Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Wang Shi grew up in the Xinning Marquis's mansion and married into the Shen family, a household of great wealth and prestige. When her grandfather passed away, the funeral she and her uncle’s family organized was grand beyond measure. She had never seen anyone like Yao Niang, who seemed to prioritize saving money above all else.

Thus, when she returned home, she grumbled to Chunluo, “I always thought the Yan family of Jin Ling was a prominent and noble clan, but I never expected such a lack of decorum. To be honest, I have never seen such an outrageous daughter-in-law.”

She rarely visited her mother-in-law to pay respects, and when asked to do something, she did not do it properly, always looking for ways to slack off.

Chunluo also found it strange: “Han Ruohua came to the capital with her dowry. Although the head lady provided funds for the banquet, the expenses were not substantial. However, it seems that the head madam is more reluctant to take on so much responsibility.”

After returning, Yao Niang went to the Qingyi Garden of the third branch. Previously, their family had hired someone to repaint the new room for her brother Yan Jingzhao’s wedding. Finding the price reasonable, Yao Niang invited the same person to whitewash the walls. Originally, Aunt Shen from the seventh branch recommended someone, but that person’s price was too high.

In fact, Yao Niang deliberately chose this path; she did not want to be controlled by these people from the start.

She was also aware that making friends would be difficult from now on, but in this household, friendship was not important. What mattered was doing one’s duty. Moreover, she did not target individuals but focused on matters.

The three thousand taels given by the Shen Governor included the dowry, the cost of repainting the new room, the wedding procession, the banquet, and the opera performance. It sounded like a lot, but it was not enough when actually used.

The house would be completed in a few days, and the kitchen still needed to prepare meals and water pipes for the workers. Every expense was recorded in the ledger by the steward, and Yao Niang kept her own private accounts as well.

Leaving the Qingyi Garden, she then went to see Lady Shen. She did not see Lu Shaner at the third branch but found her with Lady Shen.

“Madam, Third Aunt,” Yao Niang lifted her skirt to enter.

Lady Shen looked at Yao Niang and asked, “What brings you here at this time?”

“It’s like this, now that the date is set, which relatives should we invite? This way, I can send out invitations and arrange the banquet,” Yao Niang explained.

Lady Shen said to Zhou Mama, “Give the guest list to the head madam.”

Actually, Lady Shen was quite good in this regard. From the beginning, she taught Yao Niang in detail, which was better than those mothers-in-law who only spoke in generalities and let you make mistakes.

Especially after being reprimanded by her grandfather, although Lady Shen was somewhat reluctant, she still said what needed to be said.

Yao Niang hesitated but, seeing Lu Shaner firmly seated, she took the guest list and left. Han Ruohua’s attendant also came to speak with Lady Shen in the evening: “Miss says she feels indebted to the Shen family for all the trouble she has caused.”

Lady Shen smiled, “She’s just a child, why think so much? I’m not feeling well, so it’s good to have our head madam take charge.”

“Yes, but I wonder how we will manage the hairpin ceremony since no one from the Han family is in the capital. Should Miss write to them?” the attendant asked.

Lady Shen replied, “Let’s see how the head madam handles it. I’ve been ill lately and feel quite weak.”

The attendant said, “Perhaps you should send someone to ask, and then inform us.”

“Alright, I’ll have Zhou Mama do it later,” Lady Shen rubbed her temples.

The attendant quickly reported back to Han Ruohua, who lit a stick of incense and washed her hands before starting her needlework: “I didn’t want to make things difficult for my elder cousin, but she makes it hard for me everywhere. Xu Mama, we can’t fully trust Aunt either; her influence is not what it used to be.”

Xu Mama nodded in agreement, “Yes, I remember when Auntie and Yi Ge were around. Yi Ge was different from Feng Ge; he was very close to us. At thirteen, he was preparing for the imperial examination, and everyone said he would surely become a famous minister like Yi Yin.”

Listening to this, Han Ruohua began to cry, “Mama, do you remember? That year, I was young, and a servant carried me to watch the lanterns. Yi Cousin and I were kidnapped by kidnappers. He was very smart; he kept dropping things on the ground secretly and gave me water to drink, comforting me all the time. I never thought he would leave us like that.”

Xu Mama hugged Han Ruohua, “Forget about it, forget about Young Master Lin Yi, and start anew.”

Wiping away her tears, Han Ruohua smiled, “I noticed that Shen Bangyan looks very much like Yi Cousin. With a little trick, he fell for it. But he is heartless and unfeeling, nothing like my Yi Cousin.”

“It’s strange, though, that Linfeng Cousin doesn’t look much like Yi Cousin,” Xu Mama remarked.

Mentioning Shen Linfeng, Han Ruohua couldn’t help but show disdain, “He used to smell terrible and was always fat and smelly. Only because Yi Cousin is gone, he has become the one in charge of the Shen family.”

"Robbing the magpie's nest, nothing more than this."

**

In the evening, Yao Niang was having dinner with Shen Linfeng. She personally served him a bowl of fish ball soup: "This soup is both fresh and refreshing; you should eat more."

