REM • CH003

# Chapter 3

“I have prepared the gift lists for Rong’an Marquis’s wife’s birthday and Prince Chen’s grandson’s full month celebration. Please review them, Mother,” Fang Shi presented the prepared lists.

The Great Princess took them and glanced through briefly. She was about to say something to Fang Shi when she paused and changed direction, passing the lists to Shen Xinyan: “Shen Shi, you look these over.”

『TL Note ♡︎』In Chinese households, women are often referred to by their maiden family name as a form of address or internal reference. Here, “Shen Shi” (沈氏) refers to Shen Xinyan using her maiden name, distinguishing her from Fang Shi and other household members.

Fang Shi imperceptibly withdrew her hand that had been reaching to receive the lists.

Shen Xinyan acknowledged and carefully reviewed the entire list from beginning to end before speaking unhurriedly: “The list Elder Sister-in-law prepared is quite good. There’s nothing wrong with the Rong’an Marquis household gift, but the full month gift list for Prince Chen’s grandson is quite inappropriate.”

Fang Shi’s eyes darkened. Displeasure naturally crept across her face, though she tried hard to suppress it internally.

“Oh? Which part do you find inappropriate?” the Great Princess raised her eyebrow, asking with obvious interest.

“If Second Sister-in-law finds something amiss, do speak freely. It will help me learn,” Fang Shi said with an ambiguous smile.

What would an ignorant woman who had never managed a household and only knew how to eat, drink, and dress herself understand about social obligations and propriety? She was simply looking for an opportunity to trample on her dignity.

Yang Shi glanced at Fang Shi, then at Shen Xinyan, a flash of amusement crossing her eyes.

Oh, so this Shen Shi was finally going to make a show of strength?

Shen Xinyan shot Fang Shi a meaningful glance before speaking slowly and deliberately: “Elder Sister-in-law has managed the household for many years. These matters of social obligation come naturally to her hands, and she handles them perfectly. However, Elder Sister-in-law has lived in seclusion these many years and has had little contact with the ladies and young misses of various noble households. Naturally, you would not know that although Prince Chen’s grandson bears the title ‘legitimate,’ he is not actually born of the prince’s primary consort. He is merely recorded under her name.”

Fang Shi’s heart dropped. In an instant, she understood exactly where her error lay, and her face changed colors.

Though a recorded legitimate son was still called legitimate, there was indeed a difference from a properly born one. According to the dynasty’s regulations, a recorded legitimate son would need an imperial edict if he were to inherit the family title.

The gift list she had prepared was completely drawn up as if for a properly born legitimate son of the prince’s household.

“It was my oversight. I am grateful for Second Sister-in-law’s reminder,” Fang Shi said. Though her heart churned uncomfortably, a mistake was a mistake. She quickly rose, her face contrite as she begged the Great Princess’s pardon, then thanked Shen Xinyan sincerely.

“It is well now that you know. You made this oversight simply because you were unaware of these details,” the Great Princess said gently.

“Yes, I shall prepare a new list at once,” Fang Shi said, her head lowered further.

This was the first time in her life she had made such a basic error, and the person pointing it out was none other than Shen Xinyan, whom she had always looked down upon. For someone as proud as Fang Shi, who constantly tried to outshine her sisters-in-law, this was deeply humiliating.

Especially Shen Xinyan’s comment about “living in seclusion these many years and having little contact with the ladies of various noble households” was like a slap across her face.

The managing matron of a noble household had duties beyond managing the inner household affairs; she needed to engage in social contact with the women of other households. Yet Fang Shi was a young widow, and though the current dynasty was not excessively harsh toward widows, noble families often considered young widows inauspicious and were unwilling to associate with them. This was precisely why Fang Shi had not known about Prince Chen’s grandson.

