Chapter 1260: Half
Editor: Henyee Translations
Even though Zhao Shu was not legally recognized as her son, she still had the authority to bestow her dowries upon him if she wished.
Ultimately, after some negotiation, Zhao Shu reluctantly consented to claim only half of his mother’s dowry. However, he intended to do so today, with the chief as a witness, to prevent any potential denial or interference from Old Master Zhao.
Zhao Mu’s expression darkened, and he refrained from further ment, determined to maintain his posure in the presence of the family’s elders and leaders.
Ms. Zheng’s dowry was exceptionally generous, and even if this ungrateful son took only half of it, she would still be left with a substantial sum.
Ms. Qin’s heart ached. She sided with Old Master’s perspective – Zhao Shu was an adopted member of the family, and the dowry rightfully belonged to the Zhao Family as a whole. She wanted to voice her opinion, but Zhao Shu’s derogatory term, “concubine,” silenced her, reminding her of her subordinate position.
To speak up would only invite further humiliation from Zhao Shu.
Unexpectedly, when they began to inventory Ms. Zheng’s dowry in her chambers and storage area, they discovered it had vanished. It wasn’t a plete disappearance; according to the dowry ledger, all the valuable items had vanished.
What remained were less valuable items such as silk and satin, vases, and large pieces of furniture. The precious items, including gold, silver, jewelry, exquisite jade artifacts, a valuable fur coat, yellow rosewood furniture, sixteen or twelve double-sided embroidered screens, and renowned calligraphy and paintings from a bygone dynasty, had all mysteriously disappeared. There was scarcely anything left.
“What’s happening here? How did this happen?” Zhao Shu’s expression shifted from shock to anger.
Zhao Mu was equally bewildered, his face contorted in disbelief.
The chief and the others present shared the same astonishment.
“Old Master Zhao, can you provide an explanation for this?” Zhao Shu’s outward fury concealed his inner amusement; his mother had indeed been astute.
Bit by bit, the dowry items had been discreetly moved out of the Zhao Mansion. It appeared that Zhao Mu had been pletely oblivious to these developments.
Ms. Qin, too, seemed clueless about the situation.
Infuriated, Zhao Mu exclaimed, “I have no idea what’s going on! I didn’t do this!”
Zhao Shu sneered sarcastically, “So we’re not at the Zhao Mansion right now, and you claim ignorance? Who has overseen the Inner Residence all these years?”
Instinctively, Zhao Mu turned to Ms. Qin, prompting the chief and the others to follow suit, their expressions laced with suspicion and disdain.
How could she have the audacity to pilfer the dowry of the family’s matriarch? In their eyes, it was an act unbefitting someone of her limited worldly experience.
Ms. Qin never anticipated being accused of such a crime and was visibly taken aback. “I don’t know! I didn’t do it! I didn’t take anything!”
With a mocking tone, Zhao Shu retorted, “Is that so? Did my mother’s dowry simply vanish into thin air?”
“How could I possibly know?” Ms. Qin’s anger flared as she replied, “The door has always been locked, and no one has ever opened it. How could I have any knowledge of what transpired?”
Zhao Shu smirked, provoking her further, “Interesting! So because the door was always locked, no one could have entered, is that your claim?”
Frustration surged within Ms. Qin as she exclaimed, “I don’t know, but I swear I had nothing to do with it!”
Panic gripped her as she struggled to make her innocence clear, despite being pletely baffled by the unfolding situation.
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