After several busy days, the person Qingzhu had sent to the manor to relay messages arrived at the mansion, bringing along several junior stewards.
Huang Yaning listened to their reports on the manor’s situation, then invited them to have a meal nearby.
Throughout this process, Huang Xianjing, along with Du-momo and Dujuan, as well as Madam Ruan with Dousha, observed carefully from behind a curtain.
Unsurprisingly, in the end, Dujuan chose Wang Zhong from the Wang family.
And Dousha chose Li Zhigao from the Li family.
Madam Ruan felt that Li Zhigao had clear and honest eyes. He might be a shrewd young man, but he was definitely not the kind of despicable or crooked person.
The marriages were quickly settled, set for one month later.
Huang Xianjing and Madam Ruan began openly helping the two prepare their dowries.
Truth be told, they had already secretly prepared most of the items. There wasn’t much left to do.
Huang Xianjing prepared several bolts of high-quality fabric for Dujuan.
Two sets of silver head ornaments, one set of pure gold head ornaments, and one set of jade head ornaments that weren’t extremely valuable but were very exquisite.
There were also two large camphor wood chests. One chest contained warm furs.
The other was filled with finished cotton quilts, packed full and very solid.
Du-momo also bought new pots, pans, bowls, buckets, and other household items, saying they looked festive and lively, and that country folks loved seeing such lively displays. This way, everyone would save face.
She also prepared gifts for Dujuan to present to the Wang family members when she first met them.
Additionally, Huang Xianjing openly prepared thirty taels of silver.
Originally, Huang Xianjing had wanted to openly give two hundred taels and privately give another three hundred.
But Du-momo talked her out of it in the end.
Huang Xianjing understood immediately. If she gave too much on her side, it would make Madam Ruan’s side look bad by comparison.
So in the end, she only gave fifty taels openly, converting the rest into banknotes to give to Dujuan’s sister as “bottom-of-the-chest” savings.
On Madam Ruan’s side, she prepared one set of gold head ornaments and one set of silver head ornaments for Dousha.
Two sets of quilts and mattresses for each of the four seasons.
Two sets of new clothes for each of the four seasons, plus four bolts of cloth and four hides.
Pillows, towels, sewing kits, and gifts to honor the two elders were all prepared as well.
In addition, there were thirty taels of silver and three hundred taels in banknotes as bottom-of-the-chest savings.
Madam Ruan earnestly took Dousha’s hand and instructed her,
“This Li family young man is clearly sharp. You’ll never out-scheme him.
“So, in daily life, honesty is the best approach.
“If there’s something you don’t know how to do or find difficult, just ask him for advice on what to do.
“Also, if the Li family tries to subtly ask if you have any bottom-of-the-chest savings, just tell them I didn’t give you any, but that you can come to the mansion anytime for help if you encounter difficulties.
“In short, those three hundred taels are yours alone. That’s your security. Make sure you hide them well.”
“Mhm, mhm, Madam, your servant understands.
“If the Li family encounters any difficulties in the future, your servant will endure hardship with them, but I absolutely won’t take out this money.”
Madam Ruan: “…”
Quite a few masters and servants in the mansion added gifts to the dowries of both girls.
Sheng Minmin gave each of them a solid gold bangle.
She also returned Dousha’s servitude contract to Dousha herself. Madam Ruan and Dousha were incredibly grateful.
As for Dujuan’s contract, it had always been in Huang Xianjing’s hands. Huang Xianjing burned it right in front of Dujuan.
For this purpose, Sheng Mingshu specifically made a trip to the government office to have the servile status removed for both Dujuan and Dousha, arranging new household registrations for them.
With such generous dowries and free status, most of the maids in the mansion were green with envy.
Huang Yaning felt pain twisting in her internal organs.
She thought of Minmin from her previous life…
In her previous life, Minmin was falsely accused of having an illicit relationship with Steward Qi.
Sheng Yong was furious. He didn’t listen to Minmin’s defense at all, tied her up, and sent her off to the Prince Qi’s mansion.
He even said he no longer had a daughter from that day on.