"These past few days, I've felt dryness in my mouth and throat. It's just right to have some of this. By the way, Yao Niang, give me fifty taels of silver. Brother Lin is currently in dire straits, and this money will make his life in the capital much easier," Shen Linfeng said.

Yao Niang replied, "Speaking of which, my dowry includes an estate. The last time I visited the Jinghai Marquis's residence, Lady Liu told me that she sold half of the deer and pheasants sent from her estate, and the other half she either distributed to the servants or gave away. I happen to have some cured venison and caged pheasants. Why don't we send them to your friend?"

Shen Linfeng smiled, "That would be great. I was worried you might not be happy about it."

"Brothers share their wealth. The things Lord Lin taught you can't be bought even if you spend money. Sometimes, people who get along well can be closer than blood relatives. Like Lady Liu and me, though we're not real sisters, our temperaments match, making us closer than my own sisters," Yao Niang understood.

Shen Linfeng agreed, "What you say is true. The Dragon Boat Festival is coming up this month, and next month is your birthday. Yao Niang, I want to prepare the best coming-of-age gift for you."

As he spoke, seeing Yao Niang looking at him coyly, his heart warmed again, and he prepared to hold her hand. Although they hadn't consummated their marriage, whenever Yao Niang was in a good mood, they often engaged in intimate moments.

Just then, Auntie Zhou came over, and Yao Niang quickly invited her to sit down. Seeing the young couple enjoying their sweet conversation over dinner, Auntie Zhou felt she had disturbed them.

"Master, Madam, our Lady has sent me to ask when Miss Han's hairpin ceremony will be held and how it will be arranged?" Auntie Zhou asked.

Yao Niang replied, "I remember telling Lady a few days ago that the hairpin ceremony cannot be held because no one from the Han family has come to the capital. Who would be considered her family here? I also specifically mentioned this to Cousin Han today. Why is Lady asking me again? Did someone from the Han family say something? If so, we'll wait until the Han family comes to the capital before holding the ceremony, and there's no need to rush the wedding date."

She didn't feel such a strong sense of responsibility; if they wanted to complicate things, she would slow down the process.

Auntie Zhou laughed, "How could that be? Lady simply forgot and remembered today, so she sent me to ask." Then she looked at Shen Linfeng, hoping he would say a few words, but Shen Linfeng remained silent as if dead.

"That's good. To be honest, these are troubled times. If Uncle really wanted me to organize a grand ceremony, he wouldn't have given me only enough money for a moderate banquet. Besides, Auntie Zhou, I'm using Lady's private funds, so I must be frugal. Originally, all the supplies for her daughter were provided by our family, and now they hint at bringing a dowry, meaning they won't take a single coin from us. Since that's the case, I'll do what I can with the money I have." Yao Niang took a sip of the soup.

Auntie Zhou had no choice but to return and report to Lady Shen: "Madam, the Young Madam said that a few days ago, she already told you that no one from the Han family has come to the capital, so the hairpin ceremony cannot be held, and you agreed at the time. After that, she said that the Three Chambers only provided enough money for a moderate banquet, so she will only arrange it on that scale. She also mentioned that she specifically went to talk to the Han family today."

"She also mentioned your private funds, saying she needs to be frugal."

Lady Shen asked, "Was Linfeng there when she mentioned my private funds?"

Auntie Zhou nodded.

Lady Shen slapped the table, "Well, I knew she would deliberately say that, suggesting I use my money to arrange the wedding for my niece. Truly, she has deep thoughts."

But apart from that, Lady Shen couldn't say much. She couldn't possibly provide more money for the Han family to marry off their daughter, or her son and daughter-in-law would accuse her of favoring her own family, giving them another reason to criticize her.

Auntie Zhou hesitated and asked, "Then, Madam, how should the hairpin ceremony be handled?"

"Just do it as she says. Whatever she decides, follow it. Don't ask me anymore," Lady Shen was out of patience.

Previously, during Shen Linfeng's wedding and other family matters, Second Madam Shen had always helped, while Lady Shen seemed to be in charge, but in reality, most of the work was done by Second Madam Shen, and the expenses were considerable. Now, the daughter-in-law was handling the wedding, and with just three thousand taels from the Three Chambers, she managed to do so much without spending an extra coin.

Money was a small matter, but the fear was that it would look unimpressive and invite ridicule for being stingy.

The young people didn't understand; once a person's dignity is lost, anyone can step on them.

Auntie Zhou added, "Madam, Master was sitting beside the Young Madam when I spoke, but he remained silent, as if he didn't hear anything."

Actually, Auntie Zhou was also thinking of Lady Shen. Han Ruohua was just a niece from her husband's side; how could she compare to her son?

Lady Shen responded, "His silence means he sides with his wife. He used to be so good to his sister, but now everything has changed. Truly, he has forgotten his roots after marrying his wife."

No matter how much Lady Shen complained, in the end, Yao Niang took the lead, and the so-called hairpin ceremony naturally did not happen. When Han Ruohua asked her wet nurse to inquire with Auntie Zhou, she learned there was no hope. Both mistress and servant felt very disappointed.