Chapter 26: The Hot Potato Tossed by Mother Lu

Lin Wanqing smiled faintly. "We are indeed running low on supplies, but we are still better off than the Su family. The Su family is counting on your sister-in-law's dowry to put food on their table."

Lin Xianyun’s face twisted with rage. "You!"

Lady Qin said impatiently, "Enough! You sisters haven't seen each other for days, why are you already bickering? You won't have many opportunities to meet from now on, so if you do, speak nicely. If you have nothing to say, just go back to your own courtyards and rest!"

She had been in a foul mood lately. Because of the dowry dispute, Father Lin held a deep grudge against her, and the elder Master Lin had sent people over several times to reprimand her, leaving her unable to hold her head high in the household. To make matters worse, Lin Xianyun was pestering her for money every single day, which only made Lady Qin look at her with mounting irritation.

Lin Wanqing had no interest in playing these mind games with them and rose to return to her own courtyard. She still had many belongings left at the Lin residence, especially her books, and she intended to take them all with her.

She would not be returning to this house often.

Seeing her walk away so abruptly, Lin Xianyun stomped her feet in anger. "Mother, look at her! She’s being far too arrogant!"

Lady Qin’s face darkened. "Then you must endure it! If you had listened to me and married into the General's mansion, the one being stepped on right now would be her."

Lin Xianyun scoffed with disdain. "She won't be smug for long. That General's mansion isn't as good as you think. Otherwise, why would Lin Wanqing’s return-visit gifts today be so meager?"

She knew the situation at the General's mansion better than anyone. It only looked glamorous on the surface; in reality, it was an empty shell. In her previous life, after she had gone to great lengths to seize the authority to manage the household, she had nearly died of frustration.

Thinking of Lin Wanqing having to face an empty-shelled mansion, the resentment in Lin Xianyun’s heart dissipated.

"Mother, just wait and see. Lin Wanqing has plenty of tears to shed yet. As for me, I am the one who will have the last laugh."

Lady Qin looked at her, confused. "Why are you so certain? Come to think of it, I’ve always been puzzled: why are you so optimistic about Su Jingcheng? How can you be so sure he will place high in the imperial examinations?"

Lin Xianyun puffed out her chest with smug satisfaction. "Mother, I just know. As for how I know, don't ask. Just sit back, relax, and wait for your daughter to bring you glory."

Lady Qin felt that her daughter had become deranged, but the matter was already settled, and persuasion was useless. She waved her hand dismissively. "Then I shall wait. You go back now."

Lin Xianyun leaned in closer. "Mother, please, help me think of a way to talk to Father about my dowry. Can you really bear to see me marry with so little? With the Su family’s situation, if my dowry is thin, how will I ever survive?"

Lady Qin was filled with stifled rage. "What more can I do? Ever since that little vixen demanded her dead mother’s dowry, your father hasn't set foot in my courtyard! Just accept the reality of your dowry; I will find ways to supplement it later."

With that, Lady Qin turned and walked away, giving Lin Xianyun no chance to pester her further. Having failed to achieve her goal, Lin Xianyun stomped her feet in frustration.

After lunch, Lin Wanqing returned to the General's mansion with her entourage. The carriage that had arrived laden with gifts was now filled with a whole load of books.

***

Upon returning to the General's mansion, Lin Wanqing went straight to Lady Lu’s courtyard.

Lady Lu was reclining on a daybed, listening to Nanny Chen tell jokes, with Lu Jinrong and Lu Huixin keeping her company.

Seeing Lin Wanqing return, Lady Lu sat up. "Wanqing, you’ve returned at just the right time."

Lin Wanqing smiled and bowed. "Did you need something, Mother?"

Lady Lu smiled. "Yes. You have been here for a few days now, and from what I have observed, you are reliable. I have decided to hand the household management over to you."

The day Lu Jinxiao left, he had already stated in front of everyone that Lady Lu should relinquish control of the household. Lady Lu had been unhappy for a couple of days, but now, she seemed almost impatient to be rid of it.

Evidently, someone had been stirring the pot behind the scenes.

Lin Wanqing glanced at Lu Jinrong and Lu Huixin, then smiled faintly. "I am young and have no experience in managing a household. After some thought, I believe it would be more appropriate for Mother to continue in this role."

She was already dreading the mess that was the General's mansion and had no desire to take it on.

Lady Lu laughed heartily. "Just be bold and do it. If you have any questions, you can always ask me. I am getting old, and my strength is failing. Now that you are our only daughter-in-law, this responsibility should rightfully be yours."

Lu Jinrong interjected from the side, "Sister-in-law, don't be so modest. My brother arranged this before he left. The future of the General's mansion relies on you, and we all have great faith in your abilities."

As she spoke, she gestured for Nanny Chen to bring forward the account books, the warehouse keys, and the household seal, which had been prepared in advance.

"Sister-in-law, take them quickly," Lu Jinrong urged.

Lu Huixin added, "Mother, this is a sign of trust from your grandmother-in-law and father-in-law; you must not let them down."

Lin Wanqing smiled and signaled for Banxia to accept the items.

"Since Mother trusts me, I shall accept."

Lady Lu visibly breathed a sigh of relief, her smile widening. "Good, good! From now on, this whole family will rely on you."

Lin Wanqing smiled as well, her gaze sweeping over Lu Jinrong and Lu Huixin. "I will do my utmost to manage the General's mansion."

***

So, this is what they wanted—to dump this mess on her?

Although she didn't want it, she wasn't afraid of it either, as long as they were prepared to bear the consequences.

A chill ran down the spines of Lu Jinrong and Lu Huixin; they both felt a sense of foreboding.

Lin Wanqing smiled faintly. "Mother, I am a bit tired today, so I will take my leave."

Having successfully offloaded the hot potato, Lady Lu was in a wonderful mood. "Go on and rest, then. We can talk more another time."

After bowing, Lin Wanqing retreated.

Once she was out of earshot, Lu Jinrong covered her mouth and giggled. "Mother, you won't have to worry about anything from now on."

Lady Lu laughed, but then looked worried. "There is so little silver left in the accounts. How are we to live from here on out?"

Lu Jinrong said dismissively, "What is there to fear? Lin Wanqing’s dowry is substantial. If the accounts are empty, she will find a way."

Lady Lu felt a twinge of shame. "We are such a large household; are we really going to rely on her dowry to get by?"

Lu Jinrong replied, "She married into our family, which is already a step up for her. What is wrong with her spending some money? Many families would jump at the chance to do so."

Lu Huixin added, "Aunt is right. A merchant's daughter has become a General's wife; it is only fitting that she pays."

Reassured by their words, Lady Lu felt it was reasonable, and the three generations of women happily returned to listening to Nanny Chen’s jokes.

Back in her own courtyard, Lin Wanqing removed her jewelry, changed into comfortable robes, and had Banxia bring over the mansion’s account books.

Banxia was so angry her eyes turned red. "My Lady, you shouldn't have accepted this mess. They are deliberately setting a trap for you."