Upon hearing that twenty taels had turned into fifty taels, the onlookers collectively gasped.
It was clear that the Zheng Family intended to claim soone else’s daughter, and twenty taels was already a considerable amount, let alone fifty.
People as poor as them, where would they see so much silver?
Old An’s face turned red with anger, "Old Zheng, you’re being unreasonable."
The old Zheng stood tall in the yard, his nostrils nearly pointing to the sky, "What’s unreasonable about it? Paying back debts is a matter of principle."
He was among the wealthier people in the area, known for his domineering presence wherever he went.
"We clearly borrowed twenty taels, but you’re forcing us to repay fifty. Isn’t that being unreasonable?"
Old Zheng snorted, "What you’re saying is wrong, like I’m bullying you. Go ask around, see how much others have repaid after borrowing silver."
Old An regretted his decisions deeply, wondering how he fell into their trap.
They had borrowed twenty taels from a couple themselves.
At this mont, Mrs. Chen from the Tian Family quickly stepped in to persuade, afraid that her two taels might slip away, "Old An, fifty taels is no small sum. Your family is extrely poor; better keep the twenty taels for living expenses, buy so land, support the children. As for An’an, she’s just a daughter, not a son. Let her marry them."
Listening to Mrs. Chen belittle her daughter, An’an’s usually quiet mother exploded, "Mrs. Chen, shut your mouth! If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be in this ss today!"
"Oh, Aunt An, you needed silver and ca to before. What’s wrong now, burning bridges after crossing the river? And I’m not wrong; it’s just about marrying off An’an, she’s going to get married anyway."
The An Family angrily glared at Mrs. Chen, "Our An’an will get married, but not to the Zheng Family."
"What’s wrong with the Zheng Family? They’re wealthy around here. If An’an marries them, she’ll be living the good life."
"Whoever wants that good life can have it, but our An’an won’t go."
"Why are you so thankless?"
"..."
"..."
In the yard, Mrs. Chen and the An Family began to argue. Mrs. Chen, concerned over her two taels, praised the Zheng Family with all her might, but the An Family refused to budge, making the argunt worsen.
A mont later, Old Zheng shouted, "Stop arguing! Who’s going to take responsibility for delaying my son’s wedding?"
This was clearly directed at Mrs. Chen, who had no choice but to quiet down.
"Old An, if you can’t bring out fifty taels today, your daughter An’an must marry into my family!"
Seeing Old Zheng’s determination to take An’an ho, Old An had to plead softly, "Old Zheng, we’re all neighbors. Can you let An’an go? Take this twenty taels and you can get a bride elsewhere, or even buy one."
Old Zheng was unmoved; they’d tried obtaining other brides for his son before.
But those who ca treated his son poorly.
The reason he wanted An’an as his daughter-in-law was because she was honest and kind.
"Old An, whatever you say today won’t work. Produce fifty taels and I’ll leave; otherwise, let An’an co out. Don’t say I’m bullying you. I’m giving you a cup of tea’s ti to decide."
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