Chapter 5, The Grace of Dripping Water

Therefore, the celebration of Ge's twentieth birthday was to be conducted as usual, except that in the morning she had a bowl of longevity noodles. Wei Li also had someone bring her a pair of gold hollowed-out pear blossom bracelets. Although they were not heavy, their exquisite craftsmanship made them particularly appealing to Ge, who cherished them dearly and felt a sweet happiness in her heart

Ge looked at He in astonishment, tears streaming down her face as if they were free, "Mother, daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law He, how could this happen..." Ge could not help but cry out, "The daughter-in-law feels unworthy of this. " Her hand instinctively moved to rest on her belly

Ms. Ge put the bracelet on her wrist and looked at it several times, her mind occupied with thoughts of Wei Ling, who was studying at Dongshan Academy. She considered how particularly cold this year was and thought she should make him several pairs of gloves and leg guards, and that his cotton shoes should be thicker. Wei Ling was diligently studying at Dongshan Academy in preparation for the provincial examination next year. This time, he did not return for Ms. Ge's birthday. Although he had originally planned to come back, it was Ms. Ge who advised him to focus on his studies and promised that he could celebrate her birthday properly after he succeeded in the examination, which ultimately reassured him. Wei Ling was diligently studying at Dongshan Academy in preparation for the provincial examination next year. This time, he did not return for Ms. Ge's birthday. Although he had originally planned to come back, it was Ms. Ge who advised him to focus on his studies and promised that he could celebrate her birthday properly after he succeeded in the examination, which ultimately reassured him.

Ge did not expect He to say such words, and she immediately felt a pang in her nose. She realized that her persistence had indeed not been in vain, and she felt grateful that He acknowledged her efforts. Ge had been mingling in the circle of noblewomen in the capital for several years. In other families, some mothers-in-law not only failed to recognize their daughters-in-law's filial piety but instead became increasingly critical, leaving those noble ladies with unspoken grievances. To say nothing of other matters, just the daily requirement to serve from morning till night, adhering to strict rules, and even when the husband returned, they were not allowed to go back to the room to serve, which allowed those concubines to take advantage of the situation. This was unbearable, and there was no way to voice their complaints. Ge had been mingling in the circle of noblewomen in the capital for several years. In other families, some mothers-in-law not only failed to recognize their daughters-in-law's filial piety but instead became increasingly critical, leaving those noble ladies with unspoken grievances. To say nothing of other matters, just the daily requirement to serve from morning till night, adhering to strict rules, and even when the husband returned, they were not allowed to go back to the room to serve, which allowed those concubines to take advantage of the situation. This was unbearable, and there was no way to voice their complaints.

Upon seeing her in such a state, He realized that Ge had misunderstood. He sighed, reflecting that he was not as perceptive as Zhu Zhu, and it was unfortunate that Ge had to suffer unnecessarily. "I am not trying to admonish you; everyone is born of their parents. If you marry into my family and disregard your own parents, I would actually look down upon you. This shop is a gift for you, and how you spend it is not my concern. Since your brother has a talent for studying, do not let it go to waste. In the future, once he has completed his studies, he can support each other with Li Ge."

Ge approached He, knowing that his mother-in-law must have something to instruct him

Mother, I cannot accept this, this..." Ge hurriedly placed the box on the table

Thank you, mother. Regarding the gifts from the He family, Ge had anticipated this; it is customary for elders to give small gifts on birthdays.

He pushed a small box in front of Ge and said, "I have nothing special to give you for your twentieth birthday, so please accept this box."

Just a few words and it has already turned to studying, Wei Heng knew that the education of women was probably He's "karmic obstacle"; she had to pass the exam, otherwise she could not alleviate her inner affliction

Wei Heng felt a stir in her heart, having already discerned the crux of He's concerns. The two shops were hardly significant to He, who was known for his lavish bridal dowries, but they were of great importance to Ge.

"Is today your twentieth birthday?" He asked.

"I haven't finished my reasoning yet," Wei Heng said, shaking He Shi's sleeve. "Moreover, my brother is now a scholar, and he attends literary gatherings every day. If he succeeds in the imperial examination next year, he will have even more social engagements. He is already in his twenties, so it would be quite embarrassing for him to ask you for money. If sister-in-law has some on hand, it would be more convenient for my brother."

"In the blink of an eye, you have been married into our family for three years now," He sighed, "Your mother-in-law has taught you very well; you are knowledgeable and reasonable, filial and virtuous. Over these years, I have seen your diligence and attention to detail, as well as your sincerity in handling matters, all of which I have noted and remembered."

However, how could Wei Heng be willing to exert effort to help the Ge family? The scene in the morning at Ruiyun Hall, where Ge's face turned red, suddenly evoked a sense of shared suffering in Wei Heng. It is common for sisters-in-law to compare themselves with one another, and Ge does not fall short compared to the other two; she simply lacks some family wealth, which is precisely the easiest thing to remedy. Wei Heng is unwilling to have her own family always outdone by the main branch.

