Wealth and glory seek stability

After the polo match ended, Emperor Xuanyuan did as he said and issued the imperial decree to grant the marriage the next day.

Jian Xi knelt down to receive the imperial edict, and Dongfang Wenying happily began to prepare her dowry.

Mrs. Gao, who was recuperating in the capital, was immediately excited when she heard the news and started preparing the betrothal gifts.

Because Gao Yunhuai was in a hurry to take up his post, he was not able to prepare the betrothal gifts properly. On the day of the proposal, Mrs. Gao brought 256 betrothal gifts, including 50 boxes full of gold, a total of 50,000 taels, as well as various collections of celebrity calligraphy and paintings, and countless rare treasures.

Dongfang Wenying, as the mistress of the Shen family, was sitting in the hall and was almost dazzled by so much gold.

Unexpectedly, Madam Gao was still not satisfied. "I have only given birth to Yun Huai in my life. I like Xi'er very much. His Majesty has granted the marriage, and the wedding date is approaching. All the money and betrothal gifts that the Gao family can mobilize in the vicinity of the capital are here. I am not in good health. After Xi'er gets married, she will take care of the whole family. I will definitely not let her suffer any grievances."

Mrs. Gao looked pale and no one knew what was wrong with her. She just felt a little dizzy. Dongfang Wenying quickly asked the servants to serve her ginseng tea.

Dongfang Wenying saw that there was still something she didn't understand, so she asked, "The general only has this one sister. I wonder if the concubines in Lord Gao's backyard have any children?"

Madam Gao waved her hands repeatedly to deny, "He has no concubines or maids. My son is a clean man. The Gao family has been a family of lovers for generations. We practice monogamy. Madam Shen, don't worry."

Dongfang Wenying was finally relieved, and sighed that it was a match made in heaven. "My Xier is also a good housekeeper. The most difficult thing is to be kind to the servants and be strict and lenient. She was the only one who supported such a large general's mansion before I came in. She is amazing."

However, the Gao family was so eager that she still felt uneasy. She still had to go home and ask Mrs. Wang what she thought.

Shen Nanxing and Gao Yunhuai sat aside and listened to their family members praising each other, their faces calm.

The betrothal gifts need to be registered and counted carefully. In addition to the Gao family, Dongfang Wenying asked the people around her, as well as Xing's mother and others, to count and put them into storage.

These things will go with Jian Xi when she marries into the Gao family in the future.

Shen Nanxing stood up and raised his eyebrows provocatively: "I heard that Mr. Gao is also proficient in martial arts. It will take a long time to count outside. Mr. Gao, are you willing to go to the backyard with me to spar with me?"

Gao Yunhuai returned the gift and said with a faint smile: "Obedience is worse than respect." If he wanted to marry Jian Xi peacefully, he couldn't avoid the hurdle of meeting his brother-in-law.

"Please!" Shen Nanxing had long wanted to teach Gao Yunhuai a lesson. Today he finally had the chance, and he was eager to give it a try.

Dongfang Wenying watched the two of them leave, feeling a little worried, and looked outside the door from time to time. Mrs. Gao looked calm and turned to comfort Dongfang Wenying.

"Don't worry, Yun Huai has always been very measured in his actions."

Dongfang Wenying: ???

"I'm not worried about my husband. Isn't the old lady worried about Mr. Gao? Mr. Gao is well-read and my husband is an excellent martial artist. I'm afraid he will hurt Mr. Gao."

Given how much Shen Nanxing values ​​Jian Xi, she is very likely to fight with her future brother-in-law. She is afraid that things will get out of hand and end badly.

Mrs. Gao took a sip of tea and wiped the corners of her mouth elegantly with a handkerchief. Her every move was extremely beautiful, as if it had been measured with a ruler.

"Xing'er knows the seriousness of the matter. She just feels angry and needs to let it out."

Dongfang Wenying was curious, "Madam, have you met my husband before?" Such an intimate address did not seem like that of an ordinary elder.

Madam Gao smiled kindly, "Yes, I met Xing'er when my husband and I went to the Jian family to propose marriage. Yun Huai went to Beijing to take the imperial examination, and we were too busy to take care of ourselves. They were sold to human traffickers by their evil stepmother. Fortunately, they were brought to the Wu'an Palace. I met them several times during that time. They were both very good children. They never complained about their fate even though it was rough."

Mrs. Gao told the story of Shen Nanxing and Jian Xi's past. Dongfang Wenying listened carefully, not wanting to miss any details.

Shen Nanxing had talked about this before, but not in such detail.

Painted Water Pavilion.

Jian Xi was lying on the beauty couch, drowsy. Except for practicing martial arts, she was busy every day and was bored every moment.

Mother Xing told her that before her wedding she must not go out of the house, stay at home and not meet any other men.

Jian Xi was lying down while Qiangwei was fiddling with an abacus on the desk beside her.

Originally, I thought she had seen enough in Wu'an Palace. If she really wanted to do business, she would have to learn a set of business skills, including identifying silver and using an abacus, which were all things that a shopkeeper must learn.

If he didn't understand something, he would turn around and ask Jian Xi who was lying on the couch.

Qiangwei was studying hard, and Jian Xi thought of her sisters in the palace. "Sister Qiangwei, are Caiyun and the others doing well in the palace?"

Qiangwei was no longer a slave. The Wu'an Palace delivered her household registration documents early the next morning. Jian Xi was still used to calling her that.

"The girls who came into the mansion with you are all outstanding and conscientious. Caixia learned a craft from Dingxiang. When I came out, I was already able to work independently. I think I can redeem myself like Dingxiang and no longer have to be a slave."

Some skilled embroiderers in wealthy families signed contracts, providing embroidery every month and enjoying support, which gave them more respect and freedom than being slaves.

"The girl sent me a message before, asking me to help Caiyun. I have already transferred her to a farm outside. I am just waiting for her to take out the redemption money and return to the Madam to redeem herself."

"Lai Xi..." Qiangwei hesitated, thinking of what Xi had done in the palace, and didn't know whether she should say it or not.

Jian Xi raised her eyes, "How is Lai Xi?"

Caixia has a calm and steady personality. She has probably saved a lot of money from selling embroidery over the years. There is no problem in redeeming herself. She has asked Qiangwei to send the redemption money to Caiyun. She will be free after the Dragon Boat Festival. It just so happens that she and Leizi are in love with each other. When the time comes, she will recognize Caiyun as her sister and let her marry in glory.

Lai Xi is the most active one among the group. After everything has happened, she still hopes that everyone can live a better life.

Qiangwei hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Lai Xi was assigned by the Madam to be the Third Master's concubine."

Qiangwei looked at Jian Xi's gloomy face, sighed, and continued, "This girl is usually likable and gets along well with everyone in the rooms and courtyards. I saw her pestering the Third Master several times and I couldn't stand it and said a few words, but the girl told me not to meddle in other people's business. The Third Master actually likes her very much. The Madam originally wanted the Third Master not to like Lin...that commoner girl, so she introduced Lai Xi to the Third Master."

Jian Xi closed her eyes and recalled the days they had spent together.

Open your eyes.

It's not easy to be a concubine. Baili Yanhua hasn't married yet, so Lai Xi can relax for a few years. But when Baili Yanhua gets married, Lai Xi's life will become difficult.

"Well, you have to bear the consequences of your own choice."

She also has her own path to take.

All of them are pretty, but Lai Xi has the most lively and lovely personality and looks, and is somewhat similar to Lin Yun.

Caixia is steady and Caiyun is careful, both of them are well-planned, and it's always good to have a skill.