Chapter 8
Madam Pan looked left and right, then suddenly asked in confusion, “After Lady He married into the Jiang family, she became part of the Jiangs. Wouldn’t her property also belong to the Jiang family? Why should it be returned?”
She genuinely did not understand.
Take herself for example—she had handed over her entire dowry to her husband. That was what a virtuous wife should do.
Hearing Madam Pan’s words, the three members of the Jiang family—Jiang Chengzong, Jiang Linxiu, and Jiang Furong—agreed wholeheartedly. Exactly. Since Lady He herself belonged to the Jiang family, how could she possibly have personal property?
However, after living in the capital for so many years, they at least understood the rules of the outside world. They only dared think it privately and did not dare say it aloud.
Bai Wei looked at Madam Pan in disbelief. “Old Madam, you really are… really… You may say such things at home, but please never repeat them outside. If the Censors hear about it and submit an impeachment memorial, the eldest master will suffer badly.”
Madam Pan jumped in fright. “Even the Censors care about this? But this is our family’s private business! Don’t people say even an honest official can’t settle family affairs?”
Bai Wei: “…Then by all means, go say it outside.”
She thought to herself that it was better to argue ten times with a sensible person than exchange one sentence with a fool.
Because there was simply no way to explain it clearly.
The laws of Great Zhao explicitly stated that a woman’s dowry belonged to the woman herself. Even she, a servant, knew this. Yet somehow all these Jiang family masters seemed ignorant of it.
Madam Pan still wanted to argue, but when she saw her husband Jiang Chengzong glaring at her darkly, she was so frightened that she shut her mouth.
Jiang Linxiu frowned. “What you mentioned earlier was only eldest brother’s official income. What about the shops and estates? Where did the annual profits go?”
Since Bai Wei had not mentioned his elder brother’s hidden income, he temporarily chose not to bring it up either, speaking only of the visible income.
Bai Wei replied calmly, “Second Master should ask yourself that question.”
Jiang Linxiu froze. “Ask me?”
Bai Wei said indifferently, “Second Master truly has a poor memory. The family’s greatest profits came from the restaurants and inns in Jiangnan. But six years ago, you claimed you wished to ease the burden on the Princess Consort and asked her to let you manage the Jiangnan businesses. The Old Master and Eldest Master agreed as well, so Her Highness entrusted them to you. In less than a year, they all closed down at a loss. I too would like to ask on behalf of the Princess Consort: those restaurants and inns once earned tens of thousands of taels a year, so how did they become impossible to run once they were in your hands?”
Even the initial capital used to open those businesses had been provided by the Princess Consort. Fortunately, the profits later earned had made up for it.
Jiang Linxiu’s face flushed purple. Forcing himself to remain composed, he said, “Didn’t sister-in-law reopen them afterward?”
If Bai Wei had not mentioned it, he truly would have forgotten. As for why—probably because although those businesses had closed, the family’s expenses had never been reduced. Whenever he wanted something, he could still withdraw silver from the accounts to buy it. Subconsciously, he had assumed that He Fangting had simply reopened shops and started earning money again.
And naturally, those newly opened businesses would also belong to the Jiang family.
Bai Wei countered, “Why reopen them? So you could ruin them again?”
Jiang Linxiu: “…”
If Bai Wei were not one of He Fangting’s chief maidservants, he would already have slapped her several times. Her words were unbearably harsh.
Suddenly recalling something, he raised his voice. “That’s not right! Even if the Jiangnan restaurants and inns closed, there were still two silk shops and a dye workshop!”
Bai Wei nodded. “Yes. Together, the three businesses bring in about fifteen hundred taels annually.”
Jiang Linxiu sneered, “Jiangnan is prosperous, and silk and dyes are highly profitable industries. How could they only earn fifteen hundred taels? There must be something suspicious going on!”
Bai Wei agreed readily. “I also find it suspicious. Why don’t we summon the three managers to the capital and carefully investigate their accounts?”
Jiang Linxiu was just about to agree when he noticed his wife, Li Xixiang, desperately signaling him with her eyes.
Only then did he suddenly remember that the managers of those three businesses had been installed by his wife.
The words at the tip of his tongue immediately changed. “Perhaps there’s no need to investigate. I’ve heard Jiangnan’s economy hasn’t been doing well these past few years. Reduced profits are normal.”
Bai Wei said righteously, “It still ought to be investigated—”
“Enough about Jiangnan!”
Jiang Linxiu interrupted her and stiffly changed the subject. “What about the businesses in the capital?”
Bai Wei replied, “Second Master doesn’t know? Officials are forbidden from engaging in commerce, and the capital is full of Censors. Even opening shops under a steward’s name can easily attract scrutiny. Ten years ago, Eldest Master already instructed the Princess Consort to close every shop in the capital.”
Jiang Linxiu: “…So there are only estates left in the capital?”
Bai Wei: “That’s right. Four estates producing grain, fruits, vegetables, chickens, ducks, sheep, rabbits, and so on. Including land rents, the annual income totals about twenty-five hundred taels.”
Jiang Linxiu quickly calculated in his head. “In other words, the shops and estates together bring in around four thousand taels a year. Adding eldest brother’s official stipend and allowances, that’s at least eighty-five hundred taels!”
That amount truly was not small.
Even Jiang Chengzong’s expression eased somewhat upon hearing it. Back in Sanya Village, they could not even earn fifty taels a year. What could eight thousand five hundred taels not accomplish?
He knew it—the Jiang family could not possibly have been supported by He Fangting. Clearly it was Zhixiu supporting the family. At most, He Fangting had merely bought everyone a few things.
Madam Pan also began chanting prayers happily. Zhixiu had truly brought her honor!
But Jiang Linxiu’s expression suddenly changed. He shouted, “With that much silver, how are there only a few hundred taels left now? It’s only July!”
Bai Wei showed not the slightest fear. Wearing an expressionless face, she answered flatly, “Second Master, are you some kind of living Pixiu? Why do you only calculate income and never expenses? Over the past five years, this household has spent around sixteen thousand taels every year!”
The Jiang family collectively sucked in cold breaths.
At the same time, the same three words drifted through all their minds:
I don’t believe it.
