Chapter 768: Not Disdaining the Impoverished Relatives [Thank You

Morning,

The sky was deep blue, the morning sun just rising.

In Jiying Alley, the Sheng household’s back courtyard glowed with bright spring scenery.

“Chirp chirp.”

Two birds perched on a branch, singing clearly.

“Squeak.”

The window shutter was pushed open from inside; Wei Shuyi stood at the window, gazed at the garden, and took a deep breath with closed eyes.

“Young Lady, I’m off to the main kitchen.”

Wei Shuyi turned her head: “Mm, Qiujiang, bring back plenty of food—yesterday’s portion wasn’t enough for us two.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After speaking, Wei Shuyi turned back to the window, gazing toward the distant eaves, green trees, and the faint outline of the city wall.

While gazing afar, Wei Shuyi would also look at the birds in the courtyard, her eyes following their movements.

The door opened, and the maid Qiujiang carried a food box toward the main kitchen.

After relaxing her eyes for a while, Wei Shuyi sat on the embroidery stool before the frame, held the embroidery needle in thought for a moment, then focused intently on her stitching.

Fifteen minutes later,

“Young Lady, I’m back,” Qiujiang said, entering the room.

“Mm.”

Wei Shuyi murmured without looking up.

Setting the food box on the table, Qiujiang smiled: “Young Lady, just now, Caihuan from Lady Yi’s side told me the Ni family sent a formal invitation—they’ll be visiting this morning.”

Wei Shuyi paused her work, turned to Qiujiang, and smiled: “Xiaodie is coming?”

“Yes, Young Lady.”

Hearing this, Wei Shuyi set down her needle, rose with a smile, and walked to the table.

Around nine in the morning,

Xiaodie lowered her head as she passed through the curtain and stepped out of Shou’an Hall.

After leaving the room, Xiaodie nodded: “Madam Cui, you don’t need to see me off—just let one of the young maids guide me.”

Madam Cui smiled: “Oh, that won’t do. You’re now the head lady of the Ni household—how could a young maid lead you? Besides, it was the old madam’s order.”

At this, Xiaodie smiled: “Then I’m in your debt.”

“Lady, don’t mention it—please, go ahead.”

Speaking, Xiaodie walked toward Jin’an Study, accompanied by a maid carrying a bundle.

After arriving, they exchanged pleasantries; Madam Cui returned to Shou’an Hall.

Xiaodie linked arms with Wei Shuyi and entered the room.

“Give me the bundle—you go with Qiujiang into the courtyard.”

Xiaodie reached out.

“Yes, Lady Ni.”

The Ni family’s maid bowed and withdrew from the room.

After pouring tea, Wei Shuyi watched Xiaodie unpacking and smiled: “Why send the maid away?”

Xiaodie smiled, unwrapped two layers of binding, and pulled out a pouch from the innermost layer.

Opening the pouch, she pinched out an object and smiled: “Young Lady, look.”

“A gold ring?” Wei Shuyi said, puzzled.

Xiaodie nodded eagerly: “Yes, Young Lady! The embroidery you gave me last month was spotted by a merchant woman who deals with noble households—she bought it for an excellent price.”

“Combined with the silver from last month’s sale, I had it all melted down and cast into this gold ring for you.”

Wei Shuyi shook her head: “Only two embroidery pieces—how could they fetch this much gold?”

Xiaodie glanced around, saw no one nearby, leaned close to Wei Shuyi, and whispered: “Young Lady, I suspect the embroidery from last month was taken by some noble family and passed off as their own daughter’s work—displayed to attract marriage prospects.”

Wei Shuyi frowned: “How did you guess that?”

Xiaodie smiled: “There are many such things in the capital—you just don’t know about them. Who knows? More buyers might come.”

Wei Shuyi nodded repeatedly, then added with concern: “Be careful with such deals, Xiaodie. Better to speak less than too much.”

“Young Lady, I understand. Just take it! Besides, my family isn’t without roots—we won’t get into trouble,” Xiaodie added.

“Good!” Wei Shuyi nodded, rose, and said: “Come, look at what I’ve just stitched.”

Walking to the embroidery frame, Xiaodie stared at the half-finished piece in astonishment: “Young Lady, is this a jade-faced cat?” (a tricolor cat)

“Mm! What do you think?”

Xiaodie tore her gaze from the embroidery and smiled: “Young Lady, once this piece is out, my shop’s threshold will be worn down by customers.”

Wei Shuyi shook her head and laughed: “How could that be?”

Xiaodie frowned: “Young Lady, you don’t realize how coveted such embroidery is in the capital.”

Saying this, she glanced outside, then huffed: “Hmph! Even if Master Sheng favors Lin Qige, I’m here! Between us two, we’ll secure a proper estate for Sixth Lady and Seventh Young Master.”

Wei Shuyi looked at Xiaodie: “You’re a mother now, and the eldest daughter-in-law—you must think more of the children, not just me.”

