Chapter 112: Silent Fortune

Chapter 112: Quietly Amassing Wealth

Just before the Chinese New Year, Chen Yuhu sent an invitation to Mrs. Shi, which came as a bit of a surprise.

On the day Chen Yuhu visited the commandery prince's residence, Mrs. Shi was already waiting at the entrance. The moment Chen Yuhu stepped out of the carriage, Mrs. Shi smiled.

"Inviting me at this time—you must have something to ask of me, right?"

Chen Yuhu smiled ingratiatingly, "My dear sister!"

"Alright, I knew it! So you do need my favor."

They exchanged a glance and both burst into laughter.

Mrs. Shi invited Chen Yuhu inside.

Chen Yuhu held nothing back from Mrs. Shi, explaining the entire situation in detail.

What family matters shouldn't be made public? It wasn't Chen Yuhu’s fault anyway—let the whole world know!

Mrs. Shi also sighed, "So that’s what happened, no wonder you’re in such a hurry."

"But are you still holding a grudge over what happened back then?"

Chen Yuhu, who had been tired from talking, was sipping tea but set down her cup upon hearing this.

"I stopped holding a grudge long ago. That’s all ancient history now."

"However, plotting against my son is absolutely unacceptable!"

Who doesn’t have children?

Mrs. Shi laughed outright, "Old Madam Chen certainly has some bright ideas. I’ll help you with this matter."

"Ah!"

Chen Yuhu stood up in delight, "Thank you so much, sister!"

Mrs. Shi had no reason to refuse. Not only had she heard some interesting gossip, but Chen Yuhu was always generous. Whether this endeavor succeeded or not, Chen Yuhu would owe her a favor.

After completing this task, Chen Yuhu returned home and indeed brought a long list of substantial gifts for Mrs. Shi.

Some were to thank her, while others served as a way to approach the Xiao family.

Then Chen Yuhu returned to her residence to prepare.

While getting ready for the New Year, Chen Yuhu also began preparing a long dowry list.

The things needed for a daughter’s marriage were truly numerous. Qing Jiao’s dowry had been accumulated since childhood, and items that were difficult to prepare had been arranged almost since the marriage discussions began.

So it wasn’t too troublesome, but Chen Yuhu also started taking stock of the timber in the storeroom.

There was still An Zhi to consider!

There wasn't much age difference, so it was just a matter of time.

From large items to small ones, Chen Yuhu prepared each carefully. A dowry was a woman’s security in marriage—now was not the time to economize.

As the eldest daughter, her marriage mustn't be mocked. If the standards were set too low, it would only be even worse for An Zhi and the others when they married.

With so many worries piling up, the court ladies' palace visit on New Year’s Day, though also a headache for Chen Yuhu, seemed less important in comparison.

Chen Yuhu wasn’t worried at all. She knew many people and could simply follow their lead when the time came.

Although the First Rank Imperial Lady held a high position, there were still those of even higher rank!

...

Mrs. Shi did not disappoint Chen Yuhu. She was able to send an invitation to the Xiao family just before the New Year.

The father of the Xiao family currently served as a Provincial Administration Commissioner.

His official rank was not as high as Lin Ji’s, but this was the Xiao family! There were many officials, but families like theirs were rare.

Although these great clans were not what they used to be, a starved camel was still larger than a horse.

Truthfully, Chen Yuhu hadn't been very hopeful.

Mrs. Shi also came from a prominent family and had met the lady of the Xiao family a few times before, though they were not close.

The lady of the Xiao family was surnamed Yuan, hailing from the Runan Yuan clan.

Mrs. Shi was politely ushered in by the servants.

After exchanging pleasantries, she revealed her true intentions.

"The Xiao family has an exceptional daughter, courted by a hundred families."

Madam Yuan smiled but showed no sign of pride. This was no exaggeration—her daughter truly was much sought-after.

In the previous marriage arrangement, she had been unwilling to watch her daughter marry someone who only had family status but was otherwise a good-for-nothing.

