Chapter 137: What Marriage? Remarriage?

Bai Yan was still wearing a garment of exceptionally fine quality; one didn’t need an expert eye to tell that the fabric was exquisite.

Seeing Bai Yan sprawled on the ground, Grandmother Jiang frowned and snapped, "Are you trying to play the victim? Is this how you ruin such expensive clothing?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao was immediately displeased. She hurried forward to help Bai Yan up, taking her hands to inspect her carefully. "Don't listen to that old woman. Did you hurt yourself when you fell, child?"

Hearing Madam Zhao’s words, Grandmother Jiang felt as if she might cough up blood.

Madam Zhao turned back to glare at Grandmother Jiang. "You are an elder, yet you have the audacity to bully a younger generation!"

Bai Yan pouted, chiming in nimbly from behind Madam Zhao, "Exactly, exactly."

"We severed ties with you ages ago. What are you still doing here, demanding heart-blood from our family?" Madam Zhao sneered.

Grandmother Jiang was so infuriated she couldn't speak, only thumping her cane against the ground incessantly.

"I... the two of you, mother and daughter-in-law... when did I ever push anyone? You two little vixens!" After catching her breath for a long moment, Grandmother Jiang finally bellowed.

Madam Zhao remained focused entirely on whether Bai Yan had been hurt, showing no concern at all for whether her precious, costly clothing had been torn.

"Eldest son, Jiang You is your brother! How can you stand by and watch him die? All I’m asking for is a bowl of heart-blood; your brother’s illness would be cured instantly!" Grandmother Jiang, seemingly realizing that threats were ineffective, shifted to a wheedling tone as she negotiated with Father Jiang.

Father Jiang stood there like a mute, leaving Madam Zhao so frustrated she nearly resorted to physical force. However, their daughter caught his eye and gave him a small, encouraging clench of her fist.

The moment he saw that tiny fist, Father Jiang suddenly felt a sense of clarity. He looked up at Grandmother Jiang and said with firm resolve, "A bowl of heart-blood is enough to cost me my life. Therefore, this is not a simple request—it is a matter of trading one life for another."

It was a simple truth, yet Grandmother Jiang had eyes only for Jiang You, leading her to disregard the value of human life entirely.

"Release the dogs, release the dogs," Bai Yan whispered from behind Madam Zhao.

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao immediately stepped forward to let the dogs out. As the two fierce little puppies charged out, Bai Yan nimbly leaped onto Jiang Chengyan’s back, clutching his neck tightly.

"Husband, why do the dogs keep trying to bite me?" Even though she had transformed into a human, the dogs still seemed to smell the rabbit on her, chasing her incessantly.

"Perhaps they are just being meddlesome," Jiang Chengyan replied, carrying her toward the house.

Having gained nothing, Grandmother Jiang and Grandfather Jiang were barked out of the yard by the two little puppies. Madam Zhao, sharp-eyed as ever, saw them being driven off and immediately took the chubby puppies out for a walk to ensure they wouldn't startle her girl in the courtyard again.

"Don't be sad, Father. We’ll earn plenty of money in the future and just ignore them," Bai Yan said while sitting on a small stool, helping to pick vegetables.

Father Jiang nodded, as if he had made a significant resolution. "I will earn more money and save up a bigger dowry for you!"

Bai Yan was just about to ask what a dowry was when she heard the man behind her speak to Father Jiang in a deep, heavy tone: "She is already married to me; she has no need for a dowry."

Saving for a dowry? As if he were dead? What dowry? Remarriage?

Father Jiang fell silent. He realized he had misspoken again, forgetting his own son’s presence. He must not make that mistake again... his clumsy mouth!