The most dissolute couple in the capital

That afternoon, Li sent someone to invite Cui Qingyi to the main courtyard for a talk.

When Cui Qingyi arrived, Li was sitting at the table with a thick stack of papers spread out in front of her.

"Qingyi has arrived, please sit." Madam Li raised her head, a polite smile on her face. "The palace sent some more things today; Mother has already had them registered and listed. Please take a look."

Cui Qingyi sat down as instructed, took the booklet, and flipped through it.

The booklet was filled with meticulous notes on the name, quantity, and quality of each reward, written in neat and precise handwriting.

Madam Li took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Qingyi, your mother has called you here today to discuss your dowry."

Cui Qingyi put down the booklet and pretended to listen attentively.

"Your mother's dowry has been inventoried by Madam Yu," Madam Li carefully chose her words. "The jewelry may be a bit old, but it all comes from your mother's heart. If you want to keep it as it is, you can. Your mother won't force you. But the furniture and fabrics do need to be replaced, and that will be paid for from the family funds."

Cui Qingyi nodded obediently: "Thank you, Mother."

Madam Li glanced at her and continued, "Besides what your mother left behind, we need to add more to the dowry. You're marrying a prince; if your dowry is meager, outsiders will laugh at our Cui family for not knowing proper etiquette."

"Your father and I have discussed it. We'll allocate some more silver from the public treasury to provide you with eight sets of clothing for each of the four seasons, one set of daily necessities, and two sets of bedding and curtains. Adding the palace's rewards and your mother's original belongings, we should have enough for sixty-four sets."

Cui Qingyi's heart skipped a beat.

Of course, this wasn't because Ms. Li suddenly became generous, but because she married a different person.

Li felt a pang of heartache at losing that thousand taels, but she had no choice.

The palace's gifts acted like a ruler, forcefully raising the minimum standard for the Cui family's dowry. With the precious imperial artifacts sent by the Empress Dowager displayed in the chests, anything too meager from the Cui family's own preparations would appear utterly pathetic in comparison.

This is one of the advantages of being royalty—

They've set the standards for you, so you can only grit your teeth and try to meet them.

Cui Qingyi silently kowtowed to the Empress Dowager.

"Mother's considerations are very thorough," Cui Qingyi said gently. "I will follow Mother's arrangements."

Seeing her obedient appearance, Li breathed a sigh of relief.

This child is indeed someone who doesn't cause you any trouble.

"Qingyi," she softened her tone, "Mother knows that you'll have a lot to manage after marrying into the Prince's household. The farmland and shops need careful management; they'll be your source of income. And there's one more thing—"

Li took out a brocade pouch from the box and pushed it in front of Cui Qingyi.

"Here are five hundred taels of silver notes, a dowry from your mother. Keep them; they'll be more financially secure if you need anything urgently at the Prince's residence."

Cui Qingyi was slightly taken aback.

This didn't exist in my previous life.

She took the brocade pouch and said softly, "Thank you, Mother."

Madam Li waved her hand: "You are a daughter of the Cui family, and you are marrying into the royal family. Naturally, your mother will ensure you have a respectable marriage. However—"

She paused, seemingly choosing her words.

"But your mother's funds are limited. Your younger brother will need money for his future education, and your younger sister will need a dowry when she gets married. This five hundred taels is the most your mother can offer. You... don't think it's too little."

Cui Qingyi understood.

Li's words were sincere.

Cui Zhiyuan was only a sixth-rank official with a limited salary. For Madam Li, her personal savings were naturally intended for her own daughter, and she probably wouldn't even give any to her younger brother who was born out of wedlock. Now that she was willing to take out five hundred taels as a dowry, it was already an immense favor.

"Mother, what are you saying?" Cui Qingyi smiled gently. "I know the family's difficulties. This is already very kind of you; I'm more than grateful. How could I possibly think it's too little?"

Upon hearing this, Li's smile became more genuine.

She patted Cui Qingyi's hand: "Good child. Once the dowry list is finalized, have Aunt Yu make a copy for you to review. If there's anything you'd like to add, just tell your mother."

