Madam Sun’s mind tightened.

Yesterday, her youngest son’s hand was swollen and red. She absolutely could not let that little vixen stay in the Chen household!

The mother was a seductress who bewitched her husband. The daughter was no better—now she was bewitching her son!

“Madam He came to Xuanzhou fleeing famine. They say her whole family died. There shouldn’t be anyone left to speak for Jin-jie’er…” Madam Sun ventured. “Her status is awkward. Now that Madam He is gone, she has even less standing to remain in the Chen family. I think, maybe we should send someone to look into it?”

“We can try,” Old Madam Qu sighed. “But the chances are slim. It’s been nine years. If anyone from her family were still alive, no matter how hard things were, they wouldn’t have let a legitimate wife and her child wander destitute. We should prepare for both outcomes.”

Madam Sun curled her lip. “You’re right, Mother. Jin-jie’er came of age last year. I handled every stitch of her ceremony. Their status may be awkward, but our Chen family raised her properly. You even allowed her to study and learn embroidery…”

She must be driven out.

Madam Sun’s eyes gleamed. “When Third Master took Madam He in, he registered both mother and daughter under the Chen household. Now the girl’s grown and can’t be kept. As her elders, we should do the right thing. Mother, shall we prepare a dowry and marry her off?”

“She just lost her mother! She must observe three full years of mourning! Don’t let the Chen family be accused of forcing a grieving girl into marriage!” Old Madam Qu scolded. “Don’t disgrace us again! The eldest master just died—every paper merchant in Xuanzhou is watching for a scandal. She’s just a girl. How much can she cost us each month? If we care for her properly for three years, people will praise our family’s virtue.”

Three years!

Madam Sun gasped. Wouldn’t that be like placing a juicy piece of meat right next to Silang? Could he resist? Highly unlikely.

Thinking of her fourth son’s infatuation with He Xianjin, Madam Sun grew anxious. She glanced at Old Madam Qu and hesitated. “It’s better to send her away sooner. Madam He was well-educated, and Jin-jie’er is no less. My Silang is young and impulsive—he’s completely bewitched! How can he focus on his studies?”

Old Madam Qu hadn’t considered that. Second Madam Qu gave Madam Sun a long look. Really now. Who bewitched whom?

Madam Sun didn’t hear any objection, so she sat up straighter and spoke quickly. “Just one Madam He stirred up our entire third branch. Her daughter truly can’t stay. I think, in the countryside, mourning rarely lasts the full three years. We could say it was Madam He’s dying wish to see her daughter settled. Let Jin-jie’er mourn for a year, then we prepare a modest dowry—ten taels—and marry her off.”

Old Madam Qu smiled faintly. “You’ve already made plans, haven’t you?” She gestured for Madam Sun to continue.

“Jin-jie’er has no parents, no relatives. It’s hard to arrange a match. I think pairing her with one of our stewards or bookkeepers would be suitable.”

Madam Sun had long decided how to dispose of He Xianjin. Keeping her around was intolerable. Not just the expense—just seeing her face made Madam Sun lose her appetite.

“Our bookkeeper at the mulberry paper workshop in the east—Mr. Nian is quite decent. He’s a scholar, but his family can’t afford his studies anymore. He’s working while preparing for exams. If Jin-jie’er is lucky, she might even become a scholar’s wife!”

Old Madam Qu frowned. “Isn’t Mr. Nian older? Does he have a wife back in the countryside?”

Madam Sun waved her hands. “No, no! She just passed away!”

Second Madam Qu: …

“That’s perfect!” Madam Sun said eagerly. “His first wife was virtuous—she worked day and night doing needlework to support his studies. In the end, she died of tuberculosis. No children. If Jin-jie’er marries him, she’ll be mistress of the house right away! If she bears a son, what difference is there from the first wife?”

Old Madam Qu’s expression turned subtle. Perfect? Perfect how? Perfect that the man was a bloodsucking leech?

Madam Sun caught the shift in her mother-in-law’s face and quickly sweetened the deal. “Even better—Mr. Nian is also observing mourning. We’ll say this match was Madam He’s dying wish. We’ll complete the six rites with the authorities, then send Jin-jie’er to a countryside estate. I’ll make sure Silang stays away and manages the third branch properly. After a year or so, we’ll marry her off. Our family will be seen as virtuous and honorable—worthy of Madam He’s memory!”

That last part struck a chord with Old Madam Qu.

“If you truly rein in Silang and manage the household well,” she thought, “then praise be.” Her expression softened.

Madam Sun pressed her advantage. “Silang just passed the child scholar exam. We can’t compare him to the eldest master’s son, Jinlin, but among scholars, he’s doing well. If he passes the next exam next year, with his brothers supporting him, your name will shine, Mother!”

That hit Old Madam Qu right in the heart. Nothing must interfere with a man’s studies.

After a long pause, Old Madam Qu sighed. “Do as you said. Speak to Jin-jie’er in advance. Make it clear—we’re not denying her mourning. It’s just that her mother’s dying wish was for her to find a good match. Let her meet Mr. Nian. If she agrees, fine. If not, we’ll look elsewhere.”

It didn’t matter. The Chen family had three shops and four workshops—plenty of stewards and bookkeepers to choose from.

Madam Sun’s heart soared. “Wonderful! I’ll tell her in a few days!” She rushed out, full of energy.

Second Madam Qu poured hot water for Old Madam Qu. “Compared to a husband tied up in the stables, a son is far more important.”

Chen Fu was still bound in the stables. Madam Sun hadn’t asked about him once. Not a word of concern. Was she foolish—or did she not care anymore?

Old Madam Qu’s hands were cold. She warmed them over the steam. “Fools have their blessings. The eldest was clever from a young age. You know… ” Her voice caught. She’d received the news of his death two weeks ago and had been holding it in.

“I hoped he’d rise, become an official, enter the cabinet… But when I saw his body, I wished he’d been a fool. A simpleton. As long as he lived—safe and healthy—that would’ve been enough…”

Second Madam Qu wanted to comfort her, but Old Madam Qu waved her off and steadied her voice.

“The second son is honest but slow. He can barely maintain what we have. As for the third…”

Even mentioning him was bad luck.

Spit.

“I just hope Jianfang studies hard. After three years of mourning, let him pass the exams. Let the second branch run the business and pave its way with silver. Only then can the Chen family truly prosper.”