Chapter 2: Ye Li’s Dowry Dispute: A Battle of Family Honor

 

Though Prince Ding was widely seen as useless, he was still the Great Chu Dynasty’s only hereditary prince of the highest rank. Because of this, Minister Ye and the Ye family matriarch—who had rarely shown concern for Ye Li—summoned her for a special conversation.

Ye Li paid respects to her grandmother and father. When she arrived at the Hall of Glorified Joy, Minister Ye, Madam Wang, and Fourth Miss Ye Ying were already seated.

The elderly Madam Ye smiled kindly.
“Li’er, you may rise. Now that you’re engaged to Prince Ding, and Ying’er will soon marry Prince Li, our family enjoys double happiness.”

Ye Li bowed and replied humbly.
“For Grandmother to return especially for this, your unworthy granddaughter has troubled you.”

Though not fond of Ye Li, the matriarch was pleased with her respectful words.
“This is a great joy for our family. How could I not return? Tell me, are the two girls’ dowries prepared?”

Madam Wang quickly stood and spoke with a troubled look.
“Old Madam, with only Fourth Miss marrying next month, we could have managed if we hurried. But now with Third Miss as well, I fear…”

The matriarch immediately saw through Madam Wang’s intentions. After a pause, she said,
“Li’er’s wedding date has not yet been set. Let’s prepare Ying’er’s dowry first.”

Madam Wang smiled in relief and agreed.

The matriarch then ordered two boxes to be brought out.
“You two girls are both blessed—one marrying Prince Li, the other Prince Ding. As your grandmother, I won’t favor one over the other. Each of you will receive a set of these items, just as Fifth and Sixth Miss will in the future. I will also give each of you one estate from my dowry. As for the rest, your parents will decide.”

Madam Wang said ingratiatingly,
“Old Madam truly loves her granddaughters. The Master and I have discussed it. Since Ying’er is marrying Prince Li, too small a dowry might displease the imperial family. The treasury will provide twenty thousand taels, along with six estates and six shops. I’ll also add two estates from my dowry.”

The matriarch frowned.
“Isn’t that excessive? A generous dowry is proper for Ye Ying, but if later daughters’ dowries differ too much, it will harm our family’s reputation. What about Li’er’s dowry?”

She knew that even if Prince Ding was useless, his family background was noble. If Ye Li’s dowry was too poor, Prince Ding’s loyal supporters would resent it.

Madam Wang faltered, then said,
“Prince Ding is different from the Emperor’s brother. I thought we could wait to see what betrothal gifts his household sends, then add two estates.”

The matriarch’s face darkened.
“Outrageous! Using betrothal gifts as dowry—how shameless! Do you care nothing for the Ye family’s reputation? For your reputation as a stepmother? The Xu family may have declined, but they are still far above your Wang family!”

Madam Wang flushed crimson and protested.
“Old Madam, you wrong me! I’ve never mistreated Third Miss. It’s just… the household is strained, with several young ladies yet to marry, and Young Master Rong’s future will also need funds…”

The matriarch grew angry. Young Master Rong was only seven—his marriage was far off. She looked to Minister Ye.
“This is your daughter. What do you say should be done?”

Minister Ye, caught between wife and mother, answered awkwardly.
“Third daughter is also a legitimate daughter. Let’s treat her the same as Ying’er.”

“What? The same as Ying’er?!” Madam Wang cried.
“Where will we find so much silver? Master, it’s not that I want to wrong Third Miss, but we truly can’t afford it! Ying’er is Imperial Consort Ye’s full sister and is marrying the Emperor’s brother. Her dowry must not be lacking. At most, I can give Third Miss the two estates from my dowry meant for Young Master Rong.”

Inwardly, she hated Ye Li for standing in Ying’er’s way.

Minister Ye hesitated. Imperial Consort Ye was currently favored in the palace and pregnant. If she bore a prince…

At that moment, Ye Ying spoke softly.
“Father need not worry. I can share some of my dowry with Third Sister. We mustn’t shortchange Big Sister in the palace, and we need to save for Fifth and Sixth Sisters as well.”

Her thoughtfulness softened Minister Ye’s heart. He looked at Ye Li, hoping she too would yield.

Ye Li raised her head, smiling faintly.
“Father, Mother, Fourth Sister—there’s no need to trouble yourselves.”

Madam Wang’s heart leaped with joy. Ye Li had never fought for anything before; surely she would back down again.

But Ye Li continued,
“Before my mother passed, she told me that when she married into the Ye family, my maternal grandparents gave eight estates, twelve shops, and three forest properties as her dowry. These were meant to be kept for my marriage. As for the rest, Father and Mother may arrange it like Second Sister’s dowry, giving more to Fourth Sister if needed.”

Madam Wang shrieked,
“What?! Those are—”

Ye Li looked at her calmly.
“Are what?” Then she lowered her eyes modestly and turned to the matriarch.
“My mother said her dowry was to be kept for me. My aunt knows this too. Isn’t that right, Grandmother?”

The matriarch’s expression darkened. She remembered Madam Xu’s dowry—so grand it had stretched for ten li. If all went to Ye Li, Ye Ying’s dowry would pale in comparison. But Ye Li spoke the truth. Madam Xu’s family had personally witnessed her final words.

The matriarch fell silent. Ye Li did not press further, only smiling faintly. Inside, however, her heart was cold. She did not care for wealth, but her mother’s dowry would never be stolen by a concubine’s daughter. Madam Xu had endured endless misery in the Ye household. To let her dowry go to others would be a betrayal of her memory.

Finally, the matriarch said,
“We’ll set this matter aside for now. I will discuss it with your parents later.”

Ye Li raised an eyebrow slightly and replied softly,
“Yes.”

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