Chapter 14: What do you need so much money for

Upon hearing her words, Madame Zhang smiled and said, "Look at what you're saying. When you get married, your mother's dowry will naturally be used to enhance your dowry. Do you think I would shortchange you on this matter?"

Is she really suggesting using her mother's dowry as her own?

Does she think she's marrying a foolish prince, and the mansion doesn't want to give a single penny?

Liu Shimei's eyes turned cold as she said, "We'll talk about my dowry when the time comes. For now, hand over my mother's belongings. I don't think Madame Zhang would want my maternal grandfather to come and discuss this matter with my father!"

Madame Zhang didn't take this threat seriously.

The mansion had severed ties with the Liang family for many years, and Liu Shimei had almost become the crown prince's consort. The Liang family had never cared about this granddaughter. Now that Liu Shimei's reputation had plummeted and her fiancé, the foolish prince, had become worthless, why would the Liang family help her?

Convinced of this, Madame Zhang insisted, "Shimei, I am only managing your mother's dowry, and it will naturally be returned to you when you get married. Even if the lord comes, I will say the same. You don't need to worry about this matter. Instead, focus on preparing your own wedding dress!"

There was a hint of sarcasm in her words, mocking Liu Shimei's marriage!

Liu Shimei coldly snorted, "Return to me when I get married? How can I be sure of the condition of the items if I don't inspect them now?"

Unable to bear it any longer, Liu Yan'er, who had been enduring it for a long time, finally spoke up, "Sister, after marrying the foolish prince, you won't need to show your face anymore. Why do you need so much money?"

This was a mockery of Liu Shimei's tarnished reputation and her foolish husband!

But who caused all of this?

Liu Shimei's eyes turned cold, with a hint of hostility, "Yan'er, if I were to say a few words to the crown prince about you, would you be the first to be eliminated among the backup crown princesses?"

"How dare you!" Startled, Liu Yan'er stood up abruptly.

Liu Shimei raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Oh, after I marry the foolish prince, the crown prince will be my elder brother. I should have plenty of opportunities to meet him, I suppose!"

Liu Yan'er was at a loss and couldn't overpower Liu Shimei. She could only seek help from her own mother, "Mother, look at her..."

Madame Zhang pressed her hand and turned to look at Liu Shimei, "Shimei, as the wife of the prime minister, I am responsible for the household affairs, but I cannot act recklessly. If the lord agrees, I will naturally have no objections. But since he hasn't spoken, how can I proceed?"

"Alright." Liu Shimei finally understood.

Her stepmother refused to hand over the items and even took the moral high ground. If she really wanted to fight, she wouldn't be in the right.

Instead of arguing here, it would be better to create a reasonable excuse!

She turned and left.

Leaving the West Courtyard, Liu Shimei entered the East Courtyard.

The prime minister, named Liu Jun, with the courtesy name Fuyun, was not yet forty years old. He had a legitimate elder brother, who would be twenty if he were still alive. The prime minister's eldest son was well-educated and talented, becoming renowned in the capital at the age of fifteen.

Unfortunately, he fell from a horse five years ago and lost his life in a horse stampede!

At the time, Liu Shimei was only eleven and unable to investigate. Now, she realized that her brother's death was full of suspicion!

"What are you here for?" Liu Fuyun had just returned from the office, changed out of his official robe, and was deep in thought in his study, sipping a pot of hot tea.

He used to value Liu Shimei greatly, but now he felt annoyed whenever he saw her!

Liu Shimei noticed this and smiled wryly, "Father, I am here at Madame Zhang's request to ask for my mother's dowry."