Before we knew it, it was the Empress Dowager's birthday.
Bai Tuantuan wore a purple dress, a faint smile on her round face, and her eyes sparkled with starlight.
Chen Zhixiu wore the same long dress, but with a layer of white gauze over it, which made her look more ethereal.
This outfit was designed by Bai Tuantuan for the first time, and Tangshao said it's called a parent-child outfit.
The embroidery on it was done stitch by stitch by Granny Bai, making it unique!
"My sister has finally arrived."
As soon as the mother and daughter reached the gate, they saw Xiao Guangyuan, Zheng Fangyu, and Xiao Ruyan.
With a smile on her face, Zheng Fangyu said slowly, "Sister and Tuantuan's clothes are so exquisite, they must have cost a lot of money, right?"
Chen Zhixiu raised an eyebrow but didn't reply. She didn't think Zheng Fangyu was just looking for trouble.
As expected, Xiao Guangyuan frowned and said in a deep voice, "These days, the family is short of money. Yu'er and Yan'er haven't bought anything new for a long time. You should also be more frugal."
“Father, didn’t my sister just buy a gold hairpin yesterday? Look, she’s still wearing it!” Bai Tuantuan stretched out her chubby hand and pointed to the hairpin in Xiao Ruyan’s hair.
Xiao Ruyan's face was full of contempt: "This was given to me by my maternal grandmother! It wasn't given with public funds!"
"Oh! Is that so!" Bai Tuantuan nodded. "Then my mother and I don't need money for our clothes!"
Bai Tuantuan counted on her fingers: "Not only that, but because she knows that Father works hard to earn money, Mother didn't receive her monthly salary. Everything in our residence was bought with money given by Grandfather, Grandmother, Maternal Grandfather, Maternal Grandmother, and Uncles and Aunts. Yesterday, Mother heard from the steward that the servants' monthly salaries weren't being paid, so she specially gave the steward fifty taels of silver to cover the expenses!"
"Tuantuan, don't say anymore..." Chen Zhixiu's face showed some grievance, "Husband, I didn't use a single penny from the manor."
Xiao Guangyuan knew he had wronged Chen Zhixiu, but he wouldn't admit it. He glared at Zheng Fangyu and said, "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Zheng Fangyu also felt wronged: "Master, I just think this dress is pretty, I didn't mean anything by it."
"Husband, please don't blame my sister. Although I took fifty taels, it's still not enough compared to my sister. After all, she has a dowry, which she probably used to cover up many of the household's deficits."
Zheng Fangyu's eyelids twitched as she stared at Chen Zhixiu's smiling face, a bad feeling creeping into her heart.
“That’s right. Our sanctuary doesn’t use public funds, nor does the longevity sanctuary. Grandma’s money is all saved up by Mother herself,” Bai Tuantuan said slowly.
Xiao Guangyuan's sharp gaze shot towards Zheng Fangyu: "Neither Mother's nor Xiu'er's courtyards used public funds. Where did all the public funds go?"
"Husband, let's get in the carriage first." Chen Zhixiu curtsied to Xiao Guangyuan, then pulled Bai Tuantuan into the carriage. As for Zheng Fangyu's explanation, she couldn't be bothered to listen.
“Sir, you know how much it costs to maintain social connections. Besides, you’ve just been promoted to vice academician, so I have to do more to ensure those people won’t make things difficult for you in official circles. That’s how the money was spent, and a considerable portion of my dowry was also taken out…”
Zheng Fangyu feigned grievance and said, "I've always been devoted to this family, how could you doubt me?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Guangyuan felt somewhat embarrassed. Considering that his monthly allowance was not much, he coughed twice, made a few perfunctory remarks, and got into the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Chen Zhixiu tucked Bai Tuantuan's wind-blown hair behind her ear and said slowly, "Ruotang and Granny Bai have both been to the palace and know the etiquette at palace banquets. If you have any questions, feel free to ask Ruotang."
