The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Chapter 609 Who wasn't born of parents?
The Gu family's old house was bustling with activity.

The wives steamed buns, tended the fire, and picked vegetables; the men chopped firewood or minced chickens and ribs.

"Su-Fen, put it there, I'll do it."

"Peach Blossom, you don't need to lift a finger, just wait to eat."

Seeing Chen Sufeng picking vegetables, millet, peach blossoms, and kneading dough for steamed buns, the women in the clan snatched the vegetables and dough from their hands.

The economic base determines the superstructure. As Tong Huaqiong's business grew, her status and that of her children rose accordingly within the clan.

In the past, whenever there was something to do in the clan, the heavy and tiring work would be assigned to Chen Sufeng.

Wherever the peach blossoms appear in the valley, young women and wives would often tease her for not being able to find a partner.

Now no one dares to assign work to Chen Sufeng anymore, and no one dares to criticize Gu Taohua. On the contrary, they fawn over the two of them, fearing that if they offend them, they won't be able to work in Tong Huaqiong's weaving workshop in the future.

Chen Sufeng looked embarrassed, while Gu Taohua seemed perfectly at ease, grabbing Chen Sufeng's hand and saying, "Sister-in-law, just rest when I tell you to."

With many hands making light work, three tables of food were quickly prepared.

Grandpa Gu brought out two jars of wine.

We're just waiting for the Xu family to arrive.

Logically, since the two families were engaged and lived in the same village, they should have come to negotiate early in the morning, but no one from the Xu family came by noon.

Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu were getting impatient, and Gu Youtian's expression was uncertain, fearing that the Xu family might change their minds.

"Why hasn't the Xu family sent anyone yet? Do they think the Gu family has no one to rely on? Even if Ruinian is a son-in-law, he should still be given the respect he deserves," Old Master Gu said with dissatisfaction.

The marriage of a daughter to a son-in-law is essentially the same as the Xu family's daughter marrying a son of the Gu family. The Gu family didn't ask for a dowry, so what more could the Xu family ask for?

Grandpa Gu tapped his pipe hard and told Gu Fengnian to go to the intersection and check on the Xu family's movements.

The Xu family did it on purpose.

Since Xu Yong was removed from his post as village chief and Xu Zaohua was sent to the ancestral temple by the Zheng family, the Xu family has completely faded into obscurity in the village.

Xu Yong and Xu Jin both believed that the Xu family's misfortune was all caused by the Gu family.

First it was Tong Huaqiong, then it was Gu Ruinian. Since they couldn't control Tong Huaqiong, wouldn't it be easy for them to control Gu Ruinian?

The Xu family wanted to tell the whole village that the Gu family was begging the Xu family to let them marry into their family.

"If you don't come soon, this marriage is off!" The clan chief was about to explode.

Gu Youtian said, "Let's wait a little longer."

Gu Youtian thought to himself that the clan chief was just spouting nonsense. If this was invalidated, who would give him another chance to sell his son?

The Xu family finally arrived after everyone in the village had finished lunch and the Gu family had grown impatient.

They greeted each other and took their seats one by one.

Xu Xinghua sat arrogantly next to Xu Yong, which infuriated Old Master Gu and the others.

No girl is the main character when it comes to engagement; they all lower their heads shyly and let their parents decide.

“Since the two families have agreed, let’s exchange the betrothal gifts today so that Ruinian can get married soon,” said Matchmaker Wang.

Matchmaker Wang was an official matchmaker hired by the Xu family.

This was the first time she had ever discussed a marriage where the bride moved into her husband's family home, and for a moment, her usually eloquent tongue seemed to falter, unsure how to organize her thoughts.

Old Master Gu shared the same idea. In any case, Gu Youtian and Xu Yong had already reached an agreement, so today was just a formality.

The Xu family swarmed into the main room, and Old Master Gu felt constantly overshadowed by them, which made him uncomfortable. Jia's eyes reddened at the mention of marrying into the family; she still couldn't accept her eldest son becoming a live-in son-in-law. Old Madam Gu glared at her fiercely.

Xu Xinghua stroked her fingertips and said, "The two families have reached an agreement? When did it reach an agreement? Aren't we still in talks? We can only exchange the betrothal gifts once we reach a settlement."

