Chapter 15: I Give In to Her

“Father!” A loud cry came from outside, followed by the thumping of footsteps. Mo Qing had arrived.

Among the three sisters, she was the least attractive. Though she was only twelve and had not yet fully grown into her features, she appeared quite old for her age.

With thin eyebrows, narrow eyes, and slightly puffy eyelids, she was the spitting image of her deceased grandmother.

Yet, her temperament was more like her maternal grandmother's.

She loved to chatter without ever getting to the point, her expressions were ever-changing, and her eyes and mind were incredibly lively—though sometimes in a way that was somewhat inexplicable.

With a *clang*, she bumped into the door, letting out an "Ouch!"

Upon entering and seeing her father, her eyes lit up: "Father! Did you bring back the thing I asked for?"

To shout and clamor before even entering the room, to bump into the door, and to demand things without even offering a proper greeting—how restless could one girl be?

Yet, Lady Wang did not scold her.

The vast difference in her attitude toward the two daughters made Mo Ruhai even more displeased!

But having just entered the room, he did not wish to cause a scene. He nodded with a smile: "I brought it back!"

"Really? Is it the kind I described? Where is it?" Mo Qing jumped high with excitement.

Lady Wang also asked her husband, "What exactly did you bring back?"

"They are being unloaded at the front; they will be carried in shortly." Just as Mo Ruhai finished speaking, someone at the door said, "Second Master, Second Mistress, the chests are coming in."

Lady Wang lifted her chin, and Qiu Xiang hurried to the door to lift the curtain.

Several chests were carried in. "Master, the items intended for the Eldest Master have already been sent over."

Lady Wang frowned. "Sent over directly?" she asked her husband.

Mo Ruhai nodded. "Yes. It was something the Eldest Brother asked me to bring."

Lady Wang felt a surge of resentment. *He wouldn't even let me take a look? What, are you afraid I'll pocket them?*

"Hand over the accounts then." Whenever she was unhappy, she became reckless and disregarded everything.

Mo Yixin’s heart sank. Sometimes, she truly felt she had no choice but to submit to this mother of hers... She was shrewd and understood the ways of the world, but it was always this: whatever her father disliked, she would go and do!

She had heard that back when they were arranging the marriage, her mother had been captivated by her father's elegant demeanor as a scholar and had married him with great joy.

But after marriage, the two were mismatched in every way.

The mother loved excitement and fine clothing; she loved gossiping about the successes and failures of others. The father loved reading and quietude; he loathed discussing other people.

The mother loved fame and fortune, constantly hoping her husband would rise in rank and accumulate wealth. The father was content with his station, possessing a sensitive and innocent nature, preferring the pursuits of poetry and romance.

The mother insisted on getting to the bottom of everything, demanding clarity and not fearing a heated argument. The father preferred to leave things unsaid, preserving everyone's dignity.

These various differences led to constant conflict. In her anxiety, the mother tried to force and pressure her father to change, which only drove them further apart.

She did not know how to adapt; instead, she only doubled down!

"Do you think you're so successful that you can look down on me?!" This was a phrase the mother frequently used.

In truth, the mother's grievances were not entirely without reason.

In all their years of marriage, all the father had provided was this single courtyard to live in, a modest amount of property, and basic food and shelter. There was also the atmosphere of education for their children.

However, boys needed to attend good academies, make friends, and broaden their horizons.

Girls needed fine clothing and to learn various talents.

And then there were the dowries and betrothal gifts required when the children married.

The social obligations, the gift-giving and receiving...

A large portion of these expenses had to rely on the mother's dowry!

Most crucially, the father had failed to make a name for himself for many years, and just when a rare opportunity had arisen, it was lost due to an injury.

Thus, the mother's respect and expectations for her husband had long since vanished.

She maintained extremely strict control over daily life. While the father was dressed cleanly, his pockets were even cleaner!

Every time he went out with his superiors, she would let him take some silver, but he had to settle the accounts upon his return. Every item purchased had to be verified, and any remaining money had to be returned immediately.

Knowing how embarrassing this was for him, Mo Yixin felt too much heartache to even look at him.

