“Mm.” Lin Chaowen nodded solemnly as well.
“I don’t have the time to manage the inner household affairs, and it’s not something a man should interfere with. I never expected that in just eight years, several shops and estates would be ruined by Madam Zhang.”
“Whatever the case, since she was capable of doing this, she’s also likely involved in the assassination attempt on Mother and Sister. Father, Mother… since Sister has returned, shouldn’t the family be divided as well?”
Lin Jingbo’s expression was equally grim.
He was the same as his father—his official position came with a salary from the court. He contributed thirty percent to the common household fund and kept the rest for himself.
Since he rarely attended social obligations and didn’t like buying unnecessary things, he always had enough money and had never once drawn from the family fund.
If his sister hadn’t suddenly decided to inspect the shops today, they would still be kept in the dark for who knows how long.
Madam Xu withdrew her anger and smiled faintly.
“Alright, it’s late. Now that Youyou is back, Qingcha, clear the table and have the meal served.”
“Yes.” Qingcha responded and began clearing the table with Qingli. Steward Liu, who had been standing respectfully nearby, immediately went out to instruct the kitchen.
“Mother, we must reclaim the estates first,” Lin Youyou suddenly said.
“Why?” Madam Xu asked curiously.
Logically, shouldn’t the shops be reclaimed first? The estates weren’t going anywhere—they could be dealt with later.
Lin Youyou glanced around. Madam Xu immediately understood her meaning and smiled.
“Don’t worry. These are all trusted people. Nothing will be leaked.”
“I found something very good in the estates today,” Lin Youyou said. “If we take them back, we can use it to repay all the debts from the shops—and even make a profit. But Madam Zhang doesn’t seem to have personally gone to inspect that estate, so she hasn’t noticed it. We need to take it back before she realizes it, or it’ll become troublesome.”
The three of them were all startled.
“What is it?” Madam Xu asked.
“You’ll know once we take it back,” Lin Youyou said with a grin. “I’ll keep it a secret for now.”
She smiled brightly, clearly enjoying the idea of keeping them guessing.
Unfortunately, none of the three people across from her reacted much at all. They calmly continued eating.
This time it was Lin Youyou who was confused.
“Aren’t you curious?”
“We’ll find out sooner or later. Why rush?” Lin Chaowen said calmly, still wearing his refined smile.
“……”
Lin Youyou fell silent.
Fine. If you won’t ask, I won’t say. Let’s see who can hold out longer.
After dinner, they all returned to their rooms and said goodnight.
The next day, Lin Chaowen went to court, while Lin Jingbo returned to the Dali Temple. He still needed to solve the mutilation murder case—otherwise, the danger surrounding his mother and sister would not end.
Madam Xu woke early and went to find her daughter. Seeing that she was already up and eating breakfast, she sat down with a smile.
“Hurry and eat. After that, we’ll go pay your grandmother a visit.”
“Alright.”
Lin Youyou nodded. She also knew today would be a tough battle, so she quickly finished her meal and went with Madam Xu toward the old madam’s courtyard.
They were followed by Steward Liu, Qingli, and Qingcha, while Qingmei and Qingcao stayed behind to supervise the maids cleaning the rooms.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, Madam Zhang’s flattering voice could still be heard from inside, followed by the old madam’s occasional laughter. The atmosphere seemed quite harmonious.
A maid saw them and reacted much faster than before, quickly stepping forward to greet them.
“Greetings, First Madam, Young Miss.”
“Mm. Go report us,” Madam Xu said calmly.
“Yes.”
After a moment, the maid returned. Her expression was somewhat unpleasant as she said, “Old Madam invites First Madam and Young Miss in.”
It was obvious she had been scolded inside; otherwise, she wouldn’t look like that.
Madam Xu nodded and walked in with Lin Youyou.
Inside the room, everything was quiet. The same three people as yesterday were present, all looking at them with unfriendly expressions.
Madam Xu acted as if she didn’t notice and bowed slightly.
“Greetings, Mother.”
The old madam responded coldly, her sharp gaze sweeping over them.
“What brings you here today to visit this old woman?”
“Mother, I’ve already recovered in the past few days. I came to ask when Second Sister-in-law plans to return my dowry shops and estates,” Madam Xu said directly, without any pleasantries.
The old madam’s face darkened.
“You come to my courtyard not to greet me, but to demand property? Have you no respect for me as your mother?”
Madam Xu sneered.
“Then, Mother, shouldn’t my dowry shops and estates be returned to me? Is it proper for them to be managed by a sister-in-law?”
“You are insolent!” the old madam slammed the table in fury, her face turning ashen.
Indeed, this eldest daughter-in-law was nothing good—nowhere near as obedient as the second one.
She had only been back a few days and had already angered her several times. Truly, she was born to oppose her.
Madam Xu paid no attention to her rage and instead turned calmly to Madam Zhang.
“Second Sister-in-law, what do you say?”
Madam Zhang’s expression was also unpleasant.
“These were originally Sister-in-law’s properties; I should return them. However, the shops are currently barely breaking even. I fear Sister-in-law may look down on them.”
She was reluctant to return them. The others she didn’t care about, but the estate and one clothing shop were still profitable, bringing in two hundred taels of silver each month. Giving them back now made her unwilling.
“Oh?” Madam Xu raised a brow and smiled faintly.
“So you intend to keep your sister-in-law’s dowry for yourself?”