Su Xuening reassured her, "Don't worry, we've got everything back, and they've compensated us for the missing items."
Now Tang was relieved. Watching the departing carriage, she said angrily, "I knew they would touch your mother's dowry. That Zhong woman is no good."
She had long guessed Zhong's character, but fortunately Su Xuening was not weak either, so she didn't suffer any losses.
"We've retrieved it. Let's go inside and talk."
Su Xuening led Tang Shi and Mu Lingxi into the mansion.
Su Xuening did not take Tang Shi and the others to the main hall, but instead took them to Jingxue Pavilion.
Upon entering the courtyard, Madam Tang saw the main house that had been burned down and immediately felt a pang of heartache, saying, "What a fine residence, burned down like this, and so was Lingxiao Pavilion."
When Tang saw Su Xuening's disfigured face, she felt another pang of heartache: "Your second uncle and aunt are really too vicious. They almost burned you all to death. They should have kicked them out long ago!"
Su Xuening poured tea for Tang Shi and Mu Lingxi: "I have already found craftsmen to repair Lingxiao Pavilion and Jingxue Pavilion. The people from the second branch of the family have all left, so it's a good time to renovate all the courtyards where they lived."
“Yes, consider it a way to get rid of bad luck,” Tang said approvingly.
Mu Lingxi took a sip of tea and suddenly asked, "Where is Cousin Yun'an?"
“Yun’an wanted to learn martial arts, so I sent him to learn martial arts.” Su Xuening poured tea for the two of them.
Both of them were shocked upon hearing this.
Tang frowned: "Learning martial arts is a good thing, but sending him away now is a bit too hasty."
Mu Lingxi, equally puzzled, asked, "Isn't tomorrow Ning'er's big day? Why didn't Ning'er invite Yun'an to your wedding?"
Even if you want to learn martial arts, a day or two won't make a difference.
Su Xuening smiled bitterly: "I had no choice. My aunt and cousin know that there are only Yun'an and me in the General's Mansion now. After I get married tomorrow, I don't know when I will be able to come back. So I thought I would settle Yun'an in first before I got married. He just wanted to learn martial arts, so I sent him to learn martial arts first."
Both Tang Shi and Mu Lingxi felt sad upon hearing this.
Although the marriage was bestowed by the Emperor and seemed incredibly glamorous, the Holy King's condition was not good at the moment. If the Holy King's health did not improve, it would indeed be difficult for her to return to the manor. Even if she were summoned three times to return home, she might not be able to do so.
There are no elders in the General's Mansion, so there is indeed no one to take care of Su Yun'an. If Su Yun'an were older, it would be fine, since there are so many maids and servants in the mansion. But he is only seven years old, and it is indeed inappropriate to leave him alone in the mansion.
Mrs. Tang sighed softly: "Sending him out to learn martial arts is a good thing. At least he can learn some skills. If he learns martial arts, we can't say he will definitely become a great general, but at least others won't be able to bully him."
“That makes sense.” Su Xuening smiled and poured more tea for Mrs. Tang.
Holding her teacup, Madam Tang spoke awkwardly, "Ning'er, I know this marriage is unfair to you. With your looks and family background, if it weren't for the Emperor forcibly granting this marriage, you would definitely be able to marry someone better."
Su Xuening smiled self-deprecatingly: "Auntie is joking. With my looks and family background, I am surrounded by enemies. The Holy Prince is the best choice. It's just that the Emperor and the Holy Prince's Dowager do not mind."
Even now, despite disfiguring herself, Xuan Yuan Yu still relentlessly pursues her. She has endured countless schemes for Xuan Yuan Yu. Since she cannot defy the imperial decree, she might as well enter the Holy King's Mansion, where at least she can find some peace and quiet.
Seeing that Su Xuening was so open-minded, Madam Tang breathed a sigh of relief and comforted her, "It's good that you can think like this. Although the Holy King is not in good health, you have seen that the Holy King's Consort is a good person. She likes you very much. Once you enter the manor, she will definitely not mistreat you."
"Mmm," Su Xuening responded softly.
Judging from the current situation, the Holy Princess is indeed quite good. At least her aura is more compatible with Consort Su's. Hopefully, they can get along well in the future.
Tang took out a box and pushed it to Su Xuening: "This is a dowry that your aunt prepared for you."
Su Xuening opened the box and saw a gift list inside. She exclaimed in surprise, "This is too much!"
Tang knew perfectly well what she had prepared, and scolded, "What is there? It's nothing compared to your mother's dowry."
As she spoke, Madam Tang sighed again: "Now the Dingping Marquis's family has fallen on hard times, and your uncle has suddenly died. The burden of the family has fallen entirely on your cousin's shoulders. The Dingping Marquis's family is far from what it used to be. If you still consider us your maternal family, please accept these dowry gifts."
Su Xuening frowned and said solemnly, "Aunt, what are you saying? Even if Uncle has passed away, he is still Uncle, and the maternal family is still the maternal family. How could we not acknowledge him?"
Although her mother was only an adopted daughter of the Marquis of Dingping's family and a sister adopted by her uncle, when her father was still alive, she and her uncle were like brothers. After her father passed away, her uncle took good care of them. Even if we disregard everything else, just considering the relationship between her father and uncle, she had to accept them as her maternal relatives.
It wasn't that she disliked the dowry from the Marquis of Dingping's residence; it was that she knew the Marquis of Dingping's residence was also in dire straits. Her uncle had not only died suddenly but also seemed to be involved in some military affairs. If it weren't for the Holy Princess Dowager, the Marquis of Dingping's residence would have been convicted and couldn't be saved. It was truly remarkable that they could afford to provide this dowry now.
Fearing that Tang might overthink things, Su Xuening had no choice but to accept the dowry: "Then thank you very much, Aunt."
"We're family, don't be so polite with me." Madam Tang smiled, then glanced at Mu Lingxi, who was listening attentively beside her: "Xi'er, go find someone to move all the dowry we brought down."
"Okay," Mu Lingxi replied without suspicion.
Su Xuening understood that Tang Shi had deliberately sent Mu Lingxi away, and she also looked at Bihe and Lülian: "Take a few guards and go out to help."
"yes."
The two agreed and went out with Mu Lingxi.
Once they were alone in the room, Tang secretly took out a small box.
"This is... cough~" Tang wanted to say something, but then coughed lightly, feeling awkward: "This was originally something your mother should have given you, but since your mother is not here, your aunt is overstepping her bounds."
Before Su Xuening could react, she leaned closer and whispered, "You can open it tonight and take a look. We're getting married tomorrow, so you have to look at it tonight. Isn't the Holy King in poor health? Cough~ You should study it carefully yourself."
After saying that, Tang's face turned as red as a liver color. Su Xuening finally understood what Tang had put in the box for her, and she couldn't help but blush as well.
"Um, you pack your things away, I'm going out to see if Xi'er and the others have moved their things in yet?" This was the first time Tang had done something like this, so she ran out as if she were escaping.
As soon as Tang left the room, she fanned herself vigorously.
I'll definitely have to give Bai Fuya a good talking-to later and make sure she does this.
"Achoo!" At this moment, Bai Shi, who was far away in the Holy King's Mansion preparing for the wedding tomorrow, suddenly sneezed.
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