Chapter 200 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM

 FlamingoBees 

Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)

Home    :    Novels

 Favoring Concubines and Destroying Wives? I Refuse to be the Mistress of this Marquis' Mansion

 Chapter 200: 

THE Dowry 

"Please, Old Madam, take your seat," a servant said.

Old Madam Su entered with her son and daughter, both of whom were not young anymore, around the same age as Lin Yunwan.

Old Madam Lin smiled and instructed a maid, "Quickly, bring a seat for our esteemed guest, Old Madam Su."

Old Madam Su lifted her head. Despite her background as a merchant's wife, she exuded a gentle demeanor, resembling a refined lady from a scholarly family. Her two children were equally well-behaved.

Lin Yunwan went forward to pay her respects. "Yunwan pays her respects to Aunt, Cousin, and Cousin."

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

The two younger ones dared to move forward, turning to offer their greetings. Both brother and sister spoke in unison, "Greetings, Elder Cousin."

Yunwan gave them a supportive nod. 

"Old Madam," Madam Su glanced at Lin Yunwan before continuing her conversation with Old Madam Lin, "I am a simple woman and not very skilled with words. Our family head hasn't had the chance to pay respects to you in many years. It's rare for us to come today, so we wanted to offer our greetings."

Old Madam Lin seemed quite troubled. After all, there was an unfamiliar male guest, and if it were a younger male relative, it would have been easier to handle. However, Master Su was already in his forties.

The First Madam Lin intervened, "Madam Su, it's unfortunate that today we only have female members of the family present. I suggest that perhaps..."

Madam Su remained silent and instead bowed to Old Master Su with her children. 

Upon raising her head, she spoke with unease, "Madam, I am not articulate. However, my husband has only one sister and one niece. One is gone and the other is about to be married..."

Despite the lack of communication between the Su and Lin families over the years, the ties of kinship were undeniable, not to mention the matter of a significant amount of money involved.

The First Madam Lin, taking the lead, suggested, "I heard the garden has blooming osmanthus flowers. Let's go and take a look."

With that, the female members of the family departed together.

Left with no choice, Madam Su allowed the servant to assist her to rise, speaking cordially, "Since you're relatives and it's been so long since you last visited, now that Yunwan is about to get married, I would like to see you all." Turning to the First Madam Lin, she added, "Please go ahead."

A maid was sent to invite Master Su into the courtyard, guiding him to Old Madam Lin's presence.

A limping man entered, tall in stature, dressed neatly, but not in silk or satin as one might expect of a businessman, yet he exuded an air of chivalry.

Master Su limped over and greeted Old Madam Lin, "Old Madam."

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

"Master Su, your leg..." Old Madam Lin was quite surprised.

Master Su waved it off, "Traveling merchants encounter unexpected situations. It's mostly healed now, just a lingering old ailment that doesn't bother me much."

Old Madam Lin smiled warmly, "Please, have a seat, Uncle."

Lin Yunwan stepped forward to pay her respects, "Niece Yunwan pays her respects to Uncle."

She knelt down before the cushion could even be placed by the maids.

Master Su twirled his beard, smiling, "You're about to marry into the royal family, why be so polite with your uncle, a rough man like me!"

Master Su's two children helped Lan Yunwan to her feet.

Lan Yunwan then took her seat.

Madam Zheng and her daughter Yunjiao did not leave, sitting at the edge, feeling uneasy. Now, she was the legitimate mother. It should be Madam Zheng's family who came to do makeup for her daughter! Madam Zheng's face was tense, unable to utter a polite word.

Outside, Lin Huabin had sobered up. He wanted to go and see the elder uncle himself, so he asked a servant, "Where is he?"

The servant replied, "Eldest Miss' Uncle went to see Old Madam."

Lin Huabin hurriedly asked, "How did he come? Did he bring anything?"

Too early, too late. Did he want to retrieve Su's dowry? That was impossible! Years ago, it was agreed that since Su had married into their family, her dowry would belong to the Lin family.

The servant struggled to keep up with Lin Huabin, running quickly as he said, "He didn't bring anything. The Su Master and Madam, along with the young master and young miss, came."

