Chapter 129: The Dowry

Upon receiving the letter from Xu Yaohui regarding the annulment of the engagement, Madam Zhang fainted on the spot.

Zhang Zhongliang tore the letter to shreds. Although he had known early on that Elder Master Jiang had visited the Xu residence to propose marriage on behalf of Liang Xiao, he was shocked that Xu Yaohui had agreed so readily. It was truly an insult; did he have no regard for the Zhang family at all?

"Where is Zhongheng?"

"The young master has smashed up his room..."

Zhang Zhongliang gave a cold snort. "At a time like this, never mind breaking a few worthless things; even if he burned the house down, the Zhang family's reputation has already been dragged through the mud by him!"

The servant stood by, not daring to make a sound. Zhang Zhongliang commanded, "Prepare the carriage!"

"Second Master, where are we going?"

"To the Xu residence!"

Zhang Zhongliang instructed his attendant, "This time, it isn't us spurning the Xu family; it is the Xu family that has kicked us to the curb. No matter what, we must go and demand an explanation. This cannot be settled with a single letter!"

"What about the young master, then?"

"What about him? He is a useless wastrel who accomplishes nothing and ruins everything. If he has the energy, let him keep smashing things. We are leaving!"

As Zhang Zhongliang and his men hurried toward the Xu estate, Master Xu had already summoned his children, Xu Ruojin and Xu Zimo, to the main hall.

Madam Yang did not appear. Instead, Concubine Liu sat in the seat to the side of the master, cradling her sleeping grandson.

Xu Ruojin had not seen Liu Cui for a long time. Observing that her complexion was rosy and her figure fuller—a stark contrast to the tearful woman who had once knelt on the ground—Xu Ruojin felt as though she were looking at a completely different person.

"Greetings to the Second Miss and the Third Young Master."

Concubine Liu curtsied slightly, and Xu Ruojin quickly stepped aside. Even though, as a concubine, she held a lower status, there was no reason for her to bow to her.

"You are holding the eldest grandson, so you need not stand on ceremony. Everyone sit; I have things to discuss."

Xu Yaohui waved for them to take their seats. Xu Zimo glanced at Xu Ruojin, and both of them sat at the bottom of the table.

"Your mother has been in poor health lately and requires rest, so the household affairs will be handled by Concubine Liu." Xu Yaohui looked at Xu Ruojin. "Although your own wedding is approaching, you must do your best to assist her. After all, Concubine Liu is unfamiliar with the inner workings of the estate. Do you understand?"

"I am not familiar with them either," Xu Ruojin replied, unwilling to get involved. Xu Yaohui’s face darkened, clearly dissatisfied with her excuses. "You have studied household management with Nanny Fang; do not refuse this."

Concubine Liu immediately chimed in, her face wreathed in smiles. "Without the Second Miss, I would not dare to manage things recklessly. I ask that the Second Miss teach me, so that, at the very least, there will be no embarrassment during your wedding. It must be perfectly executed."

Xu Ruojin did not know what to say and could only offer a slight nod. It didn't matter to her; she would be leaving soon, and she cared little for who managed the household.

"Very well. Now, let us discuss your sister-in-law's funeral." Xu Yaohui sighed deeply. "I have already sent a letter to your eldest brother, but the journey takes too much time, and the funeral cannot wait. Regarding this matter..."

"I can help Concubine Liu with the household management, but I truly know nothing about funeral rites," Xu Ruojin said, immediately distancing herself.

Whenever Li Qiuping was mentioned, a knot formed in Xu Ruojin's heart. Though she could not explain why, it felt like a heavy stone blocking her chest, causing a dull ache.

Xu Yaohui looked at Xu Zimo. Xu Zimo, who had been lost in thought, jumped at his father’s glare. "Ah? What? I don't know about funerals either. Besides, I wasn't close to my sister-in-law, so how could I handle such a thing? Don't ask me; I’m not reliable!"

"Wastrel!" Xu Yaohui cursed in frustration. "Then Chen Cai and Nanny Huang will have to be in charge. Take the funds for the funeral from Concubine Liu. Do not be stingy; after all, she did bear the Xu family’s eldest grandson, and that is a merit. It is a pity..."

