Chapter 510

Chapter 516: The New Bride (Part 2)

Hearing the second lady’s words, the matriarch smiled faintly.

"More money and more rice cannot compare to more days. We can't possibly empty our home for Young Master Qin's wedding, can we? Besides, Young Master Jian is also about to be betrothed. I think it would be best to set up the new house in Sanjing Alley. This way, you can save some expenses. If you're worried that the young bride might be too inexperienced to manage the household, you could stay in the capital to guide her properly. As for the Third Master..." the matriarch pondered, "It’s been almost a year since Lady Yi passed away, hasn’t it? If not, we could elevate a concubine to accompany the Third Master on his post. I think the one named Qiuling who serves you is quite suitable. That girl will do..."

Lady Third was first stunned, then turned pale with shock.

Every word of the Old Lady’s suggestion pierced her heart.

"Mother!" Third Lady hurriedly tugged at the sleeve of the Grand Lady, "Even if we have no more money, we still have enough for our child's wedding. It’s just that all household matters are decided by Third Master, so we’re waiting for him to send the money. I do understand the principle of steady and continuous flow. I would never deplete our resources for mere appearances..." As she spoke, her eyes darted around, "The Fang family’s dowry has already been packed, and the wedding boats are on their way. When the time comes, the bridal chamber will be set up in Sanjing Alley... What about the extra dowry items? If the people from the Fang family find out, wouldn’t it make us, the Yongping Marquis’s residence, look like we’re swindling the bride’s dowry?" The Grand Lady remained silent.

The Third Lady saw that there was a chance, and hurriedly said, "Mother, I have already made plans. The child's marriage is a big deal. The Third Master knows that he will definitely send money. But Shanyang is a little far from here, and I am afraid that it will be too late to wait for the Third Master to send money. I will go back to my parents' home to borrow some money, and then clean up the yard here. It won't be too late to pay back the Third Master's money when it arrives." "Borrow money?"The old lady took a sip of the teacup and said softly, "You are also a head of the family. The child's marriage is not just about cleaning up the yard. The money for the banquet, the red envelope for opening the door, the money for the dowry... one by one, which one doesn't cost money?"

Though he disapproved, he did not take on the burden himself, instead suggesting she return to her parents for a loan.

Lady Third became anxious.

If Madam had really made up her mind to have Qin'er marry into Sanjing Alley, she would lose both her dignity and reputation. Regretting the purchase of the house in Sanjing Alley, she wouldn't have been cornered by Madam. But then again, without buying the house in Sanjing Alley, how could they have obtained the Fang family's wealth of over six thousand taels of silver... At that moment, her mind was in turmoil, thinking only of how to dissuade Madam from these thoughts.

"I’ve already calculated," she said immediately, "by then, all the families will bring gifts, which should cover the wedding expenses. Borrowing one or two thousand taels from my family would be more than enough!"

The Dowager Lady nodded slightly as she listened: "Since you have everything figured out, I won’t say more..." Then she picked up her teacup, "I’m tired, and you have matters to attend to. Go and rest." The Third Lady did not dare to linger, quickly rising to take her leave.

Only when he stepped outside and was hit by the glaring sun did he realize he had been cheated.

"How could I have forgotten to mention the communal funds!" she murmured. "We live together after all. According to custom, there should be three hundred taels of silver! Back when Xiao Wu got married and Lao Si took a second wife, the communal fund certainly contributed. Why didn't the Dowager Lady mention it at all? Could it be she doesn't want to give out these three hundred taels? Why should Qingge's wedding be any different? If the communal fund doesn't contribute, won't I have to pay for everything myself?" But the words were already out.

She was filled with overwhelming regret.

She looked up and saw the upturned eaves nestled among the green trees.

Her steps paused as she instructed those around her, "Let's go to Fourth Madam's quarters!" Someone softly responded with a "Yes."

Third Madam glanced sideways and caught sight of a gentle, obedient face.

Qiu Ling...

She pressed her lips together and turned toward the main house.

...

"Money for Qin Ge'er's wedding?" Eleventh Miss looked at Third Madam in surprise.

Third Madam nodded, leaning forward on the kang table with her elbow. "Since you're family, I won’t hide it from you. All these years, my husband and I have been getting by on our monthly stipends. Only in recent years, after your third brother was assigned to an outpost, did our finances ease up a bit. But then we arranged this marriage with the Fang family—the dowry shipment alone required two boats. For Qin Ge'er's standing, I couldn’t appear shabby either. So I overextended myself, even dipping into my long-hoarded personal savings, but it still wasn’t enough. I even planned to borrow from my family to freshen up the wedding chamber here..."

Yet she made no mention of the assets received from the earlier family division.

Eleventh Miss couldn’t help but feel relieved that she wasn’t currently managing the household accounts.

"This matter should be discussed with Mother," she said with a smile. "Nowadays, household affairs..." Before she could finish, Third Madam interjected, "I know. But I’m too embarrassed to bring it up with her. After all these years without any major expenses, to say I have no money for my eldest son’s wedding—I’d probably get scolded before getting any funds. I was hoping to borrow some from you. Once the wedding gifts arrive, I’ll repay you immediately..."

"Qin Ge'er's wedding is a significant event..." Eleventh Miss replied. "Since I’m not managing the household now, and the embroidery business's dividends won’t come until year-end, how much were you thinking of borrowing...?"

