novellhall Chapter 171 Marrying You with a Dowry of 1 Yuan
Chapter 171 Marrying You with a Dowry of 1 Yuan
Qian Dayou and Cao Xiang knew Zhuang Qingxiang's abilities; she was just like her biological mother, skillful and clever.
Zhuang Qingxiang took care of all the clothes and mending for everyone in the family, big and small.
Of course, outsiders didn't know that Cao Xiang always assumed it was all her own doing.
Now that they hear that Zhuang Qingxiang has actually made a name for herself through her embroidery skills, they find it all absurd.
When did mending clothes or embroidering become something that officials and foreigners would value?
What other embroidery materials are there...?
"What materials?" Cao Xiang reacted immediately and started to complain, "I didn't see any embroidery, so don't try to frame us."
"Cao Xiang!" Village Chief Qian said sternly, "If you took it, return it to them immediately. This is a serious matter, a matter that could cause a major upheaval!"
In the eyes of the people of Dongya Village, involving the province and foreigners must be a huge deal, and they all urged Cao Xiang to take out the items as soon as possible.
Cao Xiang was so angry that her eyes were blazing. She really hadn't taken it, and she'd never even seen it.
Just then, Qianhua's legs started shaking so badly that she couldn't hold on any longer and sat down on the ground, crying her eyes out.
Qianhua is already sixteen, the age when she should be looking for a husband. She is usually very concerned about her image, and this is the first time she has lost her composure like this.
Qian Cao, trembling beside her, suddenly raised her hand and said, "I know, I'm reporting it. My sister... my sister took it..."
As he spoke, he even struck a pose as if he were redeeming himself by running into the house and bringing out his embroidery hoop and other items.
"Hey, it's all here... If you take it, you can't blame us," Qian Cao said guiltily.
Zhuang Qingxiang picked up the embroidery hoop and frowned.
Because she had too many things to do, she only finished less than half of the embroidery. Now someone has scribbled all over it, and it's completely unusable.
This means she has to start from scratch and work overtime to submit it within the stipulated time.
Not only Zhuang Qingxiang saw it, but everyone else did too. Cao Xiang let out a howl and pounced on the money, cursing, "You little brat, why did you have to grab it like that!"
Qian Hua never expected this. She just saw it, thought it was strange, and tried to prick the needles herself. She never imagined it would be so serious.
"Waaaaah... Daddy, Mommy, I don't want to be taken away... Waaaaah..."
Qian Hua is young and inexperienced, and rarely even has the opportunity to leave the village. Now she is terrified, crying and begging, which makes Cao Xiang so angry that she can't bring herself to hit her.
Qian Dayou also felt sorry for her; this was his first daughter, his own daughter!
"What... Haruka? She's the sister you raised, we're all family. It's nothing, there's no need to make a big deal out of it, right?"
"Yes, yes, Qingxiang, she's your sister, you can't hurt her, please, I beg you, you're so capable, just embroider another one." Cao Xiang's attitude softened as well.
Zhuang Qingxiang smiled faintly, "You make it sound so easy. If she's alright, then I'll have to take the blame. I can't afford to take that!"
She shook the soft silk satin, a type of silk that probably few people in the village had ever seen before.
"I can't even afford to pay for this fabric!"
"How much money can this little bit of cloth be worth!" Cao Xiang couldn't help but say.
The material is good, but it's too small.
Even if you embroider flowers on such a small piece of fabric, it wouldn't be of much use. As a handkerchief? How much does a handkerchief cost?
Lu Congyue took a step forward, exuding an air of authority, and said solemnly, "This embroidery was contracted between our factory and Comrade Zhuang Qingxiang. The contract stipulated that it be completed within the specified time, with a labor cost of thirty yuan. If it was not completed, double compensation would be required. Now it seems that it cannot be completed, so we will have to pay sixty yuan in compensation first. Any other adverse effects caused will be calculated separately."
"As for the fabric, although there's not much of it, it's a rare silk satin that the factory went to great lengths to obtain. Don't underestimate this small amount; it cost the factory fifty yuan along with the embroidery thread. What, are you implying that Comrade Zhuang Qingxiang should bear the one hundred and ten yuan herself?"
Qian Dayou then looked into Zhuang Qingxiang's pocket, his meaning clear: she had just taken two hundred yuan from their family, which was enough to compensate them.
Lu Congyue was both angry and heartbroken.
I am so angry at Qian Dayou’s family for being so despicable. I feel sorry for Zhuang Qingxiang for growing up in such a family. Her biological mother died early. She has lived in such a place for twenty years. How much suffering must she have endured?
They keep saying that she raised their younger siblings, expecting her to care for them and take responsibility for them. But who among them has ever cared for her? Who truly treats her as a daughter and an older sister?
Enraged, Lu Congyue coldly rebuked, "What? You mean you want to use my money to pay off your debts? How dare you!"
Qian Dayou and his family looked flustered.
Just then, a thought flashed through Qian Haoqing's mind, and he hurriedly said, "Director Lu, there's a way to solve this. One hundred and ten yuan... If you have that money, we... we'll marry our eldest sister to you. You only need to pay one hundred and ten yuan as a bride price, and you can take her away..."
Xu Liantao's vision went black; she only regretted marrying a fool.
They're here to take advantage, not to get involved in this mess.
What they need to do is clearly to please the eldest sister. As long as they can keep the eldest sister happy, then Director Lu will be completely under their control.
But with just one sentence from her man, everything might be over!
"Shut up!" Xu Liantao tried to salvage the situation by quickly tugging at him. "What business is it of yours to talk about my older sister's affairs? You get over here right now!"
She grabbed the man and left, making it seem as if she was severing all ties with Qian Da.
Qian Haoqing looked bewildered and whispered, "What's wrong? Why are you pulling me? Isn't this a good thing? As long as my sister marries Factory Director Lu, she'll be the factory director's wife, and we'll..."
"Didn't you hear me tell you to shut up?" Xu Liantao suddenly raised her voice, and Qian Haoqing awkwardly shut his mouth. Although he felt he was right, he didn't want to argue with his wife in front of so many people.
But he still looked at Lu Congyue expectantly, waiting for his reply.
He's not bragging, but his older sister is the most beautiful woman in the surrounding area. Even though she's been married before, she's still stunningly beautiful. Any man would be tempted by her.
Qian Haoqing dared not speak, but Qian Dayou's family was all tempted.
Qian Dayou winked at his wife, Cao Xiang, whose face changed and she put on a big smile: "Oh, who says otherwise, Director Lu? My Qingxiang is a good woman... Although she has two children, they are Li Shufen's children. If you don't want them, you can give them to them. Qingxiang is only thirty and can still have children for you. With her looks and skills, a dowry of 110 yuan is not much."
"Yes, Director Lu, everyone in the surrounding area knows that Qingxiang is breastfeeding your child. Her reputation is ruined. If you don't marry her, aren't you forcing her to die? We won't ask for more. One hundred and one li doesn't sound good. Well, one hundred, one li will do!" Qian Dayou added.
Even Qian Haojiang and his siblings Qian Hua and Qian Cao were immediately impressed.
That's great! If this happens, they'll have a factory manager brother-in-law. Could they also get jobs as factory workers?