Chapter 29 : Borrowing Money

It was still not easy to speak in front of so many people at the dinner table, so Liu’s mother remained silent until after the meal, when Mother Xiao had finished washing all the pots and pans. Then, Liu’s mother approached and affectionately took Mother Xiao’s hand.

Mother Xiao took a look and thought, “What has been coming is finally here. Well, let’s just hear it.”

“Mother-in-law, I have something I want to discuss with you,” Liu’s mother said with a smile, but upon closer inspection, one could detect a trace of helplessness in her smile, a prelude to showing her pitiful side.

Mother Xiao immediately understood. She knew that since they had come to announce the good news of her son’s marriage, Liu’s mother would certainly ask for money related to the happy event. It would be hard to refuse something connected to such a joyous occasion. It all depended on how much she would ask for. After all, the two families were close, and it would be unreasonable not to offer some help.

“What’s the matter? Just tell me. I’ll do my best to help you,” Mother Xiao said, pulling her to a corner and lowering her voice deliberately.

“It’s not that I need you to do anything special, it’s just… Oh, I’m so embarrassed to ask for your help, but there’s really nothing else I can do.” Liu’s mother hesitated, pretending to be embarrassed.

Both of these older women had been through similar situations before and were very skilled at acting.

“Just speak, old sister, I’m listening,” Mother Xiao said. Liu’s mother was one year older than Mother Xiao, so it made sense for her to address her as “sister.”

Seeing her attitude, Liu’s mother felt there was hope and boldly explained her real purpose:

“This is what’s happening. My eldest son, Liu Jiang, is already 22 this year. Most men his age would already have children, but he’s still single. This year, finally, a girl has fallen in love with him and is willing to marry him. As you know, my husband is not in good health. He got sick in early spring and spent a lot of money. It’s quite a coincidence that such a good thing is happening at this critical time.”

“I thought this good fortune shouldn’t be delayed for too long, but the girl’s family is demanding a large dowry. They want four taels of silver, plus a few feet of red cloth for the wedding dress, and a big mahogany box to make it more impressive. My dear sister, don’t you think this poses a big problem for me?”

“There’s the betrothal gift, the cloth, the mahogany box, and the wedding banquet, and I really have no choice. I’m broke, and I can’t bear to see my child’s happiness ruined, so I’m begging you.” After Liu’s mother finished speaking, she raised her hand to wipe away a tear, looking quite aggrieved.

Mother Xiao knew exactly what was coming and had already mentally prepared herself.

She thought, ‘I’m too tired to argue. Let’s see how much she wants to borrow. But I have to make it clear in advance…’

“Mother-in-law, I understand what you’re saying, but you also know that my family just held a wedding for my fourth son a few days ago and married him off. Now, my finances are tight. But don’t worry, I’ll still help a little. I still have one or two taels of silver left, and I’ll give it to you later. You can collect the money first. After all, the marriage of children is a big deal. You can ask other relatives to help raise the money and get your son married. As for the money, we have time. You can repay it slowly in the future.”

Mother Xiao was also very skilled. From what Liu’s mother had said, she had already guessed that the amount being asked for would likely be quite large, so she took the initiative to offer only one or two taels of silver, pretending she was doing the best she could.

She did have the money, but it belonged to Jiang Sui, and given the relationship between the two families, once the money was lent out, it would become a fixed debt and would be difficult to get back in the future.

As soon as Mother Xiao expressed her opinion, Liu’s mother’s smile froze on her face. She thought to herself, ‘What can I do with this tael of silver?’

“No, mother-in-law, I have borrowed all I can. Everyone is in trouble. I have no choice but to ask you for help. Can you lend me a little more?”

Having said that, Mother Xiao was somewhat displeased, and her face darkened:

“Mother-in-law, what you’re saying, if they have difficulties and can’t come up with money, does that mean we don’t have difficulties? These days, everyone’s life is not easy. Not to mention, I have a big family to feed. This one tael of silver is all we have. If you’re willing to take it, take it. If not, forget it.”

Mother Xiao didn’t tolerate her bad habits. She spoke to you nicely, but if you kept asking for more, she couldn’t stand it.

Seeing that they couldn’t come to an agreement, Liu’s mother stopped pretending and angrily went to look for her daughter.

The mother and daughter stayed in the room with the door closed, whispering to each other. Liu’s brother, Liu Jiang, was pacing back and forth in the yard, looking around, though no one knew what he was thinking.

After a while, the door opened, and Liu stormed out, looking furious, and went straight to Mother Xiao to make a scene

Mother Xiao was sweeping the yard with a large broom when she saw her third daughter-in-law running toward her, looking accusatory.

“Okay, you Xiao family members are clever enough. You have dozens of taels in your pocket, but you eat alone, favor the younger ones, hide things from everyone, and keep everyone in the dark. You keep saying you’re a family, but it turns out you’re more cunning than anyone else.”

Mother Xiao was momentarily stunned by her outburst, and the words she was saying were incomprehensible.

But Mother Xiao caught a key piece of information: ‘she said they had dozens of taels of silver in their pockets.’

Seeing his wife yelling loudly, Xiao Yi quickly stepped forward, pulled her aside, and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Jiang Sui, who had been in Xiao Lanlan’s room learning to embroider a handkerchief, heard the noise and rushed out, and soon everyone gathered in the yard.

Liu shook off Xiao Yi’s hand, stared at him with wide eyes, and pointed at Mother Xiao.

“I’m sick? Xiao Yi, ask your mother herself. Is this human nature? She took her daughter-in-law and secretly went to the county to sell Ganoderma lucidum and ginseng, earning dozens of taels of silver. She didn’t say a word and pretended everything was fine. If my family hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, I would have thought they went to worship the gods. Instead, she went and made a fortune in secret. She never planned to share any of that money with you and kept it all for her foolish son. I want to see who will take care of her in her old age since she’s so partial to that stupid son.”

Bang!

A loud slap echoed throughout the yard.

Xiao Yi couldn’t take it anymore and slapped Liu across the face because what she said was simply unbearable. She insulted his mother, calling her worthless, and called his brother stupid.

Liu was stunned by the slap. She covered her face and stared at him in disbelief.

However, Xiao Yi regretted it as soon as it happened. He calmed down, thinking that his wife was still pregnant, and didn’t know where to put his hand.

In fact, the Xiao brothers were all very good-tempered, emotionally stable, and caring. They were also extremely filial, and the bond between the brothers was as strong as steel.

He only acted because he was pushed into a corner.

“I… I told you not to curse my mother and my brothers.”