CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: POWER IN HAND!

EDITOR: ATLAS STUDIOS

Mrs. Li Zhou was really fuming, what kind of madness was this one by one? It’s one thing for the elder and second daughters-in-law, but now even the daughter...

She just stopped short of giving this ungrateful daughter a slap!

"No, daughter doesn’t care for any dowry! If I can’t marry into a good family, my life is over!"

"You... You stubborn girl, can’t you understand? The dowry is yours, the husband’s assets have nothing to do with you. Without some dowry, it’s hard to live in the husband’s family. You... You really want to drive your mother to death!"

"I don’t care, I just want to learn embroidery. My third sister-in-law used to be a lady of distinction, she surely knows how to play the piano and sing. I’ll ask her to teach me in the future! Mother, you love me the most, please help me!"

"You... Oh, this is truly a sin!"

Long Yue couldn’t hear Mrs. Li Zhou’s wails, as she was busy with Li Qingmu choosing ready-made clothes at the Embroiderers’ Pavilion.

Yun Niang watched as the couple tried on clothes, unable to help but envy, and said, "This young lady has truly married a good husband! So noble and graceful, with such clear and handsome features; he’ll surely be a phoenix among men in the future!"

"Thank you, Madam, for the compliment. I also think my husband can stand out."

"Oh my, you little lady are really straightforward. Anyone else would have shown some modesty."

In the time it took Long Yue and Yun Niang to joke, Li Qingmu had already tried on the clothes. After Long Yue took a look, she said, "These two, the dark blue and this deep purple."

Long Yue felt that dark clothing suited her husband better; after all, who had such a cunning and deep-thinking mind?

Moreover, these deep colors gave him a more straight and tall appearance, energetic, and wouldn’t let others underestimate him.

After they paid, they left the Embroiderers’ Pavilion. Shortly after, another woman walked in.

"Madam."

"Miss Zhou, is there anything you need?"

The woman entering was Zhou Zhiqin, Long Yue’s distant cousin. The Zhou Family had a bit of repute locally, and Yun Niang quickly approached to greet her.

"The woman who just left, does she often sell embroidery here?"

"She does..."

Yun Niang carefully responded, worried that she might make some excessive demands. Last time, when she clashed with Long Yue, the boss lady saw it all.

Fortunately, Zhou Zhiqin simply nodded and smiled, "Then let’s see the embroidery she made!"

Yun Niang quickly took out a new batch of Long Yue’s embroidery.

"Tsk!" Zhou Zhiqin casually picked up a double-sided embroidered handkerchief and looked it over. She said sharply, "Such a pity, a proper young lady reduced to selling her craft to survive. If it were me, if I fell this low, I’d rather end it!"

Yun Niang bowed her head, unsure of what to say.

"Wrap these two pieces for me!"

Following instructions, Yun Niang wrapped them up, after which Zhou Zhiqin took the embroidered handkerchiefs and left. Outside, she spoke to the maid beside her, "Send this to the Capital City, and this one... Haha, who is the most notorious womanizer in Qingtian County? Give it to that womanizer, and then... do it this way..."

Having issued her instructions, Zhou Zhiqin showed a vicious and satisfied look in her eyes.

The following days, Long Yue really did as she said – ignoring everything. Either accompanying her husband to shop for travel necessities, or staying indoors embroidering. When bothered by Li Qingxue, she’d escape to the Chai Family for respite.

Chai Qiao’er heard Long Yue’s complaints and shook her head, "Your mother-in-law really is..."

How to put it? She didn’t want to comment on others’ family matters, so she just shook her head helplessly, but this showed a certain attitude.

"Since Mother-in-law thinks I’m in her way, I’ll just move out for a few days!"

Long Yue pouted, complaining. But Chai Qiao’er shook her head, "That seems imprudent? Additionally, a woman living outside is quite dangerous?"

"True, I’ll come to you during the day, work on embroidery together, and go back at night, alright?"

"Great, that would be wonderful, I have so much to learn from sister-in-law!"

Thus, Long Yue spent her days at Chai Qiao’er’s place. Yet she couldn’t just freeload, so she’d buy a large skewer of meat to take along.

Zhang Meihua saw her bring a basket of meat over and was so green with envy that she stormed into Mrs. Li Zhou’s room to make a fuss.

"Mother, hurry and call her back! Such a big skewer of meat, gifting it to the Chai Family? Mother, I don’t know what’s wrong with your mind, this household was fine with the third sister-in-law managing it. There’s food and drink, not to mention silver in the future... Third sister-in-law discussed with me about cultivating the land behind our house for medicinal herbs. See, father’s medicine problem will be solved!"

Zhang Meihua’s loud voice naturally reached Old Li. He stroked his less-than-nimble legs, the man who usually ignored everything, and spoke up for once.

"Old partner, we’re both getting on in years. How many years of peace and happiness can we enjoy? Just don’t fight with the youngsters, let go of what can be let go."

The words lacked force, but the wise understood, the real decision-maker had spoken. Whether Mrs. Li Zhou wanted to relinquish power or not, she had to.

In the evening, Long Yue saw Mrs. Wang come over smiling to invite her back, with eager fawning on her face, reminiscent of her experiences facing subordinates at the Minister Mansion.

Shaking off these random thoughts, Long Yue followed Mrs. Wang back home.

At home, everyone was present. Mrs. Li Zhou’s face was pale, the veins on her hand stood out, twitching visibly, it didn’t look good. Old Li sat nearby smoking, pretending to be invisible.

Both the elder and second son’s families were watching closely, Mrs. Li Zhou awkwardly handed the land deed, house deed, and other items to Long Yue.

"Mother, I remember you have quite a bit of silver?"

Mrs. Li Zhou’s eyelid twitched fiercely, and she was slightly agitated: "Why... why are you asking about this?"

"Mother, I don’t want anything else, but A Xue’s ten taels of silver, you should hand it over to her for safekeeping."

"How can that be? She manages it herself, can she manage it well? If she squanders it, who will she cry to?"

Seeing that Long Yue wasn’t going to take the silver, Mrs. Li Zhou slightly relaxed but was vexed as Long Yue insisted it be given to Li Qingxue.

"Mother, I’ll manage it well."

Li Qingxue’s eyes brightened, she had long wanted to ask her mother for this money but never dared. Today, she benefited from the third sister-in-law’s glory!

"Mother, you’re misguided here, A Xue has always been a sensible girl, knows her limits well. She’ll keep this money safe, not waste it. Isn’t that right, A Xue?"

"Yes, Mother, give it to me!"

Mrs. Li Zhou was unwilling, but since things had reached this point, she had no choice but to give the ten taels of silver to Li Qingxue.

Then, Long Yue spoke with a serious air, "They say a new official sets three fires upon taking office, I certainly can’t be slack. There’s something I need to discuss with everyone."