Chapter 68: Managing the Dowry and New Arrangements

Yin Shi discussed with Wang Baogui the management of her private assets, feeling quite satisfied with his work capability.

After a moment’s thought, she said, “Thank you for your hard work. From now on, besides the monthly allowance the Shen family gives you, I will add an extra five qian of silver each month.”

Actually, Wang Baogui and Yin Shi were not very familiar with each other.
Before a bride’s wedding, she must keep herself out of sight, rarely meeting anyone. They had only met a few times on the boat and had little chance to talk or get acquainted.

Now that the marriage was settled, Yin Shi finally met him properly. Face to face, Yin Shi observed him, and he likewise observed her.

She spoke clearly and systematically, asking detailed questions about the houses and shops—how to rent them out, which brokers to find, what formalities to handle at the magistrate’s office. Wang Baogui was quietly surprised.

The Yin family had many daughters, and male servants were not allowed to casually inquire about their mistresses. Before he was assigned to be Yin Shi’s attendant, he neither knew her nor had seen her.
Later, the old grandmaster assigned him to be attendant to the girl promised to the capital’s Shen Tan Hua. He quickly inquired and realized she was the same girl the senior monk from Donglin Temple had taken as a recorded disciple—that’s when he connected the dots.

Wang Baogui had three children at home, his sons all in their rebellious youth, draining the family’s resources.

He hadn’t expected Yin Shi to be so generous. Upon hearing her offer, his eyes lit up with joy, and he hurriedly stood and bowed, “Thank you, young mistress.”

Yin Shi said, “Thank you for your efforts.”
Then added, “I have nothing more for you now, you may go.”

Wang Baogui knew she wanted to speak with Zhao Baojin.

Zhao Baojin was originally just an ordinary servant at the gate. Because he married Yin Shi’s former personal maid, he was suddenly reassigned as her attendant—a role Yin Shi herself requested. Everyone envied him.

Wang Baogui understood that compared to himself, Zhao Baojin was more like Yin Shi’s “own person.”

He tactfully withdrew to give them space.

Yin Shi smiled at Baojin, “Don’t envy him too much. He’s more senior and has more responsibilities.”

She gave Wang Baogui extra allowance, and Zhao Baojin clearly envied that.

Baojin smiled, “Of course I envy him, but it’s what Uncle Baogui deserves. I’ve learned a lot following him these past days and gained much experience.”

Yin Shi had learned about Baojin’s character from Yun Juan but hadn’t had a chance to interact directly. Seeing him now, he was indeed a young man with a good personality.

She asked, “Before leaving Huaixi, I told Yun Juan to teach you to read. How is it going?”

Baojin replied, “The two storybooks the madam gave me, I can basically read through. Some characters I still don’t write correctly, but reading sentences in context helps me recognize them.”

“That’s good. I don’t expect you to be highly learned, but at least you shouldn’t be illiterate.” Yin Shi told him. “My dowry is enough for Wang Baogui to manage alone. You, I want you to follow the Hanlin.”

Baojin was overjoyed.

The Yin family were merchants; when the county magistrate came, old Yin was always courteous.

When Shen Tan Hua arrived, Baojin was already serving at the gate and witnessed how even the magistrate treated Shen Ti politely.

Everyone said Baojin’s rise was meteoric, all thanks to his wife—it truly was.

He hurriedly bowed, “Yes, madam.”

Yin Shi had more instructions: “The Hanlin is very particular. Just do well what you’re told, and never try to be smart on your own.”

Baojin clicked his tongue, “The Hanlin is like a celestial scholar incarnate. Before him, I dare not be ‘smart.’”

“Old celestial scholar,” Yin Shi nearly laughed.

She added, “The Hanlin’s most trusted man is called Ping Mo. He is like a foster brother to the Hanlin. When you see him, be respectful. If you don’t know what to do, learn from him. If you want to have dignity and success in front of the Hanlin, observe Ping Mo closely—speak less, watch more, and learn.”

Baojin listened seriously and nodded, “Got it.”

Yin Shi was satisfied with both attendants and smiled, “I’ll add two qian of silver monthly for you from now on.”

Baojin was delighted beyond words, almost swearing he would never disgrace the young mistress.

Yin Shi stood up: “Come, let’s go meet the Hanlin.”

The meeting with her attendants took quite some time. Attendants mainly handled the dowry assets. Yin Shi cared greatly about money matters and was naturally detailed in her inquiries.

Meanwhile, Shen Ti drank tea and took out his zither, tuning the strings.

The hum of the zither filled the room. He thought about how his cousin, though specially trained by their grandfather, was still a sheltered lady who had only studied in theory. He resolved to personally oversee things to prevent her from being deceived by servants.

The music buzzed on as half a tune played. He wondered why she was taking so long.

Jingrong Court was not the place he lived before marriage; since he moved here, Yin Shi had been here too. They shared this courtyard from the beginning.

Without her, the house was quiet and empty, especially after the removal of many festive decorations.

Finally, a maid announced, “Hanlin, the young mistress invites you.”

Shen Ti put down his zither and got up.

He stepped out of the main room to find Yin Shi speaking with a young servant in the courtyard. Seeing him, she smiled warmly and said, “Ji Yun, come meet my attendants.”

