Chapter 41 You were jilted, and you're using my dowry to save face?

After retrieving her mother's dowry, Chen Qing did not relax in the slightest.

Although the Qin Academy had become an impregnable fortress, undercurrents were still swirling within the mansion.

For Chen Qing, the Chen family was not a place to stay for long.

In the stillness of the night, Chen Qing, facing the room full of chests and boxes, grew even more determined to leave.

This money was the foundation her mother left her for a secure life. She secretly instructed Wang Zhong to look for suitable houses inside and outside Qingzhou City, regardless of size, as long as they were quiet and safe.

She wanted to sever ties with the Chen family honestly and with everything that belonged to her.

The next day, before dawn, the Chen residence was already bustling with activity. The faint sound of drums and music could be heard coming from the front courtyard, and servants were bustling about in a flurry of activity.

Today is the wedding day of Chen Jiao and Zhao Liyou.

Chen Qing kept the courtyard gate tightly shut, oblivious to the commotion outside. She sat by the window, slowly and methodically flipping through the blueprints of several houses that Wang Zhongxin had sent, her expression focused, as if the celebrations outside had nothing to do with her.

Zhu Yan glanced outside with some worry: "Miss, today is the Third Miss's wedding. If we don't go to the front, I'm afraid..."

"What are you afraid of?" Chen Qing didn't even raise her head, her voice flat. "Are you afraid people will say I don't care about sisterly affection? Or are you afraid of being impolite?" A cold sneer curled at the corner of her lips. "What affection do I have for her? As for the etiquette of the Chen family, it's better not to follow it."

Meanwhile, inside Chen Jiao's boudoir, a completely different scene unfolded. Adorned in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, Chen Jiao gazed at herself in the mirror, but her face showed little of a bride's joy; instead, it radiated a triumphant excitement. Reborn, she was finally about to embark on the path to wealth and glory! Zhao Liyou would be her first step towards the pinnacle of power.

However, this excitement froze instantly when she saw the meager dowry list after the makeup was done.

"That's...that's all?" Chen Jiao's voice became shrill as she stared at Zhang Shi in disbelief. "Mother! How can this be enough! The Zhao family is a prominent clan in Cangcheng. If my dowry is too small, how can I hold my head high? How can I keep those snobbish eyes in check?"

Madam Zhang's face was filled with sorrow and resentment: "My darling, how could I not want to give you the best! But... but most of the valuables in the storeroom were forcibly taken back by that little slut! Most of your father's private treasury and my savings over the years have also been used to fill that hole! It's already a miracle that we can scrape together this much!"

She felt a sharp pain in her heart as if it were being cut by a knife when she thought of the treasures that Chen Qing had taken away.

Chen Jiao trembled with rage, her exquisite makeup unable to conceal the distorted expression on her face: "It's all Chen Qing's fault! It's all that bitch's fault! She stole everything that should have been mine!" She suddenly grabbed Zhang Shi's hand, her eyes flashing with madness, "Mother! We can't let this go! My dowry must be magnificent! Go and talk to Father, go and talk to Grandmother! Make Chen Qing bring out her dowry! Let it save face for me first, and once I've established myself in the Zhao family, I'll find a way to repay her!"

Mrs. Zhang was stunned by her daughter's outlandish idea: "How can this be? She's so capable now, how could she..."

"Why can't she refuse!" Chen Jiao shrieked. "I'm marrying into the Zhao family to bring glory to the Chen family! As a daughter of the Chen family, what's wrong with sacrificing a little for the family? Besides, Grandmother values ​​the family's reputation above all else. If Grandmother speaks up, how dare she disobey?!"

The thought that the Zhao family might look down on her because of her meager dowry filled Chen Jiao with dread about her future. She absolutely could not allow such a thing to happen!

As the auspicious hour approached, the wedding procession arrived outside the Chen residence with music and fanfare. Zhao Liyou, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, rode on horseback, but her face showed a hint of languor and impatience, as if she had just woken up from a drunken stupor.

According to etiquette, the bride's family should display the dowry to show the daughter's confidence in her husband's family. When the servants of the Chen family carried out the chests, which were also tied with red silk but were obviously few in number and did not look very heavy, a murmur arose among the onlookers.

"Oh dear, the dowry of Miss Chen's third daughter doesn't look very generous..."

"Yes, isn't the Chen family supposed to be the richest family in Qingzhou? Why are they so stingy when it comes to marrying off their daughter?"

"I heard there was a commotion at the manor yesterday. The eldest young lady even took back the late madam's dowry. She must have suffered some serious damage, right?"

The murmurs drifted over, and Zhao Liyou's face gradually darkened. Though he indulged in pleasure, he wasn't entirely naive. The Zhao family's interest in this marriage alliance lay in the Chen family's wealth. If the bride's dowry was so meager, how could he explain it to his clan upon returning? Wouldn't he become a laughingstock?

