The Yongning Marquis's mansion had strict family rules, which applied not only to family members but also to the servants. Therefore, although the people in the mansion knew that something had happened, no one discussed it in private.
Xu Yao was kept locked in her own courtyard. Apart from Ning Shi and the heir, no one in the mansion had gone in to see her. Xu Zhi was quite worried about her fourth sister. Until the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, she still hadn't heard that Xu Yao had been released.
On New Year's Eve, the family would hold ancestral worship, which was a very important event. Offerings, utensils, and even the arrangement of the ancestral hall were all taken care of. Despite her frail health, Ning assigned people to tidy up the ancestral hall.
Granny Lu took Xu Zhi to the old lady's place. When the old lady saw Xu Zhi, she sighed and said, "The family's education of the children is still lacking. I only hope that my efforts to make amends can benefit the children."
This is a matter for the Xu family. In addition, Xu Yao is the legitimate daughter of the heir apparent, so naturally, Granny Lu cannot say anything. This girl, Xu Yao, has always been somewhat arrogant and domineering in the mansion. Unlike Xu Gao, who was humble and polite to her sisters in the mansion, she has always been spoiled since childhood and has no burdens on her shoulders. As a result, she has grown up to be such a child who does not know the immensity of heaven and earth.
Granny Lu remained silent. The old lady said, "Keeping them locked up like this isn't a good idea. I've discussed it with the young master and his wife. After the New Year, when the weather warms up, we'll send someone to Liaodong. The Zhao family and the Yang family are already discussing marriage. If this gets out, our three families will become the laughingstock of the capital."
Granny Lu said, "The rules in the manor are always strict. Not many of us know about Fourth Miss's affairs. It will be fine once Miss Biao is engaged to the young master of the Yang family."
The old lady sighed and said, "Do you know how the marriage between the Zhao family and the Yang family came about? It was because Shao'er gave half of her dowry to Siyan in exchange. Alas, when Shao'er got married, the mansion was filled with ten miles of red bridal procession, and the dowry alone included countless fields and shops. How many families in the capital were envious? To put it bluntly, those meritorious officials who followed the founding emperor in conquering the country in the early years, after being enfeoffed, each of them had a fortune, but after so many years, how many of them still have considerable assets in their mansions?"
Granny Lu nodded, and the old lady said, "The unworthy descendants of the family squander the things left by their ancestors everywhere. Even the promising ones have to rely on the things left by their ancestors to increase their bargaining power. Over the years, many families only have face left. So, some people who don't care much about face find wealthy families to marry into, just so they can bring a huge dowry to fill this huge hole."
This is nothing new, said Granny Lu. "But I've never heard of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion doing this before."
The old lady said, "The Marquis of Zhongyong has always been in charge of the imperial estate. Everyone thinks that managing the imperial estate for the emperor is an easy and lucrative job. But the Marquis of Zhongyong is an honest man and would not do those petty thefts. He also has to maintain a lavish and luxurious appearance at home. Where would he get so much money to support himself?"
Xu Zhi listened attentively. The old lady said, "Our Shao'er is determined to marry her child into a high-ranking family. She has been married for many years and has always been bullied by her mother-in-law. She just wants to turn her life around through her children's marriage. When Sixing was born, the Marquis forced him to study at Ru'er's academy. The Marquis also made it clear to Zhao Shizi that they would discuss marriage after Sixing passed the imperial examination. Shao'er started looking for a match for Siyan everywhere and happened to meet the Marquis's wife from the Yang family."
Xu Zhi said, "Grandmother, if that's the case, then Cousin Siyan's marriage is not simple. To be honest, Cousin Siyan is not as pretty as Fourth Sister, and although they are both daughters of noblemen, Fourth Sister's dowry is much more generous than Cousin Siyan's."
The old lady nodded and said, "If you can think of that, how could we not? It's just a pity that your Aunt Shao is so determined to make this marriage happen, even willing to give up half of her dowry."
Xu Zhi sighed and said, "For a girl, it's hard to say whether such a marriage is a blessing or a curse."
The old grandmother sighed and said, "It's an arranged marriage, and no matter how unwilling we are, your cousin Siyan's marriage is in her parents' hands. We just hope that after Siyan marries into the family, Prince Yang will treat her well."
That evening, after Xu Di returned, he came over to tell Zhang Zhaoci and the others about what he had secretly found out.
Lady Zhongyong was of humble origin and supported her family after marriage. Her family were merchants in a small county near the capital. The marriage was arranged because Lady Zhongyong's father had unintentionally saved the old lady of the Zhongyong Marquis's mansion.
Lady Zhongyong's family was very powerful in the area because of the Marquis's influence. However, due to their poor management skills, they had not been doing well in recent years. Lady Zhongyong wanted to strengthen the family ties by marrying into the family, so she brought over a girl from her brother's family who was about the same age as Prince Yang. The two of them fell in love over time and had a very good relationship.
Xu Di recounted everything he had inquired about. Zhang Zhaoci, upon hearing this, exclaimed in surprise, "It's just finding a husband, why are there so many schemes and tricks involved?"
Xu Di said, "What do you think? I think the Yang family is only after my Aunt Shao's dowry. Besides, the two families are of similar social standing, so the marriage isn't too eye-catching. As for Yang Shizi's cousin, she should be able to become a concubine in the Marquis's mansion in the future."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "Your Aunt Shao has already squandered most of her dowry over the years. Where would she get such a large dowry for Siyan? If this is just wishful thinking on their part, Siyan will be jumping into a fire pit once they get married."
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