Chapter 461

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The Guide to a Virtuous Woman Chapter 468: Trivial Matters (Part 1)

Eleven Miss pondered and asked, "Then what is Elder Brother’s stance?"

"Sixth Concubine has been causing quite a disturbance at home. Father keeps siding with her. In the end, Elder Brother neither agreed nor refused but had her sent here," Fourth Madam Luo said. "Elder Brother’s idea is to have you help come up with a solution that won’t disgrace the Luo family. After all, you are 'well-versed' in the customs of Yanjing. A single word from you carries more weight than ten from us."

This Sixth Concubine...

Eleven Miss nodded. "I understand. Have her come see me tomorrow."

Fourth Madam Luo sighed in relief, somewhat embarrassed. "You’re still in confinement and shouldn’t be troubled with such matters... but if this had happened in Jiangnan, Sixth Concubine might have actually gotten her way!"

The key lay in Elder Master Luo’s attitude!

Eleven Miss nodded understandingly. "No need for formalities, Sister-in-law. Sixth Concubine’s demands are indeed excessive. If it’s truly difficult, have her come see me." She then relayed Lady Zhou’s intentions to Fourth Madam Luo: "...The Wang family wishes to hold the wedding before the New Year. Go back and inform Fourth Brother so he can reply to your husband. If it’s acceptable, have him pick a date to finalize the wedding with the Wang family. If not, you all can choose a date, and he can discuss it with the Wang family."

Fourth Madam Luo was familiar with such formalities and smiled. "I think we should just pick a date before the New Year. Twelve Miss is no longer young—she’s of marriageable age. Besides, the Wang family’s concerns aren’t unfounded. If her mother-in-law were to pass away, the two-year mourning observance would postpone everything... We should also consider the other family’s situation."

She directly settled the matter of setting the wedding date without consulting anyone, with an attitude of "my approval is enough."

Eleven Miss thought of Luo Zhensheng’s character and Fourth Madam Luo’s shrewd competence, privately speculating if Luo Zhensheng’s recent success in managing family affairs was entirely due to having such a capable wife.

She smiled. "Then I’ll relay your words to Lady Zhou."

Fourth Madam Luo nodded, sipped her tea, and then noticed Eleven Miss’s pale complexion as she leaned against the crimson pillow. Hesitating, she asked, "As for Fifth Miss and Ten Miss... I plan to visit them tomorrow. I wonder if Ten Miss... keeps in touch often?"

Since the funeral of the first wife, Eleven Miss and Ten Miss had not seen each other again. During festivals, the Wang family would send gifts, and the Xu family would reciprocate, but it was all just formalities. Even for Jin Geer’s Thirdday Ceremony, Ten Miss had sent five small silver ingots engraved with "Top Scholar" but did not attend in person.

When Fourth Madam Luo mentioned her, Eleven Miss’s gaze grew complicated. She shook her head lightly and said softly, "Ten Sister pleads widowhood as her reason to stay secluded at home. We hardly interact anymore."

Fourth Madam Luo sighed deeply. "Ten Miss... is also pitiable!" Eleven Miss remained silent against the pillow.

Whether it was because Sixth Concubine had caused too much trouble or because Fourth Madam Luo wanted to quickly resolve this delicate matter, the very next day, Fourth Madam Luo used the excuse of delivering gifts to Eleven Miss to send Sixth Concubine to meet her.

"Auntie, even I find this unreasonable, let alone Elder Brother," Eleven Miss said bluntly, knowing Sixth Concubine was clever. "What would Twelve Brother-in-law think if he knew the Luo family spent a thousand taels on dowry items but gave four thousand as private funds? No matter how poor the Wang family is, they don’t need us to 'help' them this way, do they?"

Sixth Concubine, seeing Eleven Miss’s directness, abandoned all pretense. "I have no other choice," she said, bursting with grievances. "Twelve Miss’s marriage was arranged so hastily. If we use the family’s current lands and properties as dowry, when money is urgently needed later, there won’t be anyone trustworthy to handle the sale. Relying on those brokers—they’d give you five taels for something worth ten. Wouldn’t that just line their pockets for nothing? Buying property in Yanjing in such a rush would mean paying premium prices. Even if sold at market value later, we’d lose a third of the value. Isn’t it better to just give silver directly?"

Eleven Miss found it odd that Sixth Concubine kept thinking of selling the dowry.

Sixth Concubine smiled bitterly. "I’ve thought it through. The reason Twelve Brother-in-law stopped studying is that he has a younger brother who’s even more scholarly. Once Twelve Miss marries in as the eldest daughter-in-law, how can she not contribute money to support her brother-in-law’s education?"

"Countless in Jiangnan take the imperial exams, but how many from modest backgrounds can truly succeed? It’s not that others’ sons aren’t smart—it’s sustaining a man who contributes nothing for decades is simply unaffordable."