Just then, Zhao Lige, who had been silently following the wedding procession, spurred his horse closer to his elder brother and whispered a few words. Zhao Liyou's brows furrowed even more deeply.

Chen Zhenyan forced a smile and stepped forward to invite the groom into the house. Unexpectedly, Zhao Liyou suddenly pressed his hand to his forehead, his voice somewhat weak, and said, "Uncle Chen, I suddenly feel dizzy and lightheaded. I'm afraid I'm still drunk from yesterday and have caught a cold. In this state, I fear I might be impolite and offend the auspicious time. Do you think the wedding should be postponed for a day?"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent!

Postponing the wedding? In this day and age, when auspicious dates and times are highly valued, that would be an utter disrespect and a disgrace!

Chen Zhenyan's smile froze instantly, all color draining from his face. Zhang almost fainted, her vision blurring. Chen Jiao, who was peeking from behind the door, was struck dumb upon hearing these words. She froze completely, then an overwhelming sense of panic and anger surged up within her. She gripped her hands tightly to keep from losing her composure.

“Nephew Zhao, the auspicious time has been set and all the guests have arrived. How can we delay?” Chen Zhenyan’s voice was hoarse and pleading.

Zhao Liyou merely rubbed his temples, appearing utterly weak: "This humble son-in-law is truly incapable. If I were to force myself to perform the ceremony, I fear it would be disrespectful in front of the palace and even more so to the Third Miss. I hope Uncle will understand." His tone seemed polite, but his attitude was unusually resolute. When his gaze swept over the dowry, a hint of contempt was revealed without any attempt to conceal it.

Zhao Lige remained silent, as if everything was irrelevant to him, only a barely perceptible hint of cold mockery flashing deep in his eyes. The Zhao family, indeed, still valued tangible benefits more.

Finally, amidst the uproar and whispers, the Zhao family's wedding procession actually returned the way it came, leaving behind only a livid Chen Zhenyan, a swaying Zhang Shi, and a hall full of guests exchanging bewildered glances and varied expressions. At that moment, the Chen family's reputation was utterly humiliated.

This failed wedding became the biggest laughing stock in Qingzhou City. Inside the Chen residence, the atmosphere was eerily tense.

Chen Jiao went berserk in her courtyard, smashing everything in her path while crying and cursing Chen Qing, convinced that Chen Qing was responsible for her humiliation by withholding her dowry. Zhang Shi, filled with anger and anxiety, coupled with the fear of her previous embezzlement being exposed, actually fell seriously ill and never recovered.

Even Old Mrs. Chen, Chen Qing's grandmother, Zhou, who had long since retired from public life and lived in seclusion in the Shou'an Hall Buddhist temple, was no longer as calm as before.

In the evening, Shou'an Hall sent two respectable-looking old women to the Qin Academy. Their tone was respectful, but carried an air of undeniable authority: "Miss, the old lady requests your presence."

Chen Qing was organizing her mother's account books when she heard this. Without stopping her work, she simply said, "I know."

What's meant to come will come.

Inside Shou'an Hall, the air was thick with the fragrance of sandalwood incense. Old Madam Chen, Zhou, sat regally on the carved sandalwood Luohan bed at the head of the table, dressed in a dark brown robe embroidered with longevity patterns. Her hair was meticulously combed, her face stern, her nasolabial folds deep, and her slightly cloudy eyes held the scrutiny and shrewdness of someone long accustomed to a position of power. Chen Zhenyan stood to the side, his hands at his sides, his expression still grim.

Chen Qing went in and greeted her respectfully: "Greetings, Grandmother."

Zhou didn't wake her. His gaze was fixed on her for a long time before he slowly spoke. His voice was hoarse, typical of an elderly person, but each word was clear: "Qing girl, you are becoming more and more opinionated these days."

Chen Qing maintained her bowing posture, her expression unchanged: "Granddaughter wouldn't dare. I'm just reclaiming what belongs to me and asking for a place to stand."

"A foothold?" Zhou sneered. "You've caused chaos in your own home, humiliated your sister at her wedding, and made the Chen family a laughingstock in the whole city. Is this your foothold?"

Chen Qing straightened up, her gaze calmly meeting the old lady's scrutiny: "Grandmother, you are wise. The ones who have brought shame upon the Chen family are Zhang, who embezzled the eldest daughter's dowry and mistreated the daughter of the first wife; the mastermind behind the attempt to assassinate me on the eve of the wedding; and the Zhao family, who easily broke off the engagement based solely on the size of the dowry. I was merely retrieving my late mother's belongings; what wrong have I done? As for a foothold," she paused, her voice slightly lowered, "if it weren't for these dowry items left by my late mother, I would probably have been reduced to ashes in yesterday's accident. How could I possibly have a foothold then?"

Her words were firm and unwavering, leaving Zhou speechless for a moment. Chen Zhenyan's face flushed red, and he wanted to rebuke her, but he choked back his words under Chen Qing's icy gaze.

