Chapter 6

Chapter 6

"Fetch me my dowry list. I wish to peruse it." Having finally settled in, Meng Die decided to organize her dowry items.

Mistress Fan promptly retrieved the list from a cabinet. It was more of a book than a simple list due to its numerous pages.

Meng Die took the volume and flipped through it. The first page was as expected, listing items such as bed, dressing table, wardrobe, and other everyday necessities. Any family with a modicum of respectability would provide these in a bride's dowry, with the only difference lying in the materials used and craftsmanship employed.

These items had taken some time to craft. Meng Die had started commissioning them since she was ten, back when the Meng family was still untroubled. The materials and craftsmanship were of high quality, so there were no issues there.

Meng Die couldn't help but frown. She had brought all her clothes and accessories from home, which was to be expected, and it was normal for the dowry to include fine silk and satin. But why were there so many? Not to mention the numerous precious medicinal herbs – it seemed half of the family's silk and herb reserves had been emptied.

Flipping through a few more pages, Meng Die's eyes widened. How could there be a small box of various gemstones and another filled with pearls? Even if they hadn't had time to craft jewelry for her, she wouldn't need this quantity for future use.

Meng Die's brows knitted tighter as she reached the final page. Sitting up straight, she wondered if she was seeing things. Eight thousand taels of silver in the bottom of the chest? Why so much?

As the legitimate eldest daughter of the Meng family, she had been groomed to become the head of the household since childhood, learning how to manage finances from an early age. Meng Die knew the Meng family's income and expenses like the back of her hand.

Meng Tingyi, holding a high-ranking official position at second class, earned an annual salary of one thousand two hundred taels. With additional allowances for ice and fuel, as well as festival bonuses during Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, his total earnings equaled around five thousand taels. That meant Meng Tingyi's annual income was over six thousand taels.

Meng Tingyi's wife, Lady Hu, also held an imperial title, that of a Second Rank Lady, with an annual stipend of one thousand two hundred taels of silver. Including additional allowances for major festivals, this roughly equated to two thousand taels. Together, their annual income surpassed three thousand taels.

The couple's combined earnings amounted to around ten thousand taels per year. Meng Die's father and uncles were also officials, each receiving a stipend, albeit not substantial due to their lower ranks, which altogether added up to approximately five thousand taels annually. Her biological mother and aunts, however, did not hold titles, thus having no income.

In total, the Meng family could receive about fifteen thousand taels per year from the emperor. This might sound like a substantial sum, and indeed it was, but the Mengs had corresponding expenses.

The Mengs were not an excessively extravagant family; they did not indulge in rare delicacies or luxury foods. However, meat, eggs, seasonal vegetables, and fruits were a must at every meal, and provisions had to be made for the servants. Just this alone cost the family at least four to five thousand taels annually.

Next came clothing. The Meng family was neither small nor large, with Meng Tingyi's four married sons, each with their own children. The family members could not dress in coarse cloth; silk and satin were necessities. The jade pendants and accessories for the young masters, along with the hairpins and jewelry for the ladies, further accounted for another three to four thousand taels spent each year.

It was said that life revolved around clothing, food, shelter, and transportation. After clothing and food, there were shelter and transportation to consider. Buying a house was not the end; annual repairs and the replacement of worn-out items were necessary, which was another expense, amounting to at least five hundred taels a year. The maintenance of horses, carriages, and palanquins also required a considerable sum, another three to five hundred taels gone.

The Meng family were scholars, so their expenditure on writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones was substantial. That alone could consume three thousand taels a year.

Lastly, there were the monthly allowances. The Meng family's monthly stipends were not high. Meng Die received one tael when she was at home, Shen received six, and Old Lady Meng ten. The men in the family usually received double that of the women, as they needed to entertain guests outside. There were also monthly wages for the servants. Thus, another three to four thousand taels were spent.

The Meng family had no relatives in the capital to support, and Meng Tingyi's position was high enough that he didn't need to curry favor with his superiors. In terms of social obligations, the Meng family could balance their expenses. These two categories of expenditure were thus saved.

Considering all these expenses, it was quite commendable if the Meng household could save a thousand to eight hundred taels in a year. If they spent slightly more, they might end up with nothing left by the end of the year. Of course, the Meng family still had some savings. This was thanks to Old Lady Hu's astute management of the household, the wife of Meng Tingyi.

Meng Tingyi had served as an official in Huzhou for six years, a fertile land known for its fish and rice. Back then, the Meng family's children were young, and their expenses were minimal. They had accumulated considerable wealth during that time. Old Lady Hu had purchased substantial real estate in Huzhou, including 500 mu of fields and six manors. These assets generated annual revenues of at least three to four thousand silver taels, which the Meng family consistently saved.

Staring at the ledger, Meng Die's brow furrowed deeper. Eight thousand taels was certainly within the Meng family's means, but the matter wasn't that simple. She had younger legitimate sisters and cousins who were also part of the Meng family. When they married, how much dowry would Grandfather provide?

If they all received the same amount as her, the Meng family would undoubtedly go bankrupt. But if they didn't, how would her sisters and cousins perceive it? What would the uncles and aunts from the other branches of the family think?

Dissension within a family often stemmed from the fear of inequality rather than scarcity. Favoritism was the root cause of familial chaos.

Still fixated on the entry for eight thousand taels, Meng Die pondered, "Grandma Fan, why is there such a large amount of dowry savings? Did Father and Mother agree to this?"

"Second Aunt, three thousand of this dowry silver was given by Madam. She said it's better for Miss to have more money for her own use in the capital."

Meng Die felt a heavy weight in her chest. When her parents were married, her grandfather didn't hold a high official position, so Shen was naturally not from an aristocratic family. As such, her dowry wouldn't have been substantial, with only five hundred taels of silver as her bottom box money.

