Chapter 70 Dowry
The second wife did have her own difficulties, but Shen Tang didn’t believe she would dare to tell the old lady the truth.
She wanted to hear what excuses the Second Wife would come up with to exonerate herself.
The old lady glared at the second wife, and everyone in the room looked at the second wife who was kneeling on the ground.
It's just that the Second Wife probably didn't think that the matter would be exposed, so she didn't think of any precautions in advance, or even if she thought about it, she simply couldn't think of it. After all, no matter what difficulties she had, she shouldn't have set her sights on someone who had been dead for more than ten years.
Look, the second wife was kneeling on the ground, stammering, and not uttering a word for a long time.
The old lady's chest was heaving with anger, and Mother Wang was afraid that the old lady would get hurt. She thought it was too much when the Second Mistress suggested that the Marquis' Mansion should compensate the eldest daughter of the Yongning Earl's Mansion that day, but she didn't expect that there would be something even more excessive.
The Marquis directly asked Steward Li to exchange the things back, and brought the old lady here directly, which showed that he was going to get to the bottom of the matter.
Before the Second Madam could find an excuse, the Second Master came. It was Shen Sui who sent someone to find the Second Master. After all, he was the eldest uncle, so it was not easy for him to punish the Second Madam directly without going through the Second Master. At least the Second Master had to be present, and he might even be aware of the matter.
The second master arrived first, and Shen Sui arrived right after. Shen Sui's face was uglier than ever before.
After seeing the fake paintings yesterday, he already believed what Chen Tang said, that the Second Wife stole Jiang's dowry to compensate the Yongning Earl's Mansion, but he thought one or two paintings were the most, he didn't expect that she actually took two whole boxes.
Chen Tang asked Manager Li to take 10,000 taels but it was still not enough to buy it back, and he still owed the Yongning Earl's Mansion 5,000 taels.
So much of Jiang's dowry was exchanged right under his nose. Shen Sui was really scared. He was afraid that someone really had exchanged his newborn son right under his nose fifteen years ago.
Shen Sui sat down, and the old lady said sharply, "Don't you have a hard time? Tell me!"
The Second Wife was completely paralyzed, and the Second Master angrily asked, "Mother is asking you a question?!"
It seemed as if he really didn't know about this.
However, it is possible that the Second Master really did not know. After all, the Second Mistress' plan was to marry her to Young Master Wang. It was such a small matter and there was no need to discuss it with the Second Master. But if things went wrong, the Yongning Marquis's Mansion would ask for so much compensation. It would more likely cause trouble than help. The Second Master would definitely blame the Second Mistress for her poor performance, and compensation had to be given. The Second Mistress was afraid of angering the Second Master, so she would probably clean up the mess herself.
If the Second Wife could find a reason to exonerate herself, she would have said it long ago, or she would have asked for the money from the public treasury, and she wouldn't have to do such a sneaky thing.
The second wife bit her lip and said nothing. The old lady was furious. "My Pingyuan Marquis Mansion cannot tolerate such a traitor!"
Being a traitor is considered a good word, but the second wife's behavior is stealing, she is a thief.
Such shameful behavior is indeed enough for the second master to divorce his wife.
She was divorced because she wanted to marry her nephew from her natal family. If this got out, it would be so funny.
The second wife was frightened and said in panic, "Mom, I'm not doing this for the Wang family..."
The third wife sat there, watching the fun, not minding the big deal, "If it's not for the Wang family, then what is it for? Second sister-in-law, tell me."
The second wife looked at Chen Xi, whose face was also pale.
She knelt down and said, "Grandma, Second Aunt did this for me..."
What a deep love between mother and daughter.
Mothers protect their daughters, and daughters protect their mothers.
The old lady didn't expect that Shen Xi would be involved in this matter. She asked, "What does this have to do with you?"
Chen Xi's eyes were red as she said, "That day when we were boating on the lake, the eldest lady of Yongning Marquis's Mansion didn't accidentally push the second sister. It was me. I accidentally tripped her, and she bumped into the second sister and was dragged into the water by the second sister..."
