Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 395: Despised and Loathed

Chapter 395: Chapter 395: Despised and Loathed

Lin’s father has given it a good thought and Hu San has told him that although houses in Yan City are expensive, there are ways to get them at a lesser price.

There are always some deals that will make it cheaper.

They had discussed the marriage of their plump daughter and planned to give 30 taels of silver as dowry, in addition to a complete set of furniture and bedding.

All together, it would cost approximately fifty taels.

Lin’s father was a bit worried.

If Shen Wenchen was still the same Shen Xiaolang as before, they would not have been so worried.

When their plump daughter was married to the Shen family before, they demanded only five taels of silver as betrothal gift, and their family gave four taels and six coins as dowry.

That was a marriage of equal social rank.

But now...

Shen Xiaolang became Shen Wenchen, the lord of Yan City.

Although their daughter is capable and has opened a restaurant, they could not afford to provide such a large dowry.

After all, their family isn’t only their plump daughter, they can’t just take out two hundred taels of silver like that.

Even with the tens of taels of silver that their plump daughter managed to contribute to the family over these few months, they could only gather a total of one hundred and twenty taels.

"Father, the wedding date of our plump sister is approaching. Instead of rushing to buy a house, why don’t we use that money for her dowry? It would give her a sense of assurance," Lin Yicheng thought for a moment and shook his head.

"Father, big brother is right. Let’s prepare our plump sister’s dowry first," said Lin Ercheng restraining a sigh, but he didn’t comply.

Of course, he wanted his wife to live a comfortable life.

But if he were to marry his plump sister, and the dowry they provide were insufficient, they would become the laughing stock.

"We can only afford what we have the stomach for," Lin’s father’s voice sank.

"We aren’t wealthy. We can’t go around trying to keep up pretenses. If we have to starve ourselves just to marry off our daughter, then I won’t bother with this family," he continued.

Hearing the anger in their father’s tone, the two brothers just looked at each other and said nothing more.

Lin Ercheng too had his little thoughts.

After all, his wife was pregnant now, and if they tightened their belts and used all their money for their plump sister’s dowry, it wouldn’t affect him much, but it would be a disservice to his wife and child.

"You two are both fathers now, and you need to consider your wives and children more. Our plump sister has her own luck. You have already done enough as her elder brother and sister-in-law," he commented.

Just as he finished speaking, he felt the carriage stop.

"Master, we’ve arrived," said the coachman.

The coachman, skilled at flattery and well-informed, naturally knew that he was transporting the father-in-law and brother-in-law of the city lord.

"Thank you," said Lin Yicheng and was the first to get out of the carriage. Lin’s father adjusted his clothes before slowly following him out.

Because Sun Cui was pregnant, Lin’s mother was very careful during the journey, even asking the coachman to slow down. So Lin’s father and the rest arrived quite earlier and had to wait for the slow carriage to arrive.

"Mother, over here," Lin Ercheng said as he saw their carriage arriving and quickly approached it, gently supporting Sun Cui.

Maids and servants were standing at the entrance of Zeng Residence, but Hexiu was nowhere to be seen.

Sister Nanzhi found it strange but didn’t ask about it.

"Sister Nanzhi," Miss Zeng was wearing a peach-pink Luo dress today, with two pearl hairpins in her hair. She had applied light makeup and blush, looking particularly beautiful.

"Congratulations." Nanzhi smiled and nodded, handing over the prepared bracelet.

She really liked Miss Zeng.

The little girl always greeted her with a smile, was good in nature, almost like...Miaomiao.

"Thank you, Sister Lin." Feeling the coolness of the jade bracelet on her wrist, Miss Zeng’s eyes sparkled with joy.

The bangle that Nanzhi gave was made of jade. Although not of the highest quality, it was still beautiful.

A feast was held in the Zeng Residence, and while it wasn’t huge, many important friends and relatives were invited.

Old Lord Zeng was introducing Wang Jingzhi to people and when he saw the Lin family coming, he greeted them.

"Brother Lin," Old Lord Zeng, who was just over forty, was much younger than Lin’s father.

He admired the Lin family for looking after Wang Jingzhi in the past two years and felt grateful.

As business people, they understood the severity of the famine more than anyone else.

Taking a stranger with them in such a situation was genuinely kind.

"I dare not accept such a title," said Lin’s father quickly.

Although the Zeng Family was not very powerful in Yan City, compared to their small families, it was indeed a lofty existence.

Now when Old Lord Zeng called him brother, he certainly could not accept it.

"Brother, Jingzhi has caused you a lot of trouble these past two years," Old Lord Zeng sincerely remarked.

"Not at all, he’s a good kid," sighed Lin’s father.

The engagement feast went smoothly, and when Wang Jingzhi stood with Miss Zeng, people couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

The talented man and beautiful woman were just like a perfect match.

The young man was no longer as gloomy and restrained as before.

The moon-white robe made his figure stand out, and his shoulders that were once withdrawn were now open after two years.

Those past experiences no longer shackled the young man, simply because a sun-like woman stepped into his life.

Seeing her childhood friend starting a new life, Shen Miaomiao could not help but feel happy.

"Wang Jingzhi, I’ll use tea instead of wine as a toast to you," Shen Miaomiao raised her teacup and proposed a toast to Wang Jingzhi and Miss Zeng.

"Alright," Wang Jingzhi nodded at Shen Miaomiao.

They used to play together often when they were young, and the elders in the village always teased them.

Now that they have grown up, even though their relationship isn’t as intimate as before, they are like siblings.

Miss Zeng knew about their relationship, so she silently stood beside them.

"Wang Jingzhi, you must treat Miss Zeng well. She is an excellent lady, and you should never disappoint her."

"I know," Wang Jingzhi nodded, paused for a moment before speaking again.

"If there’s anything you need once you are in Kyoto, just let us know; after all, I am your brother."

"Alright," Shen Miaomiao nodded with a smile, but there was a hint of glimmer in the corner of her eyes.

She also had a brother.

Shen Wenchen and Shi’er were sitting together in silence.

Around them, there were exclamations of children.

"Uncle, do you live there?" Lin Jian’s eyes widened as he looked at the tall attic and shouted.

"No," he replied,

Shen Wenchen rubbed his temples, trying to suppress the frustration in his heart.

Children at the age of seven or eight are typically annoying.

When they were in school, the teacher disciplined them and even at home, they knew to restrain their mischief.

But they had been off school for less than half a month, and they had already become completely wild.

"Brother Shen," Shi’er felt like his ears were buzzing with all the noise.

He never realized how annoying children could be.

He understood why his father sent him to the military camp back then.

"What is it?" Shen Wenchen let out a sigh, feeling physically and mentally drained from looking after the children.

"Am I doing the right thing?" Shi’er asked, looking down and feeling slightly bewildered.

Miaomiao had been packing her personal belongings for the trip these past few days, but he could sense that she was not happy about it.