Chapter 143: Jealousy (2)

This chapter has been stolen from volarenovels. Please read from the original source!

Chu Lian spent two peaceful days in the estate. She was already starting to consider the revival plan for Guilin Restaurant. In two more days, she would ask Matriarch He for permission to go out and take a look at the restaurant herself.

It was almost mid-autumn soon. The estate was starting to prepare the necessary items for the colder months ahead. The temperature outside was getting lower, thanks to a few rounds of autumn rain, and it had become much cooler.

After having breakfast at Songtao Court in the morning, Chu Lian gave her morning greetings to Matriarch He as usual. She bumped into Madam Zou while she was there.

Matriarch He took a sip of tea. Perhaps due to the coming of autumn, Matriarch He had added some dried chrysanthemum flowers into her sencha today, giving it a fresh burst of flavour.

While looking at the floating yellow petals in her tea, Matriarch He suddenly remembered something. She immediately said, Its almost autumn now. Its about time for all the courtyards to get additional clothes made. Dalangs wife, have you finished the preparations?

Madam Zou had just picked up her cup of tea. She hadnt expected Matriarch He to mention this matter to her so abruptly, but she quickly replied, Please dont worry about it, Grandmother. The steward in charge of the needlework has already mentioned it to me. Ive already given them my orders; the new clothes for this season will be made in the most trendy styles of the capital.

After saying so, she turned to look at Chu Lian, who was sitting opposite her. Her eyes seemed to dim a little before she continued to say, Third Sister-in-Law has just married in this year, and shes so young and pretty. I took the initiative to add three more sets of clothing for Third Sister-in-Law. Does Grandmother have any other requests?

It seemed like Madam Zous reply had satisfied Matriarch He. Mm, youve done well, Dalangs wife. Since Sanlang isnt in the capital, we should be taking care of Sanlangs wife as her senior family members. In my opinion, when its time for each courtyard to get new accessories, why dont you add two more sets for Sanlangs wife?

This granddaughter-in-law understands. Although Madam Zou replied positively, beneath the surface, she had taken offence. Giving Chu Lian a few more sets of clothing was already considered special treatment; now she even had to order more accessories to be made for her.

A single set of clothes wouldnt cost more than a hundred taels, regardless of the quality of the material used.

However, one set of accessories could cost at least a hundred or more! They would have to be high quality, too!

Upon thinking that Matriarch He had suddenly added on five to six hundred taels of expenses with just one sentence, Madam Zou felt extremely put off. Matriarch He didnt know the cost of things since she wasnt managing the household accounts.

The stores and fields that the estate had under their name didnt produce much annual income for them.

None of the masters present in the Jingan Estate knew how to manage businesses, so after deducting the necessary expenses for upkeep and maintaining connections with other houses, they didnt have much money left.

Once Countess Jingan used up her own funds, her medicine expenses would be shifted to the general accounts. A thousand taels a month was not a small sum. By then, it would be hard to manage this estate.

When Madam Zou thought back to when she had first married into the estate, she recalled that Matriarch He had never treated her this well. Jealousy and frustration took root in Madam Zous heart.

Chu Lian wanted to say something, but it wasnt her turn to speak. She could see that the look in Madam Zous eyes was changing, and cried bitterly in her heart.

Ah, my dear grandmother, arent you creating trouble for me?!

How could their third branch get any extra accessories when the main branch wasnt getting any?

Chu Lian was about to speak up and reject the offer when Matriarch He cut her off. Sanlangs wife is so young, its just the right time for her to dress up. A few accessories shouldnt cost too much; furthermore, our estate should be able to spare that much.

The matriarchs gaze landed on Chu Lians abdomen.

Chu Lian choked and couldnt bring herself to speak

What else could she say? The matriarch had already had the final word.

Madam Zou, who had her eyes trained on Matriarch He, immediately caught the look she shot towards Chu Lian. Alarm bells rang in her head.

She couldnt help the frustration she felt pressing like a heavy weight on top of her chest. Her face flushed red from the strength of her emotions.

After Chu Lian and Madam Zou headed to Countess Jingans courtyard together for a visit, Matriarch He called her trusted Senior Servant Zhou over. She asked in a casual tone, Is there any news about Sanlangs wife?

Senior Servant Zhous face crinkled up and she replied with difficulty, I heard that Third Young Madam had her monthlies yesterday.

Matriarch Hes face was filled with disappointment. It looked like the great-grandson she had been looking forward to wasnt coming this year.

Senior Servant Zhou tried to comfort her. Matriarch, although Third Young Madam comes from House Ying, Third Young Master only stayed a few days after they got married. How could she fall pregnant that easily?

Matriarch He sighed, looking crestfallen. Youre right, I was too hasty.

When Chu Lian took her leave a step ahead of Madam Zou, Countess Jingan kept Madam Zou back, intending to say a few words in private.

Mother, is anything the matter?

Countess Jingans face was pale as she leaned against the headboard of her bed; every once in awhile, she would cough. As she held onto Madam Zous hands, she slowly said, Its almost time for the seasons to change. Since its almost autumn, there are many preparations to be done around the estate. It must have been tough on you.

Mother, what are you saying? Its all part of my duty. Madam Zou felt comforted by her mother-in-laws words. The lingering frustration she felt from Qingxi Hall began to dissipate, and she managed to squeeze out a refreshed smile.

Mother has also been in your position, and Mother knows how tiring it must be. While working to keep our estate running, dont forget to take care of your own body.

Mm! I understand, Mother.

After a short pause, Countess Jingan spoke up again. Sanlangs wife has just joined our family. As her eldest sister-in-law, do take care of her a little more. Why dont you give her an extra set of accessories this season?

The rage that had just been quelled instantly flared up again.

So her mother-in-law had simply been saying those comforting words to pad her request for Chu Lian! Hah! How nice! All the senior family members were thinking of the third branch. Wasnt it just because Sanlang had gone off to the northern border? But that was Sanlangs own choice to go. Shouldnt the blame be placed on Chu Lian for not managing to keep him here?

All of them wanted her to help make up for Sanlangs absence, but who was going to make up this slight to her?!

She and Chu Lian were both legitimate wives of the estate!