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

Empty-handed?

That doesn't sound like they're here for makeup!

Lin Huabin's suspicions grew as he walked to the entrance of the Old Madam's quarters and barged right in.

"Old Madam."

Everyone in the room was startled.

Lin Huabin also paid his respects to Master Su, nodding politely. "Uncle, please."

Master Su, aware of his humble status, stood up with the help of a chair and bowed. "Master Lin."

Ignoring his brother-in-law's leg condition, Lin Huabin smiled and said, "Brother-in-law, please sit. We're family, no need for formalities like 'master'."

Old Master Su readily complied, "Thank you for your hospitality."

They both took their seats.

Master Su addressed the Old Madam directly, "Madam, I won't beat around the bush. We've come this time to do the makeup for Yunwan."

But you haven't brought anything with you!

Everyone found it strange.

Master Su took out a stack of silver bills from his sleeve, smiling sincerely. "We haven't been able to save much over the years, but this amount represents our heartfelt wishes for Yunwan, the money to cover her expenses."

The Lin family members felt embarrassed to accept it.

Xiruo stepped forward to take it. The stack felt hefty in her hands; each bill was substantial, no less than fifty taels.

"Miss..."

Should they accept it or not?

Madam Zheng also glanced at it, feeling doubtful. "Weren't they struggling to make ends meet all these years?"

"Where did all this money come from?" 

Lin Huabin smiled faintly. "Yunwan, won't you thank your uncle?"

As Yunwan was about to stand up, Master Su waved his hand. "We're family; there's no need for so much ceremony."

Old Madam Lin smiled gently. "Since Master Su insists, Yunwan, you should accept it. After all, it's your uncle's heartfelt gesture."

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

Yunwan nodded, expressing her gratitude, then whispered to Xiruo, "Put it in the chest." It would be kept with the other items given by relatives.

"Since Uncle rarely visits, why not stay and dine with the guests?" Old Madam Lin suggested with a smile.

However, Master Su had other plans. "There's still work to be done at home; it wouldn't be convenient for us to stay."

Was he leaving already? Lin Huabin felt a sense of relief in his heart, but he still wanted to extend the invitation.

But Master Su interrupted with a firm tone, "We've discussed what we needed to. It's time for us to head back."

"Brother-in-law, forgive me for asking, but is my sister's dowry all for Yunwan?" The moment the question was asked, Lin Huabin's expression changed drastically!

Both Old Madam Lin and Madam Zheng appeared uneasy.

Master Su seemed oblivious to the tension his words caused, continuing, "Since Yunwan is getting married now, it's only appropriate for her to receive the dowry. I've already agreed to it."

"But I need to go over Yunwan's dowry list with you all," Master Su added.

Lin Huabin stuttered, "This... Brother-in-law, you're bringing this up rather suddenly. Yunwan's mother's dowry is quite extensive; it will take some time to sort through."

"You've come quite unexpectedly; you should have informed us in advance so we could prepare..."

Master Su waved his hand. "There's no need for all that trouble."

"The dowry given to my sister was all documented. I've brought the records with me, they're in the carriage outside your Lin Mansion. I've also brought the personnel needed for the inventory. Let's settle the accounts today!"

The records and personnel were all prepared. It seemed that the Su family didn't just come unexpectedly; they had long planned to take away Su's dowry!

Lin Huabin's expression darkened.

Madam Zheng was bewildered.

Madam Lin remained composed. She hadn't expected this day to come, but now that it had arrived, she wasn't particularly surprised. "Since Uncle has brought the records, let's proceed with the inventory," she said calmly.

Lin Huabin grew anxious. "Mother!"

Madam Zheng was also getting anxious. What kind of inventory was this? It didn't seem fair at all! How dare this old madam say such things.

Lin Yunjiao bit her lip. Was Su's dowry significant? Humph. She had been raised in luxury since childhood, she had seen all kinds of treasures. Who cared about Su's dowry?

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

•••

https://ko-fi.com/flamingobeestranslations

Prev  :  TOC :  Next