"The Yongning Marquis's Mansion was originally going to come to my house to question me, but Second Aunt helped me stop it. The Yongning Marquis' Mansion wanted me to compensate them. Second Aunt wanted to pay the money out of the public funds, but Second Sister disagreed, and Grandmother also disagreed. Second Aunt wanted to confess to Grandmother, but I was afraid of being punished by Grandmother, so I begged Second Aunt to use half of the dowry left to me by my mother to compensate..."
At the end, Shen Xi was choked with sobs and couldn't speak. She didn't know how this matter was exposed.
No one expected that Miss Li would be so unlucky, so it's no wonder that the Yongning Earl's Mansion wanted compensation. Miss Li accidentally tripped and fell, which ruined her life. If Miss Li was not going to marry the eldest son of the Wang family, who happened to be the nephew of the second wife, the Yongning Earl's Mansion was afraid that the Wang family would make things difficult for Miss Li in the future, and they were afraid that two boxes of compensation would not be enough.
Chen Tang said, "Second Aunt really loves my eldest sister the most. That day, Second Aunt said she wanted to compensate the eldest daughter of Yongning Earl's Mansion, but she didn't mention my eldest sister at all. She only said that she wanted me to compensate her."
"He also stole my mother's dowry to compensate Miss Li, and exchanged so many counterfeits for the originals. When my eldest sister gets married in the future, people will say that we can't tell the real from the fake in Pingyuan Marquis Mansion. I'm afraid it will also affect my grandfather's reputation."
Shen Tang didn't even mention that the fake would be her dowry in the future, after all, it hadn't happened yet. But even if she didn't say it, with the Second Wife's protection of Shen Xi, no one in the room would have thought of it.
After Chen Tang finished saying this, he changed his words and said, "Wait! When I pulled Miss Li into the water that day, there was no one behind her. How did the eldest sister trip her?"
In one word, Chen Xi's protection of the second wife was denied.
She dragged Miss Li into the water, so Shen Tang would be able to see clearly whether there was someone behind Miss Li.
Chen Tang looked at Gingko, "Did you see the eldest sister standing behind her?"
Gingko shook her head, "I didn't see it."
Chen Tang said, "If it was the eldest sister who tripped, there couldn't be no one who saw it among the many ladies on the boat. I don't believe that the eldest daughter of the Yongning Marquis' Mansion suffered so much injustice and covered up for the eldest sister. She would get more compensation from the Yongning Marquis' Mansion and my father would feel guilty. The eldest sister might be afraid that the title would be inherited by the second house in the future and no one would support you, so she didn't dare to offend the second aunt and lied to help the second aunt..."
Really, Chen Xian wanted to sew up Chen Tang's mouth with a needle. No one would think she was dumb if she didn't speak.
But these words were said by Shen Xi herself when she advised Shen Tang, and this was not the first time Shen Tang had said this.
Even the second master was on pins and needles, and looked at Shen Sui anxiously and said, "Big brother is still young, he will definitely have a son. I don't believe that Yan'er can't be found. I don't want to inherit Big brother's title."
The excuse Chen Xian found was actually very good, but the only flaw was that no rumors were spread at the time. If they had been spread at all, she would have been asked to make excuses for the Second Wife today.
Chen Xian was nominally Jiang's daughter. It would have been fine if the second wife had covered up for Chen Xian, but there was no reason to use the second wife's treasures to fill the hole of the eldest wife's daughter. Although taking Jiang's dowry was excessive, it was barely acceptable.
Unfortunately, Shen Xi's excuse didn't hold water, and it irritated both the old lady and Shen Sui.
Chen Xian didn't expect that her excuses for the Second Wife would be turned by Chen Tang into a statement that she was afraid that after her father's death, she would have no one to rely on, and that she would throw the entire Second Wife into the frying pan.
But she didn't dare to tell the truth of that day. Pushing her own sister to Young Master Wang was much more serious than the second wife stealing Jiang's dowry to subsidize her natal family.
After today's incident, they are in big trouble.
The Second Master scolded the Second Wife, "It's ok that you usually side with the Wang family, but how dare you touch the eldest sister-in-law's dowry?!"
The second wife had no way to defend herself.
