After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 170 Chen's Thoughts

Liu Jinhua was overjoyed again and personally led her son and daughter-in-law to escort Su Tai to the village entrance.

On the way back, Liu Jinhua happily instructed, "Eldest brother, when you have time, go up the mountain to pick some materials to take home and prepare. In a couple of months when you're not so busy, prepare a dowry for Daya."

The materials are all sourced from the mountains, so it doesn't cost any money, it just takes a bit of work.

The Shen family was clearly trying to save them money.

Chen hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "Mother, why is the Shen family in such a hurry to arrange a marriage? Could there be something going on?"

Liu Jinhua stopped and glared at Chen Shi. "What could be wrong? Even if there is something wrong, they're just busy. Our family has so many people, and we haven't even finished clearing the land yet. Their family has more than forty acres of land. You can delay things, but can they?"
"With Shen Yi and Su Tai's character so good, what are you still worried about? They've stepped in."

After being reprimanded by her mother-in-law, Chen immediately shut her mouth and dared not say anything more.

Once they got to the field, she whispered to Wei Yi, "Are we really going to give Daya ten taels of silver as a dowry? The family is in a lot of debt right now. How long will it take us to save up ten taels of silver? When I got married, my dowry was only five hundred coins."

It would have been better if she hadn't mentioned it, because just thinking about it made Chen feel a little sour, even though that person was her own daughter.

Wei Yi raised his eyelids, glanced at her, and continued to work with his head down. "When I married you, it cost me one tael of silver, and you gave me half as a dowry. Now, someone else is marrying Daya for twenty taels of silver, and you give her ten taels as a dowry, which is also half. There's nothing wrong with that!"
Besides, Su Tai just mentioned that she would also prepare fabrics and jewelry for Daya. I didn't prepare these things for you. If you dare to withhold these ten taels of silver, believe me, your mother will beat you to death!

Thinking of her mother-in-law's murderous gaze, Chen shuddered and dared not say anything, no matter how unwilling she was.

The news of Liu Jinhua borrowing red paper and ink spread within half a day.

Niu Cuihua found it strange and went to visit again. "I heard you borrowed red paper? What good thing happened?"

Liu Jinhua looked at the hypocritical Niu Cuihua with a forced smile, her face nonchalant. "It's nothing, they just came to our door to arrange a marriage for our eldest daughter, and we exchanged betrothal gifts."

"What? What did you say?" Niu Cuihua's eyes widened in shock, both anxious and angry. "You really promised Daya to someone?"

"Really? So what?" Liu Jinhua frowned, her face stern.

Niu Cuihua then realized she had lost her composure. She wanted to laugh but couldn't, so she pulled a long face and pressed, "Whose family did you choose? What are the conditions? You just told me you wanted two taels of silver as a dowry and three new rooms. Which family can provide that?"

If the family that marries Wei Daya doesn't have the means, she will definitely make a scene, otherwise it would be too frustrating.

“Shenjiazhuang!” Liu Jinhua said matter-of-factly. “There are far more well-off families in Shenjiazhuang than in our village! It’s true that not many families in our village can afford two taels of silver to get a wife, but Shenjiazhuang can offer twenty taels! They even build a big courtyard for her. Tell me, how could I not agree to such terms?”

"Twenty taels? To build a house? Sister Jinhua, you're really exaggerating! What kind of daydream are you having!" Niu Cuihua thought Liu Jinhua was making fun of her, and she was furious. She said, "I won't beat around the bush with you! My elder brother wants to arrange a marriage between our families to settle our past grievances. You really don't have two taels for the betrothal gift, but one tael is negotiable. Think it over carefully and give me an answer in a few days."

With that, Niu Cuihua patted her behind and left.

Liu Jinhua laughed in anger, but didn't chase after her to explain.

She only told her what had happened that day when her family returned home that evening.

"Now that Da Ya's marriage is arranged, she should stay at home and rest. She doesn't need to do any work in the fields for now; she just needs to focus on cooking."

A girl who is engaged should not show her face in public unless her family is really struggling financially. Their family is not in such dire straits yet. In addition, Liu Jinhua does not want her granddaughter to be unworthy of the twenty taels of betrothal gifts, so she is already thinking about how to raise her granddaughter's value.

Old Master Wei was very satisfied with the marriage and praised Wei Yi highly, saying, "Although you have no ambition and can't take over my job, you have a blessed daughter, which is not bad."

"Our family can't compare to the Shen family, and we've already borrowed so much money from Shen Yi. We can't let them look down on us anymore. Let's give Da Ya twelve taels for her dowry, deducted from the betrothal gifts. What do you think?" "Whatever Father says, we'll arrange it." Wei Yi was flattered by his father's praise and had no reason to object.

Liu Jinhua nodded in agreement.

Since the money wasn't from the public funds, the second wife's side certainly wouldn't have any objections.

Only Chen had her own thoughts, but her parents-in-law and husband didn't ask her, so she didn't dare to say anything, only her face looked rather unpleasant.

After everyone left the main room, Madam Chen called Wei Daya aside to speak. "Your grandparents just said they would give you twelve taels of silver as a dowry. You know our family's situation. Your older brother and younger brother are getting married soon, and we still have so much debt. In addition, your rented family is not well-off either, and we need money everywhere. Twelve taels of silver is too much. When your grandfather gives you the silver later, you should give me two taels of silver."

When you go to the Shen family, just say you brought ten taels of dowry, understand?

Wei Daya looked at the serious-faced Chen Shi in disbelief, her eyes reddening with grievance.

Seeing her like this, Madam Chen felt a little guilty and annoyed. "Did you hear what I said? You're just a girl, why are you bringing so much money with you when you get married? The Shen family is so well-off, it's not like they can't afford to support you!"

"I understand." Wei Daya slowly lowered her head.

Seeing that she had given in, Madam Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief. She then went on and on about her hardships before letting her go back.

As Wei Daya left, tears involuntarily streamed down her face.

She lived with Wei Erya.

Wei Erya immediately noticed something was wrong with her. "Cousin, what's wrong?"

"I'll be fine without you." Wei Daya lay down sullenly, her back to Wei Erya.

Wei Erya sensed something was wrong, and glanced at her aunt's room again, lost in thought.

The next day, the little girl got up very early. While the adults were gradually going to work in the fields, she secretly went to find Liu Jinhua, whispered a few words to her, and then left.

Liu Jinhua's eyes flickered slightly, and after pondering for a while, she guessed most of it.

Without saying a word, he didn't say anything.

Three days later, a matchmaker dressed in bright red and purple entered Liu Family Village.

Anyone could tell what she did for a living just by looking at her.

The matchmaker would ask Liu Jinhua for directions to her house as soon as she met her.

Niu Cuihua received the news quickly and rushed to the Wei family like the wind.

Seeing Liu Jinhua chatting happily with the matchmaker, his face changed. "Sister Jinhua, you wouldn't really have arranged a marriage for Daya, would you!"

She hadn't believed Liu Jinhua's words at all before, but now she had no choice but to believe them, and suddenly she panicked. "Hey! Didn't I tell you to seriously consider my older brother's child? The dowry and everything else are negotiable. If you want a house, I'll have my older brother build it! Why are you so stubborn and arranging a marriage with another family?"
Let me tell you, we're from the same village. Even if Da Ya marries into that family, she won't be bullied, right?

(End of this chapter)