The irony in Jiang Jingyi’s words was too obvious to miss, and Jiang Dachuan finally caught on.
Why had the He family arrived so opportunely? If the Jiang family hadn’t sent them an invitation, and given the decade of estrangement, the He family having seemingly abandoned Jiang Jingyi and her brother, shouldn’t have come to confront him. If Jiang Jingyi hadn’t spoken up, the He family wouldn’t have known that the Jiang family had failed to let Jiang Jingyi take He Yuniang’s dowry with her when she married.
So, it was highly likely that today’s events were a well-orchestrated performance by his long-abandoned daughter, in collusion with the He family, aimed at reclaiming He Yuniang’s dowry.
Having figured this out, Jiang Dachuan now looked at Jiang Jingyi with a scrutinizing gaze. Previously, he had thought that He Yuniang’s two children were useless, selfish, and mean-spirited, having inherited none of their mother’s good qualities. Compared to Madam Ma’s children, they fell far short.
But today’s affair sent a chill down Jiang Dachuan’s spine. So, his daughter possessed such cunning after all!
If she had used this cunning on others, he wouldn’t have minded. But now that she was using it on him, it irritated him. If Jiang Jingyi had come to him directly and asked for the dowry, would he have refused?
Why drag the He family into this and trample on the Jiang family’s dignity?
“Jingyi, when elders are speaking, it’s best if you don’t interrupt.” Jiang Dachuan’s face darkened as he shot a warning glance at Jiang Jingyi.
Jiang Jingyi gracefully curtsied. “Father is right. But since Madam Ma’s words implicated my brother and me, we naturally had to explain ourselves. If we didn’t, wouldn’t that mean we accepted the accusation? My mother’s dowry was indeed generous, but our Jiang family is not poor either. If word got out that the Jiang family used a deceased person’s dowry to raise children, what would outsiders say about our household?”
She paused, glanced at Madam Ma, and continued, “Everyone knows the situation of the Ma family. These past few years, they’ve been living better and better, putting on more airs than even Father. Where did that money come from? From those gambling and carousing sons of theirs? Father, your daughter is only thinking of the Jiang family’s reputation.”
“Jingyi, say no more.” Old Master He’s gaze swept contemptuously over Madam Ma and Jiang Dachuan. “We don’t care how they spent it. We only care that the dowry was lost while in the Jiang family’s possession. If they refuse to compensate, I’ll take the dowry inventory to the authorities and let the magistrate decide.”
This was precisely what Jiang Dachuan feared. He quickly said, “I’ll pay, I’ll pay!”
Seven or eight hundred taels would indeed cripple the Jiang family. The money that had been taken was either spent by Madam Ma or given to the Ma family, even if he went to the Ma family to demand it back, he probably wouldn’t get it. But they were clearly in the wrong regarding the dowry. If the He family took this to court, the Jiang family would suffer even greater losses.
Put simply, the Jiang family were just landlords with plenty of land, but the He family not only had land but also formidable business acumen, and their wealth was growing. Magistrates made decisions based on money—the He family whipped out a gold abacus; what could the Jiang family compete with?
Sweat beaded on Jiang Dachuan’s forehead. His gaze fell on Madam Ma. “If you refuse to pay, then go back to your Ma family. The Jiang family has no use for someone who drains us from within like you!”
“Master!” Madam Ma’s face alternated between red and white. Hearing this, she was stunned. Jiang Dachuan had spoken harshly before, but telling her to go back to the Ma family was a first, it showed he was truly enraged.
Jiang Jingshan knew that today’s bloodletting was unavoidable, so she tugged at Madam Ma’s sleeve. Swallowing her anger, Madam Ma went to her room to get the money. If she were actually divorced, she would have nothing. Even if she returned to her natal family, she probably wouldn’t have a good life.
Seven hundred taels was no small sum, and that wasn’t even mentioning the fabric shop. The annual profits from the fabric shop were considerable!
Old Master He apparently remembered this as well. “Hurry up. Although the fabric shop accounts were a mess, we won’t quibble over them. We’ll just take the cash on hand, but not a single coin less than seven hundred taels!”
That’s right—the fabric shop’s profits as well.
Madam Ma’s breath caught in her throat, she nearly spat blood.
Fortunately, Madam Ma hadn’t dared touch the fabric shop’s profits. They were kept separately in a box. When she brought it out along with seven hundred taels in banknotes, not only her but even Jiang Dachuan’s heart was bleeding.
Jiang Dachuan shot a hateful glance at Jiang Jingyi, thinking he’d find a way to get the money back later, otherwise, the Jiang family would have to tighten their belts for the whole year.
Jiang Jingyi met his gaze with a sweet smile. “Thank you, Father, for standing up for your daughter.”
The corner of Jiang Dachuan’s mouth twitched, he couldn’t force out a smile.
Nearby, He Yan counted the silver clearly and placed it all back in the box. Jiang Jingyi immediately felt she was about to come into money.
