Chapter 483: Methods and

The exact moment of the Wei hour (after 2 PM)

The blazing sun was like fire,

Inside the Great Zhou Imperial Palace,

The imperial guards on duty outside the hall, though standing in the shaded corridor, still had their heads covered in sweat.

Watching the eunuch approaching from a short distance carrying cool, clear soup to quench everyone's thirst, the guards slightly licked their lips.

Inside the cool hall,

the fierce sunlight made the interior very bright.

Female officials on both sides fanned gently and appropriately,

a clear breeze blew past,

causing the memorial in the Emperor's hand to sway slightly.

"There are truly many people on this list; who are they? Did Zhao Zilong check them carefully?"

the Emperor asked while reading.

Zhao Zhao Zilong, standing nearby, bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, the list includes officials from the Northern Liao Ministry of Rites, and the accompanying personnel are mostly direct descendants of the great Northern Liao Han, Zhao, Liu, and Ma families."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Are there any generals or strategists among them? If so, I will arrange for that young man from the Xu family."

Seeing Zhao Zhao Zilong shake his head, the Emperor added, "Indeed, that young man from the Xu family is indeed not good at handling such matters; then let Yuan Yuan Erlang from the Gu family prepare a bit? Hmm?"

Zhao Zhao Zilong clasped his hands and said, "Replying to Your Majesty, the department reports that the descendants of these families accompanying the delegation hold no actual posts in Northern Liao; although their personal martial prowess is quite excellent, none have entered the military, and there are no generals or strategists! As for the matter of those young generals like Bai Gao previously... such things cannot be sought, only encountered."

The Emperor nodded with some regret; it was no wonder the Emperor had this idea, for the speed of recovering Bai Gao previously far exceeded the Emperor's expectations, and that feeling of expanding territory was truly wonderful.

"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress has arrived."

After the eunuch announced,

the Empress stepped in, followed by a female official carrying cold drinks.

"Where is Fang'er?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, she is in my sleeping quarters watching her younger sister sleep."

The Emperor smiled and nodded, saying, "Has the gift for Princess Pingning been sent by a messenger?"

The Empress hummed in affirmation.

At the Marquis Xiangyang Hou Fu,

Wu Da Da Niangzi and other noble ladies from the capital stood aside watching from a short distance,

where the Marquis of Marquis Xiangyang and the Marquis Princess Pingning, the couple, were respectfully seeing off the eunuch who had come to deliver the rewards.

Afterwards,

the Marquis of Marquis Xiangyang invited everyone to continue celebrating.

On the road,

Wu Da Da Niangzi looked back once and said:

"Speaking of which, all you Marquises, the current Emperor loves Marquis Princess Pingning the most! Just look at those boxes bestowed."

The surrounding crowd all agreed.

Walking into the room filled with ice jars, which was very cool, Wu Da Da Niangzi sighed contentedly.

Lady Bai Shi, the wife of the Gu Marquis, looked at Sun Shi, who seemed dazed after entering the room, and said, "Sister, what are you thinking about?"

Wu Da Da Niangzi glanced at Sun Shi: "She is pondering which of the several Da Da Niangzi we just dealt with has the better daughter."

Hearing this, Sun Shi smiled and shook her head, saying, "The twists and turns within this, I am still thinking whether I have seen the girls mentioned in their mouths; just thinking about it makes my head spin."

Wu Da Da Niangzi picked up a slice of watermelon and said, "Now you know what kind of people I am facing, right?"

Sun Shi patted Wu Da Da Niangzi's hand and said, "It truly troubles you, Sister!"

Wu Da Da Niangzi nodded arrogantly, but while eating that slice of watermelon, she looked towards those boxes bestowed from the palace being carried away by the young servants.

In the afternoon,

the sun tilted westward,

the Emperor, having finished state affairs, held a cup of cool tea and looked with a smile at Zhao Fang, who was writing nearby.

The chief eunuch standing nearby walked over from the door and whispered a few words in the Emperor's ear.

The Emperor frowned: "That old fellow, sending gifts again?"

"Yes, he says it is a dowry for the twin children serving beside the fifth young master of the Xu family."

The Emperor put down the tea cup in a bad mood: "He really thought of that."

"By the way, doesn't that young man from the Xu family have three female servants beside him?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, yes."

A smile appeared on the Emperor's lips as he said, "Go to the warehouse storing the Bai Gao war trophies sent by Marquis Marquis Tuoxi and select three carts of items; say it is an advance reward for war merits for that young man."

"Do you know how to deliver it?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, please ask Miss Seeing Qingcao beside the fifth young master to count them."

