The topic changed course, and at that moment, the housekeeper also brought the food up.
Today's family dinner was particularly lavish because of Gu Baijiang.
There was Stewed Duck with Youxi Herbs, Seven Star Fish Ball Soup, Soft Braised Zhukang Fish, Dragon Body Phoenix Tail Shrimp, Clear Stewed Whole Chicken, Vinegar Slice Pork, Braised White Mushrooms, Stir-fried Black Mountain Goat, Crispy Braised Pork, and various pastries. The standard increased by several levels.
And amidst these, several cuisines were included, showing that there is a master chef in the kitchen, contrasting with the daily sparse servings for their branch of the family.
Thinking of the daily two meat and two vegetable dishes sent to the courtyard, the difference felt too perfunctory.
Actually, when she was setting rules in the main courtyard at the old lady's place, she never saw her eating these dishes. The hierarchy within this mansion was indeed...
Bai Suihe rarely saw so many dishes after being here for so long, and as they looked fragrant and delicious, she joined in once the two elders started eating.
However, she didn't notice Xu Huizhen glaring at her several times. Why was Ms. Bai without tact today? Without setting any rules.
Even if Gu Baijiang was present, the rules couldn't be established, but Ms. Bai's actions still fueled her anger, making her feel that everything was going wrong because of Ms. Bai.
Bai Suihe didn't care much, feeling the previous kitchen treatment to their branch was too perfunctory. If half of the culinary skills were used, she wouldn't need Chun Xiang to fetch food from restaurants daily.
Her manner of eating naturally drew the Gu family's attention, but considering she was pregnant, they took it as normal since pregnant women tend to eat more.
As for whether the kitchen would deliver more meals to their branch, that was beyond their control.
Gu Baijiang did not stay long after eating, taking his two sons to the study. The old lady wanted to follow but was dissuaded by a glance.
Bai Suihe was contemplating finding an excuse to leave when the old lady called her to stay, along with the other members of the second branch.
"Liu, you know the temperament of your maternal family. The mansion needs to find a way to arrange this amount of silver.
Their husbands are indifferent to the matters of the mansion; if things get difficult, it's just us women having to manage."
Liu Yun looked at her two sisters-in-law, feeling troubled, "Mother, I truly can't decide this; at most, I can add ten taels personally, but any more would be difficult."
Xu Yulan, "Mother, I will also add ten taels."
Bai Suihe, "...Mother, then..."
"Ms. Bai, I know you are filial, so you can cover the remaining more than two hundred taels." Before Bai Suihe could speak, the old lady said, "I'll have Nanny Zhou retrieve it later."
Playing this hand with her, wasn't this shamelessly passing the buck?
Bai Suihe, "How can I overstep big sister-in-law and second sister-in-law? I can contribute eight taels."
"Ms. Bai, didn't you hear what I said clearly?"
Bai Suihe widened her eyes, "There's a difference in rank and age order; I dare not violate the etiquette, or who knows how outsiders will regard it if it spreads."
"It's just a few of us here; who would speak out?" Xu Yulan was anxious, feeling the opportunity slipping away, unable to endure it.
"Second sister-in-law, it doesn't matter if it spreads, but in my heart, I respect my mother and both sisters-in-law, not daring to overstep." Bai Suihe remained unmoved; even eight taels felt painful as it would be like throwing it into the water with no sound, while giving it to them would invite criticism.
"I'll have Chun Mei deliver it later; my body feels increasingly unwell, with legs slightly weak. I'll take my leave now." Bai Suihe felt certain that with Gu Baijiang in the mansion, even if the three mother-in-law and daughter-in-law wanted to, they wouldn't dare go too far.
Sure enough, they all held back their anger, watching her leave, causing Bai Suihe to chuckle slightly after exiting. If it weren't for some time before the family was due to be seized, she would have pretended to be ill all the time.
"Rascal," an exasperated scolding came from behind, accompanied by the sound of a teacup smashing to the ground.
"I'll add a bit more, Yulan, take 50 taels back tomorrow."
"But..."
"If it's not enough, let them find their solutions. When the Gu family built the ancestral hall, it was only a few dozen taels. How could the Xu family be grander than the Gu family?"
The old lady looked at Xu Yulan with some dissatisfaction; she was old but not confused, knowing what Xu Yulan intended.
Xu Yulan didn't dare to speak anymore, feeling slightly guilty, so the matter was temporarily brushed over.
☆
Returning to her courtyard, Bai Suihe did not rest immediately but wandered slowly in the backyard. Having eaten somewhat already, she had some more of today's delicious meals, needing to digest.
Feeling the fetal movement from her belly, Bai Suihe finally let the two maids leave to nurture feelings with her daughter.
"Mother, are you unhappy?" The baby perceived Bai Suihe's emotions, "Is there something displeasing?"
"Mother is fine," hearing the child's concerned voice, Bai Suihe recalled hearing from a friend that a mother's mood during pregnancy affects the fetus, so she quickly emptied her mind, hoping the child would be joyful and bright when born.
"Seeing your grandfather today, with his righteous face, I couldn't imagine he would embezzle military funds."
Bai Suihe had read a book, knowing Gu Baijiang took the fall for the Third Prince, but he wasn't entirely innocent; he did partake in the embezzlement.
However, in the book, it wasn't detailed, only mentioning that the embezzled silver finally became Gu Antong's stepping stone, securing her entry into the Third Prince's inner circle, advising him, standing equal to other princes.
Yet, it seemed that during the confiscation, nothing was found, so where was the silver stored?
The Gu Mansion always lived humbly, giving outsiders the illusion of the Gu family being frugal and upright, living a modest life.
"The baby doesn't know either," feeling unable to help her mother today, the baby sounded a bit aggrieved.
"It's nothing, I'm just lamenting that appearances can be deceiving. The Gu family being implicated and exiled is not entirely unjust." Bai Suihe thought of the book's vague recording, but remembered the protagonist's bright eyes upon entering the treasury, and organizing people from the Third Prince to move things overnight, reflecting the vastness of the sum.
"It's just a pity that such a substantial fortune became a dowry for the Third Prince."
...
The fifth day
Early in the morning, magpies chattered on branches. Before Bai Suihe even got up, the courtyard was already bustling.
Today, Mrs. Bai was coming to the mansion, and Dong Mei and others were more attentive than Bai Suihe.
They instructed the household maids early in the morning to sweep and rearrange the flowers, and sent a few more reminders to the main kitchen.
When Bai Suihe got up, the two maids had already prepared everything, "Mother probably won't come to the mansion this early."
These words evidently backfired, as shortly after finishing breakfast, Bai Suihe heard from the front courtyard that Mrs. Bai had already arrived.
She was currently headed to the main courtyard to first greet the old madam.
Having straightened her clothes and skirt, Bai Suihe hurriedly led the maid to the main courtyard, where everyone was in a joyous mood.