RWNEFE -Chapter 377 Cold and Clear-Headed

“Old and useless, nobody listens to a word I say anymore!” Old Madam Shen slammed her teacup onto the table with a loud clang.

“Mother, don’t be angry. There are still a few items from His Majesty’s gifts in my son’s room; we can have them brought to the family treasury shortly,” Shen Congwen said.

Old Madam Shen nodded in satisfaction, then asked, “Did the princess say anything about the marriage?”

Shen Congwen felt slightly embarrassed, lowering his head awkwardly before replying, “The princess did take a few of the imperial gifts, and there’s also one thousand taels of silver.”

It was enough that she agreed to hand over the items. After all, since returning to the capital, Zhou Xinrou had entered the palace several times, and she had followed. The imperial gifts were plentiful, but there was no silver, at least not officially.

“One thousand taels is not a small sum, but it’s barely enough for the engagement ceremony.” For ordinary families, ten taels might suffice for everything—but they were marrying into the Shen family, and it was the princess entering the household.

Old Madam Shen said, “Once the engagement is done, it becomes the wedding banquet. One thousand taels is definitely not enough.”

“After the princess joins our family, our household’s prestige rises a bit. Outside, you’ll be seen as the elders of the princess herself. Others will naturally respect you a little more.”

Not a single junior spoke.

The three brothers—Shen Conglian, Shen Congli, and Shen Congyi—were practically just there for numbers. No matter how much Old Madam Shen spoke, they wouldn’t open their mouths.

Her face darkened further.

“Conglian, Congli, Congyi, you three uncles need to contribute more. The younger generation will also pitch in. Once the family treasury has more funds, we’ll repay you!” This was already Old Madam Shen’s largest concession.

By right, brothers who hadn’t split households shouldn’t have private property. Did they not realize that without the main house, they wouldn’t have what they have now?

Truly, each of them wasted their intelligence on the wrong things.

The three brothers said nothing, and neither did the three women of the household.

“Mother, our second branch has already handled several weddings, Yuan Kun’s matters are just taking shape, and a few illegitimate children are reaching marriageable age. Step by step, everything must be arranged. Where is the money for this supposed to come from? We mean well, but we simply don’t have the means,” said Madam Liu.

Old Madam Shen glared at her. Wasn’t there still Hu Jinyu? When she entered the household, her dowry had filled the second branch’s entire storeroom.

Madam Miao immediately began to complain: “Mother, eldest brother, it’s not that our third branch refuses to help—you know our family’s situation. The whole household depends on the meager stipends Yuan Peng and Yuan Hao earned while serving outside. Now they’re no longer in military service and have no hope of passing the civil exams. My husband and I are planning to request Lanxi’s help to get them a small official post, but we haven’t even arranged the funds yet.”

Old Madam Shen believed Madam Liu’s excuse, but not a word of Madam Miao’s.

“Don’t think that just because I’m old, my eyes are clouded. I haven’t yet accounted for the funds you secretly send to your maternal family each month,” she snapped.

Madam Miao’s brows shot up in shock. How did Old Madam Shen know? She had always met her maternal family outside the Shen estate, hiding everything from the household.

Shen Congli didn’t know about this. Now that Old Madam Shen had exposed it, he slammed the table.

“Madam Miao, you foolish girl! Have you forgotten how your maternal family treated us when we were exiled?”

“They were terrified of being implicated, tossing you a severance notice at the city gate. Such ruthless people, and you still used the money my son risked his life to earn to support them! I’ll—” Shen Congli’s anger grew, and he raised his hand to strike Madam Miao.

Terrified, Madam Miao tumbled from her chair, crying in distress.

Old Madam Shen felt her temples throb. The third branch was hopeless.

“Fourth son…”

Madam Tian, head lowered, pushed Shen Congyi. Reluctantly, he stood and helped hold Shen Congli back, preventing him from harming Madam Miao.

“Mother, you know the condition of our fourth branch. Our silver comes from the monthly allowance, and the few items we have are from following the eldest sister-in-law into the palace. Our children have never served in the military or taken exams—you know all this.”

Old Madam Shen had always favored the fourth son, thinking him clever and filial. But now, the more she looked at him, the less she liked him. He clutched every last tael in the house, unwilling to let go even a little.

Shen Congwen, hearing his three younger brothers speak, felt ashamed. He knew their situations. If they hadn’t fallen into trouble and lost the family fortune, things wouldn’t have come to this!

“Mother, my three brothers aren’t in an easy situation. Don’t pressure them. I’ll find a way to cover the engagement gifts,” he said.

Old Madam Shen wanted to slam the table again. He’ll find a way?

If he could, she wouldn’t have had to humiliate herself here.

“Lanxi, with the household in such a state, you give me your opinion!” Old Madam Shen tried to delegate the headache.

Shen Lanxi watched the drama unfold, finding it utterly fascinating. It left her feeling as if she’d splashed cold water on her face in the dead of winter—sharp, clear-headed, icy.

“Grandmother, I think Father should make the decision on this matter. He’s the elder, and I shouldn’t overstep.”

Old Madam Shen stiffened. Letting Shen Lanxi handle household affairs was a sign of trust—how many women in the world received such regard from their maternal family?

Did Shen Lanxi even realize what this implied? If she pleased Old Madam Shen, she might one day be entrusted with managing the household—a huge honor for a young woman!

Shen Congwen was still angry. He hadn’t forgiven his daughter. If not for his mother’s persuasion, he wouldn’t have even shown Shen Lanxi a kind expression.

He was completely disappointed in a daughter who openly defied elders and neglected proper discipline.

“Mother, it’s the men of the family getting married. What could a girl understand?” Shen Congwen ignored Old Madam Shen’s gaze, showing no inclination to relent.

Old Madam Shen’s vision darkened with fury.

This useless man, spoiled by wealth, had completely forgotten the days of struggle when the family had no silver.

“Eldest son, don’t act rashly. The wedding is what matters now.”

Shen Congwen only thought for a moment before straightening his back.

He wouldn’t show submission to a junior.

As the elder, Shen Lanxi should be filial to him!

“Grandmother, His Majesty has asked me to assist the Crown Prince with the investigation. If there’s nothing further, I’ll return to the estate to organize the files,” Shen Lanxi said, rising.

“Lanxi, our family treasury is running low. Are you really so cold-hearted, not helping your family? Yuanxin is your brother!”

Shen Lanxi, turning her back to Old Madam Shen, smiled coldly to herself and continued walking.

By the time the thumping of tables sounded behind her, she had already stepped out of the Shen estate gates.