A woman's dowry is her foundation and support in her husband's family. With this dowry, she can either continue to earn money on her own or use it to supplement her daily household expenses. After her death, the dowry can be distributed to her children according to her wishes, or she can do whatever she wants with it.
Although Xu Shao's dowry would belong to the three siblings in the future, it just didn't feel right to add it to the dowry of his future wife.
Xu Shao waved her hand and said, "Just send it over to me. I have my reasons."
Zhao Sixing delivered something to the Zhou family's courtyard, and Xu Di soon found out.
Xu Di went back and told Chen Zhaoci about it. Chen Zhaoci was very surprised when she heard it, but then she felt that she understood something.
Xu Di found it hard to believe that his usually arrogant and domineering aunt could do such a thing.
Seeing the doubt on Zhao Sixing's face, Chen Zhaoci smiled and said, "There's nothing hard to understand about this. Women, once they become mothers, will naturally think more about their children if they have children in their hearts. Many times, when faced with a choice between themselves and their children, they will choose their children first. For their children, they can make some concessions that others can't understand. It's a very normal thing to do."
Xu Di frowned and said, "I think there must be something about the Yongping Marquis's mansion that we don't know. The people in their mansion look respectable on the surface, but who knows what kind of rotten things are going on inside. Cousin Xing's marriage came so suddenly. Only the Yongping Marquis and the Yongping Marquis's heir understand. Who knows what they might think?"
Chen Zhaoci nodded and said, "That's really true. Their mansion's grandeur is among the best in the capital."
Xu Di sneered twice and said, "Otherwise, would my aunt's dowry have been reduced to such a small amount? Mom, let me tell you, my aunt's mother-in-law set a trap to take things from my aunt."
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhaoci exclaimed in surprise, "Is that really true?"
Xu Di nodded and said, "It's true. I only found out because I helped my aunt take the things from Zhao Ziqi. That Lady Yongping colluded with outsiders to trick Zhao Ziqi into buying things and swindled a lot of money. You know, my aunt was a famous socialite in the capital back then, and my grandparents doted on her. How could she be so blind as to fall for such a scumbag?"
Thinking of Xu Shao's dowry back then, Chen Zhaoci said, "What about all the farmland and shops that your aunt sold?"
Xu Di sighed and said, "At first, Grandfather didn't know that the shops my eldest aunt sold weren't in good locations. Later, Grandfather found a way to buy them back. After all, Grandfather and Grandmother carefully selected them as part of my eldest aunt's dowry."
Chen Zhaoci nodded and said, "Your grandfather must have been very angry at the time."
Xu Di nodded and said, "Just a couple of days ago, I went to help sell the items and found out about this matter. When I came back, I told my grandfather, and he was sad for a long time. He told me that my aunt was deliberately plotted against, but fortunately she realized her mistake in the end and there was still hope for her."
Chen Zhaoci thought back to the last time he saw Xu Shao and felt that she didn't seem so sharp anymore, and that she had changed somewhat.
Xu Di recalled his grandfather's words and said to Chen Zhaoci, "My grandfather told me that the Zhao family doesn't really have any backing now. Back then, their old Marquis of Yongping was brave and good at fighting, and he earned this imperial edict. It's just a pity that his descendants are not promising. The current Marquis of Yongping married a woman from the Jiang family. Back then, Prime Minister Jiang was second only to the emperor, but unfortunately, he died young. Now, the Jiang family relies on Jiang Zhaoming, the Salt Commissioner of Jiangnan. Jiang Zhaoming once served as the emperor's tutor, so he has control over the emperor's money."
The Salt Commissioner of Jiangnan was not only in charge of the salt transport in Jiangnan, but also the iron mines and silk in Jiangnan. It was said that in the future, the iron mines and silk would be separated from the Salt Commissioner's jurisdiction, but Emperor Liang Cheng did not agree, so Jiang Zhaoming continued to manage them in Jiangnan.
Chen Zhaoci frowned and said, "I've heard that the Zhao family is quite close to the First Prince."
Xu Di sneered and said, "He knows his own family's situation and is just thinking about earning his share of the credit for joining the new emperor. We don't need to worry about that."
Chen Zhaoci was somewhat curious and asked, "The Zhao family is strange. How did they get in touch with the First Prince? They're both in the capital, and the Third Prince's maternal family is clearly more capable. Why don't they get close to the Third Prince?"
Xu Di naturally knew what was going on, and since he had nothing better to do, he explained to Chen Zhaoci: "Back when Prime Minister Jiang was still alive, he and the Third Prince's maternal grandfather were mortal enemies. I heard that the two of them even had a fight in the Golden Palace over their political views. The late emperor had to intervene. After that, the Jiang family and the Wan family never spoke to each other again. The Yongping Marquis's mansion is now relying on the Jiang family. No matter how big the burden is for the Yongping Marquis, he wouldn't dare to rely on the Wan family."
Chen Zhaoci suddenly realized and nodded, saying, "I was wondering why. When I went to the gathering with your aunt, the Jiang family and the Wan family acted as if they didn't see each other. You know, they're all from the old days. The new era should have new ideas. Why can't they shake hands and make peace?"
Xu Di couldn't help but laugh when he heard Chen Zhaoci's words. He said, "Mom, what new era? From the late emperor to now, isn't it still the feudal dynasty era? In ancient times, people valued family reputation. The older generations of the two families were like oil and water. You want the younger generation to bow down first? Whoever bows down first isn't just bowing their own head, but bowing down the face of the older generation. In this era, sometimes, face is more important than anything else."
Chen Zhaoci nodded, sighed, and said, "Fortunately, our family has always been together. If I had come alone, I don't think I would have survived more than three episodes. There are just too many twists and turns in this, I really can't understand it."
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