Shen Ti descended the stairs.

It was the first formal meeting with Zhao Baojin, who immediately knelt and kowtowed: “My name is Zhao Baojin. Greetings to the Hanlin.”

Shen Ti accepted the greeting: “Stand up.”

Baojin stood briskly.

Yin Shi said, “This is Baojin I mentioned. His wife used to be my personal maid. After she married, Kui’er was promoted.”

If it weren’t for the old monk’s meddling delaying her marriage for three years, Baojin’s wife should have been her chief maid in the dowry—like Qin Mama, who might one day become her trusted housekeeper.

In fact, Yin Shi’s life had only spanned eighteen years, and that maid had accompanied her for much of it—just like Ping Mo was to Shen Ti.

Shen Ti studied Baojin.

In the courtyard and corridors, maids were busy working or walking. Baojin kept his eyes lowered and didn’t look around indiscriminately, showing great respect and proper manners.

He was young and fairly decent-looking.

Shen Ti asked, “What did you do in the Yin household?”

Baojin replied, “I was at the gate, receiving invitations and visiting cards, transmitting messages, directing carriages—welcoming and sending off guests.”

His speech was clear, with only a slight accent, and his Mandarin was good.

Shen Ti nodded, “You’ll follow me from now on.”

Though Yin Shi had already told Baojin, Shen Ti’s decision was the final confirmation.

Baojin respectfully replied, “Yes.”

Shen Ti called over Chang Chuan: “This is Baojin. He will be with me from now on. Take him to meet Ping Mo and let Ping Mo arrange things.”

Chang Chuan replied, “Yes.”

Yin Shi smiled and patted the topknot on Chang Chuan’s head: “Tell Ping Mo that Baojin will listen to his arrangements, and don’t forget Baojin’s monthly pay.”

Chang Chuan covered his head, “Got it.”

He left with Baojin.

Yin Shi watched them leave and turned to find Shen Ti looking at her.

She touched her face, “Is there something on my face?”

Shen Ti flicked his sleeve and turned back inside, “So petty.”

Yin Shi smiled and followed, “I just worry Ping Mo might forget.”

Money must accompany responsibility. The extra she gave was a bonus; the monthly salary came from the Shen household.

Shen Ti said, “You forget, Ping Mo wouldn’t forget.”

Yin Shi asked, “Is Ping Mo very capable?”

“Yes.” Back in the next room, sitting on the couch, Shen Ti said, “Ping Mo was personally trained by my grandfather, especially for me.”

No wonder he seemed capable, with sharp speech and mannerisms.

Yin Shi was envious.

Shen Ti asked, “How about the other one?”

“Huh?”

“The one managing your dowry.”

“Not bad.” Yin Shi brightened. “Grandfather picked him.”

Grandfathers were reliable.

Shen Ti’s father was quite reliable too. Actually, Yin Shi’s eldest uncle was also dependable.

Only her own father, Yin San, was unreliable.

Thanks to that unreliable father and her lax stepmother, Yin Shi had lived freely these past ten years. If she had been born in the main branch, it would have been hard to fool the eldest uncle, and with the elder aunt’s stronger sense of responsibility, the entire coming-of-age and marriage arrangements would have been clearly planned.

Just thinking about it made her feel suffocated.

Shen Ti said, “If anything happens to your dowry, you can come to me.”

Thinking of his imminent return to official duties, spending days at Hanlin courtyard and palace, he added, “If you can’t find me, look for Ping Mo. He usually stays in the outer courtyard.”

“Eh, doesn’t he follow you everywhere?”

“No, he doesn’t. I have six attendants; Ping Mo arranges their shifts. Baojin will make seven.”

“Oh, you start your duties tomorrow, right?”

That gleam of excitement in her eyes was unmistakable.

“….” Shen Ti slowly put down his teacup, “From now on, you need to get up fifteen minutes earlier than these past days, and breakfast too. So, sister, adjust your schedule to keep pace with me to avoid disrupting my morning exercises.”

Yin Shi: “Ah?”

Shen Ti drummed his fingers lightly on his leg, “My official clothes, hat, boots, and leather belt—pay attention and get them ready every day.”

Yin Shi: “…”

Even though there were maids?

Before, the maids must have taken care of those things. Green Yan and He Xin earned the salary of first-class maids.

…Well, she herself drew the twenty taels of the principal wife’s allowance. These things were indeed the wife’s responsibility.

But if he stayed here tonight, his time in Jingrong Court was too long.

It was okay just after marriage, but now that he was an adult, the atmosphere grew charged with desire. If not released, trouble would brew.

The deeper reason: today he crossed a boundary and held her hand. She needed to control the distance and pace.

Yin Shi thought for a moment and suggested, “Why don’t you live over there instead?”

Shen Ti’s tapping fingers paused.

“I think you don’t need to worry too much,” Yin Shi said earnestly. “Usually, a favored concubine overtaking the wife means the wife has long held grievances, often complaining to others, or the wife and concubines fight and cause a scandal.”

“I won’t quarrel with little Feng. Our household is harmonious, so you won’t get a bad reputation.”

“You can go boldly and confidently.”

Shen Ti stared intently into Yin Shi’s eyes, trying to see what she truly thought.

Yin Shi… sincerely wanted him to leave.