OFTLHFRO C106

Chapter 106: Return the Dowry

After Xue Kang left, Luo Mingchen asked the waiter to bring up the dishes. He had the food for both rooms carried into this one, then called the three children over to eat together.

The moment they stepped out, they saw familiar soldiers stationed outside. After seating his younger siblings, Huo Yuhui asked, “Little Daddy, did Deputy General Xue come?”

“He did. I sent him back. We’re staying here tonight.”

The snow in the capital was heavier, and the cold sharper. Yet the upper suites of this inn even had heated flooring. With the doors and windows shut, not a trace of the winter wind could enter.

So, in the end, there was reason behind the price.

Hearing this, Huo Yuhui finally relaxed, no longer so tense.

The dishes here leaned toward rich, salty flavors; the chilies were not very spicy.

Luo Mingchen took a small bowl, scooped out a bit of fermented tofu.

At first, Huo Xiang had no appetite, but once he had a bite of rice with that tofu, he immediately ate with relish.

This fermented tofu was white, appetizing at first glance, mellow and fragrant with a gentle heat. Just half a cube was enough to eat a whole bowl of plain rice.

Its spiciness didn’t sting the tongue, but sat just right—altogether one of Huo Xiang’s favorite foods.

Once they were full, Luo Mingchen had the waiter clear the table. The family then sat together over tea.

Were it not for how sleepy the three children looked, Luo Mingchen would have taken them to see the night market nearby.

After washing up, they went to sleep. Though it was a strange place, knowing Luo Mingchen had left a semi-circular water wall guarding their room—so no one outside could enter—the children slept peacefully.

The next morning, Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan took the children out to eat wontons on the street.

These wontons were large and flavorful; with two fried dough sticks apiece, everyone ate contentedly.

The soldiers trailing them could only swallow their envy.

Luo Mingchen didn’t spare them a thought—after all, Xue Kang hadn’t left them any money.

That morning, Xue Kang hurried to the inn only to learn they had gone out to breakfast.

He waited a long while before they returned, hands full of bags.

But these were all things for their own use—food, daily necessities—nothing to do with Xue Kang, or the General’s Mansion.

“Since we’re here, let’s go,” Luo Mingchen said.

At that, Huo Yan went to have the waiter hitch up the carriage and also gathered up the parcels carried by the soldiers.

Hearing this, Xue Kang’s lips twitched. Somehow it sounded as though arriving late was his fault…

After checking out, they stepped outside. At this hour, there were plenty of curious eyes watching them.

Bearing the stares, Xue Kang gritted his teeth and followed the two men out.

Seeing how many people were looking, Luo Mingchen smiled at Huo Yan.

It seemed their goal had been achieved.

The more people who knew of this, the better. It wasn’t their family’s disgrace, after all—it would only make it easier later to control the rumors.

When they arrived at the General’s Mansion, the main gates were open this time. Not only open, but a beautiful noblewoman stood there to greet them, flanked by two young men.

This was most likely Huo Yan’s stepmother and his two younger half-brothers.

It was said that this stepmother had been kept by Huo Yuntao outside the household for many years. When the Huo family weathered hard times with the help of the bride-price^1 brought by Huo Yan’s mother, he brought the woman into the house. Not only leading a child by the hand, but holding an infant in her arms, she had demanded to be installed as an equal wife.

This enraged Huo Yan’s mother so deeply she miscarried. Her health ruined, she could bear no more children.

Unable to divorce, she poured herself into business, carefully instructing her son, refusing ever to bow her head.

But when her natal family fell into ruin, she grew thinner by the day. And this very woman standing before them, so polished in her appearance, had used vile means to slander her as unchaste.

Huo Yuntao hadn’t even investigated before pronouncing her guilty. To the outside world, he said she was of corrupt conduct, and shut her away in the rear courtyard…

Though Huo Yan hadn’t told the story further, Luo Mingchen could picture it: a child unloved by his father, unable even to summon a doctor, forced to watch his mother waste away before his eyes, and finally cast out of the family home.

