CHAPTER 752: CHAPTER 748 THE GONGS SOUND IN THE VILLAGE (THREE MORE)

Old Mrs. Mu had a very convincing reason for demanding money.

Everyone present, except for Mr. Mu, looked rather displeased.

Mu Xiangxiang was married off to the Qin Family, and the dowry she took with her would never return to the Old Mu Family, making it a loss-making deal.

Moreover, other branches have daughters as well, but different people have different fates; the old lady was willing to give to Mu Xiangxiang, but not necessarily to others.

No one is foolish enough to make a bridal dress for someone else.

"Old Third, say something, don’t be like that Yu Si Niang, asking several questions but not saying a word, people might think you’re mute." Old Mrs. Mu said unceremoniously.

Mu Dashan had been somewhat hesitant, but after hearing Old Mrs. Mu’s rude words, it only solidified his decision.

Just like Shuangshuang said, you have to help others within your means; the third branch can’t even manage dowries for their own two daughters, where would the money come from to add to Xiangxiang’s dowry?

"Mom, Xiangxiang’s dowry, we... our third branch may not contribute. The third branch is also living tight these days.

On December 12th, Shuangshuang and Fengzi need to get engaged, and there’s no getting around organizing a banquet, plus someone has to go warm up Shuangshuang’s room stove.

In the dead of winter, she sleeps on a bed that’s frozen into a block of ice, without even a stove, and both Si Niang and I feel distressed. Also, after the spring, Xiao Han has to be sent to school, and all these matters will drain the third branch.

Besides, now that my brother is a scholar, he has plenty of silver, and not to mention the ten liang of silver sent by the village chief; if that were added to Xiangxiang’s dowry.

Her dowry would certainly be the most generous in Er Gui Village, and even the Qin Family wouldn’t complain. So... our third branch won’t pay for this dowry."

After saying this, Mu Dashan fell silent.

Old Mrs. Mu was red with anger, pointing at Mu Dashan’s face and hurling curses.

"Alright, Mu Dashan, you ungrateful thing, do you remember who raised you with all the crap and urine?

Do you remember who wrapped you up in quilts when it was cold in winter? It was me, it was this old woman, your life was given by this old woman, and now I ask you for a bit of money, and you refuse.

Mu Dashan, you probably drank the witch’s potion from those two cheap women, you don’t even know what your surname is."

Mu Dashan remained silent; those who understood him should know that his attitude meant he had made up his mind and wouldn’t change it.

But Old Mrs. Mu didn’t understand.

All she thought about was getting Mu Dashan to pay to make Mu Xiangxiang look better, so her words grew even harsher.

"Grandma, you don’t have to keep scolding, back then, people from multiple branches pooled together to cover Uncle’s exam expenses, which is why he has his current status.

It’s only natural for Uncle to pay for Aunt’s dowry; the third uncle’s family also contributed, and no less than anyone else. Now the third uncle’s family isn’t benefiting, there’s no reason for the third uncle’s family to add to Aunt’s dowry."

Mu Dalang, who had been silent, finally said something fair.

This statement was bound to anger Old Mrs. Mu.

"Dalang, don’t think you’ll get away just because we, the Old Mu Family, paid for your wedding, I can ask for that money back anytime." Old Mrs. Mu threatened.

"Mom, if that’s the case, shouldn’t we also take out the money we used to support our brother’s education?"

Since it was about his own son, Mu Dazhong didn’t remain silent as when Mrs. Lin was bullied.

"That’s right, Mom, we had agreed that everyone would support our brother to pass, and he’d take care of us for life, and our branches, we have no income, the money earned from farming was all your doing." Mu Danian chimed in.

Mu Danian was no fool, he didn’t like Mu Dalang, but now his mother was asking Dalang for the bride price, which was a big deal.

If they force Dalang to give it back today, they might not even pay his bride price in the future.

"Rebellious, rebellious, you heartless things, you’re going to defy me, I’m just asking Old Third to pay for Xiangxiang’s dowry, why are you all shouting?" Old Mrs. Mu said.

"Grandma, this isn’t right, and everyone thinks it’s something that should be said. If you want to call us unfilial, there’s nothing we can do." Mu Dalang added.

Mu Dalang was determined to support his third uncle.

Regardless of what his grandmother said.

"Shut up!" Old Mrs. Mu yelled.

A battle of epic proportions was about to break out when suddenly, a loud gong sounded in the village.

The "dong dong dong" sound was exceptionally piercing.

"Oh no, something big has happened in the village." Mr. Mu stood up, looking anxious.

The sound of the gong in the village, Mr. Mu had only heard twice in his lifetime.

The first time was when a man in the village was dragged into the mountains by a tiger at the foot of Niuwei Mountain and eaten.

The other time was when Lu Yuanfeng’s mother was dragged away by an animal from the mountains.

It’s likely related to such incidents this time.

"Dad, shall we go out and see what’s happening?" Mu Dazhong suggested.

Everyone temporarily put aside the issue of Mu Xiangxiang’s dowry and wondered what on earth had happened.

The Old Mu Family, along with others in the village, all followed the sound of the gong, heading outside.

By this time, dinner had already been eaten, so it was quite late.

However, because of the heavy snow, visibility was still reasonably high, and everyone trudged through the snow, one foot deep, one foot shallow.

On the road, people were asking, "What’s going on, what exactly is happening?"

"Don’t know, but from the sound, it seems to be coming from Old Fu’s house; no one knows what’s happening!" someone who knew a bit shared with the villagers.

Everyone followed the sound towards Uncle Fu’s house.

The Third Branch of the Old Mu Family, Mu Shuangshuang, and Lu Yuanfeng, upon hearing the gong, also came out to see what was happening.

As for the children, they stayed at home by the fire with Yu Si Niang, and any news would be relayed by Shuangshuang and Fengzi to Yu Si Niang.

"Fengzi, do you know what’s happening?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.

Having not systematically learned about village affairs, Mu Shuangshuang was also at a loss.

"Not sure, but based on past practices, it might be a wild beast."

Er Gui Village is backed by Niuwei Mountain, which is full of wild animals, but usually, except when there’s heavy snowfall, those animals don’t come out because there’s more food in the mountains than at the foothill villages.

And in such cold weather, who would go to Niuwei Mountain except hunters?" Lu Yuanfeng was also puzzled.

All morning in the mountains, he hadn’t found anything except deer tracks.

"But I heard the sound is coming from Uncle Fu’s house, could it be?" Mu Shuangshuang couldn’t say outright, but since the village custom was due to wild beasts.

Could it be Uncle Fu encountered a tiger or a bear or something?