The maid sent by Old Madame Si was chased out of the courtyard, fuming, by Meng Yihuan’s people.
However, Meng Yihuan knew full well that Old Madame Si would not give up so easily. She turned to Qiuxin and instructed, "Have someone go and invite Doctor Yue over again."
Since this "good" mother-in-law was ill, she might as well take the initiative to go and watch the spectacle herself. It would preemptively silence any future attempts to use the virtue of filial piety as a cudgel against her.
*
"What did you say? The First Madam actually refused?"
At Cihui Residence, Old Madame Si’s eyes went wide with shock upon hearing the maid’s report. This was the first time in years she had been shut out by Meng Yihuan.
Xue Wanrou was also taken aback. "Has the sister-in-law lost her mind? She refused a request made by Mother—that is nothing short of unfilial!"
"It is rebellion! Pure rebellion! Someone, go to Hanyi Residence and drag the First Madam here! I am going to teach this unfilial daughter-in-law a lesson!" Old Madame Si fumed, beating her chest and stamping her feet.
"There is no need, Mother. I have come to check on you without needing to be summoned." Before the words had even faded, Meng Yihuan appeared in the doorway.
Hearing her voice, Old Madame Si glared at her viciously and scolded, "So you still know how to show your face? I am your mother-in-law! Why did you refuse to provide the two thousand taels I requested for my illness? Do you have any idea how unfilial that is? I have every reason to punish you, and you would be condemned by everyone if this got out!"
Meng Yihuan walked in from the courtyard, unhurried, a faint smile on her face. "If Mother is ill and needs money, you may simply draw it from the accounts department. I never stood in your way. How is that unfilial?"
"Sister-in-law, surely there isn't enough in the accounts? As a daughter-in-law, what is the harm in spending a little money on Mother?" Xue Wanrou chimed in from the side.
"And you are also a daughter-in-law, why don't you spend your money? In all the years I have been married into the Earl's Mansion, I have managed the household affairs and subsidized the expenses with my own dowry to the tune of nearly one hundred thousand taels. How much have you subsidized?" Meng Yihuan’s gaze turned sharp as she looked at Xue Wanrou.
"I..." Xue Wanrou choked on her words.
She was merely the daughter of a concubine from a minor eighth-rank official’s family. When she married into the Earl's Mansion, she brought only a few trunks of junk. How could she possibly compare to Meng Yihuan, a daughter of a first-rank noble family? From the beginning, she had felt inferior in front of Meng Yihuan, and only found a sense of superiority later when she saw Si Yunhui’s love for her and how they managed to play Meng Yihuan for a fool. Now, being asked so directly, she felt as if her face were being ground into the dust.
"The Second Madam’s background does not compare to yours; she lacks the ability and cannot help. You are different—you have the means but refuse to help. That is unfilial!" Old Madame Si spoke up with dissatisfaction.
Xue Wanrou immediately puffed herself up. "Mother is right! Sister-in-law, you have the ability but remain indifferent; that is clearly being unfilial. Aren't you afraid of what people will say if this gets out?" She believed that as long as she slapped the label of "filial piety" on Meng Yihuan, she would have no choice but to obey.
Meng Yihuan had anticipated this. She turned to the servant behind her and asked, "Go and see if Doctor Yue has arrived."
"First Madam, don't try to dodge the issue. Are you going to give us that two thousand taels or not?" Xue Wanrou pressed.
"No."
"You—"
"However, I have invited Doctor Yue to come and check on Mother's health. Since Mother is ill, the natural course of action is to see a doctor, not to simply demand silver. If the doctor determines that Mother truly requires this much silver for her treatment, and you, Second Madam, are truly penniless, then I shall provide it. But if that is not the case..." Meng Yihuan’s tone shifted, and she looked at the two of them with mockery. "Are you conspiring to swindle my dowry? I wonder what people would say if this were to get out."
"Since the treatment is for me, I have my own doctor; I do not need your Doctor Yue. Someone, go and fetch Doctor Liu! Let him tell the First Madam about my condition!" Old Madame Si was both pleased and nervous upon hearing Meng Yihuan. She was pleased that Meng Yihuan was willing to pay once the illness was confirmed, but nervous because her illness could not be verified by someone from Meng Yihuan’s side.
However, how could Meng Yihuan agree to that? She chuckled softly. "Mother, since I am the one providing the money, I must naturally invite a doctor I trust to examine you. Otherwise, I will not pay."
"You... this is preposterous!" Old Madame Si was choked with anger. This was the first time Meng Yihuan had ever defied her like this. Of course, this was also the first time she had ever faked an illness.
"Sister-in-law, Mother has always been accustomed to Doctor Liu and only trusts his medical skills. Mother has already said to let Doctor Liu explain her condition, why must you be so redundant and defy her?" Xue Wanrou couldn't help but complain to Meng Yihuan.
Meng Yihuan arched a brow. "I am only having Doctor Yue come to see what exactly Mother is suffering from; I did not say he must be the one to treat her. Why are you both so agitated? Could it be that Mother’s illness is fake? Are you afraid Doctor Yue will see through it, and then..."
"What nonsense are you spouting? I... I am simply not used to being examined by others! If you are unwilling, then forget it!" Seeing Meng Yihuan’s look, which seemed to see right through their scheme, Old Madame Si immediately felt guilty and spoke up.
Although she wanted to extract money from Meng Yihuan, she did not want her charade of illness to be exposed in public. If that got out, she would lose all face. Two thousand taels was not worth more than her reputation. Besides, as long as Meng Yihuan was in the Earl's Mansion, she could ask for money whenever she was actually ill! She could also continue to bleed her dry through food, clothing, and the costs of banquets and birthdays.
"Since Mother says so, I shall defer to your wishes. It seems Mother's illness is nothing serious after all. These servants, really—spreading such rumors." Meng Yihuan feigned a reprimand to her maid and then turned to leave. Just as she reached the door, she turned back and cast a casual, indifferent smile at Old Madame Si.
"Oh, right, Mother. There is one thing I must tell you. Since the Earl is now deceased, leaving me a lone woman to care for two children, the pressure is immense. From now on, I will no longer be subsidizing the Earl's Mansion with my dowry. If your allowance is not enough for your expenses, then please... learn to live within your means."
"What did you say? You—you stop right there!" Old Madame Si was so angry she nearly fainted.
"Mother, do you really want the world to know that the Earl's Mansion has been surviving solely on my dowry?" Meng Yihuan murmured quietly.
Then, watching Old Madame Si’s face flush a deep, mottled red, she walked out of the courtyard in great satisfaction.
"I am furious! I am simply furious!" Old Madame Si threw the tea cup on the table onto the floor with a crash.
Xue Wanrou was equally enraged, but she was more concerned about what they should do now. She spoke up anxiously, "Mother, we must still find a way to save Huilang. Meng Yihuan refuses to provide the money—what are we to do? I... I don't have that kind of money left..."