Chapter 728: Strategic Marriage for Family Wealth

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Four neatly dressed young maids moved swiftly back and forth, removing tea cups, wiping tables, adjusting chairs, and sweeping the floor.

In but a moment, Rongqing Hall was cleaned anew, not a trace left of the earlier crowd of female guests.

Sister Yuanyang lit the nine-life jade incense burner on the table with premium dragon's saliva incense chips; the fragrant smoke curled gently, purging the hall of all restlessness with its exquisite scent.

Jia Mu smiled serenely: "I'm past seventy, no longer hoping for anything else—I only wish for my grandchildren to thrive and the family to flourish."

Jia Cong is still in mourning, so he cannot be prioritized; though older, he lets Jia Baoyu take the lead."

Wang Lady felt a sharp discomfort at these words—Grandmother had changed.

Once, how much she despised that boy—his lowly concubine bore him, then bled out and died, yet Grandmother never once went to see him.

Before he turned ten, he showed his face only at the ancestral shrine's annual rites; he never crossed the threshold of the West Mansion, not even granted a seat at New Year's Eve banquet.

How deep was Grandmother's resentment and loathing toward that boy?

Only because we feared he'd be driven to death by Elder Lord, bringing disgrace to the family and shaming Grandmother, did we spare him.

How could that boy have turned misfortune into fortune, being brought into the West Mansion to be raised? Has Grandmother forgotten all this?

Now, whenever anyone mentions my Jia Baoyu, Grandmother immediately brings up this boy, pretending to be perfectly fair, her words flawless, putting on a show of impartiality.

Has Grandmother forgotten her old face? Now she pretends to be a doting grandmother—yet who is she fooling?

…

Wang Lady, resenting Jia Mu's favoritism toward Jia Cong, was about to speak cold words to dampen Jia Cong's standing.

But Jia Mu continued: "Seventy is rare in ancient times; I won't live many more years. If I can see Jia Baoyu married and settled, with children to carry on the line, I'll die content."

Hearing "married and settled" and "children to carry on the line," Wang Lady's rising anger was instantly doused like fire struck by cold water.

Jia Mu's casual words struck like daggers to her heart, piercing her with unbearable pain.

Though she had delayed Jia Baoyu's wedding by two months, time still pressed against her.

Once Jia Baoyu marries Xia Gu Niang, his impotence and childlessness will be impossible to hide.

If Grandmother learns Jia Baoyu is doomed to die without heirs, will she still dote on him as before? She certainly won't.

At that point, Grandmother will naturally turn all her attention to Jia Cong—what place will my Jia Baoyu have left?

The Second Branch of the Jia family will be utterly ignored, doomed to eternal ruin, never to rise again.

By then, even before Grandmother dies, the Second Branch will be worthless, a laughingstock among the noble circles.

Those gossipy women of the Jia family's eight branches in the capital, once jealous of the Second Branch's status, will surely spread rumors and stir trouble…

Every time Wang Lady thought of this, her body turned cold with dread.

She would never allow herself to sink so low—even if she suffered daily torment, she must hold on, hiding every sign of weakness.

…

Jia Mu said: "Since the wedding date with the Xia family is already set, we must prepare the betrothal gifts and deliver them to the Xia household before year's end—no room for disrespect."

Wang Lady replied: "You're right, Grandmother. I've just seen off Madam Xia, and I've already sent Old Wang out to arrange all the wedding gifts."

Jia Mu knew Old Wang was the trusted confidante Wang Lady brought from her natal home—capable, literate, and her right hand.

Jia Mu smiled: "She's experienced; leaving this to her is reassuring."

Though Wang Lady was deeply fearful of Jia Baoyu's marriage, she knew Jia Mu was a seasoned matron of the inner quarters and dared not reveal even a hint of her anxiety.

Every word she must say, every task she must do—she left nothing undone, lest Jia Mu grow suspicious.

Moreover, no matter what happens later, Jia Baoyu's marriage to Xia Gu Niang must proceed; she would not relinquish any dignity or benefit due to it.

She said: "Grandmother, Jia Baoyu is the direct bloodline of the Duke, your most beloved grandson. His marriage is a major event."

Moreover, Jia Baoyu is marrying the only daughter of the Xia family—everyone in the capital knows it. The Osmanthus Xia family are the crown jewel among imperial merchants, immensely wealthy."

