Chapter Fifty-Four: Sending a Letter to Collect Debts

, "Madam, the eldest daughter is telling the truth. It's the second daughter who wronged her and even pushed her. In the past, the second daughter also bullied the eldest daughter, but the eldest daug...It wasn't even a morning, and Meng Jingyao had already figured out the transactions of the farm and shop over the past few years.

The Zhou family wasn't as wealthy as the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion, but they were still quite well-off. Her mother was the only daughter of the Zhou family, and her dowry was very generous, with both land and shops included in the assets.

And while the Yonganbo Mansion had her second uncle, a gambler who fell into gambling, and her grandmother indulged him, resulting in the loss of a considerable amount of family property, plus the decline of the Yonganbo Mansion over the years, her mother's dowry helped maintain its facade.

Those accounts of Zhuangzi and the shops, held in Sun's hands, have already been spent for most part.

Ning Dong saw the total sum calculated by her master and stammered, "They... they are too much. This grand Yongchang Marquis Manor is supported by the dowries of previous wives, isn't it"

Meng Jin Yao chuckled softly: "My good father cares about face, he's generous and spends money lavishly."

In a short while, Chunliu entered with a tray, bringing out the plate of snacks and placing it on the table. She then brought a bowl of milk red bean glutinous rice balls in sugar water to Meng Jinyao's front.

Seeing Meng Jiny Yao's puzzled expression, Chun Liu explained, "Madam, the other day I saw that you liked drinking milk and said you wanted to drink milk-flavored sugar water. Today I saw fresh milk in the kitchen, so I took the liberty of asking the cook to make some for you. I don't know if it suits your taste."

Meng Jinyao was taken aback. She had only mentioned it once that day, but Chunliu remembered it not only remembered it but also noticed her liking for red bean cakes and glutinous rice balls. So she made a syrup with both red beans and glutinous rice balls together, that way she wouldn't have to worry about making something Meng Jinyao wouldn't like. Neither Qingqiu nor Ningdong by her side was so meticulous.

She picked up her spoon and took a sip, nodding with satisfaction: "It tastes good. You put a lot of thought into this. I was just saying it casually back then, I didn't expect you to remember."

Chun Liu said with a smile, "As long as madam likes it, otherwise the servant girl would have done a good deed into a bad one.

Meng Jin Yao put down her spoon, folded the letter with dried ink, and was about to give it to Ning Dong, but saw Chun Liu looking at her eagerly, her face seeming to say, "I want to serve my mistress."

As the people were so enthusiastic, she couldn't refuse their hospitality. She directly handed the letter to Chunliu and instructed: "Chunliu, please go to Yongchang Bo's mansion and deliver this letter to my father.

When Chunliu heard this, she was overjoyed. She quickly reached out to take the letter and respectfully said, "I'll send it right away."

Meng Jinyáo nodded, picked up her spoon and sipped the sweetened water again. The cook was quite skilled; the fishy smell of milk had been removed, leaving only a rich, creamy aroma that whetted one's appetite.

Nigong glanced at Chunliu, who was skipping away. She felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. If Chunliu wasn't around, she should have been the one delivering this letter. She muttered to herself, "Ma'am, I've fallen out of favor."

“How did you fall out of favor” Meng Jinyang shook her head and chuckled, pushing the plate of snacks toward her. “If you’re willing to run errands, next time I’ll let you run them. Here, your favorite crystal cake, just fresh out of the oven, still warm, eat more.”

When she heard this, the vinegariness in her heart instantly dissipated. A smile returned to her face, one that stretched almost to her ears. Her mistress still cared for her. Chūnliú had gone out to run errands, so she stayed behind to eat pastries.

Meng Jin yao appeased her with a few pastries, smiling helplessly. This girl was so easily bribed with food. If there were any men who tried to woo her with treats in the future, she might just fall for it.

-

Everlasting Prosperity Mansion.