Madam Zhou stared at Chen Qing, as if she were truly seeing this granddaughter for the first time. She was silent for a moment, then her tone softened slightly, but still carried an undeniable pressure: "Let bygones be bygones. Now your sister's marriage is hindered, and the Zhao family's attitude is ambiguous, all because of insufficient dowry. The Chen family's fortunes are intertwined; one's fate is the other's. Now that you have retrieved your mother's dowry, and the family is in trouble, as the eldest daughter of the Chen family, you should share the burden."

She paused, then said in an almost commanding tone, "Take a portion of your mother's dowry and use it to give your sister face, helping her to marry into the Zhao family smoothly. Once she has established herself in the Zhao family, you will reap the rewards, and the Chen family will not forget your contribution."

Finally, the truth was revealed. Chen Qing sneered inwardly, but on his face, he showed just the right amount of surprise and sorrow: "Grandmother, do you want me to give the dowry that my late mother protected with her life to a concubine's daughter, to the daughter of someone who has repeatedly tried to kill me, just to save face?"

"How dare you speak to your grandmother like that!" Chen Zhenyan couldn't help but shout.

Madam Zhou's face also darkened: "What concubine's daughter? Jiao'er is also your sister! The rise and fall of the family is not for you to be so petty about personal grudges!"

"Personal grudges?" Chen Qing repeated these four words, then suddenly laughed, a laugh filled with endless desolation and irony. She raised her eyes, her gaze like cold lightning shooting towards Chen Zhenyan, then turning to Zhou Shi, "Grandmother, do you know why my mother passed away at such a young age?"

Chen Zhenyan froze, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes.

Zhou frowned: "Your mother is physically weak and has postpartum disorders..."

"Weak constitution? Postpartum disorders?" Chen Qing interrupted her, her voice suddenly rising, filled with years of pent-up resentment and pain. "My mother, Yunwei, was originally the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Jinghai in the capital! Back when she met my father when she was still young, she disregarded her family's objections and was determined to marry him! My maternal grandfather was angry at her lack of ambition and severed ties with her, but he still couldn't bear to see her suffer. That astonishing dowry was her last resort and her last bit of face!"

These words struck like a thunderbolt within the Shou'an Hall! The Jinghai Marquis's Mansion! That was a truly prestigious and influential family, a noble and powerful clan!

Chen Zhenyan's face turned deathly pale, and his body swayed slightly. Zhou's pupils also contracted sharply. Clearly, she only knew that her daughter-in-law came from an extraordinary family and had a generous dowry, but she did not know that her family was so distinguished!

"She married into the Chen family with all her heart and wealth, helping my father gain a foothold and revitalize the family business! But how did my father treat her?" Chen Qing's words were filled with tears, her gaze like a knife, cutting into Chen Zhenyan. "He used my mother's connections and money, but after becoming successful, he disliked my mother's cold and aloof nature, saying she wasn't charming enough, and took one concubine after another! He even had an affair with that Zhang woman, letting Zhang use drugs to slowly drain my mother's body!"

“My mother…she didn’t die of illness!” Chen Qing’s voice trembled, but it was unusually clear. “She died of a broken heart! She discovered that the man she loved and who had given up everything for her had only ever cared about her family background and had no real feelings for her! She discovered that the enormous wealth she brought with her had become a breeding ground for parasites and enemies! She was driven to her death by you all!”

She practically screamed the last sentence, as all the pent-up grievances, anger, and sorrow from two lifetimes erupted in that moment.

A deathly silence fell over Shou'an Hall. Only Chen Qing's rapid breathing could be heard.

Madam Zhou stared in shock at her son, then at her trembling granddaughter. She opened her mouth, but found herself speechless. She had always thought her aloof daughter-in-law was simply unlucky, but she never imagined the truth behind it was so despicable! If this were to spread, the Chen family would not only lose face, but be drowned in scorn! Embezzling the dowry of the Marquis's legitimate daughter, driving the first wife to her death… any one of these was a crime enough to bring the Chen family to eternal damnation!

Chen Zhenyan staggered a step, leaning back in his chair, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. He dared not look directly into his daughter's eyes, which resembled her mother's.

Looking at their shocked, panicked, and incredulous expressions, Chen Qing felt a surge of almost cruel pleasure. She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her turbulent emotions, and her voice regained its icy tone, yet carried a resolute strength:

“Every piece of my mother’s dowry is stained with her blood and tears. No one is allowed to touch it, especially not to use it to fill the pits left by Zhang and her daughter!”

She took a step back, her gaze sweeping over Zhou Shi and Chen Zhenyan, and said, word by word, "This Chen family, from the moment you tacitly allowed Zhang Shi to mistreat me and embezzle my mother's dowry, from the moment you knew my mother's death was suspicious yet did nothing, it ceased to be my home."

"Grandmother, Father, take care of yourselves."

After saying that, she stopped looking at the two men's pale faces, turned around, straightened her back, and walked out of the suffocatingly oppressive Shou'an Hall.