CHAPTER 304: CHAPTER 304: CHANGES (1)

Madam Xia listened to what Xiqiu said and felt it made sense, but she was reluctant to put down the cloisonné enamel. Finally, she frowned and said, "Why not settle on two and switch between them for novelty?"

Xiqiu smiled at Madam Xia and nodded, "As you wish!" Madam Xia then laughed, taking two more incense burners out of the box, "How about two each of this celadon lion incense burner and the pastel pine green ground hollowed landscape square glass-eared incense burner?!"

Xiqiu was worried her five thousand taels wouldn’t suffice and spoke to Madam Xia, "These incense burners aren’t frequently used; just picking some is fine."

Madam Xia waved her hand, "You may not like them, but Fourth Master Xiao does!" Her impression of him improved considerably.

Madam Xia finished speaking and asked Xiuzhi to note it down in the account book. She then pulled Xiqiu aside, "First Master granted you 100 mu of rice paddies in Tongzhou and another 100 mu in Shandong. There’s also a tea shop on Central West Street in the Capital. Although the market isn’t bustling, it yields one to two hundred taels annually, so I decided to take it on your behalf!"

Xiqiu was secretly astonished. With this calculation, her dowry was more than five thousand taels. While she was figuring the accounts, Madam Xia added, "Manager Lai said the mansion has some other properties elsewhere, but none in the Capital. Even if we had them, it would be impractical since they aren’t visitable regularly, requiring funds for maintenance. So it’s better to convert them into silver... I gathered some and bought a courtyard in Yangpi Lane in Tongzhou, though it’s only a four-sided courtyard. At least it’s in your name, and being close by, it’s useful if needed!"

Xiqiu was stunned, gazing skeptically at Madam Xia, tilting her head asking, "I remember your silver was all used up. Even if First Master only provided five thousand taels, and converting a property to silver raises it to five thousand five hundred taels, how did you manage all this?" A few days ago at the Brocade Pavilion, she ordered Shu brocade, cloud brocade for embroidered wedding dresses, and even a few bolts of Floating Light Brocade for undergarments, all seemingly of immense value.

Madam Xia’s eyes flickered, face brimming with energy despite the busy days, even seeming more vigorous with more work. She chuckled, "You don’t usually shop, so you’re unaware of market prices. This five thousand five hundred taels can achieve more than just these." She sat Xiqiu down and gleefully said, "I intended to reserve three thousand taels for your bottom drawer, but observing now, perhaps it’s only enough for two thousand taels!"

The daughters-in-law married into the Marquis Mansion all had richly prepared dowries, even though Sixth Miss was born of a concubine, shouldn’t be significantly less than her sisters-in-law.

Xiqiu wore a look of skepticism; Madam Xia had just said five thousand taels could achieve much. Implying the five thousand taels were all to be spent on dowry, yet could also reserve two thousand for herself. Lady endowed Tong Xiyan merely with two thousand.

"Madam Xia, did First Master leave you a silver note before departing?"

Madam Xia hesitated momentarily, quickly glancing at Xiuzhi, and waved her hand, "It’s uncommon for a girl to inquire about her dowry." She stood up, "In a while, Manager Lai needs to take samples to the Brocade Pavilion, I’ll head back now!" Finished speaking, supported by Xiuzhi, she hurried out, growing more uncertain watching Madam Xia’s departing figure!

Xiqiu intended to ask in the evening, but found herself busy, even rare leisure for Madam Xia who was preoccupied, and Xiuzhi was nowhere to be seen...

Nanny Fang hired a mason to repaint Tong Shen Zhi’s new room in the garden.

By the time it’s done, and the paint dries and airs out, the Jiang Family can deliver the furniture by year-end. After tidying the room a few times, it’s just in time to move in by May next year.

The mason entered the garden, with many female family members coming and going, causing occasional inconvenience. So Xiqiu adopted a method similar to Lady’s when erecting a stage, enclosing the garden with cloth, appointing Nanny Cai from the kitchen to manage meals and beverages, and keeping a few hands stationed to prevent disruption and protect the women from male intrusion.

Finding rare free time, coinciding with a rain that washed the skies into cobalt clarity, embellished by a fiery sunset, her spirits lifted, Xiqiu strolled in the garden with Chunyan. As they exited the small garden, she recalled not seeing Madam Xia for a while and turned to the East Cross Courtyard.

Upon entry, she encountered Madam Mei at the doorway. With a scarf around her head, seemingly returning from the kitchen, seeing Qingzhi holding a plate of pink cakes stacked in a pagoda style, she smiled without intention to linger, but Madam Mei greeted warmly, "Sixth Miss has arrived?" bowing to Xiqiu.

Xiqiu nodded slightly, pointing at Madam Xia’s quarters, "I came to visit Madam Xia." Silent further.

"Sixth Miss is busy these days, seldom visiting. Sister Xia has been tirelessly handling your dowry preparations. I’m feeling quite for her. She didn’t have dinner, so I prepared Osmanthus Lotus Cakes for her, freshly made, have a taste."

Xiqiu raised her brows, wondering when Madam Mei, although neither like Madam Wang making things difficult for Madam Xia nor closely associated, began personally making cakes for her?!

"I’ll accompany Sixth Miss." Madam Mei generously offered, "These Osmanthus Lotus Cakes were made today with fresh lotus collected by the maid; their aroma is enchanting."

Xiqiu flattered with a smile, "Madam really has deft hands!" Chunyan approached to talk to Qingzhi, "I’ll help Sister Qingzhi carry that!"

Madam Mei laughed behind her sleeve, linking arms with Xiqiu, "If Sixth Miss likes them, I’ll make Osmanthus Cakes for you when the osmanthus blooms." After her words, Qingzhi beside her worried that Xiqiu might not understand its elegance, chimed in, "Our Madam’s Osmanthus Cakes are distinct, added with Mint Leaves, offering a combined scent of osmanthus and mint’s coolness. Sixth Miss will surely like them then."

Xiqiu glanced at Madam Mei linking her arm, then at her round petite face, slight wrinkles adorned, less alluring than Madam Wang, less flamboyant than Madam Luo, less pristine than Madam Xia, devoid of Lady’s noble elegance. She suddenly realized why Lady would pick her among her dowry maids to become a concubine. Perhaps, though not outstanding, she knew how to adapt well.

Initially, she instigated Lady to dismiss Fourth Master Xiao’s marriage proposal, regularly reporting who in the Capital married a concubine, who took a mistress... Then, with no alternative route, Fourth Master Xiao issued an Imperial Decree, blocking all retreats, expecting her to employ new tactics. Conversely, she began aligning herself with Madam Xia.