That day, Zheng Sanniang was carried into the Li family home. After the tea ceremony, she took charge of Li Jingrui’s household.
Those who knew the circumstances rejoiced for Zheng Sanniang, while those who didn’t criticized the Li family behind their backs. But as the saying goes, only the drinker knows if the water is cold or warm – the Li family simply lived their lives quietly behind closed doors.
Surprisingly, the happiest person about Zheng’s arrival was Zhen Niang’s mother, Madam Zhao.
Over the years, Madam Zhao had grown distant from her in-laws. Though they lived under the same roof, conversations were often strained. Her daughter-in-law and daughters weren’t the type for heart-to-heart talks either. With Zheng’s arrival, Madam Zhao finally found someone to chat with. Due to limited rooms and Li Jingfu’s long-term absence (he had vowed not to return until he made something of himself), Madam Zhao invited Zheng to share her bed.
The two old sisters would whisper late into the night, though it was mostly Madam Zhao talking and Zheng listening.
Occasionally, Zheng would share some gossip she’d heard.
“You’re saying the marriage arrangement between the Tian family and Official Yan’s family is off?” In the dead of night, Madam Zhao’s raised voice was particularly jarring, startling Zhen Niang awake from her half-sleep.
“Yes, it’s off. I heard it’s because Official Yan held up approval of a batch of inferior quality ink from the Luo family. Unexpectedly, Luo Longwen filed a complaint with Lord Yan Shifan. Then the court sent an Imperial Guard commissioner who’s now staying at the Ink Supervision Office as Official Yan’s direct superior. They say he’s secretly investigating Official Yan’s accounts. When I was delivering food the other day, I overheard the staff saying that Official Yan had been stripped of real power. If they find evidence of wrongdoing, he might end up in prison. Under these circumstances, how could the Tian family still consider a marriage alliance? Even Miss Yan’s maids are furious about it,” Zheng mumbled.
“The Tian family is always kicking people when they’re down. I’d like to see what kind of daughter-in-law they end up with!” Madam Zhao said angrily, clearly still bitter about their broken engagement.
“I also heard that Miss Yan seems to have some unspeakable illness,” Zheng added.
“What kind of unspeakable illness?” Madam Zhao’s gossip fire blazed.
“I don’t know. The Yan family is very tight-lipped about it,” Zheng replied.
“Well, of course, they’d keep quiet about something like that,” Madam Zhao agreed.
…
So this was happening. Lying in her bed, Zhen Niang listened to her aunt and mother’s conversation while pondering. There was less than a month until the Luo family’s historical downfall. If Official Yan could just hold out until then, he’d weather this crisis.
Thinking about this, Zhen Niang couldn’t help but look forward to seeing the Tian family’s reaction when the Luo family fell and Official Yan was restored to power. How interesting that would be.
The best-laid plans can’t overcome fate.
With these thoughts, Zhen Niang slept soundly through the night.
Early the next morning, the air was bitingly cold. She didn’t know how late her mother and aunt had talked, but they were still asleep.
Zhen Niang got up carefully. The courtyard was quiet, but the gate was creaking. She glanced at her eldest brother and sister-in-law’s room – their door was open too. Her brother had been staying at the coal stove workshop lately, so clearly her sister-in-law was already up.
Sister-in-law was up early today, Zhen Niang thought as she rubbed her hands and went outside. The courtyard walls were covered in a thin white layer – not snow, but thick frost.
The weather had truly turned cold.
“What? Just this much money? Do you think I’m a beggar?” Suddenly, unfamiliar muttering voices came from the kitchen. Unable to identify the speaker, Zhen Niang carefully approached the kitchen window. It was half-open, giving a clear view inside.
In the kitchen was her sister-in-law and a middle-aged woman whose features resembled hers. The woman was rifling through a purse while pointing at her sister-in-law.
“Mother, I don’t manage the household. Even this money I saved up bit by bit,” Du Shi said plaintively. It hadn’t been easy for her to save this amount.
“Five taels of silver, just five taels, and you dare call this your savings? The Li family’s coal stove business is booming, and that sister-in-law of yours with her medicinal ink skills – who in the county isn’t talking about it? That one-used medicinal ink stick sold for several taels of silver. So you’re the only poor one in the family? The Li family can’t be treating you this badly. I’m going to have words with Old Shopkeeper Li,” the woman huffed.
Zhen Niang understood now – this was her sister-in-law’s mother, arriving quite early. If she remembered correctly, she had the surname Shen.
“Have words? How dare you? When I married into the family, I had nothing but the wedding clothes I made myself, not a bit of dowry. If you go making demands, you’ll only embarrass yourself,” Du Shi replied sharply.
“Huh, still bitter about having no dowry? Look at what kind of bride price the Li family gave – and you expected a dowry? Pah! I raised you to be fresh and lovely – doesn’t that count for anything? You even gave them a plump son. Has our Du family shortchanged the Li family? What do I have to be ashamed of?” Madam Shen said darkly.
Du Shi fell silent.
“How did I end up with such a useless daughter?” Madam Shen said angrily, continuing, “Well then, you need to figure something out. The oil press has stopped operations, and the owner wants to sell. Your brothers are interested in taking it over, but they don’t have enough money. I came hoping to get some from you, but I didn’t expect you to be so incompetent – can’t even get a taste of the soup from your husband’s pot of money. So here’s what we’ll do: tell your husband to invest and partner with your brothers to take over the oil press. Then find a way to get control of the shares yourself, with your brothers helping you manage it. That way you’ll have some money of your own, understand?” Madam Shen looked exasperated.
“I understand, Mother. I’ll discuss it with Dalang,” Du Shi said softly.
“Good that you understand. Remember, with men, just say some sweet words in bed, coax them a bit, and the money will come,” Madam Shen instructed, then waved her hand, “Alright, I’m leaving.”
“Mother-in-law will be up soon. Won’t you stay a while longer?” Du Shi asked.
“No need. I have nothing to say to your mother-in-law,” Madam Shen said with a grimace. She had never gotten along with Madam Zhao. As she headed out, she ran into Zhen Niang carrying a wooden basin.
Madam Shen’s mouth twitched, wondering how much the girl had heard. She said irritably, “Zhen Niang, eavesdropping isn’t proper behavior for a young lady.”
“Oh, Aunt! What eavesdropping? I just got up and was coming over when I ran into you. It’s not proper for an elder to make such unfounded accusations either,” Zhen Niang said calmly. She had wanted to ask if Madam Shen had said something she didn’t want others to hear, but thinking of her sister-in-law, she swallowed the words to save face for her.
Hearing Zhen Niang’s response, Madam Shen seemed relieved. After thinking it over, she decided she hadn’t said anything wrong and regained her composure. “Fine then, I’m leaving,” she said and departed, with Du Shi following to see her out.
Zhen Niang pondered Madam Shen’s words. When she first arrived in this world, she had heard her sister-in-law mention the oil press to her mother. Combined with what Madam Shen just said, her sister-in-law likely had intentions regarding it.
However, while one shouldn’t fear enemies who are like wolves, one should fear allies who are like pigs. Du Shi’s brothers were worse than pigs – they were disloyal pigs. There was no possibility of cooperation. Under these circumstances, even borrowing money would be better than partnering with them.