Chapter 861: Chapter 363: Dowry Turmoil (Part 1) In recent days, Yueyao asked the maid to conduct another thorough inventory of the warehouse. After several days of effort, she drafted a list: “Uncle, we don’t need additional properties, farmlands, or shops as they are already in place. I have plenty of antiques and paintings, so there is no need to add more. Although I have a substantial collection of gold and silver jewelry, many of the styles are relatively old, so getting a few new sets from Treasures Square will be sufficient. As for wooden furniture, don’t worry, Uncle; my parents had accrued a good deal of Yellow Pearwood before they passed, and these are stored in the Lanxi Courtyard’s warehouse. Uncle, you can ask a master to estimate how much furniture can be made from these materials, although I believe there’s enough for a full set. If there’s not enough for smaller pieces, other materials can be substituted. As for many of the room’s decorations, those will need to be purchased.” Xiang Wei, observing from the side, interjected: “Lord Ma, the lady intends to purchase quite a few items. If Lord Ma doesn’t mind the trouble, you could dispatch someone to procure goods from Jiangnan, where things are much cheaper than in the Capital City, potentially saving a significant amount of money.” Ma Chengteng, aware of Xiang Wei’s identity, glanced at Yueyao after hearing her suggestion. Yueyao nodded: “I think Xiang Wei makes a valid point. Additionally, as for the accompanying maid and servants, that can be arranged later; there’s no rush now.” Seeing how organized Yueyao’s plan was, Ma Chengteng smiled and said, “Very well. When the time comes, I shall send people to Jiangnan to buy the latest items for you.” According to Yueyao’s plan, managing the dowry would not be too troublesome. Once the items are assembled, only a few minor things will need to be added later. Without informing anyone at the Lian Mansion, Ma Chengteng located an old craftsman and led him directly to the Lian Mansion to inspect the wood at Lanxi Courtyard. The Chief Steward privately lamented, knowing that there was no wood left at Lanxi Courtyard, as it had long been depleted. The Chief Steward had no choice but to stall while sending someone to notify Lian Dongfang, and another to inform Lady family. Ma Chengteng wasn’t naive; seeing how the Chief Steward was stalling, and recalling Lady ‘s character, he concluded that the materials were most likely gone. Ma Chengteng coldly asked, “Are you trying to tell me the materials have been appropriated somewhere else with all these excuses?” The Chief Steward dared not claim there were none: “Lord Ma, the rear courtyard is a place for the womenfolk; I fear you might inadvertently offend someone by entering with so many people.” Ma Chengteng sneered, “Are you letting me in or not?” At the peak of the dispute, Tingyi returned. Learning of Ma Chengteng’s purpose, Tingyi didn’t think much of it: “Since my second uncle and aunt prepared wood for furniture for Yueyao, that sounds good. Lord Ma, I’ll lead you there.” The Chief Steward inwardly suffered, afraid to even offer a hint with Ma Chengteng watching him. Upon reaching Lanxi Courtyard, Ma Chengteng’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot when he found only a few unusable broken pieces of furniture in the warehouse. He harshly asked, “Where is the Yellow Pearwood? Where have all those materials gone?” Tingyi initially didn’t think much, but seeing the empty warehouse, he was also stunned. No fool, he turned to ask the Chief Steward: “What is going on here?” Of course, the Chief Steward claimed ignorance. Furious, Ma Chengteng laughed: “The Yellow Pearwood my sister and brother-in-law prepared could make a full set of furniture. Following that, these materials should occupy at least half a warehouse. Where are so many materials now, with not a single chip in sight, and you say you don’t know? Fine, let’s report to the government and have them catch the thief. Yueyao wouldn’t speak rashly; if she says it’s there, it’s there.” Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾·𝗇𝖾𝗍 Tingyi was left stunned, for he recalled the whole set of Yellow Pearwood furniture during Yuebing’s wedding. Now he, too, felt bitterness, as if he had swallowed bitter herbs; he truly didn’t expect all the Yellow Pearwood to actually belong to Yueyao. If word got out, the main branch would have no standing. Until now, it was mere rumor that his mother wanted to seize Yueyao’s belongings, but now it was apparent they had indeed used her possessions. Ma Chengteng ignored Tingyi’s expression, striding into the inner room, only to find everything inside had been replaced. Now Ma Chengteng genuinely laughed: “This is like a locust swarm, sweeping everything clean! When Madam Ma married into the family, those were the furniture I personally reviewed. What a complete transformation now; could anything be more laughable?” Ma Chengteng now felt relieved that when Yueyao moved to Ma’s Mansion, all the things she could take were taken. Otherwise, there would not even be a scrap left.