SGEIRS -Chapter 54 Delivering the Letter to Collect Debt

In just one morning, Meng Jinyao had already figured out the income from the estate and the shop over the years.

The Zhou family back then wasn’t as wealthy as the Yongchang Marquis residence, but they weren’t poor either. Her mother was the only daughter of the Zhou family, and they had given a generous dowry. Both the estate and the shop had done quite well financially.

On the other hand, the Yongchang Marquis residence had suffered because her second uncle became a gambling addict, and with her grandmother spoiling him, they lost a lot of family property. Coupled with the gradual decline of the Yongchang Marquis residence over the years, her mother’s dowry had actually helped maintain the household’s dignity.

Most of the income from the estate and the shop, now in Madam Sun’s hands, had already been spent.

Ningdong looked at the total amount her mistress had calculated and muttered, astonished, “They… they’ve gone too far. This vast Yongchang Marquis residence is being sustained by the late Madam’s dowry, isn’t it?”

Meng Jinyao smiled lightly. “My dear father liked to keep up appearances and was generous with money. It cost a fortune.”

Not long after, Chunliu entered with a tray, placing a plate of pastries on the table before bringing a bowl of sweet soup made with milk, red beans, and glutinous rice balls in front of Meng Jinyao.

Seeing Meng Jinyao’s puzzled expression, Chunliu explained, “Madam, the other day I noticed you liked drinking milk, and you even mentioned wanting milk-based sweet soup. Today, I saw fresh milk in the kitchen, so I took the liberty of asking the cook to make some. I hope it suits your taste.”

Meng Jinyao was slightly taken aback. She had only casually mentioned it that day, yet Chunliu remembered—not only that, she also noticed that Meng Jinyao liked red bean cakes and glutinous rice balls, so she combined them into the soup. This way, there was no risk of including something her mistress didn’t like. Qingqiu and Ningdong, who usually attended her, never paid such detailed attention.

She took a sip with her spoon and nodded in approval. “It tastes good. You were thoughtful. I only mentioned it casually that day, but you remembered.”

Chunliu’s face brightened. “I’m glad Madam likes it. Otherwise, I would’ve ended up doing harm with good intentions.”

Meng Jinyao put down her spoon and folded the letter, ready to hand it to Ningdong, but saw Chunliu looking at her eagerly, her expression practically reading, ‘I want to serve Madam.’

Seeing such enthusiasm, Meng Jinyao couldn’t refuse. She handed the letter directly to Chunliu and instructed, “Chunliu, go to the Yongchang Marquis residence and deliver this letter to my father.”

Overjoyed, Chunliu quickly took the letter and respectfully said, “I will deliver it immediately, Madam.”

Meng Jinyao nodded and returned to sipping the sweet soup. The cook’s skill was commendable; the milkiness was rich and fragrant without any unpleasant odor, whetting the appetite.

Ningdong glanced at Chunliu walking away briskly, feeling slightly jealous. Without Chunliu there, it should have been her delivering the letter. She muttered, “Madam, I’ve fallen out of favor.”

“Fallen out of favor?” Meng Jinyao shook her head with a smile and pushed the plate of pastries toward her. “If you want to run errands, you’ll get your chance next time. Here, your favorite crystal cakes—freshly baked and still warm. Eat more.”

Ningdong’s jealousy dissipated immediately, replaced by a bright smile, her lips nearly stretching to her ears. Madam still cared for her. Chunliu went on the errand, and she got to enjoy the pastries.

Meng Jinyao watched her be so easily cheered by a few cakes and smiled helplessly. This girl had a soft spot for food. In the future, if a man tried to win her over with treats, she might be lost.

Yongchang Marquis Residence

Meng Dongyuan, upon receiving the letter delivered by Chunliu, felt a bad premonition. But seeing that Chunliu was unfamiliar to him—and clearly not a maid from the Yongchang Marquis household but from the Changxing Marquis residence—he couldn’t show any attitude. He accepted the letter and generously gave her a tip to send her off.

After Chunliu left, Meng Dongyuan opened the letter and immediately flew into a rage. He kicked over the chair in front of him and shouted, “Ungrateful girl!”

Madam Sun had just arrived and heard his angry roar. Startled, she straightened her neck, but then realized that he must be scolding Meng Jinyao. She quickly walked into the hall and asked, “Husband, calm yourself. Be careful not to upset your health. What has happened?”

Meng Dongyuan, red-faced and fuming, handed her the letter. “Look at this wicked girl! She’s trying to bankrupt her maternal family. Why did Madam Zhou die back then instead of her? Raising her all these years, and she doesn’t know gratitude. On top of that, she’s now demanding debt repayment from her maternal family!”

Madam Sun hurriedly took the letter and examined it. It was a debt-collection notice, and when she saw the amount, she nearly went black and felt faint.

Did their family even have that much money from Madam Zhou’s dowry?

This was no small sum. Even if all of her dowry were converted to cash and given to Meng Jinyao, it still wouldn’t be enough. The household staff would also need to disburse a large amount to cover it.

Thinking quickly, Madam Sun suggested, “Husband, why don’t we talk to A-Yao and pay her in installments? If we pay a bit each year, we’ll surely be able to repay it all eventually.”

Meng Dongyuan glared at her, annoyed. “Didn’t you see what that ungrateful girl wrote at the end? She wants every single coin repaid in ten days, or she’ll report us to the authorities. Do you think she wouldn’t dare make a scene?”

Madam Sun was struck dumb.

Meng Dongyuan rubbed his temples in frustration, seeing Madam Sun’s aggrieved expression only made him more irritated. He regretted listening to her coaxing. Had they taken the dowry of Madam Zhou earlier, this mess wouldn’t have happened.

He waved his hand and said, displeased, “Fine, stop standing there. Convert your dowry into cash and gather enough to repay that ungrateful girl. If it’s still not enough, use the household’s funds to make up the difference.”

Hearing this, Madam Sun felt both angered and wronged. Her husband was openly confiscating her dowry and acted as if it were entirely justified. Her wealth, once her support, was now all gone, leaving her penniless and dependent on her husband’s household. She felt very uneasy.

Seeing her hesitate, Meng Dongyuan frowned and patiently reassured her, “Madam, don’t worry. The children will be accomplished. A-Yu has grown into a beauty and will marry a good husband to support the Meng family. Once the Meng family is prosperous again, the money you spent will surely be returned to you.”

Madam Sun didn’t dare object and nodded. “I’ll take care of it right away.”

Meng Dongyuan softened his expression and spoke warmly, “Madam, marrying you was the right choice. When other couples face crises, they abandon each other, but you generously helped us through this hardship.”

Hearing this, Madam Sun felt gratified. Her husband still loved her and appreciated her contributions. She glared playfully at Meng Dongyuan and coquettishly said, “Then you must treat me better from now on.”

Meng Dongyuan replied, “When have I ever treated you badly? Haven’t I always gone along with what you wanted?”

Madam Sun thought for a moment and realized it was true. Even though he took concubines, none of them had ever overstepped her. Aside from the unfortunate maid who bore a son, after she gave birth to Chengxing, no other woman was allowed to get pregnant.