When Meng Dongyuan received the letter from Chunliu, he had a bad premonition. However, Chunliu's appearance showed she wasn't a maid from Yongchangbo's mansion; she must be from Changxing Hou's mansion. He couldn't show anything, so he politely took the letter and gave her some money before sending her away.

After Chunliu left, Meng Dongyuan unfolded a letter and immediately became furious. He kicked over the chair in front of him and roared, "Disobedient daughter!"

Sun just arrived and heard this furious shout, her neck shrinking in fright. She quickly came to her senses, guessing that her husband must be scolding Meng Jin Yao. She hurried into the hall and asked, "My lord, please calm down, don't let anger harm your body. What happened"

Meng Dong was furious, her face flushed red and neck thick. She thrust the letter into her hand, her anger evident: "Look at this wretch! She's driving our family to ruin. Why didn't Zhou Shi die back then instead of her We raised her for so long, and she doesn't even know how to be grateful, but now she demands money from her own family!"

Upon hearing this, Sun hurriedly took the letter and examined it carefully. Upon discovering that it was a debt collection notice, she nearly fainted upon seeing the amount stated on it.

Could their family afford so much dowry with the Zhou surname

This is no small sum. Even if she were to sell all her dowry to compensate Meng Jin Yao, it wouldn't be enough. The Yongchang Marquis Estate would also have to contribute a considerable amount of silver.

Sun quickly came up with a good idea: "My husband, why don't we tell Ayao that we can pay her back in installments We can pay her a little each year, and we'll definitely be able to pay her back eventually."

Meng Dongyuan gave her a withering glance and said angrily, “Didn't you see what that rebellious girl wrote at the end Pay back every penny within ten days, or she’ll report us to the authorities. She dared to make such a big commotion, do you think she really wouldn't report us”

Sun was speechless.

Meng Dongyuan rubbed his temples irritably in the cold winter. Seeing Sun's aggrieved expression, he felt even more agitated. He regretted listening to Sun's instigation and taking Zhou's dowry. He shouldn't have done that; now things had escalated into this ugly mess.

He waved his hand discontentedly and said, “Enough. You don’t just stand around. Go and exchange your dowry for money to pay back that rebellious daughter. If it’s not enough, take it from the family account.”

Hearing this, Mrs. Sun felt a mix of anger and resentment. Her in-laws were brazenly demanding her dowry, acting as if it was their right. In the blink of an eye, all her wealth and possessions were confiscated. She was left with nothing but the clothes on her back, reduced to a penniless pauper who had to rely entirely on her husband's family for survival. She felt extremely uneasy about this situation.

In the depths of winter, she stood there motionless, her brow furrowed in displeasure. With patience, she soothed him, saying, "My lady, rest assured, some of the children will amount to something. Ah-Yu is beautiful like a flower, and will surely marry well into a wealthy family to support the Meng clan. Once the Meng clan prospers, all the money you've invested will be returned to you."

Sun Shi did not dare to disagree and nodded in response, "I'll go take care of it right away."

When Meng Dong heard this, his expression softened, and he spoke in a gentle voice: "Madam, we were right to marry you as our daughter-in-law. While other couples abandon each other in times of crisis, you have generously helped us through this difficult period."

Sun heard this, her heart was very pleased. Her husband still loved her, understood her contributions, and knew her goodness. She glared at Meng Dongyuan with a hint of coyness and said, "Then in the future, my husband must treat me better."

Meng Dongyuan asked from afar, "When have I ever done anything bad to you Isn't everything I do according to your wishes"

Sun thought about it, feeling that was also right. Even if her husband took a concubine, none of them had ever surpassed her. Except for the unfortunate maidservant who gave birth to an illegitimate child, after she gave birth to Chengxing, no other woman was allowed to become pregnant.legitimate son, the eldest son of Yongchang Bo Mansion. As for Chengyu, he is the illegitimate elder son."“Your father isn't old, so if he remarries, the gap between legitimate and illegitimate childr...