When Shen Zhiyi took the dowry, the whole city realized that even the renovation of the mansion was funded by the daughter-in-law.

This caused the Song family to become a laughing stock in the entire city.

"Miss, the doctor who went to the Marquis's residence to treat her said that the old lady suffered a heart attack from the stress and will probably be bedridden for the rest of her life." Hongrui quickly informed Shen Zhiyi upon receiving the news.

She was holding a book, sitting in the shade to get some fresh air; the summer heat was making it even hotter.

Green Lotus sneered, "Serves them right. Who told them to bully our girl? This is retribution."

"That's right, the Marquis's mansion is doomed."

"I never imagined that the inner courtyard of the Marquis's mansion would be in Cui Lan's hands now."

...

Turquoise?

She deserves a lot of credit for the old lady's current state.

Shen Zhiyi's lips curled slightly as she slowly turned the pages of her book. "Send someone to keep a close eye on Song Ruoying."

"Miss?" Hongrui asked, puzzled, but still did as she was told.

She has almost emptied the huge Marquis's mansion. This month, they probably won't even be able to pay the servants' monthly wages. They urgently need to solve this problem, and the best solution is a marriage alliance.

Song Yuxiu was dismissed, and Song Shaohuai was still young.

The most efficient way is to marry Song Ruoying off.

Given the current situation of the Marquis's mansion, it's unlikely anyone would dare to marry her, unless she becomes a concubine or marries a merchant.

Song Ruoying is proud and arrogant, so she would definitely not agree.

No matter the outcome, she cannot allow the Song family to have a chance to turn things around!

——

Xuanhua Marquis's Residence

"...Doctor, is there really no other way? Please save my mother." Five or six doctors had already been seen, and all of them shook their heads when they saw the old lady's condition.

Upon hearing this, Song Maozhang collapsed to the ground.

"The old lady's condition is caused by excessive internal heat, leading to a stroke. Even the imperial physicians couldn't cure this," the doctor stated bluntly. "And..."

The doctor seemed to have something difficult to say.

"Please feel free to speak your mind," Song Maozhang said.

“When I took the prince’s pulse, I found that his body was severely weakened, or perhaps he had suffered internal damage from the caning. In addition to being childless, he will probably also be unable to have sexual relations in the future.”

Upon hearing this, Song Maozhang felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.

I almost fainted!

"My lord, please don't be sad. The doctor said that as long as we take good care of her, the old lady still has a chance to recover. I will also pay close attention to the young master."

Cui Lan's soft words of comfort, her gentle and considerate manner, warmed Song Maozhang's heart.

"You'll have to work hard."

“It’s not hard work, it’s just…” Cui Lan stammered.

"Speak your mind."

"The Shen family just caused a scene, and now our Marquis's mansion is starving."

Cui Lan hurriedly added, "I don't mind. I'm used to hardship, so I don't mind cutting back on food and clothing. It's just that the young master and the old lady need someone to take care of them, and the daily medicine costs a lot of money."

Song Maozhang nodded.

The Marquis's mansion had been diligently managed for decades, and it still possessed some calligraphy, paintings, and antiques. After selling them, it was able to sustain itself for some time.

However, none of these methods could fundamentally solve the problem. Song Maozhang shamelessly went to see his colleagues, but those who used to fawn over him now ignored him completely.

"I was polite to you before because of the Duke's mansion. Now that you're no longer with the Shen family, what are you?" Someone said bluntly, directly embarrassing him.

Song Maozhang was furious. Seeing that the Marquis's mansion was in dire straits, he finally decided to target his daughter.

"I disagree!" Song Ruoying's face turned ashen with anger. "Father, I am the legitimate daughter of a marquis's family. You want me to marry a merchant?"

"He can offer a high dowry."

“He’s old enough to be my father, not to mention he’s already married with children. You want me to marry him as a concubine?” Song Ruoying was still fantasizing about marrying the Regent just a few months ago.

She can't accept this dramatic fall from grace!

"Do you still have a choice now?" Song Maozhang asked rhetorically.

"I'm not getting married!"

Song Ruoying started throwing a tantrum.

“Ruoying, you are the eldest daughter of the Marquis’s mansion. The mansion is in dire straits now. If it weren’t for a last resort, the Marquis would not want to wrong you. Do you really want to watch the Marquis’s mansion fall into ruin?” Cuilan tried to pull her arm to comfort her.

As a result, Song Ruoying simply raised her hand and slapped her.

"You wretch, you're nothing but a dog kept by our Marquis's mansion. How dare you interfere in my marriage?"

"Taking advantage of my mother's absence, she dared to climb into my father's bed."

"You lowly thing, believe me or not, I'll sell you out."

...

Song Ruoying was seething with anger, and when she reached out to hit her again, Song Maozhang stopped her, saying, "Song Ruoying, how dare you!"

"Father?" She couldn't believe her father would be so fierce to her for the sake of a concubine.

“My lord, let it go. It’s normal that Ruoying is proud and arrogant and can’t accept it right away. After all, she is the legitimate daughter of the Marquis’s family. It’s really unfair to her. Why don’t we just let it go?” Cuilan looked aggrieved, but she still spoke up for her.

Song Maozhang sneered, "If even the Marquis's mansion is gone, what will become of the young lady!"

"She's been living a life of luxury all these years; it's time for her to contribute to the Marquis's household!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he sent someone to invite Song Ruoying back to her room so that she could rest easy and wait for her marriage.

The Marquis's mansion was short of money, so the formal betrothal ceremony and other traditional courtesans were kept simple.

When Shen Zhiyi received the news, she heard that Song Ruoying was going to marry a merchant surnamed Tian in five days.

The betrothal gifts have been delivered to the Marquis's residence.

"I heard that Master Tian is already forty years old, has taken seven or eight concubines, and made his fortune running an inn and a cloth shop. He does have some money," Hongrui said helplessly. "This Miss Song is usually so arrogant, I never expected..."

"With her temper, if she marries into the family, there will be constant fighting and jealousy in the household, and she probably won't have a good life."

Shen Zhiyi was looking through the account books and remained silent.

As long as Song Ruoying doesn't marry well...

She felt relieved.

All my energy is now focused on managing the shops and estates under my name.

It is said that one should obey one's father at home and one's husband after marriage. This idea is deeply ingrained, which is why Shen Zhiyi thought the same way in her previous life, and that's why she did everything she could to help Song Yuxiu.

Looking back now, that statement was completely unacceptable.

People,

Whether you're male or female, you have to rely on yourself.

Silver, on the other hand, is the most practical thing. Even if you are in a bad situation, having money on you will prevent you from being too destitute.

At that moment, Green Lotus rushed into the study, "Miss! Something has happened."

Shen Zhiyi's breath hitched. "Is it my elder brother?"

"Not the young master."

"That's good." Shen Zhiyi was always worried about her family. "What happened?"

“Yes, yes…” Green Lotus bit her lip. “The person I sent to keep an eye on Song Ruoying reported today that she was extremely unwilling to marry Master Tian as a concubine, but today she went against her usual behavior and said she wanted to go out to buy some dowry for herself.”

"Then what?"

“Our men followed her all the way and found that she went into an inn and met someone.”

Shen Zhiyi raised an eyebrow. "Could it be that she found someone to escape her fate of being a concubine?"

"It should be."

Who has she set her sights on?

"Yes, yes..." Green Lotus stammered, "It was Guard Xiao!"

Xiao Zhongxuan?!

Shen Zhiyi's breath hitched. He was still in the capital. Her fingers trembled, and the account book fell onto the table.