Xu Di could understand. A fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl, once she fell in love, felt that this was the most important thing in her life. Even her parents couldn't compare to this. It's just that we live in a closed society now. In the future, it would be very common for girls of this age to run away from home with their boyfriends because of their families' objections. Therefore, Xu Di didn't think Xu Yao's actions were anything out of line.
The old lady watched the lively chatter in the room with a smile. The dumplings were already cooked in the kitchen, and breakfast was laid out in the dining room. The old lady said, "Let's go eat dumplings. Tell the kitchen to save some for the Marquis and the others."
Ning smiled and said, "Grandmother, I have already given the instructions, so you can rest assured."
After breakfast, everyone dispersed. Ning specifically instructed the two old nannies who were with Xu Yao that since Xu Yao's courtyard was not far from Zhang Zhaoci's, they would walk together. Zhang Zhaoci looked at Xu Yao, who was walking with her head down, and thought that it seemed like only a few days had passed, but she looked much more aged.
Zhang Zhaoci sighed, took Xu Yao's hand, and said, "Fourth Sister, you must remember one thing: in this world, everyone is capable of scheming against you, but your parents will not. They are the people who love you the most in this world. You may not understand their actions now, but what they are doing is to help you avoid detours and for your own good."
Xu Yao stood up, bowed to Zhang Zhaoci, and then followed the two old women with her head down.
Zhang Zhaoci sighed as she looked at the girl's thin back. Xu Di said, "This girl has a lot on her mind."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "Yes, it's because I had something on my mind that I did such a thing. I couldn't think things through. Once I've thought it through, I'll be fine."
Xu Di glanced at Xu Zhi, who was walking and chatting quietly with Xu Bai, and said, "Girls' hearts are really hard to fathom."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "It's just a few things they do, what's so hard to guess? The children in this family have lived in the mansion since they were little. Even when they go out to visit relatives with the adults, they are always surrounded by many servants. The people and things outside generally don't affect the girls in the family unless they are intentionally involved."
Xu Bai saw Zhang Zhaoci and Xu Di talking, so he came over and asked, "Mother, elder brother, what are you talking about?"
Xu Di said, "We were saying, how can you be so shameless? You still have to know what's in your mother's purse. Let me ask you, do you know what's in the purse now?"
Xu Bai said, "I was just joining in the fun in front of Grandmother. Do you really think I have to hold a grudge about this? Brother, Grandmother is really something else this time. But overall, I should thank you. Without your planning, Grandmother's estates would probably still be losing money."
Xu Di said, "Don't say any more. I do this for my grandmother willingly. Your words make it sound like I'm taking credit. Alright, alright, go back and rest."
Xu Bai said, "Brother, how about we go for a walk in the streets?"
Xu Di said, "No, there are so many people on the street. What if we get lost if we take you out? You should just stay at home and keep your mother and Granny Lu company, chatting and joking around."
In the old days, the New Year was a time for the whole family to get together and chat all day long. Girls didn't do needlework, and children didn't have to study hard. They would visit relatives every day, eat, drink, and play at their homes, or eat, drink, and play at home.
The old lady gave me a purse containing a two-hundred-tael silver note. All things considered, the old lady spent a considerable amount of money just to carry this purse during the New Year.
Zhang Zhaoci sighed to Xu Di, who said, "You shouldn't be embarrassed. Grandmother already has money. Do you think I don't know how much the farm has produced these past two years? Putting aside the other farms, just take the hot spring farm that grows rouge rice. Last year, it had a net income of ten thousand taels. The old lady isn't someone who likes to be greedy for power and money. She's always been extremely generous to the younger generation. Giving her lucky money during the New Year is just her way of showing her love. You should just accept it."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "I'm afraid that if the old lady keeps throwing money around like this, others will covet what she has. Birds die for food, and people die for money. Money really is a deadly thing."
Xu Di said, "Grandma has experienced far more in her life than we can imagine. How could she not know? She's a wise old woman, and everything she does has her reasons. Just watch and see."
After the first month of the lunar calendar, it was Xu Tao's wedding day. Zhang Zhaoci found a day and took Xu Zhi to deliver the dowry to Xu Tao.
Zhang Zhaoci gave Xu Tao a set of silver jewelry, especially the thick bracelet. The design wasn't very nice, but it was heavy enough that if she ever had financial difficulties, she could just cut it up with scissors and use it as money without having to pawn it.
Of course, no one wants such a thing to happen, but life is unpredictable, and who can guarantee that they will always live a life of wealth and abundance?
When Yao saw the rosewood box with intertwined floral patterns that Zhang Zhaoci had given her, she was speechless, but remembering that Zhang Zhaoci had been to Hexi and had seen and experienced much, she didn't say anything.
Xu Zhi gave her twelve handmade sachets as gifts. They were made with high-quality materials and each one had a different flower or plant design, all embroidered by Xu Zhi herself.
Xu Zhi said, "Second sister, this is for you. You can keep it for yourself or give it as a gift."
Xu Tao looked at the purses and said sincerely, "Ninth Sister's craftsmanship is really good. I must keep these purses carefully."
When Zhang Zhaoci returned, she secretly told Granny Lu, "I noticed that the Second Miss's complexion is not right. She looks increasingly thin and doesn't have the demeanor of a bride-to-be at all."
Granny Lu sighed and said, "What's wrong with the young ladies in this mansion? Why do they all keep encountering all sorts of things?"
Zhang Zhaoci sighed and said, "Who says it isn't? Could it be that the feng shui of the mansion is bad?"
Granny Lu said, "It's normal for girls to have some thoughts about marriage when they are in their teens. But I feel that the second and fourth young ladies in the mansion are different from the other young ladies."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "Girls always overthink things. I'm just their aunt and uncle. Even if I know what's going on, I can't speak to them directly, even if they're their own mothers. Sigh, I can only hope that these girls will grow up and become more thoughtful, so they can live a good life in the future."
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