For Lady Rongguo Mansion to marry such a wealthy heiress, the betrothal gifts and wedding rites must be lavish and flawless."

Otherwise, if the bride enters our home without proper splendor, Jia Baoyu will lose face—and if we disgrace Lady Rongguo Mansion and your dignity, it would be a grave mistake for trivial gains."

…

Jia Mu, as a seasoned inner-quarters matriarch, understood perfectly what Wang Lady meant—she wanted the West Mansion's public funds to pay for the wedding.

She asked: "You're Jia Baoyu's own mother. For your own son's wedding, how much do you estimate you'll need to uphold proper dignity?"

Wang Lady replied: "In the past, for a wedding as grand as Jia Baoyu's, we'd spend up to ten thousand taels to match Lady Rongguo's dignity."

But since Jia Cong inherited the title at a lower rank, the West Mansion lost five hundred shi of noble estate income; the public funds are no longer as ample—I'm well aware."

I propose the public funds contribute eight thousand taels; the rest my husband and I will make up ourselves—we shouldn't overburden the household."

Sister Yuanyang, serving nearby, showed no expression on her face, but inwardly sneered.

She thought: Second Madam is clever indeed—she demands eight thousand taels from the public funds for her own son's wedding. What's the difference between eight thousand and ten thousand?

By her tone, it's as if she's doing the West Mansion a great favor by cutting two thousand taels—how laughable.

Now it's Cong Sanye who inherits the estate; every single tael of the West Mansion's public funds belongs to him."

To make Cong Sanye pay eight thousand taels for his cousin's wedding—what logic is this? Who is really getting married here…

…

Jia Mu was startled when Wang Lady named eight thousand taels—she immediately felt a headache coming on.

Though the First and Second Branches hadn't yet divided, it was customary for the West Mansion's public funds to contribute to a major event like Jia Baoyu's wedding.

But the situation had changed drastically: the First Branch, Jia Cong, had been imperial-appointed heir; every tael of the West Mansion's funds came from its noble estate and ancestral property.

According to imperial decree and ancestral law, all of it belonged to that boy.

Jia Mu had managed the household for years; she knew clearly that since Jia Cong inherited the title, the West Mansion's annual income had shrunk to no more than ten thousand taels.

After Wang Wang Xifeng took charge last year, she slashed staff and cut expenses; with this meager sum, they barely kept the entire household of hundreds alive.

Even so, Wang Xifeng often wept and complained of poverty before Jia Mu—though she exaggerated, Jia Mu knew it was mostly true.

Though Jia Mu adored Jia Baoyu most and wished his wedding to be splendid, she understood the changed reality: the First and Second Branches were now distinctly separate.

Her daughter-in-law demanded eight thousand taels—that was nearly the West Mansion's entire annual income.

Wang Xifeng, so sharp and ruthless, would never yield; and though Jia Cong rarely spoke, he'd surely give a cold look if he heard.

But Jia Baoyu's wedding—to the daughter of the Osmanthus Xia family—could not be conducted without such splendor.

…

Though Wang Lady worried that Jia Baoyu's impotence would cast a dark shadow over this marriage,

even as she agonized daily, she could not bear to sacrifice even an inch of the Lady Rongguo family's prestige.

Seeing Jia Mu's hesitation, she knew exactly what Jia Mu was thinking—it was precisely what she had anticipated.

She said: "Grandmother, I know this expense will consume nearly a year's income from the West Mansion. But Jia Baoyu's marriage is extraordinary."

Who in the capital doesn't know Xia Gu Niang is the Xia family's only heir? Everyone says whoever marries her gains a golden Bodhisattva.

Jia Baoyu isn't merely marrying her—he's taking the entire Xia family fortune. This match is envied by countless others."

The world hates those who have and mocks those who lack; now, countless eyes are fixed on Jia Baoyu's wedding.

Lady Rongguo Mansion is a ducal house, a famed noble clan of the capital. If Jia Baoyu marries such a bride without proper splendor,

what vile gossip will the gossips spread?

Not only would Grandmother and the Jia family lose face, but Jia Baoyu would forever be diminished before his wife—how could he ever live in peace?"

…

Jia Mu had originally thought eight thousand taels from the West Mansion's public funds for Jia Baoyu's wedding was too much.

But after hearing Wang Lady's reasoning, her heart warmed slightly.

