Fifteen minutes later, the butler returned to Shen Zhongting’s private residence, located a few dozen meters from Meng Zhilu’s.
“What!” Shen Zhongting's face flushed with rage. “Meng Zhilu expects me to pay for the dowry and the banquet?” He slammed his teacup to the floor with a resounding crash, causing the terrified butler to lower his head, avoiding eye contact. “How dare she!” Shen Zhongting seethed, his anger burning like a wildfire. “Who does she think she is, defying me like this?”
“Um...regarding tomorrow’s invoice from Dongliu Shop, how should I proceed, sir?” the butler inquired hesitantly.
Shen Zhongting’s voice was cold as he struggled to contain his fury.
“Tomorrow morning, have someone from Dongliu Shop come to collect the payment. As for the remaining expenses, I’ll discuss them with Huyin personally, now you may leave”
The butler bowed hastily and acknowledged the order. “Yes, sir,” he replied, relieved to escape the tense atmosphere.
As the butler departed, the hall fell silent, save for the echo of Shen Zhongting’s agitated pacing. He circled the room like a trapped animal, his thoughts consumed by anger. Finally, he stormed out of the study and made his way to Elder Huyin’s quarters, his face a mask of displeasure.
Upon reaching the hall, he found his mother selecting jewelry with the assistance of several servants. “Mother,” he said through gritted teeth.
Elder Huyin looked up at her son in surprise. “Shouyi, what brings you here so early? Is something the matter? You look rather stern,” she said, waving her hand to dismiss the servants from the main hall.
“Mother, I have an urgent matter to discuss with you,” Shen Zhongting replied coldly, taking a seat beside her.
Elder Huyin placed the hairpin on the jewelry box and turned to her son with a worried expression. “Shouyi, is everything alright? Have those schoolchildren been causing trouble again? Those noble offspring are so spoiled and entitled. They think the world revolves around them” She shook her head, disapproving of the pampered noble children Shen Zhongting taught. Raised like high nobles, they were headstrong and prone to misbehavior.
Shen Zhongting shook his head and sighed. “No, it’s not the students. I'm troubled because I sent the butler to request funds for the tea ceremony from Meng Zhilu, and she refused. The debt payment is due in a little over ten days, and my treasury is insufficient. I’d like to ask for a loan from you, Mother...” He reached out and clasped his mother's hand.
As anticipated, Elder Huyin’s face contorted in indignation. “What!?”
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“That ungrateful woman!” she exclaimed. “How dare Meng Zhilu refuse you! She’s wealthy; it’s a trivial expense for her. Why should she refuse to help?” Rising to her feet, she declared, “Don’t worry, son. I’ll handle this myself. As the main wife, it's Mengh Zhilu’s duty, she must bear it”
Shen Zhongting feigned reluctance. “Wait, Mother, I'll cover the expenses myself, but...”
“Enough,” Elder Huyin interrupted firmly. "I'll deal with Meng Zhilu by myself. If I don't put that woman in her place today, don't call me “Fu Rhen anymore.” (Lady; Titles for the principal wife of a high-ranking nobleman)
Meanwhile, Meng Zhiru was in her study, reviewing accounts. Pi Qiao burst into the room, her hurried steps catching Meng Zhilu’s attention. “What's wrong?” she inquired.
“Elder Huyin and the Master are approaching. They appear quite agitated. A maid witnessed their demeanor and rushed to inform the slave, So, a slave came here to report Madam”
“I see” Meng Zhiru replied calmly. She had anticipated this confrontation. The lessons from her past life had taught her how to handle such individuals. To combat a greedy person, one must be resolute. She no longer cared about maintaining the facade of a demure wife.
Just as Meng Zhiru finished her thought, she heard footsteps approaching down the corridor. The door to her study burst open, revealing a furious Elder Huyin.
Elder Huyin marched in, followed closely by Shen Zhongting and Yu Mama. She confronted Meng Zhilu, her voice booming with anger.
“Meng Zhilu! Explain yourself!” she exclaimed. “Where has all the Shen family's money gone? My son is the head of this household; why can't he access the central account?”
Meng Zhilu turned to her maid. “Pi Qiao, fetch the account books and the boxes of invoices.”
Pi Qiao quickly retrieved the requested items and placed them on Meng Zhilu’s desk.
Meng Zhilu opened the account books and presented them to Elder Huyin. “Here are the detailed records of the Shen clan’s expenses, meticulously documented since I joined this family two years ago.”
Elder Huyin snatched the account book and flipped through it. Her expression quickly soured. She scanned the figures, searching for errors, but her scrutiny only intensified her unease.
Finally, resorting to bluster, she exclaimed, “Why are you spending so much? How is wasteful!” She raised her voice, hoping to intimidate Meng Zhilu, aware of her daughter-in-law’s past timidity.
But Meng Zhilu remained as calm and fearless as a towering mountain. She dealt with the Elder Huyin calmly, without the same fearful attitude as in her previous life.
“It seems that Mother must have misunderstood something, so it would be better for me to open the invoice and the receipt for you to see, how much the expenses of the Shen family have been in the past two years, just the cost of repairing eight houses has already paid four million and seven hundred thousand taels. That I used from my private money. As for the central account, I entrusted the butler to tell the master. It does not mean that he will not be reimbursed. However, there is no money in the account for the master to withdraw separately. If you want to check it, then please sit down,” she said in a calm voice and then turned to order Ruyi and Pi Qiao, “Ruyi, go and bring a chair for Elder Huyin and The Master to sit on, Pi Qiao serve the tea”
Meng Zhilu opened the account books and presented them to Elder Huyin. “Here is a meticulous record of the Shen clan’s expenses, detailing every transaction since I joined this family.” She refused to be intimidated by her mother-in-law’s pressure tactics. Actions may be easily forgotten, but words leave a lasting impression.