“Oh my! Good thing Elder Sister-in-law always handles matters so carefully and consulted Mother beforehand. Otherwise, if that gift had been sent, not only would it have gained no favor, but it would have upset Prince Chen’s princess, and the loss would outweigh the gain!” Yang Shi patted her chest with an expression of relief, though the amusement in her eyes could barely be concealed.

This was the first time she had seen this always meticulous and thorough Elder Sister-in-law take such a loss. If she didn’t seize this opportunity to add to the embarrassment, she would be wasting a marvelous show!

“Do not speak carelessly of royal household matters! Do you not know the principle that ‘disaster flows from the mouth’?” The Great Princess frowned and glared at Yang Shi in displeasure.

『TL Note ♡︎』”Disaster flows from the mouth” (祸从口出) is a classical Chinese proverb warning that careless words can lead to trouble.

Yang Shi choked, her expression becoming somewhat awkward, though she quickly covered it and hurried to say: “Mother is absolutely right in her teaching. It was my carelessness.”

“Elder Sister-in-law has always managed household affairs impeccably, seeing to every detail. Yet there is one matter I find rather perplexing. I heard from Granny Cui that our courtyard exceeded its allowance this month, to the point that we cannot even afford bird’s nest congee. However, upon carefully checking my household ledger, I cannot fathom how we exceeded the allowance. I would humbly ask Elder Sister-in-law to clarify this matter for me,” Shen Xinyan said, as if completely oblivious to the subtle tension between Fang Shi and Yang Shi. She straightened her spine and asked seriously.

In an instant, everyone’s gaze turned toward her, especially the Great Princess, whose face showed poorly concealed surprise.

This second daughter-in-law was indeed quite different today.

It was no wonder she felt this way. Shen Xinyan had always been a silent gourd, bottling up any unpleasantness and never daring to confront anyone face to face.

Yang Shi was taken aback, though internally she was thrilled.

She knew not what had gotten into Shen Shi today, that she would repeatedly take on Fang Shi herself. Oh, this promised to be quite the spectacle!

Yang Shi was well aware that the Great Princess’s earlier reprimand to her had been partly to defend Fang Shi. Now she wanted to see which of her legitimate daughters-in-law she would favor when they clashed.

Fang Shi was momentarily stunned. She had not expected Shen Xinyan to take the initiative in confronting her. Yet she was not Yang Shi and quickly gathered her wits, hastening to say: “Our Duke Ying household is a family of wealth and influence. A mere bowl of bird’s nest congee is hardly beyond our means. Though each courtyard receives a fixed monthly allowance, Funing Hall is the residence of the heir. Even if there are occasional exceedances of the allotment, there would never be any shortage in the master’s provisions. As for the matter Second Sister-in-law mentions, it must be that the servants were not attentive to their duties. I shall investigate thoroughly and give Second Sister-in-law a proper accounting!”

Yang Shi silently clicked her tongue.

Fang Shi’s reply was clever indeed. She had practically said: “Your Funing Hall is now the heir’s residence, holding high status, and who would dare shortchange the young master and his household!”

Tsk tsk, what touching self-sacrifice, what profound understanding of propriety from this Elder Sister-in-law!

Since Shen Xinyan had raised the matter directly, she had no intention of allowing Fang Shi to gloss over it lightly. She cleared her throat and said with an ambiguous smile: “I fear Elder Sister-in-law has misunderstood my meaning. I simply wish to understand: where exactly did our courtyard exceed its allowance? Why does it differ so greatly from the figures in my ledger?”

After a pause, she spoke with renewed seriousness: “Moreover, without rules, there can be no order. Though Funing Hall is the heir’s residence, it remains one courtyard among the household and should follow household regulations. All expenditures, whether appropriate or not, should follow the established rules. Therefore, I cannot agree with what Elder Sister-in-law just said about occasional exceedances being acceptable so long as the master’s provisions are not lacking!”

Fang Shi’s face grew somewhat ugly at being countered, but since what Shen Xinyan said was entirely reasonable, she found herself at a loss for words.

