Chapter 11

“You listen to yourself—what kind of talk is that?” The Second Madam stood on the front steps, looking down at Madam Liu. “Your Second Mistress’s dowry was carried into the Lanxue Courtyard storeroom yesterday by the people delivering it.

If the numbers don’t match, you should ask the storeroom keeper or the delivery people. Why come to me for the dowry?

What, from now on if your Second Mistress is short a penny, you expect me to make it up for her?

Even if I were the goddess Nuwa, I couldn’t fill that hole.”

Madam Liu replied with a smile, speaking politely: “To answer Second Madam, Second Mistress already asked the storeroom keeper. It was actually the Third Mistress’s sixteen chests of dowry that were carried into Lanxue Courtyard. The Second Mistress’s hundred-plus chests went into the Second Branch storeroom.

Second Mistress said you are understanding, and when she served tea you agreed the dowry could be moved to us.”

Second Madam had only agreed because she was forced to—she didn’t dare make trouble in front of the Old Madam.

That hundred-plus chests of dowry originally belonged to Shen Mingzhu. But to protect the Shen family’s reputation, they had been delivered under Shen Qingtan’s name.

Originally, they wanted to pin the crime of “swapping brides” on Shen Qingtan, saying she was spoiled, shameless, and stole Shen Mingzhu’s husband.

The Shen family then decided to “compensate” Shen Mingzhu by giving her all of Shen Qingtan’s hundred-plus chests of dowry.

But before they could make this stick, the First Branch exposed the matter, leaving them with no choice but to swallow their anger.

“I may be understanding, but it’s useless—the dowry is in Zhu’er’s hands. You’ll have to ask her for it.” The Second Madam sighed helplessly. “Ever since Zhu’er came back, she’s been sitting in her room crying, feeling she’s useless and making her elder sister handle two dowries alone.

If she hadn’t suffered outside for over ten years, and instead had grown up in the manor like her sister—studying, learning accounting from her mother—then her dowry wouldn’t have been recorded under her sister’s name, and she could share the burden.

Zhu’er doesn’t fight or grab—she even invited her sister to move the dowry herself. But who knew this elder sister, while promising their mother to take care of her younger sister, would immediately come take the dowry the moment tea was served—giving her no face at all.

If I had such a sister who had suffered so much, I’d at least give her half my dowry. Even if she couldn’t manage accounts, I’d teach her myself. No one is born knowing everything.”

Madam Liu understood that Second Madam’s barbed words were blaming Shen Qingtan for being heartless—while really wanting to keep the dowry.

“Gods above, it was that midwife’s doing that made Third Mistress suffer so much. Second Mistress feels bad for her. That’s why she takes on everything herself—the hardship and exhaustion—and tells no one. After all, none of it compares to what Third Mistress went through outside.

Second Mistress is the most filial person—she wants to share half her dowry with Third Mistress, but doesn’t dare go against the Marchioness’s orders. People who know her understand her intentions. Those who don’t will think she grew wings after marrying and dares to defy the Marchioness.”

In short, Second Mistress was in a hard spot—whatever she did, people would misunderstand her.

The Second Madam was at a loss for words.

“Second Mistress is in a hurry to take the dowry,” Madam Liu went on, “because rumors are dangerous. If word spreads that Third Mistress wants to keep her elder sister’s dowry, her reputation will be ruined. Second Madam, why not let me take it back today, and when we return to the natal home in a few days, Second Mistress can discuss with the Marchioness about reallocating some to Third Mistress?”

Second Madam forced a smile. “It seems I misunderstood my niece-in-law. But the dowry is mixed with my own private belongings—many valuables. And I don’t have people to spare…”

Seeing she was still trying to delay, Madam Liu pulled out a dowry list. “The Second Mistress’s dowry list—both the government office and the Shen family have copies.

If you don’t have people to help count it, and mine are clumsy and might damage your valuables, why not send someone to the government office to invite officials to check the dowry against the official list?

They handle cases all the time—careful and quick. They won’t damage a thing.”

Second Madam clutched her handkerchief tightly. Being cornered by a servant like this filled her with anger.

But how could she dare let Madam Liu go to the authorities?

If it got out, the Guogong Manor’s reputation would be ruined, and the Second Branch would be finished!

