When we returned to Shousong Hall, we could faintly hear Madam Xu's laughter coming from inside, as if she was in a very good mood.

It was quite obvious that Old Madam Xu wasn't very interested in what she had. To be precise, compared to her constant concern about Li Shiyue's marriage, these little things were insignificant at the moment.

"Weddings are complicated, and it will take some time to prepare the three letters and six rites. Let's not announce it to the world yet." Old Madam Xu held Li Shiyue's hand. When it really comes time to get married, her feelings are different.

Fortunately, it was right in front of her, and it was her most beloved grandson. If she had known, she should have chosen Xu Yunci from the beginning.

Inside Shousong Hall, Old Madam Xu left herself alone. Li Shiyue looked up and met Old Madam Xu's smiling gaze. She didn't know what Old Madam Xu and Madam Yang had said, but it seemed to be a harmonious conversation.

“I think so too.” Li Shiyue nodded, agreeing with Old Madam Xu.

"Don't worry, with your maternal grandmother around, the betrothal gifts won't be omitted just because you're marrying into the Duke's mansion, and your dowry will naturally be increased as well."

Li Shiyue looked at Old Madam Xu in surprise, recalling the trunks and baskets in the Duke's mansion's storeroom that now contained more than 120 loads, including the ones that had been added later. If she were to add more, wouldn't her dowry be as long as 30 li of red bridal procession?

The scene was a bit too spectacular. Li Shiyue shook her head: "Grandmother, my dowry is already quite large."

Madam Xu shook her head, refusing to budge: "That's yours, I'm talking about what your maternal grandmother prepared for you. Just take it. I added some dowry for Yuan Niang and Wu Niang when they got married, and I've prepared Qing Ya's dowry for her too, so you'll be no exception."

Seeing that she was about to say something, Old Madam Xu patted her palm. The force was not strong, but the crisp sound of the slap interrupted Li Shiyue's mouth that was about to open.

She was getting old, and all those worldly possessions would eventually have to be given away. She preferred them to fall into the hands of the eldest son's family, and the rest of Madam Xu only wanted to leave to Li Shiyue.

The days in Beijing are gradually getting hotter, especially as the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, and the capital is filled with the joy of the upcoming festival.

Everyone in the Rongguo Mansion knew that there was going to be a happy event, even the fifth daughter, Xu Lingzi, who had married out of the family, knew about it. To the outside world, they only said that good things were coming to the Rongguo Mansion soon.

Xu Yunci hurriedly returned to the Duke's mansion after finishing the morning court session. Just as he was about to get into his carriage, a young woman dressed as a servant appeared out of nowhere and stopped his carriage.

His expression was indifferent, and he subconsciously ignored him, glancing at Chang An and telling him to send the person away.

But the young lady who looked like a servant thought she was doing a good job of impersonating a young master, and stretched out her arms as if she was about to kneel down: "Young Master, my master requests your presence."

Chang An was not as easy to talk to as Chang Shun. His face remained unchanged, and even his words were icy cold: "Where did this servant come from, daring to block the young master's carriage? If you don't move aside, don't blame me for being impolite."

Although the woman was dressed in the servant's clothes, she shrank back when she saw Chang An's fierce appearance, and she didn't even stretch her arms out as straight.

She wanted to say something more, but seeing Chang An's expressionless face, as if he wanted to chase her away and make a move, the young woman didn't dare to step forward.

Chang An turned and sat down next to the coachman. The carriage steadily passed the woman, who was probably a maid of some girl. She didn't look like a young man at all.

The woman watched the carriage gradually disappear into the distance, feeling both unwilling and somewhat afraid. She bit her lip and walked to the other side, and soon her figure disappeared into the crowd.

The weather was excellent today. Li Shiyue wanted to change into her newly made silk robe, but the May heat still carried a hint of coolness. After thinking for a moment, she decided to wear her favorite lilac-patterned jacket and hold a jade-handled round fan in her hand.

The carriage stopped outside the jewelry pavilion. As Li Shiyue stepped down from the carriage, people noticed that her clothes were not ordinary and recognized that it was the carriage of the Xu family of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion.

"Does Your Excellency have any appointments?"

The woman who came forward was composed, with her hair styled in a traditional Chinese updo, and wearing a sky-blue jacket with subtle chrysanthemum patterns. Her voice was gentle, and her willow-leaf eyebrows accentuated her gentle features, making her seem unlike someone from the capital.

Li Shiyue withdrew her gaze and let Chunling talk to the woman. Then she was led up to a side room on the second floor.

Baoxianglou is the most luxurious jewelry store in the capital. Even the silks and brocades there are priceless. Moreover, they have a special method for skin care, so it is often frequented by groups of nobles.

The door to the side room was pushed open, and Li Shiyue walked in. What came into view was a round table and several round stools. Turning her head, she saw a wide wooden couch against one side.

A small square table was placed on it, covered with smooth and precious cushions. Xu Lingzi was sitting on one side, and when she saw her come in, she smiled and said, "You've come at the perfect time, I just arrived too."

Li Shiyue walked over, and Chunling lifted the beaded curtain in front of her and sat down on the other side. There was a stack of booklets on the table, which, when opened, contained various kinds of jewelry, brocade, and some ready-made clothes.

"My surname is Zhang. If you have any instructions, I will be right outside the door."

Li Shiyue was engrossed in looking at it, and Xu Lingzi nodded and said, "Okay, you can bring over your new products first, so we can take a look."

Zhang smiled slightly, left, and closed the door behind her.

I glanced at it briefly, and the descriptions in the booklet were really clear. It described crowns made of ivory, glass, jade, or pure gold, in various styles and sizes.

Even the hairpins and ornaments are depicted in great detail, so the finished product would probably be just as good.

“This is what I just saw.”

Xu Lingzi had the same pair of phoenix eyes, but when she looked at Li Shiyue, there was a hint of cunning in her eyes. She pushed the booklet that was open next to Li Shiyue away.

Li Shiyue looked at her suspiciously, but when she saw the contents of the booklet, she immediately understood.

"How about it? This phoenix crown is magnificent. I've already inquired about it. It has twelve pearl hairpins, inlaid with twenty-two pearls, and is made of pure gold. What do you think of this phoenix crown when you marry your second brother?"

Xu Lingzi blinked, pushing the booklet next to her over with her. It even showed the styles of wedding dresses, making it dazzling to look at.

The phoenix crown in the booklet is described in great detail, with even the specific carvings and embellishments clearly marked.

Li Shiyue glanced at it and felt her eyelids twitching. If such a huge phoenix crown were worn on her head, her neck would probably break.

"You said you just arrived, but after seeing all this, you must have arrived a long time ago."

Xu Lingzi smiled and said, "You're right."

She stood up, looked around, and then said, as if she had thought of something, "I'll go downstairs and take a look. You wait for me here. I'll be right back."

Before Li Shiyue could answer, she had already left with her maid, giving Li Shiyue no time to react.