Time Travel: The Noble Family

Chapter 133: Chapter 56: Ma Peng Makes a Decision

Lord Zhuang was also surprised by the large amount of silver offered by the Ma Family, but he already had plans in mind, “Madam Lu’s dowry will all be given to Ruo Lan, and additionally another 40,000 taels of silver from the public funds to prepare for the dowry should be more than enough.” Madam Lu’s dowry back then was 128 bearers, coupled with another 40,000 taels of silver from the public funds, totaling around 100,000 taels of silver, which should be sufficient.

Madam Bao was shocked, “Give all of my sister-in-law’s dowry to the Eldest Miss? What about the Eldest Young Master?” She had never touched even a hair of Madam Lu’s dowry. Her concern now was that if all of Madam Lu’s dowry went to Ruo Lan, the entire betrothal gift for Zhuang Changhe would have to be provided by the public funds.

Lord Zhuang was very pleased as he said, “Today, Changhe came to me and said he wanted to give all his mother’s dowry to Ruo Lan, and he didn’t want a single part of it. He also said having a substantial dowry means a daughter can stand firm in her husband’s family.” Lord Zhuang was very gratified to see his children so loving toward each other, especially when his son told him that he would be able to set up an even better family business in the future, which made him very proud. Of course, he would never mention the latter part to Madam Bao.

After hearing this, Madam Bao felt not just a headache but like she might faint. Ruo Lan was not only taking away Madam Lu’s dowry but also taking another 40,000 taels of silver from the public funds. When Zhuang Changhe marries, it would be impossible to mention less than 20,000 to 30,000 taels of silver. With the family’s existing resources, where would her children’s marriage money come from? Just as she thought to subtly remind her husband, she realized he had already left.

Madam Bao’s fingers turned white. Her personal maid quickly tried to console her, “Madam, the Old Master had no choice. Even if he didn’t wish to offer so much dowry, with Ma’s Mansion showing such generosity and Duke Mansion watching, the Old Master would have to agree for the sake of face, even if he didn’t want to. Madam must absolutely not quarrel with the Old Master at this time, otherwise, it would play right into the Eldest Miss’s hands.”

Madam Bao was so infuriated she bit her lips until they bled. She detested it, deeply hated the deceased Madam Lu, who had been dead for so many years and yet still haunted them. Over the years, she had diligently managed the household, worked hard to increase income and cut expenses, and in the end, it all benefitted these ungrateful people.

The personal maid also sighed slightly. The Former Lady, Madam Lu’s substantial dowry was something anyone would covet. Unfortunately, the Duchess was not easy to deceive. She directly took custody of the Eldest Young Master and Eldest Miss under the pretense of not trusting the stepmother to treat the original wife’s children properly, and she even arranged for someone to manage Madam Lu’s dowry directly. She stated she was worried about people coveting the daughter’s ample dowry. The family’s Madam couldn’t even think of taking advantage, not even a touch of it, and the Duchess was sharp-witted as the dowry’s yearly income was directly handed over to the Eldest Miss by the Duke Mansion.

Madam thrived outside Capital City, but back in Capital City, everything was against her will. Under the guidance of the Duchess, the Eldest Miss, even in her early years, was so astute that it frightened people. Over the years, bolstered by her considerable wealth and the backing of Duke Mansion, the Eldest Miss had always confronted Madam. Although Madam ostensibly held the advantage, she never gained the upper hand over the Eldest Miss. Fortunately, the Eldest Miss would leave Madam alone as long as she did not interfere with her and the Eldest Young Master’s affairs. Regrettably, Madam was not content and always plotted against the Eldest Young Master and the Eldest Miss, inadvertently ending up harming the Second Young Lady in the process.

Now, barely seeing the Eldest Miss engaged and about to be married in half a year, Madam hadn’t expected that just before leaving, the Eldest Miss would dig such a big pit and take away so much money, which was like cutting flesh from Madam. The Eldest Miss was indeed ruthless.

Upon hearing that all her mother’s dowry was to be given to her, Ruo Lan immediately scolded Zhuang Changhe, “You fool, Mom’s dowry should be split between us, and let Madam Bao cover the shortfall. What are you acting so generous for!” Ruo Lan didn’t actually want the money; it only made her feel better at the thought of paining Madam Bao. Thinking of her grandmother in Capital City soon, Ruo Lan’s eyes flickered with scorn.

Madam Bao and her grandmother had always wanted her to marry into the Bao Family, but unfortunately, they couldn’t get past her maternal grandmother. Moreover, her father also looked down on the Bao Family, which was why it had not yet happened. Otherwise, it would have been risky.

Ruo Lan clearly understood why Madam Bao and her grandmother wanted her to marry into the Bao Family. Madam Bao hoped it would be a step down for her, releasing many years of pent-up frustration. Grandmother’s reason was because of her substantial dowry and also as she was the granddaughter of Duke Mansion, she could support the Bao Family.

Ruo Lan totally despised Old Madam Zhuang. Back when her mother was of high birth and hard to control, Old Madam Zhuang tormented her incessantly, resulting in her mother’s early death. Now, coveting the backing of Duke Mansion and her mother’s dowry, Old Madam Zhuang hoped to marry her into the Bao Family, which was truly disgusting.