Jiang Shuyun and the others returned to the prefectural city without incident, and were exhausted.
Gu Zheng disembarked and went to see his grandfather first.
Jiang Shuyun and the others returned home and felt a deep sense of warmth upon seeing the familiar house.
I set out in the spring and didn't get home until winter. Traveling in ancient times was truly exhausting.
After sleeping soundly at home for two days, Jiang Shuyun went back to teaching at the academy, and the children picked up their books again.
Mu Yi'an spent a day looking through the family's account books.
The family's assets are fixed, and Mu Yi'an seems to have an easy life.
Manager Wei and Accountant Song did a great job. Mu Yi'an gave everyone a bonus and an extra month's salary as encouragement.
When Jiang Qi arrived, Mu Yi'an had fully recovered; home was definitely the most relaxing place.
"Second sister-in-law, how is Shao Ming's wife?"
"Auntie is well, and Sister Anran is well!"
Chu Yue greeted them and then pulled An Ran to her room.
"Please sit down, let's talk slowly."
Mu Yi'an thought that Jiang Qi should be arriving soon.
"Second sister-in-law, is the capital city big? Did you see the imperial palace? Isn't it said that the palace floor is paved with gold? Is that true?"
Jiang Qi was very excited. If An Ran hadn't also been getting married, she would have gone along with her to prepare her things.
"The capital is a big city with many things, and the styles are very novel. I brought back a lot of trinkets for you, thinking you should be arriving soon."
This journey has been incredibly grueling.
I glimpsed the palace from afar; it was magnificent and solemn. As for the claim that the palace floor was paved with gold, that's just a rumor—how could that be?
Shao Ming's wife is lovely; she's dignified, elegant, and has the bearing of a great lady. Very good.
Mu Yi'an was very satisfied. Jin Yu was tactful and knew how to conduct herself. Although they hadn't known each other for long, she had gotten to know her well enough.
If two people are of one mind, they can live a good life.
"Second sister-in-law, the bride must have a lot of dowry, right?"
"Ten miles of red bridal procession!"
Mu Yi'an used to think that "ten miles of red bridal procession" was just a phrase, but this time, she has a real understanding of it.
"Okay, Shao Ming won't be short of money from now on."
“A woman’s dowry is her private savings. I left some money for Shao Ming, and also for Wei Dong, the manager. He will acquire some properties himself.”
Mu Yi'an didn't intend to let Shao Minghua's wife have a dowry. Although her family wasn't extremely wealthy, they were still quite well-off.
With tens of thousands of taels of silver, if managed well in the capital, one could accumulate a considerable fortune.
Shao Ming will be studying at the Hanlin Academy for several years, and the social interactions won't cost too much.
He can't get close to high-ranking officials, so social interactions won't cost him too much.
With Wei Dong, Jiang Mo, and Jiang Yan around, they won't just sit around and let their wealth run out.
Putting everything else aside, they are familiar with the business models of the family's estates and shops, and can simply copy them.
Mu Yi'an didn't need to worry about those things.
"That's true. After Anran gets married, I don't want her dowry to be spent on her husband's family."
Put yourself in their shoes; a daughter's dowry is her source of security in her husband's family, and it shouldn't be wasted.
"How are Anran's dowry preparations going?"
"Everything is ready, and the wedding dress is finished."
"Second sister-in-law, do you think Anran's in-laws will treat her well? The closer the wedding date gets, the more anxious I get. I'm really afraid that my experience will repeat itself for Anran." Jiang Qi has raised Anran for so many years and already treats her like her own daughter.
"No, there are still more good people in the world. Besides, you guys are here, and so are these brothers. Her in-laws will think twice before doing anything."
"That's true, our family is different now than before. Shao Ming and the others have grown up and can support their married sisters."
"Back then, the Fan family only dared to treat me that way because they were city people." Jiang Qi understood now.
"Forget about the past. Anran's husband's family is quite good; they have their own shops and children who are studying. Your two families complement each other."
"That's true, his family runs a medicinal herb shop, while we run a clinic."
An Ran's fiancé is a scholar; if he wants to advance in his career, he must be mindful of his moral character.
Jiang Qi understood, so she stopped worrying about it and started asking about things in the capital again.
"Chu Yue and Gu Zheng are engaged."
"It's settled, and Gu Zheng has also come over. Although the Gu family is of high social standing, Gu Zheng will neither become a civil official nor a military general; he will live the life of a leisurely rich man."
Chuyue and he were a perfect match; they had known each other for many years and understood each other well.
"It would be nice if the two of us could travel and enjoy nature together in the future."
Mu Yi'an thought it was great. Madam Gu had told him that the family would give Gu Zheng enough of their assets as compensation.
They will also prepare a dowry for Chuyue. Neither of them are spendthrifts. With their families backing them up and so many brothers protecting them, they will live a good life.
"That's good. Chuyue has her own ideas, and Gu Zheng is a good kid too."
Jiang Qi and her sister-in-law chatted for a long time before leaving after having lunch.
During this time, Mr. Liang and his team have been helping Shao Yun prepare for next year's martial arts exam.
Mu Yi'an didn't know much about how the martial arts exam was conducted before, but later she learned that it was conducted in stages.
The test covers both academic subjects and military strategy and martial arts.
Mu Yi'an didn't understand; she focused on providing logistical support.
Before we knew it, the end of the year was upon us again.
That year, they still went back to the county town to celebrate the Spring Festival.
Jiang's parents are getting old, but fortunately they are in good health. Shao Qin's family had a son, and the elderly couple are enjoying their grandchildren at home, living a comfortable life.
The Mu family was also doing well; Mr. and Mrs. Mu were in better health, and Mu Xuan's child was born.
Mu Yi'an sometimes feels like she's dreaming. She's not even forty yet, but she's already a mother-in-law, and people are calling her Second Grandmother or Great-Aunt.
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