One thousand taels as wedding savings, seven hundred taels from the cosmetics shop and dowry settlement, plus seven or eight hundred taels from the fabric shop.
No wonder Jiang Dachuan looked like that, this was probably half the Jiang family’s assets!
But what a glorious feeling it was.
Seeing her eyes practically sparkling, He Yan simply shoved the box into her hands. “This is all yours now. A man relies on his father when marrying, a woman relies on her dowry. Since your mother is gone, it’s only right that her dowry goes to you.”
“Thank you, Uncle.” Jiang Jingyi didn’t stand on ceremony. Taking the box, she smiled warmly at He Yan. “I knew all along that the He family treats me best.”
Jiang Dachuan found her words somewhat grating. Had the Jiang family truly mistreated her all these years?
He Yan, of course, knew Jiang Jingyi’s purpose in contacting them, but even knowing, he was still pleased. His sister had left behind two children. Jiang Yuqin, as a male heir of the Jiang family, didn’t require their concern, but Jiang Jingyi, a girl who had married without a proper dowry to support herself, that simply wouldn’t do.
Jiang Jingyi had initially wanted to demand more dowry items, but seeing Jiang Dachuan’s expression, she felt pressing further would cause a complete fallout. Fortunately, she was now a wealthy woman, so she didn’t press for more.
“Come, let’s go eat outside.” Old Master He had no desire to linger at the Jiang residence. With matters settled, he prepared to leave.
“You rarely visit, Father-in-law. Why not dine at the Jiang residence?” Jiang Dachuan still wanted to build a good relationship with the He family and benefit from their success, he wasn’t about to let them go so easily.
But Old Master He clearly wasn’t interested in giving him face. Snorting, he said, “I’m afraid a meal at the Jiang residence would give me indigestion. Jingyi, let’s go.”
Jiang Jingyi looked apologetically at Jiang Dachuan. “Father, please forgive your daughter for not being able to fulfill her filial duties. I’ll accompany Grandfather out now.”
Jiang Dachuan grunted in response, his gaze fixed on the box, his teeth aching.
Ji Qiuyang naturally followed as well. The He family’s servants carried out the remainder of He Yuniang’s dowry, found two carts, and loaded everything onto them to transport back for Jiang Jingyi.
Ji Qiuyang politely said to Old Master He, “Grandfather, why not come to the Ji residence for a visit?”
Old Master He thought this was reasonable, he should at least see where his granddaughter was living.
The group traveled back by carriage, with Jiang Jingyi and Ji Qiuyang in the rear carriage. Ji Qiuyang watched as Jiang Jingyi delightedly counted the banknotes, the corner of his mouth twitching involuntarily.
Not just in the countryside—even in the county, Jiang Jingyi’s wealth was remarkable. A county residence cost only a hundred-plus taels, annual living expenses several dozen taels while Jiang Jingyi’s money was enough to support a family for twenty years.
Noticing his gaze, Jiang Jingyi deliberately said, “So, I’m rich now. Want to consider throwing in your lot with me? I’ll take care of you?”
This wasn’t the first time Jiang Jingyi had said this. The first time, Ji Qiuyang was angry, the second time, displeased but by the third time, Ji Qiuyang only felt a sense of helplessness and didn’t want to talk to Jiang Jingyi anymore.
Daqiao Village was five miles from Daqiao Town. After a bumpy ride of over half an hour, they finally reached the village.
The villagers of Daqiao Village had rarely seen wealthy people in their lives. They had witnessed some during the Ji family wedding a few days ago, but they never expected the young couple to return from their visit home with such a grand procession.
Good heavens—two spacious carriages, followed by two carts laden with many goods, and to top it off, about twenty household servants. It was truly impressive.
Fearing they might frighten the villagers, the servants had put away their clubs after leaving the Jiang residence. Now, seeing this procession, the villagers thought the magistrate himself was on tour. But upon closer inspection, they realized it wasn’t—the lead carriage bore a large character for “He,” and a young man descending from it was none other than the Ji family’s second son.
Well, well—this man had ability. Not only was he clever enough to pass the imperial exams and become a xiucai, but now he had also latched onto capable in-laws. Look at this spectacle, even grander than on their wedding day. They’d heard the bride’s maternal family was named He—could it be the He family had arrived?
The He family’s arrival caused a huge stir in the village. Upon hearing the news, Old Lady Ji hurried out to welcome them. Seeing this procession, she didn’t know where to put her hands. “In-laws… elders…”
“Oh my, no need to be so formal.” Old Master He could tell at a glance that Old Lady Ji was an honest woman. His attitude toward her was significantly better than it had been toward the Jiang family.
However, the next moment, Old Master He took a clear look at the Ji family courtyard and immediately frowned. This courtyard was far too shabby!
“Our Jingyi living in such a house is really too shabby, sister. How about I put up the money for us to build a small compound with two courtyards for them to live in?”
**