Chapter 17 Honest People Have Tempers Too_2

Mrs. Fang turned silently and left, and after a while, she returned with a teacup in one hand, placed it in front of Sang Pingliang and Mrs. Li, and said with a big smile, "Tea leaves are just an expensive way to fill nothing but your stomach, and our family doesn't have spare money to throw away. We drink plain water! Second uncle and second aunt, please make do with what we have. Drink tea when you return home!"

Sang Pingliang and Mrs. Li were so angry they were at a loss for words, but they were helpless.

"That was in the past," Mrs. Li seized the moment to say with a smirk, "Now that we've connected with the Shi family, fortune is within easy reach! I'm afraid in the future, not even a cup for a tael of silver would satisfy us!"

Before Mrs. Fang could retort, Sang Hong's face soured as he said sternly, "What is second aunt talking about? The marriage to the Shi family was arranged by my father before he passed away. I, as her brother, already feel guilty for not being able to send Sang Wan off in greater splendor, failing the spirits of our parents. Now that she's married, how could we still cause her trouble and drag her down!"

Seeing the usually calm Sang Hong lose his temper, Sang Pingliang and Mrs. Li were stunned into silence, subconsciously feeling a bit scared.

When honest folks get angry, their fury is even more powerful than that of ordinary people.

Mrs. Fang pursed her lips, really wanting to add, "We are marrying off a sister, not selling her!" But she held back.

"You second aunt didn't mean anything else," Sang Pingliang cleared his throat awkwardly, forcing a smile, "After all, relatives should support and help each other, right? If one prospers, we all prosper; if one suffers, we all suffer, don't we?"

"Yes, yes, that's exactly what I meant! Their Shi family is so rich and powerful, like pulling strong hairs from their body compared to our thin waists! If—"

"Second uncle and second aunt!" Sang Hong scolded sharply. "The Sang family is the Sang family, the Shi family is the Shi family. Sang Wan has just entered the Shi household. Even if the Sang family can't support her, we absolutely can't cause her any trouble! I ask you to remember my deceased parents and not entertain such thoughts! Otherwise, do not blame me, your nephew, for being impolite!"

Sang Hong glared with a frosty look that made Sang Pingliang and Mrs. Li shiver. Even Mrs. Fang, who was enjoying the scene, straightened up involuntarily, looking at her husband with a new sense of admiration for the first time.

Sang Pingliang was furious but was rendered speechless under Sang Hong's cold pressure.

Sang Hong's integrity was well-known throughout the surrounding villages, his word as good as ironclad evidence; no one would disbelieve what he said. He rarely had conflicts with anyone, and if he did, everyone would invariably take his side, assuming the other party was at fault. Sang Pingliang, greedy and shameless as he was, didn't dare to take the risk of falling out with Sang Hong. He believed that if he really went to Sang Wan, not to mention whether she would comply with his wishes, who knew what Sang Hong would do!

There's fear in the honesty of an honest person.

"I, I was just saying, don't rush me! You are Sang Wan's elder brother, even if you need to ask her for help, it should be you making the request, right? As an elder, I can't possibly lower my dignity!"

Sang Hong's anger subsided, and he stood up, bowed to Sang Pingliang, and offered his apologies, "My words were too harsh earlier, please forgive me, second uncle."

Sang Pingliang's expression eased, and with a light hum, he waved his hand magnanimously, "Forget it, I wouldn't hold it against you, we're family after all! You're just looking out for Sang Wan!"

"That's right! We aren't unreasonable!" Mrs. Li chimed in. She quickly changed her tune with a cunning smile, "Speaking of which, Awan brought back quite a lot of silver and other items today, saving those could provide for half a lifetime!"

Here it comes, finally on point! Mrs. Fang gave a slight cold smirk without showing her emotions.

Sang Hong said, "That is Sang Wan and the Shi family's kindness, I haven't even counted how much stuff there is."

"There's a carriage full of things, how could it be little? Nephew, you should share some with us, right? The dowries for both your sisters are yet to be sorted out! We're all family, you can't just neglect us!" Mrs. Li said immediately, and Sang Pingliang also stared at Sang Hong with wide eyes.

Mrs. Fang was so amused she almost laughed. You are the parents, and marrying off your daughters is your responsibility. Could it be that we have to shoulder it? Ridiculous!

Sang Hong knew this well. Thinking of his two sisters, especially Sang Rou, who was actually older than Sang Wan and still had no marriage prospects—this dragging on year after year would make her an old maid, indeed pitiable!

Seeing his hesitation, Mrs. Fang knew he was about to say something problematic and quicky interjected: "We dearly love our two sisters, and when the time comes for them to marry, we'll naturally add to their dowries! Every family has its own difficulties, what don't second uncle and second aunt understand? In August, during the provincial examination, his younger uncle will participate in the prefectural-level exams, and if he passes, next year he'll need to travel to the capital for the exams. The travel expenses are essential! He'll also need some new clothes, not to mention the writing materials, books, and other expenses incurred by attending poetry gatherings and visiting elders for guidance; he can't show up empty-handed, can he? There are still many places to spend money on! Soon it'll be the Dragon Boat Festival, and by tradition, we also need to send gifts to the Shi family. Where would our household have spare money? We would have to sell what Sang Wan brought back for silver to prepare gifts; and if the gifts are light, wouldn't Sang Wan be laughed at? After the Spring Festival, Sang Wan will return to her marital home, and the New Year's gifts must be prepared in advance! As for my son and daughter, their growth year by year means he needs to study, and she needs to prepare a dowry! You don't know until you think about it, but when you calculate it, money is needed everywhere! I am also worried!"

Mrs. Fang spoke in great detail, rendering Sang Pingliang and Mrs. Li speechless, and Sang Hong, who was about to speak, hesitated.

"No wonder they say you're eloquent. Look at this list, isn't it a bit exaggerated! Aren't you just unwilling to share with us? Was there a need to count this all out?" Mrs. Li huffed.

Mrs. Fang secretly sneered to herself. People are indeed never satisfied, and they seem to have forgotten that Sang Wan didn't come to their house empty-handed!