After hearing this, Wang Yuanwu froze for a moment. Then, as if something suddenly clicked, he slapped his forehead.
“Ah! Look at my memory—I actually forgot something this important! I did promise Madam Cui earlier to have the sixth girl move out of the residence…”
Thinking this through, he couldn’t help but wonder: Could it be that Wang Yutong came today to personally refuse this arrangement?
After a brief pause, he ordered, “Let the sixth girl come in.”
Soon, Wang Yutong followed Wang Fu inside and slowly stepped forward.
She bowed. “Greetings, Father.”
Wang Yuanwu raised a hand. “Rise. You’ve come today—is it about moving out this morning?
If you intend to refuse, I’m afraid I cannot agree. Matters of the inner household are managed by your mother.”
With just a few words, he cut off any chance of her refusing.
Hearing this, Wang Yutong felt a chill in her heart.
What a cold-hearted man… sending a six-year-old girl to live outside? And he dares pretend it wasn’t his idea?
Suppressing her emotions, she smiled faintly and said softly, “Father, I came precisely because of this matter.
Your daughter is only six. If I am sent out, how will expenses be handled? Which servants will accompany me?
And… if I miss Father and Mother, what should I do?”
Wang Yuanwu was momentarily speechless.
Earlier, he had only been angry that she exposed things at the banquet, so in a fit of temper he ordered her to move out—he hadn’t thought through any of the details.
Now, her questions caught him off guard.
Frowning, slightly embarrassed, he snapped, “Are you deliberately making things difficult for me?
Expenses will naturally be covered by the household. As for servants, you’ll take your current attendants.
If you miss us, you can come back. This is your home—must you be invited to return?”
Wang Yutong sneered inwardly but remained obedient on the surface.
“Father, I’ve heard that living outside is costly. If I rely on the monthly allowance from the household…
What if one day the accounts office is busy and forgets to send it? Wouldn’t I go hungry?
And if word spreads that a daughter of the Marquis can’t even afford food, wouldn’t that damage our family’s reputation?”
At this point, Wang Yuanwu understood—she was indirectly asking for money.
But handing over money to a six-year-old made him uncomfortable.
“You need not worry. I’ll have Wang Fu keep track of it. It won’t be forgotten,” he said, trying to dismiss her.
Wang Yutong calmly replied, “Father, I do trust you. But if one day you are away on official business, and Mother assumes you’ve already given the silver… Would you have me return to the residence to ask for money?”
Wang Yuanwu was once again at a loss for words, irritation rising.
This girl… so young, yet so sharp-tongued.
“Don’t push your luck,” he said coldly.
Unruffled, Wang Yutong bowed again. “Father, I do not intend to push my luck. I only wish to live steadily in the future and not bring shame to the Marquis household.
If Father finds it troublesome, I wouldn’t dare insist—only, if something goes wrong later, I fear it may become a laughingstock.”
Wang Yuanwu frowned deeply, weighing the situation.
He didn’t want to give in—but he also didn’t want rumors to damage the family’s reputation.
After a moment, he sighed. “Fine. I’ll give you five hundred taels of silver. Do not bring this matter up again.”
Wang Yutong felt delighted inside but remained composed.
“Thank you, Father. I will live frugally and not disappoint your expectations.
However… may I ask—does this five hundred taels cover a year’s expenses?
Does it include the servants’ wages? And my study expenses—brush, ink, paper?”
At first, five hundred taels sounded like a lot.
But hearing her breakdown, even Wang Yuanwu felt it might not be enough.
Clothing for all seasons, jewelry, study materials—those alone could drain a fortune, not to mention social expenses.
“Sixth girl, if you think it’s not enough, how much do you want? You’re only six—having too much money isn’t good,” he warned.
Wang Yutong thought for a moment, then looked up.
“Father, does our family have a small estate outside the capital? Could you gift one to me?
It doesn’t need to be large—just enough to produce some grain and vegetables each year. That way, I won’t need to buy food.”
Wang Yuanwu stared at her in disbelief.
This little sprout of a girl… how dare she ask for an estate outright?
“Do you even understand what an estate means?” he asked, clearly displeased.
Wang Yutong blinked her round eyes and replied calmly,
“Of course I do, Father. With an estate, I’ll have something to rely on. It can grow grain and vegetables for self-sufficiency—and even save you some money.
I could also visit it occasionally to relax, and learn how to manage such matters.”
Wang Yuanwu snorted angrily. “Such ambition at your age! An estate is not something that can be given away lightly—it’s part of the Marquis household’s property!”
Wang Yutong bowed again, unhurried.
“Father, I know it is valuable. I don’t need a large one—just a small estate will do.
Most importantly, if I live outside, I need some security. Having an estate would give me peace of mind.
If I manage it well, its harvest will also bring honor to the family, showing your good guidance.
Of course, if Father finds it too difficult, I won’t insist—I just fear that if my life becomes too hard, it may reflect poorly on the household.”
Her words—half persuasion, half subtle pressure—shook him.
After hesitating for a long time, he finally sighed deeply.
“…Fine. I’ll give you the small estate south of the city—eighty mu of land.
But remember—manage it properly. If anything goes wrong, I’ll take it back without hesitation.”
Wang Yutong was overjoyed.
She immediately knelt and kowtowed in gratitude.
“Thank you, Father! I promise I won’t disappoint you.
However… when will the land deed be transferred to me?
And… if possible, could you also transfer the residence near the academy into my name?
That way, I can live there with peace of mind—otherwise, I’ll always feel as though I could be driven out at any moment…”