Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 816 A Joyous Event is Approaching [Thank you! Bow again! 9k words owed]

Time passes.

May arrived.

Although it's only early May, the sunshine and temperature at midday already have a hint of summer.

The sun was shining brightly that morning.

East of the imperial city, along the moat, at the gate of the Chai family residence.
A group of palace guards, having removed their armor and donned new clothes, stood solemnly outside the gate, carrying in pairs the chests of betrothal gifts adorned with large red silk flowers.

Standing at the very front of the procession were the current Grand Chancellor and Prince Hui of the Imperial Clan Court.

Liang Xu, who was standing at the front of the procession delivering betrothal gifts, stood on tiptoe and looked back, but could not see the end of the procession.

The Yongchang Marquis's family was one of the wealthiest households in Bianjing. As the eldest son, Liang Xu's wedding procession was quite large.

Compared to today's team, they are nothing but a drop in the ocean.

Thinking about all this, Liang Xu glanced with deep emotion at his companion beside him—Gao Lin, the brother of Crown Princess Gao Taotao.

This man is the Crown Princess's older brother and the future Emperor's brother-in-law, yet today he is here as an attendant to deliver betrothal gifts to a newly appointed prince.

Liang Xu observed that this person's smile was absolutely genuine.

After all, the Crown Princess's family had produced a high-ranking official who had almost harmed Zhao Fang at Fanlou, and who had handled his duties at Jinmingchi terribly, nearly harming the Emperor and the Crown Prince. He had also been tricked into coming to the palace.

The thought of the consequences if the Prince of Wei were not present is terrifying.

These one mess after another,

If it weren't for the fact that the Empress was the Crown Princess's aunt, and the Crown Princess, whom the Crown Prince favored, was pregnant, the Gao family would almost certainly have been dragged down with them.

Today, Gao Lin's presence in the procession delivering betrothal gifts not only expresses the Gao family's gratitude but also demonstrates that the emperor has not rejected the Gao family.

Gao Lin, noticing Liang Xu's smile, turned his head and smiled at Liang Xu.

Before the two could speak, voices could be heard from ahead.

The two turned their heads and saw the head of the Chai family, dressed in a formal suit, walking out with his two sons and a broad smile.

"Your Highness, my lord, thank you both for your help today," said the head of the Chai family with a smile.

"Haha! Nephew Chai, you flatter me. It is an honor for me and my husband to share in the joy of both families."

"What the old prince says is absolutely right!"

The eldest son, standing to the side, chuckled and echoed.

"Greetings, Your Highness, and Master."

The Chai brothers, Chai Jin and Chai Bo, who were following behind, bowed in greeting.

After exchanging pleasantries, the head of the Chai family gestured and said, "Your Highness, my lord, please come in."

"please."

Prince Hui smiled and nodded to Gao Lin and Liang Xu behind him.

As Prince Hui and the other two entered the gate...

The group following behind, led by Gao Lin and Liang Xu, walked into the gate together with Chai Jin and Chai Bo.

noon,

Before meals,

Autumn Sound Garden
"Madam is here."

As the maid announced the arrival, Madam Chai stepped into the house and went to the outer room of the main room.

A beaded curtain hangs between the outer room and the inner room.

At this moment, the beaded curtain was still shaking violently, and the beads made a 'crackling' sound as they collided.

It was obvious at a glance that someone had just run into the inner room.

The crackling sounds of collision had not yet stopped.
Chai Zhengzheng appeared behind the beaded curtain with a frown, and said as she walked out, "Wisteria, why are you still so reckless?"

As he spoke, Chai Zhengzheng lifted the beaded curtain and came to the outer room, bowing to Madam Chai: "Mother."

"Miss, I was wrong."

Looking at Zifeng following behind Chai Zhengzheng, head bowed in apology, Madam Chai pursed her lips and said teasingly, "Oh—so it was Zifeng who ran in just now? I thought it was..."

Upon hearing this, Chai Zhengzheng awkwardly looked away, unsure of where to look.

"I thought it was cloudwood," Madam Chai said with a smile.

Chai Zhengzheng breathed a sigh of relief, walked up to Madam Chai, put his arm around her, and said with a smile, "Mother, Yunmu has always been steady and reliable, how could he be so rash?"

"Yes, Yunmu has always been steady and reliable, but I wonder what her daughter is like."

Upon hearing this, Chai Zhengzheng looked at her mother in surprise.

Madam Chai reached out and tapped her daughter's forehead: "How old are you? Why are you still like a child, running around everywhere when you hear I'm coming?"

"How can this be acceptable after she becomes the mistress of the royal palace?"

The wisteria beside her looked at Madam Chai with an expression as if she had seen a righteous official.

Chai Zhengzheng quickly smiled apologetically and said, "Mother, I was wrong."

