CHAPTER 148: CHAPTER 148: THE JOYOUS OCCASION (3)

"Don’t say any more." Xiqiu pressed her hand, "Though we have no money now, money is dead, people are alive... The four of you by my side, no matter who gets married someday, I will provide such a dowry. Even if you are maids in the mansion, you should not be looked down upon when you go out. You should discuss among yourselves how to use this money. I am completely ignorant of dowry matters and cannot help. If you’re unsure, you might as well ask Nanny Qian. She is older and has seen more things."

The three of them all looked startled and hung their heads silently. The difficulties of their young lady were the most clear to them. They well knew how long it had taken to save the fifty taels of silver, how many pockets they had embroidered.

Xiqiu also sighed silently. What was supposed to be a joyful occasion had turned into a sad affair because of money.

"Then I’ll set aside ten taels to keep at the bottom of my box, and spend forty taels on a dowry. Manager Lai has money anyway; when I marry, I won’t be short of my usual allowance." Chunyan shook her head to stop Siliu, "Forty taels is too much. I remember when Sister Ziyun, who served Lady, got married a few years ago, Lady only gave her twenty taels. We shouldn’t surpass the women in Lady’s household. Twenty taels from a few years ago; if you’re on par with Ziyun, it’s not considered surpassing her. Listen to the young lady and keep the rest of the money on you; it’ll be useful in the future. Manager Lai has money, but it’s his money. If you have money yourself when you marry, you can also stand tall!"

Siliu nodded convincingly, and Sixing also agreed, "Then let’s make a list tomorrow and buy everything on it. With these few days, time is tight."

Xiqiu pointed to the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone on the table, "Don’t wait until tomorrow; let’s make it now!" She went out and called Chunliu inside. The four of them closed the door and busied themselves until the hour of the boar (9 p.m.). Nanny Song listened for a long time by the window under the eaves without hearing anything, only feeling puzzled.

Early the next morning, everyone in the mansion was busy sending off the First Master. At the second gate, Lady stood at the forefront, directing the maids and servants to load the boxes onto the cart. The Second Lady was also helping on one side, while Madam Mei followed beside Lady with a dark expression, and Madam Xia, though she stayed at the back, had a calm demeanor. Xiqiu breathed a sigh of relief; she feared Madam Xia would feel upset despite having refused the First Master, but it seemed she had overthought.

The First Master was talking to the Second Master, with Tong Shen Zhi, Tong Quanzhi, and Tong Minzhi surrounding him on both sides. Xu Tianqing was overseeing the inspection of the boxes with Manager Lai. When he saw Xiqiu coming, his eyes lit up first, then his face revealed a faint smile.

"Why are you so late!" Lady looked at her daughters with some displeasure, her gaze landing on Tong Xiyan’s face before resting on Tong Xiyang, who had not shown up for a long time, and slightly frowned before saying to them, "Go quickly to bid farewell to your father."

Tong Xiyang wore a peach blossom-patterned overcoat and a goose-yellow embroidered skirt today, with light makeup, her brows and eyes having thinned quite a bit, losing some of their sharpness. She smiled and led Xiqiu and the others elegantly to the First Master, curtsied, and the First Master barely discernibly frowned when he saw her. Without unnecessary words, he skipped over her to look at the other three daughters, "At home, listen to your mother, learn to manage household affairs..." saying a few words about being careful, filial, and obedient.

Tong Xiyang’s face turned ashen immediately, and she couldn’t help swaying as she stood.

The First Master remained unaware and turned his head to give instructions to his sons. When it was the youngest, Tong Minzhi’s turn, the First Master paused slightly. Among so many people, only his eyes reddened. Seeing him look over, Tong Minzhi hurriedly wiped his eyes and forced a smile.

The First Master smiled slightly, as usual, without showing excessive warmth.

Lady led a few concubines forward to bid farewell to the First Master. Xiqiu looked at them in confusion, tilting her head to search for Madam Luo’s figure. In such a situation, Madam Luo should have appeared. She was startled as she thought about it, then saw Sujin standing by a carriage at the back, smiling and chatting with several other maids.

Could it be settled with Madam Luo in the end?

While thinking, she saw the curtain of the carriage lifted from inside, indeed revealing Madam Luo’s charming face. Seeing Xiqiu, she smiled slightly, and Xiqiu also felt happy for her, nodding in return. Madam Luo let go and dropped the curtain.

Xiqiu looked at Madam Xia. At this moment, Madam Xia also looked over. The two exchanged glances, and Madam Xia shook her head at Xiqiu to signal it was fine, with a look of happiness for Madam Luo in her eyes.

She suddenly understood that compared to Madam Xia and Madam Mei, with no other choice, childless Madam Luo was the most suitable. No matter how favored she was, it was only temporary. When she aged, she wouldn’t escape Lady’s control.

The First Master wouldn’t let anyone see him out of the city, but only stopped at the second gate. No one dared defy him, and thus they happily sent him and Madam Luo off.

Everyone still had things to do: the Second Master had to go to the government office, Tong Shen Zhi was going to the academy, Tong Minzhi and Tong Quanzhi rushed to school. Left with Xu Tianqing, he couldn’t stay in the inner courtyard any longer, and everyone dispersed at the second gate. The Second Lady bid farewell to Lady, "In a few days, it’s the second girl’s memorial day. Every year, we send someone to the temple to offer incense money. This year, I want to see for myself." She wiped her tears, "Big Sister has been busy all morning, you should go rest too."

Lady held her hand, offering comforting words. When mentioning the second young lady, her expression turned odd; they were all family, and it was regrettable for the second young lady to pass away, but then again, if she hadn’t, Tong Xihua wouldn’t have had this marriage. So sometimes, fate seems predetermined; even without striving, the wealthy may still live sumptuous lives.

"Sister-in-law shouldn’t worry too much, the second young lady was like a fairy; even after departing, she is likely enjoying blessings. As elders, it’s natural not to want to part, but we should care for ourselves too!"

The Second Lady wiped her eyes, "Then I’ll take my leave now." She said, leading her maids and servants away through the corridor back to the second house.

Lady turned to look at the two concubines, smiling, "You’ve also been busy all morning with me; go rest now!" The two concubines, each with unspoken thoughts, curtseyed and left with their maids.

"Mother!" Tong Xiyan didn’t wait for Lady to speak, she smiled and went forward to hold Lady’s hand, "I didn’t plan on leaving, please give us lunch!" Lady laughed, receiving a pat on the hand, happiness in her eyes. Still, her own child knew that with the First Master gone, she’d feel low, hence she came to cheer her up.

Nanny Fang was also full of smiles. With several young ladies around, she wasn’t worried about Lady feeling sad.

"Let’s go then!" Lady smiled at Xiqiu and the others, "I also have something to say to you."