Three thousand taels – that was at least half, if not more, of Shen's original dowry and personal savings: "Even if they want to support me, this is too much."

"The Old Lady had a hand in this too. Madam hinted that she received considerable subsidies from the Old Lady."

Meng Die's nose stung. Despite her own stubborn decision to marry into the noble household, everyone in the family felt they owed her and were doing their best to compensate her. The ledger in her hands suddenly seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.

"Lady, there's more to it."

More? Meng Die flipped to the page listing her dowry silver and found another sheet. The last item was a manor and a cosmetics shop: "This cosmetics shop was part of Grandmother's dowry back then. Why did she give it to me? And this manor—it's in the outskirts of the capital. Though small and mostly hilly, it should be worth at least three or four thousand taels. Grandfather and the others will need money for their journey to Ganzhou. Why...?"

"Second Lady," Nurse Fan knelt down. "When they discussed your dowry, not only were the Old Master and Old Lady present, but also the other branches of the family, including the various Masters and Ladies. Everyone knew how difficult it would be for you alone in the capital, so they wanted to ensure you had more silver for support. Third Lady even said that it should be this much, as the young masters will have to rely on you, their eldest sister, when they come to the capital for the imperial examinations in the future."

"Second Lady, please don't cry. All the elders care about you deeply."

Tears welled up in Meng Die's eyes as she held the light-as-a-feather list of dowry items. Her third aunt's eldest son was only eight years old this year; how many years would it be before he took the imperial examinations? Third Aunt's words were meant to reassure both Meng Die's parents and herself.

After a hearty cry, Meng Die felt her heart had become more spacious. She had such a loving family; no matter how she lived, she could do so with uninhibited joy and an ever-smiling face. She wouldn't let her family worry about her.

Meng Die inquired, "What time is it?"

"It's the Hour of Monkey."

Meng Die promptly said, "Xing Huang, go outside and listen for any movements in the neighboring courtyard."

"As you wish."

Lu Wei approaches with a basin of water: "Second Lady, let me help you wash your face."

After washing her face and reapplying her makeup, Meng Die decides to change into a fresh outfit. Just as she finishes, Xing Huang enters to report, "Second Lady, there's activity in the neighboring courtyard. Lady Dai has emerged."

"Let's go, we shall venture out too." Meng Die starts walking but then pauses. "Nanny, find some time to arrange this for me. Tomorrow, I'd like to meet the shopkeeper's wife and the estate manager's wife."

"Yes, Madam."

Having given her instructions, Meng Die proceeds to exit Qixia Courtyard accompanied by her three maidservants. As they leave, they happen to encounter Wen Shi, who is also accompanied by her maid, emerging from the adjacent courtyard. The two sisters-in-law naturally fall into step together.

Meng Die spoke first, "Has Sister-in-law taken your afternoon rest? Your complexion looks even better than this morning."

"Yes, I had a short nap at noon. I do feel more refreshed," Wen Shi replied, glancing at Meng Die with something she wanted to say but held back.

Meng Die smiled, "There's no need for you to be cautious, Sister-in-law. The entire capital is aware of the matters in my family. I won't hide it from you – sending my family off this morning was truly heart-wrenching, and I couldn't fall asleep at noon."

Wen Shi returned a gentle smile, "It's only natural to feel sorrow when loved ones depart. But as parents and elders, they'll be happy and reassured as long as their children live comfortably and happily. Considering your distant elders, you should prioritize taking care of your own health above all else."

Meng Die nodded, "Sister-in-law is wise and sees things more clearly than I do. It took me a long time tossing and turning this noon to understand this truth."

"It's not that I've thought it through thoroughly," Wen Shi gently caressed her slightly rounded belly. "I once dreamed of giving birth to a son with the virtue of a qilin. But now, my greatest wish is simply for him to live a safe and smooth life."

The two sisters-in-law chatted and laughed, soon arriving at the eastern courtyard. Madam Ning was in conversation with Third Master's wife, Madam Zhou. Wen Shi and Meng Die bowed to greet them both.

Madam Ning smiled at Madam Zhou. "Time really does fly by."

"Indeed. If not for our two nieces-in-law being here, I would have thought it was only just past noon," Madam Zhou said as she stood up. "Father won't be back for dinner today, so Mother's side will likely be sending for it soon."

Madam Ning nodded and also rose from her seat.

Lady Wen and Meng Die walked side by side behind Madam Ning and Lady Zhou, all heading together to pay their respects to the Elder Lady while casually listening to their conversation.

Madam Ning initiated the discussion: "With the end of the lunar New Year in sight, it's time to start preparing for spring clothing."

Lady Zhou replied: "I was just discussing this matter with Fourth Sister yesterday."

Madam Ning inquired: "What is currently fashionable in the capital?"

Lady Zhou shared her knowledge: "At present, brocaded satin is all the rage. It comes from the Jianghuai region and is classified as a type of cloud brocade. Although the weaving technique isn't new, the color combinations are unique, making it very attractive."

"A type of cloud brocade," Madam Ning nodded. "In that case, let's have each person make a set of clothing."

"Agreed."

Madam Ning continued, "What sort of jewelry should we have crafted this year?"

"I haven't heard of any new jewelry designs. It's likely just variations on previous years'. I think it would suffice to have a piece or two made casually."

"Mmm."

Meng Die understood now. It seemed that Aunt Zhou was in charge of the family's clothing and accessories, while the financial power rested with her mother-in-law, Madam Ning. Any purchases needed Madam Ning's approval before they could proceed.

When the Ning ladies arrived at the main residence, they coincidentally met Fifth Madame Fang. Thus, the group paying their respects became even larger.