“Miss, the Madam of the Marquis’s household has arrived!”
Just as Zhao Shi was worrying about her children, a young maid outside the corridor announced loudly.
“Madam is here? Quickly, invite her in!” Zhao Shi hurriedly stood up and walked toward the entrance while speaking.
Wang Yi also stood and followed obediently beside her mother.
As soon as Madam Qian stepped into the main hall, she met the mother and daughter who had come out to greet her.
She smiled lightly, warmth in her eyes. “There’s no need to be so formal, sister-in-law and A’Si. We are all family—there’s no need for such distance.”
“Have you eaten? Was the food to your taste? Are the servants taking good care of you? If anything is lacking, just tell me.”
As she spoke, she entered the hall.
Seeing the table full of dishes, it was clear they had not eaten much yet.
A hint of annoyance flashed across Madam Qian’s face. “I’ve come at the wrong time, haven’t I? I’ve delayed your meal.”
“Sister-in-law, you came because you were worried about us. How could that be a delay?” Zhao Shi held her arm and guided her to the seat of honor.
“Besides, didn’t you just say we are family? Why are you being so distant with me now?”
“Yes, yes, that’s my mistake.”
Madam Qian could tell from Zhao Shi’s gentle attitude that she hadn’t taken offense.
After some light conversation, they got to the main topic.
“Your brother and I prepared this for you,” Madam Qian said, taking a small black lacquered inlaid box from a maid.
“Your family’s estate was seized, and your dowry was confiscated as well. Although the household provides basic allowances, you still need silver for daily expenses.”
She opened the box and pushed it toward Zhao Shi.
“Use this for tomorrow’s preparations for the Wang family, or for your daily needs. If it’s not enough, just ask me or your elder brother.”
“Oh, and this is your monthly allowance for you and A’Si—eighteen taels in total.”
Inside the box were five hundred taels in silver notes given privately by her brother and sister-in-law, along with the official monthly allowance.
Zhao Shi understood the rules of the household well:
The Dowager Madam received twenty taels per month. The lady of the household, as the mistress, received slightly less at eighteen taels. Other wives received sixteen taels. Married daughters or young ladies received twelve taels. Children received six taels each.
Zhao Shi was a married daughter, and Wang Yi was a visiting young lady—together they made eighteen taels per month.
“Big sister-in-law…” Zhao Shi was deeply moved, tears welling in her eyes.
She did not refuse. She truly needed the money.
Nor did she say many words of thanks. The kindness of her family and brother-in-law was as vast as the heavens; how could a few words repay it?
She would repay them in the future with everything she had.
“Alright, alright. We are family,” Madam Qian said softly. “When I first married into the household, you were even younger than A’Si.”
“You used to follow me around like a little tail, calling me sister and sister-in-law… Honestly, I’ve always treated you like my own daughter.”
“Now that you’ve suffered and returned home, your brother and I will naturally protect and care for you properly.”
At this, Madam Qian’s eyes also turned slightly red.
Her emotions were sincere—not only for her sister-in-law, but also out of sympathy for women in general.
Life was difficult for women. One misstep from a husband could bring disaster upon the entire family.
The atmosphere became heavy.
Wang Yi quickly spoke up. “That’s great! Aunt-in-law, you and uncle are truly like timely rain!”
“My mother and I were just worrying about my brothers and sisters, thinking of preparing things for them to take on their journey tomorrow. You’ve brought the silver at the perfect time—it really helps us in an urgent moment!”
Her words were direct and sincere.
Fortunately, she was at just the right age—thirteen, neither too young nor too old. Even if she was slightly improper, it could still be excused as childishness.
But what was more important was expressing gratitude clearly.
Zhao Shi felt a little embarrassed at her daughter’s straightforwardness but still helped explain, “Sister-in-law, A’Si is still a child. She speaks her mind too directly.”
Madam Qian smiled, and the smile reached her eyes.
She liked this child’s honesty.
Not foolish, and not ungrateful. Even if she wasn’t perfect in manners, she was likable.
“Mother, let’s use all this silver,” Wang Yi suddenly said.
She began listing everything they should buy:
Two spacious, sturdy new carriages.
Fine Songjiang cotton cloth to make simple clothes for everyone in the family.
New cotton bedding, thick and warm.
White flour flatbread, dried meat, preserved food, pickled vegetables.
Even menstrual supplies for the women were included in her planning.
Zhao Shi trusted her daughter and immediately began preparing everything according to her suggestions.
They were busy all over the place.
Madam Qian watched from the side, originally not intending to interfere—but as she saw the silver being spent rapidly and the items being prepared in abundance, she could not help but think:
Sister-in-law, do you even understand what the Wang family is about to face?
They are being exiled—not going on an outing or a spring trip.
The Wang family would not be traveling alone. They would be escorted by imperial guards.
According to the law, prisoners on exile must travel on foot together with their escorts. The only difference was that the guards did not wear shackles or chains.
In every other way—enduring wind and sun, exhaustion, and long hardship—they were the same.
Escorting prisoners was exhausting work.
And the resentment of the officers often fell onto the prisoners themselves.
Including, but not limited to, deliberate punishment, whipping, beatings—and in the worst cases, humiliation of female prisoners…