The Emperor waved his hand.

The sun had already set behind Luoshan,

but the sky was still quite bright,

at Qu Yuan Street,

at the Hou Fu of Marquis Marquis Yongyi,

at the door of Xu Xu Zaijing's warehouse,

Xu Xu Zaijing's wet nurse, Cui Mama, and Mother Zhu beside Sun Shi stood there.

Watching the last wooden box on the table being properly placed into the room and the door locked,

These two nannies had just written their names on the ledger at the door and pressed their handprints.

Shortly after, Nanny Cui accompanied Nanny Zhu as they walked out, saying as they went, "The items in the treasury were just moved out a bit, and now they've been filled up again."

Nanny Zhu, standing nearby, followed them out the door, nodding and speaking in a low voice, "The two female attendants by Fifth Young Master's side have a dowry even richer than that of legitimate daughters in the capital; from now on, they truly won't worry about food or clothing."

"Indeed! We've been counting for so long. Come, I'll treat you, sister, to a cup of tea."

As she spoke, the two nannies walked out.

But after just a few steps,

they saw Nanny Dan, who serves Sun Shi, leading Hou Fu's female attendants and young male servants, carrying items as they approached from this direction.

"Little Dan, where, where did these things come from?"

"Sister Cui, the palace said the reward for Fifth Young Master's achievements in the Western Army has arrived. The eunuch delivering the items said Miss Seeing Qingcao must count them personally."

Hearing this,

Seeing Qingcao, who was following behind Nanny Dan, lowered her head in some confusion.

"Oh my, then we must take a good look."

As she spoke,

Nanny Zhu and Nanny Cui walked toward the courtyard.

The female attendant guarding the treasury door, seeing everyone return after having left, looked somewhat surprised.

Soon, several bright yellow candles were lit at the entrance.

The two nannies serving Sun Shi, along with Seeing Qingcao, began counting the items placed in wooden boxes and chests.

"Just now, Hou Fu sent items to Hua Xiang and Xiang Xiang, and now the imperial rewards have arrived, specifically designating you, Seeing Qingcao, to count them. How truly coincidental."

"Indeed!"

Hearing the murmurs of those around her, Seeing Qingcao simply counted the items in a daze.

After locking the doors and affixing the seal,

Seeing Qingcao returned to Xu Xu Zaijing's courtyard.

In the study,

behind the bright yellow candles stood a bronze mirror so polished it could reflect light,

concentrating the candlelight onto the table.

Xu Xu Zaijing shifted his gaze from the book, looking at Seeing Qingcao, who was holding a cup of cool tea, and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Young Master, why did the palace send rewards for me to count?"

"Because you are the chief female attendant and steward by this Young Master's side."

"Oh." Seeing Qingcao nodded.

"Also, Your Majesty and the Marquis of Marquis Xiangyang are just playing a game of pouting; it's us who are caught in the middle of their squabble."

Xu Xu Zaijing, seeing Seeing Qingcao's bewildered expression, continued, "Your Majesty and the Marquis of Marquis Xiangyang share a bond forged in life and death. Even Princess Princess Pingning was taken in by Your Majesty as an adopted daughter; their friendship is naturally profound."

Seeing Qingcao nodded repeatedly.

Xu Xu Zaijing turned his head back to continue reading his book and said, "Since Your Majesty has ordered you to count them, those items belong to you. When you marry in the future, they will be your dowry."

"You are my first female attendant; I cannot possibly treat you poorly. You must not refuse them."

Seeing Qingcao looked up at Xu Xu Zaijing: "Yes, Young Master."

"Mm."

At noon two days later,

in Jiyin Lane,

the Sheng family's

Shou'an Hall.

The Old Lady stopped her incense-making, turned her head to look at Sheng Hong, who had just returned from official duties, and Wang Wang Ruofu, who had come to pay respects and chat, and asked, "What did Da Da Niangzi just say?"

Wang Wang Ruofu, with a gossipy expression, said, "Mother, I heard from relatives of the Wang family that recently many families have abandoned their thoughts of arranging a marriage for Young Master Jing!"

The Old Lady wiped the bronze tweezers used for making incense with a cloth napkin and placed them on the table, asking, "Why is that?"

Sheng Hong also looked at Wang Wang Ruofu with a curious expression.

After placing the cool tea on the tables of Sheng Hong and Wang Wang Ruofu, Wei Wei Shuyi stood aside, her eyes equally curious as she waited quietly for the rest of the story.

