Yunyang led the group to deliver the lychees to the island in the middle of the lake, where they were kept warm on ice. Following Xie Zhaozhao's instructions, five baskets, totaling about 500 catties of lychees, were loaded onto a horse-drawn carriage and delivered to the Marquis's residence.
Xie Zhaozhao instructed Mo Yan and Guan Yan to deliver a portion of lychees to each of the first and second wives' households, while she personally led a group to deliver a basket to the old lady.
The old lady was humiliated by the witchcraft incident, and it was impossible for her to manipulate Xie Zhaozhao into willingly handing over her dowry.
Xie Zhaozhao brought over some lychees. She grabbed a few and exclaimed in surprise, "These lychees are really good. They're all the size of small eggs, and they're so big!"
Xie Zhaozhao said with a smile, "Not only are they big, but the pits are also small, and the flesh is especially sweet."
The old lady ate a few, and they were so delicious that she ate more than a dozen in no time.
A basket weighs over a hundred pounds. Such top-quality lychees must cost over a hundred taels of silver, right?
The old lady was envious again; the third wife was too rich!
Just then, Madam Tu and Madam Lu arrived, naturally expressing their deepest gratitude to Xie Zhaozhao.
Madam Lu said, "Mother, today, thanks to my third brother's wife's lychees, I would like to go to my parents' home and bring some for them to try."
The old lady nodded: "Speaking of this, I was also about to ask the Third Madam, since we've divided things up like this in our household, have we sent any to our in-laws?"
Xie Zhaozhao said, "I was just about to ask my mother for leave. While they are still fresh, I would like to send a basket to my grandmother as well."
The old lady said, "Then you should go. Don't forget to give my regards to your in-laws."
Xie Zhaozhao went out, and Madam Lu followed her out.
Mr. Lu expressed his deepest gratitude, saying that he had never received so many fresh lychees before.
Xie Zhaozhao said that she was brought here with the help of a friend.
Madam Lu said with some longing, "Third sister-in-law, if you have any ways to make money, please help the second branch of the family. I may not be good at other things in the mansion, but I can certainly be your informant."
"Thank you, Second Sister-in-law."
Xie Zhaozhao didn't want to talk to her anymore; she didn't want to have much contact with anyone in the Pingyang Marquis's residence.
Even if Mrs. Lu wanted to be her dog, she wouldn't be qualified; this person was a fence-sitter and unreliable.
You shouldn't associate with people who are opportunistic; not only can you not open your heart to them, but you might even be worse off than someone who is completely bad.
She had Moyan and Guanyan put a basket of lychees on her carriage and went to the Xie residence with Manman.
The old lady sent Taxue to peek, and Taxue only returned home after Xie Zhaozhao's carriage had left and passed two streets in the direction of the Xie residence.
The report to the old lady states: "The Third Madam's carriage only carried one basket of lychees, exactly the same as yours."
The old lady nodded slightly, feeling relieved.
Xie Zhaozhao walked towards the Xie residence, passing through two streets, when a guard beside her reported, "Miss, the people from the Marquis's residence who were following you have returned."
"How shameless! They clearly gave each household a basket for free, yet the old lady still sent people to watch whether we sent any extra to our maternal family! If we had known this would happen, what would have been wrong with not giving them a single one?"
She was furious and cursed loudly. She was simple-minded but always had a fiery temper.
Xie Zhaozhao patted her hand and laughed, "Why are you angry? It's actually easier to be wary of someone who's so easily offended. I already had plans."
Entering the main street outside the Xie residence, I slowed my pace slightly, and soon I saw Yunyang driving a large carriage over.
The carriage was loaded with lychees, twice as many as the ones intended for the Marquis's residence.
The old lady was plotting to embezzle her dowry, take all of Gu Shaoyu's salary, and sever her ties with the Xie family.
How could that be!
She has received kindness from the Xie family, her father, grandmother, elder brother, and aunt. In this life, she must protect the Xie family and her heart cannot stray from them.
She and Gu Shaoyu are now considered a perfect couple, but she wouldn't abandon the Xie family or her own family for him.
Not to mention the old Marquis's wife and Madam Tu, who are ungrateful wretches for two lifetimes.
Old Qin had received the report that the eldest young lady was coming, and not only him, but also the people from the second branch of the family were waiting at the door.
Upon seeing her arrive, the main gate was immediately opened, and she was welcomed into the mansion.
Grandmother also personally greeted her, took her hand, and led her into the Wutong Garden.
Xie Zhaozhao asked Lao Qin to move the lychees to Wutong Garden, and how they were distributed in the mansion was up to her grandmother.
Her grandmother held her hand and asked if she was comfortable living in the Marquis's mansion. "How is Grand Secretary Gu?"
Ultimately, it's all just talk of worry.
Xie Zhaozhao answered them one by one. She was truly at ease now. Not only did Grand Secretary Gu trust her and not confine her to the inner quarters, but the two of them also did not live in separate courtyards. In fact, when she went to do business overseas, he entrusted his entire fortune to her.
There was something special about the basket of lychees on Xie Zhaozhao's carriage. She had Moyan and Yunyang carry it to the old lady's inner room.
Madam Xie had been waiting for her for a long time, and thanked her profusely, saying that Master Xie was doing a great job at the Salt and Iron Bureau and that his conduct was impeccable, so she could rest assured.
Xie Zhaozhao had already heard Gu Shaoyu mention that her second uncle was practically a perfect fit for the Salt and Iron Bureau.
This man is extremely cunning, yet no one can quite pinpoint his treachery. He keeps a tight grip on the Emperor's treasury, and yet no one has impeached him. Not only does he withhold funds, but he also continuously increases taxes; he's a born bureaucrat.
The second wife is also grateful and has great respect for her father and elder brother, which is truly rare.
Just mentioning Xie Jue gives Second Aunt a headache: "He doesn't like studying, he just likes to play with weapons. Your Second Uncle and I are so angry."
Xie Zhaozhao called Xie Jue over, and Xie Jue seemed awkward and a little embarrassed.
My eldest sister is highly respected at home and is the most noble lady in the country. I don't like to study and always feel ashamed in front of her.
Xie Zhaozhao remembered that in her previous life, this cousin also disliked studying. He was forced into a corner by his second uncle and aunt. He first messed around in the capital, then escaped and joined the border army, and later died in the army.
It seems that without sufficient skill and courage alone, it is difficult to achieve great things. How easy is it to become a general?
She looked at Xie Jue and asked, "Second brother, do you dream of becoming a great general?"
Xie Jue nodded bravely: "Elder sister, I like fighting, I like riding horses, and I like killing enemies."
"Have you ever considered that joining the army could lead to death? And that the chances are very high?"
"Elder sister, I'm not afraid of death, I'm not afraid of pain..."
"Of course you're not afraid of death, because you're unfilial, you're heartless!" Madam Xie scolded. "The entire Xie family is full of scholars, so many role models, yet you refuse to learn from them!"
Xie Jue twisted his neck, refusing to accept it.
Xie Zhaozhao said to Madam Xie, "Second Aunt, there are countless paths to success, and studying is not the only one. Since he doesn't like studying, forcing him is useless. Time will be wasted day by day, and his life will be ruined in the blink of an eye. It's better to let him do what he likes, do it to the best of his ability, and leave no regrets."
If he wanted to be a general, she would give him the opportunity.
They had only been talking for a short while when Old Qin came in from outside, smiling as he reported, "Madam, Miss, the Grand Secretary is waiting outside."
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