Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: Still Want a Bride Price? In Your Dreams

“Alright, alright, say whatever you want!” The Han couple felt completely deflated; after all, they hadn’t been in the right.

“Now that things have come to this, we should think about what to do next,” Han’s father sighed.

“Do what? I want to see how you plan to handle this!” Madam Gu remained aggressive.

No matter what, their son was the victim in this matter, so they had to take the initiative and gain as much ground as possible.

Knowing the Han family’s nature, they might even want a bride price.

But how could that be? Their son was the one who had fallen into her trap and suffered losses. Paying her a bride price was simply absurd!

By rights, they should be demanding compensation from her. After all, their family had profited considerably from Young Master Jiang over the past two years—shouldn’t they have a share of that as well?

Madam Gu began to ponder this.

Seeing that she didn’t speak first, the Han couple exchanged glances and decided to take the lead.

This matter had reached a point where it couldn’t be left unresolved. If it became the talk of the village, even their son’s reputation would be ruined.

Their daughter was already compromised, so they had to protect their son.

Han’s father gritted his teeth and said, “Since this has happened, let’s think about how to settle it. No more words. We should just have the two children marry as soon as possible. They’re already sixteen, after all—that’s the right age for marriage.”

Han’s mother added, “My Jingyue is quite a good looking girl, and Lan from your family grew up alongside her. They know each other well and have always been fond of each other. Speaking of which, it reminds me why Jingyue never wanted to be with Young Master Jiang—she’s always had her heart set on your Gu Lan.”

“Though it’s been all kinds of unfortunate accidents, it’s like mistakes have balanced each other out, don’t you think?”

“Hmph, it’s because you look down on the poor and chase after the powerful!” Madam Gu scoffed disdainfully.

“Oh, if given the chance, who wouldn’t want their children to live better lives? Sister-in-law Gu, don’t you agree?” Han’s mother asked.

That was true, and Madam Gu couldn’t argue.

“So, let’s just get this marriage done for the children!” Han’s mother forced a smile.

“Oh? Then I’d like to hear how you plan to do that,” Madam Gu said with arms crossed, looking at them with contempt.

This couple must have some shameless scheme!

Sure enough, Han’s mother smiled and said, “What else can we do but follow the usual customs? We’ll go through the proper procedures.”

“Does that mean a bride price is involved?” Madam Gu curled her lips in disdain.

Han’s mother hesitated slightly. “By tradition, the bride price in our village is eighty-eight spirit stones, but since the two children like each other, we could settle for a lucky number—sixty-six, just as a token.”

Ah, I spit on that! Madam Gu knew they were shameless, but she hadn’t expected them to be so brazen!

“Sixty-six spirit stones! Ha! Such a precious girl, the Gu family can’t afford her! You two should take your leave. Whoever offers eighty-eight spirit stones elsewhere, you should hurry up and go. I wouldn’t dare hold you back from making money!” Madam Gu sneered mercilessly.

“This…” The Han couple frowned deeply. Isn’t this the standard in this village and its surroundings? It’s not high at all!

Have eighty-eight spirit stones ever been too much? It’s been that way for years! If you can’t come up with it, then maybe you should ask yourself if you’ve been working hard enough, if you’ve made any effort at all.

Just like a certain woman once said: How much effort does it take to strive?

“Sister-in-law Gu, we really don’t want much!” Han’s mother sighed. “If you don’t believe me, go check around—this has been the going rate for the past two years!”

“I don’t have the time for that!” Madam Gu cut them off. “You can leave. I won’t accept this marriage. The Gong family will be here soon, and my house is too small to accommodate so many of you.”

“The Gong family?” The Han couple froze. “The Gong family is coming?”

Madam Gu nodded. “Of course they are. The most innocent in all this is that girl Huimin. She originally went in worried about your Jingyue, but then she got caught in the trap.

Her parents sent someone to talk to me—they said at this point, nobody wants this mess anymore. They just want the two families to join as one. They don’t want a bride price, just some new clothes for the children.”

A faint smile appeared on Madam Gu’s lips. “That’s a reasonable, understanding family. They say a good woman brings prosperity for three generations—I think Huimin is such a girl.

So, Brother Han, Sister-in-law Han, you should hurry back and find a good family willing to pay eighty-eight spirit stones for your precious daughter.

Our Gu family’s house is small; we can’t afford to host such grand guests like you!”

She motioned for them to leave.

The Han couple grew desperate. This wouldn’t do—the daughter not going to Gu Lan meant her life was ruined. Not only would there be no bride price, but they’d be stuck paying for her meals forever.

They gritted their teeth and said, “Sister-in-law Gu, how about this? For the sake of the children, we won’t ask for any bride price. We only brought it up earlier to test your family’s attitude, not because we truly wanted the money.

Let’s discuss this matter properly.”

Their tone became humble all of a sudden.

They thought this would soften Madam Gu’s stance and lead to a proper discussion, but instead, she sneered dismissively.

“Brother Han, Sister-in-law Han, there’s no need to be like this. The Gu family is dirt poor. We really can’t marry your daughter.”

“Now that you’re here today, I’ll be frank. I’ve already decided to betroth her to the Gong family. Once we agree on a date, we’ll send you an invitation. You must come to celebrate!”

“No, no, Sister-in-law Gu, please don’t say that!” The two grew even more frantic, realizing she wasn’t joking.

“Knock knock knock!” Someone knocked on the door. “Is Sister-in-law Gu home?”

“Brother Gong is here!” Madam Gu’s face lit up. “I’m here—just a moment, Brother Gong!”

The Han couple exchanged helpless looks, unsure what to do.

Gong Huimin’s father had been smiling when he arrived, but upon seeing the two, his smile vanished completely.

“What are you two doing here?” The wrinkles on Gong’s forehead deepened like a walnut.

“Brother Gong said we’re all from the same village, so it’s normal to visit each other,” Han’s father responded awkwardly.

“Hmph!” He shot them a disdainful glance and scoffed coldly.

Madam Gu invited Gong’s father to sit. “Look at this mess. Brother Han and Sister-in-law Han have been here for a while. Otherwise, I would have come to you earlier to discuss this, so you wouldn’t have to make this trip yourself.”

Upon hearing this, Gong’s father’s expression softened somewhat.

“Hah, it’s all because of this troublesome matter! It doesn’t matter whose house we go to. Let’s just settle this as soon as possible!”