Chapter Two: At One's Whim?

The clouds hung low, rumbling with heavy thunder.

Before dawn, Song Xirui pushed open the window. Her once gentle face now bore no trace of tenderness; beneath her delicate makeup lay a desolate chill.

“Madam, it’s time to serve tea to the matriarch.”

“I know.”

Gathering her scattered thoughts from the memories, Song Xirui’s expression grew colder as she followed the maid toward the inner residence’s orchid room.

In this household, aside from the ungrateful white-eyed wolf she was forced to feed, there was another bloodsucker—the matriarch, Lady Li.

In her previous life, Song Xirui had yielded step by step before Lady Li for the sake of family harmony.

But this time, things would not be so easy.

Stepping into the orchid room, a delicate fragrance greeted her. The scent was called Mi Incense, crafted from the precious herb “Galaxy Osmanthus,” ground finely and blended with dragon’s spittle, mild hemp leaves, and a dozen other rare ingredients.

It was said to nourish the spirit, calm the heart, and prolong life—yet each tael of Mi Incense cost a hundred taels of silver.

Lady Li burned at least three to four taels daily—a lavish expense entirely supported by Song Xirui.

They say it’s easier to go from thrift to luxury than the other way around. This time, the old matriarch would no longer live so comfortably!

“Mother-in-law, the tea is here.”

Lady Li was about fifty, her hair streaked with black and white, deeply lined with wrinkles. Though dressed in fine embroidered robes, she lacked the grace of true nobility, instead exuding the air of a nouveau riche, especially in the smug expression she could never quite hide.

She drooped her eyelids as she looked at Song Xirui, displeased.

Yesterday, Su Yun had made a fool of himself at the toast. As his wife, Song Xirui should have stepped forward to smooth things over, yet she had remained unmoved—clearly someone who did not know how to protect her husband’s dignity or manage the household.

Lady Li’s lips twitched, wanting to scold, but recalling Su Yun’s instructions, she forced a strained smile.

“Put the tea down and come sit.”

She patted the low stool beside her.

Song Xirui bent gracefully to sit, her bright eyes now shadowed with a dark gloom.

Lady Li chuckled softly, then sighed, “I’m old, no longer able to manage the family affairs. Now that you’ve married in, you are the lady of the Su household. Naturally, the authority over the household should be yours.”

As expected, Lady Li was just like before—scheming to deceive her.

In her previous life, Song Xirui had been fooled by Lady Li’s honeyed words without a second thought, agreeing immediately. Only after a month did she realize the vast Su estate was nothing but an empty shell.

The family’s original assets had been shifted away by Su Yun, leaving all expenses to be borne by Song Xirui’s dowry.

Lady Li was a bottomless spender, squandering all the dowry within half a year, forcing Song Xirui to return to her natal home to raise funds.

Recalling all this, Song Xirui’s fury blazed.

Having lived two lives, she would never again let Lady Li succeed.

Seeing Song Xirui silent as she stared at the account book, Lady Li thought she was deeply moved and quickly added, “Xirui, the dowry you brought, the Su family does not want it. Just store it in the treasury and use it as you see fit.”

Use as she saw fit?

More likely, they wanted her to fill their holes!

Song Xirui smiled coldly in her heart, a gentle curve gracing her lips as she said warmly, “Mother-in-law entrusting me with the household affairs is a sign of trust. Naturally, I won’t disappoint you.”

Lady Li, thinking Song Xirui had fallen for her trick, was overjoyed. Her son was right; this woman was indeed easy to deceive.

But just as Lady Li reveled in her private triumph, Song Xirui suddenly looked toward the steward.

“Call the accountant, the shopkeepers, and the estate tenants. Before I handle anything, I want to carefully verify the accounts with them.”

The steward hurried to comply.

“Daughter-in-law, what are you doing?” Lady Li panicked, grabbing Song Xirui’s sleeve. “The accountant and shopkeepers are relatives of our family. Could they possibly cook the books? There’s no need to check—it would only discourage everyone.”

Song Xirui’s smile deepened. “Mother-in-law, even brothers count their money honestly. It’s better to clear the accounts thoroughly. If anything’s missing, you might think I’m the one embezzling.”

Lady Li’s face twitched, cold sweat dripping from her forehead.

She quickly signaled a maid, who slipped out a side door to seek help.

Song Xirui’s calculations were meticulous. Soon, she and the accountant reviewed every ledger and found the recorded income did not match the silver stored in the treasury.

“How is this possible? The Su family treasury has only a dozen taels of silver, while all the income from various sources is missing. It doesn’t add up at all!”

Her cold eyes turned to one of the Su family’s external relatives.

“Mother-in-law would never touch the family’s money. You must have stolen it. Someone, summon the authorities!”

Lady Li had long conspired with the accountant, but when he heard Song Xirui was calling the officials, he broke into a cold sweat.

“Madam, the money is with you; you can’t stay silent!”

Hearing this, Lady Li’s face darkened—this accountant was utterly unreliable, selling her out at the first word.

“What? The silver is with mother-in-law?”

At first, Song Xirui looked surprised, then sneered.

“Apparently, mother-in-law doesn’t trust her daughter-in-law and has hidden the silver. In that case, I’ll refuse the authority over the household.”

“Xirui! How can you speak to your mother that way!” Su Yun arrived hurriedly, his face tense. “Mother would never hide the treasury funds!”

Song Xirui glanced at Su Yun, amusement flickering.

“But if mother hadn’t hidden it, where else could the one hundred thousand taels have gone? Unless it was stolen?”

When did this woman become so shrewd?

Su Yun’s gaze tightened, his loathing for her growing deeper.

But with matters now exposed, it was impossible to hide the treasury funds and spend down Song Xirui’s dowry.

After careful thought, Su Yun worried about making things worse. He leaned toward Lady Li and whispered, “Mother, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.”

Lady Li’s face turned as black as a pot’s bottom, but with no other choice, she steeled herself to play out the charade.

“I still have some silver saved. Take it to the treasury.”

From inside, she produced a wooden box containing promissory notes for ten thousand taels and several land deeds.

Handing them to Song Xirui, her heart bled.

Song Xirui knew Lady Li was miserly to the core; this gesture was like a knife twisting in her chest—and she felt nothing but satisfaction.

“Since mother-in-law is willing to pay out of her own pocket, today’s matter will not be pursued.”

Su Yun’s eyes flickered as if he had an idea, hastily signaling Lady Li.

Lady Li put on a stern face and sneered at Song Xirui, “I just remembered, Yun’er’s cousin is coming to join us soon. You must treat her well.”

Cousin?

Song Xirui laughed bitterly. In her past life, she had never heard of Su Yun having an uncle, let alone a cousin.

Surely, Su Yun couldn’t afford a concubine and was planning to bring that little vixen home.

Let her come. The debts from the past life would be settled thoroughly this time!