Chapter 212 Harmony
Yin Caiwei was stunned. She fell silent, closing her eyes to ponder the conversation that evening. Whether it was about her or Meng Qing, Du Min's words were all about self-interest. When talking about Meng Qing, his words were devoid of sentimentality; beneath the respect was the fact that Meng Qing could protect him. When talking about her, his words were still devoid of sentimentality; beneath the disdain was his lack of desire for her—simply put, there was no benefit to be gained from her.
After the initial warmth and affection of their marriage vanished, all that remained was a framework built on self-interest. This shattered Yin Caiwei's understanding of life, and for a fleeting moment, she considered escaping, even regretting marrying Du Min; life with him was utterly meaningless. But this thought vanished before it could fully form. Leaving her husband's family and returning to her parents' home, she became once again the Yin Niangzi, confined to the world of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If she were to remarry, she would become a replica of her mother—the virtuous wife and loving mother Du Min desired, living as a figurehead for her husband, demanding nothing from her beyond bearing children and the value brought by her father.
Yin Caiwei was shocked by this conclusion. The "benefit" that she had scorned was something she didn't have. Her only use, besides bearing children, was to serve as a bridge connecting her husband's family and her own.
Yin Caiwei couldn't sleep anymore. The affection and marital bond she had previously held onto vanished without a trace, and the arrogance that came with her status was shattered. It was truly laughable that those without "profit" looked down on those who pursued "profit" for being materialistic; it was like a beggar laughing at the extravagance of the rich.
After a bitter smile, Yin Caiwei was gripped by fear, fear of her future path. She would have to pursue profit like Du Min, and enrich herself like Meng Qing. It was truly terrifying. For the first time, she was facing hardship head-on, realizing for the first time how treacherous the road ahead was, and that she only had one chance.
"Second sister-in-law is really capable." Yin Caiwei said. Only when she stood in Meng Qing's shoes could she truly appreciate how formidable Meng Qing was, both in terms of her cunning and her courage.
Du Min was already asleep, and Yin Caiwei's sigh went unanswered.
Yin Caiwei couldn't sleep. She stayed awake all night with her eyes closed, only managing to fall asleep for a short while when it was just getting light. When the man beside her got up, she sat up as well.
"It's getting late, get up and have breakfast early. If you stay any longer, officials will come to pay their respects with their wives and children," Du Min said.
“Okay.” Yin Caiwei replied gently, “There is a new set of clothes in that mahogany trunk, you can wear that one.”
Du Min opened the box and took out a dark crimson brocade robe and a black fox fur coat. The two robes and fur coats had an excellent luster, and it was clear at a glance that they were not cheap.
"Was the fox fur a gift from your second sister-in-law?" Du Min asked. "It must have cost a lot of money, right?"
"I bought it with the produce from the estate and your remaining salary this year." Yin Caiwei regretted it; she should have bought it for herself. This fox fur coat cost over a hundred strings of cash.
"Thank you, my lady." Du Min's expression changed instantly, completely devoid of the harshness she had shown the night before.
"Let me see you change." Yin Caiwei got out of bed, picked up the brocade robe, unbuttoned it, and helped him change.
The two tacitly turned the page and returned to their loving relationship.
*
"Grandpa Yin, Wangzhou and his brother wish you a happy and healthy New Year, and all the best." Wangzhou and Wangchuan were sweeping the snow on the roadside when they heard the door open. He led Wangchuan over.
"May everything go smoothly," Wang Chuan echoed from behind.
"Alright, alright." Father Yin quickened his pace and took out two small purses from his sleeve, handing them to the Wangzhou and Wangchuan brothers.
Du Min and Yin Caiwei heard the noise inside the house, so they opened the door and went out. Wang Zhou saw them and immediately led Wang Chuan forward to offer New Year's greetings.
Du Min took out the small purse prepared by Yin Caiwei and handed it over. After greeting Yin's parents, he called for the wet nurse to bring Ximei. He took the swaddled baby and led Wangzhou and Wangchuan to pay New Year's respects to Meng Qing.
"My mother wants to...sleep in," Wangchuan reminded her, shuffling along with his short legs.
“Why is she sleeping in on the first day of the new year? Let’s go wake her up.” Du Min saw the gate of Qingzhu Courtyard open in the distance and shouted, “Second sister-in-law, second brother, are you up yet? I’ve brought the children to wish you a Happy New Year.”
As soon as they entered, they saw two short snowmen standing in the courtyard. Du Min looked down at Wang Chuan and asked, "Guess who made these two snowmen?"
Du Li lifted the curtain, and Meng Qing came out carrying a string of purses.
Wang Chuan scratched his head. "Mom, aren't you asleep?"
Meng Qing pretended not to hear. She bent down and stuffed two purses into Wangzhou and Wangchuan's hands, saying, "May my son grow up strong, healthy and safe."
"May my parents live to be a hundred years old and have a long and healthy life," Wang Zhou said.
"May you live a long and healthy life..." Wang Chuan looked at Wang Zhou.
May you enjoy a prosperous and peaceful life for a hundred years.
"May you have a smooth and prosperous life for a hundred years." Wang Chuan chuckled.
Meng Qing smiled, patted Wang Chuan's head, stood up and handed out the other two purses, "Auntie wishes Xi Mei could live a happy and carefree life as your mother hoped."
"I also wish my second sister-in-law and second brother a long and healthy life." Du Min said, his eyes looking at the purses in Wang Zhou and Wang Chuan's hands. They were all heavy, but his purse was empty.
"Stop looking, open it and take a look," Du Li said from the side.
Du Min didn't stand on ceremony. He handed the swaddled baby to Meng Qing, quickly untied his purse, and took out a folded piece of paper.
"What is it? What kind of plan is written on it?" Du Min asked, unfolding the paper. There were only three words on it: "One Thousand Strings of Cash".
“I promised you before that if you stick to your principles and don’t touch what you shouldn’t, I’ll give you money if you need it,” Meng Qing explained. “You’re exercising the power of the governor in the name of the Prefect, but your salary hasn’t increased while your social obligations have increased, so you’re bound to be short of money. Your second sister-in-law will give you some money so that you won’t be in trouble because of a lack of funds.”
Without saying a word, Du Min knelt down and kowtowed.
When Yin Caiwei arrived, she saw this scene. She slowed down, momentarily confused about what was going on.
"Get up." Meng Qing helped him up. "Remember your promise to me: never accept bribes or embezzle public funds. If you need money, I'll give you more."
"Don't worry, Second Sister-in-law, I will definitely maintain my upright reputation and will never make a single wrong move," Du Min assured her.
Yin Caiwei understood. Meng Qing not only helped Du Min in his official career, but also provided him with financial assistance. No wonder Du Min listened to her so readily.
"Second sister-in-law, I'll kowtow to you too. I don't need your money, I just hope you won't think I'm stupid and will be willing to give me some pointers." Yin Caiwei said, about to kneel down.
"No, no, no!" Meng Qing exclaimed in alarm. "You mustn't! Don't kneel... Oh!"
The distance had grown too great for Meng Qing to stop, and Yin Caiwei had already knelt down.
When Meng Qing arrived, he could only stop her from kowtowing. "Get up, get up quickly. As long as you are willing to listen, I will teach you."
“I’m willing to listen.” Yin Caiwei stood up and said, “As long as Second Sister-in-law is willing to teach me, I’m willing to listen.”
"It's just a matter of a word, why make such a fuss? Don't do this again next time." Meng Qing thought to himself that this was not worth kneeling over.
"I learned it from my second sister-in-law. My father received a huge favor from you, helping you buy a place to stay, and you still insist on paying me back. You're being polite, so I'll be polite too." Yin Caiwei joked. She knew that she and Meng Qing were just sisters-in-law and she couldn't give Meng Qing any benefits. Why should Meng Qing bother to give her advice?
“That’s not how it works. Let’s keep things separate.” Meng Qing handed the baby back to Caiwei. “Xi Mei is such a good girl. She didn’t cry when she woke up.”
Yin Caiwei hugged the child and asked, "Where are Uncle Meng and Aunt Pan? I've come to wish them a Happy New Year too."
“I’m going back. My parents are thinking about giving the servants a reward.” Du Li continued, “Come on, everyone, let’s go out and get ready for breakfast. Don’t be late.”
Yin Caiwei bowed to Du Li, saying, "Thank you, Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law, for speaking up for me last night."
Du Li glanced at the third brother, waved his hand and said, "Don't mention it, lest someone want to beat me up."
Du Min raised his foot to kick him.
“Your father-in-law is here,” Du Li tricked him.
Du Min hurriedly kicked a snowball as if to make a show of it.
Du Li laughed loudly and ran away.
Wang Zhou also laughed out loud.
Wang Chuan looked up at the sound, but didn't see anything interesting. However, he chose to laugh along.
Du Min witnessed Wang Chuan's series of actions firsthand. He picked him up and asked with a laugh, "Are you stupid? What are you grinning about?"
When Wang Chuan was caught red-handed, he lowered his head and remained silent, his ears turning red.
Du Min was overjoyed; his mood had completely improved.
Upon arriving at the dining room, Mr. and Mrs. Yin were already waiting. Meng Qing and Du Li greeted each other, and Mr. and Mrs. Yin inquired about the whereabouts of Mr. and Mrs. Meng before the whole family sat down to eat.
Not long after the meal, Wang Sima and his wife came to pay their respects for the New Year. After that, one after another, the six military advisors and the newly appointed magistrate of Wei County also arrived.
Du Min invited everyone to stay for dinner. During the meal, he brought up the issue of snow disaster prevention and called on all officials to donate their old clothes, bedding, shoes and socks.
“My wife plans to establish a charity to collect old clothes, shoes, bedding, tables, chairs, trunks, and pots from every household. Items that do not conform to etiquette will be sold and exchanged for cattail quilts, which will then be donated to poor families.” Du Min officially recognized the charity. “If your household has any of these items, please send your servants to the Prefect’s residence next door.”
The officials present all responded in agreement.
"Sir, why don't you move to the neighboring residence of the Prefect?" Lin Canjun asked.
“I won’t move. Moving is too much trouble, and my family is small enough that the Chief Administrator’s residence is sufficient. After the Lantern Festival, I will change the plaques of the two residences, and when the new Chief Administrator takes office, he will move into the house next door,” Du Min replied.
"Minister Yin, who is the new Chief Clerk?" Wang Sima asked.
“Dou Yun is from the Dou family of Henan,” Vice Minister Yin replied. “He previously served as the Prefect of Ruzhou and is expected to take up his post in February or March.”
“This clan produces many officials who speak out against injustice,” said Wang Sima.
"Eat your food. No business during your leave," Du Min said.
That's what they said. When the banquet ended, Du Min instructed Wang Sima to send a letter to the magistrates of each county, asking them to come to the governor's mansion after the Lantern Festival.
Yin Caiwei and Meng Qing saw the ladies of each household out of the hall and watched them walk into the snow. The two sisters-in-law also turned around and went back into the house.
"Aren't you planning to invite them to help manage the charity?" Meng Qing asked.
“Let’s see. I’ll wait for people to come and recommend themselves,” Yin Caiwei said. “What’s important to me right now is to get the list of poor families and collect more used items.”
“The list is easy to get. Go find Lao San and ask him for the list of farmers and merchants in Hanoi who rent sheep interest-free, and then select from that list,” Meng Qing said.
"Oh right!" Yin Caiwei exclaimed in surprise. "Thank you for reminding me, Second Sister-in-law. I'm going to find him."
Meng Qing waved.
Yin Caiwei took two steps and then came back. She asked ingratiatingly, "Second sister-in-law, when you are collecting grain and meat, can I go with you? Families that can donate grain must have old items waiting to be traded."
"You're quite adaptable," Meng Qing praised without reservation. "Okay, I'll take you with me then."
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