Mo Ruhai said nothing and brought over his personal bag. He pulled out several sheets of paper—he apparently remembered the accounts. He placed them all on the table, picked up his teacup, and his hand trembled slightly...

Settling accounts upon returning was normal, but the man had barely even stepped through the door and hadn't even sat down! Even if it were a servant sent out to make purchases, surely they wouldn't be this extreme?

*You do not respect your husband, yet you complain that he is not close to you?*

Sighing, Mo Yixin walked to her father's side and took the teacup from his hand. "Father, if your stomach is empty, don't drink too much tea!"

Mo Wen also felt his mother was going too far. "Mother, Father just walked in, please don't be in such a rush!"

But Lady Wang didn't care about any of that. She pulled out the bundle and began counting the remaining silver and banknotes one by one...

When Mo Ruhai went out with his superiors, he didn't have to spend silver along the way. But occasionally, there were things that required advance payment, or local specialties that needed to be bought with cash.

While handling business on the outside, there were always some "tributes" to be given to those below.

Mo Ruhai was the one performing the actual tasks, so he certainly didn't receive as much as the high-ranking officials, but he would receive something.

Lady Wang kept a tight watch on this. The attendant who accompanied Mo Ruhai was essentially part of her dowry.

Upon returning, she would not only collect the accounts but would also summon the attendant to question him.

Seeing her single-minded, serious expression as she counted the silver, Mo Ruhai's face turned dark.

Mo Yixin felt the blood rushing to her head. Although the family's current lifestyle required a significant amount of silver from her mother...

But... there was a way to discuss this...

*If Father had come from a wealthy family with a bright future, you wouldn't have had to marry into this!*

*Furthermore, one must look at the next generation!*

*Take Eldest Brother, for example; at his age, he is already a Xiucai and is preparing for the Juren exam. He is quite outstanding. Could that be anything other than the result of Father's guidance?*

*No matter how impressive Great Aunt is, her son hasn't even become a Xiucai!*

*After being married for so many years and having many children, why must things be made so ugly?*

*If Father were to truly find success through fate... how would he treat you then?*

Her chest ached with anger. It seemed that in this world, no one's silver was better than one's own!

One wouldn't have to constantly feel grateful or watch others' expressions; one could be strong!

She made a silent vow: *I must work hard! I must earn silver with all my heart! I will make sure my father can stand tall and never have to endure the indignity of the Wang family again!*

While she was lost in thought, the chests were opened, and Mo Qing lunged forward to rummage through them.

Soon, she found what she wanted. With a cheer, she excitedly brought it to Lady Wang. "Mother! Mother! Look! It's so beautiful! This is even better than Sister Shumin's! Heavens, Father, your taste is wonderful! You really know how to buy things!"

Being praised, the tension on Mo Ruhai's face eased slightly.

Lady Wang stood up and inspected the items her husband had brought back.

"In that rattan chest are things for your maternal family."

Lady Wang opened it to look. Most of what Mo Ruhai purchased were paper, ink, and tea sets, and it was clear the quality was quite high.

However, she couldn't help but say dismissively, "Oh, why did you bring these? The Wang family isn't lacking! The capital has... and the prices might even be cheaper than these..."

Mo Yixin felt helpless once again. Her husband was thinking of her maternal family, and she surely wasn't unhappy about it. But the moment she opened her mouth, it was nothing but complaints and dissatisfaction.

Mo Ruhai was completely fed up. He said with heavy sarcasm, "Indeed! What could the Wang family possibly lack?! This is the last time; I will never bring anything again. If you feel these are not good enough to present, then there is no need to send them!"

Lady Wang hated hearing this. "What kind of talk is that? Is this not just a gesture of goodwill?"

"One moment the Madam says we don't lack anything, and the next she says it's a gesture of goodwill. You've made me confused."

Mo Ruhai's face was cold and his words were sharp; he was no longer trying to maintain appearances.

The atmosphere in the room became very tense... the girls did not dare to speak.

With a *thud*, Lady Wang threw the items in her hand onto the table and turned to the girls. "All of you, go back to your rooms. I have words to say to your father!"

The three girls did not dare to say another word and left with their heads bowed...

(End of Chapter)