Chapter 464 Idea

Chapter 464: The Decision

Hearing Noble Consort Yu's words, Madam Zhuang paused and couldn’t help looking at Madam Zhou.

Though many years had passed, and Yu Lan and Zhou Boxu were already married, Madam Zhou's voice would never recover, and what happened couldn't be undone.

Meeting Madam Zhuang's gaze, Madam Zhou frowned slightly.

Yu Lan got nervous seeing this, fearing Madam Zhou might show displeasure.

"The rain is getting heavier. Let's hurry," Madam Zhou said, looking away.

Noble Consort Yu and Yu Lan let out a small sigh of relief. One accompanied Madam Zhou while the other walked with Madam Zhuang as they made their way to Zhongling Palace together.

Meanwhile, Xie Wanruo returned to the Eastern Palace with Madam Xie and her sister-in-law Hua.

Once inside and behind closed doors, Madam Xie took Xie Wanruo's hand and said, "Isn't this too risky of you? It might provoke resentment from the officials and noble families."

It wasn't easy communicating between the palace and outside, making it difficult to discuss matters in detail. They could only exchange letters.

Upon learning what Xie Wanruo intended to do, the Xie family was worried sick.

But Xie Wanruo was stubborn. By the time she informed them, the invitations had already been sent out. It was a done deal, and the Xie family had to go along with it.

Though Prime Minister Xie and Xie Qi'an had carefully considered the situation and told Madam Xie not to fret, she still couldn't shake her worries.

This was clearly an act that would offend many!

"I know, but I must do it," Xie Wanruo said, leading Madam Xie to sit at the table and asking for hot tea.

Madam Xie wasn't in the mood for tea and let out a worried sigh.

Xie Wanruo reassured her, "Mother, don't worry. I've got it all figured out."

"Besides, I stay mostly in the inner palace and hardly ever see them. Even if they resent me, it won't matter much."

After a pause, Xie Wanruo turned to Hua, looking apologetic. "I'm just sorry to put you all in this spot."

Hua replied, "Your Highness acts for the nation's greater good. I deeply admire that."

"Thank you for understanding, Sister-in-law," Xie Wanruo said with a relieved smile, and the two of them worked together to comfort Madam Xie.

Since things had already come to this, dwelling on it further was pointless. Madam Xie exhaled deeply and changed the subject.

The rain began to fall harder, pattering noisily.

In Zhongling Palace, Yu Lan changed into dry clothes and dried her hair before joining Madam Zhou and the others in the main hall.

Madam Zhou and Madam Zhuang sat facing each other, while Noble Consort Yu sat at the head of the table, speaking to each of them in turn. The air was thick with tension.

Madam Zhou maintained outward calm, neither showing hostility toward Madam Zhuang nor engaging her in conversation.

Madam Zhuang, too proud to bend, couldn't bring herself to take the initiative to reconcile.

The two remained locked in their standoff, with Noble Consort Yu playing peacemaker until she was hoarse from talking.

Just then, Yu Lan arrived, giving Noble Consort Yu a chance to finally pick up her teacup and take a sip.

"Mother, Mother Consort," Yu Lan called softly.

"Ah, do sit down and rest." Both Lady Zhou and Madame Zhuang responded simultaneously.

Noble Consort Yu paused mid-sip, hesitated just a moment before resuming her tea.

Yu Lan's eyes gleamed subtly as she continued chatting with them as if nothing had happened.

Lady Zhou and Madame Zhuang exchanged a glance, their expressions growing somewhat strained.

When Lady Zhou asked after Yu Lan and reminded her of certain matters, Madame Zhuang listened silently without a word.

Only when Yu Lan inquired about Zhuang Yun did Madame Zhuang finally speak.

Now it was Lady Zhou's turn to fall silent, quietly sipping her tea and listening.

Zhuang Yun was such a bright, well-mannered child—impossible not to adore. Though Lady Zhou did not interject, she listened attentively.

After all, Zhuang Yun still called her 'Grandmother.'

Noticing Lady Zhou's expression, Noble Consort Yu casually dropped, "Yun'er mentioned to me the other day that it had been a long time since she last visited the Zhou residence and missed her grandparents dearly."

