Chapter 49: Chapter 49 Grandma Xia Decides
“Will the He Family return the dowry or not?”
The money, for sure, won’t be returned, and the goods have already been taken by Xia Chuyi.
Xia Lan looked up at Xia Chuyi in alarm.
Xia Chuyi’s mouth was slightly upturned, and she said nothing.
Seeing her silence, Xia Lan had no choice but to make up a lie, “The He Family said the gifts were exchanged between the families and need not be returned, just consider them as the betrothal gifts and dowry.”
It was understood that were she to marry into the He Family, there would be no need for additional dowry preparations.
Of course, there was no need to prepare one, for she and He Qing had already consummated the relationship. Would the He Family dare demand a dowry and not fear Xia Lan accusing He Qing of a crime, ruining his future?
Xia Lan smoothed over the issue with a single sentence, yet she did not see Xia Mei’s eyes light up.
“Grandpa, look, isn’t the He Family’s agreement to switch to Xia Lan just because they covet Chuyi’s possessions? It clearly shows they do not care who marries into their family!” Xia Mei said triumphantly.
The hidden intentions of the Xia Family were suddenly brought to the surface by Xia Mei.
Such a “covetous” nature indeed, the He Family coveted possessions, but wasn’t Grandpa Xia also desirous?
Xia Chuyi lowered her head, her lips curling into a smile.
“Cough cough, Da Mei, what nonsense are you talking about!” Aunt Xia immediately jumped in to mediate.
Looking around, Aunt Xia continued with a smile, “But our Da Mei has a point, the He Family probably wouldn’t mind whoever marries into their household.”
But she did not mention the matter of the gifts again.
Xia Chuyi stood by as though the affair had nothing to do with her, an observer from the sidelines.
Silence fell over the scene for a moment.
Grandma Xia stepped in, “Enough, enough, we’re all family here, what’s there to argue about?”
“I say we first need to know the He Family’s attitude; does it really not matter who it is?”
“If it truly doesn’t matter to them… my opinion is, since Er Lan is still young, it’s better for the marriage proposal to go to Da Mei.”
After Grandma Xia finished speaking, Xia Lan immediately looked up, her eyeballs nearly popping out.
“How about it, Third Uncle Xia’s family?” Grandma Xia did not mind Xia Lan’s reaction but called out Third Uncle Xia and Third Aunt Xia by name.
Third Uncle Xia, shrinking behind the door, silent from the beginning, responded without any facial expression, “Whatever.”
Standing behind Third Uncle Xia, Third Aunt Xia, her eyelids droopy, lifted her eyes slightly and followed up with an indifferent, “Whatever.”
“Alright, since that’s the case, let’s decide it as such.” Without asking Mother Xia’s opinion and bypassing Xia Chuyi, Grandma Xia made the decision outright, “Eldest, later you go to the He Family to test the waters, see what they think…”
“Grandma!” Xia Lan finally couldn’t bear it any longer and cried out, “Dad, Mom!”
She looked pitiable, like weeping pear blossoms, tears hanging, biting her lip, and shaking her frail body.
Yet no one gave credence to her plea.
“Second Aunt!” She turned to her only lifesaver and shook Mother Xia’s arm, “Second Aunt, the marriage proposal was truly designated by Brother Qing!”
This time, Mother Xia did not help her.
Alas, Xia Lan was outsmarted by her own cleverness.
Mother Xia was never strong-willed; she occasionally spoke up because Xia Chuyi or Uncle Xia were present, lending her support.
Now, with Xia Chuyi not willing to step in, Mother Xia would only become weaker.
Moreover, in Mother Xia’s heart, she now portrayed herself as the one with a hard life, her daughter as the one with a hard life.
Even if Mother Xia still held affection for the one who had usurped the marriage, she would not forgive her, at least not right away.
Realizing the situation was beyond salvation, Xia Lan said nothing more, only lowering her head, clenching her fists, her thoughts unknown.