"I wasn't aware," Xiao Chengyi said in shock.
"It's not too late for the General to know now. Since there's a new madam in the mansion, I should tactfully step down. From now on, all expenses within the mansion are no longer my concern."
Old Mrs. Xiao felt a surge of displeasure and was about to speak, but Xiao Chengyi interrupted, "Zhen'er is already pregnant, and how could she possibly manage those trivial matters?"
Shen Ruoxi chuckled softly and looked at Xiao Chengyi, saying lightly, "As if I could handle it back in the day? Xiao Chengyi, don't forget, before I married you, I was someone who rode unrestrained and enjoyed freedom."
As soon as her words fell, Xiao Chengyi recalled the scene of her riding and hunting that day. She was dressed in a dazzling red outfit, radiating brilliance, stunning and unparalleled.
He murmured, "Very well, since you have no heart for this, I'll take on this responsibility for Zhen'er. Please list out all expenses from the past two years, and I will repay them to you in the future."
Shen Ruoxi smiled faintly, her eyes shining brightly, "Alright, I'll have the steward calculate it. Also, I've written down the prescription for Grandmother's medicine. Just follow this formula to get it filled in the future. If there's nothing else, I'll just..."
Before Shen Ruoxi could finish, Old Mrs. Xiao rudely interrupted, "Ruoxi, we are all family here, no need for formalities. Give them the silver to get the medicine. If I don't have my medicine tonight, it will be unbearable."
Her leg pain was a chronic ailment, constantly recurring, at times so severe that she couldn't sleep all night.
Ever since Shen Ruoxi married into the family, she had carefully adjusted her prescriptions, taking medicine twice daily, and the leg pain had never flared up again.
If the medicine was missed tonight, she couldn't imagine if she'd be able to sleep peacefully.
Shen Ruoxi gave a faint smile and said, "Grandmother, the General is already back. How could there be a shortage of silver? I've taken care of you for two years now as a granddaughter-in-law. It's time for the new madam to fulfill her filial duties. I'm tired and will go back to my room to rest."
After speaking, she didn't wait for Old Mrs. Xiao's response, cast a cold glance at Xiao Chengyi, and turned to leave.
A loud crash resounded as Old Mrs. Xiao angrily smashed the teacup on the table to the ground, shouting, "Chengyi, I don't want such an unfilial granddaughter-in-law. Divorce her immediately!"
Standing at the door, Shen Ruoxi heard the commotion inside, a faint, contemptuous smile appeared at the corners of her mouth, and she walked away.
"Please calm down, Grandmother!" Xiao Chengyi pleaded.
Old Mrs. Xiao was still furious, "Chengyi, how can you let her get away with this? Do you know how much dowry she has? How much have we used? It's really chilling how petty she is."
Xiao Chengyi's expression remained indifferent, "Grandmother, the General Mansion bears the Xiao family name, not Shen. Using the wife's dowry to sustain household expenses, wouldn't that disgrace the Xiao family if word got out?
The matter of money, I'll find a way to resolve. What I don't understand is why a prestigious General Mansion has fallen to the point of depending on Shen Ruoxi's dowry to get by!"
Mentioning this, Old Mrs. Xiao became even angrier, "Do you think we want to use her dowry?
Your father died young, and you went off to the border city, leaving only the frail and old in the Xiao family.
Your mother is weak and incompetent. The family businesses can't support the General Mansion's expenses.
She's part of the Xiao family. What's the harm in using a bit of her dowry? We've spoiled her too much, and now she's getting out of hand. She needs to be taught a lesson!"
Xiao Chengyi replied calmly, "Grandmother, now that I'm back, I'll take care of the household expenses. Let's not mention using her dowry again."
Old Mrs. Xiao snorted coldly, "Fine, I don't care now, but you must get the medicine for me. That's all!"
Xiao Chengyi promised, "Grandmother, please wait a moment. I assure you that you will have your medicine before dinner."
Seeing him speak so seriously, Old Mrs. Xiao snorted and didn't say more.
Xiao Chengyi returned to the Plum Garden, where Ning Zhen'er was sure that Shen Ruoxi wouldn't be able to endure, but saw him return with a heavy heart, saying nothing.
"Brother Yi."
Xiao Chengyi put on a smile, "It's indeed not Ruoxi's fault; the General Mansion truly has no money."
"Ah!"
Ning Zhen'er frowned. The esteemed General Mansion has no money? How could that be?
Xiao Chengyi patiently explained, "All the family businesses are in the red. Ruoxi even used her own dowry. Now that I'm back, how could we continue using her dowry for household expenses?"
Ning Zhen'er had a flash of insight and thought to herself: although she isn't skilled in business, she does know many ways to make money!
Ning Zhen'er said with a smile, "Brother Yi, I know how to make crossbows, so naturally I can create other novel things as well.
Rest assured, even without relying on Shen Ruoxi, our General Mansion can overflow with wealth."
Xiao Chengyi heard this and his eyes warmed, "You're my good fortune, Zhen'er. Meeting you was my blessing."
"Of course, I believe so too," Ning Zhen'er replied without concealing.
"It's good to have you," Xiao Chengyi said sincerely.
Ning Zhen'er suddenly frowned, "But I really have no clothes to wear right now."
"The Emperor's reward should arrive soon, just bear it for a couple more days," Xiao Chengyi comforted.
"Brother Yi, you promised me a grand wedding with a ten-mile red bridal procession, eight sedans, and a bridal gift of a thousand gold coins. Don't go back on your word!"
Hearing these words, Xiao Chengyi's expression subtly changed. He once assumed that the General Mansion was financially robust, only to find it's been continuously losing money.
If not for Shen Ruoxi's dowry, the General Mansion would have been hard-pressed to get by. It seemed his previous promises might be difficult to fulfill.
Noticing the change in Xiao Chengyi's demeanor, Ning Zhen'er became slightly displeased, "Brother Yi, are you thinking that since I'm pregnant, I can't leave, so those promises don't matter?"
Xiao Chengyi softly assured, "No such thing. Do you not understand my feelings for you? Even if you wanted the stars in the sky, I'd do my best to fetch them for you. It's just I've only recently learned of the true situation at home; I didn't expect the General Mansion to have such substantial losses."
"I don't care either way; I will work hard to earn money in the future. But for now, you must give me a grand wedding. Once my belly grows, others will gossip."
Xiao Chengyi showed a hesitant expression and said softly, "Could we do it a bit more frugally?"
Ning Zhen'er immediately protested, "Brother Yi, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event! You can't go back on your word."
Xiao Chengyi sighed inwardly, "Alright, I'll think of something."
"You can always borrow."
"Borrow?" Xiao Chengyi furrowed his brow.
"Yes, borrow. You're now a national hero. Many people want to curry favor with you, so borrowing some silver from them shouldn't be an issue."
Though reluctant, Xiao Chengyi acceded to Ning Zhen'er's request.
Moreover, his fame was indeed due to Ning Zhen'er's contributions.
"Alright."
Hearing Xiao Chengyi's promise, Ning Zhen'er finally smiled.
Who was she? She was a time-traveler from the 21st century, capable of anything, destined to leave a lasting legacy in history.