Opening both silk scrolls, Zhao Zhongyu saw the difference was vast—Zhao Sanniang’s dowry was roughly five times Zhao Erlang’s betrothal gifts.

Of course, he didn’t think his elder brother favored daughters over sons. He stared at some of the books and paintings on the dowry list—these were heirlooms that could be passed down through generations. Clearly, his elder brother still didn’t trust him, so he wanted to legitimately transfer these items out of the Zhao family, planning to have them return to Zhao Erlang’s hands through the married-out Zhao Sanniang.

But how could he be sure the Fu family would hand over things once they were in their possession?

Once the Fu family reneged, would Zhao Sanniang really give her dowry back to her natal family?

Zhao Zhongyu pondered. “Elder Brother, isn’t Erlang’s betrothal gift too small?”

He said, “Erlang is honest and should be cherished even more. As for Sanniang, her future honor and disgrace rest with Young Master Fu. Young Master Fu is talented and handsome, and will surely achieve great things in the future—he can confer titles upon his wife and bring honor to his children. What I mean is, why not swap their lists? It would also help Erlang marry a girl from a prestigious family.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded repeatedly, looking agreeable. “Yes, Grandfather. I don’t need so much dowry. Give it to my brother instead.”

Zhao Changyu glanced at her, then sighed to Zhao Zhongyu. “Though Erlang is simple-minded, he’s a male and can support himself in the future. But Sanniang is different. Women are naturally weak. After I’m gone, I can only entrust her to your care. I want to leave her more things so that even if the Fu family mistreats her, she’ll have the means to establish her own household.”

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t stay quiet. “But the betrothal gifts left for my brother are too meager. Grandfather, take some from mine to give to him.”

Zhao Changyu: “…Fine, I’ll take out some of my own private savings to add to his.”

Zhao Zhongyu: …

He understood. Zhao Changyu had made up his mind. Changing it was basically impossible.

He set down the two silk scrolls. “Whatever Elder Brother decides.”

Zhao Changyu nodded. “My time is limited. Tomorrow I’ll invite the Fu family to come discuss Sanniang’s wedding date and finalize this dowry list.”

Zhao Zhongyu clenched his fists. “I wonder who the Fu family has asked to be the matchmaker?”

Prince Donghai was impossible—recently Fu Zhi and Prince Donghai had disagreed over Prince Heijian and the matter of Jingzhao Jun, and still hadn’t reached a decision.

Zhao Changyu said, “I don’t know yet, but I believe Zizhuang won’t let Sanniang down.”

So the person coming would definitely be of high status. With them as matchmaker and witness, as long as Zhao Zhongyu still wanted his reputation, he would have to ensure Zhao Hanzhang received everything on the dowry list.

Zhao Zhongyu was very displeased, feeling his elder brother looked down on him. This guarded attitude everywhere made him feel deeply offended.

But with Zhao Changyu’s pale face and poor health, Zhao Zhongyu didn’t dare argue with him, fearing he might provoke some mishap.

Zhao Zhongyu stood up. “Since Elder Brother has decided, so be it.”

Zhao Changyu: “Tomorrow, make time. Have Jizhi stay with me tomorrow to receive guests. He’s the heir apparent. Sanniang’s wedding date is an important matter—we need his help as her uncle.”

Zhao Zhongyu glanced at his son before agreeing.

Zhao Changyu showed signs of fatigue, and everyone tactfully took their leave.

As soon as Zhao Zhongyu left the primary branch’s main courtyard, he strode forward. Zhao Ji followed behind. “Father, letting Sanniang take so much in her dowry—isn’t that dividing our clan’s strength to enrich another clan?”

Zhao Zhongyu kept walking. “Your uncle is confused by illness. His heart is set only on the orphans of the primary branch. How can he still think of the family? But as long as he’s the family head for one day, this household is his to command.”

Zhao Ji: “But that dowry is too much.”

