Chapter 8 Master, We Need House Rules
952 Words
Ethan: "I don't understand their ranking system. All I know is when I finished the poem, golden radiance burst forth from the paper."
Theodore: "Golden radiance!? That confirms Valecross-grade poetry!
Who would've thought our Stellar Ascent Sect would produce an ink-slinger like you!
Hah! You took the wrong path, my boy! Had you joined the Confucian Order earlier, you'd be a Great Confucian Scholar by now."
Ethan: "Chief Manager! You still haven't answered - must I share these earnings with our sect?"
Theodore roared with laughter: "No, no! The sect won't begrudge such modest gains. This isn't proper commerce - there's no established precedent for contributions."
Ethan: "But what if my writing earns substantially more later?"
Theodore hesitated at this question.
Running fingers through his beard, he mused: "I can't make this call alone. Should your earnings grow, the sect's stance remains unclear.
You have my word - unless the sect explicitly demands tribute, you needn't pay a single coin.
While your case isn't extraordinary, I'll still submit the usual paperwork to headquarters.
Don't trouble yourself. Even if they set tribute rules later, they'll only apply going forward - they'd never demand back payments.
Our Stellar Ascent Sect doesn't punish without warning nor discipline without rules."
Ethan nodded eagerly: "Thank you for clarifying, Chief Manager! Then I'll dash to the Confucian Order and churn out more works - gotta make hay while the sun shines!
"Master Theodore! I have no further business—I'll take my leave now!"...
Ethan returned home in high spirits and immediately sought out Maya, eagerly handing over the entire eighty-three taels of silver [about 3kg] he'd earned that day.
Maya looked astonished. "Master? You only just left with plans to start a business, and now you've already made money in a single outing?"
Ethan chuckled. "The venture's already profitable—and completely investment-free!" He recounted his poetic triumph at the Confucian Order's literary academy, which left Maya beaming with pride.
"Master! To think you're not just an immortal cultivator but a wellspring of literary brilliance! To be wed to someone like you is my greatest fortune!"
Chest swelling with pride, Ethan declared, "Your master has countless talents you've yet to discover—they'll reveal themselves in time!"
Maya hesitated before continuing, "Master, there's something I wish to discuss."
"Go ahead," Ethan prompted.
"With our household growing, shouldn't we establish proper family regulations?" she suggested.
"Family regulations?!" The notion caught Ethan off guard. Not wanting to admit his inexperience, he deflected, "Haven't I entrusted domestic affairs to you? Handle this as you see fit."
Maya produced a silk-bound volume. "Master, I acquired the Brianna Family's household code from Astramere. Would you review it for any necessary amendments? We could adapt it for the Lockwood Family."
"They sell complete rulebooks? Astramere truly lives up to its reputation as a merchant city!" Ethan marveled.
"My lord," Maya said, "at their core, all family regulations follow similar principles. The real differences emerge in the finer details."
"Understood," Ethan replied. "I'll give it a proper read. Maya, let's dine early tonight. Tell the servants to prepare the meal ahead of time."
"I'll be in my study reviewing this household code."
"As you wish, my lord." Maya withdrew to carry out his orders.
Ethan headed straight to his study...
After reading a dozen pages of The Brianna Family Code, Ethan's casual attitude shifted. What he'd assumed would be simple rules revealed itself as a comprehensive Household Management Guide.
The manual provided detailed procedures for nearly every significant family matter. Whenever domestic issues arose, this book offered ready-made solutions—not necessarily perfect, but always practical.
Through its pages, Ethan discovered much about this world's family structures that had previously eluded him. The systems strongly resembled those of ancient feudal societies, with only minor cultural variations.
Particularly fascinating was the concept of "households" within the family unit. The principle was simple: each wife or concubine a man married constituted a separate household. The primary wife naturally headed the first household, with subsequent spouses forming the second, third, and so on.
Theoretically, a man could establish as many households as he could support. But these branches formed the very roots of domestic order, influencing every aspect of family life.
When taking wives into your household, you can't expect them to sleep packed together like travelers in an inn's common dormitory.
You should provide each wife with her own private quarters—and these living spaces must be reasonably spacious.
Each woman's residence must include private storage space for her personal possessions.
These typically consist of assets she brought into the marriage—tangible items like cash, jewelry, or family heirlooms, as well as property deeds or business investments.
These remain her personal property. Even as household head, a man cannot arbitrarily seize his wives' private assets.
However, during family emergencies or financial crises, women may voluntarily contribute portions of their wealth—though this remains their choice.
Normally, the patriarch is expected to provide monthly allowances to each wife, similar to a salary.
During festivals or when the master of the house is feeling generous, he may gift them valuables that become part of their private holdings.
The clan maintains a centralized financial system called the "communal treasury" or commonly "the inner household."
This treasury stores the family's collective wealth—valuables, food stores, and important documents.
Its management follows strict protocols—no arbitrary decisions permitted.
For instance, if family silver or grain stores exceed the treasury's capacity...
Under no circumstances should you suggest storing excess in the Second or Third Wife's private quarters!
That would never do! Placing items in their private chambers would automatically count as giving those belongings to them personally.
- Writer