"Families with slightly thinner resources can only pool the whole clan’s strength. Just the travel expenses for exams at the county, provincial, and capital levels are no small sum. If it takes multiple attempts, many families go bankrupt. Those who are poor and lack exceptional talent usually content themselves with earning a xiucai degree. Even our Fourth Brother-in-law—his ancestors were officials, but without Second Master’s support, how could he have gotten this far? I’ve heard Second Wife didn’t even buy new clothes for years!"

"Twelve Miss will have many expenses ahead. What good is saving face now? Besides, if Twelve Brother-in-law weren’t pragmatic, why would a xiucai stoop to learn estate management from a steward? To be honest, Elder Brother having me sent to Yanjing suits me just fine. I wanted to speak to you—in this family, you’re the only sensible one! I’m just thinking of Twelve Miss’s future hardships, trying to save where we can." She added, "Anyway, I’ve made up my mind. Once Twelve Miss is married, my duty is done. What happens to me? At worst, death awaits. But I’ll move heaven and earth for Twelve Miss’s sake."

Eleven Miss was taken by surprise. Still, in society’s eyes, Wang Ze, as a lowly xiucai, debasing himself with trade was indeed disgraceful. She had to admit Sixth Concubine’s reasoning had some logic.

But the Luo family had its own stance. They couldn’t lavish money on a daughter’s dowry only to seem calculating. Moreover, Sixth Concubine’s histrionics made her uncomfortable. While "having no heir is the greatest unfilial act," so is "obsequiousness that shames one’s parents." Luo Zhenxing simply didn’t want to make things hard for Twelve Miss—otherwise, he could’ve easily compared her situation to Fifth Miss and Ten Miss’s. Eleven Miss’s dowry was the largest because her husband was the Yongping Marquis. Fifth Miss married a provincial graduate, and Ten Miss married the heir of a ducal household. Compared to them, Wang Ze, a lowly xiucai, would make Twelve Miss’s dowry seem lacking if measured against Fifth Miss’s. Even Elder Master Luo would have no good solution!

"I understand your concerns, Auntie," Eleven Miss said solemnly. "But sometimes, one can’t just calculate their own ledger." Arguing over pros and cons wouldn’t convince anyone and was pointless—solving the problem was what mattered. Since Sixth Concubine wouldn’t grasp abstract reasoning, Eleven Miss followed her train of thought. "As the saying goes, 'Sit and eat, and even a mountain will empty.' You want what’s best for Twelve Miss, but have you considered this thoroughly?"

"You’re pinning your hopes on supporting Twelve Brother-in-law’s younger brother, thinking that if he succeeds, Twelve Miss’s struggles will end. But what if he fails? That money would be wasted! Instead of throwing good money after bad, wouldn’t it be better to invest in assets that yield steady income? Even if the brother doesn’t succeed, the family’s daily expenses would still be covered. Besides, Twelve Miss will have her own children. What if her child is as scholarly as his uncle? Should they support him then? And with what funds? Even if the brother passes the exams and becomes an official, can Twelve Miss’s children really depend on their uncle’s charity? Even a husband’s money passes from one hand to another—let alone a relative’s!"

Sixth Concubine’s expression shifted, and after a long pause, she said, “So you’re saying, Miss, we should keep some silver for ourselves?”

It was either one extreme or the other. This Sixth Concubine was being so stubborn about this!

“My suggestion is to split the money several ways—some for property, some for land, and some kept on hand for flexibility. That way, no matter what happens, there’s always a fallback.” She added, “But since the silver isn’t much, we’ll have to think carefully and help Twelfth Miss secure investments that hold their value. For instance, if buying a house, aim for one near Dashifang, Xiaoshifang, Renshoufang, or Chengqingfang. These areas are either close to the palace or near the East and West Markets, so even if they’re sold later, the loss won’t be too steep. As for farmland, Shandong is best—close to the capital and more profitable than estates in Daxing County.”

Sixth Concubine nodded and murmured, “I see your point, Miss, but such prime locations aren’t easy to come by…”

Eleventh Miss had been waiting for this. “Fourth Brother-in-law serves in the Office of Messengers, rubbing shoulders with high-ranking officials. If nothing else, his connections ensure the latest news. Seventh Sister married into Shandong, and Seventh Brother-in-law is called the ‘Lord of Xue’—he knows everyone in that area…” She deliberately omitted herself and gave Sixth Concubine a meaningful look. “Eldest Brother overlooks these matters because he wants us siblings to live in harmony. One hand can’t clap—it takes teamwork to succeed. Since you’re planning for Twelfth Miss’s future, you ought to consider these things carefully. Once she’s married, with so many sisters-in-law and endless squabbles, the first few years will be like feeling her way blindly. At the very least, you must give her something solid to lean on, no?”

Sixth Concubine caught on at once—she was sharp—and promptly seized the opening. “You’re absolutely right, Miss. Then I’ll leave it all in your hands!”

Well, now whoever proposed the idea would have to follow through!

Eleventh Miss smiled. “Our family still has capable sisters-in-law—why should a married-off Miss like me interfere? You really ought to work on that attitude of yours, Auntie.”

[Author’s note: Bonus chapter for April 22nd!]

PS: Posting the draft first!