Thinking this, Luo Mingchen glanced at Huo Yan’s impassive face.

Compared to himself, Huo Yan was far more practiced at endurance.

“Eldest, you’ve finally come home. These days, the Master has often thought of you. When he heard you had returned yesterday, you can’t imagine how glad he was. The servants were negligent, causing offense—it was truly our failing. So I came early this morning to wait here. Thankfully, I have managed to receive you.”

Huo Yan looked at her in silence.

Seeing he gave no reply, Liu Lanyun paused, then continued: “It’s cold outside. Eldest, why don’t you all come in and talk?”

Huo Yan asked, “Has the house been prepared?”

At this, Liu Lanyun smiled. “It was arranged days ago, in Qiuyue Courtyard, where you lived since childhood. You’ll be familiar with it.”

Huo Yan withdrew his gaze and led Luo Mingchen and the three children into the main hall.

Still following behind, Liu Lanyun said: “Why not have your things carried over first?”

“Didn’t Father summon me because he longed for me? And now the Madam says he should be kept waiting?”

In two sentences, Huo Yan silenced her.

She gave a strained smile. “My fault, my memory grows worse and worse.”

Unable to stomach her false sweetness, Luo Mingchen said: “If your memory’s failing, you should take more medicine. I think you’re showing signs of senility. Don’t tell me the General’s Mansion can’t even afford a physician?”

Liu Lanyun: “…”

After that, she held her tongue all the way inside.

Her stance was clear enough already. Many people knew she had come out early to receive Huo Yan—this was sufficient.

The General’s Mansion had not changed much from Huo Yan’s memories. Without needing guidance, he went directly to the main hall.

There sat Huo Yuntao, waiting. At that sight, Huo Yan’s eyes flickered faintly.

This told him how he ought to conduct himself toward his father.

Luo Mingchen looked at the man seated in the main seat, whose very bearing exuded authority. From certain angles, Huo Yan resembled him.

When their eyes met, Huo Yan bowed and said, “Father.”

Seeing this, Huo Yuhui guided his younger siblings into bows as well.

Luo Mingchen gave a perfunctory clasp of his hands, much like offering New Year’s greetings.

In any case, in these people’s eyes he was just a country fellow; it was only natural he did not know all the formalities.

Huo Yuntao said coldly: “Years have passed, and your temper hasn’t changed a bit. I thought perhaps you wanted me to greet you personally.”

Huo Yan replied evenly: “Your legs are unwell. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself.”

At this, Liu Lanyun stepped forward, eyes filled with reproach. “Eldest, you’ve been away for years. How can you return only to stab your father in the heart? Do you not know it was in battle, defending the nation, that he became this way?”

Huo Yan didn’t spare her a glance. He continued: “I remember Father once said he never wanted to see me again. Why then has he specially summoned me back?”

Compared to Liu Lanyun, who seized every chance to thrust in soft knives, Huo Yuntao remained coldly composed. He said directly: “You are no longer young. You are, after all, my son. I have already memorialized the emperor—tomorrow, you will present yourself at the drill ground.”

Huo Yan refused without hesitation. “I am without talent or ability. I cannot go. Father, better to send your other two sons.”

Huo Yuntao said blandly: “You are the eldest son of the Huo family.”

“Then Father should first return my mother’s dowry. I recall the yamen has a record of it. It should match this inventory my grandfather gave me.”

He had not expected Huo Yan to raise the matter of the dowry. Huo Yuntao’s brows drew together in silence.

Footnote:

1. Bride-price (聘禮, pìnlǐ) – Gifts or wealth offered by the groom’s family to the bride’s family during marriage negotiations. In traditional Chinese custom, this was distinct from the dowry (嫁妝, jiàzhuāng), which was the wealth the bride brought into her husband’s household. Here, the author highlights how Huo Yan’s mother’s contributions were exploited, then erased, by her husband’s later actions.