Zhou Lihua hesitated this time.
When she went to the village, it was perfectly normal for her to pass by the vegetable plot and casually pick a cucumber or something to eat.
On her way home, she was also used to casually twisting off a couple of eggplants, beans, or the like.
Those things were not worth more than a few coins. Even if the villagers found out, they would only gossip a little.
It did not hurt or matter, and she was the one benefiting from it. What was the big deal?
Su Qiao saw through her thoughts at a glance and her expression turned cold. "Big Brother is almost sixteen, and your daughter is fourteen this year. We'll both be starting to arrange our betrothals soon.
"If our family's reputation is bad, how will Big Brother marry a wife from a respectable family? How will your daughter marry into a wealthy household?"
Zhou Lihua fell silent.
Her husband had mentioned this to her several times recently as well, and he had never looked pleased whenever he brought it up.
"All right, all right. Your mother understands. I'll do as you say."
Zhou Lihua grew impatient and reluctantly agreed.
Su Qiao could tell at once that she had not taken it seriously and said coldly, "If you agree to something, you have to do it. If you can't, forget about a gold hairpin—even a silver one."
Zhou Lihua panicked. "I want gold! I want a gold hairpin, and a gold bracelet, and gold earrings. I promise I won't go if you tell me not to."
Thinking of the price of a gold hairpin, she rolled her eyes. "Daughter, actually, silver... would work too."
"How about you buy your mother a pair of silver earrings after we sell the toothbrushes