Chapter 8: If You Want the Bracelet, Fine

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Tong Chuxue found Tong Yuer’s eagerness to speak up for her amusing, and leisurely stood by like a spectator enjoying a show.

After Tong Yuer’s initial excitement, she suddenly realized what she had just said. As an unmarried young lady, boldly discussing her own marriage in front of others would surely damage her reputation if it got out.

Thinking of her impulsive behavior, Tong Yuer blamed everything on Tong Chuxue, glaring at her fiercely.

Tong Chuxue felt a surge of satisfaction; after all, those words were Tong Yuer’s own. In a small village, secrets never stay hidden. Even if spoken behind closed doors, neighbors weren’t deaf. They might not say anything openly, but gossip could be more damaging than the truth.

“That’s enough!” Zou Hongping stepped forward, shielding Tong Yuer and glaring coldly at Tong Chuxue. “This marriage was arranged by the elders of the Yao and Tong families, and the one who agreed to it was Yuer. Xu Jinniang, if you return the bracelet today, our Tong family will let you off.”

Tong Chuxue sneered inwardly. This was clearly an excuse fabricated by the Tong family, yet Zou Hongping spoke as if it were the gospel, turning baseless claims into supposed truths.

“Second Aunt, if this marriage was really meant for Yuer, then why did she just jump out and accuse me of stealing it? I’m an unmarried girl. Being slandered by my own sister like this—how can I face the world? How will I ever marry?” Tong Chuxue wiped her eyes symbolically, though no tears fell.

“Snow girl, this is a matter between the Tong and Yao families. Since you know you’re still unmarried, it’s best not to get involved,” Old Madam Tong said. “Xu Jinniang, you heard what the eldest daughter-in-law said. Hand the bracelet back quickly!”

Old Madam Tong’s authority could intimidate Xu Jinniang a bit, but it had little effect on Tong Chuxue.

Xu Jinniang clutched her chest, her eyes filled with deep disappointment and sorrow. “Mother, Chuxue is your own granddaughter. Why must you be so cruel to her? She’s just a young girl. If people say she stole her own engagement, how will she live in the village?”

Tong Chuxue’s mouth twitched. Although Xu Jinniang’s words were deeply moving, only Heaven knew she truly did not want to marry. She only wanted to live a peaceful life. If she could use this opportunity to reject the match, that would be perfect.

“Grandma, walls have ears. If what Yuer said in the courtyard today is overheard and spreads, do you think her reputation will survive? Would the Yao family want a daughter-in-law with a ruined name?” Tong Chuxue said coldly.

Old Madam Tong squinted, fixing her gaze on Tong Chuxue. She had come to understand her granddaughter had changed since the family split—becoming far more difficult. “What do you want?”

Tong Chuxue smiled brightly and proposed her condition. “It’s simple. The marriage to the Yao family was taken from our third branch by you, Grandma. Do you admit it or not?”

No one wanted to be associated with the ugly accusation of stealing a marriage. Naturally, Tong Yuer opposed, “You’re lying!”

Tong Chuxue’s smile faded, her icy gaze sweeping over those present. “If you admit to stealing the marriage, I’ll hand over the bracelet. How about that?”

Old Madam Tong was persuaded, simply acknowledging the fact of the marriage being taken. After all, it was happening within their own courtyard, and few outside would know; it might not affect Tong Yuer’s reputation much. But securing the marriage brought great benefits.

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Thinking this through, Old Madam Tong’s expression softened considerably.

Zou Hongping, having married into the Tong family for years, knew Old Madam Tong well enough to recognize her intent to concede.

Now Zou Hongping became anxious. Though the conversation was within their courtyard, neighbors nearby were not deaf. What would happen to Yuer’s reputation then?

Behind Zou Hongping, Tong Yuer was the most panicked. She gripped Zou Hongping’s arm, shaking her head frantically. Zou Hongping gritted her teeth; for Yuer’s reputation, she couldn’t let Old Madam Tong concede so easily.

“Mother…” Zou Hongping began.

“Grandma, have you thought it through? I only want to protect my reputation. I won’t bring this up to others. If you admit it, you’ll get the bracelet back. It’s a very worthwhile deal.” Tong Chuxue deliberately stressed the word “initiate”. She wouldn’t bring it up herself, but if others forced her, she’d have to be honest.

Old Madam Tong glanced at Tong Chuxue, then at the silver bracelet in Xu Jinniang’s hand. She bit her lip. “Fine. The Yao family originally promised it to Snow girl.”

“That’s enough. Grandma’s word is all we need.” Tong Chuxue raised her hand, stopping Old Madam Tong from saying more.

Tong Yuer clenched her fists, lowered her gaze, trembling with rage.

Tong Chuxue, just wait. I will make you pay back all the humiliation you’ve caused me one day!

Feeling victorious, Tong Chuxue approached Xu Jinniang, asking her to produce the bracelet.

The engagement token was very important to a girl, so Xu Jinniang kept it close, afraid of losing it. She carefully took out a slightly deformed silver bracelet and handed it to Tong Chuxue, her actions hesitant and tinged with reluctance.

Tong Chuxue knew Xu Jinniang could not accept the reality immediately. She comforted her with a hug, then turned to give the bracelet to Old Madam Tong.

Old Madam Tong’s eyes were glued to the silver bracelet, unable to look away.

Well, this was a silver bracelet! The Yao family had been so poor before but still gave such a valuable token. She had clearly underestimated them.

Having achieved her goal, Tong Chuxue left the Tong household with Xu Jinniang.

What she did not know was that before she exited the main gate, a little boy who had been eavesdropping outside had already slipped away.

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That little boy was the same “little bun” Tong Chuxue had met earlier.

The boy ran swiftly, like a little rabbit, rushing into the house and bumping into his elder brother, Luo Hui’an.

Looking up, the boy saw his brother’s stern face and stood respectfully at attention, somewhat intimidated.

“Where have you been?” Luo Hui’an asked.

“To the Tong family,” the boy answered obediently. Seeing his brother didn’t seem angry, he grew bolder and stepped closer. “Brother, I overheard something really big…”

Inside the Tong family’s main room.

Old Madam Tong held the silver bracelet, cherishing it as she wiped it repeatedly with a handkerchief, her smile nearly reaching her ears.

But after a while, she began to feel something was wrong. “Eldest daughter-in-law, come look at this. Is this bracelet really silver?”

Zou Hongping, listlessly trimming vegetables in the kitchen, came over reluctantly when called. “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Old Madam Tong shoved the bracelet into Zou Hongping’s hand. “Check it quickly.”

Zou Hongping had no choice but to look. She flipped it over a few times, then suddenly looked surprised. “Mother, this bracelet isn’t pure silver. It’s just silver-plated!”

A silver-plated bracelet had only a thin layer of silver on the surface. Its value was incomparable to a genuine silver bracelet.

Hearing that the bracelet she had painstakingly obtained was only silver-plated, Old Madam Tong’s expression changed instantly. She slapped Zou Hongping. “You said the Yao family gave a silver bracelet! How come it’s just silver-plated? You all have grown bold, daring to lie to me!”

Zou Hongping was equally aggrieved. “I only knew the Yao family gave the third branch a silver bracelet. How was I supposed to know it was only silver-plated?”

“You little shameless girl! No wonder they gave it so generously—they knew all along this thing wasn’t worth much!” Old Madam Tong was furious, her head pounding. But now that she had it, what could she do?

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