Chereads / 桃花马上请长缨 / Chapter 19 - 19 Selling the properties

Chapter 19 - 19 Selling the properties

After relinquishing her authority over the household, Song Xixi shut herself away and refused to see anyone except the people she brought from her own family. She even ate her meals in Wenxi Residence's small kitchen, with Liang Momo and Huang Momo personally buying and preparing the food.

Once Song Xixi called back her people, the General's Mansion fell into chaos. Min Shi had to temporarily ask the steward to promote capable people to fill the vacancies left by Huang Momo and the others, and she tried to manage according to the old routines. However, with the upcoming wedding, there simply weren't enough hands, especially since the servants Song Xixi bought after her marriage were sent away by Huang Momo. Now, each room was short-staffed.

Min Shi reported this to the old lady, who was so angry she held her forehead. "I never expected her to be so inconsiderate. I must have been blind to have treated her so well all this time, never making her stand through the formalities for even a day."

Min Shi didn't feel this was unfair. When she married into the family, she had gone through the formalities, but Song Xixi was different. She brought wealth into the marriage, managed the household, took care of her mother-in-law, and handled everything personally. Of course, Min Shi dared not say this in front of the old lady. She only sighed, "Mother, we are already short on money. How can we afford to buy more servants?"

Though furious, the old lady still wanted to squeeze money out of Song Xixi. She thought it over and said, "Go ask someone from the second branch to talk to her. They have a good relationship with her."

Min Shi replied, "I asked Second Aunt. She said she can't bring herself to do it, and she's also still trying to figure out the dowry."

The old lady asked, "Has she thought of a solution?"

"She said the only way is to sell the shops."

"Selling the shops?" The old lady frowned. Over the difficult past few years, they had already sold many properties, leaving only a few.

After some thought, she made up her mind. "Then sell them. We can buy them back later. Beiwang and Yi Fang will continue to achieve military merits."

Military merits could earn many rewards. The Marquis of Zhenbei accumulated immense wealth through military achievements. Beiwang and Yi Fang were still young and had already made significant military contributions. The Emperor would surely favor them in the future.

Even as a woman, she knew that since Song Xixi's father and brothers died in battle, it was hard to find young generals in the court. The Northern King had been fighting in the Southern regions for over two years, with no sign of return. Therefore, the Emperor would undoubtedly favor Beiwang and Yi Fang, bringing wealth and glory soon.

"Then I'll find someone to sell them," Min Shi said, taking her leave.

Huang Momo relayed the news about selling the properties to Song Xixi. As she wrote, practicing her delicate script, she listened and then looked up, saying, "Yes, that is indeed their only option right now."

"When the public funds were short before, you had to take out your dowry to make up the difference. Why didn't they talk about selling shops then?" Huang Momo said angrily.

"How could it be the same?" Song Xixi smiled. "They're waiting for Yi Fang to marry in, expecting that she and Zhan Beiwang will achieve more military merits together. Then they can have whatever they want."

Baozhu, fanning the small stove, snorted. "You took out your dowry to support the family, thinking the general would return with rewards from the Emperor and you could replenish your dowry. Who knew they'd use their military merits to seek marriage instead?"

Song Xixi, feeling tired from writing, put down her brush. "It was my own foolishness. I just hope the divorce decree comes soon so we can leave and not have to hear about their matters anymore."

But after waiting another three or four days, the decree still hadn't come. Instead, the old lady fell ill, unable to summon Doctor Dan and without Dan Xue pills, causing her chest pain.

Song Xixi finally softened a bit. "If we part amicably, I'll ask Uncle Dan to continue treating the old lady, but I won't pay for it anymore. If they can afford it, they can buy it themselves."