou’s unhappy expression. Knowing he didn’t want to stay longer, she didn’t force the issue and said directly, “What’s missing here are five hairpins, eight buyao, and six bracelets…” By the time she finished listing everything, Old Li Tou’s mouth was twitching uncontrollably. So many items—how much silver would that be?

“T-this… how much silver does it come to?” he couldn’t help asking again.

“Converted altogether, at least one hundred and fifty taels.”

“What? One hundred and fifty taels?” Hearing that figure, Old Li Tou nearly jumped up. Where was he supposed to find that much silver?

Li Qingling nodded calmly. “Sir, if you don’t believe me, you can ask around and see how much these items are really worth.” She truly wasn’t cheating him; she was quoting the original prices.

Old Li Tou’s face darkened further. He rubbed his hands together and glanced at Li Qingling a couple more times, wanting to say something, but swallowing the words before they left his mouth.

He desperately wanted to ask if she could reduce the amount, but he felt too ashamed. The words simply wouldn’t come out.

Li Qingling pretended not to notice his hesitation. She lifted her teacup and slowly took a couple of sips, giving him time to think.

Old Li Tou sat there for a long while. Seeing that Li Qingling said nothing more, irritation welled up in his heart. He felt she didn’t know how to conduct herself.

“I don’t have that much silver on hand right now. I’ll have to borrow it,” Old Li Tou said. He deliberately emphasized the word “borrow,” hoping Li Qingling would understand his family’s difficulty and show some leniency.

If this were another granddaughter, she might’ve said he didn’t need to repay it. But Li Qingling merely smiled faintly, set down her teacup, and said, “Mm. As long as you repay it before I get married, that’s fine.” Wasn’t she already being generous enough? She wasn’t even urging him to repay it immediately.

Old Li Tou was so angered by her that he rolled his eyes. Having lost all desire to continue talking, he suddenly stood up and left without a word.

He stormed home in a fury, ignoring everyone who greeted him along the way.

As soon as he got back, he saw Li Laifu sitting in the courtyard eating. His face dark, he yelled at him, “Eat, eat, all you know how to do is eat! I’m telling you, if you don’t get those things back, I’ll break your legs!” Truly a spendthrift—throwing away so much silver on a woman who wasn’t even married into the family yet.

Li Laifu was so startled by the shout that he nearly choked. Stretching his neck, he swallowed what was in his throat, then looked up at Old Li Tou and asked what was wrong.

Hadn’t he left earlier in high spirits? Why was his face so dark now?

Old Li Tou pointed at Li Laifu and continued roaring, “What’s wrong? You still have the nerve to ask? I’m telling you, hurry up and go ask that woman to return the items. Do you hear me?”

“Father, do you really want your son to stay a bachelor for life?” Li Laifu said. He had finally coaxed Meiniang into giving back those items. If he went to ask again, he truly wouldn’t be able to marry Huang Meiniang in this lifetime.

Thinking of Huang Meiniang’s figure, he felt utterly reluctant.

Old Li Tou took a heavy breath, then roared back, “With one hundred and fifty taels of silver, what kind of wife can’t you marry? Forget one—if you wanted two, there’d still be women willing to marry you!” Utterly ungrateful—that was one hundred and fifty taels!

Did he even understand what one hundred and fifty taels meant? Old Li Tou felt like he was about to be driven to death by this stupid son.

Hearing this, Li Laifu jumped to his feet. “What? One hundred and fifty taels? Why doesn’t Li Qingling just go rob someone?” He looked at Old Li Tou and asked loudly, “Father, didn’t she take into account that you’re her grandfather and give you a discount?”

If Li Laifu hadn’t said that, it would’ve been fine. But once he did, the fire in Old Li Tou’s heart flared up again.

“Our family has already cut off relations with them. Why would she give me any face?” Old Li Tou replied sarcastically. “Stop talking nonsense and hurry up and go get those items back. If you can’t, don’t bother coming home.”

With such a foolish son, this family would be ruined sooner or later.

Li Laifu stared at Old Li Tou in disbelief. Seeing that his expression wasn’t joking, his brows furrowed even tighter. “Father, am I not even worth one hundred and fifty taels? Huh?” His heart was truly hurt.

Old Li Tou snorted, tossed out a single sentence—“Not worth it”—and strode into the house.