Chapter 40: The Duty of a Wife
Chapter 40: The Duty of a Wife
The second madam did indeed go to Heitaniang.
Meng Qianqian smiled slightly. "Aunt, it was my younger sister who broke the vase. With my father and mother still around, how could I, as the eldest sister-in-law, overstep my boundaries?"
The second madam forced a smile. "The eldest brother is like a father, and the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother. Besides, the Zhao family is in trouble, and you lent them 10,000 taels of silver. How about this—let that amount be considered a loan from you to me instead!"
At most, she wouldn't return it. What could this girl do to her?
Meng Qianqian could see right through her little scheme. She smiled and said, "Is the second madam really out of silver? What a coincidence. I happened to go through the accounts of the estate the other day and found that there were quite a few discrepancies in the second household's accounts. Why don't we call Yang, the steward, to ask him about it?"
As soon as these words left her mouth, the second madam's face changed.
The old madam was, of course, aware that the second household had embezzled some silver. However, she didn't know the exact amount.
This was because one of the old madam's three trusted stewards, a man surnamed Yang, had been bought by the second madam. The second madam had always thought that she had hidden her actions perfectly and never expected that Meng Qianqian would discover them!
The second madam felt a twinge of guilt. She raised her hand to touch the jade hairpin in her hair and laughed dryly, "What accounts? I'm not the one in charge... Perhaps it was a mistake by one of the servants. I'll ask your second uncle about it later!"
Meng Qianqian asked innocently, "Then, about that silver... Does the second madam still want to borrow it?"
The second madam hurriedly waved her hand. "Never mind, never mind! You also have it tough. I'll think of another way, second aunt will."
After leaving Heitaniang, the second madam gritted her teeth. "That little brat! She's like a completely different person. No wonder even Mother fell for her act!"
The second madam went to look for Madam Lu again, but she claimed to be unwell and refused to see her. Eventually, she made her way to the old madam's courtyard.
The old madam picked up her stick and chased her out.
Lu Erye couldn't bear to watch anymore. "Just take it out yourself! You have the money, don't you? How much silver have you embezzled from Qianqian over the years? Can't you even come up with 10,000 taels?"
The second madam grumbled, "What do you know? That 10,000 taels... was meant to be Linglong's dowry!"
Lu Erye said, "What's the point of a dowry if she loses her life?"
"But she's back, isn't she?" The second madam muttered, her eyes flashing. "It was a debt that Lingxiao owed..."
Lu Erye said impatiently, "You can deceive Qianqian, and Mother and Eldest Brother turn a blind eye. But if you dare to involve Lingxiao, they won't hesitate to kill you!"
The second madam almost tore her handkerchief apart. "I know, I know! Mother might kill me, but Eldest Brother definitely won't! He's such a kind person!"
Lu Erye wanted to say something but stopped himself. He waved his hand. "Never mind that. Go to the governor's mansion and return the silver!"
Reluctantly, the second madam went.
What she returned was a silver ticket.
She handed over the money and took back the IOU.
Cen, the steward, delivered the silver ticket to Lu Lingxiao with a smile.
"Governor."
"Hmm?" Lu Lingxiao replied absentmindedly without even lifting his eyelids.
Cen placed the silver ticket on the small table and retreated with a bow.
Baoshi, using both her hands and feet, crawled over quickly. Her little chubby hand reached for the silver ticket on the table and stuffed it into her little pouch.
Lu Lingxiao coldly humphed, "Who allowed you to take it?"
Baoshi cried out fiercely, "Wawa!"
As if to say, I earned it!
Lu Family.
Madam Lu claimed to be unwell and stayed in her courtyard to rest. It wasn't entirely an act, as she truly wasn't feeling well.
"Madam..."
Yu Lian knocked on the curtain and entered, hesitating to speak.
Madam Lu sighed. "She's here again?"
Yu Lian hesitated. "It's not the second madam. It's... Wu Mama. Should I tell her that you're resting?"
Madam Lu shook her head. "Let her in."
"Yes."
Yu Lian led Wu Mama into the room.
