Chapter 279: All Are Joyful

They specially prepared a whole set of jeweled ornaments, a Horse‑face Skirt, and the top‑grade Double‑sided Embroidery Palace Fan as a greeting gift.

There were also the finest white wine, tea and other valuable gifts.

This time it cost no less than a hundred thousand taels; the whole wedding could not be held without five hundred thousand silver taels.

Even so, the Duchess kept looking for faults, but the Defender Duke and the Old Defender Duke pressed her down; she wanted to cause trouble but could no longer.

On the Betrothal day, the Defender Duke's family also had many relatives and friends present; seeing the groom's side so sincere, bringing gifts that no other family could match, what more could they say? To speak would only be to slap themselves in the face.

The sarcastic jibes that were about to be spoken turned entirely into envy—such is the charm of money.

Besides, Feng'er's current status is also something to flaunt; not to mention the court's new aristocracy, he's good‑looking, like jade trees in the wind, and at a young age already a Fourth‑rank military general. If the Defender Duke's family didn't appreciate him, plenty of others would.

Moreover, there's Yuan Jiaqi, a First‑rank senior official's father—who would dare look down on him?

The proposal went smoothly; the Defender Duke's family was extremely satisfied!

Afterwards, Yuan Jiaqi invited the Defender Duke's family to the New Zhai as guests, saying they would discuss the Betrothal Gifts and the wedding date that day.

The Defender Duke's family gladly accepted, and on the twenty‑first day of the ninth month, the whole family came to visit.

When they saw this residence, they were all stunned.

Mu Guniang felt delighted; if she married into this place, she imagined how comfortable life would be—far better than the houses in Tianshui Town.

After wine and a full meal, both families were in good spirits and suggested looking at the Betrothal Gifts; Feng'er immediately led them to his Tingfeng Pavilion.

Even the Duchess couldn't help but glance a few more times, and the Defender Duke's family were as dumbfounded as country bumpkins entering the city.

But after seeing it, the Defender Duke's family were extremely shocked; many items were things they had never even seen before.

"Then let's set it for the sixth day of the fifth month; that works fine on our side."

Seeing the Betrothal Gifts, the Defender Duke's household was again astonished; every carry was exquisitely luxurious, showing they had spared no effort on the gifts.

They were so cute, so adorable, and especially spirited, drifting like three white clouds—just how much they loved them.

Qiao Mai said at the right moment, "Their marriage will be here; my family isn't that bound by rules. After Mu Guniang marries into this house, she'll be the senior sister among the younger ones, and will take charge of the household, sharing the chores with me."

She ignored Qiao Mai, and Qiao Mai naturally didn't run out of things to say, but at the table she still helped with picking dishes and pouring wine; her manners were equally attentive.

"You think running a household is easy? It's as tiring as an ox, and no one respects it. It'd be better to raise children for the husband's family; that's the real business."

"Don't worry, whatever Betrothal Gifts your family gives, my family will provide the same dowry; we're just a maiden, and we won't be shortchanged."

"Your Majesty, don't you already know?"

"Is this newly bought by your family?"

Except for the Duchess, the Defender Duke's family was all very pleased with the son‑in‑law's household.

The children just listened on the side; Mu Guniang glanced at Feng'er, gave him a bold wink, and Feng'er's face flushed as he lowered his head, unable to look at her again.

The Qiao Family's dishes truly aren't exaggerated; even the Imperial chefs might not match the taste of this table.

That day was, indeed, a happy ending for all!

When the Emperor heard of this, he frowned and immediately summoned the Golden Dragon Guard.

She assigned two junior servants and five rough laborers, all young men, to the courtyard of Feng Yunchuan's three brothers.

The old master accompanied the Old Duke, the old lady accompanied the Old Duchess, Yuan Jiaqi accompanied the Defender Duke, and Qiao Mai naturally accompanied the Duchess.

At the table, the two families also set the Engagement ceremony date for the eighth day of the tenth month; upon hearing that One Hundred and Twenty Carries of Betrothal Gifts had been prepared, the Defender Duke burst into hearty laughter.

Although the Duchess was dissatisfied with the match, she was genuinely pleased with the residence and the Qiao Family's food.

