Chapter 238: Chapter 96: Receiving the Dowry (Part 2) Chapter 238: Chapter 96: Receiving the Dowry (Part 2) Yueyao returned to Lanxi Courtyard and opened the first Carved Red Phoenix and Peony Box. At the top was the dowry list. Yueyao saw that on the list were twenty hectares of fertile farmland, four shops, and two properties. However, the deeds contained within the box were for fifty hectares of fertile land, seven shops, and three properties.
Yueyao was astonished, and she summoned Nanny Deng, “What is going on here?” She knew her grandmother loved her but would never give her extra. Plus, the additional thirty hectares were located in Jiangnan, an area known for its fish and rice, and a prosperous land, with many prominent families from the Capital City owning property there. However, desirable land was hard to co by.
Nanny Deng confird Yueyao’s suspicion, “Miss, when your mother was alive, she managed the estates so well, she doubled the dowry. If it wasn’t for having to return to Jiangnan, she wouldn’t have closed the two shops that she opened. Nevertheless, managing these Jiangnan properties will be sowhat troubleso once they are returned to your hands.”
Yueyao looked at the dowry list silently.
Yet Nanny Deng expressed concern, “Miss, those Jiangnan properties are too far to manage effectively, and I worry the farmstead managers will play tricks. And then there are the several shops in the Capital City…” As the hills are high and the Emperor far, how could a nine-year-old child manage? Still, selling them seed too painful to consider. The properties were guaranteed harvest co drought or flood and were a wise investnt. Moreover, they had been lucky to purchase such quality land, and once sold, it wouldn’t be easy to acquire again.
As for the shops, that was even trickier. The young lady wouldn’t know how to conduct business, couldn’t even read the ledgers, how could she be expected to manage these shops properly?
Yueyao shook her head, “Don’t worry, I doubt they would dare such a thing.” It was true she had no parents, and she couldn’t rely on her uncles, but her maternal uncle and cousin were dependable. Those farmstead managers wouldn’t dare deceive. As for the shopkeepers, Yueyao was not concerned.
Of course, Yueyao’s confidence stemd from the fact that she now had these people’s contracts of indenture. Unless they were prepared to abscond with the funds and live in hiding, the only fate awaiting them was a dead end.
Another box was filled with nurous contracts of indenture. Yueyao opened it and glanced over them. Besides those of Peng Chun, Liu Da, Liu Er, and others, Yueyao didn’t recognize the rest. She smiled at the contracts, feeling reassured with them in her possession.
After a while, Yueyao instructed, “Nanny, spread the news. Let everyone know that I have reclaid my mother’s dowry. Also, have Zhao Chun’s wife and others co to see after tomorrow’s breakfast.” Broadcasting the news of her dowry was to set people’s expectations. Summoning those won was to inform them that the indentures were in her hands, to prevent any ill thoughts.
The news of the Second Madam’s dowry being restored to the Third Young Lady spread through the household at breakneck speed. People said the Old Madam was too doting on the Third Young Lady, criticizing how a child of nine could manage such substantial wealth. The astute speculated that the Third Young Lady must have played a part, or else why would the sharp-minded Old Madam commit such an act of folly.
Yueying, upon hearing the news that Yueyao had reclaid her mother’s dowry, was green with envy. It was rumored that the Second Madam’s dowry was exceedingly generous, comprising one hundred and twenty-eight bearers. There had already been whispers that the Third Young Lady ca upon a large sum of money, and now with this considerable dowry, her bridal procession would surely stretch for ten miles.
Cai Qing whispered softly, “Miss, it’s ti to attend to the Old Madam.” Watching Eldest Miss clench her fists, Cai Qing sighed inwardly. It wasn’t just envy they felt towards the Third Young Lady, but the belief that she was lucky in her birth, born to the Second Madam. Their own miss was less fortunate, to be born to Maternal Aunt Chen, hence must endure suffering.
Cai Lan grumbled, “That Third Young Lady is so wealthy, no wonder she eats bird’s nest and ginseng as if they cost nothing every day!” Yueyao’s Lanxi Courtyard was strictly managed by Nanny Hao, but no matter how tightly controlled, word of what Yueyao consud daily still got out.
The rumor of daily bird’s nest and ginseng didn’t seem credible, but it was no secret that Yueyao often indulged in nourishing supplents to build a solid foundation for herself. She never felt there was anything wrong with this practice—she only chose the best.
Yueying took a deep breath, striving not to reveal any emotions. She had to hide her feelings; if the Old Madam saw her like this, she would surely be displeased. The only one she could rely on was the Old Madam, and she couldn’t afford to lose her favor.
Yuehuan, having received the sa news, marveled at Maternal Aunt Su’s predictive accuracy. Her aunt had guessed this might happen, yet it beca a reality so quickly.
Maternal Aunt Su took the maid-prepared nourishing tea, sipped half and set it down, musing, “It’s not the aunt who is remarkable, but the Third Young Lady. She easily reclaid the Second Madam’s dowry.” Maternal Aunt Su had anticipated so complications but hadn’t expected the Third Young Lady to achieve her goal so effortlessly.
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