Lu Lingxiao stormed out of Haitang Courtyard, fuming, intent on confronting the Old Madam for answers.
But he paused, realizing that questioning his grandmother in anger over such matters would be a breach of filial piety.
Fortunately, some matters had already spread among the servants, and with a little attention, he could learn the details.
It turned out that when his grandfather was alive, he had lent out a considerable amount of usurious money. As a Military General, no one dared to default on his debts, and they had made significant profits in the earlier years.
His grandfather, emboldened by the profits, expanded the business further.
But usury was harmful, and when the Supreme Emperor ascended the throne, his first decree was to outlaw usurious loans among the populace.
Many withdrew hastily at that time, and his grandfather wanted to pull out too. However, he had already lent out too much, and his withdrawal came too late, resulting in catastrophic losses.
To recover, his grandfather mortgaged the family estate, shops, and lands to the Money Shop, borrowing a large sum of silver to partner with others in salt transport.
But salt transport—was it something anyone could meddle with? Even royal relatives couldn't easily attempt such ventures.
Predictably, word leaked out.
Only in consideration of his great-grandfather's service to the Supreme Emperor in aiding his rise to power did his grandfather retain his official position, escaping solely with a silver penalty.
But this rendered the Lu Family utterly buried in debt.
When Lu Lingxiao reached marriageable age, the Old Madam tried to arrange a suitable match for him in the Capital City, but upon hearing of the Lu Family's situation, no one dared send their daughters to marry into it.
It was only because the Meng Family was far away in You State, unaware that the Lu Family was a hollow shell.
Thus, Meng Qianqian hadn't lied—she had filled the void in the Lu Family's finances, paying off their external debts. Thanks to her dowry, the Lu Family had managed to maintain its facade of prosperity and dignity.
The servant sighed and remarked, "That's the story, Eldest Young Master. Truly, living off a wife's wealth isn't shameful; it's shameful when one eats it shamelessly."
Lu Lingxiao's face hardened. "Why is your mouth so sharp today?"
The servant sheepishly fell silent.
This man was sent by Steward Liu to serve him, but in just a few days, his nonstop chatter was driving him mad.
The servant replied, "Eldest Young Master, it's 'Shenyan.'"
Lu Lingxiao's face darkened further. "Now you're lecturing me? I asked what your name is!"
The servant replied indignantly, "It's Shenyan, sir! My name is Shenyan! Because I talk too much, and the big master gave me that name to remind me to watch my tongue!"
Lu Lingxiao sneered, "Well, I see this name hasn't done you much good!"
Shenyan hesitated, as though wanting to say more.
Lu Lingxiao snapped, "What is it now?"
Shenyan hesitantly replied, "Young Master, I have something to report."
Lu Lingxiao: "Out with it!"
Shenyan said, "The Old Madam has settled the payment for the fabrics."
Lu Lingxiao's expression eased. "At least my great-grandmother cares for me."
Shenyan added, "They weren't bought for Miss Lin, though."
"Qianqian! Qianqian!"
Meng Qianqian was calculating accounts when the Old Madam, full of energy, walked inside.
Though her mind seemed muddled, under Meng Qianqian's care over the years, her physical health had remarkably improved.
Meng Qianqian put down her account book. "Great-Grandmother."
The Old Madam approached her and glanced at the account book in her hand. "What's this book about?"
Meng Qianqian laughed softly. "It's not a storybook, it's an account ledger. I'll read you something new tomorrow instead."
The Old Madam nodded enthusiastically. "You better not forget!"
Meng Qianqian smiled, "I won't."
The Old Madam grinned mischievously like a crafty child. "Hehehe~"
Ban Xia and Nanny Li laughed behind their sleeves, amused by the Old Madam.
The Old Madam, still grinning, said mysteriously, "Qianqian, guess what I bought for you!"
"Alright, alright, you'll never guess!"
She raised her hand grandly. "Bring it in!"
Two servants entered, arms full of shimmering bolts of fabric.
Nanny Li's eyes widened in surprise. "Isn't this... Floating Light Brocade from the fabric shop?"
That was originally chosen by Miss Lin for the unborn child, though anyone could see she had picked it for herself instead.
Indeed, all of it was top-grade brocade.
Such costly material, worn, would make anyone remark that she was truly worthy of being the legitimate wife of the General of the Northern Frontier.
"Do you like it, Qianqian?"
The Old Madam tilted her head and asked.
Feeling a warmth in her heart, Meng Qianqian nodded, "If it's from Great-Grandmother, Qianqian likes it all."
The Old Madam stood proudly, laughing like a mischievous old sprite. "Hohoho~"
Meng Qianqian asked curiously, "Great-Grandmother, where did you get so much silver?"
Seven or eight hundred tales wasn't a small sum.
The Old Madam replied bluntly, "From my funeral fund."
Lu Lingxiao had dinner with Lin Wan'er.
"Apologies, Great-Grandmother bought the fabrics, I'll get you new ones next time,"
he said to Lin Wan'er.
Lin Wan'er shook her head and signed in hand speech: Those fabrics were mostly chosen for the Eldest Young Madam; only one was truly meant for our child.
Lu Lingxiao, who had been feeling gratitude and guilt towards Meng Qianqian for the years she supported the family, suddenly felt that compared to Wan'er, Meng Qianqian still lacked understanding.
Sure, her financial support was commendable, but did she have to use it as leverage to act so high-handedly in the household?
Lu Lingxiao tenderly held Wan'er's hand. "You've been wronged. You always think of her, yet she only thinks of herself. If she had half your kindness, our home wouldn't be in such discord."
Lin Wan'er signed: Eldest Young Madam is still young. General, please try to be more patient with her and do not get upset.
Lu Lingxiao furrowed his brow slightly. "I understand. I'll try my best to yield to her. You have enough trouble with pregnancy—get some rest. I've achieved significant merit this time, and His Majesty will surely grant rewards. When they arrive, I'll take you shopping for new fabrics for both you and the child. Pick some more for yourself too."
Lin Wan'er leaned against him, tracing words on his palm softly: Serving by your side is already enough for me. Wan'er asks for nothing else.
Lu Lingxiao embraced her shoulder. "Bringing you to the Capital wasn't to make you endure hardship. Except for the status of formal wife, all the affection, riches, and honor that others have, I will give to you as well."
Meng Qianqian spent the afternoon entertaining the Old Madam and continued working on the accounts into the evening.
The household accounts were divided into two categories: internal accounts for daily expenses and external accounts for profits and losses from estates and shops.
Judging by the accounts, none of the estates or shops turned a profit; in fact, they required substantial yearly investments.
As for where this silver came from—it was obvious enough.
Meng Qianqian closed the ledger. "I wouldn't have thought that in just five years, most of my dowry has been spent."
Nanny Li groaned in pain. "Exactly, there's only about ten thousand tales left."
Meng Qianqian pondered aloud, "These accounts are suspicious. I'll double-check them later to see what can be retrieved. But the priority now is transferring the remaining ten thousand tales somewhere safe."
This silver would be her lifeline in the future.
But how to transfer it, and where to send it?