On the other side, red "double happiness" characters and red wedding banners were posted everywhere in Fucha Fu. In order to entertain guests from all sides, the Fucha family not only set up a hundred tables in the mansion, but also set up a tent in the square outside the mansion to prepare for a banquet of more than a thousand tables, and lavishly entertained all the guests who came to offer their congratulations.
This lavish display was not only intended to showcase the Fucha family's immense wealth, but also to ensure that Mingyu would not be looked down upon or bullied in the Prince's mansion. All the guests gathered in the front courtyard, huddled together, pointing at the dowry the Fucha family had prepared for Mingyu, each one speechless with envy.
Fucha Mingyu, dressed in her formal attire, sat gracefully in front of the mirror. Hearing a commotion outside, she looked around curiously and asked the maid who was helping her choose earrings, "Why is it so noisy outside?"
The maid carefully selected a pair of gold and jade earrings from the three large boxes of jewelry in front of the dressing table, and gently put them on Fucha Mingyu's head. She smiled and said, "Miss, don't you know? Master has prepared a full 180 loads of dowry for you. It's almost overflowing the front yard and has been piled up all the way to the gate..."
Mingyu smiled shyly, looked at herself in the mirror, dressed in red, and was overjoyed at the thought of marrying the man she loved soon.
"Father, that's true. Hongli has always been flamboyant. Won't Father's actions cause the Emperor to misunderstand?" Mingyu pouted and complained, but in reality, she was very happy.
The maidservant added some more rouge to Mingyu's face and said dismissively, "Miss's marriage is a joyous occasion for our Fucha family. Master is happy and dotes on Miss, and preparing a dowry for her is a token of his affection." As she spoke, the maidservant stood up, then, remembering that not only Mingyu was getting married today, but also Ulanara Xueying, she said resentfully, "Besides, today she will be attending the ceremony with the concubine. Miss is the principal wife; how can her dowry be inferior to that concubine's..."
Mingyu's slight displeasure was quickly dispelled by joy. Hongli had told her countless times that he didn't truly love Xueying, but only agreed to the marriage under pressure. Mingyu thought that being able to stay by Hongli's side and firmly hold onto his heart was enough; there was no need for this dowry comparison.
Compared to the bustling and festive atmosphere of the Fucha Mansion, the Ulanara Mansion appeared much quieter. Because the scandal surrounding the Duke of Ying was still ongoing, many people avoided the Ulanara family; even for Princess Xueying's wedding, very few came to offer their congratulations. Xueying, dressed in her concubine's attire, waited to depart at the auspicious hour.
Xueying, who was worried about her dowry, sent someone to the front yard to inquire. The maid returned in a hurry, and Xueying asked expectantly, "Have you seen my dowry?"
The maid nodded with a troubled expression. Xueying let out a long sigh of relief and sat down, clutching her chest and exclaiming happily, "That's wonderful, that's wonderful..." Xueying looked at the maid beside her, who was still very nervous, and suddenly her heart sank. Her hand trembled as she asked, "What is my dowry? Have you seen it clearly?"
The maid was so frightened that she knelt on the ground and cried, "Princess, please calm down, this servant dares not speak..." Xueying stamped her foot and said urgently, "Speak quickly, what time is it? I'm about to get married, could it be..." Xueying stood up and was about to run out, "Hasn't my brother prepared anything for me?"
The maid clung to Xueying's legs, pleading tearfully, "Your Highness's dowry is supposed to be 108 loads, but... but the manor simply can't afford any more. Many boxes aren't even full... Master said that this time you've been wronged, Your Highness, and he'll definitely make it up to you later..."
Xueying, heartbroken and dejected, slumped to the ground, tears streaming down her face. Her maidservant quickly scrambled to her feet to wipe them away, saying urgently, "Princess, don't cry! Today is your joyous day, you mustn't cry..." Xueying bit her lip, wiping away her own tears, and muttered to herself, "I won't cry. I can't let anyone look down on me. Even without a dowry, I will marry into the Prince's mansion in style..."
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