C6 Retribution

Jiang Yudong's interest was piqued. It seemed today's visit wasn't in vain, and he realized the other party wasn't entirely unwilling. They were just leveraging the Jiang family's influence to achieve their own goals. No financial or physical harm was involved, and there was an entertaining show to watch, so why not go along with it?

"Three years ago, the Bai family kicked me out and severed all ties. Legally, I have nothing to do with them. Today, I admire Yichen and willingly marry into the Jiang family. Whether in sickness or health, I won't regret it. However, this is solely my decision and has nothing to do with the Bai family."

"So you're saying..." Jiang Yudong raised an eyebrow, having a good idea of what she meant.

"Exactly. All the dowry from the Jiang family should belong to me!" Bai Chuman lifted her chin slightly, looking coldly at the pale-faced couple. She inwardly sneered, recalling how they had cast her out, caused her mother's death, and cut ties without a second thought for mercy or leaving themselves a way out.

"You ungrateful child!" Bai Hechi was so angry he could hardly breathe, his eyes rolling back as if he might faint. Ling Hantong quickly patted his chest to help him catch his breath.

Bai Chuman looked at the couple with disdain. "Stop pretending. How many times have you pulled this act since I came back? Not once have you actually passed out."

Bai Hechi had been holding back for a while, his expression unchanged, and eventually, he couldn't keep up the facade any longer.

"I don't know how valuable a dowry should be, but Dad, Aunt, if I'm marrying into the Bai family, you should at least let me have something to rely on. I can even do without the dowry," Bai Chuman said, carefully observing the surprised expressions on the couple's faces. "But as your daughter, I think it's fair to ask for half of the Bai family's assets."

"In your dreams!" Ling Hantong thought bitterly, wishing she could swallow Bai Chuman whole for her greed, regretting not having dealt with her earlier.

"Fine, I'm dreaming. What do you think?" Bai Chuman retorted.

Jiang Yudong watched the verbal sparring with great interest. Bai Chuman's clever maneuver almost made him applaud. Suddenly being addressed, he nearly didn't react, but he composed himself and cleared his throat.

"Technically, you shouldn't treat your elders like this," he said.

A shadow briefly crossed Bai Chuman's face, and Jiang Yudong chuckled to himself before continuing earnestly, "But from a legal and moral standpoint, the dowry from the Jiang family shouldn't go to someone unrelated."

Bai Chuman finally breathed a sigh of relief. She had gambled on the Jiang family's stance today. Without their support, no matter how eloquent she was, nothing would come of it, and the Bai family would end up benefiting instead.

She relaxed completely, her limbs turning to jelly. Holding the same position for so long had left her arms and legs numb, and she was feeling dizzy. She swayed, her hand slipping, nearly toppling off the balcony. Thankfully, the rope tied around her waist held firm, keeping her steady.

At the moment Bai Chuman almost fell, Jiang Yudong was startled, thinking his words had upset her. He rushed forward to grab her, only to notice the tightly wound rope around her waist. Following the rope with his eyes, he saw it was securely fastened to the window, hidden beneath her flowing dress. No wonder none of them had noticed it.

Jiang Yudong thought, "Wow, she really is afraid of falling."

Bai Chuman, unfazed, untied the rope and hopped down from the windowsill, dusting off her hands. "Little brother, with what you just said, I feel at ease. Let's head home."

Jiang Yudong was taken aback by her boldness and familiarity, looking at her as if she were some kind of enigma. It suddenly seemed like everyone in the Jiang family had been played by her today.

Bai Hechi and Ling Hantong were truly at a loss for words, with Bai Hechi's finger trembling as he pointed at her, struggling to speak.

"You can't leave! We raised you, and this is how you repay us, you ungrateful child..."

Chuman looked at them coldly, pulling her hand away from Hechi's grip, revealing the angry scars on her wrist.

"This is the best gift you ever gave me as a father."