Chapter 460

Here is the revised translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The Schemes of a Concubine’s Daughter Chapter 467: Adding Branches (Part 2)

Eleventh Sister sensed something unusual but seeing Fourth Sister-in-law's demeanor, she knew pressing further would be futile. Instead, she shifted to casual conversation: "How is Fifth Concubine—my birth mother?"

Since Luo Zhensheng held little sway at home, certain matters were better left for Luo Zhenxing to discuss with Eleventh Sister upon his arrival in the capital.

Fourth Sister-in-law also preferred not to delve deeper and deftly changed the subject: "The concubine is doing well. She spends her days caring for Sixth Brother, doing needlework, and occasionally visiting temples with Sixth Concubine to pray." Suddenly, she exclaimed, "Ah! Seeing Jin Geer made me so happy I nearly forgot this." Handing Jin Geer to the attending Gu Ma, she retrieved a small rose-red begonia pouch and gave it to Eleventh Sister. "Fifth Concubine obtained this blessing talisman from Ci'an Temple (a local Buddhist temple) for you, wishing you and your child safety and prosperity." She smiled. "Though it’s a bit late, it’s the thought that counts."

Eleventh Sister thanked her and accepted it.

The begonia petals overlapped intricately, their veins vivid and lifelike.

She solemnly placed the pouch beneath her pillow—a customary practice for protection—and inquired about the family.

"Father befriended a Taoist priest this spring and somehow became devoted to the Daoist philosophy of Huangdi and Laozi. He moved to the estate in summer to refine elixirs, neglecting household affairs entirely. The wife of the eldest son tried persuading him multiple times to no avail, so she let him be. Third Concubine, fearing Father lacked care at the estate, followed him. Sixth Concubine stayed behind to help Fifth Concubine with Seventh Brother and hired a seamstress tutor to oversee Twelve Sister’s needlework. Household duties now fall entirely on the eldest son’s wife."

Twelve Sister, who had been sitting quietly, blushed slightly and shyly sipped her tea.

Eleventh Sister, amused by her schoolgirl shyness, smiled faintly.

"Your Fourth Brother isn’t cut out for studies, so Eldest Brother assigned him to assist Chief Steward Wu with family affairs," Fourth Sister-in-law said with a laugh. "You know his nature—honest and diligent. He handles tasks meticulously, and these past two years have passed without mishap. I’ve been able to focus on raising Yingniang (my daughter) at home." Her gaze softened as it settled on Yingniang, who sat on a stool eating pastry.

Yingniang resembled the Luo family—fair-skinned with large, bright eyes, bearing some likeness to Twelve Sister beside her.

Eleventh Sister asked cheerfully, "Is the pastry tasty?"

Yingniang nodded brightly. "Yummy!" Her voice, lively just like her mother’s, drew laughter.

Fourth Sister-in-law flushed slightly. "She’s grown too unruly at home. No matter how much I remind her to lower her voice, she never listens."

Eleventh Sister disagreed warmly. "A cheerful temperament suits girls well." The Luo daughters had endured too much repression.

"You’re biased—you’re family!" Fourth Sister-in-law chided. "But she must marry someday. What mother-in-law would favor such exuberance?"

"Plenty of time to teach her. Change doesn’t happen overnight."

As they spoke, a maid announced, "Madam, the Young Miss is here!"

Twelve Sister’s eyes lit up.

Her stay in the capital had added color to her once-dull life, altering her destiny forever—those people and moments would remain etched in her memory.

She rose instinctively.

The curtain lifted, and Zhenjie entered with a radiant smile.

"I rushed over as soon as I heard Fourth Aunt (Eleventh Sister’s sister) and Twelve Aunt had arrived."

After greeting Fourth Sister-in-law and Twelve Sister, she clasped Twelve Sister’s hands. "When did you and Fourth Aunt arrive? How was the journey? Is Grandfather, Eldest Uncle, Eldest Aunt, and the younger uncles all well?" Spotting Yingniang, she beamed. "This must be little cousin Yingniang? She’s lovely!"

Her barrage of questions, though overwhelming, overflowed with warmth.

Twelve Sister’s smile grew genuine. "We arrived yesterday and came to see Eleventh Sister this morning. Everyone at home is well." She beckoned Yingniang. "Come greet your elder cousin."

Yingniang craned her neck up at Zhenjie and gasped. "You’re so tall!"

Everyone burst out laughing at her candid remark.

Here is the revised translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Zhenjie's cheeks flushed slightly as she unfastened a mutton-fat jade waist ornament and handed it to Yingniang: "Please accept this as a meeting gift."

Yingniang didn't dare accept it at first, glancing at Fourth Madam Luo for permission. Only after receiving a slight nod did she take the jade with a smile, thanking Zhenjie properly.

Yuban, the elder madam's personal maid, approached: "Fourth Madam, the elder madam has learned of your mother-in-law's arrival and requests the presence of your mother-in-law, the young lady, and your elder cousin sister for conversation."

Being indisposed, Eleven Miss smiled and instructed Zhenjie: "You accompany Fourth Maternal Aunt and Yingniang there." To Fourth Madam Luo she added, "Do return for lunch later!"

Fourth Madam Luo cheerfully agreed and went to the elder madam's quarters.

After exchanging gifts for the child and reminiscing, their conversation lasted until nearly noon when Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie returned from school.

The elder madam summoned the brothers: "Come greet your Fourth Maternal Aunt, Twelve Aunt, and cousin." To Yingniang she said, "These are your Fourth and Fifth Cousins."

