Bride Swap Backfire: My Cousin's Rebirth Made Us a Power Couple-Chapter 65 - 45: Engagement (Part 5)

The more Chen Mei spoke, the sadder she became, and tears began to stream down her face.

"I’ve given birth to three daughters in a row, and I still haven’t been able to give my husband a son. Living with the third branch of the family, I have to walk on eggshells every day. I don’t dare say a single bold word. I thought everything would be fine once I had a son with this pregnancy, but who knew your grandmother would pull such a fast one on me."

"If it weren’t for the little one in my belly, my mother-in-law would have nearly kicked me out and sent me back to my parents. Even my husband, for those few days, looked at me with utter disdain."

Chen Mei was truly terrified during those days, afraid that the old woman’s nasty trick would implicate her.

Because of this, she couldn’t sleep at night, crying until half her pillow was soaked. The next day, she woke up with eyes as swollen as walnuts. Terrified her husband’s family would notice, she used the excuse of not being hungry to avoid leaving her room. She would wait until everyone had left the kitchen before sneaking in to grab a steamed bun to fill her stomach.

"Luckily, you have good judgment and settled things with Jing. Wanqing, you’re a good girl, literate and sensible. You can’t break off the engagement with Jing again. Otherwise, not only will you put everyone in the Chen family in a difficult position, but you’ll also be ruining your parents, your brothers, and me." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Your aunt... I’ve never had a good life. It wasn’t until I married into my husband’s family that they were willing to give me a few pieces of meat to eat. I have to repay my husband, and I have to give him a son. You absolutely cannot mess things up so that your aunt can’t go on living. You... from now on, you have to be good to Zhao Jing. When you marry Zhao Jing, your aunt will bring you meat to eat every day..."

"Chen Mei, what are you rambling on about? You’re pregnant, stay away from my daughter."

Chen Mei was a little afraid of her sister-in-law. Pouting, she supported her lower back with one hand, her large belly sticking out, and reluctantly walked out of the west room.

"What did she say to you? Let me tell you, pay her no mind. Your aunt is no better than your grandmother. It’s only because she’s had three daughters in a row that her spirit has been worn down, making her seem much better-tempered. If she gives birth to a son this time, just you watch if she doesn’t get a swelled head."

"I know, Mom. I’m aware of the situation."

’Chen Mei is just like Grandmother.’

’She might act like she’s confiding in you, but not a single word of truth comes out of her mouth. You just have to let whatever she says go in one ear and out the other. If you take her seriously, you’ve already lost.’

"Why did I hear her say she’d bring you meat? Could she possibly be that kind? Hmph, she’s such a glutton. If there’s a piece of meat to be had, it’ll go straight into her own mouth. Not even her three daughters can hope to get a single bite."

Chen Wanqing believed that.

She vaguely remembered a time before her aunt was married, when she had brought a plate of dumplings from their house over to the old residence.

At the time, her aunt, who was already engaged, and her grandmother were hiding in the kitchen, fighting over a meat bone. The mother and daughter duo gnawed on it, their mouths glistening with grease and bits of meat stuck between their teeth. When her grandmother turned to look at her, her aunt quickly snatched the last piece of meat off the large bone and swallowed it.

Back then, the pair had tried to fool her. "We’re eating dried sweet potatoes. Ouch, look how dry they are, they’re all stuck in my teeth."

"I’m gnawing on a bone from an offering. It’s something an immortal has eaten, so mortals can’t eat it, or they’ll get diarrhea. I’m a grown-up and strong, so I’m not afraid of getting diarrhea. You shouldn’t eat it. You’re little, and if you get sick, your mother will never forgive me."

The mother and daughter’s stories didn’t match. They glanced at each other, then quickly looked away.

She just pretended she hadn’t seen a thing, put down the dumplings, and left.

’But she never would have imagined it. Her aunt, who years ago wouldn’t even spare her a bite of a meat bone, was now promising to bring her meat every day after she married Zhao Jing?’

Chen Wanqing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She didn’t mention her aunt, only asking her mother, "Why did you come over?"

"I came to discuss the wedding date with you, of course."

’Men are so unreliable. His daughter’s engagement is such a huge event, yet he can only come back for the duration of a single meal.’

The problem was, he and his group had discovered another three treasure chests on Xiaoao Mountain.

Afraid that word would get out and cause trouble, Chen Song didn’t dare say much even to his own wife. But because of these chests, Xu Su Ying’s mind was in turmoil, and she hadn’t had a single day without being on pins and needles.

Having to worry about her husband and her own daughter, Xu Su Ying felt like her heart was being torn in two. She was utterly miserable.

Now that her daughter was about to get married and leave home, she felt even worse.

When Chen Wanqing heard her mention the wedding date, her heart tightened.

Yesterday, the Zhao Family had sent over three potential wedding dates: the twentieth of the twelfth lunar month, the second of the second lunar month next year, and the eighth of the seventh lunar month next year.

The dates were all very soon, which showed how eager the Zhao Family was for the marriage to take place.