"That's more like it." Madam Chai nodded and walked into the inner room with Chai Zhengzheng.

After taking her seat, Madam Chai reached behind her, and her personal maid handed her a gift list sprinkled with gold.

After glancing at Chai Zhengzheng, Madam Chai took the gift list and placed it on the table, smiling as she said, "Take a look, this is the betrothal gift list from the Xu family."

Chai Zhengzheng bit her lip: "Mother, you can see for yourself, I don't need to see for myself, right?"

"Hmm—really not going to take a look?" With that, Madam Chai reached for the gift list, making a gesture as if to put it away.

Chai Zhengzheng quickly pressed the button and laughed, "Look! Mother, let your daughter see!"

Seeing their young lady's appearance, the maids standing by all laughed.

After Chai Zhengzheng looked at the gift list for a while, Madam Chai said gently, "Zheng'er, what do you think?"

“Mother, this betrothal gift is too much,” Chai Zhengzheng said, looking up.

Madam Chai nodded: "Yes! I think it must be His Majesty who instructed the Empress to move some items from the Imperial Treasury."

Then, Madam Chai said, "Zhengzheng, your wedding date is set for the ninth day of the fifth month, while the Rong family's daughter's is on the fourteenth day of the fifth month. You know all of this."

"Hmm." Chai Zhengzheng nodded, placed the gift list on the table, and looked up at Madam Chai: "Mother, has the wedding date for the sixth sister of the Sheng family also been set?"

"Yes! The Sheng family's daughter was born on May 24th."

As she spoke, Madam Chai beckoned to her personal maid behind her.

The personal attendant then handed over a piece of folded brocade.

"Mother, what is this?"

Madam Chai smiled and said, "These handkerchiefs were embroidered by several highly skilled embroiderers in the capital, whom our head housekeeper found."

After Chai Zhengzheng reached out and took it, she looked at it carefully for a few moments, and then hesitantly weighed it in her hand.

"Mother, the weight of this handkerchief is a bit off!"

As she spoke, Chai Zhengzheng touched the various embroidered patterns covering the handkerchief and exclaimed in surprise, "Mother, is this handkerchief made with gold thread? It's so well embroidered; you can tell it was made with care."

"The gold thread embroidery on this side is beautiful, and the other side is still usable—that's amazing!"

Madam Chai nodded: "Zhengzheng, do you know who embroidered this?"

Upon hearing this, Chai Zhengzheng raised her head in confusion: "Mother, aren't they embroiderers from the capital? Could it be that these embroiderers have a special status?"

"That's right. This handkerchief is most likely the work of the sixth daughter of the Sheng family's biological mother."

"what?"

Chai Zhengzheng looked surprised.

"Mother, when we were looking for the embroiderer, the Sheng family's daughter's affair hadn't happened yet. How could this young lady be involved?"

Taking the exquisite handkerchief from Chai Zhengzheng's hand, Madam Chai looked at it and exclaimed, "Yes! How could that person be so willing to spend so much money on this?"

"This handkerchief doesn't look like it's used for work; it looks more like it's used to repay a debt of gratitude."

“Mother is right. Then our family…” Before Chai Zhengzheng could finish speaking, Madam Chai handed the handkerchief back to him and said with a smile, “We’ve received the handkerchief. Since they’ve put so much effort into it, we certainly won’t let them lose out.”

"That's good!" Chai Zhengzheng nodded with a smile.

Looking down at the handkerchief, Chai Zhengzheng's eyes flickered, and then something seemed to come to mind.

Seeing her daughter's expression, Madam Chai, who had misunderstood, said softly, "Zhengzheng, don't overthink it. Although we don't have any children of child age, your father and I have already gone to Yuqing Temple to pray for one."

Hearing this, Chai Zhengzheng blushed and raised her head: "Mother, daughter doesn't... daughter knows."

Madam Chai smiled and stroked the gift list on the table, saying, "These betrothal gifts will be brought to the Xu family along with your dowry."

"Mm." Chai Zhengzheng nodded, pursing her lips.

Then, Madam Chai waved her hands behind her a few times.

The people inside understood and withdrew from the inner room.

Madam Chai said in a low voice, "Zhengzheng, your two sisters-in-law and I have discussed it and are planning to add these betrothal gifts and some more from our family to bring your dowry to eight million strings of cash."

Chai Zhengzheng's eyes widened in surprise. "Mother! This is too much!"

"When my great-aunt married into the Marquis of Xiangyang's family, her dowry was only one or two million. How come it's so much for my daughter?!"

Madam Chai smiled and said, "Back then, my uncle, the Marquis of Xiangyang, only saved the emperor once. How many times has your future husband saved him?"

Upon hearing this, Chai Zhengzheng smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

"Besides, your uncle is only a marquis, while your future husband is a prince and a top scholar."