She said: "You're a thoughtful mother. Though the Xia family's status doesn't match ours, their wealth far surpasses ours."

Now that the First Branch inherits the estate, the Second Branch is no longer what it was. Let the two branches offset each other—it's fair."

In marriage, matching status and wealth is the way. Jia Baoyu marrying such an immensely wealthy Xia Gu Niang truly cannot afford to be lacking in splendor."

If this marriage is properly arranged, even if Jia Baoyu inherits no estate later, he'll live in comfort for life."

If this comes true, even if I die, I won't worry about Jia Baoyu's future suffering."

Wang Lady, seeing she had swayed Jia Mu, smiled with delight: "You think far ahead, Grandmother. This is exactly the truth."

Besides, you know Jia Cong's background—he's made a fortune in business. He won't care about eight thousand taels…"

Jia Mu's expression shifted slightly; she understood perfectly what Wang Lady implied.

The Osmanthus Xia family are imperial merchants; Jia Cong is closely tied to them too. His lover in Jin Ling is one of the rare female imperial merchants in the Zhou dynasty.

This Lady Qu is a considerate person; every festival, she sends gifts as a junior should—Jia Mu has never been left out.

I've heard that every quarter and year-end, she sends entire chests of silver to the East Mansion for her grandson's expenses.

Jia Mu knew these rumors well—she didn't know how this boy had such fortune…

…

Yet Jia Mu had some restraint; unlike Wang Lady, whose envy was twisted and excessive, she did not take up Wang Lady's hint.

Though Wang Lady's argument made the eight thousand taels seem more reasonable, Jia Mu still lacked full confidence.

After chatting awhile, Jia Mu said she'd consult Wang Xifeng on the matter and told Wang Lady to return to the East Courtyard to prepare for Jia Baoyu's wedding.

After Wang Lady left Rongqing Hall, Jia Mu, weary from speaking so long, called Sister Yuanyang to massage her back.

She muttered: "These tangled, awkward household matters are truly headache-inducing. Far simpler than small families—fewer people, cleaner affairs."

Sister Yuanyang smiled sweetly: "That's because you have great fortune, Grandmother—being the matriarch of a ducal house, with vast wealth and many affairs."

Really, let Cong Sanye and Second Madam handle the household matters—you should enjoy your peace."

Jia Mu smiled bitterly: "Who in this household is easy to manage? If I don't speak up about Jia Baoyu's wedding, it won't go smoothly."

Eight thousand taels isn't small—but Second Madam isn't wrong: Jia Cong isn't short of silver. Sister Yuanyang, isn't that true?"

…

Sister Yuanyang's eyes sparkled as she smiled and said, "Old Madam, I'm just a little maid, I don't understand grand principles—only listen to words and catch their meaning."

The second madam's final remarks struck me as inappropriate. Though outsiders say Xinchun Shop belongs to Cong Sanye and is merely managed by Miss Qu,

but Cong Sanye has never acknowledged it, and the authorities have never officially declared it—so this matter cannot be considered real.

Over these past years, Miss Qu has been courteous and proper, sending festival gifts to both households every year-end; outsiders all say she is Cong Sanye's mistress.

But these are only idle words—Miss Qu and Cong Sanye have no formal status; she cannot be counted as one of our family.

Therefore, no matter how successful her business or how much silver she earns, it cannot be blamed on Cong Sanye, nor does it concern the Jia family.

If we follow the second madam's logic and count this as grounds, the family treasury must pay eight thousand taels—this reasoning is far too flimsy.

If this silver is truly spent for this reason and word leaks out, the gossip will be unbearable; those slanderous tongues will spin all sorts of foul tales.

It would become: Cong Sanye's mistress earns silver, so the family pays eight thousand taels to let Bao Er's wedding be grand—this would be too disgraceful to hear."

…

Upon hearing Sister Yuanyang's words, Jia Mu's aged face flushed slightly; she felt that if such rumors truly spread, Sister Yuanyang's words were still too kind.

Leaving aside the old noble families, just the gossipy women among Jia's eight branches in the capital would never hold their tongues.

They'd surely spread it far and wide: that Jia Cong's mistress conducts herself with dignity, paying silver to fund Bao Yu's grand wedding.

Good deeds never travel far, but bad ones spread a thousand li—if such talk truly took root, the faces of both Eastern and Western Jia households would be trampled in the mud.

