Chapter 2 Substitute Bride

Chapter 2: The Substitute Bride

Why else?

It was simply because their own daughter, for some inexplicable reason, had gone mad. She fell ill, and upon waking, flat-out refused to marry her arranged fiancé when she heard he was coming to fulfill the marriage pact.

They had tried everything—pleading, scolding, even a hunger strike. But in the end, she was their cherished daughter, raised with such tender care. After repeatedly confirming that she would rather die than marry, they hit upon the idea of having Xie Xinyi substitute.

"After all, when the marriage pact was made, it wasn't explicitly stated that it was for our Tingting. Xie Xinyi is also a daughter of the Xie family, so it makes perfect sense for her to fulfill the pact."

To shift the marriage onto Xie Xinyi, the second uncle's family had apparently meticulously recalled details from eight hundred years ago; otherwise, they wouldn't have claimed it wasn't originally intended for their Tingting.

The original story hadn't mentioned the cousin’s betrothal; Xie Xinyi had only heard bits and pieces from Grandma Xie.

Piecing it together, it seemed Xie Xinyi's grandfather had saved a comrade’s life, and in gratitude, the comrade arranged a betrothal with the Xie family. The comrade’s youngest grandson was five at the time, and the Xie family’s second son's wife had just given birth to Xie Tingting.

The two families agreed on the betrothal then. Though no names were specified, the Xies had always tacitly assumed the Gu family grandson was meant for Xie Tingting.

And before the cousin fell ill, the second uncle’s family would boast to anyone who would listen that their daughter would marry into the provincial capital, eat fine grains, and live in a Western-style house.

Their sudden change of tune now suggested they were truly backed into a corner.

Ten years earlier, betrothals were common—often between close families wanting to strengthen bonds by matching children of similar ages.

When the children grew up, if neither objected, they would marry, saving the hassle of matchmaking since both families knew each other well.

But some betrothals didn’t work out. In those cases, the families would amicably agree to call off the engagement by returning the betrothal gifts, and the girl would be free to be introduced to matches normally.

If Xie Tingting truly didn’t want to marry her betrothed, the second aunt’s family could have simply discussed annulling the pact with the Gu family, just like in the second scenario. There was no need for Xie Xinyi to substitute.

And given the second aunt’s snobbishness and the Xie family’s usual standards, such a good match would never have fallen to Xie Xinyi.

Unless...

Second aunt was hiding something!

The Xies had a betrothal with the Gu family, and Old Master Gu had always held a high position. During the Xies’ hardest times, when they couldn’t even afford corn buns, the shameless second uncle’s family must have done something shady. Xie Xinyi could easily guess.

Putting off canceling the engagement until the last minute and then forcing her to be the substitute—if Xie Xinyi’s guess was right, the Xies must have taken more from the Gu family over the years than they could ever repay.

And from the second aunt’s attitude, they clearly had no intention of returning the betrothal gifts.

Who would want to return such a large sum?

Not only did they not want to return it, they’d probably spent quite a bit. Years earlier, when their eldest and second sons married, the bride prices were generous. If not Xie Tingting’s betrothal gifts, what else could that money have been?

Unable to return the betrothal gifts, this marriage pact couldn't be canceled. With Xie Tingting refusing to marry, the second uncle’s family had no choice but to claim the betrothal wasn’t meant for their daughter in the first place.

And indeed, that was exactly what Xie Xinyi suspected.

Xie Tingting had become as changeable as the weather, and the Gu family’s arrival to collect the bride drew nearer. Xu Wenxia was so worried she’d broken out in several blisters on her lips lately.

Xu Wenxia couldn’t understand why her daughter would reject such a good match and insist on going to the countryside instead.

She and her husband had taken turns persuading her, but the girl was stubborn as a mule, refusing outright to marry.

The Gu family’s conditions were the kind they couldn't find even with a lantern for generations—stable jobs, a high-ranking father, a Western-style house, fine grains—the ideal marriage prospect. Now they had to hand it all to Xie Xinyi, and Xu Wenxia was deeply resentful.

But what could she do? Her daughter was threatening her life. No matter how unwilling, she had to give in.

“The Gu family is coming for the bride in two days. Xie Xinyi, will you substitute for your sister or not?”

Her tone was a mix of negotiation and threat. Though asking for a favor, she acted as if she were bestowing one. Xie Xinyi's mother stared, speechless, glancing from Xu Wenxia to her daughter behind her, unsure what to do.

She’d heard from her husband about the Gu family—their conditions were so far beyond them. If not for the grandfather's connection to the Gu family, the two families would never have crossed paths in a hundred lifetimes.

If Xinyi could marry into such a family, it would indeed be a good match.

But she’d once overheard her eldest and second brothers mentioning that the Gu family’s youngest grandson had a bad temper, didn't hold a proper job, and was ungovernable.

With her Xinyi’s personality, she’d surely be bullied there.

Xie Xinyi's mother hesitated, worried. But Xie Xinyi, who’d been silent behind her, slammed her hand down and declared, “I’ll substitute!”

Why not?

Fine grains, a Western-style house, and a husband who’s rarely home—why wouldn't she marry him? Better than being sent to the countryside!

