When Wang Yuanwu heard Wang Yutong’s request, he was so furious he nearly fainted.
His eyes widened in anger as he pointed at her, his voice trembling. “You… you’ve gone too far! One estate isn’t enough—you even want that residence? Do you think the Marquis Manor’s properties are yours to demand at will?”
But Wang Yutong remained calm.
She bowed gracefully again and said, “Father, please calm your anger. I truly have no other choice.
If I’m to move out of the manor without a stable place to live, won’t it invite ridicule upon the household?
That residence is close to the school, making it convenient for my studies, and being next to the clan school, it’s quite safe.
Besides, I’ve heard it only has three main rooms and four side rooms. It’s not some grand two- or three-courtyard estate—its value isn’t much.
Compared to staying in the manor and receiving various rewards, what I’m asking for is far less. If anything… I’m the one at a loss.”
Her words made Wang Yuanwu hesitate as he weighed the pros and cons.
Only now did he realize how sharp-tongued his daughter was. If he refused, who knew what else she might say that would leave him unable to respond?
After a long pause, he gritted his teeth. “Fine. I’ll grant this once. But remember—if anything goes wrong in the future, don’t expect to get anything else from me.”
Wang Yutong was overjoyed. She quickly kowtowed in thanks.
“Thank you, Father. I promise, this will be the only time. I will never ask you for anything again.”
With that, she bowed and turned to leave the study.
Hmph, she sneered inwardly. Once I leave this manor tomorrow, unless something truly major happens, I likely won’t come back at all.
Watching her small figure disappear, Wang Yuanwu suddenly felt as though he had lost something important.
He didn’t know that with this single decision, he had personally pushed away the future pillar of the entire household.
Of course, that was a matter for the future.
For now, the faint sense of loss quickly faded from his mind.
After getting what she wanted, Wang Yutong didn’t return to her courtyard immediately.
Instead, she went to the old marquis’s residence—the true pillar of the household.
At the entrance, she said to the steward, “Old Master Su, please announce that Yutong wishes to see Grandfather.”
Su Cheng looked her over, then smiled and nodded. “Please wait, Sixth Miss. I’ll inform him right away.”
Soon, he returned and gestured warmly. “Sixth Miss, the Old Marquis invites you in.”
Wang Yutong hurried inside on her short legs and saw the old marquis seated at the head, looking at her kindly.
She quickly bowed. “Grandfather, your granddaughter Yutong greets you.”
The old marquis smiled. “Rise. What brings you here today?”
Standing up, she said obediently, “Grandfather, I’ll soon be moving out to study. I couldn’t bear to leave without saying farewell.”
A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. He hadn’t expected his eldest son to send such a young girl out of the manor over that New Year’s incident.
Suppressing his thoughts, he asked, “Moving out? Your father agreed?”
“Yes, Grandfather. Father has given me a small residence and a small estate in the south of the city to manage myself,” Wang Yutong said, looking as though she had gained a great advantage.
For some reason, this stirred a trace of pity in the old marquis’s heart.
This poor child… she’s too young to understand what it really means to be sent away.
A shabby house and a worthless estate were enough to make her this happy.
She didn’t know that even concubine-born daughters of the manor would receive at least three thousand taels as a dowry.
Thinking of this, he softened.
“Su Cheng, bring that sandalwood box and give it to the Sixth girl. Consider it a gift from me as her dowry,” he instructed.
Wang Yutong hadn’t expected such an unexpected reward just for coming to say goodbye.
“Thank you, Grandfather!” she said quickly, bowing again.
“Sixth girl,” the old marquis said seriously, “even outside, you are still a daughter of this household. We do not provoke trouble, but neither do we allow others to bully us. If others don’t offend you, don’t offend them—but you must have backbone. Remember that.”
He worried that without support, she might act rashly.
“Yes, Grandfather. I understand. I won’t do anything to disgrace the family,” she replied calmly.
Her childish face carried a maturity far beyond her years.
For a fleeting moment, the old marquis felt as though he were speaking to an adult—but the feeling quickly passed.
Once again, the manor lost its chance to keep her.
Holding the sandalwood box, Wang Yutong then visited the old madam, Madam Cui, and others, receiving quite a number of “rewards” (or handouts).
By the time she returned to her courtyard at dusk, she was carrying quite a haul.
Looking at the pile, a smile finally appeared on her face.
Not bad… today’s gains are quite good.
Though accepting these rewards meant she would likely have little financial connection to the manor in the future, it was worth it.
Right now, she needed independence—and money to purchase medicinal materials for her martial training.
As for the future, once she recovered even one-third of her former strength, everything would be easy to handle.
Strength—that was the ultimate truth, timeless and universal.
Entering her private space, Wang Yutong looked like a little miser who had just found a treasure chest, eagerly opening her “mystery boxes” from the day.
First, she opened the sandalwood box from the old marquis.
The deeds to the estate and residence would only be transferred the next day, so this box held her highest expectations.
After silently expressing her gratitude, she opened it.
Inside lay neatly stacked banknotes.
For a girl who had barely seen much silver in her life, seeing so many notes for the first time left her thrilled.
Oh my… Grandfather is like a god of wealth. I wouldn’t mind a dozen more of these!
—Well, of course, that was just her joking to herself.
Carefully, she took out the notes and began counting.
Five notes of one thousand taels—five thousand.
Thirty notes of one hundred taels—three thousand.
Twenty notes of fifty taels—one thousand.
The rest were smaller notes of ten taels each.
Altogether…
Ten thousand taels.
Heavens… I’m rich!