“No need to trouble outsiders. You’re an old servant—I trust you.” Though reluctant, she had to give the dowry back. She told Mrs. Cao beside her coldly: “Go invite Third Mistress here, and open the storeroom so they can take the dowry.”

“Yes.” Mrs. Cao quickly went to Meiying Courtyard.

Before long, Shen Mingzhu came in a hurry with Mrs. Cao.

Shen Mingzhu had already heard that Shen Qingtan had sent people to take the dowry, and had purposely hidden herself in hopes Second Madam would keep it.

Now that even Second Madam couldn’t keep it, she couldn’t refuse either—since she was the one who had told Shen Qingtan to take it. If she went back on her word now, her own reputation would be ruined.

She could only let Shen Qingtan take it, and later, when they visited their natal home, ask her mother to order Shen Qingtan to share some back.

She handed Madam Liu a key. “Go open it yourself. When you’re done, send the key back to me.”

“Thank you, Third Mistress, for your kindness.” Madam Liu accepted the key and looked at Second Madam. “Please have Mrs. Cao stay to help—so we can finish quickly and not disturb you.”

Second Madam knew Madam Liu was just worried they’d be accused of stealing without a Second Branch witness.

Unwilling to argue further, she waved her hand for Mrs. Cao to follow.

Madam Liu led the people away.

Just then, the study door opened, and the Second Master and Zhao Jue came out.

The Second Master frowned. “Why are they taking the dowry back? Jue’er has a post to fulfill—he’s still short tens of thousands of taels, and we were going to use that dowry.”

Second Madam shot Shen Mingzhu a look, annoyed that her husband was speaking of misusing the dowry in front of others.

Shen Mingzhu’s eyelashes trembled. “Mother, my husband and I already agreed in private to lend him the dowry for his duties.”

Hearing this, Second Madam relaxed and explained: “I promised in front of the Old Madam to return it to Shen Qingtan. If we don’t, she’ll think we’re petty and unworthy of great responsibility—and she’d never give our branch the title.”

The Second Master and Zhao Jue had planned to use the dowry to buy military grain, and if Shen Qingtan complained to the Guogong, they’d say it was an emergency, grain prices had spiked, and they were short of funds—so they’d “borrowed” it and would repay later.

As for when to repay—well, that would be up to them.

The Old Guogong always put national matters first and wouldn’t blame them.

Who knew Shen Qingtan would take the dowry back?

The Second Master worried. “Then how will we buy the grain?”

Shen Mingzhu flattered: “Father, Mother, when I return to the Marquis’s household, I’ll find a way to get the silver for the grain.”

Everyone knew very well that they were planning to take back the dowry from Shen Qingtan to cover the shortfall.

When the Second Master and Second Madam heard this, they beamed with joy, praising her over and over.

Zhao Jue spoke softly, “My wife, you’ve gone to so much trouble for me.”

Seeing their change in attitude, Shen Mingzhu let out a sigh of relief. She had found a way to win her husband’s family over.

At Zhao Jue’s words, her face flushed red. “Husband, I’m happy to help ease your worries.”

Seeing her sincerity, Zhao Jue’s expression softened. “I’ll walk you back to your room.”

Shen Mingzhu gave a small nod. This was the first time Zhao Jue had shown her a kind face since the tea ceremony, and she treasured it greatly.

Madam Liu held the dowry list in her hands, opening each chest one by one to check and compare. After carefully confirming everything was correct, she had the servants carry it all back to Lanxue Courtyard.

Just as they arrived, Shen Qingtan came out of her room. She saw the servants filing in with the dowry chests, filling up the front courtyard of Lanxue Courtyard.

She turned and went back inside to wait.

By the time all the dowry was brought back, it was already midday.

Having accomplished such a big task, Madam Liu returned briskly and went inside to report. “Second Young Madam, the dowry is all here. Would you like to take a look?”

“Alright.” Shen Qingtan glanced at the courtyard full of dowry and said warmly, “You’ve worked hard today. Madam Liu, later take a few taels of silver from one of the chests and treat everyone to a good meal.”

“Yes!” Madam Liu agreed happily. “This old servant thanks Second Young Madam for her reward on their behalf.”

Shen Qingtan stepped out of the room, walked down three or five steps, and stopped beside the nearest chest. She casually lifted the lid.

Inside were several rolled scrolls made of sandalwood. She didn’t even need to unroll them—just the scent of the sandalwood made her feel something wasn’t right.