Zhuang Yongxuan realized that his identity was not an advantage, so he decided to add some more bargaining chips for himself.
He took out a piece of agarwood, which his mother had left him; it was the only piece of fine agarwood in her dowry.
Zhuang Yongxuan carefully carved, and soon a begonia flower hairpin was finished.
He put it in a box, intending to give it to Miss Shen, and also wrote a poem to accompany it.
The pheasants cry, on the islet in the river.
A beautiful and graceful woman is the object of a gentleman's affections.
...
When Xiao Li received the gift, she was pleasantly surprised, but then she thought of the man's audacity and it didn't seem so unexpected anymore.
The Duchess noticed her joy and understood what was going on. She explained the Zhuang family's situation in detail and then offered some advice.
"Ali, the Yu family is quite famous in the industry. She's shrewd and capable; otherwise, Zhuang Yongxuan wouldn't have been suppressed by her for so many years."
Her two children are grown up now, and she's using her stepsons to curry favor with our family. I'm afraid you'll be bullied by her then.”
Xiao Li smiled sweetly, "Auntie, don't worry, I'm not someone to be bullied."
Seeing that Xiaoli was already convinced, the Duchess stopped trying to persuade her, left the hairpin behind, and departed with a smile.
Before leaving, he reassured her, "Ali, don't be afraid. That Yu family should think twice before trying to bully us. Our Duke's Mansion is not easy to bully."
Xiao Li nodded emphatically. With her aunt backing her up and her own fighting skills, she figured the aunt wouldn't be able to bully her.
The marriage proceeded smoothly, and Xiaoli never expected that she would not only have family, but also get married.
Xiao Gui was very reluctant to part with her, but he was even happier for his sister.
"Sister, it's so wonderful that you've found your family."
Xiao Li wanted to leave the house in the suburbs to Xiao Gui, but he refused to accept it no matter what. He even asked his master for a large sum of wages in advance to buy a shop for Xiao Li as her dowry.
"Sister, I'll make it up to you when I have the money, but right now I only have this much."
Xiao Li was deeply moved, because he had always been so kind to her simply because she had helped him when she was a child.
Xiao Gui's skills improved more and more. Because of the Vajra Fist, three years later, he became the leader of Qingyuan Escort Agency.
He was the one who escorted the goods on every important mission, and as a result, Xiao Gui gradually became a well-known figure in the capital.
He also fulfilled his promise and gave Xiaoli a very generous dowry.
That's a story for another time.
After getting engaged, Xiao Li moved back to her own home, which was formerly the Shen Mansion.
The Duchess sent over several guards and maids, and Xiao Li lived a very comfortable life.
Zhuang Yongxuan would occasionally send small gifts, and Xiao Li would reciprocate with small items like purses, deepening their relationship.
After the marriage, Xiao Li learned that the reason Zhuang Yongxuan was suppressed by Madam Yu and did not resist was because of his younger brother, Zhuang Yong'an.
After giving birth to Zhuang Yong'an, Madam Zhuang died in childbirth. Soon after, Zhuang's father promoted his concubine, Madam Yu, to the position of principal wife.
For the sake of his younger brother, Zhuang Yongxuan had no choice but to obediently submit to Yu's schemes.
He originally planned to wait until his younger brother grew up before considering his own future, but after meeting Xiaoli, he fell in love first.
After discussing it with Xiao Li, Zhuang Yongxuan quickly distinguished himself and successfully passed the martial arts examination as the top scholar.
The emperor appointed him as a first-class imperial bodyguard, but he requested a post outside the capital, becoming the lord of a city in the war-torn northwest.
This was Xiao Li's suggestion. She didn't want to stay in the capital anymore. It was small and crowded, and although it was very stable, it was like a stagnant pool, far less exciting and joyful than the outside world.
Zhuang Yongxuan shared the same idea, and the two were of the same mind.
After discussing it, they also took away the younger brother, Zhuang Yong'an. Madam Yu was more than happy that they took the younger brother away, but Zhuang's father was still unwilling.
But Yu's pillow talk was effective, and in the end, Zhuang's father agreed.
The three of them went to the Northwest and stayed there for twenty years. During that time, the emperor summoned him back to the capital or transferred him to another post, but he refused. The Duke's Mansion played a significant role in this.
Zhuang Yongxuan made many political achievements in the Northwest, and Xiao Li also made many contributions to the local area with her medical skills.
Xiao Li had a vague feeling that she needed to do more good deeds, which was very important to her.
So during her years in Northwest China, she not only devoted herself to medical work, but also put in a lot of effort in agricultural matters.
The people of Northwest China deeply respect these two officials, erecting a longevity monument for them and praying for their well-being from time to time.
They had no children, but lived a very happy life. They both lived to be eighty years old and passed away on the same day.
(over)
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