Chapter 105: The Princess Consort of Duan's Show of Authority

Dowry?

Chen Yurou’s hand suddenly clenched tightly. She naturally remembered this matter but had not given it much thought.

She had originally thought that neither she nor Tan Yunge would let Tan Qingjiu live until that time, so she didn’t need to count and return Shen Nianqing’s dowry to Shen Yunqing.

But now, Tan Yunge had revealed her identity as the Princess of Duke Duan.

Chen Yurou looked up and saw Tan Qingjiu’s smile, biting her lip inwardly.

That little scoundrel, what’s there to be so proud of?

The nanny was absolutely right just now—Shen Nianqing, that little scoundrel, was about to move into the Duan Prince’s mansion. Perhaps she wouldn’t even live long enough to marry the Duan Prince before she died.

With that thought, Chen Yurou felt slightly relieved. She even curled her lips into a smile and said, “Qingjiu, rest assured, I will definitely have these counted before you marry.”

“After all, you are marrying the Duan Prince. This is a great joy for our Tan family. No matter what, your dowry must be respectable.”

But, that is only if you have the life to take it.

Tan Qingjiu took Chen Yurou’s expression into careful consideration and curled her lips slightly. “Alright. By the way, I forgot to tell madam that many years ago, my mother left me a dowry inventory book.”

“It has always been kept in the mansion. A few years ago, I was too young to use it, so I never took it out.”

“Recently, after the memorial ceremony, the topic of my mother’s dowry came up. When I returned, I suddenly remembered this matter. So, I went to the place where my mother said the dowry book was kept, and to my surprise, I actually found it.”

Chen Yurou’s face changed drastically. “What? What dowry inventory book?”

Tan Qingjiu took out a book from her sleeve. “The book was a bit damaged, so I recopied it.”

“I already told father about this. Father read the book and confirmed that this is indeed the dowry book my mother brought with her back then, and told me to come straight to madam.”

Tan Qingjiu smiled faintly. “But as madam said, I’m marrying the Duan Prince. This matter cannot go wrong. So, I specially asked the Duan Prince to lend me a nanny who manages accounts. Around tomorrow, that nanny will move into my Yunshang Garden to help madam settle and count my mother’s dowry.”

“After all, the dowry is closely tied to the dignity of our entire Tan family. No matter what, it cannot be handled carelessly.”

Chen Yurou took a deep breath and took the book from Tan Qingjiu, flipping through it. Many of the items were very familiar to her.

Naturally familiar—she had managed these things for over ten years. How could she not be?

But...

How did Tan Qingjiu get this book?

Impossible.

When Shen Nianqing died, Tan Qingjiu was only a few years old.

How could Shen Nianqing have told Tan Qingjiu in advance where the dowry book was kept?

Moreover, after Shen Nianqing died, Chen Yurou had thoroughly searched Shen Nianqing’s quarters and even interrogated all her personal attendants. They all said there was only one dowry book, which was placed at the bottom of Shen Nianqing’s dowry chest, and that Chen Yurou had personally taken it out and burned it.

How could there be another copy?

Chen Yurou was full of disbelief. And what did Tan Qingjiu just say?

That she had told the master in advance?

And that she asked the Duan Prince to lend a nanny to manage the dowry?

Chen Yurou’s expression nearly cracked as she forced out a smile after a long pause. “You haven’t even married into the Duan Prince’s household yet. How could you go ask the Duan Prince’s mansion to lend you a nanny to manage your dowry?”

“This matter should be handled by me. I will send a nanny myself. There’s no need to trouble the Duan Prince.”

Tan Qingjiu smiled broadly. “Actually, this was the Duan Prince’s suggestion. He knows my situation and that my mother passed away many years ago. He’s worried that if I don’t have enough dowry, I’ll be ridiculed. So the Duan Prince said he would send someone to help count my dowry first. If mine isn’t enough, he can make up the difference himself and secretly send some items over to pretend they are part of my dowry.”

“I originally wanted to refuse, but he said if the dowry is insufficient, it would damage the reputation and dignity of the Tan family. So I discussed it with father. Father said since the Duan Prince is so considerate, we shouldn’t refuse his kindness, so we agreed.”

Chen Yurou took two deep breaths. So the master agreed again?

That was understandable. The Duan Prince’s willingness to secretly supplement Tan Qingjiu’s dowry showed how much he liked and valued her. As for the dignity of the Tan family, Tan Yun naturally would agree.

But...

Chen Yurou gritted her teeth tightly. Tan Qingjiu had the inventory book, and the Duan Prince was sending someone to count the dowry, but where was she supposed to get the items?

Less than a third of these things were still in her possession.

The rest...

Before she became Madam Tan, she was originally just Tan Yun’s maid. Later, after giving birth to Tan Yunge, she was promoted to concubine. She had no distinguished family or background.

After becoming Madam Tan, she took Shen Nianqing’s dowry as her own and used it.

At first, when she just took over the Tan household, business was poor and she incurred losses.

She used some to win over the other concubines and manage the servants.

She spent some to build connections with other madams in the capital.

When Tan Yunge married, she took a large portion to make up her dowry.

These had all been spent and could never be reclaimed.

Where was she supposed to find these things now to make up for Tan Qingjiu?

Chen Yurou’s heart was in turmoil. She looked up at Tan Qingjiu, about to speak, but was suddenly interrupted.

“I carefully reviewed my mother’s dowry list these days. Besides gold, silver, jade, jewelry, and the villa, there are also many shops. Those shops are quite established and should be profitable after all these years of management, right, madam?”

“Madam, you’ve worked hard for so many years. I won’t pursue the profits you’ve made all these years. Just consider it my token of gratitude...” Tan Qingjiu smiled pleasantly. “So, madam, shall we settle it like this?”

“Tomorrow, that nanny will move into our Tan household. Madam, I’ll trouble you to cooperate then.”

Tan Qingjiu stood up. “There’s nothing else. I’ll take my leave now.”

As she spoke, she seemed to recall something. “Ah, right, I made more than one copy of the dowry book. Madam, you should keep a copy as a base record. It will be convenient for you to check later.”