"He was suddenly granted the title of Prince, and he even moved to a new mansion with such a large courtyard. There will be many more places where he will need money in the future."

"So, as the matriarch of the household, how can your dowry be small?"

Chai Zhengzheng nodded shyly, "Daughter understands." Madam Chai affectionately stroked her daughter's hair and said, "Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, Zheng'er, you're getting married."

Seeing that Chai Zhengzheng also looked somewhat disappointed, Madam Chai quickly said, "I am very happy to have found such a good boy to be your husband and our son-in-law."

"Hehe." Chai Zhengzheng smiled sheepishly.

Then Chai Zhengzheng said with great emotion, "Mother, in retrospect, I have turned misfortune into blessing."

As she spoke, Chai Zhengzheng's mood sank again.

Knowing what her daughter was thinking, Madam Chai patted Chai Zhengzheng's hand and smiled, "Qingxue has already been adopted back in our hometown."

“Our steward has gone to see him several times. The adopted child is a grateful person.”

"For many years to come, her lineage will continue. Zheng'er, don't worry too much."

"Yes." Chai Zhengzheng nodded emphatically.

Seeing her daughter's expression, Madam Chai, who had intended to talk about other topics, could only keep her words to herself and prepare to discuss them in a few days.

The next day.

morning.

In Jiying Lane, at the Sheng family's residence, in the Weirui Pavilion, the morning light shines into the courtyard from the east.

In front of the artificial hill in the courtyard, three Lans, each accompanied by their maid, stood there with their makeup neat and tidy.

From the perspective of the three orchids, all they can see is a large screen standing at the entrance of the main house.

Caihuan stood at the doorway, right next to the screen.

Upon seeing Wang Ruofu sitting neatly dressed in the head chair inside, and with Liu Mama standing behind her nodding at her, she noticed...

Caihuan smiled at the three girls outside the door and said, "Madam is already seated, please come in, ladies."

"Yes."

After that, led by Ru Lan, the three Lans entered the main room in an orderly fashion.

"May Mother be blessed. Your daughter greets you."

The three orchids spoke in unison.

"Good children, please sit down," Wang Ruofu said with a kind smile, waving his hand.

"Thank you, mother."

After thanking them, the three Lans sat down on the embroidered stools.

Wang Ruofu glanced at Mo Lan, then looked at Ming Lan with a smile and said, "Sixth girl, you're lucky! Yesterday, a noble person helped the Xu family retrieve your birth certificate from the old lady."

Upon hearing this, Rulan turned back to look at Minglan with a smile, her eyes filled with blessings and joy.

Minglan stood up, looking embarrassed, and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Mo Lan also turned to look at Ming Lan. Although she had a smile on her face, there was no smile in her eyes.

After smiling at Minglan, Rulan turned to look at Wang Ruofu and asked, "Mother, who is this distinguished guest who has come to our house?"

Seeing Mo Lan's displeasure, Wang Ruofu felt even better and said with a smile, "They are the Crown Princess's brothers and the Duke of Lian."

"Oh!" Rulan nodded, then looked at Molan with a smug look: "These two are indeed of noble status!"

Wang Ruofu saw Minglan get up and quickly invited her to sit down.

Seeing Rulan's happy expression, Molan took a deep breath and said, "I heard that it was the old prince and the eldest son of the Imperial Clan Affairs Department who went to the Chai family to deliver the betrothal gifts. Why is it these two who came when it's our turn?"

Upon hearing this, Minglan quickly replied, "The old Duke and the head of the Gao family are of noble status, and their presence is already an honor."

Rulan glared at Molan, disapprovingly: "Fourth sister, what's wrong with these two coming to our house to ask for your name? Does it mean that when you get married, the people who come to ask for your name will be of even higher status?"

"Fourth sister, stop daydreaming!"

Mo Lan stood up and glared at Ru Lan: "You!"

Rulan glared back defiantly, a smug look on her face that said, "What can you do to me?"

After glancing at Wang Ruofu, Mo Lan awkwardly sat back down on the embroidered stool and said, feigning sadness, "We're all sisters, Fifth Sister, do you really want your older sister to not marry into a good family?"

I, Rulan, was speechless, because that was truly what she thought.

Minglan, who was standing nearby, quickly said, "Fourth sister, Father loves you dearly and will naturally worry about your marriage. How could you not marry into a good family in the future?"

“That’s right!” Rulan quickly agreed.

Mo Lan took a deep breath and looked at Ming Lan with a forced smile, saying, "Then I'll take Sixth Sister's good wishes with me."

Wang Ruofu glanced at Mo Lan, then looked at Ming Lan and said, "Sixth girl, your wedding is approaching. From today onwards, you no longer need to come here to pay your respects."

Minglan quickly stood up: "Mother, how can this be?"