If the amount was too large, it might alert Lord Xu, and Grand Madam would surely find out.

After a moment’s thought, Third Madam said, "The varnish alone will cost over a hundred taels, the wall plastering another hundred or so, plus the drapes and labor... I’d say at least two hundred taels..."

Eleventh Miss breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "It’s as if you peeked into my money box—just a few days ago, the marquis gave me two hundred taels for the Mid-Autumn Festival. You can take that first!" But, she added, instructing Zhuxiang to open the chest, "remember to bring writing materials so you can draw up a promissory note for me!" "A promissory note...?" Third Madam stared at Eleventh Miss in shock, struck speechless with indignation.

Had I known this would happen, I should have gone to the Second Lady. She has always been generous... If it were written in black and white, that money would have to be repaid!

After all this trouble, wouldn't I have just wasted my time!

"I think there's no need to write an IOU!" The Third Lady’s eyes flickered. "Do you not trust me?" Indeed, she did not trust her.

Eleventh Lady smiled as Zhuxiang brought over the silver note and writing materials.

She laid the paper before the Third Lady.

"It's not that I don't trust you, Third Sister. As the saying goes, even close brothers should settle accounts clearly. Without such entanglements, people can be much closer. I'm not urging you to repay the money immediately; I just need a record to give an account to Lord Hou." "Then, then let's forget it..." the Third Lady said, "Since your money needs to be accounted for to Lord Hou, I can't make things difficult for you. I'll go back to my natal home and borrow some more!"

"Supporting your husband's family at your natal home and supporting your natal family at your husband's home. Instead of going back to your natal home to borrow money, why don't we help each other out among sisters-in-law?" Eleventh Lady smiled, "Do you think I might ask you for money in the future? Besides, I don't need this money urgently. Whenever you feel like it, Third Sister..."

The Third Lady’s eyes flickered as she listened.

Fortunately, I've seen the world with the Third Master. Otherwise, I might have thought like Eleventh Lady, believing that holding onto money isn't useful and lending it out will always get it back, plus a favor. But I know that money can generate more money, especially when lent to those who desperately need it, earning interest. Over a few years, it could amount to several hundred taels of silver.

Thinking about this, she hesitated, but then Zhuxiang handed her the ink-dipped brush...

Lending it for now is fine too!

The Third Lady took the brush and wrote the IOU.

Eleventh Lady quickly glanced at it and had Zhuxiang take it away.

Qiu Yu, following Eleventh Lady’s orders, delivered some fine cloth to Amber, who was about to give birth. Mentioning what happened in the room, she couldn’t help but bring up the Third Lady borrowing money: "... Since the IOU is already written, it would be better to specify when the Third Lady will repay the money. Otherwise, this money might be like throwing meat to a dog—gone without return."

Amber, supporting her waist, stood up and took an orange from the chest, handing it to Qiu Yu: "Lady never intended for her to repay it. This is just to prevent her from borrowing again in the future." Qiu Yu thought about it and found it reasonable.

The old debt hasn't been repaid yet; we can't borrow again!

It's just two hundred taels of silver... It does seem quite a lot... However, Lady always has ample funds... During the Mid-Autumn Festival, His Excellency gave her a thousand taels of silver... This amount is nothing in comparison...

Thinking this way, she felt she was being too petty.

She smiled and put the matter out of her mind, taking a half-ripe orange with a joyful expression: "Is this a gift from Lady? A few days ago, the palace bestowed a basket of oranges to Lady..."

It wasn't the season for oranges yet.

"It's not that!" Amber's smile carried an unusual bashfulness, "Your brother-in-law had someone buy them for you..."

Qiu Yu looked at the orange in her hand, smiling behind her hand: "Good sister, if you take it out for me to eat, won't your brother-in-law find out and hold it against me?" Amber blushed: "If there's food, it should be enough to keep your mouth shut!"

Qiu Yu laughed even harder.

She went back and told Niangniang about it.

Niangniang also laughed.

That night, she told Lord Xu about it.

Lord Xu, seeing the delighted Niangniang, couldn't help but tease her: "It's just an orange, though rare, it's not worth being so happy over!" He knew what she was talking about but enjoyed arguing with her just for fun.

Niangniang shot him a glance and turned to enter the washroom.

Lord Xu smiled.

He then spoke to her with a respectful tone.

"Tomorrow, Grand Secretary Dou has invited me for a mountain hike. I plan to take Zhun'er along. Please help check his attire tomorrow..."

Grand Secretary Dou is a newly appointed grand secretary after the "Yang Shi Illegal Profits Case." It's said he's just past forty, upright and resolute, daring to speak and remonstrate.

Eleven Miss chuckled, "He invites you for a hike right after taking office?" Lord Xu smiled, "Otherwise, how could he become a grand secretary..."

Fair point!

Eleven Miss asked, "Who else is going tomorrow? Is it appropriate to bring Zhun'er?" "Just a hike, not a formal occasion. There’ll be a whole entourage of servants and attendants. Consider it a chance to take him out for some fresh air."

Xu Sijie listened with envy.

Xu Sizhun tugged at Eleven Miss’s sleeve, "Mother, could you ask Father to let Xu Sijie come along? He’s got more stamina than I do—he won’t hold anyone back!"

But this wasn’t about holding anyone back. This was the Yongping Marquis appearing in a social setting with the Yongping heir apparent.