Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 278 No Money

The father and daughter naturally couldn't reach an agreement on this topic and had to give up.

Huang Wanwan continued to mourn her mother in a seemingly indifferent manner, while Zhuang Mama, who served her mother, advised, "Don't hurt yourself too much. Your mother's spirit in heaven will also feel sorry for you, young lady."

Mother Zhuang didn't know where Huang Wanwan had sent Huang Yan, but Huang Wanwan was the only person she could trust now.

“I wouldn’t say I was harming myself, but rather protecting myself. If I really married into such a mean family, I’d probably poison him not long after,” Huang Wanwan said. “Have you seen Mother’s dowry? Has it already been emptied out?”

"Sigh..." Mrs. Zhuang sighed deeply, "Some items were left behind, mostly furniture."

Huang Fan had no choice but to agree to the marriage because, firstly, his wife's family was powerful, and secondly, the dowry was generous.

"So, if I marry into the Lü family and find that my dowry is utterly inadequate, will the Lü family treat me well?" Her thoughts grew even deeper.

“Actually, if you were a little more lenient, the master might agree. Why be so headstrong?” Madam Zhuang was afraid that she would suffer a loss. “You are only one person. How can you fight against an entire mansion?”

“I’m not alone.” Huang Wanwan thought of Liu Yuechu.

She once asked Liu Yuechu how much money she had earned from her personal investment.

Only after Liu Yuechu mentioned a number did she dare to stand so upright.

Only then did she understand why Liu Yuechu was so bold, able to ignore the clamor of her aunts and uncles. It was because she had plenty of money; even if she never married, she could live a life of luxury and never worry about making a living. What was there to fear?

Mrs. Zhuang did not understand her implied meaning and thought she was referring to Huang Yan.

"It's a pity that Yan-ge'er is still young and can't support you."

"Spread the word that I have no dowry," Huang Wanwan said in a low voice.

"?!?!" Madam Zhuang couldn't bear to see her about to self-destruct. "How can this be allowed? If you do this, even if the marriage with the Lü family is called off, which other family will dare to propose marriage to you in the future?!"

"Don't worry, I have my own plans."

"No, this old servant cannot agree to this. I promised Madam that I would take good care of the young lady!"

"Do you want your mother to take poison for nothing and lose her life?"

"?!!!"

Mrs. Zhuang was shocked; she hadn't expected her to say something like that.

"Don't think I can't see through you. I'm not stupid." Huang Wanwan's tone was extremely cold and ruthless. "If you are willing to follow me, then do as I say. Otherwise, stay here to observe mourning for your mother. The Huang family will not support you. I will give you money. You don't need to follow me."

“I can disdain and abandon my father and aunt. No one can use the word ‘family’ to coerce me. No one can.”

……

The paper money she put into the brazier suddenly burst into flames, and the embers flew very high.

Mother Zhuang wept bitterly, muttering, "Madam heard it."

"This old servant will go and tell them about this."

"This old servant is all alone, what else do I have to worry about? I can only do as you command, young lady..."

Mrs. Zhuang didn't say anything more and went to take care of the matter.

Huang Wanwan continued to fiddle with the paper money, tugging at her clothes. "Your death was truly worthless. Even as a ghost, you wouldn't dare to take revenge... But I will take good care of myself and Yan-ge'er."

"Just leave peacefully, and in your next life, never choose to marry into such a bad family again."

……

With Zhuang's mother's intervention, the news that Huang Wanwan had no dowry quickly spread to the Lü family.

Enraged, Lü Shan immediately went to the matchmaker's residence to complain. The matchmaker quickly approached Ding Huangshi, asking, "...What's going on? The eldest daughter of the Huang family has no dowry?"

"I had to talk myself hoarse before the Lü family agreed to this marriage proposal, but the Huang family shouldn't bully us. The dowry should be whatever amount they have. If it's really not possible, then this marriage can be called off. Luckily, the betrothal ceremony hasn't even started yet!" The matchmaker was the wife of Grand Scholar Song, and this talented young man from the Lü family was someone her husband valued highly.

Ding Huangshi was speechless and could only repeatedly say "impossible," swearing to God as she assured Madam Song.

After seeing Madam Song off, she asked Aunt Liang to inquire about Huang Wanwan.

Huang Wanwan was already prepared. "Don't believe me? Go check how much of the dowry is left. Are those old things really going to be moved to the Lü family? The Lü family also wants to marry a rich and powerful heiress, but unfortunately, I'm not one."

Her words left Aunt Liang speechless, so she went directly to see Huang Fan.

Huang Fan wasn't in charge of the household, so naturally he hadn't thought about the dowry.

Instead of summoning Concubine Chun, he directly instructed the steward to bring out the key to the main storeroom so he could go and see it himself.

They were stunned; Madam Huang's dowry vault indeed didn't have many items left.

"What happened? Explain yourself!" Huang Fan summoned Aunt Chun and questioned her directly.

Aunt Chun hadn't expected this to happen, but she was already prepared. She started counting Huang Fan's social expenses over the years, and his salary was simply not enough.

The shops and estates in the manor didn't generate much revenue, but the large number of people in the manor and the high expenses, including six concubines, made it difficult to manage.

Apart from her, the other five were also treated well by the lady, and none of them were treated unfairly.

"...With so many mouths to feed, how can we not feed them? Not to mention the lady's dowry, even some of my dowry has been contributed to it."

It's so easy to falsify accounts.

Huang Fan, being the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, understood this perfectly well.

"Then take out your dowry and make up for it for Wanwan!"

Aunt Chun was shocked. "Why not let the young lady contribute? Why insist on using my dowry? I have not only a son, but also two daughters!"

"If her marriage becomes a scandal, how can you expect your other children to marry well? That's wishful thinking!" Huang Fan angrily rebuked. "Stop harboring any more schemes; the dowry must not be tampered with in the slightest!"

"I'm not investigating the poisoning for the sake of the child, but don't force me."

……

After leaving behind two harsh words, Huang Fan turned and left.

Aunt Chun stood there blankly, then trembled uncontrollably, and soon her eyelids rolled back and she fainted!

The household was thrown into chaos once again.

Aunt Chun had no desire to be revived.

When she saw her eldest son, Huang Youde, by the bedside, she sobbed uncontrollably, “Your father has changed, he has really changed. He has never said such harsh words to me before!”

"And why would I be afraid of his investigation? Madam's death clearly has nothing to do with me, I can swear on my life!"

"But he actually doubted me, he doubted me!"

"When I was young, I was bewitched. Why did I have to become his concubine? Now I can't even be a human being anymore... Waaaaah."

Aunt Chun cried her heart out, but Huang Youde remained indifferent to the side.

After Aunt Chun had finished crying, he handed her a handkerchief. "I heard that Huang Wanwan made a request: if Father agrees, she will agree to make you her official wife."

"What are your demands?" Aunt Chun's crying stopped abruptly.

Huang Youde said, "She and Yan Ge'er have severed ties with the Huang family."

"Isn't this a good thing? But I'm afraid your father won't agree..." Aunt Chun said awkwardly. It would be fine if Huang Wanwan was alone, but it would be impossible with Huang Yan in tow.

Those were his legitimate sons and daughters... the flesh of his heart.

Huang Youde smiled faintly, "Then let's find a way to get Father to agree?"

"As for your dowry, don't even think about giving her a single copper coin. It's all mine, and nobody else can take it."