The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!

Chapter 550: Voluntary Sacrifice

Liu Tieshan sighed, saying: "Qingsong, marrying someone is a lifetime event. Marriage is not just about finding a wife; it’s important to consider the family’s values and what kind of people the parents are. Xiao Xue is wonderful, but with parents and a brother like hers, they’ll burden you to death. Your parents are against it; they wouldn’t harm you."

"Put this notion to rest."

As the head of the family, Liu Tieshan’s stance determined the course of Liu Qingsong’s love.

Liu Qingsong squatted on the ground, covering his eyes in discomfort.

Tong Huaqiong shook his head and sighed.

Truth be told, Gu Xiaoxue indeed was one of Qinghe Bay Village’s flowers, without a trace of rusticity, only the elegance of a blossom.

She personally was capable, hardworking, and not troublesome.

Liu Qingsong’s interest in Gu Xiaoxue showed he had good taste.

But as Liu Tieshan said, marriage is not merely about two people, but involves both families.

A family like Gu Xiaoxue’s, even in a modern civilized and open society, would be avoided in the marriage market, let alone in this era where family ties couldn’t be casually severed.

Moreover, given Xiao Xue’s demeanor, Tong Huaqiong couldn’t see a way she wouldn’t be continuously drained by her parents.

Witnessing Liu Qingsong’s disputes with his parents over love, Tong Huaqiong and Liu Tieshan awkwardly chatted for a bit before hastily saying their goodbyes.

They initially thought Liu Qingsong’s love story was just a brief local gossip in Qinghe Bay, which would soon disappear.

Unexpectedly, shortly after, the story stirred the whole Qinghe Bay, nearly causing a life-threatening incident.

The second Gu Family couldn’t gather five hundred taels of silver, and although Gu Youtian disagreed, he couldn’t resist Mr. Gu; Mrs. Jia was unwilling but had no better solution, ultimately grudgingly agreeing to let Gu Xiaoxue marry Xu Dabao.

Xu Dabao was determined to have Gu Xiaoxue, and with his goal reached, he excitedly prepared to claim her.

However, Mrs. Yu was dissatisfied with the marriage to Gu Youtian.

The two families were at odds; her son’s new Yue Family brought no benefits to their own. Their son’s longing for Gu Xiaoxue might eventually lead him to lower his defenses against Gu Family’s second son and begin to flatter Gu Youtian and Gu Ruinian.

Every time she thought about the enemy becoming her son’s brother-in-law, Mrs. Yu regretted using Xiao Xue as debt collateral.

Upon reflection, five hundred taels sounded better.

Five hundred taels could buy a shop in town, enough to arrange two marriages for Xu Dabao; why marry the enemy’s sister?

Mrs. Yu thus was unwilling to manage Xu Dabao’s wedding, but couldn’t go against him, deciding not to hold a wedding for them, but first bringing Gu Xiaoxue to Xu Family; only after having a son would she become an official wife of Xu Family.

In secret anger, Mrs. Yu had already planned how to vent her resentment from losing Xu Zaohua on torturing Gu Xiaoxue.

Xu Dabao didn’t care about the wedding; he was satisfied as long as he got Gu Xiaoxue early.

Gu Second Uncle refused for Mr. Gu to use Gu Xiaoxue as debt collateral, telling Xu Family the debt payoff time hadn’t arrived, and no one could take Xiao Xue away.

Gu Second Uncle gathered all influential clan members to the Clan Leader’s house, and as discussions progressed, he and Mr. Gu had heated arguments.

The rest of the clan watched indifferently; after all, five hundred taels weren’t a small sum, not something that could be easily gathered.

Why should the clan clean up Gu Ruinian’s mess?

Moreover, there was clearly a solution: let Gu Ruinian marry Xu Xinghua.

Mr. Gu indulged Gu Ruinian, insisting he wouldn’t marry Xu Xinghua even if he had a limp, unnecessarily sacrificing a sister.

Tong Huaqiong couldn’t bear to watch Gu Xiaoxue fall into the firepit, and the day she asked her if she knew how to weave was to find her a way out.

