The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits
Chapter 287 - 291: Conflict in the Inner Courtyard (17)

Chapter 287: Chapter 291: Conflict in the Inner Courtyard (17)

Old Madam had always confined her son in her Jingxin Hall, not allowing him to leave.

A servant came to report that Madam was looking for Lord, and upon hearing this, Old Madam started to weep and sigh with grief.

Su Shi wanted to leave but dared not, torn between his elderly mother and his beloved wife.

In the past, Old Madam would pity her son and not wish to trouble him, as a mother always steps back for her child.

But now she realized she could not let things continue unchecked.

Once Old Madam truly hardened her heart, Su Shi could not defy her.

As a court official, if he left first today, soon after rumors of his unfilial behavior and being infatuated with women would be pinned on him.

Now his already poor reputation would likely worsen.

Originally, he had only asked the Emperor for a few days’ leave, but just then, he received news from palace personnel; the Holy Emperor didn’t specify, but from Su Shi’s own inference, due to the adviser’s blunt admonitions, the Emperor wanted him to rest at home for a longer period.

Once a man tasted the benefits of power, where would he willingly give it up?

Su Shi being idle at home with no foreseeable return to his duties, years of relentless pursuit destroyed in a moment, he could hardly be content.

The chaos outside and the quarrels between the two women at home gave him a headache.

One could imagine how terrible Su Shi felt right now.

He kept glancing at Old Madam, hoping she would notice the difficulty evident on his face.

Old Madam saw it, a flicker of compassion crossed her heart, her lips moved slightly but ultimately, she pressed them shut.

She masked it with a light cough, then picked up the ginseng tea beside her and took a few sips before turning to another topic, "Now that Gai Yinyin has become Dowager An, seeing the Holy Emperor’s intention seems to be to grant her favor, her dowry..."

Speaking of this, Su Shi was somewhat aware, especially since it was widely known outside.

Duke Ying not only divorced his first wife but also greedily pocketed her dowry.

Heaven and earth as witnesses, he hadn’t thought much of it at the time.

Back then, Gai Yinyin’s dowry had already filled the holes in the family ledger, and the one thousand taels he gave her were emptied from his private funds.

There really wasn’t any spare silver left at home.

Moreover, considering Gai Yinyin with a sickly daughter, their expenses couldn’t be that high; even with the given one thousand taels, there was likely still some surplus.

Who would have thought, truly after more than ten years, they came to dredge up old accounts.

It was truly detestable.

Su Shi gritted his teeth and said, "Give it back to them."

Old Madam: "Although our mansion’s days have improved, if we were to return the items on Gai Yinyin’s dowry list untouched, it would still strain our resources."

"Moreover, many books and paintings have been pawned. If converted to the corresponding amount of silver... Our account balance, I’m afraid, might not suffice."

The one who came later, aside from bringing a burdensome daughter, was just by herself and couldn’t be relied upon.

"Rather than having that daughter come to demand it, we might as well take the initiative to return it ourselves, which would look better in terms of reputation," Su Shi’s face was especially grim.

"Besides, the Holy Emperor is currently paying a lot of attention to them; it would also be in line with His Majesty’s intention."

Old Madam also thought this, which prompted her to bring up this issue.

According to her true feelings, what’s eaten is eaten; how could it be spat out again.

Moreover, it wasn’t just a matter of a few Silver Taels, it was almost depleting the entire Duke Ying Mansion.

Over the years, the family had painstakingly saved a small fortune...

The Old Madam thought for a moment and still took out a brass keychain from her clothes, "This is the key to my private reserve, take it."

"Inside, there’s my marital dowry and some other treasures... all together, it should be enough."

This keychain was something she had never thought of using, even during the toughest times at the Duke Ying Mansion, thanks to Gai Yinyin.

Unexpectedly, after all the twists and turns, she still had to take it out.

Su Shi hesitated before taking the keychain from the Old Madam’s hand, "After we resolve the current predicament, I must replenish everything for my mother."

The Old Madam waved her hand, "It’s fine, after all, these things will eventually be left for you and the two grandsons at home."

Gai Yinyin was pulling Su Li, who was bent over, taking out one peculiar item after another that the Emperor had awarded.

The initial novelty, after seeing too much, had also numbed them.

Gai Yinyin played with a black sandalwood Buddha Bead for a while, pouted her lips, "This thing doesn’t even feel as good as the one you gave me."

Su Li came over as well, glanced casually, and said with an unconcerned smile, "Well, since they’re all for you, just wear them for fun."

Just as they were chatting happily, they heard a knock on the door.

Gai Yinyin looked up alertly, "It’s not them again, is it?"

She was so nervous because of the Duke Ying Mansion; every time the bell under the eaves rang, those knocking were associated with the Duke Ying Mansion.

How could they be so persistent?

Su Li, however, was calming the nearly agitated Gai Yinyin, "Why not go out and see, it might be something good."

When they opened the door, there were boxes, one after another, carried by the servants of the Duke Ying Mansion, explaining their purpose before quickly leaving.

Gai Yinyin, looking at the familiar chests and old objects from her memories, her eyes reddened in an instant.

"This item, your grandfather specially got it for me from outside, and this... it’s your grandmother’s marital dowry, passed from your great grandmother to her, and then to me..."

And after a significant financial draining, the account books of the Duke Ying Mansion now showed not a single Silver Coin.

The daily provision of bird’s nest for the ladies in the mansion had been discontinued.

Zhu Liusha couldn’t find her husband, and overwhelmed by Su Ying’s tearful helplessness, her face had grown much more haggard.

Then came the time for her daily bird’s nest, yet the kitchen staff did not bring out the dessert for a long time.

Upon inquiring, they learned that it was instructed by Lord Duke Mansion.

Not only for Zhu Liusha, the Lady of the house, but also for the two young ladies and the young master, their standard meals were drastically reduced from six dishes and one soup, one appetizer, and a dessert to just three dishes and one soup.

Part of the shops and good fields owned by the Duke Ying Mansion, which usually brought in considerable income, belonged to Gai Yinyin’s marital dowry, and some had been sold for money.

Without that extra income, just relying on Su Shi’s official salary, although sufficient for a comfortable life, was far from enough for luxury.

Indeed, in the Capital, none of the high-ranking officials and royal descendants lived solely on their official salaries.

The changes in the household were most profoundly felt by Su Ying, her already sensitive disposition became even more obstinate.

Previously, the household was always loving, and Su Ying had always had it easy; her flaws were never noticed. Now, as they become increasingly apparent, even though Zhu Liusha noticed them, she found it impossible to correct.

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