Setting a Trap for Susan Evans

Susan Evans gave an awkward smile. She hadn't expected Lily Evans to be so blunt, refusing without any pretense or roundabout talk.

"Lily, we're all family. It wasn't easy to arrange Arthur's marriage—if it falls through..." Susan Evans kept up her smile, watching Lily's expression, though she felt deeply aggrieved inside.

Susan Evans remembered how, back when Lily and her mother had to rely on the Evans Family, they had to watch her mood to get by. Now, she was the one watching Lily's mood, and it was hard to swallow.

"If it falls through, so be it. What's that got to do with me?" Lily snorted.

"But Arthur is your eldest cousin. How could it not concern you?" Susan Evans started painting a rosy picture. "Lily, every family has its ups and downs, but we're still flesh and blood! You still carry the Evans name! Besides, if Arthur's marriage goes through, it'll help him when he sits for the imperial exams. If he becomes the top scholar, he'll surely remember your kindness in providing the betrothal money. The reward then won't just be fifty taels of silver—it'll be a thousand times more!"

Lily stared straight into Susan Evans's eyes. "Third Aunt, do you actually believe what you're saying?"

Susan Evans choked on her words. Clearly, Lily wasn't easy to fool—what was she supposed to do now?

Susan Evans secretly jabbed Sam Evans, whispering, "Say something! You're her Third Uncle, she's grateful to you. If you speak, she'll listen!"

Sam Evans kept his head down, wishing he could disappear into the floor.

He remembered all too well how the Evans Family had treated Lily and her mother in the past. Just recently, he'd even thought about kidnapping Lily to sell her to Master Zhang. Now, asking her for money—he simply couldn't bring himself to say a word!

Lily looked at Sam Evans's embarrassed face and sighed. She was the kind of person who always repaid kindness—and never forgot a grudge.

But the only one who'd ever shown her and her mother any kindness was Sam Evans. Lily had no intention of caring about anyone else in the Evans Family.

Lily pulled out five taels of silver and placed them in front of Susan Evans.

Susan Evans had never seen a whole five-tael Silver Ingot before. She reached out eagerly to grab it, but Lily blocked her hand.

"Lily, what do you mean by this?" Susan Evans stared at the Silver Ingot, her eyes full of greed.

"Third Aunt, these five taels are for Third Uncle," Lily replied calmly. "I remember exactly how Third Uncle treated us back then. And I remember exactly how the Evans Family treated us, too."

"What? Lily, you mean this money is for us?" Susan Evans was stunned.

She'd thought Lily was so shrewd that she'd never get a penny out of her. She hadn't expected Lily to hand over five taels without a word.

"Yes, it's for you. Of course, if you want to use it as Arthur Evans's betrothal gift, that's your choice." Lily nodded. She knew giving the money only to Sam Evans wasn't realistic—he was too honest and would never keep it from Susan. Besides, they were husband and wife, and Susan was sharp enough not to hand it over to Grandma Evans. In the end, the money would stay with their branch of the family.

Susan Evans's eyes lit up. "Well, since it's for our family, of course we won't hand it over. It'd be a waste of your kindness, Lily."

There was no way she'd hand the money to Grandma Evans—Arthur Evans wasn't her son, so why should she pay for him?

Susan Evans quickly tucked the Silver Ingot into her clothes and started praising Lily.

Lily just listened to Susan's flattery with a faint smile. In the end, she smiled darkly and said, "Third Aunt, I'm giving you the silver today, but if the Evans Family comes asking me for more—and I accidentally let slip that I already gave you some..."

If word got out, Susan would be just like Helen Parker—hiding silver would be seen as theft, and she'd be cast out of the family.

Susan Evans's heart skipped a beat. What a cunning girl—Lily was setting her up! Spending five taels to make Susan do her bidding!