Chen Cai stepped forward to accept the task, intending to find Nanny Huang later. Xu Ruojin felt a chill in her heart. What was the use of saying it was a pity now? At the time, Madam Yang had been single-mindedly focused on keeping the child, with no regard for Li Qiuping's life. Such hypocritical tears were heart-wrenching to witness.

Once the matters were largely settled, Xu Yaohui turned to the most important topic: the wedding.

"I have accepted the Liang family's proposal. The wedding is set for the fifteenth of the first lunar month. It is a bit rushed, but since Elder Master Jiang stepped in, we cannot refuse him." Xu Yaohui looked at Xu Ruojin. "Here is the list of your dowry. Take a look and tell me if you need anything else. You are my only daughter; your departure from this house must be complete and perfect. I will not have you slighted."

Xu Ruojin took the list and was astonished by the items on it. She had known roughly what Madam Yang had prepared, but looking at it now, these were all substantial, high-quality assets.

There were four shops, two manors, a yellow rosewood vanity, a red sandalwood bed carved with lotus leaves, twenty bolts of various brocades, and thirty-six pieces of hairpins, bracelets, and rings—all either gold-inlaid jade or set with rubies and sapphires.

Noticing the shock in Xu Ruojin’s eyes, Concubine Liu remarked from the side, "Second Miss, let me know if you need anything else. The Master ordered me to procure these, but it is my first time handling such matters, and I am quite ignorant. If there is any oversight or negligence, I beg the Second Miss not to blame me."

"Concubine Liu is very thoughtful." Seeing her beaming face, eager for credit, Xu Ruojin realized that Liu Cui had likely hand-picked these items from the main treasury. Now that she had been elevated to a position of authority, many must be resentful, and though Madam Yang was not appearing, she remained the lady of the house. Liu Cui was clearly trying to build an alliance.

Ignoring their veiled exchange, Xu Yaohui continued, "Young Master Yan said before leaving that he would return to add to your dowry. On this current list, two of the shops were gifted to you earlier by Elder Master Jiang. After you are married, do not forget to go and thank him."

Xu Ruojin raised an eyebrow, replying only, "I understand, but it will depend on whether the opportunity arises."

"The Liang family carries enough weight for that." Xu Yaohui seemed uninterested in such trivialities. "If there is nothing else you wish to select, tell the servants to begin packing the trunks. Sigh, the invitations and the banquet must all be arranged. I fear this New Year will not be a peaceful one."

Xu Ruojin had no objections. Since they were giving her so much, she would take it all. She had lived a life of poverty for long enough; she did not care who the items came from.

With nothing left to discuss, Xu Ruojin prepared to leave. Xu Zimo, who had not spoken with his second sister in a while, also stood up, eager to keep her company.

Just then, a servant ran to the gatehouse, breathless and clearly in a panic. Chen Cai hurried over to listen, then turned and entered the room. "The Second Master of the Zhang family has arrived at our door. How shall we handle this?"

Xu Yaohui frowned deeply. Despite his intense annoyance, he had no choice but to resolve the matter. He dismissed Xu Ruojin and the others, then headed out to handle the situation.

Xu Zimo followed his sister to her small courtyard, where they sat drinking tea. Hongxing mysteriously ushered the Second Miss into the inner chamber and whispered, "Second Miss, people from Concubine Liu came to find me today. They brought fifty taels of silver, saying it was your monthly allowance for the past half-year, and they also provided a list for you to choose your dowry maids and personal attendants."

Xu Ruojin did not look at the money immediately. "My monthly allowance is two taels, so for half a year it should be twelve. Including the ten taels for the New Year, that makes twenty-two. Return the surplus to Concubine Liu. We shall not take even a single copper more than what is owed."

Hongxing’s eyes widened. "Send it back?"

"Yes." Xu Ruojin looked at her. "We are people who will soon be leaving the Xu residence. It is best not to get a single drop of this murky water on us."