Chapter 16: Piercing the Heart

Father Tang didn't have time to explain; he pushed aside his wife, who was supporting him, and hurriedly chased after them.

Fortunately, the car hadn't driven off yet. Zhan Zeye was leaning against the car, looking in a certain direction.

"Son-in-law, you mustn't!"

Father Tang knew there was no use talking to Tang Qiyue, so he rushed straight up to Zhan Zeye. He reached out with both hands to grab Zhan Zeye's arm, but Zhan Zeye dodged him with a look of disdain.

His brows were tightly furrowed as he looked at Father Tang, seemingly trying to discern the expression he wanted from the man's face.

"Dad, be careful!"

Standing beside Father Tang, the eldest Tang son didn't understand why his elderly father was so agitated. He hurriedly supported his father's arm, his expression looking quite unpleasant, though he was trying his best to suppress it.

It was the new son-in-law's first visit to the house; not only was his attitude arrogant, but he also lacked even the slightest sense of etiquette. As a son of the Tang family who had been flattered and pampered since childhood, how could he stand this?

The eldest Tang son shot a warning glance at Zhan Zeye, his eyes filled with caution.

Zhan Zeye ignored him entirely, instead watching Tang Qiyue, who was currently speaking to someone.

Tang Qiyue naturally saw the situation between Father Tang and Zhan Zeye, so she pulled Tang Xiuyuan over.

It turned out that when the young couple had walked out of the Tang family gates just now, they had seen Tang Xiuyuan crouching by the entrance. This twin younger brother had always been a stubborn person; it was estimated that ever since Father Tang issued that declaration of severing ties, Tang Xiuyuan had refused to step through the Tang family gates.

Today, according to custom, Tang Qiyue was supposed to return to her maternal home. Tang Xiuyuan naturally believed Tang Qiyue should go to her mother's side, but when he couldn't find her, he came to wait at the Tang family entrance.

Just now, Tang Xiuyuan had been telling Tang Qiyue that Mother Tang had already returned, reminding her to be very careful. When Mother Tang found out that Tang Qiyue had married herself off while she was out, she had nearly exploded with rage.

If it weren't for the fact that the reality could no longer be changed, Mother Tang would likely have gone directly to bring Tang Qiyue home.

As the siblings walked to Zhan Zeye's side, the three Tang sons faced off against Tang Xiuyuan.

"Xiao Yuan, what are you doing? It's one thing to not enter the house when you arrive, but are you trying to sever all ties with the family?"

The second Tang brother scolded Tang Xiuyuan with a stern face.

Tang Xiuyuan rolled his eyes. "Wasn't it your father who severed ties with me? The severance letter was even published in the newspaper!"

Tang Xiuyuan pulled the newspaper from his bosom. He had been carrying it with him, thinking that one day he might need it; he just hadn't expected the opportunity to come so soon.

The second Tang brother looked at the newspaper. Although he didn't understand why his father would do such a thing, he believed that even if bones are broken, the tendons remain connected. They were all brothers; how could ties be severed just like that?

"Nonsense! It's just a declaration, and you actually took it seriously? What about your parents' kindness in raising you?"

The third Tang brother also disapproved, believing that Tang Xiuyuan was simply rebellious and completely ungrateful.

Father Tang was anxious at this moment and didn't want to listen to his sons bickering, so he roared, "All of you, shut up!"

Tang Xiuyuan, who was about to speak, was pulled by Tang Qiyue's sleeve and chose to remain silent.

"Son-in-law, this girl Qiyue is just acting out against me. Please don't take it to heart. Those dowries of hers were all prepared by me over these years!"

Father Tang explained anxiously, but Tang Xiuyuan couldn't listen to it anymore.

One would think Father Tang had truly prepared an incredible dowry for Tang Qiyue.

"Old Man Tang, have some shame. Anyone who isn't blind can see that the dowries my sister has are just a sham. I saw clearly how your wife swapped the dowry items; she even stuffed several chests with junk just to fool people!"