Ge let out a low sigh, adjusted her clothing, and rose to attend to Mrs. He in the Lan Yi Courtyard for her morning grooming. In truth, Mrs. He did not require her assistance; she merely stood by, occasionally handing over items or serving a cup of water. With a diligent husband and a kind mother-in-law, Ge felt there was nothing more to wish for, except for the absence of a son. She touched her belly with a hint of melancholy.

Ge's face immediately turned red. Every time she gave money to her family, although Wei Li also knew, Ge still felt like a thief. Now, upon hearing He reveal this piece of paper, she was instantly overwhelmed with shame.

He recognized that Ge was a person of substance, and although he had some dissatisfaction with this daughter-in-law, there were also many aspects that pleased him more.

You cannot refuse the gifts from your elders, so take them. I am giving them to you because you are deserving. Moreover, I see that the third one is someone who is indifferent to household matters, and you will need to manage these in the future. The two shops I am giving you are also meant for you to practice. Furthermore, your brother from your maternal family is also a scholar, right? There will be many places where you will need money in the future

Wei Heng turned over and sat up, looking at He Shi and said: "Mother, you are quite confused. Although there is an appearance of authority, it cannot compare to earning genuine respect from the heart. You have said that sister-in-law is knowledgeable and reasonable; she is not an ungrateful person. If you treat her with sincerity, she will only treat you even better."

Two days later marks the 20th birthday of Miss Ge. Being so young and having two elders above her, it is only appropriate to celebrate if the elders give their approval; otherwise, it would be entirely unreasonable to make a grand occasion of her birthday. Moreover, given Miss Ge's temperament, she is not one to be extravagant.

That is true. I just do not like your sister-in-law using our family's money to support her maternal family. He said, she has a misconception, thinking that since the Ge family married into her son’s family, her heart should be entirely with the second branch, constantly worrying about her maternal family is of no concern, and she always digs out money to support her maternal family, truly taking me, as the mother-in-law, for someone easy to deal with

He believed that the only leverage he had over Ge was in the realm of wealth. Ge came from a scholarly background, while He had initially failed to gain admission to a women's academy, which made him feel inferior to those talented women. This is why he chose Ge as his daughter-in-law; at least Ge, despite being a talented woman, lacked financial fortune, which would prevent her from standing tall as a wife.

However, this does not pose a challenge for Wei Heng's eloquence, "Mother has always complained that Sister-in-law is not as generous as Sister Bai and Sister Feng, but once Sister-in-law has some spare money, she will certainly not be inferior to them."

Although these two shops may not be considered profitable in He's dowry, for the Ge family, they are invaluable treasures beyond measure

"Alright." He Hu repositions Wei Hang onto his lap and continues to comb her hair, "I will listen to you. Let her learn how to read the accounts in two shops first, so that she won't be deceived by others in the future."

Ge was taken aback and said, "Yes." Only then did he open the box, inside which lay two pieces of paper. Ge's face was instantly filled with astonishment, "Mother, this is..."

This is the property deed for two shops, one is a stationery store located on Changyang Street in the capital, and the other is a shop selling sewing supplies and embroidery located on Shuntian Street

This remark struck a chord with He, as she compared everything with Mu, from sons to daughters, and even to daughters-in-law. To be honest, Ge is certainly more reassuring than those two.

Mother, these are all things that a daughter-in-law should do. You have been very lenient with her. Ge's voice trembled slightly as she spoke these heartfelt words. In this capital city, one would be hard-pressed to find a mother-in-law who has not uttered a single word of gossip after her daughter-in-law has been married for three years without bearing any children.

Ge did not expect He to actually remember his birthday, feeling a small sense of touch in his heart, he softly said: "Yes"

"You have too many ideas; am I supposed to lose out to your brother? His monthly allowance is fifty taels." He said irritably, "Do you think I don't take care of them?"

He said with a smile: "You little child, you have a whole set of grand principles. Look, it seems that reading more books is indeed beneficial; your words are quite sensible."

He saw that Ge was holding the box with both hands, yet did not open it, so he said: "Why not open it and take a look"

"Where can that be?" Wei Heng nuzzled in He's embrace and said, "Mother naturally thinks of everything most thoroughly; I merely mentioned it on a whim."

"Mother, I..." Ge's eyes were once again filled with tears, and she did not know what to say. Should she say that she would no longer send money to her family? However, her family was in a difficult situation; her younger brother was still small, her father had broken his leg two years ago and could no longer go out to work, and with the loss of income, life had become even harder. Her mother was also in poor health. Ge had no means to be "noble" or aloof.

After Madam He finished her grooming, Wei Heng had not yet arrived, as the doctor advised that children should sleep more to promote their health and growth. Therefore, Wei Heng was "following the doctor's advice to sleep in" and Madam He could do nothing about it.

He still hesitates somewhat; although she understands the reasoning, human preferences and aversions are not so easily changed

That is also unavoidable, after all, it is her maternal family. If she does not take care of it, would she not be worse than a beast? Mother, our family does not lack those few coins. If my sister-in-law's family improves, she will have a better appearance in the future, and we will also look good. If our in-laws are living in poverty, outsiders will shake their heads when they mention our family.

Thus, only the He family and the Ge family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law remained in the house, and even the serving maid had been dismissed by the He family