Chapter 38 Dowry List
These days he has been following the rules set by his teacher and going on time. He spends the rest of his time at the clan school, so that he can do both without any problems. His father specially prepared a carriage and two attendants to pick him up and drop him off.
Yu Qingci: "Do whatever the old master tells you to do. Whether it's studying or farming, you must do it seriously and not slack off."
Yu Qingbai nodded sensibly: "I know, I think it's actually quite interesting to follow the teacher in farming and planting vegetables these days. The teacher said that farming is the foundation of all things, and even the emperor has to treat the ceremony of personally plowing the fields with reverence to set an example for the world, let alone us ordinary people doing these things. Yesterday the teacher even praised me as a teachable child!"
Yu Qingbai raised his head and said with a hint of pride.
Yu Qingci smiled gently: "My younger brother is the best."
"However, I hope my sister doesn't get married. I still can't bear to part with her."
The thought of his sister getting married immediately made Yu Qingbai sad again. He glared at his father, who was standing to the side, and the atmosphere instantly returned to what it was before.
Seeing this, Tong'er interjected, "Young master, there's no need to be sad. Even if the young lady leaves home in the future, if you miss her, you can go to the General's Mansion to visit her. I don't believe that the people in the General's Mansion can stop you."
"It's the young lady who's already suffering so much in her marriage; to be called an illegitimate daughter by the Third Miss is truly outrageous!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Jingsheng's face immediately darkened: "What's going on?"
Yu Qingci tried to cover it up, but Tong'er didn't care. Her little mouth immediately began to repeat exactly what Yu Qingyan and her sister had said in front of the Wisteria Courtyard.
Yu Jingsheng's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot after hearing this: "Qingying is becoming more and more outrageous. Don't worry, I will definitely punish her properly this time."
Yu Qingci said sensibly, "Father, I won't argue with her about this. Anyway, I'm getting married soon, so it doesn't matter if I suffer some grievances. I'm a little worried about my brother. Father has never officially announced my brother's identity to the public. People outside will naturally make wild guesses about us siblings. I'm afraid that if the rumors go on for a long time, they will become more and more unpleasant and have a bad impact on my brother."
Yu Jingsheng understood the meaning behind his daughter's words, and his face showed even more guilt. It wasn't that he didn't want to make the identities of the two children public. Since the ancestral hall was opened, he had brought it up with his mother several times, but his mother would always tell him to be patient and postpone it, saying that she didn't want the Earl's Mansion to attract too much attention. With Qiao Shi saying a few words from the side, he couldn't remember after a few times.
It seems we can't delay any longer; some things need to be announced to the public as soon as possible.
After leaving the study, the two went to a secluded spot. Tong'er lowered her voice and asked, "Miss, what did I say earlier? The Earl's face was so dark and sour. I bet Fourth Miss is in trouble."
Yu Qingci smiled knowingly: "Well said, I'll reward you when we get back."
Tong'er was even happier: "That's how a girl should be. If they dare to make us suffer, we'll go to Lord Bo for support. Who's afraid of who?"
Yu Qingci remained noncommittal. She had deliberately arranged for Tong'er to say the words "illegitimate daughter" to her father, not just so that her father would punish Yu Qingying. Judging from her father's reaction just now, he should know what to do.
Thinking about the next reaction of the Qiao mother and daughter, Yu Qingci couldn't help but secretly look forward to it.
Yu Jingsheng arrived at Shouyin Hall early to pay his respects to his mother; the younger members of each branch of the family had already arrived before him.
Madam Zhang sat at the head of the table, looking down at the room full of her children and grandchildren, and felt extremely gratified.
After the old master passed away, his two illegitimate sons were sent away long ago. Now, the two sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and other children who are enjoying her company are all her own flesh and blood. It's rare for them all to come together today to pay their respects.
The wedding was finally about to take place, and the groom was none other than her rather uncaring granddaughter. Zhang Shi showed no sign of sadness or joy, but instead smiled and asked everyone to sit down and talk to her.
Madam Zhang casually asked Madam Qiao, "Tomorrow is the day to send the dowry. How are your preparations going?"
According to the custom of this dynasty, the day before the wedding is the day when the bride sends her dowry to her husband's family. Yu Qingci's wedding day is set for the day after tomorrow, so tomorrow all the dowry will be carried to the General's Mansion.
Upon hearing this, Madam Qiao hurriedly replied, "Mother, rest assured, all the dowry has been prepared. There are a total of sixty-eight loads, including jewelry, furniture, fabrics, and silks. We have also prepared an estate and two shops in the capital."
"Oh, and the servants for the dowry have also been arranged. Here is the dowry list; please take a look, Mother."
As she spoke, Mrs. Qiao handed over a small booklet with gold lettering.
Zhang opened the book and began to look at it. Qiao pointed out each item to her and explained them to her. Zhang nodded repeatedly as she looked at the book, clearly quite satisfied.
After reviewing the dowry list, Madam Zhang casually handed it to Yu Jingsheng, who was sitting at the lower seat, and said, "Your wife is very thoughtful. The dowry prepared for our third daughter is quite impressive. It is comparable to that of other daughters of prominent families in the capital. Lord, please take a look, so that you don't think that our manor has mistreated our third daughter."
Yu Jingsheng took the order and looked through it, while Qiao Shi, standing to the side, couldn't help but feel smug.
What can you tell from a single list? She can produce everything listed there. Unless you're a matriarch who's been managing household affairs for years, it's hard to spot the trickery.
She didn't believe that a man like the Earl, who was always away on business and didn't care about household affairs, could figure anything out.
However, seeing Yu Jingsheng examining the list closely, Qiao felt a little nervous and explained from the side:
"When daughters of prominent families in the capital get married, their dowries are usually sixty or seventy loads. Families of slightly lower status often have thirty or forty loads. Our Earl's Mansion has prepared a full sixty-eight loads for our third daughter. With such a grand dowry, no one can say anything. It would not be an exaggeration to call it a ten-mile-long red bridal procession. When our third daughter marries into her husband's family, she will definitely be highly regarded by them."
Yu Jingsheng looked through the list in his hand from beginning to end and seemed quite satisfied. He put down the list and said, "Madam, you've worked hard. I have something else to discuss with my mother. Before sending the dowry tomorrow, to make it more festive, why don't we follow the custom in Youyang and air it out? Open all the trunks in front of relatives and friends so they can witness it."
These words shocked everyone present. Madam Qiao blurted out, "What? Opening the chests in public? Is the Lord going to show off his dowry in front of everyone? Why is that? Does the Lord not trust me?"
Madam Zhang then realized what was happening and asked, "Why did you suddenly decide to show off your dowry, Lord? I have heard that some places do have this custom, but it is rarely done in our capital area."
Yu Jingsheng explained, “Mother, Qingci was born in Youyang and grew up there. In Youyang, it is customary to display the dowry, which is both a joyous occasion and a way to show love for one’s daughter. Although we have returned to the capital, I think we have prepared such a generous dowry for Qingci, so why not celebrate it according to the customs of Youyang?”
Seeing that Madam Zhang remained silent, Yu Jingsheng continued, "Just as Mother said, Qingci returned home halfway through her life. Although her name is in the ancestral hall, we have never made their siblings' identities public in order to keep a low profile. Now that she is about to get married, we have prepared a decent dowry for her. It is good to let the world know."
This is also to maintain the dignity of our family; we must let outsiders know how much we value this marriage.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Qiao became even more anxious: "This is unacceptable!"
Yu Jingsheng and Madam Zhang looked over at the same time: "Why not?"
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