Tang Xiuyuan tore away the dignity Father Tang was trying so hard to maintain. Father Tang froze.

He truly did not know about this.

Although there were issues with the chests, he hadn't intended to swap the dowry items themselves. Since Tang Chunlan had already run away and didn't want the dowry, he figured he would just give it all to Tang Qiyue—they were both his daughters, after all.

But Tang Xiuyuan sneered repeatedly. "Old Man Tang, you always said you treated me and my sister the same as the other children. But the result is that while my sister was suffering with my mother all these years, your 'daughter' was living in luxury. She ran away, and my sister was threatened by you into marriage. So where is the dowry? It was swapped for junk! You wouldn't spare even a single good thing. Tell me, if you die and go to the afterlife, will your parents and grandparents think you're a disgrace and strike you from the family lineage?"

Tang Xiuyuan spoke rapidly, leaving no room for anyone to interject or interrupt.

Father Tang's face felt as if it had been thrown to the ground and stomped on by Tang Xiuyuan. The surrounding neighbors were all whispering and discussing, and he could no longer save face.

Father Tang turned back to look for his wife, only to see that the woman who had just been standing by his side was actually quietly stepping backward.

How could he not understand? It was this wife's doing again.

"You wench!"

Father Tang truly couldn't hold it back anymore. No matter how much he liked this woman, it couldn't compare to his dignity. He raised his hand and delivered two slaps, striking his wife's face so hard it went crooked.

Mrs. Tang, feeling utterly humiliated, covered her face and ran back into the house.

Father Tang didn't have time to care about that damned woman; he hurriedly turned to explain to Zhan Zeye, "I truly was unaware of the dowry situation. I'll have someone send the dowry prepared for Qiyue over shortly. I absolutely cannot let Qiyue suffer a loss!"

How could Zhan Zeye not know Father Tang's true motive? It wasn't about the dowry items at all, but the dowry chests.

Tang Qiyue naturally saw through it as clearly as day, but Tang Xiuyuan did not. He continued his contemptuous tirade: "And you call that not suffering a loss? Old Man Tang, you're just making up for it because you're afraid of losing face, aren't you?"

Father Tang felt like he couldn't breathe and roared, "Shut your mouth! Why are you everywhere?"

Tang Xiuyuan glared, rolling up his sleeves as if he were about to get into a fight with his biological father. It was only because Tang Qiyue didn't want him to be judged by others at a time like this that she held him back.

"That sounds great, then I'll wait at home!"

Tang Qiyue picked up the conversation. Father Tang breathed a sigh of relief and forced a smile onto his face. "Qiyue, the dowry is your foundation for the future. You mustn't just give it away casually, especially that dowry chest. It's made of high-quality sandalwood; it's a treasure that can be passed down for generations!"

Seeing that Tang Qiyue remained unmoved, Father Tang was truly afraid she would act recklessly, so he reminded her repeatedly, "I know you have grievances in your heart, but your son-in-law is such a good man. Live a good life with him, okay? If you lack anything, Dad will send it to you!"

He gave many hypocritical instructions, but the thing he repeatedly mentioned was that the dowry chest could not be donated.

"If you truly find those dowry items disgusting and want to donate them, then go ahead and donate them. I'll just stuff your dowry chest full again! I'll have your brothers send it over to you in a bit!"

Father Tang rambled on, looking as if he wanted to cram his entire family fortune into Tang Qiyue's hands. Tang Qiyue held back her laughter, watching Father Tang grow increasingly anxious.

Not to mention the bewildered Tang Xiuyuan, even the three Tang sons were filled with question marks, not understanding what was wrong with their father today. It was Zhan Zeye who impatiently reminded them, "It's getting late; we still have to visit your mother-in-law!"

Tang Qiyue pushed Tang Xiuyuan into the car and turned to say to Father Tang, "Just a kind reminder: if my stepmother dared to swap my dowry, does she dare to swap others as well?"

(End of Chapter)