Chapter 58 Setting up the Chessboard

"Have those invitations been sent out?"

Ling'er said, "It's been sent out."

Shen Yuanzhu smiled slyly: "Then let's wait for the uncles and elders from the Chamber of Commerce to come tomorrow to check the dowry list."

When Shen Shibai and Ji Zhiyi were alive, they were always kind to others, accumulating great blessings for Shen Yanhuai and Shen Yuanzhu.

Even after the couple passed away, the members of the Chamber of Commerce still took good care of the siblings.

Therefore, many people were invited to celebrate before Shen Yuanzhu's wedding.

As soon as Shen Yanhuai got up, he received replies from several uncles and elders in the Chamber of Commerce.

"Have the kitchen prepare some wine and dishes; we have important guests coming."

The maid nodded and went to the kitchen.

Ye Yunyi thought it was Shen Yanhuai who invited her, so she specially went back to her room to change into a light green thin silk shirt, paired with a green patterned skirt, looking very charming.

Even Shen Yuanzhu, upon seeing her, beamed and exclaimed, "Sister-in-law, you are absolutely stunning!"

"You should go back and change into something bright and cheerful. When the uncles and aunts from the Chamber of Commerce arrive later, you'll need to go and offer them a cup of tea."

Shen Yuanzhu smiled and said, "My light yellow silk blouse and moon-white embroidered skirt are already eye-catching enough. Any brighter and it would be frightening."

"Sister-in-law, don't worry. I sent the invitation today. The uncles and elders in the Chamber of Commerce are all old acquaintances and won't make a fuss."

"You posted this?"

Ye Yunyi was taken aback. Shen Yuanzhu tilted her head and said, "Yes, sister-in-law, hurry up and prepare the banquet. I also prepared a gift for you, which I will give to you after the banquet."

Shen Yuanzhu smiled innocently, and although Ye Yunyi felt it was a little strange, she didn't think much of it.

After pondering for a moment, he went to prepare the banquet with peace of mind.

Guests arrived one after another. Since the host was the family of an unmarried daughter, most of them brought their wives and daughters with them.

The men discussed business with Shen Yanhuai in the front hall, while the ladies, with their daughters, whispered with Shen Yuanzhu in the back courtyard.

For a time, the Shen family was quite lively.

The aunts who were familiar with Shen Yuanzhu brought makeup boxes and money bags.

Jiang family matriarch Zhou He and Ji Zhiyi are close friends. Today, she not only brought her daughter Jiang Zao, but also prepared a rather expensive dowry for Shen Yuanzhu.

"I've saved one pair for you and one for Jiang Zao, Yuanzhu. Do you like them?"

"I like it, thank you Mrs. Jiang."

Upon seeing this, the ladies around him quickly stepped forward to offer their compliments.

Zhou He's husband held an official position in the Textile and Dyeing Bureau, a position that was neither high nor low. While not particularly prestigious in official circles, he was still an official, which made him three points more valuable than a merchant's family, hence the large crowd surrounding him at the time.

The ladies chattered amongst themselves, while Shen Yuanzhu listened quietly. Suddenly, out of nowhere, she asked, "Look at my dowry?"

As soon as Ye Yunyi led Shen Yuanqiong through the door, she saw Shen Yuanzhu leading a large group of ladies and young women out.

She laughed and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Shen Yuanzhu raised her head, her watery eyes clear and bright: "The ladies said they wanted to see my dowry, so I thought I'd take a look at it while I was taking it out today and let the aunties help me take a look."

Zhou He held Shen Yuanzhu's arm, her face full of affection: "When Zhiyi was still pregnant, she started preparing a dowry for little Yuanzhu."

"Over the years she collected many good things. Today, we're not helping her to make an eye for them, we're clearly helping us to broaden our horizons."

Several young ladies who were not yet married nodded in unison, chattering excitedly about going to see it for themselves.

Shen Yuanzhu stood there, smiling as she looked at Ye Yunyi, who looked pale, and Shen Yuanqiong, whose face was slightly white.

Seeing the grim expressions on their faces, Shen Yuanzhu continued, "Before my mother passed away, she left me a dowry list. It not only recorded the types of dowry, the names of the items, the amount of gold and silver, but also the drawings."

Luo stepped forward, holding a stack of large red booklets in her hands; at first glance, there were seven or eight of them.

"The dowry list your mother left you?"

Ye Yunyi looked bewildered.

Shen Yuanqiong's face drained of all color in an instant.

"Yes, sister-in-law, would you like to take a look too?"

Releasing Zhou He's hand, Shen Yuanzhu took the red book from Luo Shi and casually flipped through it.

The pendant reads: "Pomegranate-shaped gold earrings inlaid with pearls. The earrings are shaped like pomegranates and inlaid with three pale pink rice pearls and eleven ruby ​​pomegranate seeds, symbolizing many children and blessings."

Shen Yuanzhu tilted her head, pointed to the lifelike pattern below, and said with a sweet smile, "Sister-in-law, you should have seen these earrings before, right..."