Chapter 82: Chapter 81: Debt Collection
Wen Wan closely followed Song Fang into the main room.
The conversation between Granny Song and Mrs. Wang He came to an abrupt halt.
Mrs. Wang He glanced at Song Fang, who stood behind Granny Song, and seeing the girl’s pretty appearance, was quite satisfied and finally smiled, "So this is Fangniang, isn’t it? She’s such a pretty little girl, a perfect match for our young lad."
Song Fang looked at the disgusting expression on Mrs. Wang He’s face, and her fingers curled up in her sleeves.
Across from her, Wen Wan quickly gave her a meaningful look.
Song Fang tightly pursed her lips and didn’t move for a long time.
Granny Song frowned, thinking to herself that Wen Wan, as a sister-in-law, was really good at dealing with people. She knew that Mrs. Wang He was no good, yet she still clung to her and pushed Fangniang into the fire pit on purpose.
Turning around, Granny Song glared at Song Fang, "What are you doing in the house? Have you finished cooking?"
Song Fang knew her mother wanted to drive her away on purpose, so she stood still, took a deep breath, and looked at Mrs. Wang He, "Aunt Wang, are you saying this marriage between our two families must happen?"
"It must happen!" Mrs. Wang He was determined to leverage Song Fang to reach Song Wei; there was no way she would give up easily.
"Fine, I’ll marry."
"Fangniang!" Granny Song’s voice suddenly rose, clearly enraged by Song Fang’s words.
Her daughter, whom she had raised with such care, how could she let her be ruined by a bastard?
Song Fang didn’t look at her mother; her gaze fell on Mrs. Wang He, and following Wen Wan’s hint, she slowly said, "I don’t oppose the marriage swap, but we must first make things clear."
Blinded by the prospect of profit, Mrs. Wang He nodded without thinking much, "Say what you need to say, first."
Song Fang said, "When my sister-in-law married into your family back then, your Wang family didn’t provide anything as dowry, but it was our Song family that gave quite a bit of betrothal money. In those years afterward, you also neglected my sister-in-law entirely, never caring about her.
Since it’s a marriage swap, we must ensure fairness for both sides. I can marry, but my family will not provide a dowry. However much betrothal money my eldest brother gave back then, your family must give the same amount.
Moreover, when I arrive at the Wang family, my parents and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law need not care about my life or death. Whether I live well or poorly, that’s my own matter, unrelated to my natal family."
These words almost blatantly told Mrs. Wang He that a marriage swap was possible, but once she was sent off, there would be no further ties with the natal family, and the Wang Family should not expect to gain any benefit from the Song family.
Mrs. Wang He primarily intended to use the marriage swap to associate with Song Wei. If there were no benefits from the Song family, what was the point of the swap?
Additionally, the betrothal money Song Dalang brought to their family back then was quite substantial. Mrs. Wang He had forgotten the exact amount, but since the Song family had a scholar, they surely kept records. If they dug out the records and cross-referenced them, where would she find so much money?
Her son had become quite a gambler, running up a lot of debts at the gambling house over the years. She’d been hoping the Song family would help repay the debts, but now it seemed the Song family was acting like their creditors?
Granny Song, seeing Mrs. Wang He’s changing expressions, quickly realized the purpose of Wen Wan bringing Song Fang over. She straightened her posture and squinted at Mrs. Wang He, "Indeed, during the years my eldest son’s wife was with us, there was hardly any interaction between her and the Wang family. Even when she was in confinement, you never thought of visiting.
If your family insists that this marriage must happen, then we must follow the rules. Let me say this today: once Fangniang marries, how you treat her, whether you beat or scold her, is none of my business as her mother.
As for the bride price, the list my Third Son wrote back then is still pressed at the bottom of the trunk. If Mother-in-law is not afraid of waiting, I will go fetch it and let someone read it aloud to you."
Mrs. Wang He’s face turned blue and then white, unwilling to lose the support she had just leaned on and said through gritted teeth, "What do you mean, not wanting to give a dowry and letting your daughter stay at our place without working for her keep?"
Granny Song laughed, "The Song family didn’t force the Wang family to swap marriages. It was you who insisted. Since you want to swap, it must be according to the rules. If you don’t want to swap, the Song family won’t say a thing against the Wang family. Mother-in-law should weigh her options carefully!"
Mrs. Wang He was so angry her mouth twisted, pointing at Granny Song, yet unable to speak a single word for a long time.