"Jingcheng has many examples; may I point some out to the Duchess?"

"Wang Laoyezi Yuan is a son‑in‑law; he has no personal assets, all earnings come from his wife. Because she saved the Wang Family's son's life, the Wang Family gives her a yearly bonus. Her own shop also makes considerable profit each year, and Shexian even opened a large Zuofang; starting next year, its income will increase annually, so his wife certainly isn't short of money."

For example, high‑tech pressure wells, as well as toilets, bathrooms, the Playground, the Martial Arts arena, and the Hua Yuan, all house various small animals.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The Defender Duke shot his wife a glare; the Old Duke gave a light cough, and only then did the Duchess stop arguing.

"Ah, that's fine; I was wondering if he had accepted gifts upon taking office."

It looked harmonious, and the conversation flowed easily.

One Hundred and Twenty Carries, each a masterpiece; among them were two boxes of century‑old Ginseng and two boxes of century‑old Lingzhi, all over five hundred years old, each box containing ten pieces, each box worth tens of thousands of taels.

No servant girl was kept waiting; when they eventually take a wife, they'll naturally bring one in, and they'll need someone to command around them at all times.

"Shall we set the wedding day for the sixth day of the fifth month next year? The children are grown; the sooner they marry, the more at ease we'll be."

Qiao Mai smiled, "My family isn't that strict; if Mu Guniang wants children, having them is best; if not, we won't complain. Biological children aren't necessarily filial, while many non‑biological ones are."

"Wang Laoyezi Yuan is a good official; back in Shexian, he used his wife's silver to aid the people, buying up unwanted wasteland for her to plant trees, employing thousands of laborers, which alleviated part of the poverty in Shexian."

Although Yuan Jiaqi had toured his own home before, this time, bringing the Defender Duke for another visit, he was still slightly dazzled.

It completely reshaped their worldview—what kind of sheep is this?

"It's just a matter of silver; the noble Wang family's house won't be built without tens of millions of taels," Qiao Mai replied coolly.

After Qiao Mai set Feng's marriage, her heart relaxed enormously; since moving into the New Zhai, the old master and the old lady have been delighted day after day.

"Hmph, clever arguments."

At noon, everyone sat in the Can Ting eating, salivating at the colorful, fragrant, and tasty Meal spread before them.

The Defender Duke was already in his forties, while Yuan Jiaqi was just entering his thirties; the two families walked together, one imposing and majestic, the other gentle and refined.

His Guo Gong household still couldn't compare to a First‑rank senior official's family.

Especially the three sheep from Jixiang Yuan—ah, these were repurchased by Qiao Mai from the Platform; the three sheep at home remained untouched.

"Hmm, I remember this; I hope he keeps his original intention, otherwise I won't be kind to him. You must keep a close watch on this high‑ranking minister for me."

"I have so many affairs daily; how could I remember each one?"

"Indeed,"

"This residence isn't cheap; it's among the top two in Jingcheng."

It seems that after returning, they'll tweak the dowry a bit, lest they lose the elder's favor.

What's going on with the Minister of Personnel's family?

Only the Duchess rolled her eyes disdainfully; she has a taboo toward Qiao Mai, so naturally she doesn't dare to speak too bluntly, yet the subtext still revealed her displeasure.

They really hold their family's daughter in high regard; this in‑law did a good job, too good.

In ancient times, it was like this: as soon as Nü'er entered the house, she could take charge of the household, which shows that the bride's family held their own Nü'er in high esteem and were very pleased.

Of course, Yuan Jiaqi was also assigned a young servant by her; not only that, he also had a carriage dedicated to shuttling him to and from court.

The Duke of Zhen was so pleased with this marriage arrangement that he specially sent six Martial practitioners over, to escort Yuan Jiaqi and protect Jixiang Yuan at night.

Actually, he didn't send them, Qiao Mai had also considered it; although Jingcheng is prosperous, it's also chaotic, and Yuan Jiaqi lacks martial skills, so with daily court duties and social engagements, he still needs someone to protect him.

Just as he was dozing off, someone delivered a pillow, and Qiao Mai casually accepted it on Yuan Jiaqi's behalf.

(End of chapter)