Chapter 4

“In that case, I shall hand the household accounts and management back to you tomorrow,” I said unhurriedly.

At once, my mother-in-law brightened. Delight flickered across her face before she suppressed it for appearances' sake.

“That would be best. Rest and recover for now. You can take charge again when you're well.”

I laughed coldly to myself.

Ever since I married into the Du family, my mother-in-law had been in poor health.

The elder branch consisted of my sister-in-law alone, with little say in household matters. That was how the responsibility had fallen to me.

For years, I had quietly used my dowry to make up the difference between the family's income and its expenses—food, clothing, everything.

My mother-in-law actually believed the Du family had grown wealthy.

Once her health improved, she began coveting control of the household. But I had managed everything faultlessly, leaving her no excuse to demand it back.

My offer suited her perfectly.

I wondered what her face would look like at tomorrow's handover.

“Oh, one more thing,” Du Cheng said.

“You married first, so you're the elder sister. Remember to prepare a welcoming gift for Wanning.”

Liu Wanning spoke up immediately.

“Thank you in advance!”

Making a lawful wife prepare a present for her husband's second wife.

Only the Du family could do such a thing.

“Rest assured. I shall have a magnificent gift for you.”

“Excellent.”

Du Cheng missed the implication entirely.

Satisfied with my compliance, he gave a slight nod, as though bestowing a favor from on high.

“There's nothing else. You may go.”

I glanced at Liu Wanning's smug face, rose, and left.

The following morning, my mother-in-law stared at the balance in the household accounts in disbelief.

“How can there be so little?”

Then she flew into a rage.

“Tell me! Have you been embezzling?”

“Surely you jest, Mother. You know Second Master's salary. Every other source of income is clearly recorded, as is every expense. Can you not see how much of my dowry I've added each month? What would there be left to embezzle?”

I looked at her darkening face and went on.

“In the three years I've managed this household, I've contributed ten thousand taels of silver from my dowry. Now that I'm handing it back to you, please return that sum to me.”

A moment earlier, she had been furious over the meager balance. The demand to repay my dowry instantly drove that concern out of her head.

Her manner changed at once.

“Qingyue, we're all one family. Isn't it rather distant to keep such strict accounts? Besides, even if you put money into the household funds, you benefited from it too.”

“But Mother, wasn't I entitled to draw on the household funds in the first place?”

Du Cheng came in just then.

Seeing his mother's expression, he immediately shouted at me.

“Su Qingyue! How dare you upset Mother first thing in the morning? Who gave you the nerve to be so unfilial?”

“You should find out what happened before you speak.”

“Hmph! Whatever happened, you're the reason she's unhappy!”

I had no interest in arguing.

I signaled to Cailian to bring him the accounts.

As he read, his brow gradually furrowed.

He understood the household finances better than anyone.

“As I told Mother, I've used ten thousand taels from my dowry to support this household over the past three years.”