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

From the moment Old Madam Gu mentioned that Fan Tong wanted five hundred taels of dowry, she knew that the second branch of the family would benefit from the money.

Since we're all in the same boat, we might as well take advantage of it.

Gu Jingzhe didn't even glance at Jia Shi, and instead focused on serving food to Lu Zhaozhao.

"Sigh, when people get old, they should be able to let go of everything, but it's because your aunt's marriage hasn't been settled yet, and my heart is always hanging in suspense. I want to ask you for money, but I can't bring myself to do it. Jingzhe, please understand your grandfather and me. If there were any other way, we wouldn't have to shamelessly ask the younger generation to give away your aunt's dowry," said Old Mrs. Gu, her voice filled with sorrow.

"Jingzhe, consider this money a loan to Grandpa and Grandma. We won't take your money for nothing; your grandma and I will repay it with the grain from our fields. How about that?" Grandpa Gu launched into his moral blackmail mode.

Gu Jingzhe put down his chopsticks and said to Jia Shi, "Don't you know why the family is short of money? Didn't Second Uncle and Ruinian squander it all? If you really care about Aunt, you shouldn't touch her dowry."

When they first returned from the south, Gu Honglian's dowry was still stored with Old Madam Gu. Later, Gu Ruinian's education and Gu Youtian's business were used to fund Gu Honglian's dowry.

Gu Youtian and Jia persuaded the two elders to use Gu Honglian's dowry, weren't they just hoping the eldest son's family would cover for them?

My second uncle and aunt always treated people like fools.

Jia looked embarrassed.

Gu Jingzhe said to Grandpa and Grandma Gu, "Grandpa and Grandma, you're asking me to give you this five hundred taels of dowry. If I had it, that would be fine, but the problem is I don't. I'm still studying, and not only can I not earn money, but I also have to spend money. The little bit of silver and grain that the government gives me every month isn't even enough to buy my books."

"It's not that I'm unwilling to pay, but even if you sold me, I couldn't afford five hundred taels of silver."

Gu Jingzhe refused decisively.

Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu felt that Gu Jingzhe's words were just an excuse.

How could he not have money?

With Lu Zhaozhao's dowry, Gu Jingzhe has more money than he could spend in two lifetimes.

Gu Jingzhe's refusal was crystal clear.

Rejected by their grandson, Grandma Gu and Grandpa Gu felt inexplicably uneasy.

Tears streamed down Gu Honglian's face. Her niece-in-law had rejected her, and now her nephew had rejected her too.

Grandma Gu was heartbroken and her eyes reddened. She said to Gu Jingzhe, "How can you not have any money? The Lu family gave your wife such a large dowry. Even if you just let a little slip through your fingers, it would be more than five hundred taels."

Gu Jingzhe laughed in exasperation.

They openly admitted their intentions towards Lu Zhaozhao.

It's not surprising that Grandpa and Grandma would do something like this, after all, Aunt had already bypassed him and asked Lu Zhaozhao for her dowry.

They just felt embarrassed to turn against Lu Zhaozhao since she had just married into the family.

Gu Jingzhe absolutely would not allow anyone to covet Lu Zhaozhao's dowry, which is why he came to eat today.

Gu Jingzhe said coldly, "You all know that's Zhaozhao's dowry. What does Zhaozhao's dowry have to do with me? It's her own property, and no one but her has the right to use it."

When Old Master Gu heard this, he was furious. He thought that once Lu Zhaozhao married into the Gu family, she would be a member of the Gu family, and her dowry would all belong to the Gu family.

Grandpa Gu ignored Gu Jingzhe's words and instead asked Lu Zhaozhao, "Granddaughter-in-law, we don't covet your dowry. Your dowry is naturally yours. Others may think five hundred taels is a lot, but it's nothing to you. We don't need to use your dowry; the pearl in your hair is enough for five hundred taels of dowry money."

The things Lu Zhaozhao wore and used were things they had never even seen before, so they must have been of high quality.

The things she wears on her hands, in her hair, and on her body—just a few of these items would be enough for Gu Honglian's dowry.

Gu Jingzhe spoke first: "Grandpa, you don't need to say this to Zhaozhao. You just thought she was too embarrassed to refuse since she just got married, so you asked her for a dowry? No matter how much money it is, every blade of grass Zhaozhao brought is her own. No one has the right to ask her to use her own money, nor the right to criticize her clothes." "So, if Zhaozhao doesn't pay, Auntie won't get married?"

"Either this marriage is off, or you two figure out a solution yourselves."

Upon hearing this, Gu Honglian burst into tears.

Lu Zhaozhao remained silent. With Gu Jingzhe taking the lead and bracing for the enemy fire, she didn't need to speak.

"Let's go."

Gu Jingzhe stood up, and Lu Zhaozhao immediately followed suit.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was as cold as a snowy day.

Grandma Gu hugged Gu Honglian and wept bitterly.

Lu Zhaozhao stood up, and the beads on her head emitted a dazzling light, brighter than the kerosene lamp on the dining table.

The old lady became increasingly indignant.

She felt that Gu Jingzhe wasn't such a heartless person, so how could he have changed after getting married? It must have been Lu Zhaozhao who instigated him.

No wonder Gu Honglian begged her so much, yet she still refused to give her a dowry.

She must have tried to sow discord between Gu Jingzhe and others.

Grandma Gu cried, "Jingzhe, you've forgotten your roots after you got married. You weren't like this before. How come you've become so cold-hearted after marriage? The family worked so hard to raise you, but you can't even get a little bit of credit for it."

"I'm afraid you'll even change your surname from Gu to Lu in the future."

The complaints, both openly and secretly, were all her idea; it was she who instigated Gu Jingzhe to withhold Gu Honglian's dowry.

Lu Zhaozhao's face was very pale.

Even when the abacus beads were hitting her face, she could endure it.

“If you want to say that I instigated Jingzhe not to give my aunt a dowry, just say so. Don’t make veiled accusations. Jingzhe is my husband, we are one, and his idea is exactly what I thought. You yourselves are not saving up a dowry for your daughter, but you’re blaming me.”

“I haven’t even called you out on it. The Fan family clearly asked my aunt for 150 taels of dowry, but you’ve turned it into 500 taels. Do you think I’m some kind of sucker? If you’re thinking of squeezing a layer off me, you’ve got the wrong idea.”

"I've never seen a new bride demand a dowry after marrying into the family. It would be a laughing stock if word got out."

"What's more, you don't even have the manner to ask for things from others. You just openly demand them. I won't take out my dowry to make up for it."

Lu Zhaozhao hadn't said a word since she entered, but before leaving, she suddenly became stern and harsh, leaving Old Madam Gu speechless.

Gu Jingzhe, holding Lu Zhaozhao's hand, said to Grandpa Gu and the others, "Not only does your aunt's dowry have nothing to do with Zhaozhao, but anything you do has nothing to do with her either. If I find out you ever try to impress her in the future, don't blame me for being impolite."

After saying that, he pulled Lu Zhaozhao away.

The Gu family's old house fell into silence.

"That vixen has such a sharp tongue. Don't let her quiet demeanor fool you; she's full of wicked schemes and has led my grandson astray. I always said you shouldn't marry a merchant's daughter; she's obsessed with money and can't get out of it."

Grandma Gu was so angry that she started cursing.

Realizing her dowry was completely gone, Gu Honglian buried her face in her hands at the dining table and began to sob uncontrollably. (End of Chapter)