Chapter 69: The Things I Give My Fiancée, Do You Have an Objection?

Quan Aoyu signaled for the accompanying eunuch to present the betrothal gift list. The First Lady hurriedly reached out to take it; with such a long line of carriages and such a long gift list, they must all be fine treasures, and as the mistress of the Jun household, she had to see them first.

However, the eunuch bypassed her entirely and respectfully handed the gift list to Jun Zijin.

Quan Aoyu nodded and said:

"Zijin, see what else is missing, and I will have it sent to you."

Jun Zijin was particularly unwilling to read through the dense rows of text, so she signaled for the eunuch to hand the list to the Old Madam. The Old Madam happily took the list, thinking it was good to help the second girl take a look.

The accompanying eunuch also began to recite the gift list at the appropriate time: "His Highness the Crown Prince presents to the County Princess of Qingping: 10,000 taels of gold, 100,000 taels of silver, one piece of Hetian jade disk, one piece of glass-grade jade cabbage, two pairs of Hetian jade dragon and phoenix pendants, a full set of agarwood furniture, two ox-blood red coral trees, two ice-glass grade jade trees, four agate wine cups, four white jade cups, two sets of silver carved tea sets, one rosewood jewelry box inlaid with eight treasures, six ivory fans, two rhinoceros horn cups, four gem-inlaid screens, two white jade carved screens, two pearl-inlaid bronze mirrors, eight strings of glass-grade jade bracelets, four pairs of mutton-fat white jade vases, two pairs of gold dragon and phoenix incense burners, two ivory carved brush pots, four gold ruyi scepters, four jade ruyi scepters, one white jade Guanyin statue, two jade pixiu, twelve pearl necklaces, four East Sea night-luminescent pearls, ten agate pendants, eight Hetian jade pendants, six coral bracelets, twelve sets of gold earrings and bracelets, six pairs each of amethyst and rose quartz earrings, six white jade phoenix hairpins, twelve gold hairpins, four red sandalwood combs, four ivory combs, four ivory carved artworks, two pairs of gold candlesticks, eight jade carved ornaments, one set of gold tableware, forty famous paintings, one hundred rare ancient books, ten crates of precious medicinal herbs including deer antler, bird's nest, and lingzhi, eighty pots of rare flowers and plants, one 'Great Saint's Legacy' zither, two jade flutes, two crates of precious spices, two pairs of gold saddles, two pairs of silver horse whips, one Ferghana horse, 1,000 bolts of Jiangnan silk, 1,000 bolts of northern brocade, 300 bolts of cloud brocade, 500 bolts of Shu brocade... ten manors in the outskirts of the capital, twelve shops in the capital, two mountains in the outskirts of the capital, one large mansion in the center of the capital, two nannies, two personal maids, two secret guards..."

The gift list continued to be recited, and everyone was stunned. It was as if all the rare treasures in the world had been gathered into the Jun household; everything from head to toe, inside and out, had been covered. The level of luxury was enough to make everyone in the world green with envy.

Jun Yiyi’s eyes were red with jealousy, but then she thought, for treasures like cloud brocade, even the Imperial Consorts in the palace received no more than two bolts a year. Last time, when the Crown Prince bestowed 30 bolts of cloud brocade upon that slut, it was enough to make the consorts in the palace die of envy; so that was where such a large quantity had ended up. This time, the Crown Prince had brought out 300 bolts of cloud brocade at once. With so many good things entering the household’s main storehouse, Mother would never let her go without... Jun Yiyi seemed to see all these treasures worn on her own body, and her emotions calmed down.

The First Lady was on the verge of a breakdown; there were even nannies, maids, and secret guards included. She couldn't scold or beat the people sent by the Crown Prince. Wouldn't that slut be riding on her head from now on? Concubine Zhou and Jun Shuyan were also unable to remain calm, feeling fortunate that they were on good terms with Jun Zijin. Even Jun Zhengming, who had been an official in the imperial court for decades, was clicking his tongue in astonishment.

Jun Zijin secretly sighed that the wooden-headed Crown Prince was truly generous. The Old Madam nodded repeatedly, thinking of opening another storehouse in the residence to store these items separately, as they would all be part of the second girl's dowry in the future. In any case, the second girl could decide how to use these items herself, and the keys would be kept by her to prevent anyone else from coveting them. Thus, the Old Madam immediately ordered the servants to begin preparing the new storehouse.