While Xu Sizhun remembered Fourth Madam Luo and Twelve Miss, Yingniang was new to him. Xu Sijie had no recollection of any of them, making the younger Yingniang the natural focus of his attention. Both brothers found their gaze drawn to her.

She wore her hair in child's twin buns, dressed in a bright red short jacket embroidered with peonies. A gold ruyi pendant adorned her neck, complemented by gold longevity bracelets. Her round face possessed the delicate fairness of hosta flower petals, with large, luminous almond eyes that sparkled with clarity - utterly charming.

Far from being shy around strangers, Yingniang met the brothers' gazes boldly and called out in a bright, clear voice: "Fourth Cousin! Fifth Cousin!" Her cheerful greeting left them slightly flustered yet pleased, both responding with faintly bashful smiles.

The elder madam insisted they stay for lunch, smiling as she added: "I know Eleven Miss has invited you as well. I'll send word that you'll dine here at noon and visit her this evening."

One doesn't refuse an elder's generosity, especially when the elder madam was showing such favor to the Luo family.

Fourth Madam Luo accepted with a smile and remained for the midday meal.

Yingniang used her spoon by herself without spilling a single grain, eating both vegetables and meat - a striking contrast to Xinjie's finicky ways.

Xu Sizhun observed her with growing interest.

After the meal, the brothers remained to nap at the elder madam's while Fourth Madam Luo's party went to Eleven Miss's quarters.

Yingniang's eyelids grew heavy as she drowsed against her wet nurse.

Eleven Miss had Gu Ma take the child to the heated room to rest while arranging for Fourth Madam Luo to stay in the west wing.

"It's not summer, and I'm no child," Fourth Madam Luo said with a laugh. "We meet so rarely - let's talk!"

The main purpose of their visit being Twelve Miss's marriage, and with Luo Zhenxing having entrusted her with preparations, Fourth Madam Luo clearly had matters to discuss.

Eleven Miss nodded understandingly.

Meanwhile, Zhenjie led Twelve Miss away: "I've finished a new peony embroidery screen - I'd love Twelve Aunt's opinion!"

Clearly wanting private conversation.

Eleven Miss smiled and reminded them: "Remember to return for dinner!"

The two departed hand in hand, cheerfully promising to do so.

After maids served tea and snacks, Eleven Miss dismissed the attendants.

Fourth Madam Luo came straight to the point: "...Eldest Brother provided five thousand taels to make do with what we have for the wedding. Though Twelve Miss's fiancé's family is modest, they're still a prominent family, and we've no experience with such matters. The sum being limited - how should we allocate it? What should take priority? Where might we economize? I seek your counsel so Fourth Brother can assist properly. We wouldn't want anything to appear improper and embarrass Twelve Miss."

Such generosity!

Eleven Miss couldn't help reflecting. When the eldest madam had arranged their dowries... the comparison was painful. Still, five thousand taels - a substantial dowry for most families, though among the Wangs, compared to her sisters-in-law, it wasn't exactly generous... but wasn't meager either.

Eleven Miss thought for a moment and said, "I don't have much experience in this matter either, so it's hard to say right now. How about this—I'll look into it carefully and give you a definite answer within the next couple of days. Then we can discuss how to proceed. What do you think, Fourth Madam?"

Fourth Madam Luo replied, "Then I'll wait to hear from you, Eleven Miss." After a slight hesitation, she added, "There's one more thing..." She seemed unsure how to bring it up.

Eleven Miss thought for a moment and asked, "Is there something you'd like me to do, Fourth Madam?"

Fourth Madam Luo gave an awkward laugh and said, "There really is a difficult matter..." She then explained the whole situation. "...According to Brother Zhenxing's intention, Twelve Miss's dowry should match Fifth Miss and Ten Miss's standards. Since she's the youngest sister, we could be more generous, and we, as her elder brothers and sisters-in-law, could contribute more as additional gifts. But Sixth Concubine disagreed. She compared it to yours, saying that when marrying off daughters, your dowry was much richer. Twelve Miss may not dare to compare with you, but she shouldn't be compared to Fifth Miss either." As she spoke, her face flushed slightly, and her voice lowered. "...In front of Father... The next morning, Father summoned Elder Brother and settled on a dowry of five thousand taels of silver."

Eleven Miss felt embarrassed.

"Brother Zhenxing couldn't easily refuse," Fourth Madam Luo continued. "Sixth Concubine also said that since Twelve Miss is marrying far away, land and property in the Jiangnan region would be useless—someone would have to manage them. Would they really expect Twelve Miss's husband to send people to Jiangnan every year to collect rent? With all the back-and-forth, even in good years, there'd be little profit, and in bad years, they might even lose money. She insisted Brother Zhenxing provide five thousand taels in silver notes! And Father sided with Sixth Concubine... So they took the five thousand taels. But then Sixth Concubine said that since the groom's family is poor, what's the point of buying so many tables and chairs? They should use one thousand taels to purchase necessities and give the rest to Twelve Miss as 'box money.'"

This "box money" wouldn't appear on the dowry list.

If they followed Sixth Concubine's suggestion, to outsiders, it would seem the Luo family only spent one thousand taels marrying off their daughter.

"Brother Zhenxing must have disagreed?" Eleven Miss vaguely understood.

Fourth Madam Luo nodded. "Not just disagreed—he was so angry he scolded Sixth Concubine."

Yet Sixth Concubine still came to the capital, meaning Luo Zhenxing ultimately couldn't prevail over Sixth Concubine.

This additional chapter is coming a bit late! You can read it tomorrow morning!