Gu Xiaoxue was very good at weaving, and when Tong Huaqiong’s weaving workshop opened, Gu Xiaoxue could completely support herself with her weaving.

Tong Huaqiong had discussed in advance with Gu Second Uncle and Aunt, prepared to wield the decree from the emperor appointing her as Sui Feng Village Lady to pressure Xu Family into saving Xiao Xue, and Gu Second Uncle pressured the clan to expel Gu Xiaoxue from Mr. Gu’s line and become his granddaughter.

As for the five hundred taels of silver, whoever wanted to repay could do so.

If Gu Family couldn’t repay it, then let Gu Ruinian become a son-in-law at Xu’s house.

Before arriving at the Clan Leader’s house, Tong Huaqiong had brought Gu Xiaoxue over to ask her thoughts.

Gu Xiaoxue kept her head down for a long time without speaking.

Tong Huaqiong assumed Gu Xiaoxue was timid and undecisive, considering that since childhood brainwashed by Mrs. Jia, she had always whole-heartedly supported Gu Ruinian and couldn’t easily find the courage to resist.

Gu Second Uncle quarreled with Mr. Gu in the clan, and the two elders almost came to blows.

"I can’t let Xiao Xue marry Xu Dabao even if it costs my old life," said Gu Second Uncle, repeating himself.

Mr. Gu’s face was flushed with anger.

"Xiao Xue, you’re here?" Gu Taohua, sitting beside Tong Huaqiong and witnessing her grandfathers’ argument, glanced up seeing Gu Xiaoxue appear at the doorway.

The house paused its arguing as everyone turned to look at Gu Xiaoxue.

Gu Xiaoxue quietly walked in, raised her head, and calmly swept her gaze over everyone.

"Second Grandpa, you don’t have to fight my Grandpa," Gu Xiaoxue began, her voice trembling slightly, then turned to Tong Huaqiong and said, "Aunt, I know you and Second Grandpa don’t want me to marry Xu Dabao."

She paused, with a soft, beautiful smile, saying: "Thank you for considering me. I’ve thought it through; I will marry Xu Dabao."

"Xiao Xue."

"No way."

Tong Huaqiong and Gu Second Uncle spoke in unison.

"Xiao Xue, the situation isn’t your fault; why should you sacrifice yourself?" Tong Huaqiong asked, "You can’t make such a foolish decision. Xu Dabao is not a suitable match; you’re not getting married; you’re paying off debt, think what kind of life you’ll lead entering Xu Family as debt collateral?"

Gu Taohua chimed in, "Your brother is your brother, and you are you. Are you crazy striving for your brother, sacrificing your whole life, Xiao Xue? It’s not worth it."

Gu Xiaoxue smiled softly and said, "Aunt, Sister Taohua, I’ve decided; I will marry Xu Dabao."

After saying this, she walked out.

Gu Second Uncle sighed deeply.

Tong Huaqiong felt some sympathy for Gu Xiaoxue but this moment she found her lamentably foolish.

The matter hadn’t reached a final conclusion, yet she impatiently jumped out, actively sacrificing herself.

If this isn’t foolishness, what is?

Tong Huaqiong shook her head and left the Gu Clan Leader’s gate, walking on the village path under a poplar tree, where she saw Liu Qingsong stopping Gu Xiaoxue.

Liu Qingsong said something to Gu Xiaoxue, after which she took out a hairpin from her bosom, handed it to Liu Qingsong, and hurriedly headed home.

Liu Qingsong stood there stunned, clutching the hairpin.

Passing by, Tong Huaqiong noticed his eyes were red.

Perhaps heartbroken in love, he failed to notice Tong Huaqiong walking beside him.

Tong Huaqiong shook her head.

The ill-fated couple.

Gu Xiaoxue willingly chose to marry Xu Dabao, leaving others with nothing more to say, unable to save her even if they wanted to.

Originally, Xu Dabao wished to immediately welcome Gu Xiaoxue into his home, but under Gu Second Uncle’s strict interference, Xu Family agreed to follow traditional marriage rites to wed Gu Xiaoxue.

The wedding date was set for October.

After the autumn harvest, the villagers are in leisure season, perfect for holding weddings.