Granny Lu set off before dawn and returned after dark.

When she returned, in addition to the carriage from the manor she was riding in, there was another carriage she had hired from Ganzhou following behind, carrying several children.

Upon hearing that Granny Lu had returned, the Xu family hurried to the front gate to greet her. Granny Lu looked at them and said, "It's such a cold day, what are you all doing out here? Hurry up and come inside. Zhao family, settle these children in the front yard first, boil some water so the children can wash up properly, and then have Sister He make a pot of hot noodle soup."

Granny Zhao quickly agreed and went to make arrangements. The Xu family's steward then went forward to settle the coachman who had come from Ganzhou into the servants' quarters of the mansion, and told him to go back early the next morning.

Xu Zhi and Xu Bai helped Granny Lu back to the backyard. Granny Lu looked at Xu Bai, who was only about waist-high, and said, "Brother Bai, you still need to eat more."

Xu Bai looked up and said, "Grandma, don't worry, I promise I'll eat well and grow tall and strong so you won't have to walk by yourself anymore. I'll carry you on my back, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Granny Lu smiled and said, "Of course, why not? But please don't look down on me for being too old."

Xu Bai said, "Grandma, how could that be? You always held me when I was little. Now that you're old, it'll be my turn to take good care of you."

Granny Lu smiled and said to Zhang Zhaoci, "It's true that we've spoiled our Bai-ge'er for nothing."

Back inside, the Xu family was waiting for Granny Lu to return. They hadn't eaten yet, so Xu Zhi quickly served Granny Lu a bowl of soup made with pork ribs, kelp, and dried shrimp. Granny Lu drank half a bowl before she felt warm all over.

After the meal, the family sat on the large kang (heated brick bed) by the window and listened to Granny Lu talk.

Granny Lu said, "Under the Third Master's management, every household in Hexi is well-off, so I didn't feel anything was wrong. But when I went to Ganzhou, I realized that there are still many families who don't have enough to eat. I found the matchmaker that Madam Li knew, and she took me to several houses. Sigh, there were so many people selling their children."

Xu Rao said, "Our Hexi is different from other places, especially after the great battle two years ago. After the whole city was destroyed, we rebuilt it. Granny, most of the money for building the new city was given by others."

Madam Lu naturally knew that the princes had been forced by Emperor Liang Cheng to each hand over tens of thousands of taels of silver because of this, and that Emperor Liang Cheng himself had personally delivered the silver notes during his incognito visit.

Granny Lu said, "That's because you, Third Master, are a good official who works for the benefit of the people. There aren't many officials like you in other places. I went to several matchmakers' homes to select these children. After they've been taught well, they'll serve our Ninth Miss personally."

Xu Zhi now takes care of everything in the room herself, with Qingmiao and Qingsui helping out. Qingmiao and Qingsui are getting older, and Zhang Zhaoci is already considering their marriage. Both of them want to return to the Marquis's mansion in the capital before looking for a spouse, since their parents and relatives are still in the mansion. Whether they look for someone in the mansion or outside, they don't want to look too far away.

Zhang Zhaoci said, "Next year, when we send the seedlings and ears of rice back to the Marquis's mansion, we'll have to help the two maids prepare their dowries. I think if that doesn't work, we should ask the old lady again to see if there's anyone else in the mansion willing to come with us."

Granny Lu said, "That's feasible. The people trained by the old lady are naturally excellent. It's just that they'll have a tough time coming with us. I'm afraid the maids in the manor won't want to come out."

Zhang Zhaoci said with a smile, "I will prepare two generous dowries for Qingmiao and Qingsui. For the sake of the dowries, everyone should sign up enthusiastically."

Qingmiao and Qingsui were serving each other when they heard their third grandmother making fun of them like that. Both of them blushed. Qingmiao, who was more outgoing, said with a red face, "Third grandmother, we heard what you said. The nanny can also be a witness. If you don't prepare a generous dowry for us, we won't be happy."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhaoci laughed heartily and said, "Don't worry, I may not have any other money, but I have plenty of silver to prepare for your dowries."

The two maids, blushing, put down what they were carrying and went to the outer room after being teased by Zhang Zhaoci. When Zhang Zhaoci saw them, she laughed even harder and said, "Hey, don't go! Tell Grandma what you want as your dowry, and Grandma will buy it for you."

Seeing his mother's expression, Xu Di was too ashamed to look at her. Xu Bai, on the other hand, found it quite amusing and asked, "Mother, why did the sisters leave?"

Xu Di said, "Aren't we going to leave so our mother can keep teasing us? Alright, alright, Mother, you should first calculate how much money you have left. You still need to make dowries and betrothal gifts for us later."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "Didn't you say that I would save my own money? Xu Di, from now on, my money is my money. Your dowry and betrothal gifts will all have to be paid for by your father."

Upon hearing this, Xu Rao said, "How can you say that? The child isn't just my child, it's both of ours. If I have to take care of him, you have to too."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "If you want to use my money, go to Xu Di. Xu Di managed my dowry and those estates. I don't know how much profit they make each year. I just accept whatever amount Xu Di gives me."

Granny Lu sighed deeply and said, "It's rare to see a matriarch like you. You should stop asking your mother for money. If you want money, go and visit your mother's shops and estates. Just like our young master, help her manage them properly. How could you not come up with enough dowry and betrothal gifts?"

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