Chapter 319 — Knowing (Bonus Chapter: Pleading for Pink Votes)
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
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Before long, Fifth Aunt arrived.
They fell into their own eager reunion.
The invited Eldest Cousin's Wife also came, and with Madam Guo's daughter and Madam Cai's two sons running about, the room grew lively.
Madam Guo and Madam Cai hurried off with the maids to set the tables, while Fifth Aunt drew Eldest Cousin's Wife into her inner chamber, saying she had newly received several boxes of palace flowers and wanted her to come choose a few sprays to wear.
Only the Second Old Madam, Dou Yan, and the three children's silvery laughter remained in the room.
The Second Old Madam then took Dou Zhiwei's hand and said softly, "Now that you are married, in principle the property under your name should be handed over to you. Have you decided who will help you manage it?"
Dou Yan let the Second Old Madam hold her hand without betraying anything, and said with a smile, "I have discussed this with the Heir. Doesn't the Heir have thirteen trading firms in Guangdong? Chief Manager Zhong there inherited the business from his father and has always managed those thirteen firms. I had originally planned for Zhao Liangbi to take over, but I feared he is young and impulsive, unequal to such a responsibility. The Heir said we should have Chief Manager Zhong come and guide him for a while. I thought it a solution that suited both sides, so I agreed."
The Second Old Madam was not surprised.
Anyone who could see such a great estate and not be moved would have to be a Bodhisattva.
She pondered for a moment and said, "Though a husband is the guide of his wife, silk and brocade stir the heart. In some matters you must still keep your wits about you. As for the fields, ponds, and the like, there is no need to trouble Manager Zhong. Just choose a few reliable estate stewards."
Dou Yan said, "You are entirely right. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't. I think for the time being each estate should be managed by its own steward. When Third Cousin and I were handling household affairs, weren't those stewards quite obedient? The rents these past few years have been much higher than before."
The Second Old Madam gave a faint, knowing smile.
Whatever she said, Dou Yan had an answer ready, which showed she had come prepared. The only question was whether Dou Yan had guessed her intent, or Song Yan had.
The more so, the more she felt she had to make certain things clear.
"Silly girl," the Second Old Madam sighed, "even what a husband has must pass from one hand to the other. In some matters, it is better to keep them in your own grasp."
Had the earlier events not happened, Dou Yan might have been grateful for these heartfelt words. But her mother's death made it impossible for her, who had lived two lives, to feel the slightest ripple of warmth toward the Second Old Madam.
She cursed inwardly.
Better that Song Yan got it than that you did.
On the surface, however, she smiled and answered "Yes," saying, "I will remember your words and be careful."