The dowry her family had given her wasn't even worth anything. After she had married into the Gu family, Gu Moyan had used everything leaving her with absolutely nothing.
Su Qinglan was given more than enough dowry but her foolishness led to it getting stolen under her own nose.
She lost so much money leaving her with nothing. She had to beg for food, clothes so much things she easily got back in her home, she wasn't even respected by the maids who lived at the residence.
If Su Qinglan was going to marry Gu Fengshen and step into his household then she would make sure she was prepared. Financially and mentally.
**
Su Qinglan folded her arms, her expression calm as always. "I want your dowry! Give me your dowry and I'll Marry Gu Fengshen and leave Gu Moyan For you!"
Everyone froze at Su Qinglan's words.
Even the chirping of the birds in the courtyard seemed to stop.
Madame Su's eyes widened in disbelief. "What did you just say?"
Su Qinglan's expression didn't change. She stood tall, her voice calm and clear. "You heard me, Madam. I'll marry Gu Fengshen instead, but I want Rouyan's dowry in exchange."
The servants exchanged nervous looks. Zuen and Xuen held their breath, "W-wha-whay is the lady saying? I she really asking for Su Rouyan's bride price?"
"Shhh!" Zuen silenced her sister.
Rouyan's face turned pale, her lips parting slightly. "Sister… you can't be serious!" she stammered. "That dowry was prepared especially for me! Mother chose every item carefully!"
Su Qinglan gave a small, cold smile. "Exactly. It's perfect for a bride of the Gu family, isn't it? You're taking the husband I was meant to marry, Rouyan. Surely, giving me your dowry isn't too much to ask?"
Rouyan clenched her hands tightly, her eyes glaring at Su Qinglan. "But… that dowry includes my jade bracelets, my jewelry boxes, the gold hairpins, the red silk—"
Su Qinglan cut her off softly, "Then you can keep your bracelets if you like. I only want the silver. Every single coin that was set aside for your marriage."
Her tone was calm but it was shooting sharp words.
Master Su frowned, confused. "Qinglan, why are you saying such things? You've never been greedy before. What use do you have for Rouyan's dowry?"
Su Qinglan turned to her father, her gaze steady. "Because, Father, I'll be marrying into the Gu family's second son's household, the crippled one that Rouyan just rejected."
Her words were blunt and cold.
Everyone's faces stiffened, including Madame Su's.
Su Qinglan continued, "He's not favored in the Gu family, and everyone knows it. I'll be marrying a man who can't even stand properly. So I need enough silver to live decently." She took a slow breath, her eyes moving from her father to her stepmother, then finally resting on Rouyan. "That's my condition. Ten thousand taels. In full."
Rouyan's lip trembled. "Ten thousand taels? Sister, that's… that's everything I have!"
Su Qinglan's lips curved slightly. "Then I suppose you don't want Gu Moyan that much after all."
Rouyan's face changed. Fake tears began to fall as she turned quickly to her parents. "Mother! Father! Please… I'll give it to her. I'll give her everything if that's what it takes. I want to marry Gu Moyan!"
Madame Su gasped, reaching out to hold her daughter. "Rouyan, don't say that! Do you know how much ten thousand taels is!? That money was saved over the years—"
But Master Su raised his hand, silencing her. His expression was dark and heavy. "If this is what Rouyan truly wants, then so be it."
Madame Su turned to him, shocked. "Master Su! You can't be serious!"
But he only sighed deeply. "The Gu family values their reputation. If we break the engagement now, there will be chaos unless we offer something equal in return. At least this way, both daughters are still marrying into the Gu family. It's a fair exchange."
Rouyan quickly nodded through her tears. "Yes! I agree, Father! I'll give Sister my dowry, all of it!"
Su Qinglan's eyes lowered slightly as she stared at Rouyan a faint smile across her lips.
"Good," she said softly. "Then it's settled."
Madame Su looked furious but said nothing more, seeing her husband's decision was final.
Rouyan stepped closer, taking Su Qinglan's hand with trembling fingers. "Thank you, Sister… I promise, I'll make it up to you but by bit."
Her words came out with an evil intent but it almost made Su Qinglan laugh.
'This idiot doesn't know what she's doing!'
Su Qinglan stared at their joined hands for a long moment before sholving Rouyan's hands away.
Now, she only smiled faintly and replied, "You'd better."
Just then, the loud sound of carriage wheels echoed outside the residence.
"The Gu family's here!" a servant shouted from the gates.
Everyone straightened immediately.
Madame Su quickly fixed Rouyan's hair and smiled through her frustration. "Alright, no more crying. You're a bride now. Both of you, get ready."
Rouyan wiped her tears and nodded. Su Qinglan, however, simply adjusted her own red veil, her movements slow and deliberate.
As the two sisters were led toward the waiting carriages, Rouyan whispered happily, "Soon, I'll be the young madame of Gu Moyan's residence."
Su Qinglan said nothing, her lips curving into a faint smile beneath her veil.
"Yes, Sister… and I'll be the cripple's wife."
But deep inside, Su Qinglan's thoughts were clear and sharp.
This time, let's see who truly wins.