"Sister-in-law is telling the truth, by the time you get married and need to add to your dowry, you'll have grown taller and this won't fit you anymore. This fabric is hard to come by and there's not much of it left, where will I find more for you in the future?"

  Hua Ru's serious expression made Qi Zhen even more embarrassed, she pursed her lips and walked to her side, holding her hand: "Sister-in-law, I was just joking, this is for you to show filial piety to your grandparents, how could I be so shameless as to want your dowry."

  "The dowry can't be kept forever, it's meant to be used. Haven't you heard that the people in the mansion are saying that I have several rooms full of embroidered goods? If we don't use them, they'll just go to waste. When the time comes, your sister will give you half of them, and if not several rooms, at least a whole trunk will be packed full for you."

  "Sister-in-law..."

  "Silly little sister, what are you crying about? Even if I didn't prepare it for you, your brother would have gone to get it for you. I already have some here, isn't saving money a good thing?"

  Qī Zhēn's eyes were red-rimmed, and for a long time she couldn't continue the conversation. With such a good sister-in-law, who could be happier than her?

  "Alright, alright, quickly put away your golden beans. Just now you were smiling, and now you're crying again, are you embarrassed or not?" The old lady gave Hua Ru Chu a meaningful glance, how did she feel that her daughter-in-law was reminding her to prepare the dowry for Zhen Niang?

  Hua Ru thought she hadn't seen it, but she really meant it. With Qi You's doting on his sister, when the time came for her to get married and he felt that the dowry was insufficient, he would definitely think of ways to add more. Wouldn't that be using his own money? Wasn't his money hers as well?

  She will still have to pay for this account.

  She has so much dowry and doesn't mind using it again at all.

  Some things can last for decades without going bad, but others cannot.

  For example, those embroidered products will lose their color after a long time, even if the embroidery is good and the color lasts longer, it can't be compared with new ones.

  She's not without resources, why must she cling to those old trunks?

  Can't give birth to cubs anymore.

  Speaking of which, why hasn't the seamstress arrived yet?

  The old lady touched the extremely soft and smooth clothes, with a deeper smile in her eyes, "You're thoughtful."

  Hua's face turned red, "Grandma, don't praise me like that, it seems like I've done something extraordinary. Isn't it our duty as younger generations to respect and care for the elderly at home? If you keep saying such things, I'll be too embarrassed to stand here as your daughter-in-law."

  The old lady did not say anything more and let Shuang Ji carefully put the things away, then she started talking to the two of them about the various noblewomen's families in Hebei Province.

  As soon as she came out of the main hall, Hua Ruji immediately sent someone to ask about Ma Bo's embroidery.

  "Madam Ma said that a few days ago, she received a letter from the second young lady. The messenger from Yanjing Village sent it over. The second young lady's intention is to ask the embroiderer to put in some thought and effort, so naturally, the wages will be much higher than those in Yangzhou. Otherwise, people wouldn't be willing to leave their homes and come to Hebei Province. The second young lady also promised that they can bring their husbands and children with them when they come over. Now they are already on their way, and it's estimated that they will arrive in two or three days."

  Her hands didn't stop fanning, Hua Ru nodded, "Alright, you all be careful, if Ma Bo sends a message in, hurry and notify me. Yun Shu, when the time comes I want to let Qiu Zhen take charge of Zhuang's embroidery workshop, what do you think?"

  Miss, this is worrying that she's not feeling well in her heart! Yun Shu covered her mouth and smiled, "That's great, Miss. You mustn't think of arranging outside work for me, I said it, I'll stay with you, unless you go out, otherwise I won't go anywhere either, if I don't stay with you, I won't be at ease."

  "It really should be you who marries into the Ximen family." Hua Ru sighed.

  Yun Shu was startled and said, "Miss, I won't marry."

  "Stop shouting, later you'll become an old maid and don't blame me for not taking care of you."

  "No complaints, definitely no complaints."

  She gave her a sideways glance, and Hua Ruochu fanned herself vigorously again, getting hotter by the second. This Qi Manor was really poor, they didn't even have ice blocks.

  "Miss, Shuang Ji young lady requests an audience."

  The two of them exchanged a glance, she had just come out from the front yard not long ago, how did the double horn come again?

  "Come quickly."

  Yun Shu tidied up her slightly disheveled clothes and hair, standing properly to one side, no longer as intimate as before.

  She was very clear that not every master and mistress were as indulgent towards their servants as her own young mistress.

  Once it gets out, it's likely to bring unwanted gossip and rumors for the young lady instead.

  The young lady doesn't care about these things, she cares about him.

  She didn't want any dirty water splashed on Miss.

  She doesn't care about things that have nothing to do with her, but when it comes to things related to herself, she is always paying attention.

  She never overstepped in front of outsiders.

  Try to behave like other people's daughters, be honest and down-to-earth.

  Qiu Jin and several other girls were also like this.

  They care for Miss in their own way.

  "The slave greets the young mistress."

  "Quickly dismiss the courtesy, but what does grandmother have to entrust?"

  Standing stiffly and respectfully, she replied, "Yes, the old lady asks you to go over. Someone has come to propose a marriage for Zhen Niang, but the mistress is not convenient to receive guests, so please go to accompany them."

  Matchmaker? How did it happen so quickly? Hua Ru furrowed her brow, recalling what Qi You said that day.

  Qī Zhēn absolutely cannot be used by the Second Prince to deal with Qī Yòu.

  Lowering her head to take a glance at herself, she didn't see anything out of place. Hua Ru stood up, "Let's go now, don't keep the guest waiting."

  "Yes."

  In the front courtyard's main hall, although Old Lady was still calm on the surface, her mind had turned over countless thoughts.

