Madam Pan looked left and right, then said in puzzlement: “Since He Fangting married into the Jiang family, she is part of the Jiang family. Her wealth is also the Jiang family’s, isn’t it? Why should it be repaid?”
She truly did not understand. In her own case, she had given all her dowry to her husband—that was what she considered a virtuous wife.
At her words, Jiang Chengzong, Jiang Linxiu, and Jiang Furong all silently agreed. Yes, if Madam He herself belonged to the Jiang family, how could her wealth not?
But after living in the capital for so many years, they knew the rules outside. They only thought it, not daring to say it aloud.
Bai Wei looked at Madam Pan in disbelief: “Madam, really… really… Such words may be fine at home, but never say them outside. If an imperial censor hears, one memorial to the throne and the Eldest Master will be stripped to the bone.”
Madam Pan was startled, frightened: “The censors care about this? But this is our family’s private matter! Isn’t it said even a wise judge cannot settle household disputes?”
Bai Wei replied dryly: “…Then by all means, go say it outside.” She thought to herself: better to quarrel once with a sensible person than to speak a single word to a fool.
The law of Great Zhao clearly stipulated: a woman’s dowry belonged to herself. Even a servant like her knew it—how could the Jiang masters pretend not to?
Madam Pan wanted to speak again, but her husband Jiang Chengzong glared at her darkly, and she fell silent in fear.
Jiang Linxiu frowned: “What you mentioned was only Eldest Brother’s official income. What about the shops and estates? Where did the yearly profits go?”
He did not mention his brother’s hidden income, only the obvious.
Bai Wei answered evenly: “That you must ask Second Master yourself.”
Jiang Linxiu was stunned: “Ask me?”
Bai Wei said coolly: “Second Master must have forgotten. The greatest profits came from the Jiangnan taverns and inns. Six years ago, you said you wished to ease the County Princess’s burdens and asked her to hand those businesses to you. The Old Master and Eldest Master agreed, so she entrusted them to you. Within a year, they were bankrupt and closed. On behalf of the County Princess, I must ask: how could prosperous taverns and inns, earning tens of thousands of silver a year, fail under your management?”
The initial capital had come from the County Princess’s dowry. Fortunately, later profits had replenished it.
Jiang Linxiu’s face flushed purple. He forced himself to say: “Didn’t Sister‑in‑law open new shops afterward?”
He had nearly forgotten. Perhaps because, though those businesses had closed, household expenses had not diminished. Whatever he fancied, he could still draw money from the accounts. He had simply assumed He Fangting had opened new shops and earned again. And of course, any new shops would be “the Jiang family’s.”
Bai Wei retorted: “Why open new ones—so you could ruin them again?”
Jiang Linxiu was speechless.
If Bai Wei were not one of He Fangting’s trusted maids, he would have slapped her. Her words were far too cutting.
Jiang Linxiu suddenly thought of something and raised his voice: “Wait—besides the closed taverns and inns in Jiangnan, there were also two raw‑silk shops and one dye workshop!”
Bai Wei replied: “Yes. Together, those three bring in about 1,500 taels annually.”
Jiang Linxiu said coldly: “Jiangnan is prosperous, silk and dyes are lucrative. How could it be only 1,500? There must be trickery here!”
Bai Wei agreed: “I also find it suspicious. Why not summon the managers of those shops to the capital and examine their accounts carefully?”
Jiang Linxiu was about to agree when he noticed his wife Li Xixiang frantically signaling him with her eyes. He suddenly remembered—the managers of those three businesses had been appointed by her.
The words on his lips changed: “Perhaps there’s no need to investigate. I’ve heard Jiangnan has struggled in recent years. Reduced profits are normal.”
Bai Wei insisted sternly: “It should still be checked…”
Jiang Linxiu cut her off abruptly: “Enough about Jiangnan! What of the shops in the capital?”
Bai Wei explained: “Does Second Master not know? Officials are forbidden to trade. The capital is full of censors; even if shops are opened under the guise of stewards, they are easily targeted. Ten years ago, Eldest Master ordered the County Princess to close all the capital shops.”
Jiang Linxiu muttered: “…So only estates remain in the capital?”
Bai Wei nodded: “Yes. Four estates, producing rice, fruits, vegetables, poultry, sheep, rabbits, and so on. With rents included, they yield about 2,500 taels annually.”
Jiang Linxiu quickly calculated: “So, shops plus estates bring about 4,000 taels a year. Add Eldest Brother’s honesty silver, and that’s at least 8,500 taels!”
That was no small sum.
Jiang Chengzong’s face eased. Back in Sanya Village, they hadn’t earned fifty taels in a year. With 8,500, so much could be done!
He thought: clearly, the Jiang family was supported by Jiang Zhixiu, not He Fangting. She merely gave gifts now and then.
Madam Pan muttered prayers of thanks—Jiang Zhixiu truly brought her honor.
But Jiang Linxiu’s face darkened again. He shouted: “If there’s so much silver, why is only a few hundred left? It’s only July!”
Bai Wei, unflinching, replied flatly: “Second Master, are you a living *pixiu*—counting only what comes in, not what goes out? In the past five years, household expenses have averaged 16,000 taels annually.”
The Jiang family all gasped.
In their minds, the same three words echoed: “I don’t believe it.”