Jia Mu, as a peerless Duke with First-Rank Noble Title, would never again hold her head high; even in death, she'd become a laughingstock among the noble clans.

Sister Yuanyang continued: "Cong Sanye's nature—Old Madam, haven't you understood it these past years? Others are either soft-hearted or hard-headed.

But Cong Sanye, when he takes a stubborn turn, refuses both softness and force; no one can fathom his thoughts."

"If Old Madam truly raises the matter of Miss Qu, and Cong Sanye grows angry and ignores it entirely, Second Mistress won't dare release the silver."

…

Jia Mu chuckled bitterly: "You understand his nature well. This matter cannot be dragged into Miss Qu's name—it's best to avoid giving anyone a handle."

Sister Yuanyang gently pounded Jia Mu's waist and said, "So, regarding these eight thousand taels, ignore all other talk—just place the burden squarely on the Western household's treasury."

Jia Mu sighed: "If it falls solely on the treasury, I fear the silver won't be easily released."

Sister Yuanyang said: "In truth, Old Madam's heart is as clear as a mirror—you know everything perfectly well.

Though I don't know the other parts of the household, I handle all daily expenses of Rongqing Hall myself—I know them thoroughly.

Though Second Mistress has cut over a hundred servants these past half-year, sending them to farms and shops, not a single soul in Rongqing Hall has been touched; two more laundry women were even added.

Rongqing Hall's monthly expenses exceed two hundred taels, nearly three thousand annually—all spent on daily necessities, not even extravagant.

Cong Sanye now resides in the Eastern household; the Western household's dignity rests entirely on Old Madam. The ceremonial standards for a peerless Duke's Noble Title have always been fixed.

If the treasury suddenly pays out eight thousand taels, next year the entire household will face famine, and even Old Madam's allowances will be slashed.

If outsiders learn of this, it would look utterly improper—they'd surely say Bao Er's lavish wedding has impoverished Old Madam, showing a lack of filial piety from grandchildren."

Jia Mu listened as Sister Yuanyang spoke calmly, her expression growing darker—but every word Sister Yuanyang uttered was sound, with not a single flaw.

Jia Mu sighed: "We must find another pretext. If we must lay it squarely on the treasury, then whatever amount we can get, we take."

Sister Yuanyang stood behind Jia Mu, pounding her back. Hearing Jia Mu's words, she smiled faintly—her bright eyes shimmered, her beauty charming—but Jia Mu did not see.

…

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Eastern Courtyard.

After leaving Rongqing Hall, Wang Lady went to Bao Yu's quarters to give instructions, finding her son gloomy.

She asked the reason; Bao Yu only said Jia Cong was absurd—having deceived a female cultivator into residing within the household, utterly improper, causing grief and outrage.

Wang Lady found this dull. With fire at her doorstep, Bao Yu still cared about trivial nonsense.

She had long resented Jia Cong's manipulation of Xue Baochai; now he was even seducing a nun into the household for debauchery. Though she despised it, she had no time to deal with it.

Her urgent concerns now: how to cure her son's affliction, how to prevent rumors from spreading, how to concoct an excuse to cover it up.

When Wang Lady returned to the Eastern Courtyard and entered her room, she saw her trusted maid, Wang Wang Pazi, enter.

Wang Lady asked: "Have you made progress arranging the betrothal gifts? Choose only the finest items—don't spare silver, lest we lose face."

Wang Wang Pazi's expression turned strange: "I was about to carry out your orders, but an unexpected turn occurred—I must delay for now."

She stepped close to Wang Lady and whispered in her ear. Wang Lady's face changed: "Is this truly certain?"

Wang Wang Pazi said: "In your dowry shop in the southern city, there's an unused side room—I've lured the woman there and bound and gagged her.

I followed your instructions and avoided anyone familiar. Luckily, I have a distant sister-in-law who married into Tongzhou and is visiting the capital these days.

She's always done this trade and has never failed—I specially brought her to inspect her, and she confirmed it without doubt.

My distant sister-in-law returns to Tongzhou the day after tomorrow; she's old and rarely comes to the capital—only once every five or six years—so there's no lingering risk."

Hearing this, Wang Lady's face turned dark and cruel, radiating a cold ruthlessness utterly unlike her usual dignified ladyly bearing.

She said: "Prepare the carriage and horses—we're leaving at once…" (End of Chapter)