Miao Shi shouted, "Qinting, are you crazy!"
Not only Miao Shi but also Liu Anping thought his daughter had gone mad. Although he loved his son more, he still cared about his daughter. After all, his younger sister had found a wealthy man because of her good looks. Even though the Liu family was so poor, his brother - in - law, who had a high status, didn't hesitate to marry his sister. He even broke off with his family to be with her.
The Liu family members were all good - looking. If his daughter could find a good family in the future, the family would surely rise in status. Moreover, he always believed that someone in the family would become an official in the future. When his son became an official, his daughter should best marry an official too. The official families always had their own rules. There was no such thing as taking the betrothal gifts without giving a dowry. If his daughter wanted to marry well, her dowry couldn't be shabby.
So, although they didn't have much money, Liu Anping and Miao Shi would save a little dowry money for Liu Qinting every year. It wasn't much, only two qian a year. But 16 times two qian added up to more than three taels.
Three taels of silver was his two - month salary. But his daughter just...
Afraid that something might go wrong, Liu Qinting immediately walked over, took Gu Liyue's hand and said, "Liyue, we grew up together. Although we had our disputes, you are still my younger sister. How could I watch you have nowhere to go? I have a total of three taels and two qian as my dowry. I'll give it all to you."
Although Liu Anping was reluctant, seeing the reproachful look from Third Uncle - in - law, he held back and said to Miao Shi, "Alright, since Qinting has said so, we have hands and feet. We can prepare a dowry for Qinting in the future. After Liyue leaves us, she'll have to take care of herself... Give four taels to Liyue. The rest is our kindness as uncles and aunts."
Four taels?
Miao Shi was heart - broken. Four taels was the money she had just scraped together to ask Third Uncle - in - law to do something for Zheng Hui. Although they used Qinting's dowry to make up for it, wasn't that also the money she had saved?
However, she had already made a fuss just now. If she made another one, she might anger Third Uncle - in - law, and Zheng Hui would have a hard time getting this opportunity.
Gritting her teeth, Miao Shi went inside, took out four taels of silver and handed it to Gu Liyue. In her heart, she still had a glimmer of hope, hoping that Gu Liyue would be sensible and not accept the four taels.
But Gu Liyue, with tears in her eyes, looked at Miao Shi warmly, took her hand and said, "Aunt, although we didn't get along well, just because of these four taels of silver, I'll always remember you. You don't have to worry about me. Yunniang used to give you all her monthly earnings. From now on, of course, she won't. At least the two of us have each other."
Miao Shi was even angrier. Didn't Gu Liyue clearly mean that these four taels of silver were just a repayment for the money she had taken from Yunniang?
Liu Qinting accompanied Gu Liyue all the way outside and asked, "Liyue, then... when will you break off the engagement?"
Gu Liyue didn't hesitate and handed her a bamboo slip. "This is the token between the Feng family and me. It records the agreement between the Feng family's mistress and my mother. Now that I'm useless, I'll give this to you. Ask Uncle to go there."
Liu Qinting originally wanted Gu Liyue to go together, but Gu Liyue had already pulled Yunniang and walked away.
Liu Zhenghui rushed over and scolded Liu Qinting, "Four taels of silver. You're really generous, Liu Qinting. That's my money!"
Liu Qinting didn't care about Gu Liyue at this moment. She just glanced at Liu Zhenghui and sneered, "Yours? That's the dowry my parents prepared for me. I can give it to whoever I want."
Liu Zhenghui threatened her, "Liu Qinting, don't you forget, I'm your elder brother. In the future..."
"In the future, we'll go our separate ways. Liu Zhenghui, with Brother Feng's talent, you're no match for him at all."
Liu Zhenghui was so angry that his teeth itched. "Liu Qinting, remember your words today. If anything happens to you in the future, I'll never care about you!"
Liu Qinting didn't care what Liu Zhenghui thought at all. She was very happy. A few taels of silver had sent Gu Liyue away. When Feng Lanqing married her in the future, she, Liu Qinting, would be an official's wife. As for what would happen to Gu Liyue, it wasn't her business.
As for Gu Liyue, she took her household register and left the Liu family with Yunniang. She was truly penniless, but she was very happy. She would no longer hear her aunt's endless scolding or Liu Qinting's various shows of superiority and sarcasm. She and Yunniang could depend on each other.
When they reached the teahouse in the center of the town, Gu Liyue took out two wen to buy tea. The teahouse also sold snacks, which weren't very expensive, but Gu Liyue was reluctant to spend the money and didn't buy any.
When the tea was served, a basket of steamed buns was also brought up.
Gu Liyue quickly stopped the waiter. "Hey, young man, you've got the wrong order. We didn't order steamed buns."
The waiter said with a smile, "You're Gu Liyue from the Liu family. Our shopkeeper knows you. He heard that you've left the Liu family. He said you've had a hard time, so he's sending you a basket of steamed buns."
Gu Liyue was stunned. She subconsciously looked for the shopkeeper. There were many customers today, and she didn't see him for a while.
Yangxin Town wasn't very big, but it was well - connected. There were quite a few passers - by. Naturally, the business of the teahouses and restaurants in the town was booming.
Gu Liyue didn't dwell on it. There were always more good people in the world. She accepted the shopkeeper's kindness and hoped that everything would go smoothly for her in the future.
After drinking the tea, Gu Liyue and Yunniang found a secluded place and counted the money Yunniang had saved these days. After deducting the two wen they had just spent, there were only 21 wen left, not even enough for a night in an inn.
Fortunately, after a round of threats and persuasion today, they had gotten Liu Qinting to give the money. Otherwise, they would really have been on the streets.
While they were counting the money, there was a rustling sound beside them.
Yunniang had good hearing. She immediately stood in front of Gu Liyue and nervously looked in the direction of the sound.
The public security in Yangxin Town was pretty good. There were only occasional petty thieves, but it wasn't impossible for a street robbery to happen.
After a while, Cao Tiedan crawled out from the side. "Sister Liyue, I've finally found you."
Gu Liyue asked curiously, "Tiedan, why are you here?"
Cao Tiedan took a package off his shoulder and handed it to Yunniang. "My mother heard that you've left the Liu family. She knew you didn't bring much. She specially asked me to bring this. There's a thin mattress in it. It can at least keep you warm. And these snacks were just made and can be stored."
Gu Liyue was touched and quickly said, "No need. I... have money..."
Cao Tiedan smiled foolishly. "My mother said that with just four taels of silver, you have nothing outside. It won't last long. Sister Liyue, actually, the house of the Liu family should have been yours. It should be them who leave."
Gu Liyue shook her head and didn't explain. She just looked at Cao Tiedan gratefully. "Tiedan, thank your mother for me. She has always taken care of me. I know it in my heart. You also saved me when I fell into the water last time. If I have the ability in the future, I will surely repay you."