She didn’t know why Xie Tingting would reject such a catch and demand to go to the countryside. She only knew that if she missed this chance, there wouldn’t be a better one.

They had their schemes, didn't they? Wanting both the money and their reputation intact?

Well, she’d seize this opportunity to settle the score with them properly!

“Second aunt, the betrothal gifts from the Gu family were substantial, weren’t they?” Xie Xinyi abruptly changed the subject, slowly walked over and sat down at the square table with a gentle smile but sharp words.

Xu Wenxia, who’d just steadied herself, jumped slightly.

Avoiding eye contact, she evaded, “How much could it be? You know how things were back then.”

“How things were back then?” Xie Xinyi pressed, unwilling to let it go. “There must have been a specific amount.”

“It was so long ago... who remembers?” Xu Wenxia stammered, failing to give a concrete number.

Rarely seeing her second aunt so flustered, Xie Xinyi suppressed a laugh and asked, “If you don’t remember the money, you must recall what other gifts were received over the years?”

Another tough question. Xu Wenxia could only play dumb. “What gifts? I never received any gifts.”

If anyone received them, it was the old lady. What did it have to do with her?

Besides, why did Xie Xinyi care?

After answering, Xu Wenxia realized she’d fallen into the cunning girl’s trap and snapped, her neck corded with anger, “Stop with the nonsense! Just say yes or no—will you substitute or not?”

Unable to answer, she resorted to threats. Clearly, second aunt’s cunning is still shallow.

Xie Xinyi scoffed coldly and shook her head, cutting to the chase. “Since I’m the one substituting, shouldn’t the betrothal gifts from the Gu family go to me?”

Her tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation, nearly provoking Xu Wenxia into cursing.

Give the betrothal gifts to her!

What wishful thinking!

Xu Wenxia let out a bitter laugh, infuriated by Xie Xinyi's words.

If she could come up with the betrothal gifts, why would she be here pleading with her like this?

The betrothal gifts given by the Gu family back then had long been spent on her two sons' weddings. Add to that the dozen mouths to feed in the Xie family—how could she get the money to return to the Gu family?

Xie Xinyi had freeloaded in the Xie family for so many years, and now she had the gall to ask for the betrothal gifts. This girl, who seemed quiet and gentle, turned out to have such an appetite.

The more Xu Wenxia thought about it, the angrier she became. Just as she was about to confront Xie Xinyi, she remembered her frail younger daughter lying in bed, still reminding her with concern, and had no choice but to bite back her anger for the moment.

"There are no betrothal gifts!"

Her face darkened, and she barely held back the words, "Like it or lump it."

Seeing this, Xie Xinyi didn't seem bothered. Still wearing a gentle smile, she frowned slightly in confusion. "How could there be none? Did the Gu family... not give any?"

"Or... did someone secretly hide them?"

"Or maybe..."

She slowly rested her chin on her hand, her innocent face and soft tone belied her aggressiveness.

Testing, doubting, pressuring.

This evasive version of Xie Xinyi felt utterly unfamiliar to Xu Wenxia.

But unfamiliar or not, she had no time to ponder the reasons now.

To stop Xie Xinyi from harping on about the betrothal gifts, she had no choice but to take a step back and ask irritably what she wanted for her to agree to the marriage substitution.

"No betrothal gifts? Then my dowry—"

"My... my family will cover it, alright?"

"Going to the provincial capital—what about the clothes I'll need?"

"I’ll have new ones made for you," Xu Wenxia said through gritted teeth. "Two sets. Will that satisfy you?"

"Oh, and there’s also my father’s job. Grandma decided to give it to second uncle back then—forty yuan a month, four hundred eighty a year. My father has been dead for so many years. How much do you owe us, Second Aunt?"

"Didn’t you eat or drink?" Xu Wenxia could no longer hold back and shot back. "Food, drink, and everything else all cost money. All these years, I've never asked you for a dime, and you have the nerve to bring up money..."

She glared fiercely at this little brat before her, insisting that the salary had all been spent on the family’s expenses. She even put on a pitiful face, complaining about how hard it had been managing the household all these years.

Xie Xinyi, of course, didn’t believe her. Before Xu Wenxia could finish her lament, she cut in abruptly.

"So, Second Aunt, you’re saying my father’s salary was entirely spent on the Xie family, with nothing left?"

Xu Wenxia didn’t answer, only raising her head and muttering softly, "What do you think?"

Seeing that the fish had taken the bait, Xie Xinyi dropped the act.

Earlier, she had brought up the betrothal gifts and the salary to set the bar high, knowing full well that Second Aunt would refuse. Now, whatever she asked for next would be much easier.

She slowly rose from her seat and walked over to Xu Wenxia, mimicking her earlier pitiful demeanor to counter, "In that case, we won’t ask you to return the salary."

Her words were sincere, her attitude humble, making Xu Wenxia think she meant it. Just as she was about to say, "That’s more like it," Xie Xinyi’s next words took a complete U-turn.

"We won’t add to the family’s burden anymore. Since you find managing this household so hard, let’s split up the household."

"Please return my father’s martyr's certificate to me!"

Author's Note: