Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 254 - 100 Promises that Cant be Given_2
Chapter 254: Chapter 100: Promises that Can’t be Given_2
Chapter 254: Chapter 100: Promises that Can’t be Given_2
After a while, only Yueying was left in the courtyard.
The Old Madam gazed at Yueyao as she walked in. Yueyao was very calm, incredibly calm, as if she hadn’t taken the recent events to heart. Finally, unable to contain herself, the Old Madam asked, “Yueyao, are you blaming your grandmother for the unfair division of the inheritance?” She had known since Yueyao was little that she was intelligent, because her son often boasted about having such a daughter, though she felt it was inappropriate. It is not good for a girl to be too clever; as the Buddhist saying goes, ‘Too much wisdom can lead to heartache.’ She couldn’t bear to look at the child when she’d just returned, but over time Yueyao seemed to improve, yet this improvement made the Old Madam worry. Yueyao used to display her intelligence openly, but now she had become inscrutable, concealing her own depth.
Having gone through her past life’s experiences, Yueyao knew there was no absolute fairness in this world, and achieving fairness depended on whether one was up to standard and capable. Clearly, she was not, for she was a woman, and for her grandmother to have handed over her mother’s dowry was already the greatest concession. Pretending to misunderstand, Yueyao asked, “Grandmother, I don’t understand your meaning?”
However, the Old Madam did not allow Yueyao to feign ignorance and get by without further comment, and with a wry smile, she said, “Yueyao, I know you are aware of the substantial amount of silver your father sent back. All this silver will be left to the main branch. Grandmother knows you think I am being unjust.”
Just now, Yueying had displayed her dissatisfaction. Yuebing and Yuehuan were surprised but mostly elated; Yuehuan’s indifference was because she was too young; but Yueyao’s reaction was too calm, neither sad nor happy, and this expression hadn’t changed at all. If she didn’t know, that would be one thing, but it was obvious she knew and still remained indifferent, causing the Old Madam to feel puzzled.
Yueyao didn’t want to lie, “I only resent Heaven for being so cruel as to take my parents so early; if they were still here, Tingzheng and I wouldn’t have become orphans without parents.”
The Old Madam sighed softly, “Grandmother knows what you’re thinking, but I can only tell you that Grandmother had to do this.” The Old Madam was well aware of the mansion’s financial situation, barely maintaining its expenses over the years. If this sum of silver weren’t added to the common fund, the Lian Mansion would soon be facing financial difficulties. Though the money belonged to the second branch, it had only two children. Yueyao not only had the pocket silver left by her son but also received Madam Ma’s dowry, enough for her and her brother to live on for a lifetime. But it was different for the main branch; it was the eldest branch, the future of the Lian family, and it had many prosperous descendants. For the sake of the Lian family and her children and grandchildren, she had to do this.
Looking at the Old Madam, Yueyao said, “Grandmother, I do know. My father told me when he gave me the silver that it was to be put into the common fund and had nothing to do with me. Grandmother, I haven’t taken it to heart. As long as there is enough money for our needs, what’s left won’t come with me after the New Year.” Yueyao knew all too well her father’s intention in transferring those possessions to the head of the family; her father understood his brother thoroughly. Her uncle would only treat her and Tingzheng well if he relinquished his wealth; her father left that sum of money for her brother and her, just in case.
Yueyao didn’t place significance on money, having long known it wouldn’t end up in her hands. Why worry about a foregone conclusion and add to her troubles?
Seeing Yueyao’s reaction, the Old Madam couldn’t help but think of her youngest son, who was very filial. He not only sent many gifts back from his post every year, but he also sent ten thousand taels of silver to her annually. Over the years, she hadn’t put the silver given by Dongbo into the common fund but saved it to purchase properties instead. With the properties she had previously acquired and the additional funds sent by the Old Madam’s second son, she had enough to alleviate the financial strain within the mansion. She had money but didn’t want to put it forward, waiting to see what Lady Mo would do. The outcome worried her, though.
Yueyao was composed under the Old Madam’s scrutiny.
Yueying stood outside on the veranda, looking at the main house. Qiao Lan stood at the entrance, refusing to let anyone in so as not to disturb the conversation inside.
A breeze came by, making Cai Lan, standing next to Yueying, feel refreshed. Unfortunately, Yueying was filled with unease at the moment, and the continuous chirping of the cicadas in the trees only increased her irritation. She said to the maid, “Grandmother needs peace to recuperate and cannot tolerate this noise.”
In a gentle voice, Cai Lan suggested, “Miss, let’s go inside. It’s hot out here.” She herself was unbearably hot and couldn’t fathom how her mistress managed to endure.
Yueying was not driven by the love of money, but she worried about the future. She knew the Yao Family wasn’t affluent, and her betrothed, being the legitimate second son, wouldn’t get much from the family division. She might have to rely on her dowry. Daughters born of a concubine receive a set portion for their dowry from the public fund, augmented by what the Old Madam provided. Now, her dowry turned out to be far less than Yuebing and Yueyao’s. Why should this be? Simply because she was born out of wedlock? She had diligently served the Old Madam and lost weight from the exertion; she never expected any additional compensation, but to receive the same dowry as Yuehuan was hard to accept. She thought the Old Madam would treat her differently. Now it seemed no matter how hard she tried, she was just the same as Yuehuan in her grandmother’s eyes.
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