Money, Jewelry, and the House

After a round of sighing and chatting, Lily Evans returned home, only to sense something was amiss. April greeted her at the door, urgently saying, "Madam, please hurry to the parlor! Grandma Evans from the Evans family is here and she's making things difficult for Margaret Evans!"

Lily Evans's heart skipped a beat and she rushed to the parlor, where she saw Grandma Evans and Helen Parker sitting and enjoying tea and pastries. Grandma Evans criticized Margaret Evans as she ate: "You heartless woman! Not a shred of filial piety! Your nephew is getting married, and as his second aunt, you haven't shown any gesture at all. Is that appropriate?"

"Mother!" Lily Evans rushed in, grabbed Margaret Evans's hand, and said, "Mother, don't worry about this. Go rest in the back."

Grandma Evans's heart sank when she saw Lily Evans. Margaret Evans was easy to manipulate, but Lily Evans was tough as iron! Grandma Evans had planned to pressure Margaret Evans while Lily was out, but unexpectedly, Lily returned halfway through.

Margaret Evans's face brightened considerably when her daughter returned. She nodded and headed toward the backyard.

Grandma Evans shrilled, "Second daughter-in-law, your mother is here and you don't come to serve her—where are you going?!"

Lily Evans glared at Grandma Evans, her brows raised: "This is my house. My mother can go wherever she pleases! Who are you to interfere? But you two—why did you come to my house today?"

Margaret Evans glanced back at Lily Evans, then at Grandma Evans, but ultimately continued toward the backyard.

Grandma Evans fumed when Margaret Evans ignored her, ready to unleash a torrent of insults. But seeing Lily Evans's unfriendly expression, she swallowed her words and said awkwardly, "Lily, your cousin Simon Evans is getting married in seven days. Your family should contribute some silver."

Lily Evans scoffed, "Silver? How much do you want us to give?"

Helen Parker chimed in, "Lily, your family is doing well lately. Giving ten taels of silver shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Lily Evans retorted, "Ten taels? Why don't you just ask for my house while you're at it?"

Grandma Evans glared at Lily Evans. "You're so stingy! Your Uncle Arthur Evans is giving Simon Evans a homestead plot, a chest of silver, and a set of jewelry from Fortune Silver Jewelers. What about you?"

Lily Evans raised an eyebrow. "Uncle Arthur Evans is generous because he can afford it. Why don't you go ask him for more?"

Helen Parker's face turned red with embarrassment. She grumbled, "Arthur Evans is your fourth uncle, not mine. Why should I ask him?"

Grandma Evans was still dissatisfied. "Lily, if you don't give money, at least give some jewelry or a house! Simon Evans is your cousin. If you don't support him, who will?"

Lily Evans snorted. "If Simon Evans wants a house, he can earn it himself. If he wants jewelry, he can buy it from Fortune Silver Jewelers. If he wants silver, he can work for it!"

Helen Parker and Grandma Evans were speechless. April stifled a laugh, and Margaret Evans finally felt relieved. The parlor, which had been tense moments before, suddenly felt much lighter.