Time Travel: The Noble Family

Zhuang Changhe hesitated. According to his own wishes, he wouldn’t have accepted it, but he also knew Zhuang Ruolan’s temperament. If he didn’t take it, Zhuang Ruolan would truly refuse to see him.

Standing to one side, Ma Peng said with a smile, "The dowry from your mother-in-law should be split equally between you and your sister. If you don’t take it, your sister won’t be at ease." Ma Peng thought that Zhuang Ruolan was doing the right thing. Even between siblings, it was important to settle accounts clearly. Improper handling of financial matters could affect their familial affection.

Seeing that Ma Peng had spoken thus, Zhuang Changhe could only helplessly reply, "Alright, I’ll take it."

Zhuang Ruolan immediately switched from anger to joy, "That’s more like it. Now that you’re married, there will be many occasions in the future when you’ll need money. The little bit from the public office is hardly enough." With Madam Bao in charge, aside from the monthly allowance of silver, there was scarcely any money to be had. The daily expenses were already significant. Surely it couldn’t be that they would have to dip into his wife’s dowry? If word got to Madam Hong’s family, her brother would lack even the confidence to speak up.

Throughout, Madam Hong hadn’t uttered a single word. Anything she said would be wrong, so remaining silent was the best response. Of course, deep down, Madam Hong was quite pleased. Although her husband was the legitimate eldest son of the Zhuang Family, it was now the stepmother who was in charge of household affairs, and money was definitely tight. Madam Hong didn’t mind using her own dowry, but after all, no one ever complains about having too much money.

Upon returning to the Zhuang Residence, Zhuang Changhe handed over the items given by Zhuang Ruolan to Madam Hong. After perusing them, Madam Hong was taken aback; in addition to properties, shops, and farmland, there were also forty thousand taels of silver. The half of her mother-in-law’s dowry was more than her entire dowry. It was no wonder they said that when her mother-in-law married, her red bridal procession stretched for ten li.

Zhuang Changhe wasn’t the least bit surprised, if his sister gave him something, she would not let him be at a loss, "The silver is definitely the proceeds from the shops and farmland over the years. Manage these things well, and they will be enough for us to use. My dear, don’t interfere with the affairs of the mansion. Even if she asks you to be the steward, refuse it and only look after our own courtyard. After three years are up, I will arrange for an official post outside."

Madam Hong caught the implication in Zhuang Changhe’s words, hesitating, "Are you saying that we should stay out of the mansion’s affairs? Is that appropriate? My husband, you are the legitimate eldest son." Madam Hong wasn’t reluctant to let go of the wealth of the Zhuang Family; rather, she felt that such behavior didn’t seem quite right for the legitimate eldest son.