Chapter 299: Chapter 286: Double it Again

Translator: 549690339

The villagers’ dedication to Zhuang Qingning proved their gratitude towards her, which is more admirable than those who, taking advantage of others only to later scorn them, are ungrateful and treacherous.

It seems that his leadership as village chief has instilled good values in the villagers.

Zhuang Jingye appreciated this fact and expressed his pleasure through a renewed smile on his face.

Most people in the village were delighted because Zhuang Qingning’s workshop was becoming larger and more prosperous, except for the Zhuang Ruman’s family.

Watching the girl of their own lips build houses and open shops, living a more and more comfortable life, Zhuang Ruman and Mrs. Song felt even more distressed with their eyes reddening with resentment.

However, when they thought of Zhuang Qinghe’s approaching marriage and the imminent arrival of the betrothal gifts, Zhuang Ruman felt somewhat relieved.

How can their hard-earned money compare to Zhuang Qinghe’s marriage into a rich family, all because of her auspicious birth chart? The girl could easily enjoy a life of leisure in the future.

As Zhuang Ruman was feeling pleased with himself, Jin Quan arrived at his door.

Zhuang Ruman hastily welcomed him with tea and water, called Mrs. Song to kill a chicken from the backyard for dinner, and ordered Zhuang Yuanzhong to fetch some wine.

“Has Qjnghe calmed down a bit these days?” Jin Quan, having a sip of wine, raised an eyebrow.

“Ah, last time Qinghe was instigated by others.”

Zhuang Ruman supposed Jin Quan was referring to Zhuang Qinghe s intention to elope with someone, which had tarnished her reputation and disgraced the Jia family, so he hastened to explain, “It was Mrs. Wang who, out of jealousy, plotted to swindle money out of our family, thus tempted Qinghe to act so.

“After I lectured Qinghe, she saw reason and patiently awaits her marriage now. Brother Jin, you can rest assured.”

Indeed, Zhuang Qinghe was calmly staying at home. However, whether she understood her wrongdoing or not was uncertain. The severe beating she had last time made her fearful and cautious not to make any move that could upset Zhuang Ruman.

“If she stays at home peacefully, that’s good enough.” Jin Quan continued after another sip of wine, “Today I come, firstly, to look in on Qinghe and, secondly, to have a talk about the Jia family’s betrothal gift.”

“But we have already agreed on it before, haven’t we?” Zhuang Ruman was instantly on alert upon hearing this, “Don’t tell me that my future in-laws deem the current arrangement unfit and want to lessen the gift.

“What are you talking about? The Kong family is wealthy, do you think they care about your hundred taels of silver or not?”

Jin Quan gave Zhuang Ruman a glance, his gaze filled with scorn for Zhuang Ruman’s petty-mindedness.

“Indeed, indeed…”

Zhuang Ruman was embarrassed and forced a laugh, “I might have overthought it. But Brother Jin, when you mentioned discussing the betrothal gift again, what’s the matter?”

“The Jia family intends to double the betrothal gift.” Jin Quan revealed while narrowing his eyes.

Double the betrothal gift?

Zhuang Ruman inhaled sharply.

That will be three hundred taels! Three hundred taels!

Even if he worked himself to death in his fields from dawn to dusk, he could only earn a few taels from the barren land each year. Frankly speaking, those three hundred taels would be his lifetime worth of income.

If he no longer needed to worry about Zhuang Yuanren’s school fees and Zhuang Qinghe could enjoy a luxurious life after getting married, with an additional three hundred taels in their family, they could buy a big house, start a business, and would never run out of money.

In the future, he could gain some benefits from the Kong family through his relationship with them. What was there to worry about?

Zhuang Ruman excitedly rubbed his hands together and praised, “The Kong family is extremely generous. Qinghe must have done something extraordinarily good in her previous life. Our ancestors are letting out a puff of smoke due to the good fortune.”

“The Kong family is always generous, this amount of money is nothing to

them.”

Jin Quan narrowed his eyes, “But I need to be clear about something with you, to prevent you from blaming me for it later.”

“What’s the matter?”

“It isn’t a big deal. It’s just that Qinghe’s marriage might be a bit …different.” Jin Quan lowered his voice, “As mentioned before, the Kong family’s only child had some health issues, so they wanted to arrange for Qinghe to get married into their family and bring them good fortune, with hopes that her auspicious birth chart could curb his misfortune.”

“But in recent days, Young Master Kong has passed away…”

“Passed away?” Zhuang Ruman nearly yelled, “Brother, what do you mean by ‘passed away’? Are you saying Qinghe’s marriage is off?”

If it’s off, then the three hundred taels will be gone too. Moreover, if Kong family no longer sponsors Zhuang Yuanren’s education, wouldn’t his family lose all the good days they anticipated?

Not only was it off, but also the only son of the Kong family died before the arranged marriage. If this was blamed on Zhuang Qinghe, saying that she brought the misfortune, what if the Kong family started to trouble him? Momentarily, Zhuang Ruman was like an ant on a hot pot, anxiously pacing back and forth, the sweat started pouring down from his forehead.

“Sit down, sit down.” Jin Quan waved his hand and poured wine into the thick porcelain cup before Zhuang Ruman, “Come on, drink up.

“How can I drink now when everything is in such a mess?” Zhuang Ruman sat down with his eyebrows tightly knitted, “The sky is about to fall down!

“How can it fall down? Even if it does, there’s always someone tall enough to support it, why are you afraid?”

Seeing Zhuang Ruman was about to say something, Jin Quan signaled him to be quiet and continued, “Nothing is insurmountable, isn’t there a way out for everything in the world?”

Seeing there might be a turn for the better, Zhuang Ruman seemed to regain some spirit, “How so?”

“Listen to the whole thing first, don’t agree or reject in haste. Think it over before you make a decision.”

Jin Quan said, “Now that the only son of the Kong family is no more— such a young man gone just like that. In the underworld, he is all alone, which Mr. Kong and his wife cannot bear. Since he was supposed to get married, why not arrange a ghost marriage for him? That way, there’ll be someone to keep him company in the underworld.”

“But the most important thing about ghost marriage is the age and the birth chart. Therefore, Mr. Kong and his wife thought, since Young Master Kong was said to be a good match with Qinghe before, why not make Qinghe his wife in full?”