Chapter 20
"Master, what did the young mistress say in her letter?" Uncle Zhou asked worriedly, seeing Li Tianyou's anxious expression.
"Zhiwei didn’t marry into the Lin Family," Li Tianyou said through gritted teeth.
"What? But didn’t the Lin Family..." Uncle Zhou wanted to say that it was the Lin Family who had come to propose marriage—how could the young mistress not have married into their household?
Could it be that the Lin Family had ulterior motives in seeking her hand?
At this thought, Uncle Zhou recalled his master’s immense wealth and couldn’t help but feel a chill run down his spine.
"Master, could it be that the young mistress discovered the Lin Family’s scheme and thus refused to marry into their household?" Knowing Li Zhiwei well, Uncle Zhou was certain she would never sacrifice the entire Li Family to fill the coffers of the Ruan Marquis Residence.
"It must be so. Zhiwei donated her dowry to the imperial court—no doubt to protect our Li Family." Li Tianyou sighed. He understood his daughter well; her actions were surely meant to safeguard their home.
"Master, what else did the young mistress say in her letter?" Seeing Li Tianyou grow increasingly distressed, Uncle Zhou quickly changed the subject.
After all, Wu San was still waiting for his master to depart for the capital.
"Zhiwei asked me to prepare five hundred thousand taels of silver and three hundred thousand dan of grain for the southern flood relief." At this, Li Tianyou immediately ordered his men to make the arrangements.
"Master, the official is still waiting. Shouldn’t you meet with him first?" Uncle Zhou reminded him of Wu San.
"Ah, yes, I must go see him." Only then did Li Tianyou remember Wu San’s presence.
"Official Wu, my deepest apologies for keeping you waiting." Li Tianyou clasped his hands and bowed slightly, his face full of remorse.
"Master Li, the benevolent." Wu San stood and returned the gesture.
This man was the father-in-law of Prince An—Wu San dared not offend him.
"Forgive my delay. The news came so suddenly that I was momentarily overwhelmed." Li Tianyou spoke apologetically.
"It’s no trouble. I only hope Master Li can prepare quickly and accompany me to the palace for an audience with His Majesty." Wu San urged.
"Of course. However, the items my daughter requested in her letter are considerable, and it may take a day to gather them. Might Official Wu rest at my residence while we make the necessary preparations before heading to the palace?" Li Tianyou asked cautiously.
"That would be acceptable." Wu San was aware that preparing such large quantities of grain and silver would take time.
"Many thanks, Official Wu." Li Tianyou exhaled in relief.
He dared not delay further—an imperial summons was a matter of utmost urgency.
Prince An’s Residence
Xu Qingshi watched as the Minister of Revenue, Tang Xiuyong, had Li Zhiwei’s belongings carted away, his small brow furrowed.
If all of Li Zhiwei’s things were taken, how would she buy him a lock?
When Tang Xiuyong ordered his men to carry away Li Zhiwei’s canopy bed and coffin, Xu Qingshi could no longer hold back. He stepped forward, blocking the minister’s path.
"Wait!" The little boy crossed his arms, glaring at Tang Xiuyong with displeasure.
"Oh? What is it, Young Master?" Tang Xiuyong smiled, his eyes crinkling.
After all, the imperial treasury owed this little prince a great deal for these dowry goods.
"Minister Tang, you can take the rest, but leave these two behind!" Xu Qingshi frowned at the two items.
He didn’t understand why a bride’s dowry would include such things.
But he remembered the black box—his grandmother had said it was something very important to women. Since it mattered to Li Zhiwei, it couldn’t be taken away.
"This..." Tang Xiuyong hesitated. The Emperor had explicitly ordered him to confiscate all of Li Zhiwei’s dowry for the treasury.
"Minister Tang, this bed and this black box aren’t worth much." Young Xu Qingshi didn’t know what a coffin was used for—to him, it was just a wooden box.
Was the treasury so poor that they needed it to store silver?
Li Zhiwei had already given them her money. Couldn’t they just make their own box?
"Well..." Tang Xiuyong glanced at the exquisite golden nanmu coffin and sighed.
It was said that a bride’s dowry included a longevity coffin—a symbol of the family’s profound love and protection, transcending life and death.
Thinking of his own young daughter, Tang Xiuyong relented.
"Very well. Since the lady has already surrendered her valuables, we’ll leave the longevity coffin behind."
Once the coffin was set down, Tang Xiuyong turned to Xu Qingshi with an ingratiating smile.
"Young Master, as you can see, we’ve left the coffin. But this bed..."
His eyes lingered on the fine huanghuali canopy bed—surely it was worth a fortune.
"That stays too! If you take it, I’ll go cry to Uncle Emperor!" Xu Qingshi planted his hands on his hips, defiant.
"Sir?" The guards carrying the items froze, unsure whether to proceed.
"Fine, fine. As the Young Master wishes—have these items returned to their place." Tang Xiuyong sighed.
If this small request would appease the boy, so be it.
"Minister Tang, my stepmother said the Ruan Marquis Residence has plenty of treasures. Don’t miss any!" Xu Qingshi added slyly as the minister prepared to leave.
"Thank you for the reminder, Young Master." Tang Xiuyong chuckled.
The Ruan Marquis Residence was indeed his next stop.
The Emperor had made it clear—nothing was to be overlooked.
Ruan Marquis Residence
"Brother Jitong, these were given to me!" Zhou Yutang protested as Lin Jitong began reclaiming the jewelry he had gifted her days prior.
"Yutang, be reasonable. We can’t keep these." Lin Jitong didn’t want to surrender the items either, but he knew he had no choice.
Besides, the Minister of Revenue himself had come to collect them. His father still held office—they couldn’t afford to lose face.
"I don’t care! If they were given to me, they’re mine!" Zhou Yutang clutched the jewels protectively, refusing to yield.
These pieces were far beyond what she could ever hope to buy on her own.
She knew they had belonged to Li Zhiwei—so what?
Now they were hers. If Li Zhiwei couldn’t keep them, that was her own misfortune.
"Enough! I’ll buy you new ones later." Lin Jitong snapped impatiently.
"No!" Zhou Yutang knew Lin Jitong’s finances were limited. Even if he bought her replacements, they wouldn’t compare to these exquisite pieces.
"Young Master, the Marquis asks if you’ve finished preparing the items."
Before Lin Jitong could argue further, a servant’s voice called from outside.
"Stop this nonsense. These were never yours to begin with." Lin Jitong reached for the box in Zhou Yutang’s arms.
"Never mine? Cousin, have you fallen for Li Zhiwei? Is that why you’re giving these back to her?" Zhou Yutang’s eyes welled with tears, as if he had betrayed her.
