The news that Xiao Zuo sent gifts to Ye Zhen under the guise of repaying a debt of gratitude spread throughout the capital.
Xie Tingzhou immediately sent Ye Zhen two boxes of jewelry as a way of thanking her for protecting the Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Estate.
He also sent people to the residences of Prince Ning and Prince Yun respectively, to remind them to remember to repay the life-saving grace and not to be inferior to Xiao Zuo.
Prince Ning already felt guilty about Xie Tingzhou's death, and being a domineering person, he wanted to send three boxes over. It was only after the steward reminded him not to go over the Crown Prince's head that he personally delivered two boxes to the Marquis's residence.
Prince Yun was specifically named by the Crown Prince, so he couldn't be left out.
Ye Zhen accepted it all with a smile, and as she had said on the street, she recorded it all in the charity hall's ledger.
With the Crown Prince taking the lead, both princes presented gifts to express their gratitude, leaving the rest unable to pretend to be deaf and blind.
The first to take the lead was Madam Shen, who directly donated five thousand taels of silver.
Five thousand taels is not a small amount, but if it is used to thank someone for saving the lives of the Prime Minister's family, then it seems insignificant.
Who dares to say that the lives of the masters of the Prime Minister's mansion are not worth five thousand taels?
The second family to visit was the Wang family, led by Madam Wang herself, who also brought five thousand taels of silver, along with three thousand taels from Old Madam Wang.
Madam Wang did not go to the Imperial Estate that day. She donated the three thousand taels to the Charity Hall so that Ye Zhen could use it for good deeds and to accumulate merit for Prince Xie.
The old man hasn't recovered from Xie Shizi's sacrifice; he's been listless these days.
Lady Wang is filial and serves her every day, which is why she arrived a little late.
Ye Zhen was concerned about Madam Wang, so he asked Yin Yue to finish recording the accounts and then planned to visit Madam Wang with Madam Wang.
Before anyone could even leave the house, people from the Xiao family arrived.
It was Xiao Zuo and his mother who arrived.
Madam Xiao also took five thousand taels of silver notes, plus a small box. "Princess, please don't be offended. Zuo'er was so eager to see you that he took the wrong box the other day. This is the one I'm giving to you."
After saying that, she raised her chin and had someone open the box, which contained a piece of high-quality warm jade.
That gesture looked exactly like giving alms.
Before Ye Zhen could speak, Madam Wang was already furious. "Madam Xiao, please watch your words. The princess and your son are not familiar with each other. Madam Xiao's words are just asking for trouble and will damage the princess's reputation."
She had also heard about Xiao Zuo stopping the car to give her gifts.
Having been around for a thousand years, she quickly understood why Xiao Zuo was doing this.
They deliberately misled people about their relationship, damaging Ye Zhen's reputation and forcing her to marry him.
But she couldn't quite figure out why the Xiao family wanted to marry Ye Zhen.
It was the old man who helped her analyze it.
Although the Xiao family was a Duke's mansion, the title was no longer held in this generation. Duke Xiao was almost seventy years old, and few of his descendants were successful.
Duke Xiao was a spendthrift who spoiled his concubine rotten. Now the mansion is practically empty, and all the money for the household comes from the dowries of the women.
Once the old Duke passes away, the Xiao family will be able to relinquish their power and influence.
Ye Zhen was a princess personally appointed by His Majesty, backed by the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, and was also wealthy. In the eyes of the Xiao family, she was a highly sought-after person.
He's just too low-class; he wants to marry someone, but he's delusional enough to think he can fool her with a hairpin that's only worth an ounce.
They try to make amends after losing face, but the things they say are truly irritating.
Indeed, each generation is worse than the last. Someone like her still dares to dream of Ye Zhen. Even if Ye Zhen agrees, the Marquis's mansion and her old lady will not allow it.
Madam Xiao was unwilling for her son to marry Ye Zhen; she was forced into it by her in-laws. When Madam Wang said this, her face immediately darkened.
"Once is unfamiliar, twice is familiar. The princess and my son have met many times and are already friends. The princess hasn't even said anything yet, so Madam Wang, please don't interfere."
Xiao Zuo handed the box to Ye Zhen at the right moment, his expression tender, "This was carved by my own hand, and it is most suitable for a woman to wear."
He was truly attracted to Ye Zhen's face. He had also inquired and learned that Ye Zhen was still a virgin, so it wasn't impossible for him to marry her.
Madam Xiao also said to Ye Zhen, "The princess is unlucky, having lost her husband shortly after her marriage. My son is kind-hearted and pities the princess's difficult life as a widow. He has always been a blessed person. If you two can get together, my son will surely bring blessings to the princess, and you will live in harmony and wealth in the future."
In her heart, Ye Zhen was lucky to be granted the title of princess, but her origins were unclear; she was an illegitimate child stolen by the Wang family.
She grew up in the countryside, what kind of upbringing could she possibly have? If I marry her, she'll definitely make my son a laughingstock.
Therefore, she deliberately brought up Ye Zhen's status as a widow in order to suppress Ye Zhen and enhance Xiao Zuo's sense of superiority in his first marriage.
Ye Zhen understood her words perfectly well. She glanced at the box in Xiao Zuo's hand and the silver notes in the maid's hand, but did not take them.
"The Xiao family has already thanked the imperial estate for its help, and the tael of silver has been recorded. There is no need to thank them again, as I will not help the Xiao family a second time."
Ye Zhen smiled and said, "My aunt is right, we're not close."
The Xiao family felt that Ye Zhen's words meant that the lives of everyone in the Xiao family were only worth one tael of silver.
Although she was reluctant to give away five thousand at once.
Unfortunately, what happened on the street was a disgrace to the Xiao family. Hearing that Madam Shen had sent five thousand, her father-in-law and mother-in-law forced her to also take out five thousand to make amends.
However, the Xiao family couldn't come up with five thousand from their public accounts. In the end, she took two thousand from her dowry and had her mother-in-law and several daughters-in-law contribute some as well, thus raising five thousand.
She was naturally happy that Ye Zhen didn't want it, but Ye Zhen's words made her very angry.
"Princess, don't be ungrateful. It's your good fortune that my son has taken a liking to you."
As a princess, you are entitled to a fiefdom and the support of the people. Resisting the rebels is your duty, yet you exploit this favor to enrich yourself. Aren't you afraid of how this will sound if word gets out?
Madam Wang laughed in exasperation, rolled up her sleeves, put her hands on her hips, and stood in front of Ye Zhen, saying, "Are you out of your mind?"
Wasn't it your son who rushed to thank the princess for saving his life? Wasn't it your son who begged the princess to accept his gift of gratitude?
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