Volume 1, Chapter 14: A Clear Distinction in Quality

“Exactly! That money belongs to our Lu family. If you dare not repay the debts to Jinxiu Studio, forget about managing the household!” Lu Wanrou snapped angrily.

Before she finished speaking, Fang Qianxue gave a subtle glance to the maid, who promptly placed a bundle on the table in front of Mrs. Chen with a loud thud.

“What are you doing?” Mrs. Chen was startled.

“Sister Wanrou is right. I was planning to return the account books and tally tokens to Mother,” Fang Qianxue said, pointing to the bundle on the desk. “They’re all here today. You can carefully count everything and then hand it over to me properly.”

When her grandfather arranged this marriage, he thought that although the Lu family was humble, they had produced two distinguished men, Lu Changli and Lu Changqing, which showed the family had some merit. Mrs. Chen appeared amicable and reasonable on the surface.

Fang Qianxue had once believed that her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, though somewhat foolish and petty, wouldn’t stoop to deceit or trickery. But now she realized that the Lu family’s coldness and opportunism were ingrained in their very bones.

If it weren’t for such a family character, how could Lu Changqing shamelessly speak of sharing ancestral rites?

“You want to hand over the household management?” Mrs. Chen raised her hand to touch the bundle but quickly withdrew it. “Why make such a fuss? After all, we’re family…”

“Mother! What are you afraid of?” Lu Wanrou casually untied the bundle and began counting its contents—no tally tokens or account books were missing. “If she won’t manage the household, I’ll help you manage it!”

Cui Shuang helped her open the account books, flipping through the pages as she spoke. “Look carefully. The accounts of Meihuapao and Gongzhong have always been clearly separated. The well in the backyard was dug by people the Fang family sent years ago. We haven’t taken a single grain of rice from the Lu family all these years. Instead, Madam has often supplemented Gongzhong’s expenses with silver.”

She was a maid from the scholarly Fang household, usually speaking softly, but that didn’t mean she was weak. When it came to taking a stand, she did so resolutely.

Mrs. Chen didn’t even bother to look. She knew well how impoverished the Lu household was when she managed it. But Lu Wanrou grew flustered as she examined the numbers. “Why is there no balance? We even owe a few hundred taels?”

Fang Qianxue said nothing but gently weighed the tea cover, calmly looking at Mrs. Chen.

“Of course!” Cui Shuang lifted her head. “Doesn’t Madam need to repay the money she used from her dowry to cover Gongzhong’s expenses? When Miss Lu marries in the future, will her dowry be confiscated? The Great Yong Dynasty doesn’t have such rules.”

Lu Wanrou gritted her teeth fiercely. “Let me take a closer look!”

“Go ahead!” Cui Shuang tossed two account books onto the table. “Madam is kind-hearted; the medicine expenses for Songshengju and the funeral for the late master haven’t been charged to you. There’s only this debt of over three hundred taels. After you’ve checked, just stamp and sign.”

The room fell silent for a moment. After careful calculation, Lu Wanrou realized there truly was no money left—only a debt owed to Fang Qianxue. That’s when she knew she had gotten herself into serious trouble.

“Mother, look at these accounts…”

Mrs. Chen took a deep breath and smiled faintly. “Qianxue, if you want to take over managing the household, at least wait for Changqing to return.”

Within this family, Mrs. Fang always listened most to Changqing. Her son was talented and handsome, able to persuade Mrs. Fang completely.

“I’m not waiting,” Fang Qianxue set down her tea cup impatiently. “I’m busy.”

“You can’t accept these accounts!” Lu Wanrou became anxious.

She had wanted to get some money to pay off the debts at Jinxiu Studio, but instead not only did she get no money, she ended up owing three hundred taels. Only a fool would take this on!

“If you don’t accept, I’ll also tally the medicine expenses for Songshengju and the late master’s funeral. Then it won’t just be three hundred taels,” Fang Qianxue smiled coldly. “How about that?”

“Go ahead and calculate! We’re not paying anyway!”

“Silence!” Mrs. Chen grabbed Lu Wanrou’s wrist. “It’s only three hundred taels. The other day, Miaoyan gave me those two jade bracelets—that’s worth more than enough.”

What mattered most to her was reputation. Although Lu Changqing’s official position wasn’t high, he often appeared before the emperor and empress. If it became known that the Lu family owed the daughter-in-law’s dowry, how could he ever get promoted?

The more Mrs. Chen looked at Fang Qianxue, the less she liked her. Miaoyan gave her gifts without batting an eye, but Fang Qianxue kept meticulous accounts—clearly, they were of entirely different caliber!

“Mother understands things better,” Fang Qianxue praised. “Then Wanrou, please fetch the bracelets and let’s finalize the handover now.”

Lu Wanrou almost bit through her silver teeth but could only obey Mrs. Chen and went to the inner chamber to fetch the bracelets.

Fearing Fang Qianxue might change her mind, Mrs. Chen took the opportunity while her daughter was gone to sign the handover documents with Fang Qianxue. Two copies were made, both women affixed their seals.

“From now on, you will manage the household, and Mother will take care of the Jinxiu Studio accounts,” Fang Qianxue said, putting away the documents.

“Today you’re cutting ties with us. Don’t regret it later,” Mrs. Chen said happily as she accepted the handover papers, smugly adding, “Once Miaoyan is titled Holy Maiden of the Protectorate, Changqing becomes Prime Minister, and Wanrou marries into a noble family, what is a mere five thousand taels?”