Chapter 53: The Feeling of Home

At the mere mention of Fang Fang Mengru's dowry, Wu Shi instantly perked up;

"What 'your mother's dowry'? I am your mother now! Your mother's dowry is for me to dispose of!"

Jun Jun Zijin's expression turned cold:

"I never knew that the dowry of Emperor Tianqi's deceased first wife was to be left for the stepmother to dispose of, especially since it was my late mother's gift to me for my wedding. Father, when did Emperor Tianqi enact such a law?"

Xiang Xiang Junzheng was so ashamed his face flushed red then white; Emperor Tianqi had no such law. Yet he was not entirely unaware that Wu Shi had been holding Fang Fang Mengru's dowry and the accompanying shops. Now that the second daughter asked such a question, he was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to reply.

According to Emperor Tianqi's legal code, if a woman had dowry shops after marriage, she could manage them herself, and all profits belonged solely to the deed holder; her husband's family had no right to interfere with or obstruct matters concerning the woman's dowry and accompanying shops. Upon the woman's death, all private property including the dowry and shops should be inherited by her children or given to designated persons. This rule was personally decreed by the Emperor.

Wu Shi ground her teeth in hatred, pointing at Jun Jun Zijin and cursing:

"You unfilial daughter, how dare you question your father like this!"

Jun Jun Zijin sneered: "If Father cannot cite this law, then I shall go to the Jingzhao Prefecture to ask when Emperor Tianqi enacted such a law, that the dowry and accompanying shops left by a deceased mother for her daughter's wedding must be disposed of by the stepmother."

Having spoken, she made as if to walk out.

"Zhengming, does our Jun household not yet feel ashamed enough?" The Old Lady, who had cursed her son and the First Lady repeatedly in her heart, finally spoke.

"Wu Shi, hurry and return the items to the second daughter!" the Old Lady commanded.

"The master of the Jun household tolerating a stepmother seizing the legitimate daughter's deceased mother's inheritance is such a scandal. If you still do not uphold justice now, do you intend to make it known to all? Xiang Xiang Junzheng, if you will not uphold justice, today I, this old woman, shall uphold it. Do you have anything to say?"

Xiang Xiang Junzheng's face turned red as he stammered:

"Mother, this matter was indeed an oversight by your son. I shall order Wu Shi to return it immediately."

Upon hearing this, the First Lady immediately switched to a face full of grievance:

"Master, how can this be? For these years I have managed those shops with great effort; on what grounds does she say she can just take them?"

It was indeed great effort, but the one who exerted the effort was not the First Lady, but her own brother, Wu De. Fang Fang Mengru's accompanying shops had long fallen into Wu De's hands; otherwise, where did the several shops he opened for his business come from?

The Old Lady glared at the First Lady:

"You think you have a point? Those were originally the second daughter's mother's heirlooms. You have already done wrong by seizing them for so many years."

Jun Jun Zijin stood aside watching silently, her eyes filled with mockery. Seeing this situation, Xiang Xiang Junzheng shouted sternly at the First Lady: "Enough! Do not embarrass us further. Hand the items over immediately."

The First Lady was extremely unwilling, claiming that the deeds to Fang Fang Mengru's accompanying shops and the dowry lists had been lost.

"How could the deeds possibly be lost? Wu Shi, search again," the Old Lady roared.

The First Lady felt extremely uncomfortable with the Old Lady addressing her as "Wu Shi" time and again. She gritted her teeth, cursing the old death in her heart, while forcing a smile onto her face.

"Old Lady, your daughter-in-law has been in the Jun family for so many years. Even if I have no merit, I have at least endured hardship. Is your manner of addressing your daughter-in-law not too distant?" The First Lady was particularly displeased; saying this was deliberately trying to divert the conversation elsewhere.

The Old Lady snorted coldly:

"Then what should I call you? You have done such a thing as seizing a legitimate daughter's property, yet you still dare to speak of merit and hardship? Do not argue further. Find the deeds immediately."

