Chapter 103: What Compensation Does Aunt Want?
“What kind of close relatives marrying relatives is that? If Cousin Miss becomes the Master’s concubine, then Aunt will become a relative of a concubine. In our Qin Dynasty, a concubine’s relatives are not proper relatives at all. From now on, when Aunt comes to the Lin Family, it won’t be possible just because Mother agrees or Aunt wants to come; it must go through my permission.
As for if Cousin Miss Qihui does something wrong in the future, I must also inform Aunt. Whether to beat or scold her, or even sell her off, it will all be up to me. If Aunt and Cousin Miss Qihui have no objections, I will go ask the Master’s opinion right now. If the Master has no objections either, then I agree to letting Cousin Miss Qihui enter the household.”
With her words, Kang Qihui’s face grew increasingly pale, and Madam Kang Zhou’s face also became uglier and uglier. “We are all relatives, yet you insist on being so heartless?”
“Me, heartless? When Cousin Miss Qihui was doing this thing, did she ever think of the consequences? Besides, I’m just stating the facts, not trying to frighten you here.” Jiang Ruanxi’s tone was stern. “If you don’t believe it, you can ask Elder Sister-in-law. She is well-read in poetry and books, proficient in etiquette, and knows these matters best.”
Madam He frowned; Jiang Ruanxi was clearly mocking her.
Since she knew these rules, yet still advised her to be magnanimous.
She felt both amused and exasperated deep down; it seemed Jiang Ruanxi held a grudge against her.
“Mother, I only went to see Second Cousin. Who knew my body was so frail that I fell just as I reached Second Cousin. Second Cousin only kindly helped me up, but who knew his maidservant saw it and misunderstood.”
She then looked at Jiang Ruanxi with teary eyes. “Cousin Sister-in-law, believe me. Everything I said is true; it’s not what you think.”
Madam Kang Zhou frowned and instinctively looked at Kang Qihui, as if blaming her for missing such a good opportunity at this time, but Kang Qihui did not look at her at all, clearly avoiding it.
Jiang Ruanxi knew full well that Kang Qihui must have seen Lin Ningkun’s true appearance and been disgusted?
Indeed, when young, most women are dazzled by a man’s appearance. Kang Qihui was also an ordinary person, naturally fantasizing her husband as handsome and extraordinary, but the moment she just saw Lin Ningkun’s true face, she was truly disgusted.
Even if Madam Kang Zhou threatened her with her concubine mother, she could no longer care about anything else. Right now, she only wanted to push off this forced marriage.
“Has Cousin Miss thought it through? This kind of matter most taboo is going back on one’s word.” Jiang Ruanxi kindly reminded.
“Everything I said is true.” Kang Qihui did not dare to look at Madam Kang Zhou’s piercing gaze and said guiltily.
Jiang Ruanxi was very satisfied; at least this cousin miss was being sensible right now.
“No, since the two have already had physical intimacy, this matter absolutely cannot just be dropped like this.”
“Then what does Aunt want to do?” Jiang Ruanxi’s tone was mocking. “Since Cousin Miss Qihui herself is unwilling, we can’t force her, right?”
“Since ancient times, marriage matters are entirely up to the parents to decide. When has it ever been up to her?”
“Aunt is probably mistaken about one thing. For a proper marriage, it is indeed up to the parents. But for taking a concubine, if the mistress of the household does not agree, then the marriage won’t happen. As long as I don’t nod, even if Mother agrees, it won’t work.”
Madam Kang Zhou’s face tightened, her gaze fierce.
If they clashed head-on now, it would indeed not benefit her.
She turned her head and thought for a moment, then had an idea. “Daughter-in-law, no matter what, this matter is still a loss for Qihui. You all must give some compensation, right?”
“What compensation does Aunt want?”
“You must give some silver money, right?”
Seeing her calculating expression, Jiang Ruanxi felt cold inside. “Is Aunt trying to blackmail me?”
“Don’t make it sound so ugly. I just want you to give some compensation for the loss.” Madam Kang Zhou did not think there was anything wrong with what she was doing.
“But I’m not taking your silver money for nothing. How about this: Aunt is doing a business deal recently. Why don’t you invest some silver? Then we’ll split the profits with you. Not to boast, this deal is one that turns one into ten thousand. If it were someone else, I might not let them invest, but since we are relatives, I’m giving you this favor.”
“How much silver does Aunt want?”
Seeing her relent, Madam Kang Zhou thought she had agreed and smiled so widely her brow wrinkles danced. “Ten thousand taels.”
Hong Ye could not help but take a deep breath; was Madam Kang Zhou’s appetite too big?
Ten thousand taels could buy how many concubines like Cousin Miss?
Wasn’t this clearly treating Jiang Ruanxi like a fool?
“Good, I’ll go get ten thousand taels for Aunt right now.”
Hong Ye thought her ears had misheard; Jiang Ruanxi actually agreed?
Even Madam Kang Zhou and Madam Zhou found it unbelievable. They thought Jiang Ruanxi would refuse and had already prepared their next words, but they never expected her to agree so readily.
“What, is Aunt not satisfied?” Jiang Ruanxi asked rhetorically.
“No, no, then you must keep your word.” Madam Kang Zhou quickly said. “Get the silver money right away.”
The corners of Jiang Ruanxi’s mouth curved up slightly. “Aunt, don’t be anxious. As a young daughter-in-law, I don’t understand much. I shouldn’t interfere in Aunt’s business matters. How about this: I’ll consider this silver money as an investment from Mother. In the future, when there are profits, you can give them directly to Mother. Consider it my filial piety to Mother.”
“This is what you said.” Madam Kang Zhou thought for a moment, as if afraid she would regret it. “To avoid any disputes later, why don’t we write up a contract? What do you think?”
This was not about avoiding future disputes at all; it was clearly fearing she would regret it.
She knew full well what was going on but did not object. “Good, then just write that the silver money is from Mother, and your business has nothing to do with me.”
Madam Kang Zhou was overjoyed. Soon, a servant brought brush and ink, paper, and inkstone.
After signing the contract, the two pressed their handprints. Jiang Ruanxi smiled. “Aunt, wait a moment; I’ll have someone send the silver money to you shortly.”
Seeing the matter resolved, Madam He could not help but shake her head. Madam Kang Zhou probably did not even know how she would die, yet she was still happy now. She probably would not even have a chance to cry later.
After Jiang Ruanxi left, Madam Kang Zhou looked at the contract very smugly, even forgetting about her concubine’s daughter’s refusal of the marriage.
“I say, sister, your daughter-in-law is not as easy to deal with as imagined. Look, with just a little scheming from us, the silver money is in hand.”
Madam Zhou also found it strange; why had Jiang Ruanxi agreed so readily this time?
But as long as they could swindle Jiang Ruanxi’s silver money, she was still very happy deep down. “Sister still has the ways.”
“Of course. This is just the beginning. We have more methods later to empty out her dowry.”
