Chapter 6: The Second Task

"Young Mistress, Song Sheng is a man who betrayed his master and forgot his gratitude; he cannot be trusted lightly," Chunfeng frowned and advised.

"Song Sheng is clever but also selfish. His words today were a complete betrayal of the Second Madam. My stepmother’s methods are far more ruthless than mine," Tang Zhao draped a cloak over her shoulders. "He has no other path left."

"Let’s go. It’s time for lunch."

"Young Mistress, the meal you asked the servants to prepare is ready," no sooner had she spoken than Xia Mei entered to report, followed by Dong Mei carrying food boxes.

Tang Zhao nodded and headed toward the dining hall.

In the dining hall, Gu Ci looked at the empty table and raised an eyebrow.

Nanny Li was beaming from ear to ear. "The Young Mistress cooked herself, Young Master. Please wait a moment."

Cooked herself? Gu Ci chuckled. She had been busy dealing with insolent servants all morning; where would she find the time to cook?

Despite this thought, Gu Ci picked up a book on military strategy and began to read.

He hadn't read more than a few lines when Tang Zhao arrived with her attendants.

Dong Mei led the way, carrying a three-tiered food box to the table. She opened the lids, and Qiu Yu and Xia Mei deftly set out the dishes.

Tang Zhao untied her cloak, handed it to Chunfeng, and sat opposite Gu Ci. "My husband has kept you waiting."

"Not long. I wasn't very hungry."

Gu Ci was truly not hungry. People in Dayu ate two meals a day; wealthy families might eat pastries or snacks if they were hungry, but the common folk just had to endure it.

It was even more so in the army; when supplies were low, they might only have one bowl of thin porridge a day—as long as they didn't starve to death, it was enough.

He had never seen anyone eat three meals a day.

Tang Zhao didn't quite understand the dietary habits of Dayu, nor could she follow the local customs. She was born with a large appetite and couldn't stand skipping a meal.

Tang Zhao placed a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs into his bowl. "This is something I just came up with. Husband, try it and see if it suits your taste."

As she spoke, she picked up a piece for herself and began to eat happily.

The ribs in the bowl were a bright, attractive red. The presentation was quite good, and after a moment of hesitation, Gu Ci opened his mouth and took a bite.

The fried exterior of the ribs was crispy, while the meat inside was tender and juicy. The meat fell off the bone easily, and the sweet and sour flavor masked the greasiness of the pork. It wasn't too sour or too sweet—everything was just right.

Gu Ci’s eyes lit up. After finishing it in a few bites, he picked up another piece.

"What is the name of this dish?"

"Sweet and sour pork ribs," Tang Zhao introduced. "And these other dishes are also sweet and sour style: sweet and sour pork tenderloin, sweet and sour fish, and a sweet and sour cold dish."

After tasting each one, Gu Ci found them quite delicious and picked up his bowl and chopsticks to eat heartily.

The Fifth Young Master was good at everything, but having spent so long in the army, he had forgotten all his manners and etiquette. Nanny Li watched the Young Master’s bold way of eating, worried he would be looked down upon, and secretly peeked at the Young Mistress’s expression.

She saw that the corners of the Young Mistress’s eyes and mouth were filled with joy, and she even thoughtfully added a bowl of soup for the Young Master!

Nanny Li felt deeply comforted.

"Today went so smoothly, thanks to my husband’s help," Tang Zhao said sincerely. "If you hadn't helped me gather information and lent me your men, I’m afraid I wouldn't have been able to handle those people."

"No need for thanks. Since you have married into the Prince’s manor, it is my duty to ensure your safety."

Although Gu Ci had no romantic feelings for Tang Zhao, he was willing to give her the respect and assistance due to his legal wife.

That was perfect. Tang Zhao took a sip of her soup. "Husband, how do you think we should deal with Xiao Tao Niang’s family?"

"Xiao Tao Niang’s family was greedy and tried to climb the social ladder, but in the end, they were victims. Could you have them moved elsewhere to start a new life?"

