Chapter 99

Chapter 101: Becoming a Nun (Part 2)

Madam Tao suddenly flushed crimson and couldn't help but argue, "Madam, I am worried for Eldest Miss and you! If she recklessly hoards wealth, she might manipulate the accounts. Then, she would either pin it on our Eldest Miss or leave a mess for you to clean up. She would profit while we would be left holding the bag!"

Eleven Miss smiled and said, "The funds for the inner courtyard should be allocated by the outer courtyard's finance office, correct? The finance office should have two stewards specifically managing the inner courtyard's accounts. How much was allocated, spent, and remains? All these should be well-documented and traceable. Even if the accounts have been muddled for the past two or three years, Eldest Miss has been managing the household for more than just a few years. The earlier accounts should have been properly recorded and archived. Even if she wants to manipulate the accounts, she can only do so for the recent years. If she wants to overturn the old accounts, I doubt her influence reaches that far into the finance office." She paused and smiled, "Moreover, her hasty reforms are not just impacting our branch's interests. If others are not speaking up, why should we step forward? Even if there are major mistakes, it was the elder madam's decision to let Third Madam manage the household. Would we really make a scene and let everyone find out? Third Madam is likely relying on this to act recklessly. We should just sit back and observe."

Madam Tao looked at Eleven Miss, who remained calm and composed, with astonishment in her eyes.

Didn't the elder madam say that she was young, quiet, and somewhat timid? How does she know all this?

The thought flashed through her mind, and she immediately realized—the elder madam had misjudged her.

Madam Tao's mind was in chaos. If she had been confident about the tasks assigned to her before, now she was filled with doubt. She deeply understood the importance of being prepared. Often, it was because of preparation that one could retreat unscathed. But now, how much had Eleven Miss revealed, and how much was still concealed? What was her true purpose? Would she be good to Chun Ge? All these thoughts made her break out in a cold sweat upon a moment's reflection...

For a moment, she looked at Eleven Miss with a guarded expression, "Madam is right! This matter... we need to consider it carefully."

Eleven Miss watched as Madam Tao's expression shifted from shock to panic, from panic to worry, and from worry to forced composure... She couldn't help but smile slightly.

It seemed her goal had been achieved—the Xu family's residence was so complex, and the only people she could rely on were those left behind by Eldest Miss. She needed to cooperate with them, not be used by them or made a scapegoat. To do that, she had to show them her capabilities. Otherwise, no one would take her words seriously.

So she took this opportunity to ask Madam Tao some important questions.

"...Do you know how many properties are under the Marquis's name?"

Madam Tao hesitated for a long time, her lips twitching as if she found it difficult to answer.

Eleven Miss wasn't in a hurry to press her and instead said, "Don't you find it strange that Third Madam is so eager to amass wealth?"

Madam Tao's expression changed, and she quickly said, "Speaking of which, back when the old Marquis supported the Emperor's succession, most of the family's properties were sold. After Second Master passed away, the old Marquis felt the impermanence of life and divided the remaining properties of the Xu family—including those of the deceased Eldest Master—among everyone. Later, when the old Marquis passed away, the Marquis inherited the title, and the family was in turmoil both internally and externally. With the elder madam still around, no one brought up the division of the family estate. As time went on, the family's fortunes improved, and no one mentioned it again."

Eleven Miss pondered and asked, "Do you know who manages the share of the deceased Eldest Master?"

Madam Tao replied, "At the time, it was used to buy sacrificial land. The old Marquis said it was to let future generations remember Eldest Master's contributions."

"How many acres in total?"

Madam Tao's forehead was slightly sweaty, "Two thousand acres in total."

Two thousand acres. When the elder madam bought the dowry estate for me, it seemed to cost five taels of silver per acre. At that rate, each branch could divide ten thousand taels of silver. That means the Xu family's total assets are only around fifty thousand taels of silver. This likely includes properties, antiques, paintings, and other items that would depreciate if sold. The actual cash each branch would receive might not even be ten thousand taels... Looking at the Xu family now, just the embroidery from the Immortal Silk Pavilion in the green curtain carriage is worth a fortune, not to mention the furnishings in Eldest Miss's room and the lush greenery in the elder madam's courtyard all year round. And Lord Xu receives three salaries: as the Yongping Marquis, he gets thirteen hundred taels of silver and five hundred twenty-two dan of rice annually; as the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor, he gets seven hundred twenty taels of silver and two hundred eighty-eight dan of rice annually; and as the Commander of the Five Military Commands, he gets five hundred twenty-two taels of silver and two hundred ten dan of rice annually. Even so, sometimes the silver is converted into silk...

She couldn't help but smile at Madam Tao, "So, it's not much, is it?"

