Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 204 - 151: Knocking on the Door_3

Chapter 204: Chapter 151: Knocking on the Door_3

He cleverly shifted all the blame onto Qian Mandie.

Wang Lizheng said, "Yang Laokou, don’t give me that. How this old pious woman abused her daughter-in-law is well known by all the neighbors and streets around here." He then pointed at Yang Youzhi standing to the side and said, "Look at your daughter, what she’s wearing on her head, what she’s dressed in, it’s all Auntie Xia’s dowry." He pointed again at Old Lady Yang, who was sitting on the ground wailing loudly, "Look at what this woman is wearing on her head, on her hands, that’s also all Auntie Xia’s dowry. Taking over and demanding the daughter-in-law’s dowry, if she doesn’t give it, they wouldn’t hesitate to beat and scold her, and they would even deny her meals. Even if you don’t go to the County Government Office, we’re going to sue and ask the Master County Magistrate to do us justice."

Yang Laokou retorted, "This is the daughter-in-law showing filial piety to her elders and affection for her sister-in-law, something she gave willingly. How can it be called taking over? It’s clearly the daughter-in-law’s sincerity, yet you describe it in such an ugly way." Turning to Qian Mandie, he demanded, "Second son’s wife, you tell us, was it something you gave willingly or was it something your mother-in-law and sister-in-law forced you to give?"

Qian Mandie was stunned by the sudden turn of events. Hearing her father-in-law call her out, she lowered her head, too scared to speak, trembling all over.

At that moment, Landlord Li was brought over by Wong Liang. Yang Laokou also recognized Landlord Li and Wong Liang, knowing they were the most influential figures in the Erliu Town area, and his family could not afford to offend them. Seeing that they had come to support the second daughter-in-law, he started to feel afraid.

In his heart, he cursed his wife: she always wanted to transfer her daughter-in-law’s dowry into her own hands, but it was clear this second daughter-in-law was not some easily manipulated, honest person like the first daughter-in-law. He had told her many times that whatever belonged to the second daughter-in-law was ultimately for their grandson, like meat stewing in a pot—it was still within the family. As long as they controlled the second daughter-in-law and prevented her from squandering the dowry, it would certainly become the Yang family’s.

Yet his wife invariably wanted to take some out for their daughter’s dowry, claiming that if she could get half of the second daughter-in-law’s dowry, they could arrange their daughter’s dowry without spending a penny.

He didn’t want to spend extra money on his daughter’s dowry either, so he listened to his wife’s advice. Thinking the Qian family was just a country family without much sophistication, just like the family of the first daughter-in-law, even if they took all of their daughter’s dowry, they would not only not dare to say a word, but they would still frequently send gifts to his family. Moreover, the Qian family was indeed quite wealthy, and out of affection for their daughter and fear of angering his family, they wouldn’t dare to cut ties; who knew, they might even secretly give her support.

But he had not anticipated that not only did the Qian family not provide secret support to the second daughter-in-law, they had directly come knocking on their door, even getting Landlord Li and Elder Wong as their backers.

Landlord Li, looking at Yang Laokou, shook his head and said, "Brother Yang, look at what your family has done, you’ve not only lost face for the Yang family but for the whole Erliu Town as well. Even rural families wouldn’t take over a daughter-in-law’s dowry, yet your family has, and you do so with such audacity and without any scruples. You’ve made yourselves the target of pointing fingers from neighbors and gossip in the village square. What am I supposed to say about you? As a neighbor of your family, even my own face is smeared."

His words reddened Yang Laokou’s face with embarrassment, yet he was unable to respond. Landlord Li usually paid him no mind; even if Yang Laokou tried to ingratiate himself with him, he received little attention. But today, in front of everyone, Landlord Li called him brother Yang, though no matter how cordially he did so, it wasn’t to offer help.

Yang Laokou promptly nodded and bowed, saying, "Landlord Li, Elder Wong, my apologies for making you witness this farce. It’s all because my wife is petty and complained about being poor in front of the daughter-in-law. Out of filial piety, the daughter-in-law gave them some jewelry. I’ll have them return it right away. Please, come inside." He then ordered the first daughter-in-law, "Hurry and prepare tea and a meal, Landlord Li and Elder Wong are honored guests."

Old Lady Yang, greedy and vulgar, items that made it into her purse would not easily come out again. Furthermore, she despised the Old Qian Family. Holding onto their daughter, what was there to fear? She reckoned even if the Qian family was furious, they would not dare to have their daughter divorced.

She roared with anger, "Return it? She can dream on in broad daylight! Whatever that little harlot gave me is mine, why should I give it back? The Old Qian Family injured me; if they don’t compensate me ten taels of silver for medicine, I’ll go to the county and beat the drum to air my grievance, accuse the Qian family daughter of being unfilial." She cried loudly, slapping her legs and saying, "There’s no justice! The daughter-in-law incites her family to beat up her mother-in-law. My old back is sprained, my leg has been crippled, and my teeth knocked out..."