The old lady's face had never been so cold before. "No one cares how you use your own dowry. My Pingyuan Marquis Mansion does not need to compensate the Yongning Earl Mansion. You have to pay for it yourself."
Chen Tang looked at Manager Li, "Have you got all the things back?"
Manager Li said, "Except for the two paintings that the Second Madam sent to the Yongning Marquis's Mansion, the rest has been brought back. However, the Yongning Marquis's Mansion is still short of 5,000 taels. The two paintings were not included, and the Yongning Marquis was unwilling to go and get them back..."
The Earl of Yongning would definitely not want her back. He was furious that his daughter had married a scourge like Young Master Wang, so how could he accept whatever the Marquis of Pingyuan's Mansion wanted them to do?
The second wife was too protective of Chen Xi. She was afraid that Chen Xi would have a bad reputation and be severely punished by Chen Sui. Otherwise, the Yongning Marquis's Mansion would not be able to control the second wife. Everyone in Kyoto knew that Young Master Wang rescued Miss Li from the water. If she didn't marry Young Master Wang, she couldn't marry anyone else. If the Yongning Marquis was willing to send his daughter to the ancient Buddha, he could just do it. Young Master Wang couldn't marry the daughter of a wealthy family, but with the Wang family's status, marrying the daughter of a minor official was not a problem.
Chen Tang looked at Chen Sui, "Father, can you find a way to get the painting back?"
Before Shen Sui could speak, the old lady glanced at the second wife, "You gave it away, find a way to get it back to me! If you can't get it back, double the compensation!"
The second wife's face turned pale.
This meant that in addition to paying 15,000 taels as compensation to the Yongning Marquis's Mansion, she also had to pay for the two paintings.
She would accept it if things could be done, but she would not be willing to accept that things failed and she had lost so much money.
But it was useless for her to be unwilling. The old lady had already thought of asking the second master to divorce his wife. The old lady was angry, and refusing to admit her mistake and making excuses would only make her more angry.
The second wife suppressed her reluctance and said through gritted teeth, "I will pay, I will pay..."
From now on, the entire Pingyuan Marquis Mansion will belong to their second branch. But it’s only a mere 10,000 or 20,000 taels, she can afford it!
Shen Sui glanced at the second master, "If you can't manage your bedmate well in the future, and something like this happens, you two will move out of the Pingyuan Marquis Mansion."
As long as parents are alive, the family will not be divided.
Shen Sui’s words were very harsh, but the old lady couldn’t say anything about the mistake made by the second wife.
The second master looked unhappy, "Don't worry, big brother, if she does something like this again, my second wife will not only move out, but also divorce her."
The second wife swallowed her anger and didn't feel any pain even when her fingernails dug into her flesh.
The Second Wife paid the price. When this matter is settled, the old lady will punish her to copy the family rules and reflect in the Buddhist temple. Shen Sui will not pursue it after she has punished the Second Master. However, Shen Tang will not miss such a good opportunity. He looked at Shen Sui and said, "Father, the eldest house has no mistress. It is too tiring for grandmother to manage the household affairs. Please let Third Aunt help share some of the burden and let Third Aunt manage the embroidery room."
Taking back the housekeeper power from the second wife is what Shen Tang has always wanted to do, but the old lady does not trust the third wife and the fourth wife is not in the mansion, so Shen Tang has been reluctant to do this. Now she can no longer tolerate it.
The Second Wife stared at Chen Tang intently, as if Chen Tang had taken away something that belonged to her. The old lady frowned, but did not object. She was indeed old and could no longer manage the household affairs. The Second Wife was too biased towards the Wang family and did need some pressure. It would be better to hand over the embroidery room to the Third Wife. With the Second Wife watching over her, the Third Wife would not be able to develop any ambitions.
Chen Sui said, "Let's leave the embroidery room to the third brother's wife."
The third wife sat there and suddenly felt like a pie in the sky had fallen and hit her.
The third wife was born out of wedlock, and it seemed like a dream that she would one day be in charge of the embroidery room.
The third wife quickly expressed her opinion, "I will definitely manage the embroidery room well."
