Madam Sun’s face turned ashen. Reluctantly, she knelt before Feng Jin, saying, “Madam Sun pays her respects to the County Princess. May the County Princess have peace.”
“Rise,” Feng Jin waved her hand casually. It was rare for the shrewd Madam Sun to suffer a loss.
“Granny Yun is truly brilliant, having the Sun clan completely in her grasp. I must learn from her well.”
“Madam Sun, remember the distinction between high and low status. The difference between the legitimate wife and concubine is like that between heaven and earth. The primary duty of a new wife is to care for the children of the principal wife. In essence, you are no more than a servant to the principal wife’s children.”
Granny Yun slowly rose and walked before Madam Sun, her tone disdainful. “I also heard that you, Madam Sun, were once pregnant before marriage and forced the former principal wife to take you in. With such conduct, it’s no wonder Miss Feng would act so disrespectfully.”
“You once signed the document for taking a concubine. A concubine is of low status, and concubines can be bought and sold. Once lowly, always lowly!”
Madam Sun’s face was extremely unpleasant, but she still managed a smile, accepting Granny Yun’s reprimands.
Feng Yuanping also felt embarrassed. After all, Madam Sun was the one he personally elevated to the position of principal wife. To have her insulted in such a manner now made him lose face as well.
“Prime Minister, I am here under the Empress Dowager’s command. Madam Sun disrespected the principal wife before, and now disrespects嘉宁 County Princess. My guidance is for her own good, and for your sake, Prime Minister.”
“In my Southern Chu, etiquette is paramount. The distinction between legitimate and concubine children is clear, and favoring concubines over wives is a grave offense. The current Empress Dowager despises such individuals the most. My actions are to vindicate you, Prime Minister, to let the Empress Dowager and His Majesty know that you are in accord with them.”
Feng Yuanping quickly rose and cupped his hands in thanks. “Granny speaks the truth. I am entrusted with important duties by His Majesty, and naturally, I am of one mind with the Empress Dowager and His Majesty. Granny’s words are truly for my benefit, and I thank you.”
“Madam Sun, why aren’t you quickly thanking Granny for her guidance?”
“Husband…” Madam Sun looked at Feng Yuanping in disbelief. Upon seeing Feng Yuanping’s cold, stern face, Madam Sun’s heart sank completely.
“Thank you for your guidance, Granny. Today, I am fortunate to have received your instruction, which will benefit me for a lifetime.”
Feng Jin struggled to suppress her laughter. It was truly spectacular, absolutely magnificent.
She was trying her utmost to resist the urge to stand up and applaud.
“Prime Minister, has the dowry all been brought?”
“It’s all outside. Please, Granny.” Feng Yuanping gestured for Granny Yun to walk outside.
Feng Jin had initially thought the betrothal gifts from the Ling family were substantial. But now, after seeing贺妙清’s dowry from back then, she realized what she had seen before was nothing compared to this.
No wonder the Empress Dowager had mentioned that贺妙清 brought a dowry of a million taels when she married into the Feng family.
The silver alone amounted to a million taels, and the gold was as much as a hundred thousand taels.
The rest of the pearl hairpins, jade rings, and rare treasures were countless.
Even the tea sets were either gold or jade. A single teacup was enough for an ordinary family to live on for a lifetime.
Feng Jin was even more perplexed. With such a large family fortune, how could贺妙清’s mind have been so clouded as to insist on marrying that scumbag, Feng Yuanping?
At that time, Feng Yuanping had no power or influence. His family were merchants, the most lowly of professions, and he was merely a third-place scholar. Unless her eyes were faulty.
Granny Yun went through the dowry list one by one.
“Madam He’s dowry included a crown inlaid with rubies. This one… it seems it has been replaced.”
“This set of crowns is indeed my sister’s… the former principal wife’s dowry. Perhaps it was stored in the treasury for too long, and the gems were covered in dust. It’s understandable that Granny couldn’t recognize it at first.”
Madam Sun explained with some guilt. The ruby crown belonging to贺妙清 was a replica she had commissioned. The real one had already been placed in Feng Ruoyan’s dowry chest.
Granny Yun snorted coldly and threw the crown onto the ground. “Gemstones covered in dust… only secondary, inferior gems get covered in dust. When this ruby crown was crafted, only the finest materials were used. Each gem was priceless.”
“Moreover, it was crafted by Master Luo Yang. Master Luo Yang’s name is carved on the back of the ruby crown. This crown has nothing on the back. Madam Sun, even if you forge something, you should make it more convincing. With so many flaws, it’s difficult for me not to notice.”
Feng Yuanping picked up the crown from the ground to examine it. He had seen贺妙清 wear this ruby crown before. At the time, he had even reprimanded妙清 for its excessive splendor and ostentation.
The crown in his hand, although a clever imitation, had inferior gems and shoddy craftsmanship. It was obviously a fake. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
*Crack!* Feng Yuanping, enraged, slapped Madam Sun across the face.
Madam Sun was sent sprawling to the ground. Covering her injured face, she stared at Feng Yuanping, stunned.
“You wretched woman, your heart is blinded by greed! You even had designs on妙清’s dowry! It’s all my fault for spoiling you too much. Hurry up and apologize to Feng Jin!”
Madam Sun recovered and quickly said, “Feng…” Before she could utter “Feng Jin,” she saw Granny Yun’s expression and hastily changed her words: “County Princess, it was I who was wrong. I had a moment of wickedness, thinking that since your sister was marrying, she should have a respectable dowry. That’s why… County Princess, for the sake of my love for my daughter, please be magnanimous and forgive me this once.”
“Feng Jin, your mother was also thinking of your sister, and she was momentarily foolish. Please be magnanimous and forgive her this once.”
Feng Yuanping also persuaded her. This was the first time he had bowed to his own daughter.
“If you want me to forgive her, then return my mother’s dowry. Father, you know that this was an imperial decree issued by the Empress Dowager in front of all the officials. Disobeying the decree is tantamount to disrespecting the Empress Dowager, a crime we cannot afford to bear.”
With the Empress Dowager as her backing, if she didn’t use this to suppress Feng Yuanping and Madam Sun, she would be letting down the Empress Dowager’s favor.
“The County Princess speaks the truth. Everything we have done is in compliance with the Empress Dowager’s decree. Disrespecting the Empress Dowager is a crime punishable by annihilation.”
Granny Yun was indeed the strongest supporter, her every word struck at the enemy’s vital points.
“I will retrieve the crown now,” Madam Sun said nervously and hurriedly ordered her servants to bring back all the dowry items that had been replaced.
The people Granny Yun brought had followed the Empress Dowager for many years and were known for their swift and decisive methods. The dowry was quickly tallied.
They even accurately accounted for every single hairpin that was missing.
“Prime Minister Feng, you have two days to make up for the missing and damaged dowry items. If there are any discrepancies, you will personally appear before the Empress Dowager in the palace to explain.”
“Granny, please rest assured. We will replenish all the dowry items within two days. The Empress Dowager is not in good health; please do not trouble her with such minor matters. We implore Granny to be understanding.”
Having navigated the treacherous waters of officialdom for many years, Feng Yuanping had honed his skills in speaking appropriately to different people and presenting different faces. He was now doing his utmost to placate Granny Yun.