Zhao Zhongyu stopped. “Do you think those things are really for Sanniang? It’s just that he doesn’t trust us father and son, so he’s giving Erlang’s share to Sanniang for safekeeping.”

Zhao Ji’s face flushed. “Why does Uncle suspect us this way? Are we that kind of people?”

Zhao Zhongyu glared at him fiercely. “Isn’t it because of you, this disgrace? I heard a few days ago you went to Qingyi Pavilion and lost your temper, even trying to overstep Wang Shi to punish her personal servants?”

Zhao Ji lowered his head. “Those servants were too detestable, sowing discord… I was only worried that Wang Shi and Sanniang were young and ignorant, easily manipulated by servants…”

“Enough, you needn’t justify yourself to me. Whatever your initial intentions, your uncle only saw you disrespecting the primary branch. The betrothal was after that evening, and the dowry list was compiled after that evening too,” Zhao Zhongyu said with displeasure. “You should discipline Wu Shi properly. As the managing matron, her primary duty is to support her husband and teach her children well. We in the secondary branch and the primary branch—Sanniang and Erlang—we’re all blood relatives from the same lineage. What does it look like for several children to squabble like this? She’s ruined perfectly good children with her teaching.”

Zhao Ji kept his head lowered, not daring to speak.

Zhao Zhongyu snorted and left with a wave of his sleeve.

Early the next morning, Zhao Hanzhang had someone leave through the west corner gate to send a message to Fu Tinghan, explaining she couldn’t go out today.

Though she thought he would probably come with them to set the wedding date, she should still inform him in advance.

Wang Shi came over with dark circles under her eyes, followed by a group of maids.

“These are the clothes Mother found for you. Come try them on.”

Zhao Hanzhang glanced once and said, “They’re too bright. Don’t you have anything in muted colors?”

“Today is the happy day of setting your wedding date. How can you wear muted colors?”

Zhao Hanzhang: “But Grandfather is still ill.”

“All the more reason to wear bright colors to ward off misfortune. Maybe he’ll get better. Besides, seeing you dressed well will make your grandfather happy.” Wang Shi held up a garment and compared it to her, whispering, “I couldn’t sleep all night, thinking about the dowry your grandfather set for you. I never imagined he would give you so much, and the secondary branch didn’t object at all.”

“Once the wedding date is set today and names and seals are on the dowry list, the matter will be settled,” Wang Shi said. “With this money, even if the secondary branch truly doesn’t care for us in the future, we can still live comfortably. And with your brother’s betrothal gifts, marrying a young lady from a minor prestigious family won’t be a problem.”

“Mother, don’t think about my brother’s betrothal gifts. When the time comes, when Uncle inherits the title, those gifts will be kept by the clan. Whether they reach my brother’s hands and when is uncertain.”

Wang Shi froze. “They wouldn’t dare embezzle them!?”

“My brother hasn’t been betrothed yet and can’t move things to his in-laws’ home. There’s no one to act as guarantor for him either. When the time comes, they might use excuses like ‘household finances are difficult’ or ‘the clan needs funds for something,’ and slowly use everything up. Can we really force the secondary branch to return the items?”

“Then why did you work so hard last night to add things to that list?”

“If I hadn’t said that, who knows how many times Uncle would have circled around discussing my dowry. Grandfather isn’t well—I don’t have that much time to waste with him.”

Wang Shi mentally divided the dowry list in half and immediately felt the pain. “That’s so much less. We’re losing out, losing out. Sanniang, why don’t you act coquettish with your grandfather again and have him move the items from Erlang’s betrothal list to your dowry list?”

“Any more would be too conspicuous. If word gets out, outsiders will gossip about our Zhao family. They won’t just say the secondary branch is scheming against the primary branch’s wealth—they’ll also say we in the primary branch have small-minded hearts, maliciously suspecting the secondary branch, and it might even damage Grandfather’s reputation.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “This is just right.”

This dowry list was something Zhao Changyu had spent several days carefully selecting. She couldn’t disrupt his plans.