Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 11: Overt Measures
Tan Huaike was a concubine's daughter who was married in as a substitute. The arranged marriage had come to this point. Old Madam Shentu only regarded her as an excuse sent by the Tan family, and as compensation and comfort for her deceased eldest son. She was just trying to maintain her reputation and face. She never expected that she would think of this kind of involvement.

The old lady asked, "Did your father tell you?"

Tan Huaike lowered his head and said, "My grandfather brought me here from my country house. When we talked about this marriage, he mentioned it a little bit. He said that the new order has not been issued yet, but he heard rumors from Andu, so we need to prepare early."

This statement was half true and half false. Tan Li had mentioned it, but he didn't tell her specifically. Instead, she overheard it when he was furious at home and regretting that he had entrusted the wrong person.

The Tan family, a famous wealthy family in the four counties of Hexi, had fallen to the point where they had to rely on betrothal gifts for support, and it was not entirely because of Tan Anfeng's gambling addiction and squandering of his wealth.

Months earlier, Tan Li had received word that the imperial court would issue a new decree to select imperial merchants. Imperial merchants would not only enjoy convenient trade throughout the country but also receive significant tax reductions. Seeing the fame, wealth, and fortune rolling in, the allure was too great for Tan Li to resist. This temptation blinded him, and he spent a fortune bribing the officials in charge of selecting imperial merchants, confident he would gain an advantage. In the end, he was exploited and lost everything.

That day, Tan Anfeng lost money gambling and came back to ask for money. Tan Li was furious. He scolded him for squandering the family's wealth and cursed the official for deceiving him. He was furious. Finally, Mrs. Tan, unable to bear the beating, came to her son's defense and said that the betrothal gift from the Shentu family had made up for the shortfall. Whether they were imperial merchants or not was uncertain, so it wouldn't be too late to fight again after the Tan family recovered.

Tan Huaike learned about the selection of imperial merchants from just a few words.

However, she initially didn't realize the Shentu family had ulterior motives in this matter. After all, no matter how degraded they were, they were still a family of officials, and their descendants had military merits, so they had nothing to do with imperial merchants. It wasn't until Shentu Zhuo's accidental words that day that she realized what was happening.

At the time, Shentu Zhuo said that his mother and brother had carefully considered the Tan family before choosing them. This suggests that this wasn't just Madam Shentu's willful pursuit, simply seeking a bride for her son, but that Shentu Heng was also actively involved. If this were the case, they must have had their reasons for choosing the Tan family.

Tan Huaike meditated in Qinglu for six days and deduced the most likely connection.

As for any romantic interest between Shentu Heng and Tan Anfu, it was likely none. Shentu Heng had been in the military for years, and the two had probably never even met. Tan Anfu had never shown any attachment to Shentu Heng. The reason the Shentu family lowered their status and chose a relative from the merchants of the four Hexi counties was likely because Shentu Heng had received more accurate information.

Tan Huaike guessed that the so-called "selection of imperial merchants" in the new order that had not yet been issued might have many tricks that ordinary people like them could not understand.

The Tan family meets certain conditions, has strong roots in the four counties of Hexi, and has just encountered difficulties. It is a perfect time for them to come to their aid and exchange family interests for the lowest cost.

Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Shentu Heng passed away, and all his thoughts were in vain.

But this is not a bad thing for Tan Huaike.

After breaking through this layer of window paper, she said frankly: "Auntie, since I have become the new wife of the Shentu family, I should also fulfill my filial duties to my husband. If I stay at home as an idler who eats food for free, it will be annoying."

Hearing her hidden meaning, the old lady asked, "What do you want to do?"

Tan Huaike said, "No matter what, the Tan and Shentu families are already relatives by marriage, so there's still room for maneuver regarding the selection of the Imperial Merchant. Besides, my family is currently facing... a difficult time, and I'd like to try to do my bit and start a business to help alleviate Jungu's worries."