"It's all because of that Marquis of Marquis Xiangyang! He sent three carts of so-called dowry items to female attendants from his own household."

Sheng Hong stared at Wang Wang Ruofu, speaking with some disbelief, "This... anyone who could arrange a marriage with Hou Fu's Fifth Young Master could afford three carts of dowry, couldn't they? Would they really give up their hopes just because of this? Is that possible?"

Wang Wang Ruofu picked up her cup of cool tea, secretly rolled her eyes, and said, "Husband, do you know what was inside those three carts? Let me put it this way: even legitimate daughters of ordinary official families might not have such a fine dowry!"

Sheng Hong pouted and shook his head, about to speak,

when the Old Lady, standing nearby, pondered aloud, "How did this news leak out?"

Wang Wang Ruofu rolled her eyes, recalling for a moment, then said, "I heard from relatives of the Feng family... it seems it came from Wu Da Da Niangzi! Wu Da Da Niangzi and Xu Hou's Lady have always been close friends, so it's unlikely to be false!"

The Old Lady nodded thoughtfully.

Seizing the opportunity, Sheng Hong said, "Hmph! Even better than the legitimate daughters of ordinary families? Could the chests possibly be filled with gold, silver, jewels, fine silks, land deeds, and property deeds?"

After speaking, Sheng Hong looked at Wang Wang Ruofu, who wore an expression of smug silence, and hesitated, "No... could it really be true?"

Upon hearing this, Fang, Cui, Liu, and the other nannies and female attendants serving in Shou'an Hall all widened their eyes in surprise.

Wang Wang Ruofu shook her head: "There are no land deeds or property deeds!"

Sheng Hong finally breathed a sigh of relief: "That's right..."

After speaking, seeing Wang Wang Ruofu's pouting expression, Sheng Hong realized, "If those two are missing, does that mean everything else is included?"

Wang Wang Ruofu nodded with a sigh of emotion.

Sheng Hong continued, "Then that means altogether there are..."

Sheng Hong did not continue.

Previously, when the Sheng family was in Yang Zhou,

while preparing Huilan's dowry, because the eldest branch's business had become much more prosperous than before,

the Old Lady prepared one thousand five hundred taels of silver for Huilan, plus about five hundred taels worth of gold and silver jewelry.

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruo Fu prepared for Huilan silver, manors, and shops, totaling just over five thousand taels of silver.

Other items calculated separately amounted to no more than five hundred taels.

This was because the eldest branch's commerce made the Sheng family wealthy.

Moreover, the sum of all this was already about the same as the silver and money involved in marriages for noble ladies of the imperial clan nowadays.

Of course, this does not mean the Sheng family possessed only this much strength; after all, the Sheng family still had five children to marry, so naturally they could not spend it all at once.

If the news Wang Ruo Fu spoke of was true,

then for the daughters of families in the Capital to discuss marriage with the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family, they would have to see if the silver in their own pockets was enough to surpass the 'dowries' of those two female servants.

Watching Sheng Hong's dazed expression as he thought, Wang Ruo Fu continued,

"Mother, your daughter-in-law also heard that the reward for Jing-ge's meritorious service in the Western Army that night has been issued, to be tallied by Seeing Qingcao, the senior female servant in Jing-ge's room. Zhe, I heard it is even more valuable than what the Marquis of Marquis Xiangyang gave."

Afterwards, Wang Ruo Fu spoke with a look of reverie:

"Speaking of Jing-ge, could he be a boy who attracts wealth? How much income must he have gained in a single day."

Sheng Hong, sitting nearby, said, "I'm afraid it's not less than ten or twenty thousand."

This sum of money sounds like a lot, but in reality, Scholar Zhuang could earn about half of that in three years.

By the time Xu Xu Zaijing and others finish the Metropolitan Examination, they will have an income roughly equal to the amount Sheng Hong mentioned.

The Old Lady lowered her head and continued making incense.

Beside the Luo Han chair where the Old Lady sat,

Cui Cui Ruan and Mother Fang Sister Suqin exchanged a glance, their eyes showing a slight surprise.

In the days when Hou Fu of Marquis Marquis Yongyi was at its most glorious, they had also heard of such income.

Wang Ruo Fu looked at Sheng Hong and said, "Husband, I said many families have extinguished their thoughts; now do you believe me!"

Sheng Hong nodded: "For ordinary noble and official families, it is indeed difficult to gather enough to surpass them."

Hearing the words of everyone in the hall,

Wei Wei Shuyi, sitting nearby, felt great surprise and some joy.

The two female servants who had previously followed Seeing Qingcao to learn embroidery skills from her now had such substantial personal funds; their future days would surely be good, not like hers.