She had originally prepared a generous dowry for Minmin, but Sheng Yong wouldn’t allow Minmin to take even a single needle or thread. In the end, Minmin had no dowry at all…
She was so stupid!
Even trusted servants of wealthy families received a respectable dowry from their masters when they married.
And this was her own biological daughter…
Even if she had to sneak it to her secretly, she should have given Minmin some banknotes…
When Minmin married into that family, she must have endured so much mockery and ridicule, people laughing at her for being worse off than even a respectable servant.
How much injustice must Minmin have endured…
Minmin must have been in such a difficult, difficult place back then…
Huang Yaning wished she could slap herself twice!
Guilt was nearly drowning her, making it hard to breathe.
She wanted to hide somewhere and cry her heart out!
She wanted to go see Minmin, kneel before her, and beg for Minmin’s forgiveness.
But when she reached the door, her feet felt as heavy as if they weighed a thousand pounds.
In the end… she gave up. She had Qingtian send a pair of silver bangles to each side, then took a group of nursemaids and headed to the Lotus Court.
She was upset, so she wanted to make Sheng Mingzhu miserable.
Recently, Duanmu Rui seemed to be bored and often came to the mansion. He’d told her some good news, which she was happy to share with Sheng Mingzhu.
Huang Yaning barged into the inner room with her group. Seeing Sheng Mingzhu without her veil, the anger and murderous intent in Huang Yaning’s heart churned violently.
Sheng Mingzhu had… become prettier?
How long had it been?
Last time, she had tormented Sheng Mingzhu. Afterwards, the imperial physician had straightened Sheng Mingzhu’s nose and prescribed both topical and oral medication.
The nose injury seemed to heal relatively quickly, but the head injury had been very severe.
Applying medicine each time was pure torture for Sheng Mingzhu.
Plus, because of that toad incident, Sheng Mingzhu couldn’t eat meat or rich foods, leaving her gaunt and sallow.
Huang Yaning had specifically come to see Sheng Mingzhu’s “misfortune” back then, and Sheng Mingzhu had looked truly haggard.
Later, she cut back on Sheng Mingzhu’s food, clothing, and supplies.
Sheng Mingzhu stayed hidden in her room every day, and she’d heard she even started wearing a veil.
Recently, the Lotus Court hadn’t requested any meat dishes from the main kitchen. Huang Yaning thought Sheng Mingzhu would look even more haggard, wearing the veil just to hide her shame.
But unexpectedly, Sheng Mingzhu now looked as if she had never been injured at all. Her complexion was healthy, and there were no visible scars on her head…
Huang Yaning suddenly felt the urge to rush over and yank Sheng Mingzhu’s hair out again!
But remembering Sheng Yong’s warning after she returned from the Grand Princess’s manor last time, she held back.
Her gaze fell on the new maid beside Sheng Mingzhu. She’d heard this person was sent by Lin Zhijing.
This maid’s face showed absolutely no emotion — clearly not a simple person.
It seemed that to deal with Sheng Mingzhu, she’d first have to find a way to handle Lin Zhijing.
Perhaps she’d also need to pull Master Daluo down from his pedestal!
“Little sister, long time no see. How have you been lately?”
The door was suddenly pushed open. Sheng Mingzhu was startled, and fear gripped her heart when she saw who it was, making her unable to stop herself from stepping back two paces.
It wasn’t until Yuluo, standing beside her, gave her a warning look that Sheng Mingzhu managed to suppress her fear.
She composed herself and greeted Huang Yaning gently and softly.
Huang Yaning took a slow, deep breath and said coldly,
“It seems you have capable people around you now!”
“You misunderstand, sister. It’s just that the imperial physician is highly skilled.”
Sheng Mingzhu was extremely satisfied with the restoration of her appearance, and a flicker of pride passed through her eyes.
She had no idea she had been poisoned with a cold toxin by Xiazhi, which had destroyed her ability to bear children.
Nor did she know that the ingredients Yuluo put in her medicinal baths, while making her more beautiful and driving any man who touched her wild with desire,
were all part of Yuluo’s master’s scheme. She was merely sewing a wedding dress for someone else.
On the day she finally learns the truth, Sheng Mingzhu will deeply regret ever using that stuff.