Cui Qingyi obediently agreed again.

As I walked out of the main courtyard, the spring sunshine was beautiful, and the pomegranate flowers in the courtyard were blooming bright red.

Su Xin followed behind, lowering her voice to say, "Miss, Madam is very generous this time."

Cui Qingyi didn't care about these things. Seeing that the palace valued her and was willing to befriend her, Cui Qingyi was naturally happy to maintain her relationship with her.

As for the number of pieces of dowry...

Whether it's thirty-six or sixty-four, it's just a number to her.

Most importantly, she no longer had to marry into that deadly Zheng family.

As they stepped out of the courtyard, Su Xin lowered her voice and said, "Miss, the Second Miss is asking about your dowry again."

Cui Qingyi hummed in agreement but did not say anything more.

In her previous life, when she married into the Zheng family, Cui Qinghui was quite envious, feeling that her sister had married better than her. Later, Cui Qinghui married the second son of a fourth-rank official and lived a good life, so the two had even less contact.

This life—

Cui Qingyi married a prince, a first-rank princess.

The gap was so large that Cui Qinghui could never catch up, no matter how hard he tried.

Cui Qingyi understood this feeling. But understanding was one thing, she had no obligation to comfort a sister who felt that "the whole world had wronged her."

She was just a salted fish who knew nothing.

Li picked up her pen again, opened the account book, and was about to make a mark under a purchase item when a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

Before the maid could announce her arrival, Cui Qinghui rushed in like a gust of wind.

"Mother." She got straight to the point, her voice tense, forgetting even to observe proper etiquette.

Madam Li frowned and put down her pen: "What's all this commotion about?"

"I only have one question for you," Cui Qinghui said, staring intently at the account books on the table. "I heard that you're going to withdraw one thousand taels of silver from the public funds to add to Cui Qingyi's dowry?"

Li's heart sank, knowing that this matter could not be hidden, so she frankly admitted: "Yes. It is true."

"One thousand taels?" Cui Qinghui's voice suddenly rose, carrying a sharp questioning tone. "Mother, how generous of you! How much does our family earn in a year? You just give her so much money all at once, do you even care about your own daughter?"

Li was so angry at her words that her temples throbbed. She was already annoyed by Cui Qinghui's arrogance during the day, and now she could no longer contain her anger.

"Shut up!" Madam Li slammed her hand on the table, making the account books bounce. "What do you know! Who is she marrying? A prince! His Majesty's own brother! If this dowry isn't respectable, it will be a disgrace to the entire Cui clan of Qinghe! How will your father hold his head high in front of his colleagues?"

"Face? Face!" Cui Qinghui exclaimed as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world. "The palace has bestowed estates, shops, gold and silver jewels upon her—isn't that enough to enhance her image? And you still have to empty your own coffers to subsidize her! In the end, you're just trying to curry favor with her because she's now the future Princess Consort of Liang!"

The word "flattery" was like a poisonous thorn, piercing deeply into Li's heart.

She stood up abruptly, her body trembling slightly with anger.

"You...you ungrateful wretch!" Madam Li pointed at Cui Qinghui, speechless with rage. "I've schemed for you in every way, supporting your sister in every way, all for what? So that she could gain a foothold in the royal family and become your support! With her in the limelight, your marriage prospects will be much better! And the Cui family's prestige will rise even higher! Can't you even understand such a simple truth?"

"I don't need it!" Cui Qinghui interrupted her sharply, tears welling up with resentment. "I don't need her to help me! And I certainly don't need you to use my money to buy her favors!"

Li looked at her daughter with disappointment. "This thousand taels bought the Cui family's reputation and future prospects. Did you think it was given away for free?"

"I don't care!" Cui Qinghui was completely blinded by jealousy; she wouldn't listen to any reason. "You're just being biased! You've forgotten your own daughter! To please a future princess, you're even abandoning your own flesh and blood!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around abruptly and ran out without looking back.

Li stood there blankly, feeling a sudden dizziness, as if all the strength had been drained from her body.

After a long while, he supported his forehead with his hand and let out an extremely tired groan.

"What a terrible child... what a terrible child..."