Chapter 17 V2 : An Honest Man Also Has His Temper (2/2)
Fang Shi turned without a word. Not long after, she held a cup in her hand as she walked in. Standing in front of Sang Pingliang and Li Shi, she mocked, “Tea leaves are expensive but do not fill the stomach. Our house does not have much money to spare, so we only drink plain water! Second Uncle Sang and Second Aunt Li, this should do it! If you wish to have tea, go home and have it!”
Sang Pingliang and Li Shi became furious, but there was nothing they could do.
“That is also the past,” Li Shi laughed. “Now that your family is affiliated with the Shi family, wealth is just within reach! What I fear is that in the future, your family might not want to drink a cup of tea that costs only a few silvers!”
The moment those words landed, and before Fang Shi could throw in another sentence to counter Li Shi, Sang Hong’s face darkened and he chided, “Second Aunt Li, what do you mean by that? Ah Wan marrying into the Shi family was what my father arranged. By not being able to prepare a good dowry as her oldest brother, I’ve let Father and Mother in the heavens down. Now that she is married, we cannot afford to bring to her any troubles!”
Never before had Sang Pingliang and Li Shi seen Sang Hong furious before. The two were suddenly taken aback and felt a little fearful.
When an honest man becomes angry, the impact was greater than that of an ordinary person.
Fang Shi immediately pursed her lips. She thought about retaliating to Li Shi with “We’re marrying our sister-in-law off, not selling her away!” but held herself back.
“Your second aunt didn’t mean much.” Sang Pingliang coughed awkwardly and managed a smile on his face. “Why not this; we’re relatives and it is common for relatives to support each other mutually, such as helping each other out during times of need, sharing glory or loss as a whole. Should it not be the case?”
“Yes, yes, that was what I meant! The Shi family is wealthy anyway, wealthier than us! If ——”
“Second Uncle Sang and Second Aunt Li!” Sang Hong snapped, “The Sang family is the Sang family, and the Shi family is the Shi family. Ah Wan has just entered the Shi family; though we do not have the ability to be much of a support for her, we should never trouble her! For the sake of my dead parents, I hope Second Uncle Sang and Second Aunt Li will be more understandable! Otherwise, don’t blame your nephew for being blunt!”
Sang Hong glared in their direction. His two cold eyes stared into their eyes, making the old couple shudder. Fang Shi, who was witnessing her husband from the side, could not help but look at him in admiration for this was the first time she had ever seen this side of him.
Sang Pingliang could not help but feel annoyed, but under Sang Hong’s cold pressure, he was not able to utter a single word.
Sang Hong was well-known among many of the villages for being an honest man and his words were solid evidence. As such, no one had disbelieved the words he said. Never had he confronted anyone, and if a case ever happened, everyone knew that it would be the other party that was in the wrong. Although Sang Pingliang thirsted for wealth, he dared not risk going against Sang Hong face to face. He believed that if he ever went to seek Sang Wan, only God knows what Sang Hong might do!
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An honest person also has a side that was extremely frightening.
“I, I was just speaking my mind, there’s no need to get so agitated! I’m an elder, I cannot bring myself to ask her. However, you’re Ah Wan’s oldest brother! If there ever comes a time that you need her help, you’d still need to seek her out right?” Sang Pingliang stammered as he spoke.
Sang Hong’s anger subsided. He stood and held his hands together before apologizing, “I was irrational just then. May uncle forgive me.”
Sang Pingliang’s face also eased a little, and he gently waved as he spoke, “Enough. When have I ever quarreled with you? We’re a family, and I’m sure you’re doing so for Ah Wan’s good!”
“Yes, that’s true! We’re not unreasonable!” Li Shi added. Her eyes turned a little and she faked a smile. “Well, back to topic. The valuable gifts that Ah Wan brought today might be enough to last your family through the rest of your lives!”
Here comes the main topic! Fang Shi sneered quietly.
Sang Hong answered, “That is Ah Wan and the Shi family’s goodwill. As for how many there are, I’ve not checked.”
“A carriage full of gifts. My dear eldest nephew, shouldn’t you share some with us? Your two other cousins have to have their dowry prepared someday! We’re a family, shouldn’t you consider us as well?” As Li Shi spoke, Sang Pingliang looked sidelong at Sang Hong.
Fang Shi was so furious that she almost laughed. As their father and mother, it is their duty to marry off their daughters and not ours to bear! They surely are trying too hard!
Sang Hong understood their reasoning. He thought about his two cousins, especially Sang Rou, who was older than Sang Wan but still unmarried. If that were to continue, she might even end up alone and become a bachelorette; that’d be too pitiful!
Seeing Sang Hong’s expression, Fang Shi immediately knew what he wanted to say. Sensing impending danger, she snatched the opportunity to speak. “We do care for our two cousins, and when the day they get married comes, we’ll have to send our wedding gifts to them! Every house has its own difficulties, and I’m sure Second Uncle Sang and Second Aunt Li knows. On the eighth month, our second brother has to take the township exam. If he passes, he’ll be to the capital city for another exam. The expenses for that aren’t small! He has to purchase new clothes, books and ink, the additional classes that he participates in occasionally, and the gifts he brings when visiting his seniors for guidance; all of those will cost money! The Double Fifth Festival is also coming up soon, and according to the customs, we’ll have to send gifts to the Shi family. The gifts Sang Wan sent to us might have to be exchanged into silvers for us to do so! If the amount we send were to be little, Ah Wan might become a joke in the family! After the New Year, Ah Wan will come back for her homecoming; for that, we’ll have to prepare her New Year gift in advance! My two children will soon also grow up. One will be studying, and for the other, a dowry will have to be prepared! Just think about it, money has to be used in every aspect! This worries me a lot!”
Fang Shi listed everything clearly, startling Sang Pingliang and Li Shi, leaving them at a loss for words. Even Sang Hong, who had wanted to speak, hesitated.
“You sure have a way with your mouth, but don’t you think you’re exaggerating too much? In the end, what you meant to say is that you don’t want to share any with us! Fancy you, using such a big excuse!” Li Shi snorted.
Fang Shi sneered discreetly. It seemed that the greed in a human heart can never be satisfied. Ah Wan had not gone to their house empty-handed, but it seemed as if they had forgotten all about it!