Lady Zhou responded somewhat awkwardly, "We miss Yun'er too."

Noble Consort Yu smoothly suggested, "Then let Yun'er visit the Zhou residence for a meal on the upcoming holiday."

"If Yun'er is willing, we would be delighted," Lady Zhou replied with a smile.

"I'll speak to Yun'er about it when I return," Madame Zhuang readily agreed.

Lady Zhou fell silent for a moment before softly uttering, "Mm."

Though the sound was faint, everyone heard it.

Noble Consort Yu and Yu Lan shared a secret smile, realizing the ice between them had finally broken.

Even if they couldn't pretend nothing had happened, they could at least maintain civility.

That was enough.

A bitter spring rain lashed outside, but inside, the atmosphere gradually warmed.

The rain continued to pour as Mother Shen returned to Jing'an Marquis Residence, still unrelenting. After alighting from the carriage and entering the residence, she went directly to Shouyong Hall and sent for Shen Changhuai immediately.

Ignoring her damp shoes and hem, Mother Shen explained the situation to Old Lady Shen and Shen Changhuai, urging them to devise a solution together.

Old Lady Shen, long afflicted by illness, already looked weary. Upon hearing Mother Shen's words, she sighed repeatedly.

"Changhuai, with Changze away, you're the family's support now. You must take charge of this matter," Mother Shen pressed directly.

Old Lady Shen added, "Indeed, Changhuai. The Marquis Residence relies on you and your brother."

Wang Yueyao watched Old Lady Shen and Mother Shen, lips parting as if to speak, but she dared not.

Her words carried little weight—no one would listen, and she would only earn a scolding.

Shen Changhuai's handsome features grew solemn under the pressure as he spoke, "Grandmother, Mother, there’s no need to worry. The imperial concubine’s move is merely to gather funds for the treasury, not to target our residence."

"In my opinion, we should give what we can afford."

Mother Shen wrung her hands and said, "You don’t understand—the other families are giving at least three thousand taels of silver each."

Twenty years ago, three thousand taels would have been nothing to the Marquisate—easily spared without a thought. But times have changed. Now, the household struggles to maintain its own prestige, let alone spare any extra silver.

Changhuai frowned in thought for a moment before reasoning, "Due to the recent war, no banquets have been held in the capital these past few months, cutting down on social obligations. The household should have some savings."

Mother Shen's gaze flickered at his words. "You don’t run the household, so you don’t know how many expenses there are. The winery business hasn’t been doing well lately—there’s hardly any surplus."

She then turned the focus on him. "As for you, you’ve spent little over the years outside. You must have saved quite a bit."

So, she was trying to target their savings.

Wang Yueyao, inwardly furious, steeled herself and said, "My husband holds a low-ranking official position. We’ve been strangers in unfamiliar places, with no one to rely on—everything had to be managed by ourselves. His monthly salary barely covers our expenses, leaving little to save."

Not much, but something.

Mother Shen’s eyes brightened. "We’re family. The Marquisate’s honor and disgrace are yours as well. Contribute what you can."

"Once Changze and Jinchu return and the Marquisate has more to spare, we won’t forget you. Besides, the concubine has assured us that once the treasury is replenished, repayments will be made one by one."

Changhuai knew he couldn’t avoid this. As one of the officials, it was only proper for him to contribute. So he asked Wang Yueyao how much they could offer.

Wang Yueyao muttered, "After years of careful budgeting, we’ve scraped together three hundred taels."

Only three hundred?

Mother Shen’s face fell at first, but then she considered that Changhuai held a minor post with a paltry salary and hadn’t served long.

But if Changhuai had little, that didn’t mean Wang Yueyao did.

Mother Shen clearly remembered that when Changhuai sought to marry Wang Yueyao, the betrothal gifts from the Marquisate, combined with those added by Jiang Shu, totaled twenty thousand taels.

Because of this, though Wang Yueyao’s dowry wasn’t extravagant, it was still substantial.

If just a portion could be drawn from it, the problem would be solved.

Her mind racing, Mother Shen sighed helplessly. "The household can scrape together a thousand taels at most. Combined with yours, Changhuai, you’ll deliver the sum personally tomorrow."