The next day, the kitchen was bustling before dawn.
Yesterday, the butcher had refused to extend credit, delivering only a palm-sized piece of meat. Yet Old Mrs. Wu insisted on stewing a nourishing soup for Lin Shuang, preparing ginseng chicken porridge for Wu Xiong, and reserving a bowl of bird’s nest for herself.
The cook had no choice but to dilute the soup with half a pot of water.
When the soup was presented to Old Mrs. Wu, she took a spoonful and her expression immediately darkened.
“What is this?”
The cook knelt on the floor, trembling as he replied, “Madam, the kitchen truly has no money left.”
Enraged, Old Mrs. Wu slammed the soup bowl down.
“If there’s no money, can’t you think of a way? When Jiang Xiu managed the household before, there were good things every day. How is it that in your hands, you serve me such rubbish?”
The cook lowered his head, not daring to speak.
In the past, there were good things because the mistress was willing to supplement with her dowry.
Now, the old madam only offers a few copper coins yet demands chicken, duck, fish, meat, nourishing soups, and bird’s nest. Even if a deity were to take charge of the kitchen, they couldn’t conjure such things.
No one dared to say this, but everyone understood it in their hearts.
Just then, Wu Jiaojiao rushed in with reddened eyes.
“Mother, everyone outside is laughing at me!”
Already irritated, Old Mrs. Wu’s expression grew even uglier. “Laughing at you about what?”
Wu Jiaojiao gritted her teeth. “They say our marquisate can’t even afford a few boxes of rouge, that since Brother took a concubine, the household can’t make ends meet. Some even say…”
Her voice dropped, her face filled with resentment.
“…that the marquisate’s former dignity was entirely propped up by Jiang Xiu.”
Old Mrs. Wu felt a wave of dizziness.
She couldn’t stand hearing such words, yet in her heart, she understood better than anyone that if this dragged on, the marquisate would truly become the laughingstock of the entire capital.
Old Mrs. Wu could only turn to Wu Xiong.
“Xiong’er, this matter can’t be delayed any longer.”
Any longer, and she would have to dig into her coffin savings!
Wu Xiong’s face was dark.
He knew it couldn’t be delayed any longer.
But the thought of lowering himself to approach Jiang Xiu made him feel as if he had swallowed a fly.
In the past, Jiang Xiu had always yielded to him. When had it ever been his turn to seek her out again and again?
Wu Ling, nestled in Lin Shuang’s arms, felt her eyes brighten slightly.
She also thought Wu Xiong should go.
As long as Jiang Xiu took charge of the birthday banquet again and made it lively, her prophecy could spread even farther.
In her previous life, that birthday banquet had been the turning point of her fate.
She reached out a small hand, gently tugging at Wu Xiong’s sleeve, blinking her round eyes, appearing exceptionally well-behaved.
Old Mrs. Wu felt her heart melt at the sight.
“Look at Ling’er, so sensible.”
Wu Xiong’s heart softened a little as well.
He sighed and finally stood up.
“I’ll go see her.”
Old Mrs. Wu hurriedly advised, “Speak properly with Jiang Xiu. Don’t let things turn sour again!”
Wu Xiong made his way to the side courtyard, still seething inside.
Jiang Xiu was merely taking advantage of his need for her to act so arrogantly.
As long as he offered her a few kind words, letting her believe he still valued her, she would naturally, as before, obediently manage the marquisate’s affairs.
Women, after all.
No matter how tough they seem, it’s usually just a front.
In the side courtyard, Jiang Xiu was sitting at a table reviewing accounts.
Xing’er reported softly, “The Jiang residence has replied. The elder master said he will keep an eye on news from the border and asked you to rest assured.”
Jiang Xiu nodded.
Just then, a voice announced from outside.
“Madam, the Marquis has arrived.”
Xing’er’s expression immediately cooled.
Jiang Xiu said calmly, “Invite the Marquis in.”
When Wu Xiong entered, his face had already taken on a gentle demeanor.
“Madam.”
His voice was much softer than the day before.
Jiang Xiu looked up. “Marquis.”
Wu Xiong was displeased by her distant attitude but suppressed it nonetheless.
He took a few steps closer, his gaze settling on Fu Fu.
