Chapter 6 — The Dowry Without a Name

I placed each item onto the table, one by one.

"These are the official assets of the Marquis's estate."

I pushed them toward Xie Huaijin.

"The warehouse keys are returned to the warehouse, the ledgers are returned to the accounting office, and the steward’s seal is returned to Mother. As for the affairs of the Marquis's household, you all may manage them yourselves."

The Old Madam’s expression softened slightly, but immediately after, Thanh Hoa brought forward a second chest. I opened it. Inside lay a different set of keys, several thick ledgers, and a stack of indentures. The Old Madam’s hand, which had been counting her prayer beads, froze. Xie Huaijin looked over as well. I handed those keys to Thanh Hoa.

"These are the keys to my personal treasury."

I gestured toward the ledgers.

"These are the accounts of the Lu family dowry."

Finally, I pointed to the stack of indentures.

"These are the contracts for the servants who came with me to my husband’s house."

I closed the box.

"These things will not be handed over."

Xie Huaijin’s voice grew cold.

"Lu Mingtang, what is the meaning of this?"

"It means that if you want me to manage the Marquis's estate, that is fine."

I gestured to the three official items on the table.

"Use the Marquis's money to do the Marquis's work. The medical expenses, clothing, ceremonial finery, and daily maintenance for Miss Su’s residence from now on—all of it must come from the public fund."

I then pointed to the box Thanh Hoa was holding.

"My dowry, my private treasury, and my servants will not subsidize the Marquis's estate by a single copper ever again. I will not run a single errand for Miss Su, nor will I clean up the messes of any of you ever again."

The Old Madam sat up straight abruptly.

"You married into the Xie family; naturally, your dowry should be circulated for the benefit of the Xie family!"

I looked at her.

"Circulated, not surrendered."

A silence descended upon the main hall. I added, "If Mother does not understand, I shall invite the members of the Lu family here tomorrow. They can bring the marriage contract and the dowry ledger and read them to you slowly." The Old Madam’s hands began to tremble. Xie Huaijin tried to suppress his rising fury.

"Must you turn our marriage into such a transactional affair?"

I nearly laughed aloud.

"When you were spending my money, you spoke of the sanctity of marital affection above all else."

I continued, "But the moment I bring out the ledgers, you claim that calculation hurts our sentiments." Xie Huaijin was rendered speechless by my retort.

"What you want is not a wife."

I looked at the Old Madam, then back at Xie Huaijin.

"You want someone who accepts the title, who is pitied, who can be struck ill and then be excused from all duties. At the same time, you want someone to provide the funds, do the labor, endure the insults, and tidy up the aftermath—ideally someone who possesses no temper at all. Your calculations are truly masterful."

I raised my eyes.

"It is only that I refuse to participate."

Xie Huaijin’s jaw tightened.

"Lu Mingtang, do not forget—you are the Lady of the Marquis's estate."

"I have not forgotten," I replied. "That is why I have returned the steward’s seal of the Lady of the Marquis's estate. And as for Lu Mingtang’s dowry, I am taking it with me." He slammed his hand against the table.

"You dare!"

I stared at the table, which vibrated from the force of his blow.

"This rosewood table is also part of my dowry."

Xie Huaijin’s hand stiffened on the edge of the wood. I kindly reminded him, "Feel free to slam it if you wish, but if you break it, you will compensate me at market value." No one in the hall dared to speak. Even Nanny Chu lowered her head. Xie Huaijin slowly retracted his hand. The Old Madam was so incensed that her chest heaved.

"Are you trying to turn the world upside down?"

"It is not turning the world upside down," I said. "It is drawing clear boundaries. Heaven is heaven, and earth is earth. The Marquis's estate is the Marquis's estate, and I am myself." Xie Huaijin let out a cold laugh.

"Fine. If you dare to move those items out today, do not bother coming back."

I nodded.

"Very well."

His gaze faltered. I continued, "Just hand me the divorce papers now, so I do not have to make another trip later." Xie Huaijin gripped the edge of the table, remaining silent for a long time. The Old Madam grew impatient.

"Huaijin!"

Xie Huaijin gritted his teeth and spat, "Do not think you can use a divorce to threaten me."

"I am not threatening you."

I turned to Thanh Hoa.

"Open the private warehouse."

Thanh Hoa answered promptly, "Yes." Before long, the two matrons who had accompanied me from my maiden home led their people into the hall. As the first chest was carried into the corridor, the steward immediately broke into a cold sweat.

"Madam, this… these are the deeds to the Brocade Shop."

I nodded.

"A shop from the Lu family dowry."

The second chest was carried out. The clerk from the accounting office rushed over, his forehead damp with sweat.

"Madam, inside this are the ledgers for the Xiang Firm, the Virtue and Spring Hall, and the Ten Thousand Fortunes Pavilion from the past few years. If you take all of these, the debts recorded in the estate…"

I cut him off.

"From this day forward, whoever incurred the debt should be the one to pay it back."

The clerk looked toward Xie Huaijin. Xie Huaijin said nothing. When the third chest was carried out, the Old Madam could no longer sit still.

"Enough!"

I looked at her.

"It is not enough."

My voice remained perfectly calm.

"Mother, I have not touched a single item belonging to the Marquis's estate. And not a single item of mine shall be left behind."

I instructed Thanh Hoa, "Send word to the Lu family. Tell them to invite my elder brother to the estate tomorrow. Tell him to come collect me, and collect my dowry as well."

Early the next morning, the Lu family carriage pulled up before the gates of the Marquis's residence. The man who arrived was my elder brother, Lu Cheng’an. He did not bring a crowd to smash down the doors, nor did he enter the estate shouting insults at the Xie family.