Wu Mama first performed a courtesy to Madam Lu before taking out a medicine bottle from her sleeve and placing it on the table. With an air of importance, she said, "The young master is already able to get out of bed, and I believe he will fully recover soon. Madam, please choose a date for the first madam to drink this medicine so that she can conceive a legitimate son for the Lu family."
Upon seeing that Madam Lu remained silent, Mama Wu smiled and said, "This old servant knows that you care for the eldest young madam, and the Old Madam is only doing this for the eldest young madam's own good. The eldest young madam is not as favored as Miss Lin, and without a son by her side, how will she live the rest of her life? It would be different if she had a legitimate son. Even if Miss Lin continues to cause trouble, the family business will eventually belong to the legitimate son!"
Madam Lu said, "Qianqian is still young, and there's no rush for her to start having children."
Mama Wu countered, "The First Madam is already carrying the young master's child at her age!"
Madam Lu coldly replied, "That's still no reason to take medicine!"
Mama Wu huffed, "She injured her body when she fell into the water. Without this medicine, she'll never be able to conceive! Furthermore, this medicine is expensive. Others might not be willing to spend so much on their daughters-in-law! The young master's reputation has been damaged, and if the First Madam can give birth to a legitimate son, it will help restore his reputation somewhat. First Madam, the young master is your own son. Surely you wouldn't disregard his future and career?"
Madam Lu tightened her grip on her handkerchief. "No matter how you put it, have you ever asked her if she's willing?"
Mama Wu said, "It's her duty as a wife and daughter-in-law to continue the family line. She can't be allowed to have her way! This old servant has said all that needs to be said. First Madam, please take care of this matter quickly!"
After Mama Wu left, Yu Lian looked at Madam Lu with concern. "First Madam..."
Madam Lu covered her mouth with her handkerchief and started coughing violently.
When she lowered the handkerchief, Yu Lian's face paled. "Madam, you're coughing blood again. I'll go call for a doctor!"
Madam Lu shook her head and stopped her, her eyes falling on the medicine bottle as she bitterly smiled. "The Old Madam thought I didn't know, but the medicine she gave me back then... was this medicine."
In the Hall of Crab Apples...
Tan'er had new clothes.
She was small, and the clothes she had worn the previous days were all old and had belonged to Banxia from a few years ago. They barely fit her, and since they were old, they weren't very warm.
Meng Qianqian had asked Mama Li to make her a new set.
"Do you like it?" Meng Qianqian asked.
Tan'er admired her new clothes, her eyes sparkling. "I like it!"
"Let's fold the sleeves a bit more," Mama Li said as she adjusted the cuffs of Tan'er's sleeves.
"Tonight," Tan'er said.
She wanted to wear it for a full day first!
Tan'er linked arms with Meng Qianqian. "Sister, are we going out today?"
"Do you want to go out?" Meng Qianqian asked.
Tan'er pouted. "Of course! I have to show off my new clothes!"
Mama Li was both annoyed and amused. "You didn't get enough of climbing the mountain yesterday. Let your sister rest for a few days. Not everyone has as much energy as you!"
Tan'er frowned deeply, as if she had suffered a great injustice, then smiled as she thought of something. "Sister! Aren't you looking for the accountant? I'll go in your stead and see if I can find him!"
Meng Qianqian considered the idea. "Alright, I'll have Wu Ge'er send you to the moneylender."
"Let's go! Let's go!"
Tan'er excitedly ran out of the courtyard.
Meng Qianqian smiled and withdrew her gaze.
Mama Li said with relief, "Miss truly likes Tan'er."
Meng Qianqian glanced at the clothes in the embroidery basket. "Mama Li likes her too, don't you?"
She had only asked Mama Li to make one set of clothes because she didn't want to burden her with too much work.
But now, Mama Li had already made half of the second set.
Mama Li said awkwardly, "This girl may eat a lot, but she works hard."
Banxia said sourly, "Yes, including breaking seven plates, ten bowls, burning a pot, and exploding a kettle?"
Mama Li coughed.
Meng Qianqian burst out laughing.
Banxia said, "Miss!"
Meng Qianqian smiled. "I like Banxia too."
Banxia blushed shyly.
Just then, a servant reported, "Someone from the palace has arrived and is summoning Miss Meng Qianqian and Miss Lin Wan'er."
(End of Chapter)
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