Fearing her mother might change her mind,
Su Xiangxiang, in an emotional outburst, shouted, “Mom, do you want me dead? I’m already his, and I might even be carrying his child. If I don’t marry him, who will I marry?”
“Keep your voice down.”
Lin Fen quickly covered Su Xiangxiang’s mouth.
She did this,
firstly, to prevent others from hearing and spreading rumors that would damage her reputation,
secondly, to prevent the people from the academy from hearing and affecting her son.
After Su Xiangxiang calmed down, Lin Fen let go of her hand and said to Su Jixiong, “Zong’er, your sister can only marry Song Jinxiu now because he’s already come to our house with the betrothal gifts, the marriage contract is written, and the date is set. It’s on September 12th, remember to come back for it.”
“Alright.”
Seeing his mother had decided to marry his sister to that man, Su Jixiong didn’t say anything more.
After all, it was her choice.
He had warned her, but she didn’t listen.
In the future, she couldn’t blame him.
…
Soon, the wedding day arrived.
Jiang Yan now found Su Xiangxiang annoying, so she didn’t personally come to add to the dowry, instead, she sent Jiang Ling and others.
Actually, Jiang Ling didn’t want to go either.
But she was worried about Jiang Wan going alone, so she went together.
When they arrived,
Su Xiangxiang was already dressing up, looking like she wanted to wear all the jewelry she could.
“Second sister, you’re here.”
Lin Fen looked behind them, not seeing Jiang Yan, and her smile faded a bit, but she still invited them in to sit.
“Big Aunt, we won’t sit, we’re here to add to the dowry.”
Jiang Ling handed over three boxes.
Lin Fen took them.
Before she could say anything,
Jiang Ling spoke again, “The silver bracelet is from my eldest sister as part of the dowry, and my second sister and I are adding silver earrings and a silver hairpin.”
“You’ve put thought into it.”
The eldest Su came over and said.
But Lin Fen was somewhat dissatisfied, feeling Jiang Yan and her sisters were too stingy, making so much money yet giving such a small dowry.
But she didn’t consider,
how well Su Xiangxiang got along with them. What did she do next?
Jiang Ling calmly said, “It’s only right. If there’s nothing else, uncle, we’ll head back now. My sister is making breakfast at home and waiting for us to eat.”
Although the sky had begun to lighten, Su Dage was still somewhat worried about them.
“I’ll walk you home!”
Then, Wang Xiuzhen and others came to add to Su Xiangxiang’s dowry, bringing gifts similar to those given by Jiang Yan and her family.
“Everyone is so reluctant to let her go.”
Lin Fen spoke out with a hint of discomfort.
Su Dage gave her a sideways glance: “If you’re so willing to let go, then why don’t you give more! You should know what kind of person you are and what kind of daughter you’ve raised.”
“I…”
Lin Fen opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words to argue back.
Despite what Su Dage said, he still felt a bit sorry for Su Xiangxiang. He took the money Jiang Yan had given him earlier, broke it into smaller pieces, and secretly placed twenty taels in her dowry box for her to keep.
He did it discreetly.
Lin Fen, of course, had no idea.
After some time, the wedding procession arrived, and the sounds could be heard from afar.
Su Xiangxiang quickly adjusted her headdress and clothes: “Mom, mom, how do I look? Is anything not right?”
“It’s fine, looks good.”
Lin Fen tidied her up and said, “Xiangxiang, I have a few words to tell you. After you get married, things will be different from before, you know? Once you’re married, you need to be diligent and not let your in-laws find fault with you. Also, try to have a son for Song Jinxiu as soon as possible, so you can stand tall in that household.”
“I’ll remember, mom.”
…
As Song Jinxiu was escorting Su Xiangxiang, Jiang Yan and her group were just descending the mountain.
Watching the bridal sedan fade into the distance.
Jiang Ling said as they walked, “Sis, what if Song Jinxiu marrying Su Xiangxiang has another agenda?”
“What’s there to fear? No matter what his purpose is, I won’t compromise because of Su Xiangxiang.”
Jiang Yan withdrew her gaze and said.
Indeed.
Jiang Ling felt reassured.
Lin Fen, still standing at the doorway, caught sight of them and, feeling sour inside, snapped at Jiang Yan: “Some people still have the decency to show up. I thought you might be too sick to leave your house!”
“Why I didn’t personally come to add to the dowry, don’t you have a clue?”
Jiang Yan didn’t even spare her a glance, holding her little sister and leading Jiang Ling towards the courtyard where Su Jixiang and his family lived.
The workers had already started their morning chores.
Su Jixiang and his family had already gone to town; they had no rest today.
After all, Su Xiangxiang wasn’t their sister.
Whether or not she ate at home didn’t matter to them.
Wang Xiuzhen, who was sweeping the yard, noticed their arrival and greeted them with a smile: “Big Ya, you’ve come.”
Chapter 61: Sorry, My Third Sister Spoke the Truth and It Hurt You
Jiang Yan responded with a smile: “Yes, we’re here.”
They hadn’t exchanged many words when Su Jizong’s voice came from behind them: “Big Ya, I have something to tell you. Let’s talk over there.”
What more does he want to say?
Jiang Yan pressed her lips together: “There’s nothing for us to discuss.”
Seeing her so dismissive.
Su Jizong clenched his fists.
Wang Xiuzhen stepped forward: “Jizong, aren’t you supposed to return to the academy today? Why aren’t you hurrying back? With the imperial examination next year, shouldn’t you be studying more? Look at my son, Chengong, he’s really putting in the effort for next year’s exam and hasn’t even come home these days.”
Hearing this.
Jiang Ling’s eyes curved with a smile: “Cousin Chengong is so diligent, he’s sure to pass.”
Her words made Wang Xiuzhen feel very pleased.
Wang Xiuzhen smiled and said, “He works hard, but whether he passes depends on fate.”
Because both Su Jizong and Su Chengong were studying, the villagers often compared them.
Thus.
Su Jizong was always somewhat envious of Su Chengong.
Now hearing Wang Xiuzhen speak like this.
Su Jizong chimed in: “Indeed, it depends on fate. Some people might study for decades and still only be a child student, never even passing the scholar exam.”
“Exactly, like you, who has studied for years and still only a child student.”
Jiang Ling retorted.
“You…”
Su Jizong was so angry he felt like slapping Jiang Ling, but he restrained himself.
Firstly, because Jiang Yan and others were there, and secondly, as a scholar, if he did such a thing, the villagers would surely gossip about him.
Jiang Yan added a jab: “Sorry, my third sister spoke the truth and it hurt you.”
Su Jizong suppressed his anger, forcing a smile: “It’s fine, how could I, as a man, argue with her? Besides, there are many like me, I believe with more effort, I can still pass the exam.”
“Good for you, then go and put in that effort.”
Jiang Yan didn’t want to continue the conversation with Su Jizong. She asked Wang Xiuzhen where her grandmother was and then headed to the kitchen with Jiang Ling.
…
At the Song family.
After Song Jinxiu brought Su Xiangxiang home and they completed the wedding ceremony, they returned to their new room.
Under the guidance of the matchmaker.
Song Jinxiu lifted Su Xiangxiang’s veil and they completed the remaining rituals.
Once everything was done.
Song Jinxiu paid off the matchmaker and sent her away.
“Husband.”
Su Xiangxiang called out to Song Jinxiu with a sweet, affected tone.
Song Jinxiu, feeling a wave of revulsion at her pretense, still sat down: “Wife, you look beautiful today.”
