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Chapter 153
The finished embroidery was sold in Xu Xinyue's dowry shop. After deducting the shop's earnings and wages for the maids and servants, the remaining income was added to the Wang family's assets. This way, the household's income and expenses were barely balanced each month.
After proving her capabilities, Xu Xinyue discussed with Wang Dong about buying some shops to start a business, as they couldn't rely solely on rent collection for their livelihood. In the future, when Wang Xiao would marry and have children, the family's expenses would only increase, not decrease.
Wang Dong naturally didn't object; no one would turn down money. To be honest, one of the reasons he had chosen Xu Xinyue was because she had many properties under her name and was wealthy.
With Wang Dong's support, Xu Xinyue began to manage things freely. When she made money, she wasn't stingy either. As a result, the silver sent to Old Master Wang and Old Madam Wang increased.
"How did this extra amount come about?" Old Madam Wang wondered, looking at the additional 50 taels of silver.
"Madam said that from now on, Old Master and Old Madam will each receive a monthly allowance of 30 taels of silver, and the eldest young master will receive 10 taels," the servant replied.
"Monthly allowance?" Old Madam Wang and Old Master Wang exchanged glances, wondering what Xu Xinyue was up to.
"Tell us more about this," Old Master Wang gestured for the servant to explain in detail, holding back Old Madam Wang.
Xu Xinyue had sent someone to deliver the silver, knowing the elders would ask questions, and had specifically chosen someone articulate. The servant explained everything that had happened since Xu Xinyue took over the household management. The elders learned that the family had bought shops, and there were now regulations for monthly bonuses and such.
Old Master Wang waved his hand, dismissing the servant. He looked at Old Madam Wang and said, "We've married a good daughter-in-law."
Old Madam Wang, holding the silver in her hands, couldn't help but agree with Old Master Wang. Xu Xinyue might have had questionable origins, but she could manage the household and earn money for the Wang family, improving their living standards.
If she could give the Wang family a grandson, that would be even better. However, Old Madam Wang worried that if Xu Xinyue had a son, she might not treat Wang Xiao well. She thought it might be better if Xu Xinyue had a daughter first, then a son in a few years. This way, they wouldn't have to worry about Xu Xinyue when Wang Xiao took the imperial examinations.
Li Xia, who had been keeping a close eye on Xu Xinyue, was relieved to see her living comfortably in the Wang family. After reporting to Mrs. Lu, she took Qiu Chan and Qiu Kui to the bookstore.
After the death of the fourth Miss Lu, the Xinhua Bookstore lacked fresh ideas and concepts. Business had been declining. The manager Li Xia had hired was business-savvy and managed to win back some of the lost customers, elevating the bookstore's business to a new level.
To meet the needs of different customers, they needed to stock more books. As the shop was running out of space, the manager informed Li Xia and bought the neighboring shop, connecting the two and renovating them. They separated the novels and academic books, creating different areas for different types of readers.
As Li Xia was about to leave after inspecting the shop, she saw Xu Xinyue coming out of the shop across the street with Qiu Ju.
"How could you go out with just two maids?" Xu Xinyue was concerned about Li Xia being accompanied only by Qiu Chan and Qiu Kui.
"How could it be just the two of them? Don't you see there's another one?" Li Xia pointed to the carriage and driver waiting nearby.
Xu Xinyue pulled Li Xia close and examined her, seeing that she looked well. "I'll send an invitation in a few days. Come to the Wang house." Now that Xu Xinyue was in control of the Wang household, she could ensure Li Xia would be more comfortable during her visit.
"Alright, I'll be waiting," Li Xia nodded.
Within two days, Xu Xinyue sent an invitation to the Li Manor, asking Li Xia to stay at the Wang house for a couple of days. Upon receiving the invitation, Mrs. Lu instructed Chunlu Granny to prepare numerous gifts for Li Xia to bring along.
That night, Mrs. Lu discussed Li Xia's visit to the Wang house with Li Ming.
"You can arrange it as you see fit," Li Ming said, unconcerned about such matters. He had something else on his mind. He wanted to discuss it with Mrs. Lu but, considering her personality, decided to put it off for later.
Li Xia brought the gifts and went to the Wang house. Knowing Li Xia was coming, Xu Xinyue had ordered Qiu Ju to clean the guest quarters thoroughly. Early in the morning, still feeling uneasy, she personally inspected everything again, ensuring that the room was decorated according to Li Xia's preferences.
Li Xia arrived at the Wang house in a carriage. Xu Xinyue was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing the Li family's carriage, she walked towards it before it had even stopped. Qiu Ju and others hurried after her, worried. "Madam, be careful of the carriage!"
The driver quickly stopped the carriage, and Qiu Chan swiftly jumped down and moved to the horse's head to prevent it from getting startled and hurting someone.
Hearing the commotion, Li Xia, without waiting for Qiu Kui and Qiu Ling to act, came out and jumped down from the carriage, standing in front of Xu Xinyue. "Mother, did you miss me?"
"How could you do something as dangerous as jumping off a moving carriage?" Xu Xinyue stepped forward, examining Li Xia to make sure she wasn't hurt. Li Xia remained silent, listening to Xu Xinyue's nagging.
Xu Xinyue held Li Xia's hand as they entered the main courtyard of the Wang house. After they sat down, maids brought in refreshments. Xu Xinyue said nothing, just watching Li Xia eat. Li Xia ate a few pieces and then stopped.
"Why did you stop eating? Is it not to your liking?" Xu Xinyue was very concerned when she saw Li Xia stop eating.
"I just had breakfast not long ago, so I'm not hungry," Li Xia replied. If these refreshments hadn't been ordered by Xu Xinyue, she would have tasted only one piece at most, certainly not several.
"Well, then..." Xu Xinyue didn't know what to say.
Qiu Ju led the servants out of the room, leaving the mother and daughter alone. Seeing that everyone had left, Li Xia sat next to Xu Xinyue. "What's the matter? Have you become distant with your daughter after being the mistress of the house for just a few days?"
"What are you talking about? I might become distant with others, but never with you," Xu Xinyue rolled her eyes upon hearing this.
"Look at how you were acting earlier. Wasn't it as if I were a guest who needed to be courteously entertained?" Li Xia grumbled.
"Alright, I admit my mistake," Xu Xinyue had always been indulgent towards Li Xia.
"How are you doing in the Wang family?" Although Li Xia had heard from Qiu Ling, she still wanted to hear it from Xu Xinyue herself.
"It's quite good. The Old Master and Old Madam have taken Wang Xiao to study at an academy outside the city. With them not around, there's less interaction and fewer problems. As for him? He treats me decently," Xu Xinyue felt her current life was satisfactory.
"You're not getting any younger. Try to have a child. That way, you'll have someone close to you in the Wang family," Li Xia suggested. Xu Xinyue wasn't old; in the post-apocalyptic world, many women her age had children. With proper care, having two children wouldn't be a problem.
"What child? I have you, and that's enough," Xu Xinyue had no intention of having children at all. "I'm just thinking about you getting married in the future and giving me grandchildren. I'll help you take care of them."
"I'm still far too young for that. It'll be several years before I have children. You should have one first to play with," Li Xia had barely finished speaking when Xu Xinyue gave her a light tap on the head.
"Children aren't toys, you silly girl," Xu Xinyue chided. "Never mind about me. Has the Madam arranged betrothals for the three young masters yet?"
"Not for my eldest brother, no. As for my second and third brothers, well, with Concubine An around... No matter what mother approves of, she always finds fault with it," Li Xia filled Xu Xinyue in on the recent happenings in the Li household.