Chapter 857

"You!" Mrs. Su gasped for breath, her face flushed with anger from Su Qin's defiance. Li Sicheng quickly interjected, "Auntie, why don't you talk things over with Qin? I’ll go check with the doctor about your condition—" "Stop right there!" Mrs. Su redirected her fury at him. "All these years, I’ve worked myself to the bone raising her, and this is how she repays me? Tell me—shouldn’t the bride price be paid? It’s not like I’m withholding her dowry! I just want to see your family’s sincerity. I’m afraid she’ll be mistreated in your household—is that so wrong?" Li Sicheng froze, sensing a trap. "Well... Auntie, of course the bride price is necessary. It’s a commitment based on each family’s circumstances, a gesture of security for the bride before marriage. It proves my genuine intention to build a new life with her and shows respect to her parents." He spoke with the earnestness of a schoolboy reciting an answer under the teacher’s scrutiny. Mrs. Su’s expression softened slightly, her