The old lady Liao, who was waiting beside him, immediately became alert: "It has been said that the inheritance left by the eldest son is still managed by the benefactor himself..."

"Auntie Liao, you're worrying too much." Tan Huaike interrupted her, "It's safest for Aunt Jun to be in charge of the household expenses. I don't dare to touch my husband's property rashly. I just want to consider the shops in my dowry to see if I can run them and make more money. These businesses brought from the Tan family, if they make a profit, they can be used to supplement the family expenses. If they lose money, it won't harm the Shentu family." "Oh, you have the nerve to give away that little dowry of yours?" Shentu Ji sneered at the side, "A medicine shop that can't supply medicinal materials, a cloth shop that is about to close down, Master Tan is really famous for being generous when sending his daughter away. You are talking nicely now, but don't let us make up for it when you lose money and owe debts later."

Like Shentu Zhuo, she looked down on this sister-in-law who was forced upon her by the Tan family. She felt that this family was greedy and not only did they cheat her of the betrothal gifts, but they also wanted to continue to cheat her of her eldest brother's property, which she couldn't get rid of. They were simply shameless.

Little did he know that these words played exactly what Tan Huaike wanted.

"So my uncle is worried about this," she said with an embarrassed and sad look, "If there really is a loss, the Shentu family can just distance themselves from me. After all, my husband is dead, and I'm just a helpless widow. The loss is my own dowry..."

"Alright." The old lady finally spoke. "There are two shops on either side. You can do whatever you want. Do we, the Shentu family, want to covet your dowry? After all, she is Heng'er's new bride, so we can't be too shabby. I'll also give you five acres of land, which is enough for you to live a stable life."

"Thanks for your consideration." Tan Huaike was very grateful and bowed to express his gratitude.

After saying these words, Tan Huaike left respectfully and became her obedient new wife.

Shentu Zhuo thought about it and felt that something was wrong. He made an excuse that he had made an appointment with a friend to go to Yuefu to rehearse a new song, and followed them.
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Only the old lady, Liao and Shentu Ji were left in the room.

Shentu Ji's biological mother died young, and she had always been somewhat afraid of the majesty of her stepmother. However, her rejection of Tan Huaike still made her complain: "Mother, she is just a wild girl from the countryside. Do you really believe she can make a living? Why did you give her five acres of land? It's too cheap for her!"

The old lady, however, saw things clearly. She twirled the sandalwood beads in her hand and said, "This bride is playing her cards right out in the open. She first lowered her stance, refusing the family fortune and managing the household expenses. Then, she revealed that our Shentu family was interested in participating in the selection of imperial merchants, demonstrating that she had no intention of staying out of the matter, nor would she willingly be manipulated. Otherwise, if the news got out, no one would benefit."

"She said she wanted to use her dowry to make a living and didn't want us to fill her deficit. Do you think she's really willing to cut ties with us? She's just feigning pity for me. I want to forgive her while I can and not force her to spread the news that the Shentu family treated her, a widow, harshly. That would be disgraceful. Zhuo'er and you aren't even married yet, so your reputations will inevitably be affected.

"She doesn't want much right now. She just doesn't want to be confined and controlled, and wants to earn enough to make a living. It's really hard for her to be a widow like this. Instead of letting her make trouble at home, it's better to help her. Those two shops are already losing money, and she won't last long if we leave them alone. Giving her a few acres of land to support her is a very kind act, and it will also give her some peace and quiet."

Shentu Ji asked, "What if she doesn't know what's good for her and continues to push for more?"

The old lady asked Old Lady Liao to help her stand up and said calmly, "That's not a difficult thing. Just let her spend more time with Heng'er."

Shentu Ji sent his stepmother out, then suddenly came to his senses and broke out in a cold sweat.

Spend more time with your elder brother? How? —
　Next chapter: Doubts arise.

　　Thanks to Jiang Jiang Jiang Jiang Han and Xia Xi Chan Ming for their recommendations~
　　

(End of this chapter)