"Good boy, be good!" Wang Ruofu said with a smile, "This is also your father's wish."

Upon hearing this, Minglan could only nod: "Then I thank you, Father and Mother."

Wang Ruofu smiled and nodded.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the three Lans withdrew together.

Stepping outside,

"Humph!"

Mo Lan rolled her eyes at Ru Lan and Ming Lan, then flicked her sleeves and walked straight outside.

Rulan then pulled Minglan's arm, wrinkled her nose at Molan's retreating figure, and said with some sorrow:
"Sixth Sister, you're getting married this month. If you leave me and Fourth Sister at home, I'll be driven crazy by her!"

Minglan shook her head: "Fourth sister, with Madam here, it won't happen."

Rulan nodded and walked outside with Minglan, saying, "Sigh, you married so well, even Molan's status has risen along with it."

"If she really finds a good family, I'll still be angry."

Minglan looked at Rulan helplessly: "Fifth Sister, have you forgotten what Granny Kong taught you before?"

"We four sisters are of one family, sharing both prosperity and adversity. It's always beneficial for our Sheng family that our fourth sister has married well!"

Rulan looked disgusted: "Sixth sister, her? I think if that girl Molan had the chance to trample us underfoot, she would show no mercy. Just like her stepmother."

As they spoke, the two sisters left the courtyard.

Shou'an Hall.

偏厅
"Sixth Miss is back."

As the smiling voice of the housekeeper came from inside, the old lady by the window looked up.

"grandmother."

Minglan walked to the old lady's side with a smile.

The window, covered with sheer curtains, was bathed in bright, ample light.

Looking at the various wooden boxes on the table in front of the old lady, Minglan asked curiously, "Grandmother, what are you doing?"

The old lady smiled and said, "Tomorrow, Grandma will be taking stock of her family's assets."

"Huh?" Minglan was taken aback.

The old lady smiled and beckoned to Minglan: "Come, sit down."

After Minglan sat down beside her, the old lady glanced at Fang Mama and said with a smile, "Alas! I was too young and impetuous back then. I burned dozens of boxes of good things in a fit of anger."

"If I hadn't been so willful, I might have left you with even more good things tomorrow."

Even though decades have passed, when Fang's mother heard these words, her eyes were still filled with heartache.

"You're finally showing your appreciation now?" Mrs. Fang shook her head and teased, "I thought you wouldn't regret it!"

"Go away, go away!" The old lady waved her hand helplessly at Madam Fang and said, "I was just sighing, there's no question of regret!"

"Yes, yes, you won't regret it!" Mrs. Fang replied perfunctorily.

The old lady rolled her eyes at Fang Mama and said to Minglan, "Let's ignore her."

Minglan smiled at Madam Fang, then looked at the old lady and said, "Grandmother, why are you collecting all this?"

"Of course, I'll prepare some more dowry for you tomorrow." As she spoke, the old lady touched the wooden box on the table: "I was hoping that you could find a humble family and live a happy and peaceful life."

"But who would have thought that Jing-ge'er, that brat..."

The old lady sighed.

Minglan looked at the old lady and said, "Grandmother, the assets you gave me before are enough to support myself!"

The old lady shook her head: "Not enough! What kind of family is the Chai family? They have been wealthy for four or five generations since the founding of the country. As the eldest daughter of the Chai family, that upright young lady will surely have a dowry of mountains of gold and silver when she marries into the Xu family."

“If I don’t prepare some dowry and savings for you, I’m afraid you won’t have a comfortable life in the Xu family.”

Upon hearing this, Minglan frowned in distress.

Madam Fang, who was standing to the side, said, "Sixth Miss, when the old lady got married, it was already quite extravagant! But it still couldn't compare to the wedding of the Chai family's aunt and the Marquis of Xiangyang."

"I heard that the dowry of that old lady from the Chai family was a million strings of cash!"

"A million strings of cash?" Minglan exclaimed in astonishment.

Seeing Minglan's surprised expression, the old lady smiled and said, "That's right! In all these decades, the only time that can be compared to this is when Madam Bai of the Gu family married into the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion."

Fang's mother smiled and nodded beside her.

When the old lady married into the Sheng family, she brought with her a dowry of nearly 400,000 guan (a unit of currency).

When Sheng Hong passed the imperial examination, only a little over 100,000 strings of cash remained of his dowry. A small portion was burned by the old lady in her capricious manner, while the majority was used to cultivate Sheng Hong and pave the way for his official career.

Over the years, the old lady's family fortune has slowly recovered, but after Hualan got married, it still hasn't returned to its original level.

“We shouldn’t compare ourselves to the Chai family’s daughter, but we can’t be too shabby either.” As she spoke, the old lady took out two land deeds from her wooden box and put them aside.

(End of this chapter)