The most dissolute couple in the capital

In her previous life, Cui Qingyi married into the Zheng family, and her dowry consisted of thirty-six taels of silver.

It's not exactly shabby to say, but the name "Qinghe Cui Clan" already represents so much.

Her father was only a sixth-rank secretary, and her family was of noble birth. The Zheng family never expected to marry a woman from a wealthy family.

However, if we break down the two characters "清贵" (qinggui), "清" (qing) means truly pure, but "贵" (gui) may not be so.

Her biological mother came from a humble family, and in terms of family background, she was not even as good as Li. The dowry she left behind was neither too much nor too little, consisting of a few pieces of jewelry, a few bolts of cloth, a set of mahogany furniture, and the most valuable item was a hundred acres of farmland outside the city.

In her previous life, the Li family supplemented the funds from public funds, managing to gather thirty-six tables, barely enough to maintain appearances.

When Li was handling the dowry, she was only responsible for the final check and was not asked to send someone to keep an eye on it.

These aristocratic families talked about their rich heritage behind the scenes, and the ever-changing emperors.

When you actually face it, you must lower your head and serve them well.

The storeroom in the main courtyard was already filled with boxes and cages of all sizes.

Three large red-lacquered and gold-painted trunks, judging from their condition, are quite old.

The jewelry inside was in good condition, but the style was from more than ten years ago. In today's Chang'an, it would only be considered average.

"These peony hairpins are a bit outdated," said Madam Yu, picking up the gold hairpin and examining it. "Should we ask the jewelry store to remake them? The hibiscus flower style is fashionable now, so it won't take much work to modify them."

Cui Qingyi thought for a moment: "No need, let's leave it as it is. These are Mother's things, and I want them to remain as they were."

Mrs. Yu was taken aback, then her eyes reddened slightly: "Young Miss is so kind."

Cui Qingyi smiled slightly.

The dowry table, chairs, and dressing table were not brought over. Madam Yu only smiled and said, "Miss, your mother's dowry included a set of rosewood table, chairs, and dressing table. It's been more than ten years, and some parts have cracked and peeled. Madam said that these are not suitable for use in the royal family, and a new set needs to be made."

Cui Qingyi nodded.

"Madam's idea is to use public funds to have a new set of huanghuali wood furniture made for you," Madam Yu said in a low voice. "Madam has already discussed this with Master, and Master has agreed."

Even the shrewd Li knew this was an expense she couldn't cut corners on. These wooden furniture pieces had to be draped in silk and carried out in full view of everyone; a poorly executed performance would only bring harm to both the Li and Cui families.

"Madam also said," Madam Yu continued, "that the dowry silks have been stored for a while and the colors have faded a bit; we need to replace some with new ones. What do you think—"

Before she could finish speaking, footsteps sounded outside, and a maidservant lifted the curtain and entered, curtsying: "Young Miss, someone from the palace has come again, saying it's a gift from the Empress Dowager."

Cui Qingyi: "..."

Madam Yu was also taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "The Empress Dowager really dotes on you."

Cui Qingyi had already begun to calculate silently in her mind.

This is the third batch of gifts sent by the palace since the marriage was arranged.

The first batch was bestowed by the emperor. The imperial edict had barely been issued when the list of rewards was delivered. There weren't many fancy items; they were all hard currency—one hundred taels of gold, one thousand taels of silver, and a manor with a hundred acres of fertile land on the outskirts of Chang'an, along with the land deeds.

Following this were the Empress's gifts, showcasing the Empress's elegance and grace. These included twelve bolts of cloud-like Shu brocade, a complete set of gold and kingfisher feather headdresses to be used during the wedding, as well as various precious ornaments such as jade ruyi and coral trees.

When Cui Qingyi and Mama Yu entered the courtyard, they saw several palace eunuchs directing servants to carefully carry camphor wood chests into the courtyard. Leading the group was a head eunuch from the Empress Dowager's palace.

"Greetings to Miss Cui." The head eunuch bowed with a smile. "The Empress Dowager heard that Miss is preparing her dowry, so she specially sent me to bring some things to add to her dowry as a token of her appreciation."

As he spoke, he presented a gift list.

Cui Qingyi took it, glanced at it, and her eyelids twitched involuntarily.

The first item on the list is the title deed to two prime shops facing the street in the East Market.

The East Market was the most prosperous area in Chang'an, where land was incredibly valuable. The annual rent from these two shops alone would be enough for a well-off family to live on for several years.

Below are various high-quality tonic herbs, along with a few small and exquisite antique ornaments.

Mrs. Yu glanced at the gift list and was shocked.

She had previously thought it was a pity that the young lady married the Prince of Liang, but now it seems that this is an incredible windfall!

Cui Qingyi maintained a polite smile, politely asked Suxin to accept the gift list, and then personally saw the head eunuch out.

The King of Liang's strength is truly not to be underestimated. I only benefited from his presence and yet I have received so many bonuses.

"Young Miss," Madam Yu's voice trembled with a dreamy quality as she asked about the pair of hibiscus hairpins she had given her earlier, "Should we melt them down and remake them? Compared to the ones the Empress Dowager bestowed upon us, they are indeed... too plain."

Cui Qingyi snapped out of her daze, picked up the pair of red gold hairpins, weighed them in her hand, and a beautiful smile curved her lips.

"No need." She put the hairpin back in the makeup box. "Just leave it as it is."

She paused, then added lazily, "After all, one shouldn't forget their roots. If money comes in the future, it can be used as a keepsake, a reminder of the simple life we ​​once had."

Yu's mother: "..."