“No.”
Wu Xiong’s expression darkened completely.
Jiang Xiu, however, looked at him calmly.
“Marquis, my dowry is not part of the Marquis’s estate’s public funds.”
“If the Marquis believes I am mistaken, you are welcome to invite the clan elders to judge the matter.”
A flash of anger passed through Wu Xiong’s eyes.
He had already lowered his stance to this extent, yet she still refused to yield! Did she really expect him to return the authority over the household to her?
Invite the clan elders?
Wouldn’t that let everyone know that the Zhongbo Marquis’s estate had been relying on Jiang Xiu’s dowry to survive all these years?
He naturally could not allow that.
Jiang Xiu had precisely anticipated this.
Wu Xiong took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger.
“You exaggerate, Madam.”
“I was merely asking casually.”
Jiang Xiu nodded gently.
“That’s good then.”
The room fell silent again.
Wu Xiong sat there, feeling utterly uncomfortable.
In the past, he rarely visited this side courtyard.
Even when he did come, it was always Jiang Xiu who revolved around him.
Serving tea, offering water, inquiring about his well-being—she was afraid he might feel the slightest discomfort.
But now, he had been sitting here for so long, and Jiang Xiu had not asked him once if he was tired, nor had she ordered anyone to bring him fresh hot tea.
She simply held her newborn daughter, her expression indifferent, as if he were nothing more than an insignificant guest.
This feeling made Wu Xiong extremely uneasy.
He stood up.
“Then, regarding the birthday banquet, I’ll trouble you, Madam.”
Jiang Xiu did not try to keep him, only saying, “Take care on your way, Marquis.”
Wu Xiong clenched his hands inside his sleeves and turned to leave.
Jiang Xiu instructed, “Go and draft the invitations.”
“Everyone invited in previous years should be invited this year as well.”
“In addition, send invitations to several ladies who are on good terms with the Jiang family.”
Xing’er was momentarily stunned.
Jiang Xiu said calmly, “Since we want it to be lively, let’s make it even livelier.”
Fu Fu was overjoyed to hear this.
【Invite those ladies who love to gossip the most.】
【This venerable one can hardly wait.】
Hearing this, Jiang Xiu’s heart stirred.
“Xing’er.”
Xing’er quickly responded, “Madam.”
Jiang Xiu said, “When sending out the invitations, there’s no need to mention that I am overseeing it. Just say that the Old Madam is personally managing the household and attaches great importance to the Marquis’s birthday.”
Xing’er was taken aback at first, but then she understood and nearly laughed out loud.
“This servant understands.”
This way, everyone outside would know that this banquet was the first major event hosted by Old Mrs. Wu after taking charge of the household.
The front courtyard soon received the banquet arrangements drafted by Jiang Xiu.
A thick stack.
Old Mrs. Wu had only flipped open the first page when her eyes widened.
“Inviting so many people?”
Wu Jiaojiao leaned over to take a look and was also startled.
“Why are all these people being invited?”
The more Old Mrs. Wu flipped through, the paler her face became.
Twelve tables for the banquet.
Four types of tea and snacks.
The wine could not be too cheap.
They also needed to hire a theater troupe.
And they had to refurbish the decorations in the flower hall.
Every detail was written out meticulously, so perfectly that not a single flaw could be found.
And so expensive it made one’s vision darken.
Old Mrs. Wu trembled with anger.
“She’s doing this on purpose!”
Wu Xiong took the arrangements, read through them, and his expression turned equally grim.
Yet he could not find a single fault to point out.
Because this was indeed the scale the Marquis’s estate’s birthday banquets had maintained in the past…
Lin Shuang sat to the side, a shadow of darkness flashing in her eyes.
Jiang Xiu was refusing to spend money while setting up such a grand display.
If the Wu family could not afford to host it, it would be the Wu family’s face that was lost.
If they forced themselves to host it, they would likely drain the last of the estate’s public funds!
Wu Ling, however, did not care about any of this.
She only heard that many people were being invited.
Excellent.
The more, the better.
Only with many people could her prophecy spread faster.
Old Mrs. Wu was fretting when she suddenly remembered something.
“Ling’er should also dress up nicely that day.”
“She’s as lovely as jade and snow. If the ladies see her, they’re sure to adore her.”
Wu Jiaojiao chimed in, “That’s right. Ling’er is so clever—she might even earn our marquisate some face.”
