Chapter 36 - Admonishment

Chapter 36: Chapter 30 AdmonishmentZhao Zhongyu unfolded the two rolls of silk and examined them. There was a huge difference; Third Sister Zhao’s dowry was nearly five times that of Zhao Erlang’s betrothal gifts.

Of course, he didn’t think his elder brother favored daughters over sons. He stared at the list of dowries, noticing some books and paintings—these were family heirlooms. Clearly, his elder brother still didn’t trust him, so he wanted to reasonably transfer these items out of the Zhao Family, intending to return them to Zhao Erlang through the hand of the married Third Sister Zhao.

But how could he be certain that the Fu Family would return the items once they got them?

If the Fu Family reneged, would Third Sister Zhao really send the dowry back to her natal family?

Zhao Zhongyu pondered, "Elder brother, isn’t Erlang’s betrothal gift too meager?"

He said, "Erlang is kind and honest, he deserves more care. Third Sister’s future honor or disgrace lies with Fu Dalang. Fu Dalang is talented and handsome, with a promising future, capable of ennobling his wife and children. My suggestion is to swap their lists, so we can seek a prestigious family girl for Erlang."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded repeatedly with a look of agreement, "Yes, grandfather, I don’t need so much dowry, just give it to my younger brother."

Zhao Changyu glanced at her and sighed to Zhao Zhongyu, "Though Erlang might be simple-minded, he is a man and can support himself in the future. But Third Sister is different, women are inherently gentle. After I’m gone, I can only entrust her to you for care. I always want to leave her more, so even if the Fu Family bullies her, she would have the means to start her own household."

Zhao Hanzhang spoke restlessly, "But the betrothal gift for my brother is too little, grandfather. Let me allocate some from mine to him."

Zhao Changyu: "... Fine, I will give him some of my private savings to fill it up."

Zhao Zhongyu: ...

He understood now; Zhao Changyu had already made up his mind, changing it was almost impossible.

He put down the two rolls of silk, "Let elder brother decide."

Zhao Changyu nodded, "I don’t have much time left. Tomorrow, I will invite the Fu Family over to discuss Third Sister’s wedding date, and finalize the dowry list."

Zhao Zhongyu clenched his fists and asked, "Do you know who the Fu Family has invited as the matchmaker?"

Prince East Sea is impossible; recently Fu Zhi and Prince East Sea have had a dispute over King Hejian and Jingzhao County, and haven’t reached a decision yet.

Zhao Changyu replied, "I don’t know yet, but I believe Zizhuang will not treat Third Sister unfairly."

Therefore, the person coming must have a high status. As the matchmaker and witness, Zhao Zhongyu had to ensure Zhao Hanzhang received what was on the dowry list if he still cared about his reputation.

Zhao Zhongyu felt very upset, thinking his elder brother underestimated him. This attitude of constant guarding felt deeply offensive.

But Zhao Changyu was looking pale and in poor health, so Zhao Zhongyu didn’t dare argue with him, afraid of causing some mishap.

Zhao Zhongyu rose, "Since elder brother has decided, it shall be so."

Zhao Changyu: "Tomorrow, make some time and let Jizhi accompany me to host. He is the Princely Heir; Third Sister’s wedding date is a major event and needs his assistance."

Zhao Zhongyu took a look at his son and agreed.

Zhao Changyu then showed signs of fatigue, and everyone sensibly took their leave.

Once he left the main courtyard of the main house, Zhao Zhongyu strode forward, with Zhao Ji pursuing him, "Father, letting Third Sister carry so much out as dowry is like strengthening other families with our family wealth?"

Zhao Zhongyu continued without stopping, "Your uncle is muddled by illness, thinking only of the orphan in the main house now. How could he remember the family? But as long as he is the Family Head for a day, he decides for the house."

Zhao Ji: "But that dowry is too much."

Zhao Zhongyu stopped, "Do you think those items are really for Third Sister? It’s just that he doesn’t trust the two of us, so he is letting Third Sister keep Erlang’s share too."

Zhao Ji’s face turned slightly red, "Why would uncle suspect us? Do we seem like those kinds of people?"

Zhao Zhongyu glared at him fiercely, "Isn’t it because of you, this worthless fool? I heard that a few days ago, you went to Qingyi Pavilion in a rage and wanted to overstep Mrs. Wang to deal with her servants?"

Zhao Ji lowered his head, "Those servants were too outrageous, sowing discord... I was also worried about Mrs. Wang and Third Sister being young and ignorant, influenced by them..."

"Enough, no need to justify to me. No matter your intentions, your uncle only sees you disrespecting the main house. The engagement happened after that night; the dowry list was made after that night," Zhao Zhongyu’s face was unhappy, "You should remind Mrs. Wu, as the mistress of the house, her primary duty is to support her husband and teach her children. Our second branch and the main branch are from the same family line, and Third Sister and Erlang are blood relatives. What does it look like, siblings quarreling like this in a family? A few good kids are all being ruined by her teachings."

Zhao Ji lowered his head, not daring to speak.

Zhao Zhongyu snorted and left with a wave of his sleeve.

The next morning, Zhao Hanzhang sent someone out through the West Corner Gate to deliver a message to Fu Tinghan, informing him of her inability to go out today.

Although she thought he might come along for the scheduled meeting, she still needed to notify him in advance.

Mrs. Wang came over, dark circles under her eyes, followed by a group of maids.

"Here are some clothes your mother found for you; come and try them on."

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at them and said, "They are too bright; do you have any plain ones?"

"Today is your engagement day; how can you wear plain colors?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "Grandfather is still sick."

"That means you should wear bright colors even more, to dispel bad luck. It might even help him recover, and seeing you dressed nicely might cheer him up," Mrs. Wang matched the clothes against her and whispered, "I haven’t slept all night, thinking about the dowry your grandfather has set for you. I really didn’t expect, your grandfather gave you so much, yet nothing went to the second branch."

"Once the wedding is set today, and the names and seals are on the dowry list, the matter will be settled," Mrs. Wang said, "With this money, even if the second branch ignores us in the future, we will be financially secure. Moreover, with your brother’s betrothal gift, getting a small aristocratic family’s girl for marriage will not be a problem."

"Mother, stop thinking about Erlang’s betrothal gift. When uncle inherits the title, that gift is kept in the family, and whether it reaches Zheng Erlang or when it will, is uncertain."

Mrs. Wang was stunned, "Would they dare embezzle!?"

"Erlang isn’t engaged yet, nor can things be moved to his Yue Family, and no one can notarize for him. By that time, they might use excuses like financial difficulties or needing to do something for the family, slowly depleting the items. Could we force the second branch to return them?"

"Then why did you put so much effort into adding things last night?"

"If I didn’t do that, granduncle would have been discussing my dowry many more times. Grandfather is not in good health, and I don’t have time to waste with him."

Mrs. Wang automatically divided the items on the dowry list in her mind, instantly feeling the pain, "How many things have been reduced, such a loss. Third Sister, how about you act cute with your grandfather and have him move the items from Erlang’s betrothal list to your dowry list?"

"Adding more would make it too conspicuous. If the rumors spread, who knows how outsiders will laugh at our Zhao Family. They wouldn’t just claim the second branch is plotting against the main branch’s wealth, but also say we of the main branch have a petty heart, maliciously suspecting the second branch, possibly even affecting grandfather’s reputation."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "It’s fine like this."

This dowry list was carefully selected by Zhao Changyu over several days and couldn’t disrupt his plans.