The embroidery room is just the beginning. Chen Tang only hopes that the Third Madam can be more capable and not let the Second Madam take back the power of the embroidery room manager after just a few rounds.
The second wife was still kneeling on the ground, and the old lady scolded her, "What are you still standing here for? Go find a way to get the painting back!"
The second wife hurriedly stood up, but her knees were so sore from kneeling for such a long time that she couldn't get up all of a sudden. The maid helped her up and escorted her out.
After the second wife left, the old lady asked Shen Sui, "How did you find out about this?"
Chen Sui would not say that it was Chen Tang who told him. He was a marquis, and he didn't even know that the dowry left by his deceased wife was replaced under his nose. It was his own daughter who found out. He couldn't afford to lose face, and he was also afraid that the second wife would resent Chen Tang. More importantly, it was unclear how Chen Tang found out about this. The marriage hadn't been settled yet, but he was being protected by a man outside his family, which was not good for his reputation.
Chen Sui said coldly, "The Yongning Marquis's Mansion gave the painting to Prince Zhao, and Prince Zhao plans to reframe it and present it to the emperor."
Shen Sui only said one sentence, then looked at the two large boxes in the room, "Send it to the warehouse and change the lock."
Manager Li led his men to carry the big box down.
The old lady looked a little embarrassed. Although she had never thought of taking Jiang's dowry, neither in the past nor in the future, but Shen Sui's changing of the lock meant that he no longer trusted her. From now on, no one could touch Jiang's dowry without Shen Sui's permission.
Chen Sui stood up and left. Chen Tang guessed that Chen Sui had left Songhe Hall, so she also took her leave.
Chen Tang still had something to say to Shen Sui, but Shen Sui took big steps, and when Chen Tang left the yard, she could only see Shen Sui's back from a distance. She jogged all the way and caught up with Shen Sui when she was almost at the second gate. Chen Tang simply gave up chasing him, as the outer yard was not a place to talk, so she went to the study to see Shen Sui.
Shen Sui didn't expect Shen Tang to come to the study, "But are you not satisfied with your father's handling of the matter?"
Chen Tang shook her head. "My daughter knows how difficult it is for her father. My daughter said yesterday that she would wait until her mother gets the dowry back and then tell her father why Second Aunt wanted to compensate the Yongning Earl's Mansion."
Shen Sui frowned, "Hasn't this matter been clarified?"
The second wife took the opportunity to steal things from the Wang family.
Chen Tang looked at Chen Sui, "Father, do you know how your daughter fell into the water that day?"
Chen Sui frowned, "Could there be a hidden reason for falling into the water?"
Chen Tang said, “Eldest sister said that Second Aunt was the eldest lady of Yongning Earl’s Mansion who compensated her. She didn’t lie. It was indeed because of her.”
Shen Sui was completely confused.
"But my eldest sister didn't trip Miss Li accidentally. She and Miss Li conspired to marry me to Master Wang."
Shen Sui’s face darkened.
Chen Tang continued, "At that time, rumors were rife outside the mansion that I was a jinx. My eldest sister and I were born in the same hour, so she was inevitably implicated. In order to dispel the rumor that my eldest sister was a jinx, my second aunt wanted to marry me to Young Master Wang. It just so happened that I had some conflicts with the eldest daughter of the Yongning Earl's Mansion, so my eldest sister wanted to use the eldest daughter of the Yongning Earl's Mansion to push me into trouble. My second aunt didn't dare to let the Yongning Earl come knocking on the door, so the Yongning Earl's Mansion took the opportunity to ask for a huge sum of money. My second aunt originally wanted to pay for the money from her own family, but my grandmother disagreed, so she had to turn her attention to the dowry left by my mother."
Chen Tang looked at Chen Sui, pausing for each word, "If she wasn't his biological daughter, why would Second Aunt protect the eldest sister to this extent?"
"My elder sister has never treated me as her own sister. That day in the Jokhang Temple, the prince of Changping wanted to molest me, and it was my elder sister who helped him trick me into it."
"Why did that person send people to the mansion to protect me? It's because the people who schemed against me the most were not outsiders, but my own people!"
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