Chapter 279: Everyone Was Happy
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
After preparing a set of diamond jewelry, a horse-faced skirt, and the top-notch double-sided embroidered palace fan as a meeting gift, she also prepared the best white wine, tea, and other valuable items.
This added up to no less than a hundred thousand taels. The wedding couldn’t proceed without at least five hundred thousand taels of silver.
Even so, the Duchess still wanted to find fault. Pressed by the Duke and the Old Duke, she couldn’t stir up trouble.
On the day of the engagement, many relatives and friends from the Duke’s family attended. Seeing that the groom’s family was so sincere, bringing gifts that surpassed any other, what more could be said? Any criticism would only be self-inflicted.
The sarcastic remarks whispered were now transformed into envy. That was the charm of money.
Moreover, considering Feng’er’s current status, it was pretty impressive. Not only was he a rising general in the imperial court, but he was also good-looking, a young fourth-ranked military officer. If the Duke’s family didn’t appreciate this, plenty of others would.
Moreover, there was Yuan Jiaqi, a first-rank official, as Feng’s father. Who would dare to look down on that?
The proposal went smoothly, and the Duke’s family was satisfied!
Later, Yuan Jiaqi invited the Duke to visit their new residence and discuss the betrothal gifts and the wedding date.
The Duke’s family happily agreed. On the twenty-first day of September, the entire family visited.
When they saw the house, they were all shocked.
“Is this your new purchase?”
“Yes.”
“This house is not cheap. It’s one of the best in the capital.”
“It’s merely a matter of money. The royal family’s mansion cost millions to build, nothing less than that.”
Although Yuan Jiaqi had visited his house once, he was still amazed when he accompanied the Duke for a second visit.
However, when the Duke’s family saw it, they were extremely shocked. Many things were unseen for them.
For example, the high-tech pressure well, the toilet, the bathroom, the playground, the martial arts practice field, and the backyard with various animals.
Especially the three sheep in Lucky Garden. Well, these were purchased by Qiao Mai again from the platform. The sheep at home remained unchanged.
It refreshed their perspectives. What kind of sheep were these?
Cute, adorable, and especially intelligent, floating around like three white clouds. They loved them.
Even the Duchess couldn’t help but glance at them a few more times. The Duke’s family was like a bunch of country bumpkins entering the city, all dumbfounded.
Miss Mu was delighted. She wondered how comfortable her life would be when she married into this place. It would be better than the house in Tianshui Town.
The Duke was over forty, while Yuan Jiaqi was just over thirty. The two in-laws walked together, one majestic and the other refined.
It looked harmonious, and they also got along well in their conversation.
The Duke’s family, except for the Duchess, was very satisfied with their son-in-law.
At the right moment, Qiao Mai said a few words. “Their wedding will be held here. We don’t have so many rules. After Miss Mu comes here, she will be the eldest sister-in-law. She will take charge of the house and help me with the household affairs.
In ancient times, this action indicated that the in-laws valued their daughter.
They were happy.
Only the Duchess disdainfully rolled her eyes. She had taboos against Qiao Mai and naturally couldn’t express her dissatisfaction. However, her discontent could still be sensed in her words.
“You think taking charge of the house is so good? It’s tiring like an ox, and you won’t be treated well. It’s better to live a comfortable life and bear more children for your husband. That’s the right thing to do.”
Qiao Mai smiled, “There are not so many rules in my house. If Miss Mu wants to have children, it’s best. If she doesn’t want to, we won’t say anything. Biological children may not necessarily be filial, but many adopted children are.”
“Hmph, your words are sophistry.”
“Many examples in the capital support my point. How about I give some advice to the Duchess?”
The Duke glared at his wife, and the Old Duke coughed lightly. The Duchess did not continue the argument.
At noon, everyone sat in the dining room and had a meal. Looking at a table full of delicious dishes, they couldn’t help but salivate.
The dishes of the Qiao’s family were not exaggerations. Even the imperial chefs might not have such delicious and varied food.
Old Master Wang accompanied the Old Duke, Old Mistress Wang accompanied the Old Duchess, Yuan Jiaqi accompanied the Duke, and Qiao Mai naturally accompanied the Duchess.
She didn’t care about the Duchess’s indifference. But Qiao Mai upheld her hospitality, serving dishes and pouring wine.
Although the Duchess was dissatisfied with this marriage, she was genuinely satisfied with the house and food of the Qiao family.
At the dining table, Qiao Mai mentioned the engagement date, and everyone agreed to the eighth day of October. When they heard that a hundred and twenty carts of betrothal gifts were prepared, the Duke burst into laughter.
“Don’t worry. However many betrothal gifts your family gives, we will provide the same dowry. We only have this one daughter. We can’t embarrass her.”
“Is the wedding date set for May 6th next year? The children are grown up now, and it’s reassuring to see them get married early.”
“So it is. We have no objections on our side.”
The children just listened. Miss Mu glanced at Feng’er and daringly winked at him. Feng’er blushed and lowered his head, not daring to look at her again.
After a hearty meal, both families were in a good mood and proposed to see the betrothal gifts. Feng’er immediately took them to his Tingfeng Pavilion.
After seeing the betrothal gifts, the Duke’s family was shocked once again. Each item was exquisite, luxurious, and elegant. It seemed that they had put a lot of effort into this.
A hundred and twenty carts, each a fine product. Among them were two boxes of hundred-year-old ginseng and hundred-year-old reishi mushrooms, all over five hundred years old. Each box was worth over ten thousand taels.
They were treating their daughter with great importance. This prospective in-law was doing very well, too well.
They would have to make some adjustments to their dowry when they went back. Otherwise, they would lose face to the other family.
How can a Duke’s family not be as good as a first-rank official’s family? This day was a joyful one for everyone!
When the emperor heard about this matter, his brow furrowed, and immediately called the Golden Dragon Guards. “What’s the matter with the Minister of Personnel?”
“Your Majesty, don’t you already know?”
“I have so many affairs every day; how can I remember everything?”
“Minister Yuan is a live-in husband. He has no personal property; it’s all earned by his wife. Because she saved Magistrate Wang’s son, they give her an annual bonus. Her shop also earns a lot. In addition, she opened a large workshop in County She, and starting next year, the income will increase every year. Naturally, she has no shortage of money.”
“Ah, that’s good. I thought he accepted bribery from others when he took office.’
“Minister Yuan is a good official. In County She, he used his wife’s money to help the people. He bought unused land and planted trees, employing several thousand people, which solved the poverty problem.”
“I remember that. I hope he will always stick to his initial intention. Otherwise, I won’t be lenient with him. You all need to monitor the high-ranking officials of the court for me.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
After Qiao Mai settled Feng’er’s engagement, she felt relieved. Since moving to the new house, Old Master and Mistress Wang had been ecstatic.
She assigned two servants and five rough workers to the three brothers’ courtyard, all males.
She didn’t let any maids serve around. When they married, their wives would naturally bring in maids. During normal times, there should be someone to give orders.
Of course, she also assigned a servant to Yuan Jiaqi. Not only did she provide these, but she also prepared a carriage specifically for him to go to and from court.
The Duke was overjoyed about this engagement and sent six warriors to escort Yuan Jiaqi. They would also guard Lucky Garden at night.
Even if he didn’t send them, Qiao Mai had considered it. Although the capital was prosperous, it was also chaotic. Yuan Jiaqi couldn’t do martial arts and had to go to court daily, so he needed someone to protect him.
Qiao Mai easily accepted the Duke’s goodwill..
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