"Wuu wuu wuu!" The girl, hearing her parents argue, didn’t know what to do. Following her mother’s gaze, she burst into a loud wailing again.
The crying this time was partly genuine, partly feigned—she had gotten into the act!
Hongji’s father... "Please, miss, don’t cry. Your tears are breaking my heart."
The girl’s mother cursed loudly:
"What? You think you can bully us with your power, bring false evidence to court? We’re not afraid. Have you all seen that handkerchief?"
"My sister has been violated, and none of you are leaving this doorstep today!" The girl’s older brother brandished his stick menacingly.
"You expect to get off that easily after bullying my daughter?" Hongji’s father glared menacingly, ready to bring the stick down if they refused to agree.
"My sister is an innocent maiden taken advantage of by this old man. If you don’t give us a satisfactory answer—hmph, we may lead miserable lives, but you are different!" The girl’s younger brother threatened as if they would face death if they did not comply.
Hongji’s father... "I never realized you could be so ferocious. If I marry this girl, will you turn hostile at the slightest disagreement and seek my life?"
Mrs. Lai’s heart trembled. Used to being fierce at home, she glared: "Who knows if you smeared chicken blood to frame us, the Ye family, trying to force this temptress, this damaged goods into our house’s door? I don’t agree!"
Mrs. Lai stumbled upon some truth, but it was more of an offhand comment rather than a calculated guess. She did smell blood, but couldn’t discern the origin.
Mrs. Lai’s words stunned some of those present for a moment, fearing they had indeed guessed correctly.
The group exchanged glances, enticed by the wealth within reach. How could they let the impending riches slip through their fingers?
The previously hostile expressions suddenly shifted, as if their faces changed faster than the sky.
"Brother-in-law, you speak up. My sister is a woman and cannot decide this matter. You take charge. What shall we do about this?"
As the girl’s father spoke, his eldest son said:
"What else? My sister’s marriage certainly demands gift money!"
The cousin and younger brother also said: "My sister is in the prime of her youth, and you, sir, are so old. You must pay more gift money."
Hongji’s father... "How am I old? I can still father sons." Yet he couldn’t say this to them. He pondered whether to nod in agreement or to negotiate for a lower price, finding himself at a disadvantage in the other family’s home.
No one went to seek help from the eldest son. With him around, the situation might have been easier to manage.
His gaze drifted outside to Mrs. Lai’s relatives living nearby. Despite such commotion, not one of them had come to see, which was truly bizarre!
Mrs. Lai had been looking for someone for such a long time. Why hadn’t her relatives come over?
As a man, he had been rather honest before, not yet privy to more devious thoughts. With his family not previously wealthy, no one had used such schemes against him.
Hongji’s father prided himself on not being foolish. He believed that even though it often seemed as though Mrs. Lai took charge, he was always supportive, offering guidance behind the scenes.
Mrs. Lai was incensed that those who usually flattered her now dared demand a lion’s share.
They aimed to scheme against her son, unable to cause loss to Mrs. Li, but instead, they shot themselves in the foot.
Mrs. Lai was livid! Her eyes emitted a venomous glare, wishing these poor relatives would vanish. She regretted being kind to these ingrates by letting them work on her son’s estate.
To combat Mrs. Li and ensure that neither the eldest son nor Mrs. Li’s family could have a say in her son’s lumber mill or estate, Mrs. Lai recommended some of her relatives, like the several men currently present, both old and young, who worked on her son’s estate.
Initially, they followed Mrs. Lai’s wishes, along with other relatives, clashing with Mrs. Li’s family for power.
Unfortunately, they weren’t capable enough and became known for being lazy. After fighting over control, they started to behave, still working there simply because they were relatives.
Mrs. Lai looked at the red brick and tile house, which was only constructed over the last two years; previously, they all lived in dilapidated mud huts.
Mrs. Lai regretted fattening up these thankless wretches who now turned to bite her.
"You hope for a hefty bride price? Dream on. This piece of damaged goods expects to be married off like a treasure? You should be lucky to have a palanquin carry you through the door."
This time, Mrs. Lai had calmed down a bit. She was unaware that her tone of voice had already fallen into the trap set by the others.