Tang Zhao grew up in the countryside and knew all too well how vicious village gossip could be. The affair involving Xiao Tao Niang’s family could be told as a joke by the villagers for three generations!

"Arrange it as you see fit."

Gu Ci finished the last of his soup, feeling quite good.

"If you like it, Husband, I will write down the recipes for the small kitchen," Tang Zhao offered in return.

Gu Ci did not decline. After agreeing, he returned to the study to continue his official duties.

Nanny Li’s face crinkled into a smile like a chrysanthemum; the more she looked, the more she felt this marriage was a good one. "The Young Master hasn't had such a good appetite in a long time. It’s all thanks to the Young Mistress."

Tang Zhao was modest; it was the food that was good, and Xia Mei’s skill, which had little to do with her.

She only knew how to eat.

Having vented her anger and enjoyed a hearty meal, Tang Zhao felt wonderful. She lay on the bed and had a comfortable, sound sleep.

When she opened her eyes again, candles had already been lit in the room.

Tang Zhao tidied herself up and leaned against the chaise longue by the window, missing the electric lights of the modern world.

"It’s dark, Nanny. Do less embroidery; it’s bad for your eyes."

"Young Mistress, there is something I don't know if I should say," Nanny Song put down her needlework, her expression troubled.

"Are you becoming distant with me, Nanny?" Tang Zhao teased. "Just say it."

"Wait a moment, Young Mistress." Nanny Song hurried back into the inner room and returned after a while. "Please look, Young Mistress."

Tang Zhao took it and saw it was a dowry list. "This is... my mother’s?"

Her own dowry list was neither this old nor this thick.

"Yes. This list was personally drawn up by the Old General and the Old Madam when your birth mother was married."

More than twenty years later, Nanny Song still couldn't help but redden her eyes when mentioning this.

"Sit down first, Nanny, and let me look at it carefully," Tang Zhao sighed.

Nanny Song was the wet nurse of the original owner’s birth mother, Lady Song. She had never married, cherished Lady Song like her own child, followed her into the Duke of Wei’s manor, and after Lady Song passed away, came to take care of the original owner.

Even though they had only spent a month together, Tang Zhao could feel Nanny Song’s genuine sincerity toward her.

There wasn't a shred of selfishness in it.

Tang Zhao opened the dowry list and saw it was densely packed with writing. It included everything from food and clothing to playthings; pearls, gemstones, and gold and silver vessels were the least of it.

If you could think of it, it was on the list.

It took Tang Zhao a full hour to finish reading the list.

She had thought she was already wealthy in her past life, but Tang Zhao swallowed hard—she had been a frog in a well.

Was fighting wars in ancient times that profitable?

"The Eldest Miss was the Old General’s only daughter, and the youngest child at that. The Old General loved the Eldest Miss far more than his three sons. When she married, the Old General and the Old Madam almost emptied the entire Protector General’s manor."

Tang Zhao was stunned by the Old General’s love for his daughter.

"After the Eldest Miss married into the Duke of Wei’s manor, she discovered it was just a hollow shell and had long been living beyond its means. As the mistress of the house, she had no choice but to use her own dowry to subsidize it."

Tang Zhao rubbed her forehead.

"A lot has been used over the years. After the Eldest Miss passed away and you were sent to the manor, who knows how much of this is even left?" Nanny Song gritted her teeth.

"But no matter how much is left, it was left to you by the Eldest Miss. It belongs to you. How can the Duke of Wei’s manor just take it for nothing?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Zhao sat up straight. There was such a thing?

Tang Zhao directed Chunfeng to bring the Dayu Code and flipped to the section on marriage laws regarding a woman’s dowry. The first article clearly stated

*A woman’s dowry belongs to the woman personally. After her death, it shall be inherited by her children. The husband’s family has no right to interfere, nor the right to use it.*

!

Tang Zhao’s eyes lit up. At that moment, a "ding" sound rang out, and the system issued its second task.