Human joys and sorrows are not the same.
For most people, the tragedy at Ma Jinbao’s home was just idle chatter after meals.
After a while, they forgot about it.
The Yue Family, however, sighed for a while.
Yue Xiaofang felt profoundly fortunate.
Luckily, she had her mother and family members; otherwise, her life might have also ended at the Ma Family’s.
Just thinking about it gave her a fright.
But these emotions lasted only briefly, as the Yue Family had more pressing matters to handle.
Soon, they were to move to the city.
The Yue Family had to use this time to pack up everything that needed packing and settle all the interpersonal debts beforehand.
Lin Chunju specifically called Wang Xiaoni into the room and handed her a small cloth bag.
"Later, go to the back kitchen, get some sausages, cured meat, and fish, and visit your parental home."
Wang Xiaoni received the neatly wrapped cloth bag and immediately understood what was inside.
"Mom, how could this be? My husband and I will still live in the village. What is this money for?"
If Wang Xiaoni were moving to the city with them and not coming back for a long time, this money could be considered a token of filial respect to her parents.
But since they would still be in Daye Village and certainly visiting during festivities, Wang Xiaoni suddenly did not understand.
"This is for your parents. When you married into our family, they didn’t look down on our poverty. Now, as I am moving to the city and won’t see her often, I heard your youngest sister is discussing marriage; consider this my contribution to her dowry."
Wang Xiaoni was flattered and somewhat embarrassed, "There’s no reason for you to contribute to her dowry."
Lin Chunju was firm, "All right, don’t waste time, go now."
Wang Xiaoni dared not say more and went back to her room, gripping the cloth bag.
Her heart was filled with mixed emotions; she had two older brothers, a younger brother, and a sister.
Usually, the child in the middle in a family tends to be overlooked.
They don’t receive the affection given to the youngest, nor the recognition given to the eldest.
In such an environment, Wang Xiaoni developed a cautious and honest disposition, speaking little and just keeping her head down to work.
Initially, when the Yue Family came to propose, both her brothers insisted that since Zhang Ying’s family had demanded a hefty bride price, their family should do the same.
But Mom thought that demanding a high bride price might lead to mistreatment by the in-laws, so she symbolically asked for some money and married her off.
And she did not provide a dowry.
In the village, it wasn’t considered particularly loving towards a daughter but it wasn’t criticized by others either.
Yet unexpectedly, such a standard conduct was always remembered by her mother-in-law.
Wang Xiaoni put the items in a basket, hiding the cloth bag beside them, and covered it up before heading to her parental home.
Both her sisters-in-law were present, greeting her with big smiles.
"Xiaoni’s back, what goodies did you bring this time?"
Wang Xiaoni remembered that before the Yue Family prospered, every time she came home, her sisters-in-law wore indifferent expressions.
They didn’t say anything unpleasant, but they were also never welcoming.
Upon hearing the commotion, Wang’s mother also came out to greet her.
"Why are you here today? Does your mother-in-law know?"
Wang Xiaoni’s face then revealed a genuine smile, "It was my mother-in-law who sent me over."
Wang’s mother breathed a sigh of relief, took the basket to set it aside, and sat Wang Xiaoni down by the table, holding her hands.
The sisters-in-law also gathered around, one on each side.
"This is what my mother-in-law had me bring, money for our younger sister’s dowry," Wang Xiaoni took out the cloth bag from the basket.
Wang’s mother initially thought to set it aside, but the eldest sister-in-law grabbed it, opened the cloth bag, and wetting her fingers, began to count the bills in front of everyone.
Wang Xiaoni was stunned, and Wang’s mother’s face turned sour.
"What are you doing!"
The eldest sister-in-law piled on the smiles, "Oh Xiaoni, your mother-in-law is too generous. There are at least ten big unified bills here!"
Wang Xiaoni did not respond. The eldest sister-in-law leaned in closer.
"But the Yue Family is wealthy now, weren’t there lavish banquets just the other day that must have cost thousands, Xiaoni? Are you also moving to the city with your mother-in-law?"