Chapter 5 — The Dowry Without a Name

Xie Huai Jin spoke in a cold, sharp tone: "Are you still claiming she hasn't been put through enough?"

"I am merely helping her ascertain the state of her illness," I replied. "Otherwise, if she claims she wants to share the burden for Mother on one hand, only to collapse in the middle of the birthday banquet on the other, outsiders might think she is simply trying to shirk her duties for the latter half of the day." The coughing fit from Su Lian paused for a brief moment; it seemed even her illness knew when it was critical to listen. Doctor Zhang arrived quickly. Su Lian was supported into the side hall to have her pulse taken, and Xie Huai Jin moved as if to follow. I called out to stop him.

"Wait."

Behind me, my maid brought forward three ledgers. I placed the first one into his hands. "This is the wine-toasting list, organized by age, proximity of relationship, and social standing. Start from the first table on the left, and do not go beyond the table of the Duchess of An Guo."

I placed the second book in his hands. "This is the register for reciprocal gifts. Red tabs for elders, green for peers, and yellow for those who gave generous gifts last year. Do not confuse them."

The third book followed. "This is the list of guests to be escorted out. Four of the elders must be accompanied by you personally to the second gate. As for the Duchess of An Guo, you must also offer a word of personal gratitude on behalf of Mother."

Xie Huai Jin looked at the three books as if I had handed him not the trivial chores of a birthday banquet, but three death warrants. "You have always handled these things."

"True," I nodded. "I used to do them. But today’s banquet is an act of filial piety that Miss Su claimed for herself. Now that she is ill, it is only fitting that you, as the one who benefits from her virtue, step in to clean up the remains of her work."

Xie Huai Jin frowned. "I know nothing of these petty, domestic chores."

"When I first married into the Marquis’s estate, I knew nothing of them either."

In the side hall, Su Lian gave a weak, frail cry: "Brother Huai Jin, do not worry about me..." Xie Huai Jin immediately moved to go to her, but I blocked his path.

"Did you hear that? She says you need not worry about her." I pointed toward the banquet hall. "So, focus on the birthday feast."

The Old Madam tightened her grip on her chopsticks, but she could not speak out against me before a hall full of guests. She could only grind her teeth and mutter, "Huai Jin, go."

Xie Huai Jin took the three ledgers, stepping into my usual role for the first time. He toasted the wrong table first. The steward standing beside him whispered urgently: "The first table on the left, sir." Then, he mistakenly handed a green-tabbed gift to an elder. The aunt of the clan smiled but did not reach for it. The steward’s voice was so low it sounded as if he were about to weep: "That is the Third Elder Lady; she requires a red tab." Later, he nearly delivered the farewell speech meant for the Duchess of An Guo far too early. Some of the guests could not help but titter behind their fans. Xie Huai Jin’s hand tightened around the ledger.

When Doctor Zhang stepped out of the side hall, Xie Huai Jin had just been cornered by a clan uncle, left unable to find an answer. He rushed over immediately. "How is Lian'er?"

Doctor Zhang bowed. "Miss Su’s old ailment has not yet healed, and she has suffered from a sudden surge of worry and agitation. She requires at least half a month of complete rest and must avoid all mental exertion."

I immediately followed up: "You heard him. Do not let her come out for the second half of the banquet."

Xie Huai Jin looked at me abruptly. I said calmly, "Since she must not exert herself, she can no longer share the burden for Mother. The remaining toasts, the exchange of gifts, and the escorting of guests—you shall finish them in her stead."

"Lu Ming Tang, do you really have to be this calculating on a day like today?"

"This is not being calculating. This is called cleaning up the aftermath." I paused, then added, "She cannot be a 'second wife' whenever she desires the status, only to revert to a 'frail, sickly maiden' whenever there is a responsibility to be borne."

Xie Huai Jin’s grip on the ledger tightened further, his knuckles turning pale. But the entire hall of guests was watching. Su Lian was "ill," the Old Madam was exhausted, and I had just been officially separated from this act of filial piety by their own words. Xie Huai Jin had no choice but to continue, table by table, gift by gift, guest by guest. By the time the banquet concluded, the sky had turned dark. Xie Huai Jin’s sleeves were stained with wine, his voice was hoarse, and sweat glistened on his temples. He stood under the veranda, looking at me. But the first words out of his mouth were neither thanks nor a concern for my fatigue. He said, "Starting tomorrow, you will resume your duties as the household manager."

I looked at him and suddenly began to laugh. "Resume which part, exactly?"

Xie Huai Jin frowned. "What do you mean, which part?"

The Old Madam, supported by Matron Chu, entered the main hall. She had been exhausted all day, and her lips were pale, but she still maintained the forced dignity of the Marquis’s estate. "Ming Tang, there has been enough chaos for one day. Lian'er is of delicate health and naturally does not understand these administrative matters. Since you are capable, you should shoulder a bit more."

I nodded. "Then the same applies as before." I looked at them both. "The status remains hers, the work remains mine. The prestige is hers to enjoy, the mistakes are mine to bear. She is responsible for being the fragile, ignorant invalid, and I am responsible for being the all-knowing servant who serves until death."

Xie Huai Jin raised his eyes to meet mine. "Must you speak so harshly?"

"I am merely speaking the full truth of your arrangements." I turned and instructed Qing He: "Bring it here." Qing He had been waiting outside the door for quite some time. She entered carrying a black lacquer tray holding three items: a set of keys to the storehouses, a ledger for the accounting room, and the seal of the household manager.