Xiaodie nodded: “Young Lady, I know.”

Wei Shuyi nodded, smiled: “In a few days, the third daughter of the Ningyuan Marquis’s Gu family is marrying—will you attend?”

“Yes! My elder sister-in-law will take me,” Xiaodie said, then noticed Wei Shuyi’s movement and quickly pressed her hand down: “Young Lady, don’t worry—my sister-in-law has already prepared all the wedding gifts. I’m just going along for the ceremony.”

Wei Shuyi looked down at Xiaodie’s hand and said: “It’s not right to always rely on your sister-in-law, now married into another family, to pay for these things. I’ll finish this embroidery quickly, sell it, and you must give her some token of gratitude.”

Xiaodie nodded quickly: “Yes, Young Lady, I’ll remember.”

Mid-April,

That day,

Xingguo Alley, Ningyuan Marquis’s Residence.

Though the wedding was still a day away, the entire Ningyuan Marquis’s Residence had been bustling for days.

Many precious ingredients, stored in ice chests, had been delivered to the marquis’s residence in preparation for tomorrow’s banquet.

Fortunately, the previous wedding of Gu Tingye had prepared the household well—it was busy but orderly.

Gu Tingyi’s maternal family, the Bai household of Yangzhou, was immensely wealthy; Bai Shi had brought a vast dowry.

From Bai Shi’s dowry, which filled the Ningyuan Marquis’s financial holes, some funds were squandered, but many went into profitable ventures the household had invested in.

When the court demanded repayment, those investments ran out of capital and collapsed into losses.

With Bai Shi’s mountain of gold and silver, those ventures resumed; over the years, Bai Shi had recouped her capital and earned substantial profits.

The old patriarch of Yangzhou’s Bai household had only one daughter—Bai Shi—and all future salt depots and shops would naturally belong to her.

Among the ladies, noblewomen, and official wives of the capital, few could match Bai Shi’s wealth—only the Chai family, Xiangyang Marquis’s household, and the Liang family could be mentioned in the same breath.

Previously, Bai Shi had drawn Sun Shi into several ventures, helping the Xu family regain its fortunes. Now that the Xu family enjoyed privileges in horse trading, Bai Shi naturally held shares, earning substantial annual dividends.

Evening,

Ningyuan Marquis’s Residence,

In the main hall of the back courtyard,

Marquis Gu Yan Kai smiled broadly, stroking his beard as he watched his granddaughter Yanzhier speaking in the hall.

“I just rolled around on the bed, shouted out the lucky phrases I’d memorized, and that lady gave me these gold coins.”

“Hahaha, my Yanzhier is truly remarkable,” Gu Yan Kai laughed, opening his arms: “Come here, Grandpa.”

“There’s another girl from the Huang family who keeps staring at Brother—she even made him blush,” Yanzhier said, sitting on Gu Yan Kai’s lap.

“Huh? Which family’s girl?” Bai Shi asked, glancing at the old maid Chang who had visited the Huang family’s shop.

Chang forced a smile: “Madam, she’s a niece from the Yuan family, relatives of the Shoushan Earl.”

Gu Tingye’s smile froze on his face; he frowned: “Why did they let the Yuan family come?”

The Ningyuan Marquis glared at his son: “The Huang family doesn’t look down on impoverished relatives.”

Gu Tingye sneered, but was shot a sharp look by Yu Yanran beside him.

Bai Shi nodded: “My lord is right—I heard from Sister Sun that the Yuan father and son are doing well in the northwest.”

The Ningyuan Marquis said: “Mm, I’ve heard as well. But with a ruined reputation, no matter how well they perform, their official rank might rise—but restoration of their noble title is hopeless.”

Those in the hall nodded.

Pingmei, holding her son Xingge, noticed Gu Tingyi’s distracted gaze and gave a glance to her mother-in-law Bai Shi.

Bai Shi, receiving the look, paused, then followed Pingmei’s gaze to her younger daughter.

Then Bai Shi rose and said: “My lord, I’ll take Tingyi to her room now.”

Gu Yan Kai smiled warmly at Gu Tingyi and nodded: “Good.”

“Yanran, come.”

Speaking, Pingmei handed her son to Qingxia and accompanied Bai Shi and the younger sister Tingyi out of the hall.

On the way back,

Lanterns hung everywhere in the courtyard; servants still bustled about, busy with their tasks.

Seeing Bai Shi’s group, they all paused and bowed respectfully.

Silent the whole way, the group entered Gu Tingyi’s room.

Inside the room,

The luxurious wedding robe hung on a rack, placed to one side.

All the jewelry to be worn tomorrow was neatly arranged on the table.

After entering the room and sitting down, Pingmei and Yanran exchanged a few words with Tingyi, then left with their maids.

The room was now left only with Bai Shi, Chang Mama, Gu Tingyi, and her personal maid.

Bai Shi glanced at the table beneath the candlelight, where a precious wooden box, the size of a food chest, held Gu Tingyi’s dowry.

