Chapter 124: She Refused

watched the entire thing, and in the end, she was punished by her mother to kneel in the ancestral hall, reflecting on her mistakes before the ancestors. She was confined for half a month and also cop...As soon as these words were spoken, a hush fell over the room.

Zhang Shi was startled. Meng Jin Yao had been married for some time now, but her mother-in-law had never mentioned the matter of dowry. She thought her mother-in-law felt that Meng Jin Yao was too young and incapable, so she hadn't brought it up. Unexpectedly, she brought it up today.

Mrs. Chen wasn't very surprised; it was something she had expected, just a matter of time. She glanced at Mrs. Zhang and saw her face change several times. Mrs. Chen smiled faintly.

She was originally appointed by her mother-in-law to help Zhang manage the household finances as a way to balance the power between the first and second wives. Her own husband wasn't particularly impartial; although he held a position in the Ministry of Rites, reaching the rank of Fifth Rank Assistant Minister, it was still a lower position than the honorary title held by the eldest wife. Therefore, there was no need for her to manage the household finances to maintain appearances.

Not only did Zhang shi's face change color, but even Gu Jing sheng's face slightly changed. Since Meng Jin yao married in, he had heard Zhang shi's analysis that if the first wife lost the right to mediate, they would be half a head shorter than the second and third wives.

And Meng Jinyáo's face flashed a hint of surprise, then she calmly observed the expressions of those present.

Seeing their varied expressions, Madam Gu could guess what they were thinking without even asking. She then inquired, "Do you have any opinions on this matter"

Zhang quickly regained her composure and smiled: "Mother, your daughter-in-law also feels that it's time to hand over the household accounts to the third sister-in-law."

Chen gave her a knowing look, her smile deepening as she softly agreed, "Mother, your daughter-in-law agrees. Third sister is now the Houfu mistress and will eventually take control of the household. As we haven't become grandmothers yet, there's no need to worry about grandchildren. We have time to lend a hand and help third sister with the household affairs."

Hearing this, Old Madam Gu nodded slightly and made the final decision: "Since everyone has no objections, then the household affairs will be handed over to Yao'er to manage. Yao'er is still young and inexperienced, so the eldest daughter-in-law and second daughter-in-law should help her out."

No sooner had her voice fallen than Meng Jin Yao's voice rose: "Mother, I have an objection."

Everyone looked at her, puzzled.

Elder Madam Gu questioned, “A Yao, what are your thoughts”

Meng Jin Yao replied, "Mother, actually my sister-in-law mentioned to me a long time ago that she wanted to hand over the middle feedback to me, but I refused."

She paused, looked at Zhang and Chen, and said humbly, "I am still inexperienced. I'm afraid I'm not capable enough. Big Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law are doing a good job managing things. Why don't you let them continue I can learn from them every day. When I have learned enough, it's not too late for me to take over the management. What do you think"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

This is a great opportunity to monopolize the power of giving out gifts. If it were someone else's wife, she would have to work hard to take it from her sisters-in-law. But this woman, her mother-in-law voluntarily offered it to her, and she refused

The bird that was already in my grasp has flown away, and now it wants to fly back. Zhang's mood has experienced ups and downs in a short period of time. She looked at Meng Jin Yao in disbelief, finding that she didn't seem to be making excuses. For a moment, she was puzzled and couldn't understand why she would do this.

Chen's reaction was quite perplexing. In the place of another, they would have readily agreed to such a proposal. Holding the reins of power within a wealthy household was a symbol of a woman's authority and status in the inner quarters.

After a moment of silence, Gu Jingxi opened his mouth and said, "Mother, if that's the case, then let elder sister-in-law and second sister-in-law continue to manage Zhongkui affairs together. Let Ay Yao gain experience and be competent later."

Since even her own son and daughter-in-law said so, Madam Gu, though doubtful in her heart, couldn't force it. She nodded lightly: "Alright then, let the eldest and second daughters-in-law continue to be in charge of the offerings."

Zhang and Chen replied with a smile: "Yes, Mother"

Then, the family chatted for a while longer. Old Mrs. Gu felt tired and finally sent them away.

People's thoughts are varied, and successively there emerged the Shou'an Hall.

Zhang and Chen walked side by side. Although the two sisters-in-law often bickered in private, on a day like this, they could only whisper to each other about it. They couldn't tell Meng Jin Yao.

Zhang glanced at Meng Jin Yao, who had already walked down a different path with Gu Jingxi, and softly asked, "Second younger sister-in-law, what do you think of Third younger sister's actions today Looking at the commotion she caused with her family, it doesn't seem like she's incapable of handling the role of middlewoman."

Hearing this, Chen's footsteps faltered slightly. She gave her a meaningful glance and replied, "What does it matter what her intentions are For your elder sister-in-law, the outcome is all that matters, isn't it"

Zhang's face froze instantly, and she let out a light snort: "Could it be that for the second sister-in-law, this result is not a good thing"

Chen smiled faintly and said, "No matter the result, I don't care. After all, Second Master is quite capable. Our Second House doesn't need to rely on the palm of your hand to raise our status in the house."

A light sentence, yet it pierced Zhang's heart. Her face instantly turned grim. Of her husband's three brothers, her husband was the most mediocre, incapable of shouldering any responsibility. He had spent his whole life trying to climb the ranks but achieved nothing. All he had was a sinecure with a salary. Their position in the family had only risen because she managed their household finances well.

Seeing her dark face, the curve of Chen's mouth deepened. Then she said, "Big sister-in-law, since the third younger sister doesn't want to manage the middle channel, let us help her manage it well. When she wants to manage it again, we'll return it to her."

Zhang shi heard this and felt a pang of unease in her heart. The thing she was unwilling to let go of, something she held dear, was now within easy reach for others. Though it was still in her possession, the moment someone desired its return, she would have no choice but to give it back.

Chen said softly, persuading her: “Big sister-in-law, don’t overthink it. What doesn’t belong to us is useless to dwell on. Cherish the present, at least we once had it, didn't we”

Zhang took a deep breath, suppressing the displeasure in her heart, and replied with a smile: "What Second Sister-in-law said is true. However, although our eldest brother is not capable, Xiuwen is quite capable. He even had to be personally recommended by Third Brother in front of Master Shan before going to Ling Shan Academy."

As soon as she finished speaking, the smile on Mrs. Chen's face froze.

Seeing that they finally managed to win a round, Zhang's face held a touch more genuineness in her smile. The joy in her heart overflowed into her expression. Her effort had caught the attention of the Third Mistress and her mother-in-law; perhaps she truly would be adopted into the Third House as the heir apparent As long as her son became the heir apparent, wouldn't it be easy for her to control everything Xiuwen was her biological child, wouldn't she help the Big House in the future

Chen saw her smug expression and felt depressed. She smiled sarcastically and said, "Sister-in-law, some things haven't even happened yet. Be careful not to expect too much, lest you be disappointed. Maybe the other party isn't thinking this way at all, but you've overthought it."

Hearing this, Zhang's face stiffened for a moment. She feigned ignorance and replied, "Second sister-in-law, I don't understand what you're saying Our Xiuwen is going to Ling Shan Academy to study. What else could he possibly be thinking about Whether he can pass the imperial examinations in the future depends on his own abilities. We as parents can't control the outcome."

Chen said meaningfully, "In the end, you can't control the outcome, all you can do is hope that your sister-in-law gets her wish." Marchioness, the highest-ranking woman in the Gu family after the matriarch. She has inexhaustible silver, maids and servants attending to her, fine clothes and delicious food, and no concubines to c...