dognovel Chapter 43 Who Receives the Dowry and Who Gets Married
Chapter 43 Who Receives the Dowry and Who Gets Married
No matter how Li Mu's family discussed taking 500 yuan to propose marriage to the Zeng family on behalf of his elder brother, the Zeng family was quite excited when Sun Erxi returned from the Li family and mentioned the 500 yuan dowry.
“Sister-in-law, you haven’t been scammed by the Li family, have you? They’re so poor, how could they possibly come up with five hundred yuan?”
Liu Cuizhu spoke with a look of disdain; she didn't believe that the impoverished Li family could come up with five hundred yuan.
"Hmph! I think Old Li's family is just being arrogant and doesn't care about losing their tongue. Five hundred yuan? They've even dug up a rat hole, they probably can't even scrape together two yuan."
Grandma Zeng also looked disgusted. The Li family had been peasants since their ancestors. They came from the same place, so everyone knew each other!
"I don't think so!"
Zeng's second son stubbed out his cigarette, and when he thought of Li Mu's trip up the mountain, a greedy glint appeared in his eyes.
"Don't forget, Li Mu got Tao Qingshan a wild ginseng before. If that wild ginseng had been sold, it would have been worth at least seven or eight hundred yuan."
Wild ginseng! That's a real treasure.
Grandma Zeng immediately became interested. She was getting old, and it would be good to have an old ginseng root by her side.
"Then let the Li family add another wild ginseng, and don't forget the three turns and one ring. Our Zeng family's daughter is worth any amount of money."
Grandma Zeng made it sound so easy.
But how could we possibly let her say whatever she wanted?
Sun Erxi, who had initially felt some joy, was now filled with nothing but anger.
But now is not the time to lose her temper. She will make a scene after her daughter gets married.
"Mother, you need so much... what if the Li family isn't happy about it?"
"Don't you dare say you're going to marry Xiangnan to that old widower, or he won't be able to get you any wild ginseng in the future."
These words reminded Liu Cuizhu that she had accepted money from the old widower. If she wanted to break off the engagement, she would have to return the money.
But we can't return everything... No, the things are for her precious son's wedding. Once they're in their second wife's room, they can't be taken away again.
However, before she could say those words, a familiar voice rang out from outside.
"Is Aunt Zeng home? We are from Li Laosan's family. We have come to propose marriage on behalf of our eldest son."
As soon as she finished speaking, Liang Meizhen followed her two sons, Li Qianjin and Li Mu, into the courtyard.
Sun Erxi quickly got up and went out of the house to greet him.
Seeing that Liang Meizhen's two sons were carrying things behind her, she was overjoyed.
The Li family is really generous. They agreed on a dowry of 500 yuan, and they even brought gifts to the door, which gives their daughter face and confidence.
"Oh my! You said you'd be coming today, but I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly."
Sun Er happily led the people into the house, but before they even entered the door, they were stopped by Liu Cuizhu, who came out from the opposite direction.
"Sister-in-law, what are you doing? Didn't we agree that Xiangnan would marry Cui Dahai, a technician at the county steel plant? Now you're bringing the Li family into the house. Are you trying to marry your daughter off twice?"
Liu Cuizhu's words were so harsh that Sun Erxi's face immediately darkened.
Before she could speak, Li Mu asked first, "Aunt Sun, have you already accepted someone's betrothal gifts?"
"No, I didn't accept it."
Sun Erxi spoke up eagerly.
I'm afraid that even a moment's hesitation will cause the Li family to misunderstand.
Upon hearing her say this, Li Mu immediately curled his lips into a wicked smile and said, "Whoever receives the betrothal money is the one who gets married. Please ask Aunt Sun to call Sister Xiangnan out. We've brought the betrothal money, and my elder brother wants to hand it over to her personally."
“Okay, okay! I’ll go call her out right now,” Sun Erxi replied eagerly.
He turned and headed straight for Liu Xiangnan's room, afraid that if he hesitated even slightly, the Li family would become dissatisfied.
"and many more!"
Liu Cuizhu stopped them with a look of dissatisfaction, saying, "I've never heard of parents not giving betrothal gifts to their daughters when they get married."
"What, trying to get something for nothing?"
"Second Aunt, my family's affairs are none of your business. The bride price is for Xiangnan to keep herself."
If it weren't for what the second brother's family said earlier, Sun Erxi would definitely have had a serious argument with the Li family about this matter.
But now she understands that apart from herself, who loves her own daughter dearly, everyone else in this family would love to tear her daughter apart and sell her.
"Sister-in-law, do you think I want to meddle in your family's mess? Don't forget, we haven't separated our family yet, and our mother is still alive."
Liu Cuizhu spoke with a disdainful look, then turned to look at Old Mrs. Zeng, who was already sitting in the main room.
At this moment, Granny Zeng's upside-down triangular eyes were scrutinizing Li Mu and his elder brother Li Qianjin as if they were merchandise.
They looked at Li Mu as if he were a piece of prime fat meat, but at Li Qianjin as if he were a clod of dirt.
Greed and disdain appearing simultaneously in one person's eyes create the most striking contrast.
Li Mu smirked and said coldly, "Whether we separate or not is none of our business. In any case, we are the ones who should betroth Zeng Xiangnan."
Before he finished speaking, Zeng Xiangnan, who had come out upon hearing the sound, had already run up to Li Qianjin, her pretty little face flushed with embarrassment.
"Brother Qianjin, you've arrived."
"Yes! Don't worry, I will definitely marry you."
Li Qianjin's dark face was flushed with a light red, but his clear eyes had never been so firm.
Li Mu watched from the sidelines, feeling both heartbroken and overjoyed.
But of all people, there have to be those who want to ruin the atmosphere at this crucial moment.
"Young lady, who told you to come out? Get back inside right now. A grown woman like you, being all lovey-dovey with a man in front of strangers, aren't you ashamed?"
Old Mrs. Zeng glared with her triangular eyes and uttered a string of vicious and sarcastic remarks.
Li Mu narrowed his eyes and turned to face the old lady Zeng: "Sister Xiangnan will soon be my sister-in-law. What's wrong with her saying a few words to my brother?"
“This is not a feudal dynasty anymore, where men and women are not allowed to meet before marriage and marriage is entirely decided by parents.”
"Anyone who tries to do that will be reported. Any talk of freedom of marriage is a violation of the Marriage Protection Law, and that will land you in jail."
Li Mu wasn't afraid to speak boldly; the Zeng family was just a bunch of bullies among themselves. If things really escalated to the county level, they'd all be in deep trouble.
"Furthermore, any act of accepting betrothal gifts without the woman's consent, or of forcing marriage, will be treated as human trafficking."
"It's perfect timing for the crackdown; if they're arrested now, they won't get out without being sentenced to eight, nine, or even ten years."
These words had barely left his mouth when, before the Zeng family could react...
Sun Erxi looked at Li Mu with a surprised expression and asked, "Mu boy, is what you're saying true?"
"Of course it's true! I went to the inspection team yesterday because I caught a fugitive, and the captain of the inspection team told me that himself."
Li Mu didn't hesitate to bring up the old squad leader to raise the banner, without feeling any burden at all.