Chapter 54: A Huge Sum of Five Taels a Month

Seeing his innocent expression, Su Dazhuang was speechless. What was going on with these two?

He subtly motioned with his chin to indicate that Madam Zhou was still present.

“Oh, Father-in-law, don’t worry. My mother has plenty of silver. Give her too much and she’ll just get scared.”

“Yes, yes, no need to worry about me. As long as they’re living well, I’m happier than anything. Mingyue can just keep the money from now on.”

Madam Zhou was a sensible woman. She wasn’t short of money herself. The hundred-plus taels Xiuyan had given her were more than enough. Any more and she wouldn’t sleep soundly.

Besides, she was very satisfied with Mingyue as her daughter-in-law.

Ever since the wedding, Mingyue had used her dowry to support the household. Even the house in the village had been transformed, and she had never uttered a single complaint.

Every day, her little face was full of smiles—it made people feel happy just looking at her.

More importantly, her heart was completely devoted to Xiuyan. Now that she was pregnant too, she was their Shen Family’s greatest benefactor.

It’s just silver! She should take it!

Not that Madam Zhou dared take so much herself. She quietly hoped her in-law would drop this idea soon.

Seeing that both sides were perfectly willing, Su Dazhuang sighed. What else could he say?

He wasn’t bragging, but there weren’t many mothers-in-law this reasonable. His daughter was truly fortunate.

“Young miss, the bird’s nest is ready. Please drink it quickly,” Cui Cui came in carrying a bowl.

Su Mingyue pouted. “Ah, do I have to drink it again…?”

She looked utterly unwilling.

Su Dazhuang couldn’t hold back and gave her a flick on the forehead. “It’s such good stuff—others can’t even get their hands on it.”

Su Mingyue complained, “Dad, you don’t understand. Ever since I got pregnant, I’ve been drinking this bird’s nest non-stop. Who could possibly handle this much of it?”

“Huh?”

Shen Xiuyan scratched his head awkwardly. “I asked the physician. He said drinking it daily is good for her health.”

Su Mingyue mercilessly exposed him, “Do you know? He buys bird’s nest by the catty! Who does that? He doesn’t even get that much allowance each month—how can he afford it?”

That’s right. To avoid continuing to drink the bird’s nest, Su Mingyue hadn’t spent a single coin on it. It had all come from Shen Xiuyan’s five taels a month allowance.

Su Dazhuang suddenly realized something was off. “Wait, allowance? You’re telling me my son-in-law’s monthly spending is fixed?”

Su Mingyue nodded and held up five fingers. “Of course. Five taels a month!”

Su Dazhuang: “……”

Speechless.

What could five taels even buy? Not even enough to treat someone to drinks, let alone for a scholar who regularly attended banquets!

He was about to scold his daughter for being ridiculous, but Madam Zhou chimed in first. “Oh my, five taels? Mingyue, you’re too generous. I say one tael would be enough.”

In her mind, five taels could support their whole family for a year.

Giving that much every month was astronomical.

Su Mingyue shook her head. “Better not. My husband needs a bit of silver on him for social occasions.”

“Mingyue is truly considerate. How did our Shen Family get so lucky to marry you?” Madam Zhou couldn’t help but pinch her cute little face.

Seeing his son-in-law nodding along, Su Dazhuang’s worldview shattered. Five taels a month was enough?

People really were different.

Never mind his daughter—he wanted to marry Shen Xiuyan if he were a woman!

He thought about how he spent his days struggling with inventory and accounts, earning every coin with sweat.

Then he looked at his daughter, who did nothing and watched money pour in like water. Why was her life so good?

Jealousy!

While Mingyue was miserably slurping down bird’s nest, Shen Xiuyan finally remembered to care about his younger brother.

“Yuanming, how’s your studying going lately?”

Madam Zhou excitedly chimed in, “Quite well! His tutor even praised him before we came, told him not to let play interfere with his studies.”

“Oh?” Shen Xiuyan was surprised. “Yuanming, come with me.”

“Yes, brother.”

After a round of assessment, Shen Xiuyan found the boy quite clever. He’d only been held back because of poverty.

He asked with satisfaction, “Do you like studying?”

Shen Yuanming nodded enthusiastically. “Yes!”

“Good. Then work hard and strive to earn a title for yourself someday.”

“Yes!” With his elder brother’s approval, Yuanming’s eyes sparkled.

When the two came out of the study, Su Dazhuang was even more anxious than Madam Zhou. “How’s Yuanming’s progress?”

Shen Xiuyan nodded. “He has the aptitude for it.”

“Oh, that’s great. In-law, you’ll have good fortune ahead. Who knows, maybe both children will achieve success.”

Su Dazhuang’s eyes lit up. He hoped Shen Xiuyan’s younger brother would also take the path of civil exams.

After all, in this era, in-laws were the best kind of connections.

That would be his greatest support!

Madam Zhou responded enthusiastically, “Hahaha, no, you’re the impressive one—for raising a daughter like Mingyue. If it weren’t for her pushing my son, he’d never have passed the exams. Might not even have passed Xiucai by now!”

She firmly believed this was the power of love. After all, Xiuyan had failed the Xiucai exam three times.

But ever since he started liking Su Mingyue, everything in the imperial exams had gone smoothly.

Thinking that way, Mingyue really was their family’s lucky star!

People always said some women brought prosperity to their husbands—she had seen it firsthand this time. It was real!

Even the ancestral tomb must be shining now!

Su Dazhuang was delighted hearing his daughter praised. Who didn’t enjoy compliments about their own child? He immediately took it upon himself to plan Shen Yuanming’s future.

“Yuanming shouldn’t fall behind in his studies even in the capital. Tomorrow I’ll go visit my eldest brother-in-law—he knows a lot of people in the Capital City. Maybe he can help secure a spot at an academy. I think the one his son attends is quite good.”

Shen Xiuyan thought this was a great idea. There were a lot of idle rich kids in the Capital City, and if Yuanming could attend the same academy as Liu Zhiqi, his introverted little brother would at least have someone looking out for him, so he wouldn’t get bullied.

But this would probably mean some trouble for the old man.

After all, remembering the way his uncle jumped around in fury last time, a beating seemed inevitable…

Thinking of this, Shen Xiuyan smiled slightly, choosing with hidden malice not to warn him.