Yuan Zhao only learned about Bai Mianmian's entry into the mansion the next day.

That morning, after she had breakfast, a maidservant from Old Madam Zhou's side came to tell her to go to the main hall.

Without even thinking, she knew it must be about the dowry. Yuan Zhao nodded; she wanted to see how the Zhou family planned to resolve it.

When she arrived, Old Madam Zhou, Zhou's mother, and the wives of the second and third branches of the Zhou family were already there.

Upon seeing Yuan Zhao, Old Madam Zhou greeted her warmly, called her to her side, and held her hand with great care.

"Zhaozhao, are you feeling better?"

"Yesterday, when I heard that you had fainted, my grandmother was so worried."

"Grandmother has some top-quality ginseng here. Take it back and nourish yourself properly."

Old Madam Zhou looked distressed, seemingly unaffected by yesterday's events. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought Yuan Zhao was her own granddaughter.

Yuan Zhao couldn't help but admire Old Madam Zhou's skill.

Yesterday, I caused the Yongning Marquis's mansion to lose so much face, and today she can still speak to me like this, she is truly amazing.

Since this old woman wanted to put on an act, then she would naturally play along.

The two women played along for a while, feigning affection like grandmother and granddaughter. Then, Old Madam Zhou gave the second wife a wink, and the second wife quickly said:

"Zhaozhao, Mother gave instructions about your dowry yesterday. You've worked hard these past three years, so we will naturally make up for the dowry money for you."

"Silver is easy to come by, but those other things might be a bit difficult."

"As you know, most of the leather, silk, and gemstones have already been made into clothing and jewelry, which makes things a bit difficult."

The second wife looked troubled, as if these matters were indeed difficult to handle.

They used less than 100,000 taels of silver from Yuan Zhao in total. Although this was a lot of money, it was just so-so for a meritorious family.

Now that the Marquis's mansion has returned, they can squeeze out the money within a year.

The problem is that those headdresses and jewelry are priceless and have no market.

So, after their anger subsided yesterday, the women got together to discuss the matter and decided to only give them money. As for the items they had used, they would avoid giving them up if possible, which led to today's situation.

She had made her point clear; it was just a matter of whether Yuan Zhao would respond.

Yuan Zhao naturally responded, but what he said made their expressions change:

"Second Aunt, don't worry, it's not a big deal."

Upon hearing this, the second mistress's face lit up with joy, but before they could celebrate for long, Yuan Zhao said:

"It would be best if those things could be returned. If they really can't be returned, then they can be converted into cash. We're all family, so I won't argue with you, Auntie."

The second wife's smile froze instantly, and the third wife's expression also turned unpleasant. Zhou's mother, who had remained silent until now, let out a cold snort and said:

"Family? How dare you say that?"

"If we're family, why are you arguing with us over such a small amount of money?"

"Who among you isn't your elder? Shouldn't juniors show respect to their elders?"

Although the second and third wives did not speak, their expressions clearly indicated that they shared the same sentiments as Zhou's mother.

As for Madam Zhou, who had just been chatting enthusiastically with her, she now closed her eyes and continued chanting Buddhist scriptures, turning the prayer beads in her hand, as if she were asleep.

Yuan Zhao couldn't help but laugh when he saw this.

“What Mother said is true.”

"We're all family, why ruin our harmony over a little money?"

Zhou's mother thought it would take some effort, but upon hearing this, she couldn't help but glance at Yuan Zhao. Why did he suddenly become so easy to talk to?

However, Old Madam Zhou opened her eyes at some point, staring at Yuan Zhao with a scrutinizing gaze.

Ignoring everyone's surprise, Yuan Zhao slowly began to speak:

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."

As she was about to leave, Old Madam Zhou's eyes sharpened, and she quickly stopped Yuan Zhao.

She had a bad feeling that she would regret it if she really let Yuan Zhao leave.

She has always had a very accurate intuition, which has saved her countless times.

Thinking of this, she glanced at Zhou's mother and the others and said:

"You are all elders, yet you say such things."

“Zhao Zhao has already sacrificed enough for the Marquis’s mansion, how can we let her suffer a loss?”

"She can't lose a single thing; anything she's used will be converted into silver at market value and given to her."