"Don't worry, Madam, I will take good care of Miss," Ruotang said quickly.
Chen Zhixiu laughed: "You don't need to call yourself 'servant' in front of me. Just do the same thing in the Xiao family as you do in the Bai family."
Ruotang and Granny Bai exchanged a glance, and Ruotang quickly replied, "Yes."
“The Empress Dowager favors Zheng Fangyu, and she might make things difficult for us at this banquet.” Chen Zhixiu looked at Bai Tuantuan. “Fortunately, the Bai family is all here. If Tuantuan encounters any difficulties, she can simply refuse.”
Bai Tuantuan nodded with a smile: "This time I've prepared a big gift for the Empress Dowager! We must bring her to our side!"
"You've got quite the nerve," Chen Zhixiu laughed, not taking Bai Tuantuan's words to heart.
After all, the Empress Dowager favored Zheng Fangyu, and they had never even met the Empress Dowager before; it wasn't so easy for them to gain her favor.
At the palace gate, Chen Zhixiu and Bai Tuantuan received many stares as soon as they stepped off the carriage.
After all, the Xiao family's affairs had been widely publicized, and although the matter had been resolved, many people were still curious.
Many people sighed when they saw Chen Zhixiu's appearance.
Such stunning beauty is truly rare.
"Xiu'er!" Du Chunhua walked over, lifting her skirt, and took Chen Zhixiu's hand. "I've finally waited for you."
Chen Zhixiu said softly with a smile, "Sister Chunhua, why didn't my mother and the others see them?"
"His Majesty invited Prime Minister Bai and several other officials to the palace, saying they had matters of state to discuss. His Majesty also invited Old Madam Bai."
“Your mother was worried about you. She was only at ease when I told her I would wait for you to go in together. You’re going to have a sweet life ahead of you!” Du Chunhua said with a smile. “These past few days, since you haven’t come out of the Xiao family’s house, Aunt Feng and Uncle Chen have been coming to me every day to ask about you and Tuantuan. Ning Chengzhu is overjoyed.”
"Greetings, Madam Hou." Zheng Fangyu led Xiao Ruyan, who was dressed in pink, over, a faint smile in her eyes. "Madam Hou..."
"I have other things to do, so I won't talk to you any longer." Du Chunhua interrupted Zheng Fangyu directly, and pulled Chen Zhixiu and Bai Tuantuan inside. "Xingfeng and Lingfeng are here too. Nanxiao is with them, so don't worry."
"Mother!" Xiao Ruyan was furious. "They did it on purpose!"
"Alright, what did your mother teach you?" Zheng Fangyu frowned, "You must remain calm and composed when faced with problems."
Xiao Ruyan pursed her lips and lowered her head.
Zheng Fangyu suppressed her anger as she listened to the jeers and mockery of those around her.
"Madam Xiao, this old servant has finally found you!" Granny Fang approached with a smile. "Quickly, the Empress Dowager is waiting for you!"
Zheng Fangyu straightened her back instantly, glancing at the envious looks in the eyes of those people out of the corner of her eye, and smiled: "Thank you, Granny Fang."
"Lord Xiao is truly blessed!" Someone walked towards Xiao Guangyuan, cupped their hands in greeting, and said, "With the Prime Minister and the Grand Secretary as your fathers-in-law, don't forget about us in the future!"
"Yes, Lord Xiao, we became officials at the same time, so you must help me out!"
Xiao Guangyuan, beaming with pride, responded with a smile.
Meanwhile, Bai Tuantuan was tossing coins in the corner.
What are you calculating?
Bai Tuantuan glanced at the three copper coins, put them away, and then said, "Let's see if this banquet is a blessing or a curse."
Have you figured it out yet?
"Yes, it's great. My mom is great, my cheap dad is great too."
That's good.
"Not good." Bai Tuantuan touched her chin. "How can my cheap dad be okay? No, I have to do something."
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