spend time

This booklet has more than ten pages and feels quite thick in the hand. I wonder how many valuable items are listed in it.

Even though he knew that Boling Cui was doing this on purpose, trying to win him over and then win over Princess Nanyang and show goodwill to the Nanyang Palace, Cui Du still felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

"Thank you, uncle." Cui Du thanked him in a low voice, and at Cui Ping's urging, he flipped open the book and took a look. The more he read, the more shocked he became: "This dowry list is too generous! Uncle! This is unacceptable!"

"It is enough to keep half of what is in the book."

Cui Ping raised his eyebrows and smiled proudly: "We, the Cui family of Boling, are the most prestigious family in Daliang. We have been passed down for hundreds of years and have some wealth. We can afford this dowry. If it is less, where will the face of the Cui family of Boling be?"

"Just accept it with peace of mind."

How can he feel at ease?
He knew his origins best, and he had nothing to do with the Boling Cui family. The Boling Cui family was willing to accept him as a "Cui family member" because of the princess's face. Now he was given such a large dowry, how could he repay this heavy favor?
Cui Du's thoughts were written all over his face.

Cui Ping saw this and couldn't help but sigh secretly. He wished that this grateful, open-minded and enthusiastic young man in front of him was really a member of the Cui family. With such an outstanding son, the Cui family of Boling would have no worries about not prospering.
"This dowry is not all for you." Cui Ping whispered, "The princess has great ambitions and is raising two armies, the Nanyang Army and the Imperial Guard Battalion. Raising an army is the most expensive. Of course, Nanyang County can afford it now, but there is no guarantee that if something unexpected happens in the future, the princess will be stretched to the limit."

"When the time comes, you will take out all your 'private savings' and help the princess out of her urgent need. The princess will appreciate your kindness and treat you better. The people in the Nanyang Palace will also look at you in a different light."

The words have been made very clear. This large amount of gold and silver was actually presented by Cui Shi of Boling to the Princess of Nanyang. It was just a pretext for the dowry.

Cui Du finally felt relieved, and he was still full of gratitude: "Uncle, you are thinking about me wholeheartedly. I know it all. Thank you very much, uncle."

Cui Ping coughed and laughed softly, "Your eldest cousin told me that he wants to stay with you and work for you. Lu Sheren went to Pingzhou to serve as the acting governor, and Ma Sheren is now the chief chef of the royal palace. Now the princess only has Chen Sheren by her side. If there is a suitable opportunity, please say a few good words in front of the princess so that your eldest cousin can also have a proper job."

He is eyeing the job of being the princess's attendant.

Cui Du did not agree immediately: "The personnel changes in the palace are all under the management of Chen Changshi. Who to use as a servant depends on the princess's wishes. I don't understand these things, so it's not convenient for me to say anything."

Cui Ping was also a wonderful person. Not only did he not show any disappointment, he also praised Cui Du for his quiet and low-key behavior: "You did the right thing. It is indeed inappropriate for you to say anything about how the princess uses people to do errands. Even if you get married and become the princess's husband in the future, you must keep this in mind."

Although Jiang Shaohua is young, he has demonstrated powerful strength and means, and his control over Nanyang County is even more amazing.

In front of such a strong and decisive princess, Cui Shi of Boling did not mind bowing her head. If Cui Du wanted to be the princess's son-in-law in the future, he would have to learn to be silent and yield.

……

That night, Jiang Shaohua was in the study room, slowly flipping through the dowry list of Cui Shi of Boling. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise: "Is this what Cui Ping gave you?"

Cui Du nodded and repeated what Cui Ping had said: "…This dowry is nominally given to me, but in reality it is presented to the princess by the Cui family of Boling. It will be temporarily in my name, and you can use it when you need it."

Anyone who sees a mountain of gold offered to him would feel happy.

Jiang Shaohua was no exception. The restlessness and anxiety caused by the changes in the capital city in recent days was swept away. He smiled and said, "In this way, aren't you at a disadvantage?"

Cui Du responded as a matter of course: "Everything I have belongs to the princess, so how can I suffer any loss?"

Jiang Shaohua pursed his lips and smiled, then returned the booklet to Cui Du: "Keep it for now. When I need it in the future, I will ask you for it."

Cui Du refused to accept it, and took her hand in his palm: "It's troublesome to take it back and forth, Princess, just keep it. I'm busy in the farm all day, how can I have time to keep these." Although Cui Du didn't practice martial arts, he was busy in the farm all day, and a layer of calluses formed on his palms. Jiang Shaohua had supernatural power, but her hands were slender and small, and he held them tightly in his palms.

A hint of heat arose where their skin touched.

Jiang Shaohua felt a little hot behind her ears, and looked up at Cui Du, only to see that Cui Du's handsome face was red. His eyes were particularly hot, falling on her face.

Jiang Shaohua was not an ignorant girl who had never experienced love affairs. She tried to remain calm under his eager gaze and tried to change the subject: "It's getting late, it's time to serve dinner..."

The handsome face quickly approached and kissed her forehead. Then, the red face retreated, not daring to look her in the eye.

Jiang Shaohua felt as if his heart was scratched.

She took a step forward, moved closer to him under his unexpected gaze, and kissed him on the lips.

Cui Du felt an electric current running wildly in his body, and his whole body trembled. He subconsciously wanted to kiss her back, but Jiang Shaohua had already quickly retreated: "Let's go! I'm hungry."

I'm so hungry too.

Cui Du cleared his dry throat and said, "Okay, I'll accompany the princess to dinner."

Jiang Shaohua smiled sweetly, took his hand and walked out of the study.

Cui Du felt light all over and his steps were extremely brisk, as if every step was on the clouds.

Chen Jinyu, who was standing outside the study, was shocked to see the princess and the Earl of Changning coming out hand in hand. Then he thought, Bo Ling Cui had already come to the Nanyang Palace to discuss the engagement, so the princess and the Earl of Changning were already engaged. It was nothing to be intimate in front of others.

The dinner was rich and delicious. Cui Du habitually served the princess food, using his chopsticks quickly, and only stopped when the bowl was filled to the brim.

Jiang Shaohua was used to being served, so he had a particularly good appetite tonight, and finished the dishes in the bowl in less than a moment. Then, the second bowl came before him.

Cui Du smiled and said, "These days, the princess' appetite has not been as good as before, and she has lost some weight. Her appetite is good tonight, so eat some."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and hummed.

The world is big, but eating is the most important thing. Only when you are full can you have the energy to do things.

After I had eaten and drunk my fill and just put down my chopsticks, Chen Changshi came.

At this time, Chen Changshi came here specially, so he must have something important to tell him. Jiang Shaohua knew what was going on, so he asked, "Is there any response from the capital?"

Chen Changshi nodded and handed the letter to Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua's heart sank slightly.

It was the reply from Empress Dowager Zheng. Emperor Taihe did not reply. (End of this chapter)