Madam Yuan was displeased, and the other party had plenty of faults to pick on.

Although the engagement was eventually broken off, rumors spread that the Xiao daughter was arrogant and jealous.

Madam Yuan wasn’t particularly bothered by this. In families like theirs, some pride was expected.

As for jealousy? Petty people have nothing better to do than resort to such accusations.

Mrs. Shi used all her persuasive skills, well aware that there was a significant difference in status between the Lin family and the Xiao family.

"Mrs. Lin values the Xiao family’s upbringing. Whatever conditions you have, just state them—everything can be discussed."

Madam Yuan smiled, "Is Mrs. Lin really sure? My daughter has just turned seventeen after the New Year, and I plan to keep her at home for at least three more years."

Most daughters from great families did not marry young, to show they're valued.

Moreover, the ancients knew that marrying at a more mature age was better for safe childbirth.

Mrs. Shi laughed, "After the New Year, the young master of the Lin family will be fifteen. Even after three years, he’ll only be eighteen."

"That would be perfect."

This was something Madam Yuan hadn’t thought of.

She hadn’t expected the Lin family’s son to be younger than her own daughter.

Madam Yuan smiled and beat around the bush, implying that matters of marriage require caution and she needed time to consider.

Mrs. Shi took it in stride but urged Madam Yuan to keep the Lin family in mind first.

The rest was up to Madam Yuan to investigate on her own.

Mrs. Shi returned home and wrote to Chen Yuhu, telling her to wait patiently—whether it worked out or not was fate.

Though the words sounded a bit harsh, they were the truth.

Meanwhile, Madam Yuan also sent someone to check out the Lin family’s background.

They weren’t exactly high-society, but in terms of pedigree, they had almost none.

Marquis Lin was a loyalist—that aside, his children were quite decent.

The only one presentable was Mrs. Lin, from the Chen family.

That unlucky one who was badgered into marrying a rustic.

Hearing this, Madam Yuan remembered.

This family… was complicated. Madam Yuan went quiet.

And yet, they came off as the most sincere of all.

Madam Yuan sat silently on the daybed, and her long-serving maid served her a cup of tea.

"Don’t fret, ma’am. There are plenty of fine young men."

"I know, but I don’t want Yu Lu to be picked apart. She’s always had high standards, and she must like him herself."

Madam Yuan's eldest daughter was named Xiao Ni, with the pet name Yulu.

Ni means lush and thriving.

"I don’t really understand these matters, but the young lady must like him, or they might end up a mismatched pair."

"Marquis Zhongyong, the title is hereditary. As long as Marquis Lin can step down safely, our Xiao family will support them in the future."

"It’s a safe bet."

Madam Yuan sighed.

"Send someone to investigate again. I just can’t feel at ease."

"Yes."

Chen Yuhu waited at home for news, not worried in the least.

She was determined and had already planned that if Madam Yuan really refused, she would let Lin Ji use his no-holds-barred approach.

After all, as Lin Ji said, wooing a wife is no disgrace.

At this time, Madam Yuan had no idea that the only one she thought well of, Mrs. Lin, was already planning to resort to strong-arm tactics.

Chen Yuhu had already prepared a long list for the dowry.

She showed it to the girls, especially Qing Jiao, and advised, "Your mother-in-law is well-off, but you must still keep a tight grip on your dowry."

"I’m not afraid of your in-laws coveting it, but greed can turn servants wicked."

"All of you listen—sooner or later, you’ll go through this too."

An Zhi and Yuzhi nodded obediently.

The house didn’t feel festive. Instead, as this was Lin Qingjiao’s last New Year at home, it felt somewhat bittersweet.

Persistence paid off. Mrs. Shi visited the Xiao residence several more times, and Madam Yuan finally agreed to let the two young ones meet during the Lantern Festival.

Chen Yuhu was happy but also thought meeting on the Lantern Festival would be too cold.

Playing their cards close to the chest.

Only a handful of people knew about this matter.