Lian Manman asked this question for a reason. Whether it be the jewelry shops in town or in the county, they all have gold, silver, and jade, but coral accessories are rare. Almost none could compare with the string sent by the Wu Family. Only in the large jewelry shops in Prefecture City are there more types of coral accessories.
The string sent by the Wu Family would be considered excellent even in the jewelry shops of Prefecture City. As far as Lian Manman knew, the Wu Family seldom went to the county. So, when did the Wu Family buy this string of coral beads?
"It wasn’t bought." Lian Zhizhi told Lian Manman, "This was passed down from the previous generation in the family."
"These coral beads are quite precious." Lady Zhang took the coral beads, examined them closely, and said, "With how the Jiaxing family is now, they are considered a top-tier family in town. They were really sothing in the past. I heard it was during Great Grandfather Jiaxing’s ti, he traveled for business, even going overseas with a ship, and that’s when they made a great fortune."
The Wu Family used to be very prosperous, but the following generations didn’t make significant achievents, often living off the wealth from before, and after several splits, by the ti it ca to Wu Yugui’s generation, although none were very wealthy, they lived much better than ordinary tenant farrs.
"So that’s how it is." Lian Manman nodded slowly after listening. With such a history, it’s no wonder the Wu Family had such a string of coral beads as a treasured heirloom.
"Don’t be fooled by your parents-in-law’s regular spending; they live carefully and can accumulate wealth." Lady Zhang said with a smile.
"Sister, can you give this heirloom? It’s too precious." Lian Manman said to Lian Zhizhi.
"If I’m giving it to you, just take it." Lian Zhizhi smiled and said, "These gifts prepared today were all discussed by the parents-in-law and Jiaxing together... mother-in-law also gave several pieces."
Saying this, Lian Zhizhi revealed a string of coral beads on her wrist for everyone to see. The string on Lian Zhizhi’s hand was also blood red, without any flaws, and the beads were even larger than those given to Lian Manman.
Besides the coral beads on her wrist, Lian Zhizhi also showed Lian Manman the two tortoiseshell hair presses in her hair, saying they were also given by Lady Wu Wang.
"There’s also a gold lock piece, another string of coral beads similar to Manman’s, all kept at ho, didn’t bring them." Lian Zhizhi added, "These were given when serving tea to the parents-in-law."
Moreover...
"Mother-in-law also called to her room, opened the trunk, and let see. She let choose from a box of treasured jewelry. I said the ones I have are enough to wear, so I let mother-in-law keep these for Jiayu. Mother-in-law said she’d divide the box into three parts, giving two parts and Jiayu one, and let choose first." Lian Zhizhi said joyfully, "That’s when mother-in-law picked out this string of beads to give you when you return ho."
Hearing how Lady Wu Wang treated Lian Zhizhi, Lady Zhang and Lian Manman were both happy for her.
"Zhizhi is fortunate to have married into a good family. My prayers and offerings weren’t in vain." Lady Zhang said with slightly reddened eyes. Having endured her own mother’s-in-law’s temper for half her life, and nearly losing her life, Lady Zhang particularly cared about her daughter’s relationship with her mother-in-law. The way Lady Wu Wang treated Lian Zhizhi not only relieved her but also made her extrely happy.
It was as though, as long as her daughter lived well, all the hardships she had suffered were worthwhile.
Lian Zhizhi only spoke of how well Lady Wu Wang treated her to Lady Zhang and Lian Manman, but she glossed over what she did herself. Only after Lian Manman’s detailed inquiries did she learn that the day after serving tea to Wu Yugui and Lady Wu Wang, Lian Zhizhi not only took out the shoes as a respectful offering, but also presented the land deeds of her dowry fields, the deed to the mill, and the dowry silver given by Lady Zhang.
Lian Zhizhi believed that in order to match the dowry given by the Lian Family and their current status, the Wu Family not only gave a generous betrothal but also spent a lot of silver on organizing the banquet. Concerned that the household expenses might not be enough, she presented all these to Lady Wu Wang, letting her make arrangents.
Thoughtfully, Lian Zhizhi said she was young and afraid she couldn’t manage these things, so she handed them over to Lady Wu Wang, letting the parents-in-law manage them. Since she married into the Wu Family, she was part of the Wu Family, so her assets were also part of the Wu Family’s assets.
User Comments
0 comments from readers