That morning, Bai Shi had already given Tingyi a general overview of the land deeds and property titles inside the box.

Pulling her gaze away, Bai Shi looked at her only daughter, reached out, and brushed her fingers across Gu Tingyi’s cheek. “Before I knew it, you’ve grown so big.”

“When I was carrying you, Yege and Jingge were still little boys with braids.”

“Think back—when your maternal grandfather traveled all the way from Yangzhou to Bianjing, you had already come into this world.”

Chang Mama, listening nearby, wore a look of quiet reminiscence.

Gu Tingyi rubbed her cheek against Bai Shi’s palm. “Mother, why are you so sentimental today? When Second Brother married, you were delighted.”

Bai Shi stroked Tingyi’s soft cheek with her thumb. “Can marrying a daughter-in-law be the same as marrying off a daughter?”

“By the way, the estate your maternal grandfather left you is valuable, but far from Bianjing. Remember to send people regularly to inspect it, so nothing goes wrong.”

“Mother, I understand.”

Bai Shi nodded and continued: “Your sister-in-law Pingmei, besides the gifts she gave you, specially had the household’s stable master select several fine horses from the north.”

Gu Tingyi raised an eyebrow, smiling. “I thought you’d pick a horse from Xu’s brother.”

Bai Shi shot Tingyi a look. “Xinge already has an excellent horse—one that will breed soon. When it does, I’ll save you a foal. Why must you fixate on Jingge’s fine steeds?”

“Xu’s brother’s horses are just better! If they weren’t, I wouldn’t even look at them!”

Hearing this, Bai Shi sighed and shook her head. “Tingyi, do you know why your sister-in-law gave you horses?”

Gu Tingyi’s expression grew serious. She nodded. “Mother, I know. If I’m mistreated at Shoushan Marquis’s house, I’ll send a servant on horseback to report back.”

Bai Shi smiled. “Exactly!”

“Your father and brothers are currently in high demand. Your elder brother shows promise in the imperial examinations, and both your sisters-in-law are no ordinary women.”

“Of course, you must respect elders and care for the young in your in-laws’ home—but don’t let yourself become a doormat. You didn’t marry up.”

“If anything happens, come home. I’ll stand up for you.”

“That boy may be close to the Duke of Yingguo’s household and serve as the heir’s deputy, but our own relatives are no less impressive.”

“Your own brother and Jingge both earned glory in Beizhou—they’re formidable.”

Watching Bai Shi’s endless chatter, Gu Tingyi’s nose grew slightly stiff with emotion. She gripped Bai Shi’s hand. “Mother, I’m very close to Zhang’s Fifth Daughter! You know how highly the Duke and Duchess of Yingguo hold her. I don’t need Second Brother or Jingge.”

Bai Shi took a deep breath and smiled. “Yes, you’re right, Tingyi.”

She took another deep breath. “Speaking of it, Jingge treats you like a real sister—his wedding gift was substantial!”

“A whole large chest of the finest furs—all of imperial-grade quality. I suppose all these years I haven’t spoiled him for nothing.”

Chang Mama smiled and said to Bai Shi: “Lady, little Xu Wu has always been close to you. I still remember how, at his full-moon ceremony, he wouldn’t let go of you.”

Bai Shi’s eyes softened with memory. “That was so many years ago.”

Gu Tingyi smiled. “Mother, which of Xu’s two boys resembles Wu-ge more?”

Bai Shi thought, then glanced at Chang Mama and smiled. “Neither Daige nor Zhongge looks much like him. But Anmei’s son has some resemblance.”

Chang Mama nodded. “Madam, isn’t it said: ‘Nephews resemble their uncles’?”

Hearing this, Gu Tingyi nodded repeatedly, smiling. “Just now you said Wu-ge’s gift was generous. I also heard from Sister-in-law that the Xu family has a separate storage room filled entirely with Wu-ge’s belongings—today, they emptied several rooms.”

Chang Mama chuckled. “Miss, when Xu Wu marries, you’ll have to give him a wedding gift too.”

Tingyi froze. “Oh!”

As they spoke, Gu Tingyi’s eyes darted, several thoughts flashing through her mind, along with the faces of two close friends.

Shaking her head, she pushed aside the thought of “who to give more wedding gifts to.” “Mother, Anmei-sister’s gifts were plentiful too. She seems to be living well in the Hu Yan household.”

Bai Shi smiled. “You know as well as I do—Anmei already owns six or seven large ocean-going ships. The Hu Yan family’s revival rests on Anmei’s husband.”

Gu Tingyi said: “Yes, I’ve heard Anmei-sister’s husband is very diligent.”

Bai Shi nodded, took a deep breath, then looked again at Gu Tingyi. “Tingyi, there are some things I must give you.”

Hearing this, Chang Mama turned and walked over, carrying a beautifully decorated scroll tube.

Seeing it,

Gu Tingyi’s cheeks instantly flushed red.

(End of Chapter)