After talking for a while longer,

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruo Fu stood up to take their leave, and Wei Wei Shuyi followed them out.

The Old Lady sat cross-legged, handed the finished incense to Mother Fang, stepped sideways off the Luo Han chair, walked a few steps in the hall with her hands behind her back, and murmured to herself, "It is indeed a good method."

In the late sixth month,

the birthday of the deity at Shenbao Guan was approaching.

On this day,

in the evening,

by the old Cao Gate Street near Huihe Fang,

on a wooden building of a very elegant tea house,

daughters of noble and official families in the Capital were taking advantage of the cool evening to drink tea and appreciate incense.

Zheng Ni, who had been married for some time, was among them, accompanied by her sister-in-law Shen Hezhen.

Inside the private room,

Shen Hezhen held a cup of tea, sniffed it under her nose, nodded in approval, and then took a sip.

Nearby, Yu Yu Yanran and the Fifth Young Lady of the Li family were speaking in low voices.

Although Shen Hezhen did not want to eavesdrop, the voices simply drilled in; hearing the two of them chatting about topics like 'female servants', 'dowries', and 'over ten thousand taels',

Shen Hezhen involuntarily perked up her ears and leaned in closer.

Seeing Shen Hezhen approach, Yu Yu Yanran and the Fifth Young Lady of the Li family did not stop their topic but instead pulled her into the conversation.

As they spoke,

the number of people discussing this topic increased.

Gu Gu Tingyi even leaned in closer.

But shortly after, Gu Gu Tingyi left the group of speakers and returned to the window where the Fifth Young Lady of the Zhang family and Chai Chai Zhengzheng were staying.

"Sister Gu Tingyi, what are the younger sisters chatting about?"

Chai Chai Zhengzheng asked, looking at Zheng Ni, who was standing a short distance away, listening with a dazed expression.

"They are talking about the matters of Sister Huaxiang and Hearing Yunxiang, the female servants around Jing-ge."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng nodded.

Gu Gu Tingyi continued, "If I hadn't heard that the Palace gave Jing-ge another reward for meritorious service later, and that it was to be tallied by Seeing Qingcao, I would have truly forgotten to ask Jing-ge exactly what merit he achieved in the Western Army. Chai Zhengzheng, do you know?"

Chai Chai Zhengzheng pressed her lips together, thinking of the military achievements and instructions someone had mentioned to her and Lady Chai by the Empress in the Palace. She glanced at the Fifth Young Lady of the Zhang family beside her, then shook her head and said, "I don't know clearly, but the Fifth Young Lady must know, right?"

"Me? How would I know! I haven't heard my eldest brother mention it either."

Seeing the disbelief in Gu Gu Tingyi's and Chai Chai Zhengzheng's eyes, the Fifth Young Lady of the Zhang family glanced at the others who were still chatting enthusiastically, then said, "Alright... I heard my eldest brother mention it."

The three of them exchanged words in a mumble.

Han Wulang Young Lady of the Zhang family felt somewhat emotional and said, "The reward issued by Your Majesty is probably around ten thousand. It was also said that the 'dowries' of those two girls, Sister Huaxiang and Hearing Yunxiang, are about the same. Zhezhe..."

Gu Gu Tingyi and Chai Chai Zhengzheng both nodded somewhat indifferently.

"Hey, what expressions are you two making? Is this amount of money not much?"

Gu Gu Tingyi and Chai Chai Zhengzheng exchanged a puzzled glance.

Gu Gu Tingyi asked, "How much?"

Gu Gu Tingyi's birth mother, Bai Shi, had a dowry—uh, counted in ships full of silver.

Chai Chai Zhengzheng said, "Not very much, right?"

It was just one book, or maybe half a book, in her petty cash ledger.

Han Wulang Miss of the Zhang family narrowed her eyes and looked at the two of them.

In the Rong family,

within the Returning Snow Courtyard,

under the candlelight,

Rong Rong Feiyan, suffering from the summer heat, was holding a piece of paper and reading it,

while Seeing Xi Bu, fanning her nearby, said, "Miss, the rewards bestowed by Noble Consort Rong today are truly quite numerous."

Rong Rong Feiyan nodded, then let out a somewhat melancholy sigh.

Seeing Seeing Ningxiang, who had walked over carrying sliced watermelon, asked, "Why did Her Ladyship bestow gifts?"

Seeing Xi Bu stuffed a slice of watermelon into Seeing Seeing Ningxiang's mouth, then glared at her.

(End of Chapter)