  Although she had never thought of marrying her granddaughter off to a good family, such a good marriage opportunity suddenly appeared before her eyes, and she was also a bit dizzy.

  But why would the Chiang family find someone to be a matchmaker?

  If it were the old Qi family, she wouldn't have thought much of it, but now, the two families are too far apart.

  The Jiang family's old master was a high-ranking official in the imperial court, highly valued by the emperor. The eldest son, Shi, held the position of Minister of Personnel, while the second son, Cai, had already made a name for himself as soon as he entered the imperial court. With time, his achievements would not be inferior to those of his older brother. It could be said that their whole family was of high noble status, and it was not an exaggeration.

  Mr. Chiang was here to propose a marriage for his second son.

  It's a family like that, the second son of the Jiang family has always been talented and famous, and he looks even more elegant. I don't know how many aristocratic families are staring at him, and how many noble ladies are waiting for him, but why did he take a fancy to the daughter of the Sun family who has always lived in seclusion?

  Could it be that someone followed me when I went out with my daughter-in-law the other day?

  Thinking of this, I suddenly felt some dislike for Hua Ruochu.

  "Elder sister, it's not me who said this, but such a good family for marriage is hard to find even with a lantern, do you still want to consider? How many families have been waiting in vain?"

  The matchmaker invited by the Jiang family was Old Lady Xiao. She had a good reputation and was well-respected even in front of the empress dowager in the palace.

  She also felt that the Qi family was ungrateful.

  It's all ruined like this, what's the point of pretending? Just admit it honestly.

  If we can get close to the Jiang family, it will be greatly beneficial for the Qi family.

  The Bian family is still considering, if the Jiang family has taken a liking to their granddaughter, they would have happily agreed.

  When she said this, the old lady was somewhat displeased.

  The Jiang family has a high threshold, but should the Qi family rush to send their daughter over when they come to propose?

  The old man is a proud person, even if the Qi family's power is weak, there is no reason to use his daughter in exchange for benefits.

  She was even more displeased with Jiang Shi.

  The bamboo curtain was lifted, and from a distance, Hua Rujiu bowed and said, "Grandmother, I'm late, please forgive me."

  Seeing the sweat on her head, Old Lady knew she had rushed over and her dislike faded a bit. She signaled to the maid to hand her a towel to wipe off the sweat before letting her come over to greet the guests.

  "Qī Huá shì gěi Xiāo lǎo tài jūn qǐng ān."

  Translation: "The Qi Hua family sends their regards to Old Lady Xiao."

  "Quickly pay respects, this must be the new daughter-in-law who caused a sensation in the whole city with her ten-li red wedding sedan chair. She's really beautiful, a beauty like jade."

  It seems that her dowry really gave her a long face, probably everyone in the whole city remembered it, otherwise no one would mention this matter whenever they saw her.

  Hua Ru stood behind Old Madam with a blush on her face, a perfect new daughter-in-law.

  "Don't praise her too much, she's very timid and this is the first time she's come out to meet guests since getting married. Forgive any impoliteness, elder sister."

  "It's fine just looking at her." Old Lady Xiao didn't put much attention on Hua Ru Chu, and quickly changed the subject again, "Older sister, do you have any concerns? Just speak out, I won't keep anything from you if it's something I should know."

  The old lady sighed, "Old sister, I won't hide it from you, I do have concerns, but it's not easy to say. How about this, you go back home first today, and I'll discuss it with my husband. Tomorrow, I'll definitely send you a message."

  It's indeed about this matter. United from what she heard from Shuang Qi, she was almost certain that the Jiang family was secretly a Second Prince Party.

  Is this Tao Jia's idea or the Second Prince's idea? Using such a good family as bait, are they so sure that the Qi family will take the hook?

  Why didn't the second prince go to investigate the Qi family more, a hundred-year-old family that has always been a humble door for marrying daughters, and even in its most glorious times, it did not send its daughters to the palace or the imperial relatives' mansion? Isn't it easy to guess why?

  Did he take advantage of the Qi family's weakness and was willing to sacrifice a daughter in exchange for benefits?

  This trick might work on others, but it won't work on the Qi family.

  Without getting a clear answer, Old Lady Xiao was not very willing to leave. Seeing Hua Ruochu's thoughtful expression, she turned her eyes and said: "Old sister, your daughter-in-law seems to have thought of something, why don't you ask her?"

  Hua Ru Chun really wanted to give her a white eye, what was she thinking, what business did an outsider like her have here?

  The old lady was also unhappy in her heart, but she couldn't bear to hurt her face either, so she said, "Just say whatever you think."

  Hua Ru walked up to the old lady and, behind Xiao Lao Tai's back, gave her a quick glance before bowing and saying: "Grandmother, I just remembered something."

  The old lady's heart skipped a beat, and she asked along with her words: "What's wrong?"

  "Madam Sun, not long ago, I heard your husband mention something about Zhen's marriage, it seems that there is already a candidate and even a verbal agreement has been made. If you agree to this now, I'm afraid it won't be good."

  Born into a wealthy family, having experienced many things in the Qi household, after this reminder, who wouldn't understand that there's deceit involved? Without time to think carefully, with a slap on the forehead, Chao Hua's face turned ugly as he suddenly flew into a rage. "Fortunately I haven't agreed yet, if I had agreed, wouldn't my face be completely lost? Daughter-in-law Sun, why didn't you mention this matter to me? Isn't this offending people?"

  Hua Ru's face was full of grievance, and she lowered her head to say: "The husband only mentioned it unintentionally, and didn't confirm it. Sun's daughter-in-law didn't dare tell you, don't be angry, and it won't happen again in the future."

  "Stand aside for now, I'll settle accounts with you later."

  PS: Looking for pink powder now.

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