Chapter 554: 554 Announcement

No demand for dowry meant that Qiao Xiaomai moving in wouldn’t change the Tong Family’s day-to-day life!

“Is she really coming here to endure hardships? Will she work in our fields too?” Unable to respond to Tong Sanlang’s question, Zhang Family hastily retorted.

“We have a small piece of land, I can take care of her part.” Tong Sanlang said, “Otherwise, Qiao Family has larger fields, Uncle Changshun can’t handle it all by himself, she needs to aid him in his work.”

“Since she’s married into our family, how could she still work for the Qiao Family?!” Hearing this, Zhang Family’s simmering rage started boiling over again.

“Mother, haven’t you also been helping out your own family over the years? Why can’t Xiaomai do the same?” Seeing the Zhang Family’s face turn red in fury, Tong San continued to provoke her.

“That’s because your grandmother’s family was poor, I had no choice but to help them. But what about her Qiao Family’s situation? Do they need any help?” Zhang Family asked rhetorically, full of indignation.

“If you don’t want to marry her, then just don’t! Why so much nonsense!” Tong Tiehu, irritated by the endless prattle, snapped angrily, his face dark with anger. “This daughter-in-law was brought here because you wanted her, you have to treat her well! If you think you can play the powerful mother-in-law role with her, you best forget about it. Remember how you tricked her into coming here!”

“Go ahead and make a fuss if you’re not afraid of being punished by His Highness Wei Wang!”

Tong Tiehu finished his rant, ignoring her completely and storming out of the room.

Stupid. Utterly stupid.

Why did I let these foolish women into the house back then?

Was it because the Tong Family was well-off, so these people managed to hide their true natures?

It’s scary.

Too scary!

With a shake of his head and a heavy sigh, Tong Tiehu returned to his room.

He had important things to do tomorrow, so he had to go to bed early.

Tong Tiehu left and Tong Xingda, seeing Zhang Family still fuming, threw a slap at her, “You damned woman, who do you think you are to make so much fuss?! If you’re not happy, go back to your parents’ house, the Tong Family doesn’t need you!”

A few slaps later, and Zhang Family finally calmed down.

Nonetheless, thinking about everything that was said, she couldn’t help feeling sad. What had all her struggles been for?

Wasn’t it all for Qiao Xiaomai’s silver?

But now Qiao Xiaomai, with just two suitcases, was coming to the Tong Family to endure hardship… What were they to do?

As the Zhang Family sighed in sorrow, the night passed quickly.

Early the next morning, Tong Tiehu rang the large bell at the entrance of the village.

Despite harboring grudges against Village Chief Tong Tiehu due to the bean sprout incident, everyone recognized his authority and his previous fair dealings, so at the sound of the bell— as was customary— everyone gathered in the thrashing yard.

The news that Tong Tiehu delivered stunned them.

Owing to Zhang Family’s serious illness, Tong Sanlang was to wed Qiao Xiaomai, to provide auspicious happiness!

Auspicious happiness!

Considering Qiao Xiaomai’s current circumstances, was she really going to hastily marry Tong Sanlang as a measure of good luck?

Wasn’t that too unfair?!

While everyone had noticed the interaction between the two, Qiao Xiaomai’s current status was in a different class altogether. This was a great injustice!

“Xiaomai had agreed to this marriage because of my past assistance to her. Xiaomai is righteous, and the Tong Family cannot be ungrateful. Honestly, with this marriage, it’s the Tong Family who are marrying up.”

At this point, Tong Tiehu continued, “That’s why I’m asking everyone in the village to bear witness. After Xiaomai gets married and moves in, whether Zhang Family lives or dies, it has nothing to do with her. No one is allowed to tarnish her reputation with this.”

“If they do, both she and I will appeal to the local count for justice!”