The Great Princess’s brows knitted even tighter. She could certainly feel the sharp exchanges between her eldest and second daughters-in-law, yet for the moment she was uncertain how to respond.

“If that is the case, I shall not hide from Second Sister-in-law. The household expenditure recorded in your ledger is likely accurate. However, Second Sister-in-law may not know that some time ago, the second heir withdrew one hundred taels from the common funds. This sum was charged to Funing Hall’s account,” Fang Shi said, irritated by her persistent probing. After pausing, she added pointedly:

“The second heir and you are husband and wife. Surely he would not have failed to mention this matter to you? It is not that I overstep, but as a wife, you should surely devote more care to your husband’s concerns.”

Shen Xinyan was momentarily taken aback. Meeting Fang Shi’s mocking gaze, she composed herself and responded seriously: “I was indeed unaware of this, and it was my oversight. However, Elder Sister-in-law’s actions are also questionable. I have one question for you: for what purpose did the heir withdraw these silver taels?”

Fang Shi was instantly rendered speechless. With some embarrassment and irritation, she said: “You are his wife and know nothing of it. How should I know?!”

“Precisely! The heir is by nature generous and righteous, viewing wealth as dust. Now he suddenly needs to withdraw a considerable sum. For Elder Sister-in-law to approve without inquiry is highly inappropriate and suggests unfair handling. If today we allow him to withdraw silver for unstated purposes, what of tomorrow when others wish to do the same? Should we permit it only because the heir holds high rank, while deny it to those of lower station?”

Fang Shi was left gaping, struggling for a long moment before saying in frustration: “He is the heir! How can I prevent him from withdrawing funds?!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew she had made a grave error. She swiftly looked toward the Great Princess, who had remained silent until now, and saw her face darken.

This was something no one else could say, and certainly not Fang Shi, especially not before the Great Princess.

She opened her mouth, intending to say something to remedy the situation, but Shen Xinyan gave her no such opportunity. Rising, she knelt before the Great Princess and spoke earnestly: “In this matter, if truth be told, Elder Sister-in-law erred one part, but this child erred nine parts. As Elder Sister-in-law said, as a wife, I should put my husband first in all things. That this incident has occurred is entirely because I have neglected the heir in my daily attention to him. I know my error is already made, but as husband and wife are one body, these one hundred taels shall be deducted from the heir’s and my monthly allowance to replenish the account.”

“From now forward, I shall take this as a lesson. In all things, I shall put the heir first and attend carefully to his every need!”

The Great Princess found the words of reproach would not come. After a moment, she said quietly: “Rise. It is good that you understand this.”

She seemed prepared to let the matter pass lightly.

But this was not Shen Xinyan’s final purpose.

She raised her eyes to meet the Great Princess’s already somewhat displeased gaze and said earnestly: “There is one other matter on which I wish to seek Mother’s guidance.”

The Great Princess’s brows knitted even more tightly. A premonition told her that what this daughter-in-law was about to say would not be pleasant, yet before she could respond, Shen Xinyan continued on her own.

“Currently, each courtyard in the household receives a fixed monthly allowance, yet this money remains in the common funds and cannot be distributed and managed by each courtyard independently. I believe this arrangement to be quite improper. It troubles the common funds and easily gives rise to unnecessary misunderstandings.”

Yang Shi’s eyes suddenly brightened as she instantly grasped her meaning.

If this came to pass, it would not only benefit Shen Shi’s household!

Thinking of this, she hastily chimed in: “Second Sister-in-law speaks most truly! Since the allowance is distributed to each courtyard, naturally that money should be managed by each courtyard independently. Only thus is it proper!”

Seeing that the Great Princess’s expression showed evident disapproval, Shen Xinyan decided to deliver her decisive blow.

“For instance, how can it be proper for a sister-in-law to manage the funds of her uncle’s household?!”

“Outrageous!!”