Madam Tao's expression changed slightly, "I never thought about it in detail... I always wondered why Third Madam, such a smart person, was so anxious. It turns out the so-called public funds are all our Marquis's assets... And Second Madam, today she buys a painting, tomorrow she buys a vase, spending hundreds or thousands of taels without a care. I always found it strange. Eldest Miss was never stingy, so why did she argue with the Marquis over money a couple of years ago?" As she spoke, she began to pace around.

Eleven Miss's eyes flickered as she listened. She smiled and said, "Madam, don't worry. Since the family has no money, they must be using the elder madam's dowry. Perhaps Second Madam is also using her own dowry!"

"Ah, what do you know!" Madam Tao was getting agitated, and her "you" became less formal, "When Second Madam married into the family, she only had a small estate of four hundred acres and thirty-six dowry chests. I heard that even some of those thirty-six chests were filled with the elder madam's personal money to save face. Later, when Second Madam became a widow with no children, the elder madam, fearing she would have no support, divided her own dowry. Second Master, Fourth Young Master, and Fifth Master each received a share. Second Master's share went to Second Madam, Fifth Master's share was used to marry Fifth Madam, and the Marquis's share... our Eldest Miss never saw it. When you married into the family, there was no mention of how much land or property should be allocated to you from the public funds... And the ten thousand taels of gold and ten qing of fertile land that the Marquis received. At that time, Eldest Miss was no longer here, and you hadn't entered the family yet. Where did that money go? No one knows!" As she spoke, she began pacing again, "No, I must send someone to the finance office to inquire. These assets are part of Chun Ge's inheritance!"

Eleven Miss couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Wealth stirs people's hearts. Lord Xu is not even dead yet... No wonder some would go as far as murder and arson for inheritance.

"Don't rush into this," she said, having understood what she wanted to know, "Let's not stir up trouble over something that might not even exist."

Madam Tao saw the logic in this and suppressed her agitation. Seeing that it was getting late, Eleven Miss dismissed Madam Tao and went to the elder madam's quarters.

Fifth Madam had not yet arrived, and Third Madam was discussing something with the elder madam, holding an account book. When she saw Eleven Miss enter, she stopped talking and greeted her with a smile.

Eleven Miss thought of Madam Tao's earlier mention of Third Madam's plans to reform the kitchen system!

They must be talking about this!

Eleven Miss smiled and returned the courtesy, then stepped forward to ask after elder madam's well-being, saying with a smile, "Mother and Third Sister-in-law are doing the accounts, right? Then I'll help Sister Wei and the others set the utensils." Without waiting for elder madam to respond, she turned and went to the west chamber.

Third Sister-in-law continued the earlier conversation: "...This way, it will also prevent those people from arguing over meals. It will avoid a lot of trouble."

Elder madam listened and smiled slightly: "Who is in charge of the kitchen's purchases?"

Third Sister-in-law's smile became somewhat strained: "It's Gan Laoquan."

Elder madam glanced at her and smiled: "In that case, let's do as you said!"

"Yes." Joy was evident on Third Sister-in-law's face.

"But..." elder madam's tone changed.

Third Sister-in-law immediately showed a nervous expression: "But what? Mother, please tell me!"

Elder madam slowly sipped her tea and said unhurriedly: "However, let each household suggest their favorite dishes, and then have the kitchen match them accordingly. Don't decide on your own what dishes to make."

Third Sister-in-law quickly said "Yes," but her expression betrayed some disappointment.

"Since there's nothing else, why don't you go help Eleven Miss set the utensils?" elder madam said lightly, "She's young, just joined the household, and you are her sister-in-law, so you should set a good example."

Third Sister-in-law felt even more frustrated, took a deep breath, and then stood up with a smile and responded with a "Yes."

Madam Du, who was attending to elder madam, couldn't help but sigh.

Elder madam also sighed: "You want to ask me why I let her do it even though I know she's trying to make money, right?"

Madam Du smiled: "You are always so kind-hearted. You pity Third Sister-in-law, afraid that her future days will be difficult?"

"I don't pity her," elder madam's expression was somewhat desolate, "I feel sorry for Brother Qin and Brother Jian." She added, "Speaking of which, she has put a lot of thought into this plan. It's just a shame that her cleverness is misused!"

Eleven Miss had lunch with elder madam, served elder madam until she went to bed, and then returned to her own room to sleep.

Dongqing was already waiting anxiously for her: "Madam, the eldest lady said she would find some time to see you later."

Well, things have come to this, and there's no turning back. Since we can't break the relationship, besides discussing how to persuade the elder madam, we also need to discuss how to talk to Ten Miss about this matter.

She woke up from her nap, but the eldest lady still hadn't arrived.

Eleven Miss was afraid that the eldest lady wouldn't find her when she came, so she left a message and went to elder madam's place first, arriving just a quarter before the hour.

Elder madam had just gotten up and smiled: "This child, still arriving on time!"

Madam Du was helping elder madam put on her shoes and smiled: "Indeed. This morning, just like yesterday, she arrived a quarter before the hour."

Elder madam "oh"ed, her eyebrows raised slightly.