The little milk dumpling was nestled in Jiang Xiu’s arms, her dark, bright eyes watching him.
That gaze was unnervingly calm, making Wu Xiong inexplicably uncomfortable.
Fu Fu was indeed looking at him.
[Oh, the dog is here.]
[Today, he’s cleaned up his face to look almost human.]
[What? Is the front courtyard so poor they can’t even afford food, finally remembering my mother as a big blood bag?]
Wu Xiong couldn’t hear her thoughts, only feeling uneasy under that gaze, so he averted his eyes and forced a smile. “Yesterday, I spoke too harshly.”
Jiang Xiu looked at him but did not respond.
Wu Xiong waited a moment, but she didn’t say, “I don’t blame you, Marquis,” softly as she used to, making him increasingly uncomfortable.
He paused, softening his tone further.
“My lady has always been capable. Over the years, you’ve managed the entire marquis’s household impeccably. I know that in my heart.”
In the past, such words might have moved Jiang Xiu.
But now, she only heard four words in them—he wanted to use her again.
She replied indifferently, “Mother is in charge of the household. The Marquis need not worry.”
Wu Xiong’s smile stiffened.
“My lady,” he sighed, sitting down opposite her. “Between husband and wife, why be so distant? I know you’re unhappy about Shuang’er entering the household. But she and her child have been alone outside for years, truly pitiable. Her entry isn’t meant to overshadow you.”
Jiang Xiu gently stroked Fu Fu’s swaddling clothes.
“Did the Marquis come today for Concubine Lin or for the birthday banquet?”
Wu Xiong was caught off guard by her words, his expression darkening briefly before he suppressed it again.
“My birthday banquet is also a matter of the marquis’s household’s dignity.”
Jiang Xiu smiled faintly.
“The Marquis speaks rightly.”
Seeing her finally relent, Wu Xiong felt a surge of joy. “So, this matter will have to trouble you, my lady.”
“You want me to take charge of the birthday banquet?”
Wu Xiong nodded, his tone growing more natural. “You understand these matters best. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with it.”
Jiang Xiu gave a soft “Mm.”
Wu Xiong grew even more certain.
Indeed, Jiang Xiu still couldn’t let go of him!
But the next moment, Jiang Xiu said, “Since it’s the Marquis’s birthday, I’m naturally willing to help. However, Mother is currently managing the household, and I shouldn’t overstep. I can draft the banquet arrangements and review the guest list. As for financial matters, Mother will have to handle them through the household accounts.”
Wu Xiong’s expression froze.
“My lady, what do you mean by this?”
Jiang Xiu’s tone remained gentle. “Didn’t the Marquis say yesterday that Mother is toiling over household affairs and I shouldn’t stand aside? I’m now willing to help with the preparations, which is already my utmost effort. But since I’ve handed over the household keys, I naturally can’t use the household funds without authorization. Otherwise, if word gets out, others might think I disrespect my mother-in-law, pretending to relinquish control while secretly holding onto it.”
Wu Xiong was momentarily speechless.
What he wanted was for Jiang Xiu to provide the silver.
Not just for her to talk!
Jiang Xiu, as if oblivious to his discomfort, continued, “The Marquis need not worry. I’ll have Xing’er draft a most dignified plan. I won’t let the Marquis lose face in public.”
Wu Xiong’s heart skipped a beat.
Not a single important guest omitted?
If they truly followed the previous scale, how much silver would that cost?
Jiang Xiu added, “Concubine Lin has just entered the household, and countless eyes are watching from outside. This banquet must not only be held but held with great fanfare.”
“What does the Marquis think?”
Every word left Wu Xiong unable to refute.
Watching Wu Xiong’s expression, Fu Fu nearly laughed milk bubbles in her swaddling clothes.
[Brilliant.]
[The bigger, the better.]
[The more people invited, the greater the loss of face.]
[Delightful, love to see it.]
Jiang Xiu’s lips curved slightly upward before quickly flattening again.
After a long silence, Wu Xiong finally forced himself to say, “Then let it be done as Madam says.”
Once he finished speaking, he gritted his teeth and couldn’t help adding, “But regarding the funds, could Madam first…”