Chapter 26: Dowry, Not a Single Penny Will Be Taken Away

Jiang Xiangxiang rolled her eyes disdainfully. Had she really been that forceful? Ye Meiping was wailing like she’d lost her own mother. It was truly irritating; she was utterly speechless.

From the moment she entered, Jiang Rourou’s gaze had been fixated on Lu Jianshen, her eyes filled with infatuation, sending flirtatious glances. When she heard Ye Meiping’s shriek, her expression immediately changed.

After all, they were going to be in-laws. How could she speak like that? Her mother’s behavior would make Lu Jianshen think their family was impolite. Absolutely not.

Standing a short distance behind Ye Meiping, Jiang Rourou subtly nudged her after she finished speaking, a subtle reminder. She was marrying Lu Jianshen and couldn’t tolerate being looked down upon because of this.

Ye Meiping glared at her, furious but unable to do anything. She repeatedly comforted herself that her daughter was her own flesh and blood, and even if she had countless flaws, she had to accept them. Seeing Jiang Rourou’s current state, she feared that after marrying Lu Jianshen, her daughter would be completely devoted to him.

As for her, the mother, she would likely be forgotten.

Ye Meiping said, “Fine, let her marry. Whatever I say as her mother doesn’t count anyway, he won’t listen. I might as well shut up.”

Chunhua said, “That’s the right attitude. At your age, don’t meddle. Live your own life. Let the young people handle their own affairs.”

Ye Meiping: “You!”

If it weren’t for her plans regarding Lu Jianshen, she would have chased Chunhua and Jiang Xiangxiang out without a word. Not a single one of them was good; when did her own house become ruled by them?

Thinking this, Ye Meiping glared fiercely at Jiang Xiangxiang. It was all this girl’s fault; if it weren’t for her, things wouldn’t have escalated to this point.

She wished she had killed her at birth; then there wouldn’t be these problems today, and she wouldn’t need to scheme.

The thought made her furious, and she longed to slap Jiang Xiangxiang.

Seeing her expression, Jiang Xiangxiang rolled her eyes back. Thankfully, the original owner was gone; otherwise, she would have been bullied to death.

A mother could be this way? If one didn’t know better, they’d think Jiang Xiangxiang had dug up her ancestors’ graves, explaining the deep-seated hatred.

Unwilling to engage in pointless arguments or expose herself to Lu Jianshen, Jiang Xiangxiang shifted her gaze: “Comrade Lu, have we set the date?”

Lu Jianshen nodded. “This visit is just to propose. If you have no objections, we’ll get engaged in three days. Then, your relatives can visit my family, get acquainted, and that’s it. I’ve already sent a telegram to apply for a marriage certificate. It should arrive in five days. We’ll fill out the application then, and after approval, we’ll get the certificate.”

Jiang Xiangxiang: “Marriage certificate?”

Did they have marriage certificates back then? She seemed to have read somewhere that they were just a piece of paper, a kind of proof.

But whatever, as long as it had legal effect, the rest didn’t matter.

Ye Meiping: “What marriage certificate? Why the rush? I say, just make do. And Lu Jianshen, how much dowry are you planning to give? I’ve raised her for so many years; I can’t do it for nothing. You have to give money, and a lot of it.”

Lu Jianshen: “Of course. Three major appliances, one bicycle, and 299 yuan in dowry; I’ll prepare everything.”

Since they were getting married, he didn’t want to wrong Jiang Xiangxiang. Although not much, it was a token of his affection.

Ye Meiping’s eyes lit up. She didn’t expect the Lu family to have some money. Nowadays, a dowry usually topped out at 50 yuan. Anyone who dared ask for 100 would be gossiped about as selling their daughter.

Unexpectedly, Lu Jianshen was so generous, giving a dowry and three major appliances, one bicycle. Considering these things, she would agree.

Ye Meiping’s mind was filled with thoughts of Jiang Rourou getting married. All these things would be hers—the money and the goods. She could keep them for herself.

Seeing Ye Meiping’s greed, Jiang Xiangxiang said directly: “Give the dowry to me. Don’t rush to buy the three major appliances and one bicycle. I’ll see after I get married. Your money isn’t from the wind; we’ll be living together, so we should be frugal.”

Ye Meiping was agitated: “Jiang Xiangxiang, what nonsense are you talking? What’s yours is mine. You won’t get a single penny of the dowry!”

Jiang Xiangxiang said coldly: “Oh really?”

Ye Meiping was startled by her gaze, feeling a little scared. But to just let it go felt like a loss.

Jiang Rourou again mediated: “Mother, this is for the future. Why are we talking about this now? Aren’t you supposed to be cooking? Hurry up, everyone’s waiting.”

Hearing this, Ye Meiping quickly went to the kitchen. Rourou was right; current talk was pointless. Securing Lu Jianshen was the priority.

Jiang Xiangxiang’s attitude showed she wouldn’t cooperate.

Lu Jianshen himself seemed like a rare good son-in-law. Whether he wanted to or not, as long as Rourou married him, it would be fine. Tian Xiu’e’s opinion didn’t matter. Parents never won against their children. As long as Rourou smoothly married him, getting Lu Jianshen would be a matter of time. As for Tian Xiu’e, who cared what she thought? If she didn’t like it, she could just deal with it.

Seeing Ye Meiping actually go to the kitchen, Jiang Xiangxiang was surprised. This was abnormal. Ye Meiping hated her, and she hadn’t been polite these days, yet she was actively cooking?

What was she up to? Seeing Jiang Rourou’s expectant expression, Jiang Xiangxiang didn’t know what to say. Their intelligence wasn’t suited for scheming; anyone could see through them, at least she could.

Jiang Xiangxiang subtly glanced at Lu Jianshen. She heard he was young and already in a high position; surely he wouldn’t fall for such a simple trick?