Upon hearing this, Gu Youtian's expression changed.

Grandma Gu said, "Since ancient times, marriage between men and women has been decided by parents and matchmakers. How can a girl have any say in it?"

Grandma Gu didn't care whether Gu Ruinian would be bullied by the Xu family after his marriage; what she was unhappy about was Xu Xinghua acting wildly in front of her.

Xu Xinghua snorted and continued to stroke her nails.

"Brother Yong, what do you mean? Didn't we agree on this before?" Gu Youtian couldn't help but look at Xu Yong.

He realized that Xu Xinghua's audacity must have been orchestrated by the Xu family.

Could it be that the Xu family has reneged on their promise to him?

Gu Youtian guessed correctly; the conditions the Xu family had agreed to were indeed invalid.

Before the Lunar New Year, the Gu family kept the Xu family hanging on, neither accepting nor rejecting the marriage proposal, which greatly annoyed the Xu family.

Since Gu Ruinian's smuggling of gunpowder was exposed, the Xu family has gained the upper hand. Now, the Gu family is even more eager than the Xu family for this marriage, so the Xu family will have to reconsider the previous conditions.

Xu Yong chuckled and said, "What we discuss over drinks in private doesn't count. Let's have a formal discussion now. If we reach an agreement, we'll exchange the betrothal gifts today and hold the banquet the day after tomorrow."

Old Master Gu took a puff of his pipe and slowly said, "You Tian and I discussed that Ruinian would come to live with us, and the Gu family wouldn't hold a banquet. You Tian and his wife would support Ruinian for a while, and you would give them fifty taels of silver to settle the matter. From now on, Ruinian would not be responsible for their retirement. Ruinian and Xinghua have a child, and one of their sons wants to come back to live with the Gu family. Which of these three conditions do you think is inappropriate?"

Xu Xinghua immediately retorted, "Isn't it your duty to raise Ruinian? Did I spring from a rock? I was raised by my parents too, and I didn't ask for any dowry."

After Xu Xinghua finished speaking, the Xu family remained silent.

Xu Xinghua's opinion is the Xu family's opinion.

Madam Jia was so angry that her chest ached. If it weren't for Ruinian's lame leg, Xu Xinghua wouldn't even be qualified to be her son's concubine.

“You are only entitled to a bride price if you marry into our Gu family. You are now seeking a son-in-law, so what kind of bride price do you want? Ask around the whole Yanguan Town, and besides my Ruinian, who else would be willing to marry into your family?”

Xu Xinghua retorted, "That's right. Why is Gu Ruinian the only one in Manyan Pass Town willing to marry into the family? Because he's useless."

Jia was so angry she wanted to tear Xu Xinghua apart.

At this moment, Xu Yong stepped in to ease the tension, saying, "Xinghua is young and speaks frankly, please be understanding."

Jia wanted to roll her eyes. What do you mean "little"? He's three years older than Gu Ruinian.

When Old Madam Gu heard that the Xu family didn't want to pay fifty taels of silver, she showed her displeasure.

She was still hoping to give Gu Honglian fifty taels of silver as a dowry. Gu Honglian had told her a few days ago that she had her eye on a scholar, and that to become a scholar's wife, she would need a generous dowry.

Thinking this through, Old Madam Gu said, "Not a penny less than fifty taels of silver."

Xu Xinghua glanced at Old Madam Gu indifferently. Since she was a son-in-law, she didn't need to serve her great-grandmother and mother-in-law. She didn't need to give them any face.

Before Xu Xinghua could speak, Gu Ruinian said, "Xinghua is right. Everyone is born of parents. Since Xinghua doesn't want a bride price, our Gu family doesn't want any money either."

Everyone: "."

While eating melon seeds, Tong Huaqiong raised her eyes and looked towards Gu Ruinian.

The little brat's intentions were obvious. Since he couldn't escape becoming a live-in son-in-law, he might as well try to curry favor with the Xu family first.

Anyway, once he leaves this door, he has nothing to do with the Gu family anymore, so naturally he won't leave any money for the Gu family to benefit from.