"If Mother truly cannot find them, then do not trouble yourself. The Jingzhao Prefecture keeps records; I shall just go there," Jun Jun Zijin said leisurely.

The First Lady secretly hated this and wanted to say more, but Xiang Xiang Junzheng had lost all patience with her:

"Enough! Wu Shi, you have two days to return all of Fang Mengru's shops to the second daughter. Otherwise, do not blame the Jun family for being unkind!" Having spoken, he rose and left.

"Please also return my mother's dowry list and the account books for these years," Jun Jun Zijin added.

The First Lady stood frozen, feeling as if she had just had a dream. Clearly, Jun Jun Yiyi was supposed to be scheming against the Crown Prince, yet it had turned into the second branch's third daughter marrying the Second Imperial Prince, Jun Jun Yiyi losing her marriage to the Prime Minister's household, she suddenly losing control of the household accounts, and almost being divorced. All these misfortunes seemed to have started without end from the moment that lowly girl returned to the household.

Coming back to her senses, the First Lady's face was full of venom, yet she dared not disobey Xiang Xiang Junzheng's order. She glared fiercely at Jun Jun Zijin and lowered her voice: "You little wretch, do not think this allows you to ride over my head."

Jun Jun Zijin merely smiled faintly. "Mother is joking. Your daughter is simply taking back what belongs to her. Mother is of an advanced age, so please rest."

Glancing at the First Lady, who was so angry she nearly fainted, Jun Jun Zijin's lips curled upward. She performed a graceful bow and turned to leave.

Li Shi, who had been watching the spectacle for a long time, felt as if this play had been staged specifically for her, and left with a satisfied heart. The crowd, having made a scene for most of the day, finally dispersed.

Jun Jun Zijin returned to the Ao Xue Courtyard with Han Xiao and Xiao He. Dong Nainai, who had been waiting, quickly stepped forward to greet her:

"Young Lady, why were you gone so long? Did anyone trouble you?" Dong Nainai asked with concern.

Jun Jun Zijin felt warmth in her heart:

"Nainai, rest assured. Today, I retrieved Mother's dowry and accompanying shops from Wu Shi's hands."

Upon hearing this, Dong Nainai wiped away tears:

"This is good. Now, even if the Lady knows from the netherworld, she can rest in peace."

"Young Lady must be hungry. Hurry inside to rest. This old servant has already prepared the meal for you and will have it served immediately."

Jun Jun Zijin then realized she was indeed somewhat hungry. Looking at the sun, it was already past noon. She returned to her room; Han Xiao attended to her washing her hands. Miao Zhu, seeing Jun Jun Zijin return, had already brewed the tea.

Xiao He vividly recounted to everyone how her Young Lady had been magnificent, outwitting the First Lady.

The three maids stood by Jun Jun Zijin's side; none went out.

Han Xiao and Miao Zhu were older, calm and steady, spoke little, and were clever; naturally, they bore more responsibility for the courtyard's affairs.

Xiao He was slightly younger but clever, quick-witted, and had a good memory. Jun Jun Zijin intended for Dong Nainai to take her along to manage the shops.

Zhou Nainai managed the courtyard. These past days she had been busy training the new maids sent by the slave dealers, so she had not come close. Now that the Old Lady manages the household, she supposed the sale contracts for those newly bought maids would be delivered soon.

The two nainais and three maids by her side were all extremely reliable people. With the sale contracts in her own hands, she was naturally at ease.

Before long, the scent of food drifted over. Dong Nainai entered carrying steaming hot dishes.

Dong Nainai gently placed the food on the table and said kindly:

"Young Lady, the food is still hot. Please taste it quickly."

The dishes on the table were an excellent mix of meat and vegetables. Jun Jun Zijin picked up her chopsticks, took a bite, and immediately a warm current surged in her heart. Dong Nainai gave her the feeling of home.