"Mother? How can you say such a thing?" Madam Jiang appeared so fragile that a mere gust of wind could blow her away. She shook slightly: "Everyone knows from ancient times that a dowry is a woman’s lifelong support. The things my family prepared for me, even the shroud for when I die, are among them. These things are mine. Can they really be divided and given away? Moreover, you have seen the ledger of the household. It painstakingly details where the money has gone..." She glanced towards Madam Jiang: "Everyone knows deep down."

After speaking, Madam Jiang moved a few steps closer to Jiang Shilin, leaning weakly against his shoulder in front of everyone, clutching her handkerchief: "Husband... say something fair. I cannot bear the reputation of being unfilial and unvirtuous."

Madam Jiang had a round face, white skin, and two dimples when she smiled. She was not tall and not exactly beautiful, but there was a certain charm in her demeanor. Jiang Shilin watched her cry, and suddenly Tong Xiyan’s image appeared before him, looking at him with teary yet defiant eyes, like a slender sapling standing tall amidst the storm, unwavering despite the fierce winds...

But Madam Jiang was different, so helpless, as if he were her entire dependence in life, so lost and uncertain...

Xiyan...

That name sprang from his heart, and he suddenly paused, recalling various expressions she had when leaving home, remembering when they secretly met in the back alley of the Tong Mansion and she suppressed her fear, trying to appear calm, recalling how she tried to follow him in death, her fate unknown... thinking about her, who never ventured out, wandering the streets alone, lost...

Everything surfaced in his heart without warning.

The same scene replays now, yet circumstances differ entirely.

The Ma Family was right; a dowry is a woman’s reliance. In the future, even if a daughter-in-law enters the home without receiving dowry from the mother-in-law, she would be displeased. Those things are their lifelong dignity, and it is rightful for the Ma Family not to use them to support the household. He knew she was not wrong...

But why did his heart still hurt so much?

Suddenly, he remembered when Xiyan married, her dowry was in forty-eight lifts, but much less was returned home. He knew she had secretly supported the family... Despite the unrest at home then, everything was well managed.

He sighed heavily, feeling as though something pressed against his chest, making it hard to breathe.

Xiyan...

That familiar name echoed endlessly in his heart.

"Husband!" Madam Jiang looked up, her eyes red and seeking his support.

"Second son!" Old Madam Jiang glared at him furiously.

Two people awaited his judgment, one being his mother, the other his wife!

"Enough!" He had enough. Jiang Shilin shouted angrily, pushed away Madam Jiang, and turned on his heel to leave the room.

"Husband!" "Second son!" Old Madam Jiang and Madam Jiang spoke out almost simultaneously.

Jiang Shilin paused his steps briefly, his face full of helplessness and exhaustion: "I’m going out for a walk. I’ll find a way to deal with the silver!" With that, he stepped out without looking back, ignoring Old Madam Jiang and Madam Jiang’s calls.

Jiang Shilin strode out, leaving a room full of surprised women behind. He walked the streets aimlessly, while lights from distant homes cast shadows, yet the alley before him seemed endlessly dark.

He wandered as if losing his soul, feeling utterly weary, walking without knowing for how long until he found himself standing at the main gate of the Tong Mansion...

The servant guarding the gate of the Tong Mansion exchanged puzzled looks and hesitantly spoke up: "Lord Jiang, do you have business here so late?"

Jiang Shilin was shocked, quickly stepping back.

Why did he come here? Without pausing, he turned and swiftly walked back the way he came, blending into the darkness.

The servant of the Tong Mansion, full of bewilderment, shook his head, "What’s wrong with Lord Jiang?"

Madam Jiang furrowed her brows, her eyes flashing sharply, asking the maidservant, "Are you sure he walked to the gate of the Tong Mansion?"

"I am sure. I once escorted the former Madam back, and I remember it clearly."

Hearing this, Madam Jiang almost ground her teeth to bits.

Old Madam Jiang returned to her room, angrily raising a blue and white vase with cloud patterns: "I’m so furious!" As she was about to smash it, Nanny Li flung herself forward to embrace Old Madam Jiang’s arm: "Calm yourself, Old Madam. This is your favorite vase."

Old Madam Jiang, blinded by anger, suddenly regained her composure at that mention, startled at the vase in her hand, a pang of fear stirring as Nanny Li gently took it and placed it safely aside. "If you break it in your anger, you’ll only regret it later," Nanny Li added, "Finding such fine items again is not easy these days."

Old Madam Jiang’s face darkened, and Nanny Li suddenly realized her misstep. The vase had originally been seen in the former Second Madam’s room, and Old Madam took a liking to it and appropriated it, with the former Second Madam never mentioning it upon leaving...

Old Madam Jiang also recalled the vase’s origins, her face growing even darker. Nanny Li cautiously stepped aside, saying nothing further.

Old Madam Jiang stood staring at the vase for a long moment, unmoving. Seeing her expression gradually settling, Nanny Li quietly advised: "Grand Dowager, if I may speak candidly, it has been nearly half a year since the Madam married in. It might be wise to endure a while longer without cause... when the year passes, if there is still no sign of offspring, you’ll have more justification then."

Hearing this, Old Madam Jiang’s eyes brightened, but she soon sighed. Mentioning children was always a sore point: "Why is there no sign yet?"

Nanny Li consoled, "Don’t worry, Second Young Master is still young. It will happen;" Old Madam Jiang nodded and turned to ask Nanny Li, "Where is Meimei? I haven’t seen her."

Nanny Li smiled and whispered into Old Madam Jiang’s ear, "She’s waiting for Second Young Master at the second door."

Old Madam Jiang smiled narrowly, it was time to give the Ma Family a lesson. Earlier she helped suppress two concubine rooms, thinking Ma Family would be grateful, but instead they bit back. Now, she would see how they handle the concubine rooms without her support. Let them come seeking her!

Xiqiu paused his hold on Zhi and turned to ask Fourth Master Xiao: "Ren Jun fought in Pingliang?" It seemed the matter must have caused quite a stir, otherwise, how would it have reached the Capital.