Since all pretense had been torn away, the old madam stopped concealing her intentions and asked outright, "Eldest daughter-in-law, how are the preparations for Xinxin's dowry coming along?"
Madam Wu respectfully handed over the list. "Everything is being prepared according to the original list."
Before Madam Wu married into the family, the household's rules allotted fifteen hundred taels for a legitimate daughter's dowry and three or four hundred for a concubine-born daughter's.
Under the old madam's overt hints and veiled prodding, Madam Wu had robbed Peter to pay Paul, scraping together a dowry worth eight or nine thousand taels for Wu Xinxin.
To keep Wu Xinxin from overthinking it, she had even concealed what she was doing, afraid that finding out would weigh on Wu Xinxin's conscience.
After all, if her husband's family learned she had used her sister-in-law's dowry, she would never be able to hold her head high.
The Madam Wu of the past had truly been virtuous, kind, gracious, and dutiful.
Now, watching these people brazenly lay claim to her dowry, she could not help feeling heartsick, even though she had prepared herself for it.
The old madam took the list and looked it over. "Xinxin doesn't like the oil shop. Replace it with a few more refined businesses, like a calligraphy and painting shop or a pastry shop."
Madam Wu smiled and replied gently, "Mother, the household owns no calligraphy and painting shops or pastry shops."
Jian Ruonan cut in again. "Cousin, I remember you have a few calligraphy and painting shops and pastry shops in your dowry. The old madam means you should give Wu Xinxin a few of those shops from your dowry."
The old madam: "..."
She needed oxygen.
What breed of menace was this?!
A trace of displeasure appeared on the old