May this scumbag husband, who favored his concubine over his wife, rest in peace.

"In my opinion, the grander the better!"

"Since you entered the household, there has been no happy occasion in the manor. Now that there is one, we should naturally make it a grand celebration!"

"We need to distribute porridge and set off firecrackers! The wedding dress also needs to be prepared properly. I remember your wedding dress was made by Fushan Embroidery House back then, so why don't we have them make it for you this time too!"

Although the old lady did not like Wen Yuanshu as her daughter-in-law, she really liked her wedding dress from back then.

The wedding dress was dazzlingly red, adorned with various gemstones, radiant and shimmering. The phoenix embroidered with gold thread was so lifelike that it seemed ready to spread its wings and soar into the sky at any moment.

The old lady's wedding dress back then was nowhere near as beautiful as this.

Listening to the old lady's words one after another, Wen Yuanshu remained calm and composed.

After the old lady finished speaking, she said, "My mother-in-law really dotes on Miss Xie."

The old lady smiled and said, "Yes! Qianjiao's mother and I are sisters! Yuanshu, after Qianjiao comes into the manor, you must treat her as a sister too!"

Wen Yuanshu smiled, but did not continue the old lady's words: "If Miss Xie were to be a wife or a concubine, that would be fine, there are fixed rules for that. But as for a secondary wife... that's neither wife nor concubine, there's no set rule to follow..."

She frowned and thought for a while, then said, "How about this, the daughter-in-law will be treated as a concubine. If the mother-in-law wants to give Miss Xie something, that's just a token of her appreciation. The mother-in-law can discuss it with Miss Xie."

"As for the wedding dress... I know the owner of Fushan Embroidery Shop. If you want Fushan Embroidery Shop to make a wedding dress for Miss Xie, I'm willing to act as a go-between. What do you think, Mother-in-law?"

Every word she uttered referred to her mother-in-law and Miss Xie. She completely distanced herself from the situation.

The old lady was quick-witted and immediately realized that the woman's words were off: "You mean, you only pay your share of the silver?"

Meeting her gaze, Wen Yuanshu blinked and quickly said, "If Mother-in-law needs anything, please feel free to ask. I will do anything to help. However, the management of the household is crucial to the foundation of the Marquis's mansion, and I have only just taken over. I really dare not be extravagant. I hope Mother-in-law will not take offense."

The old lady couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

Wen Yuanshu is willing to go through fire and water, but don't even think about spending money. She's incredibly stingy!

She clearly has so much silver on her hands; giving some to the Marquis's mansion won't bankrupt her. Is it really necessary?

Although Wen Yuanshu had made her point very clear, the old lady was not so easily dismissed: "Since she is a secondary wife, isn't it too disrespectful to greet her with the rites due to a concubine? When you married into the family, the pomp and circumstance was so grand. In my opinion, even if you were greeted with the rites due to a principal wife, Qianjiao would not surpass you. Since that's the case, why are you still so concerned about a few taels of silver?"

"Qianjiao is someone I've watched grow up. Don't worry, that child has always been honest. Even if we welcome her in with the respect due to a principal wife, she definitely won't have the slightest thought of overstepping her bounds."

"You are the mistress of the house and also her cousin-in-law, so naturally she treats you with utmost respect!"

Wen Yuanshu doesn't like to use examples to make her point.

it is good!

Then she'll lift Xie Qianjiao up a bit!

Anyway, Xie Qianjiao was originally a secondary wife, so as long as she didn't overstep Wen Yuanshu's bounds, it would be fine.

If anyone has any reason to blame, it's just that Wen Yuanshu's wedding procession was too grand back then!

Chunhua was so angry she wanted to roll her eyes.

If they welcome a concubine with the rites due to a principal wife, then what does that make their daughter, the proper principal wife?!

But the old lady's words were so well-reasoned that there was no reason to refuse!

Wen Yuanshu sighed and nodded, "Alright, then I'll listen to my mother-in-law."

The old lady immediately beamed with joy.

These past few days, they've been busy planning the wedding, and they're just waiting for Wen Yuanshu to give her her approval so they can get the money and get it done!

As soon as the old lady raised her hand, Zhang Mama came up with a booklet.

