Upon hearing this, everyone widened their eyes in shock. They thought Xiaocui was bold, bold enough to wake up and ram into a tree recklessly, but they hadn’t expected that this was Xiaocui’s carefully planned sche.
Lan Hua Aunt was also taken aback. She hadn’t realized her little daughter was so decisive, even more resolute than herself. In her heart, she admired her daughter’s determination, but she also understood the severity of this matter.
If Xiaocui had truly fainted and was carried back by Yang Dong, and upon waking up realized she had been carried, the villagers might understand that she ramd into a tree feeling it would be hard to find a future husband.
But pretending to faint just to stage this forced marriage drama was no joke. If the villagers found out, their family’s reputation would be drowned in gossip. This must never be known by the villagers.
So, with a serious expression, she spoke, "This matter is best kept within our family; never ntion it again. Keep it buried inside your bellies, and if I find out any of you told anyone, you’ll be dealt with family discipline."
Upon hearing this, everyone shivered. Lan Hua Aunt was a one-woman authority; if family mbers disobeyed, they faced family discipline, which ant fasting and a beating.
Since they weren’t well-off, often barely having enough to eat, fasting was effective punishnt, so everyone agreed without protest, realizing the importance of their als.
Seeing everyone’s promise, Lan Hua Aunt’s expression softened a bit. She turned towards her little daughter, "Daughter, no one knows about this, so you don’t have to be afraid. No matter what, he did carry and hold you; he can’t deny it. I’ll fight for the bride price again."
Yang Xiaocui hadn’t expected that after revealing such a big secret to the family, which clearly showed she did everything in her power to get Yang Dong to agree to marry her, her family might sabotage her efforts.
Yet she didn’t expect her mother to still focus on the bride price issue. She felt disappointed again. Over the years, she had never contradicted her mother nor competed for anything with her, but if she didn’t fight for herself now, her efforts might go to waste.
So she spoke up, "Mom, what if Yang Dong’s words are true, and he makes his own decisions in his family? Don’t forget, Yang Dong’s sister-in-law runs their house, and everyone has a say. If it’s really like he said, what if he doesn’t plan to marry tomorrow since he didn’t agree today? Then my pretending to faint and jeopardizing my reputation would’ve been for nothing."
Upon hearing this, Lan Hua Aunt didn’t speak; rather, a few of Xiaocui’s sisters-in-law chid in.
"Little sister, what you’re saying is too absurd. Which family doesn’t let the parents decide on marriages?"
"Exactly, in every family, the parents call the shots; how could they let a youngster decide for himself? You’re overthinking it."
"Not at all. In my opinion, you don’t have to worry. If our family causes a fuss at their place, we can surely get the bride price."
"..."
"..."
At this mont, hearing her sisters-in-law’s words, Xiaocui’s eyes filled with hatred. She glared at them angrily and said, "If it’s true, and you ruin my plans, causing not to marry into their family, I’ll fight you to the end."
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