Gao Mu and Cang Yun glared at Xiang Yang. "You wish! How about we make a bet?"
“Let’s gamble. Our master is handsome and has the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix. They both have a little master, so it’s not impossible to do that before the wedding,” Xiang Yang said confidently.
"I bet my young lady won't let the Emperor stay overnight. I'll wager one hundred taels of silver."
As soon as Gao Mu finished speaking, Cang Yun chimed in, "I agree with Brother Gao. We'll bet one hundred taels of silver. Don't try to cheat the Deputy Commander if you lose."
"You underestimate me. It's just two hundred taels of silver. A gentleman's word is as good as his bond. I don't have that much silver on me. We'll settle the score tomorrow."
As Xiangyang spoke, he subconsciously reached into his waistband and touched the purse. There was only a little bit of loose silver in it, and he didn't know how long it had been there.
He rarely needed to spend money on ordinary days, so he had no idea how much money he actually had.
Xiang Song looked at Xiang Yang as if he were an idiot. "Don't bother looking. Your money is in the wooden box under the bed."
"Boss, you should place a bet too. Trust my judgment, the master definitely won't return to the palace tonight."
Xiang Song rolled his eyes at Xiang Yang. "You may be stupid, but I'm not. I won't participate in the bet. I know my master will definitely return to the palace."
Cangyun was sitting directly facing the garden.
Seeing the two figures under the wisteria tree stand up, he patted Gao Mu on the shoulder, "Miss is going back to settle in, you should also go back to your room to keep your wife company."
In the garden, Xiao Jingzhao held Jiang Shuyue's hand, reluctant to let go.
"Moon Lady, if you need my help with Su Jin's marriage, please don't hesitate to ask. As for Master Huiyuan, how about I ask him to choose an auspicious day during the winter months?"
"Okay, whatever you say."
Jiang Shuyue felt a sweet warmth in her heart; that was probably what love felt like.
The two walked side by side to the corridor, where Xiao Jingzhao stopped and lowered his head to kiss her forehead.
"Go back to your room and rest. I'll watch you go in."
Jiang Shuyue experienced once again how good it felt to be valued.
Under the corridor, Xiao Jingzhao watched that beautiful figure disappear into the distance with tender eyes, his heart filled with sweetness.
He made up his mind to instruct the Imperial Wardrobe to begin preparing the wedding attire the next day.
He wanted to give her a grand wedding.
Inside the pavilion, Xiangyang saw that the two were not walking in the same direction, and he was so anxious that he kept stamping his feet.
"Hey! What should I say, Master? Strike while the iron is hot. If we just let this great opportunity go to waste, what if Miss Jiang changes her mind tomorrow?"
Gao Mu and Cang Yun suppressed their laughter and looked at Xiang Yang anxiously.
"Stop nagging, the master has gone outside, hurry up and follow." Xiang Song pulled Xiang Yang and walked quickly towards the hall.
In fact, Gao Mu and Cang Yun didn't actually ask Xiang Yang for the money they had bet on, but that's another story.
When Qiuju and Lan'er learned that their young lady had opened her heart to the Emperor, they were both genuinely happy for her.
Lan'er smiled and said, "I'll go tell Sister Mei'er to prepare two more dishes for dinner."
Watching Lan'er run out, lifting her skirt, Qiuju turned to look at Jiang Shuyue.
With tears of excitement welling up in her eyes, she said, "Miss, I have long hoped that you would accept the Emperor's heart. If the Lady in heaven knew that you would become the Empress, I don't know how happy she would be."
“Silly girl, what’s so great about becoming empress? The most important thing is that he has to be sincere. If he ever breaks his promise to take a concubine, I will turn away without hesitation.”
“Miss, His Majesty would not. He trusts me. They say the bystander sees things more clearly, and I see it clearly.”
Jiang Shuyue stroked Xue'er's fluffy back and said, "I never took his words to heart from the beginning. Actually, if you analyze it carefully, he has quite a few good points."
There's a saying that goes something like this: cherish the people in front of you, treasure the beautiful things you've encountered in life, and take them out to look at them occasionally—they'll be wonderful memories.
“Miss sees things clearly. This servant will go and tell Lord Su and Madam Su this good news right away.”
Jiang Shuyue put Xue'er down and stood up. "No need. Let's go see how the betrothal gifts are being prepared. I'll tell my aunt myself later."
After tidying up, the mistress and servant arrived at the Su residence. Madam Su did not show any surprise when she heard Jiang Shuyue's words.
She took Jiang Shuyue's hand and patted it gently. "Yue'er, actually your uncle had long expected this outcome. You know, from the very beginning, the Emperor has been raising Sui Sui according to the standards of the Crown Prince."
Jiang Shuyue nodded. "I know. Sui Sui's teacher is named Zhen Shuo, and he is Zhen Jingxiu's father. However, he is not given the title of Grand Tutor yet."
"If it weren't for the fact that the Grand Secretary was getting old, the heavy responsibility of the Grand Tutor would have fallen on his shoulders, and there were also many miscellaneous matters in the Imperial Academy, making it impossible for him to be in two places at once."
When Madam Su spoke of the Zhen family, she was quite emotional. The family, a family of upright people, experienced ups and downs, kept a low profile, and eventually gained the appreciation of a wise ruler.
"Moon, let go of your worries and cherish the person in front of you. Believe that the Old Man of the Moon will not make a mistake in tying the knot. The fact that you two can still be together after going through twists and turns is a destiny ordained by heaven."
Fearing that Jiang Shuyue might feel guilty towards those who left, Madam Su gently comforted her.
"Aunt, I understand."
Jiang Shuyue glanced around the hall and saw several bolts of red silk on the octagonal table, but no other items.
"Aunt, Jin isn't home. Have you discussed with Madam Du about when to send the betrothal gifts?"
At this moment, Qiuju personally brewed a pot of mint tea and returned. The maidservant serving her quickly took it and poured two cups.
Madam Su took the teacup and placed it in front of Jiang Shuyue. "We've discussed it. In the capital, there's a custom where the younger brother goes to fetch the bride in place of the elder brother when the elder brother is not home. However, your uncle says that's inappropriate."
Jiang Shuyue was stunned for a moment, then remembered that someone else had done this before.
Madam Su continued, "Su Nan also said it was inappropriate. Madam Du said that the wedding ceremony would be held in Jiangzhou on the auspicious day of the newlyweds, and the bride would leave from the capital in advance. On the day she left the capital, your uncle and I would personally go to the Du residence to see Yutong off."
"Of course, I have already prepared the betrothal gifts, they are all in the storeroom, and will be sent to the Du residence two days in advance."
Remembering the Emperor's instructions, Jiang Shuyue said sincerely, "The Emperor specifically said that if there is anything that needs help in the mansion, we can tell him."
"On behalf of my aunt, please convey my gratitude to the Emperor. There is nothing else I can help you with."
"Should we ask him to send someone to escort the bride for a while? Although the capital is peaceful now, there's no guarantee that there won't be bandits robbing her along the way."
Jiang Shuyue still felt a lingering fear when she recalled the scene she encountered on her way back to the capital.
Madam Su thought for a moment and said, "Madam Du knows that our family doesn't have many people, so she said she would arrange for Yutong's brother to escort them."
After thinking it over, Jiang Shuyue decided that she would feel more at ease having the Emperor send someone to escort her.
Time flies, and the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms fills the air.
On this day, Su Huai-ren and his wife arrived at the Du residence early.
In her boudoir, Du Yutong looked at the agate and jade and a stack of silver notes in front of her and burst into tears.
"Sister, you've already bought so much jewelry, why are you taking so many silver notes?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
