Betrothal Gifts

"This is the betrothal gift list from the Prince's mansion, Yun Wan, take a look."

After the officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Prince's Mansion came to deliver the betrothal gifts, Old Madam Lin summoned Lin Yunwan.

The booklets were piled on the table, several thick stacks.

Lin Yunwan flipped through it casually; everything was top-notch... and she had already looked at it.

The last time he saw Qi Lingheng, he asked her to help him assess the situation.

"Old Madam, Sir, Madam, I've seen it."

She looked at it casually, but the people in the Lin Residence dared not do so.

Lin Huabin smiled broadly, and Old Madam Lin said, "These are all gifts from the Prince. They will be added to your dowry and you can take them with you."

Zheng Shi was stunned as she thought about the dazzling array of items.

"Are you bringing everything?"

She said impatiently, "How can a young lady's dowry be prepared like this! Some of it should be kept, and our household can add more..."

That's enough.

Lin Huabin frowned and said, "We'll do as the Old Madam says."

Zheng Shi sat up straight, feeling embarrassed.

She thought to herself, "Let her take it! Who says it'll necessarily end up in my stepdaughter's hands?"

"Go back, everyone."

Old Madam Lin looked exhausted.

Zheng Shi was eager to go back and see what was in the booklet; she hadn't wanted to keep it in the first place.

"Old Madam, your daughter-in-law takes her leave."

She was the first to stand up.

Lin Huabin showed no sign of leaving; he continued drinking from his teacup.

It seems the master has no intention of leaving.

Lin Yunwan also got up to say goodbye, not wanting to disturb the mother and son's conversation.

Old Madam Lin did not go to rest immediately.

The prince's betrothal gifts have all been presented...

Next is the matter of the dowry, which must be discussed.

"Have you and Zheng Shi prepared Yun Wan's dowry?"

Since her son didn't bring it up, Old Madam Lin asked him herself.

Lin Huabin said, "I was just about to give it to you for a quick look."

He pulled a thick stack of papers from his sleeve; these were the results of the transcription.

Old Madam Lin looked it over again and asked coldly, "Is that all?"

Lin Huabin lowered his head and said softly, "You know, Yun Wan is, after all... not my biological daughter."

"What are your plans regarding the Su Family's money in the future?"

Old Madam Lin drank her tea, not looking at her son.

Once her throat was moistened, she said, "Once Yun Wan gets married, the dowry that the Su Family brought over will completely fall into your hands. Why not give it to Yun Wan —what were you thinking?"

Lin Huabin said gently, "... Our son hasn't thought about it much yet."

They just don't want to give it to them.

Previously, when Su Shi's biological daughter Yun Wan was still alive, this money should have been kept by Lin Huabin, and no one could say anything about it.

But Yun Wan is no longer with the Lin family.

"Alright, you can go back now."

"Yes, son takes his leave."

Lin Huabin is gone.

Old Madam Lin watched her son's retreating figure and sighed.

"I'm not even dead yet, and he still won't support the Lin clan for my sake."

"I think once I'm dead, this family will really be divided."

She decided to divide the family property because she was afraid of her brothers fighting amongst themselves.

Nanny Fan said, "The Second Master is someone who really wants to spend money, of course he won't agree."

Old Madam Lin sneered, "Is having money all you need?"

"Won't he have any sons or grandsons in the future? If it weren't for his Elder Brother, he wouldn't even be able to give away his money if he wanted to."

Nanny Fan remained noncommittal.

Who can disagree? The Second Master is shrewd too, but unfortunately, he's shrewd in the wrong way.

Old Madam Lin said, "Go quickly and help Yun Wan count the betrothal gifts!"

She sneered, "Look at Zheng Shi's eyes just now, they were all red..."

"I really don't know what these two are thinking. They have so much silver in their hands, and they act like they've never seen anything good before."

Nanny Fan, however, had to speak the truth, "No matter how good it is, it can't compare to what the Prince's Mansion sent."

There are some things that even a family like the Lin Residence would never see in their entire life.

She was also worried that something might happen if she arrived late, so she hurried to the Second Branch.

As expected, Zheng Shi had already gotten into a dispute with the people of the Bixi Hall.

As the mistress of the house, she couldn't argue with the maids. Nanny Fan spoke up, saying, "The betrothal gifts have always been kept by the master and mistress. Move them to the Madam's Courtyard first. Who gave you permission to move them to the Eldest Miss's Courtyard?"

The Matron doing the work said, "That's what Nanny Zhao instructed."

Nanny Fan glared at them. "Nanny Zhao is now overstepping Madam's Madam?"

The Matron stammered, "... What Nanny Zhao means is, that's what the master means!"

Lin Yunwan rushed over.

She smiled faintly and asked, "Does Madam wish to keep the betrothal gifts from the Prince's residence safe?"

Zheng Shi and Nanny Fan turned around and looked at her together.

Lin Yunwan hadn't expected that Zheng Shi would still be making a fuss over something so trivial. It seemed that Zheng Shi was truly envious of the wealth and power of the Prince's mansion.

"The bride price is always kept by the legal wife."

As soon as she finished speaking, Zheng Shi had the things moved.