Chapter 90: Chapter 89: Was It on Purpose?
Mrs. Zhou was pushed back two steps, clutching her burning cheek, glaring at Father Wen, "You hit me over a money-losing good that married out?"
Father Wen looked at her, "And how much did you contribute to Wan Niang’s dowry when she got married?"
Mrs. Zhou was at a loss for words.
Wen Wan’s dowry was deducted from the gifts that came from the Song family, the Wen family didn’t spend a penny.
Father Wen didn’t have the time to keep arguing with her; he picked up a box covered with a rag and headed out towards the Song family in Upper River Village.
——
At this moment, in the courtyard of the Song family.
Wen Wan was applying medicine to Song Wei, while Granny Song sat on a small stool, sorting vegetables and swearing, "Which scoundrel with pus-filled heels, got lightning to blind him? Throwing a wine jar and hitting someone, why doesn’t heaven strike him down directly!"
Next to her, Song Fang rolled her eyes, "I say, dear mom, you’ve been cursing since third brother walked in, aren’t you tired? Take a break, third brother just got a little scrape, with little sister-in-law tending to him, he’s fine!"
Granny Song shot her a glance, "It’s easy for you to talk standing up, pains don’t hurt when they’re not on your body."
"So you’ve been sitting here cursing for so long, did you curse that pus-heeled scoundrel’s backache to death?"
Granny Song tossed the sorted vegetables into her basin, "You ungrateful little thing, get lost!"
"Alright then!" Song Fang carried the vegetable basin and rolled into the kitchen.
Inside, Wen Wan heard the mother-daughter conversation word for word, unable to hold back a laugh.
Her hand twitched while applying medicine and jabbed Song Wei’s wound, making him gasp.
Wen Wan realized and quickly moved her hand away.
Song Wei looked up, grabbed her wrist, a playful expression on his face, "Did you do that on purpose?"
Wen Wan blinked, tacitly admitting: Who told you not to take me along, blame it on me for your bad luck?
Luckily the injury wasn’t too deep, no disfigurement, or she’d be furious.
Song Wei slowly released her, his arm slid down, easily wrapping around his little wife’s slim waist, leaning his head closer, "Continue, your father should arrive soon."
Wen Wan pushed away his restless hand, more meticulously and gently than before.
After finishing applying medicine and changing the bandage, just as they exited the door, Father Wen showed up, carrying things indeed.
"Father-in-law."
Song Wei stepped forward and greeted.
Father Wen glanced around the courtyard, asking, "Is Wan Niang here?"
"Yes, I’ll call her."
Before Song Wei could finish, Wen Wan had already pulled aside the curtain and walked out, seeing her father holding something, looking puzzled.
Father Wen looked at Song Wei, "Let’s go to the main hall, call your parents, there’s something I need to clarify with them face to face."
Song Wei nodded and went to the east room to invite Old Song and Granny Song.
The elderly couple quickly came out upon hearing the in-laws had arrived.
After greetings, they all went to the main hall.
Song Fang, hearing the commotion from the kitchen, also came over to join in.
Father Wen placed the box on the table and lifted off the rag.
Granny Song was puzzled, "What’s this about, father-in-law?"
Father Wen explained, "Here’s the thing, Wan Niang’s birth mother left her a dowry, which I only found out about recently. I just dug these out from under the jujube tree at our place and tidied them up, thinking to bring them over to her. After all, it’s not a trivial matter, I thought it best to inform you, my dear in-laws."
Though he said inform, everyone present understood that since the box contained part of the dowry, it was Wen Wan’s personal property, and how to use it was her prerogative, no one else could meddle.
Granny Song didn’t even think of checking what was in the box, giving her old man a look.
Being a woman, it was appropriate for the men to handle such matters.
Old Song came to his senses, saying, "From our standpoint, when Wan Niang married over, the dowry was already provided, no need for anything extra. But since you mentioned it was left by Wan Niang’s birth mother, whatever you want to do, just discuss it with Wan Niang. We won’t interfere. — Oh right, our meal is almost ready, would you stay and have a few drinks with me, father-in-law?"
Hearing this, Father Wen felt completely at ease, "Sure, it’s been a while since we had a drink together."