The old lady took the booklet from her hand and handed it to Wen Yuanshu, her smile undiminished: "You've just taken over the accounts, I'm afraid you're too busy. I've already had someone write down everything that's needed. Take a look, and if there are no problems, have someone take care of it!"

Wen Yuanshu took the booklet and turned the pages one by one.

The Marquis's mansion truly values ​​Xie Qianjiao highly.

If they say they will welcome her with the respect due to a principal wife, then they will not mince words. The Marquis's mansion will even pay for a house for Xie Qianjiao outside so that the six rites can be performed.

The booklet was about half a palm thick, and it took Wen Yuanshu the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to finish reading it.

“Since Mother-in-law values ​​Miss Xie so much, let’s treat her as a principal wife,” Wen Yuanshu said. “However, we don’t have much money left in the accounts. After this wedding, I’m afraid the Marquis’s mansion will have to tighten its belt for half a year. Soon it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival and Mother-in-law’s birthday banquet. I’m afraid we won’t be able to eat the crabs that Mother-in-law loves this year.”

Her voice was calm, and she casually placed the booklet on the table after speaking.

The old lady's face froze.

Is Wen Yuanshu really that stingy?

It wasn't like this before!

“Madam, it’s not that I’m being nosy, but now that you’ve married into the Marquis’s household, you should naturally help out whenever the household needs to do something,” Zhang Mama couldn’t help but say. “Besides, the old lady has enjoyed a lifetime of happiness, and now you’re asking her to cut back on her food and clothing. Isn’t that a bit…unfilial?”

The word "unfilial piety" carries immense weight; it can crush a person at any time.

“Zhang Mama, although you are the old lady’s maid, you are still just a servant. What you are doing now is an act of insubordination!” Chunhua retorted defiantly.

What a joke! Even if Wen Yuanshu did something wrong, how could a servant like her have the right to question it?

When Zhang's mother tried to pressure Wen Yuanshu by accusing her of being unfilial, Wen Yuanshu countered by accusing her of being insubordinate.

Who is afraid of whom!

Zhang's mother choked for a moment.

Seeing that Zhang Mama finally shut up, Wen Yuanshu said, "Mother-in-law, I think that the Marquis's mansion should have the dignity of a Marquis's mansion. Other things are fine, but if even marrying a concubine requires using the principal wife's money, what will people think if word gets out..."

Wen Yuanshu sighed: "Your daughter-in-law is doing all this for the sake of the Marquis's mansion. I hope you will understand, Mother-in-law."

The old lady's face twitched, and she didn't say anything more.

The reputation of the Marquis's mansion was her lifeline, but Wen Yuanshu was the one who threatened her with her lifeline at the drop of a hat.

What can she do?

No sooner had Wen Yuanshu left than a mournful cry echoed through the courtyard.

Pei Zeyu, with an unfriendly expression, escorted Xie Qianjiao out.

The two of them were right behind them and heard everything that had just happened clearly.

The old lady sighed with a headache and said, "Qianjiao, you've heard it all. The situation in the Marquis's mansion is really bad right now."

"But don't worry, although we'll welcome you with the honors due to a concubine, you'll still be a second wife after you enter the family, on equal footing with Wen Yuanshu! With your aunt backing you up, we'll definitely not let you suffer any more grievances after you enter the family!"

She looked at Xie Qianjiao, a hint of pity and reluctance flashing in her eyes.

She had said long ago that she would not let Xie Qianjiao suffer any more grievances. She had seen the child's joy these past few days, but she never expected things to turn out this way.

Xie Qianjiao sniffled and sobbed, "Aunt, cousin, there's no need to say anymore. I understand, I don't feel wronged..."

Before she could finish a sentence, Xie Qianjiao burst into tears and became incoherent.

Seeing that she was clearly extremely aggrieved but still had to be stubborn, Pei Zeyu felt even worse and naturally harbored more resentment towards Wen Yuanshu.

She could have a happy life with just a little money, but she just wouldn't!

He must have been blind to marry such a selfish and stingy person!

The old lady sighed again and gave Pei Zeyu a wink, signaling him to take the person away and coax her properly.