The Rebirth of an Orphan

When she heard that the money would be paid from the family's public account, Mrs. Five's face immediately turned ugly. Wouldn't it be that the money from the public account would be shared equally by several families?

The eldest wife's normal consumption expenditure has always exceeded that of the other wives. Mr. Zhao Sanye's company is doing well, and the third wife's family is also wealthy, so they have plenty of money.

But the situation couldn't be different for the fifth branch of their family. Uncle Zhao Wu was still serving in the army, and their family was already living a tight life, so how could they have any extra money?

According to the custom of Yuncheng people, the dowries of daughters of some big families are prepared by their own mothers. How come it is now becoming a joint effort among several families?

Moreover, the Sun family was so well-off that the eldest wife's dowry list was filled with details. Zhao Ziqin's dowry must have been prepared. If she spent so much on the fourth girl, what would happen to her Ling'er? Where would she get the money?

The third wife looked at the list and found it was not particularly rich. It only had two more boxes than ordinary families. Their third family had some assets, so she thought it was nothing. She continued, "I see that the eldest sister-in-law has also made a list. Let's prepare according to it."

"Haha, Third Sister-in-law, it's easy for you to say that casually," Fifth Madam couldn't suppress her anger and began to be sarcastic: "Third Sister-in-law, you have plenty of money, and the third girl's dowry has probably been prepared long ago, so it's easy for you to talk now."

"What are you talking about?" The Third Madam looked unhappy. "When a girl gets married, her family members usually help her. Don't you want to prepare a dowry for the Fourth Girl?"

The Fifth Madam was so angry that she said directly, "Second sister-in-law, you are right, but shouldn't the mother of her daughter handle it herself? Sister-in-law, the fourth girl is already in your name. Isn't it inappropriate for the dowry to be shared equally among the families?"

The third wife was stunned for a moment and felt a little dissatisfied with the first wife. She remembered that when the fourth wife came into the house, she was already pregnant. At that time, in order to get Old Lady Zhao to agree to her marriage, she brought almost all of her belongings with her.

I heard that the property was not a small amount, and later for some unknown reason it was all kept in the eldest wife's house for safekeeping. With so much money, it would be only right to take out some of it to give the fourth girl a dowry.

But I didn't expect the first wife to be so stingy. She spent all the money of the fourth wife on her own children. It was so disheartening.

After the Fifth Madam's commotion, most people knew what was going on, and the entire main hall fell silent.

After a long while, the eldest wife sneered and said, "Does my sister-in-law have any objection to me? The marriage between the fourth girl and the Sun family was originally scheduled very hastily, and the fourth girl has just been recognized as my daughter. I can't get so much money together in a short time, so I thought that if everyone helps to share the burden, it will solve the urgent problem. Since the fifth sister-in-law disagrees, then this..."

She looked at Zhao Xihua and said, "Why don't we reduce some of the items on the list? Or should we talk to the Sun family and see if the wedding can be postponed until after the New Year?"

As soon as the first wife finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Zhao Xihua. Was the first wife trying to use the fifth wife's words to delay this good marriage?

Even if there was no delay, the meager dowry would definitely be looked down upon by the Sun family. If it was criticized by outsiders, it would not be the eldest wife's sole responsibility.

The first wife's words made the third wife gasp.

The eldest wife was so cruel. She had always disliked the fourth girl, but she didn't expect that the girl was so lucky and married into the Sun family with a noble.

I knew the eldest wife would not give up, but I didn't expect she would use the dowry to hold that girl back.

If the dowry is too little, how can the girl live in that rich family? If the wedding date is delayed, who knows what will happen?

In fact, she could have used the money to buy the dowry, but she didn't know if investing her time and energy in this girl would bring any return.

But seeing this girl going from desperate situations to the present blossoming spring time and time again, she is indeed quite capable and a formidable figure.

However, she decided that even if she wanted to support the fourth girl's dowry, there was no need to say it publicly here to arouse jealousy. Telling the fourth girl privately could still be a favor.

At this time, the atmosphere in the main hall became tense, and everyone looked at Zhao Xihua, who lowered his head and remained silent.

Zhao Ziqin's face showed an unconcealable smugness and sarcasm. So what if you get married? This small dowry can make you unable to turn over a new leaf.

Zhao Xihua, who had been silent all this time, finally raised her head and looked at the first wife: "If you delay the wedding because of the dowry, it will not only be a loss of trust but also a disgrace to the Zhao family. This will not only bring shame to me but to the entire Zhao family. Even if you try your best, it will be very difficult for my father to face you."

The eldest wife's face changed a little. This girl is really a powerful person. If she makes a big fuss, it will be difficult to resolve.

But then again, it wouldn't look good for an unmarried daughter to quarrel with her family over dowry, and she might not even get married.

But this is not an ordinary girl. Marrying into the Sun family is her chance, and she will not ruin her future.

"You don't know how expensive firewood and rice are until you run a household," the eldest wife said in a gentle voice, "Hua'er, I'm not cutting back on your dowry, it's just that there are too many people in the family and we have to take care of each room and each family. You've seen that so many maids are getting married, and your dowry is too high. What about the other maids?"

"Mother, there's no need to say more," Zhao Xihua said in a somewhat cold tone, "The Sun family is a prominent family. Once the wedding date is set, it's inappropriate to change or delay it. It doesn't matter if my daughter doesn't have a dowry. As long as my father can accept it, I have nothing to say."

Zhao Xihua smiled and looked at the Fifth Madam and said, "Aunt Wu just said that it is more appropriate for a daughter's mother to prepare her dowry. But Hua'er's biological mother died early, and now she is fortunate enough to be the daughter of the First Madam. I think the dowry should be prepared by her mother."

She deliberately raised her voice and said to the eldest wife, "By the way, mother, I heard that when my biological mother married into the Zhao family, she brought in a lot of precious things. I wonder if mother knows about this?"

As soon as Zhao Xihua finished speaking, the eldest wife's face changed drastically. When Fengyi married into the Zhao family, she was already pregnant. In order to be able to enter the Zhao family and marry the Fourth Master Zhao, she did bring a lot of things in.

It was just after the fourth couple passed away and Zhao Xihua was just born, that Zhao Yan gave all those things to her for safekeeping. They were indeed all good things, and many of them were even antiques.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Xihua suddenly mentioned this matter, which made her a little flustered. When those things came into her hands, she sorted them out and gave them to her family, hoping that her brother from her family could help her save face in the Zhao family.

Some of the good things were given to his son to take to Kyoto to curry favor with the rich and powerful. Some jewelry was given to Zhao Ziqin, and all the money was spent by himself.

However, Zhao Yan also knew about the money and things that had been spent, so she was not afraid of anything.