Wu Ling lowered her head, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips.
It wasn’t just about earning some face.
She wanted everyone to know she was no ordinary child.
She was the Auspicious Omen!
And that freak in Jiang Xiu’s arms, who should never have been born, deserved only to be trampled beneath her feet.
That night.
In the side courtyard, the lamps remained lit.
Jiang Xiu sat before the desk, slowly reading through a guest list.
Xing’er whispered, “Madam, the invitations have all been sent out.”
“Outside, they’re saying that as soon as the old madam took over the household management, she’s already planning a grand birthday banquet for the marquis.”
“Some are even praising the old madam for doting on her son, saying the marquisate is sure to be lively this time.”
Jiang Xiu smiled faintly.
“That’s good.”
Fu Fu let out a tiny yawn, so sleepy that tears welled up in her eyes.
【Finally, things are getting interesting.】
【That little thing Wu Ling must be overjoyed tonight.】
【She thinks she can rely on her prophecies to turn things around again.】
【What a pity.】
【This time, Eldest Uncle didn’t go to his death, and the situation at the border has long since changed.】
【Her little bits of future memories are now just an old almanac.】
Jiang Xiu gently lowered her gaze.
Old almanac.
Those three words were quite fitting.
Suppressing a smile, Jiang Xiu tucked the swaddling clothes snugly around her.
Outside the window, the moonlight grew thicker.
In the front courtyard of the marquisate, they were tearing their hair out over money; Lin Shuang and her daughter were secretly excited about the birthday banquet; Wu Xiong tossed and turned, sleepless over so-called dignity.
But Jiang Xiu, holding her daughter, felt her mind growing clearer and clearer.
She would watch with her own eyes as the Wu family built their own stage, stepped onto it, and then shattered themselves to pieces.
…
On the day of Wu Xiong’s birthday, the marquisate was in chaos from before dawn.
Servants hurried through the courtyards carrying tables and chairs.
Footsteps, urgent calls, and the clatter of pots and pans filled the estate, making even the morning light seem flustered.
Smoke from the kitchen wafted into the courtyards with the wind, mingling with the scent of wine, the smell of meat, and the damp, chilly morning mist.
Short on funds, the kitchen had to cut two dishes from the planned menu at Old Mrs. Wu’s last-minute order, and the wine was downgraded to a cheaper variety.
The imposing screen in the flower hall, meant to uphold appearances, had been dug out from the old storeroom.
Though its edges were worn, it was still grand, embroidered with a scene of the distant frontier: far-off mountains, a lone city, battle flags, and galloping horses. From a distance, it looked quite impressive.
Old Mrs. Wu gritted her teeth. “We’ll display this. Jiang Xiu wants to see us make fools of ourselves, but we’ll make this banquet splendid!”
This time, she had emptied the family coffers to maintain dignity.
As guests arrived one after another, the flower hall soon grew lively.
But everyone had sharp eyes: the banquet lacked substantial dishes, the wine wasn’t rich enough, and though the screen was large, it couldn’t hide its age.
Several ladies exchanged meaningful glances even as they offered congratulations.
The Marquisate of Zhongbo was truly not what it used to be.
When Jiang Xiu entered holding Fu Fu, the noise in the hall quieted slightly.
She was dressed simply today, in a pale moon-white dress with only the faintest of patterns, and a single jade hairpin in her hair.
Wu Zhan followed at her side. Though still frail, he could now slowly greet people.
Wu Che held Xing’er’s hand, clutching a wooden plaque in his arms, his eyes fixed on Fu Fu.
The Marchioness of Yong’an smiled first. “This must be the third young miss? She’s truly lovely—one look and you can tell she’s blessed with good fortune.”
Nestled in her swaddling clothes, Fu Fu blinked her dark, bright eyes.
【This lady has good taste.】
[“But I’m not blessed with good fortune—I specialize in bringing misfortune to others.”]
Jiang Xiu nearly laughed out loud, only giving her a light pat.
Not far away, Old Mrs. Wu, upon hearing the words “blessed with good fortune,” immediately looked displeased.
She promptly took Wu Ling from Lin Shuang’s arms and placed the child on her own lap, smiling as she said, “The third girl is quiet, but our Ling’er is livelier.”
“Don’t let her age fool you—sometimes the things she says turn out to be surprisingly prophetic.”