You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 35

Zhou Minghai knew she was right, but he couldn’t bring himself to admit defeat. He muttered, “It’s not like Madam earned this wealth through her own thriftiness. It’s all thanks to your mother and elder brother’s support.”

This was the truth. The Zhou family’s current prosperity stemmed entirely from their advantageous marriage.

But Song Xuwan refused to swallow her anger. Her family had contributed so much—how could she possibly tolerate such disrespect?

“Master, you’re joking. Even with my family’s support, if they gave us ten thousand taels and I spent twenty thousand, we’d have nothing left. It’s because they gave us ten thousand taels and I only spent two or three thousand that we’ve saved the rest for the Zhou family.”

Though her words were true, Zhou Minghai knew perfectly well what she meant by “saving for the Zhou family”—it was all for Zhou Xinglin’s inheritance.

As the master of the Zhou Residence, he had to endure Song Xuwan’s relentless scrutiny even when requesting a mere ten taels from the accounts. With such a vast fortune, he had no say whatsoever.

Still, he couldn’t appear ungrateful. He forced a smile and said, “I know Madam has devoted herself to this family. You’ve built such a grand estate for our son Xinglin. But we must also consider Ningning. For a woman, isn’t the finest dowry her character, appearance, and talent?”

“Ningning inherited Madam’s beauty, so her talents must match. If she ends up like Madam—all beauty and finery, but empty-headed—what kind of good marriage can she hope for? She doesn’t have a Censor-in-Chief brother to support her.”

Song Xuwan glanced sideways at Zhou Minghai, speechless. “Ningning just needs a husband who enjoys seeing her in gold and silver. There are plenty of women without talent—are they all living miserable lives?”

“But men prefer talented women!” Zhou Minghai insisted anxiously.

“Heh!” Song Xuwan scoffed coldly. “You mean you prefer them, Husband!”

“Look at the banquets we attend. Every noblewoman is draped in gold and silver, her hair adorned with pearls and jade. If their husbands didn’t approve, would they dress like that?”

“Some men admire talented women, while others prefer a glamorous wife to maintain appearances and manage the household well. Does everyone have to be cut from the same mold?”

“Most women in this world can’t even read. According to Master’s logic, anyone without education should just hang themselves!”

“Just because you have a preference doesn’t mean all women should conform to it! It’s ridiculous!”

Zhou Minghai’s face flushed crimson and then paled as Song Xuwan’s mockery stung him. Finally, at a loss for words, he muttered, “Women and petty men are the hardest to manage!” and fled in disarray.

Watching the pearl curtain gradually still, Song Xuwan’s own agitation slowly subsided.

She felt she was right. People should wear what they have. If her family had mountains of gold and silver, why should she wear coarse linen every day? Wouldn’t that be mere pretense, fishing for praise?

It wasn’t that she insisted on wearing gold and silver. But with such a lavish dowry, was it right to let it gather dust in chests?

If her family were truly impoverished, she could live on simple meals and tie her hair with a few cords, and still manage.

But since Zhou Minghai wanted to practice frugality, she would indulge him.

“Issue an order: from now on, Master’s breakfast will consist of one vegetarian dish, one steamed bun, and a bowl of clear tea. No! Make that a bowl of kuding tea. I heard that when Master was studying in his youth, he relied on kuding tea to stay awake. From now on, all his tea will be kuding, to remind him of his youthful days.”

Nanny Yun stood nearby, wanting to offer a word of advice, but Song Xuwan silenced her with a sharp glance, leaving the old woman to obediently shut her mouth.

“Oh, and send all the Pu’er, Dahongpao, and other teas from Master’s storage to Maternal Uncle. Master won’t be drinking them anymore.”

“From now on, each meal must consist of no more than two vegetarian dishes. We’ll all eat vegetarian to save money.”

Still not satisfied, Song Xuwan paused, then added, “It’s time to make autumn clothes. Ningning and I will wear our old ones. Master needs to go out for social gatherings, so make him two coarse cloth Daoist robes. Absolutely no Hangzhou silk or Sichuan brocade!”

Song Xuwan had thought of everything she could. She wanted to see if her extreme frugality would make Zhou Minghai jump for joy.

That evening, when Zhou Minghai returned home, he found only a stir-fried green vegetable and a cold bean sprout salad on the table. He frowned slightly but, knowing better than to argue, remained silent.

Song Xuwan and Ningning each took a token bite, then excused themselves, claiming the heat had ruined their appetites. Before leaving, Song Xuwan turned to Zhou Minghai and said, “Master, you must finish everything. No wastefulness allowed.”

Back in Ningning’s room, the mother and daughter naturally prepared their own meal.

Nanny Yun shook her head, knowing Song Xuwan was in a fit of anger and that any attempt to reason with her would be futile.

Two days later, their son, Zhou Xinglin, returned home from the Imperial Academy.

Seeing her son, whom she hadn’t seen in half a month, Song Xuwan’s days of gloom vanished instantly. She grabbed Zhou Xinglin’s hand and asked, “How have you been at the Imperial Academy? It’s been so hot—are you eating well? Sleeping well?”

Zhou Minghai sneered from the side. “Our son went there to study, not to be pampered! Why are you only asking about food and sleep? Do you think he’s a pig we’re raising?”

Song Xuwan rolled her eyes, ready to retort, but Zhou Xinglin quickly squeezed between his parents, smiling. “Mother, I’m sorry for making you worry. I’m doing well, but I missed you, Father, and my little sister. Seeing you both getting along and my sister being so well-behaved puts my mind at ease, so I can focus on my studies.”

Flattered by their son’s praise, the couple couldn’t bring themselves to argue. Song Xuwan simply held onto Zhou Xinglin, suddenly remarking, “It’s only been half a month, but it feels like you’ve grown taller!”

She immediately pointed at the boy and asked Nanny Yun, “Nanny, you see it too, right? When we make Young Master’s autumn clothes this year, we’ll need to measure him again and make them longer, or the sleeves will be too short.”

Nanny Yun smiled. “Madam is right. Young Master is at the age where he’s growing rapidly, so we need to remeasure him every season. Fortunately, the Old Madam sent over some fine fabrics a few days ago. I’ll have them tailored right away, so Young Master will have his autumn clothes ready as soon as the weather cools.”

Song Xuwan nodded repeatedly, then suddenly remembered her current austerity measures. Her expression turned cold as she said, “Why use such fine materials? Return them to the Old Madam. We must practice frugality to ensure our family’s prosperity for generations to come. This autumn, two sets of hemp clothing will suffice for the Young Master.”

Zhou Xinglin’s face paled instantly. “Mother,” he asked, “has something happened to the family?”

Song Xuwan lowered her head to sip her tea, pretending not to hear. Zhou Xinglin turned to Zhou Minghai, who was also awkwardly drinking tea. Zhou Minghai whispered, “Your mother suddenly decided to be frugal. Nothing’s happened.”

Zhou Xinglin finally relaxed, but still grumbled, “Even if Mother wants to cut expenses, she shouldn’t be so extreme. Besides, I’m going to the Imperial Academy to study. People judge by appearances. If I dress poorly, I’ll be bullied. I’d rather Mother reduce my monthly allowance than make me wear such shabby clothes.”

At just ten years old, the young boy was at an age when appearances mattered most. He would likely rather starve than wear tattered rags.

Song Xuwan added fuel to the fire, saying, “Your father prefers simple attire. He believes that dressing modestly improves one’s character.”