The Old Madam’s idea coincided with Quan Aoyu’s. Quan Aoyu took a light sip of tea, flicking the lid of the teacup absentmindedly without even raising his head, and said:

"These things I have given to Zijin are to be kept by Zijin herself. The storehouse should be set up in Zijin’s Aoxue Courtyard; I think that place is quite good. Minister Jun, do you have any objections?"

Jun Zhengming wanted to say that even if I had objections, I wouldn't dare. Before he could reply, Jun Yiyi broke down, her fingernails digging deep into her palms. The First Lady also completely collapsed; she stood up with a start and blurted out:

"What do you mean by things given to that girl? Isn't this a betrothal gift? Whose betrothal gift is not managed and arranged by the mistress of the house? With so many things, how can they all be placed in Aoxue Courtyard for the second girl's benefit?"

Quan Aoyu’s expression turned cold instantly, his gaze piercing the First Lady like an ice blade.

"What I say it is, it is. I am giving these things to my fiancée; do you have an objection?"

The Crown Prince was determined to protect that girl. The First Lady was so angry her liver ached, but she was truly unwilling to let it go and wanted to say more.

"Shut your mouth!" Jun Zhengming felt a headache coming on and, not daring to let her continue, he scolded her.

Quan Aoyu glanced at Jun Zhengming and said to him in a sarcastic tone:

"Minister Jun, you had better manage the people in your backyard well. I don't want to manage the messy affairs in your backyard, but sometimes, one must know when to discard what is necessary."

What did that mean? Jun Zhengming wanted to ask, but he didn't dare. Damn it, you said you wouldn't manage it, but now that you've said that, what exactly do you mean?

The First Lady and Jun Yiyi were miserable, but Jun Zijin felt quite pleased. Seeing the madness in Wu’s eyes and Jun Yiyi’s red-rimmed eyes, she decided to add a little more frustration for them:

"Many thanks to Grandmother and... Your Highness. All those gold and silver items can be stored, but these fine medicinal herbs will lose their quality if left for too long, and I really can't bear to sell the things Your Highness gave me in the shops. Later, Grandmother and Concubine Zhou can each take some back to your courtyards. Grandmother, take more of the lingzhi and golden silk bird's nest. As for Father, the servants will cook some to send to him to nourish his body. I will put the rest away."

The First Lady waited for a long time but didn't hear Jun Zijin say she would give her any, so she asked anxiously:

"That's it?" Everyone had a share, but she was the only one left out, and she couldn't help but ask.

"That's it!" Jun Zijin blinked and said.

"What about the share for me, your eldest brother, and your eldest sister?"

Jun Yiyi tugged at the First Lady’s sleeve and whispered, "Mother, Father, don't blame the second younger sister. She grew up in the countryside and lacks proper upbringing; it’s not her fault. The second younger sister has been back at the residence for some time now, and as the eldest legitimate sister, I have failed to teach her that one should show filial piety to the legitimate mother and eldest sister when receiving good things. It is my fault as a sister." As she spoke, she lowered her head in shame.

This mother and daughter were singing in harmony to make things difficult for her. Spoiled them, had she? Jun Zijin rolled her eyes and said:

"The Wu family can produce 1.5 million taels of silver without blinking; they must be overflowing with wealth. I suppose Mother and Eldest Sister are accustomed to fine things and wouldn't look down upon these things His Highness gave me."

Damn it, even the consorts in the palace rarely saw cloud brocade; where would she have seen it? Jun Yiyi was so angry she almost forgot her manners and cursed out loud.

The First Lady opened her mouth but didn't dare to respond. This slut was saying in front of the Crown Prince that the things in the Imperial Palace were not as good as those of the Wu family. If this label were pinned on her, it would be enough to bring disaster upon the Wu family.

Jun Shuyan stifled a laugh, and Quan Aoyu’s lips curled slightly. *Such a mischievous girl, is what I gave not good enough?* However, he had to play along with her. Quan Aoyu raised an eyebrow, coughed lightly, and said:

"The Wu family is a large and wealthy clan; I imagine the First Lady is someone who has seen many treasures. It was my oversight today."

Upon hearing this, the First Lady’s face turned pale, and she waved her hands hurriedly, "Your Highness, you speak too seriously. How would this commoner dare..."

Quan Aoyu no longer looked at her, turning instead to Jun Zijin with a doting gaze:

"The things I give you are naturally carefully selected. Except for those you value, do not give them away casually."