CHAPTER 342: CHAPTER 336: I AM THE MARQUIS MANSION DOWAGER 25

Mrs. Li and Zhang Feng’er’s maternal families were not lacking money either, and their dowries when they married were truly substantial.

Among them, there were many pieces of jewelry, and several boxes of various kinds of gems.

Yet, the items Anning casually produced were indeed much superior to what was in their dowries.

Even inside the palace, perhaps only those Empresses who were particularly favored could have such jewelry.

Before meeting, they hesitated at the sight of these pieces of jewelry and did not dare to boldly take them.

"Take them."

Anning laughed, and as if suddenly remembering something, casually tossed a Jade Pendant to Zhang Feng’er: "Put this on Miss when you return."

Zhang Feng’er accepted it with glee: "Thank you, great-great-grandmother, for the reward. I will kowtow on behalf of our eldest sister in thanks."

Anning supported her with one hand: "That’s enough, stand up straight."

Seeing that Zhang Feng’er and Mrs. Li were both quite happy, the gloomy mood from the scolding earlier was swept away, and only then did Anning stretch out lazily: "While there’s still time, let’s pick a courtyard for Wan’er."

The group left from Anning’s place and circled around the Marquis Mansion, eventually choosing a rather exquisite little courtyard.

This courtyard was not large, just three main rooms in addition to two wing rooms, two rooms in each of the east and west wings. Though the number of rooms wasn’t excessive, it was sufficient for arranging Xu Wan’s residence.

After choosing the courtyard, Anning said to Zhang Feng’er: "Ask Taotao to bring some books from Pei’er, Wan’er enjoys reading. Also, place a musical instrument over there, and a Shoushan stone ornament here. I remember Bai’er has a nice table screen, ask for it later to put here..."

Anning had a good memory, remembering clearly what everyone had and also what the storeroom contained, and within a short while, the interior decorations were also sorted out.

After she left the small courtyard, she immediately encountered Tang Pei.

Upon seeing Anning, Tang Pei stood to the side with clasped hands, waiting for Anning to approach before softly asking: "Great-great-grandmother, do we need to prepare a dowry for you?"

Anning was taken aback: "What dowry? Who in our family is getting married?"

Tang Pei was quite helpless: "No one, it’s you who are getting married. You will be the Main Palace Supreme Empress carried through the palace gate, and you’re allowed to have a dowry. We need to start preparing it quickly."

Anning had indeed forgotten about this detail.

"Dowry? Indeed, so how much should we prepare?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Feng’er immediately stepped forward: "I happen to know about this. A few years ago when a Prince took a wife, I know about the dowry the Princess’s family provided. You can just prepare something similar but more substantial."

Anning then said: "Then later you can help me make a list of the dowry, and I’ll have people prepare according to it."

After a while, she added: "Forget about the furniture, they definitely won’t allow us to bring furniture into the palace. Having more gold and silver jewelry and some rare treasures should suffice."

Zhang Feng’er laughed upon hearing this: "You’re right, indeed it should be so."

Zhang Feng’er was willing to take on this task, and she was also quite adept at handling affairs. Anning entrusted this matter to her and also told her to prepare it along with Zhuzi.

Zhang Feng’er, having been given an assignment, happily left, probably rushing back to make a list of the dowry.

She was very pleased now.

After all, Anning was to be the future Supreme Empress, a position unprecedented in the Dajing Dynasty. Moreover, Anning was her great-aunt and had ties with the Tang Family. If there were any benefits in the future, the Tang Family would definitely be considered.

Moreover, Zhang Feng’er could see that Anning did not favor Mrs. Song and Ms. Zhang, even showed aversion to them, and had an unfavorable view of the second branch of the family. On the other hand, she was quite close to the main branch.

As such, should any good opportunity arise, Anning would think of the main branch first.

The two brothers of the main branch: Tang Pei had already become the top scorer and even entered the Hanlin Academy, so his future was not a concern. On the contrary, Tang Tao had achieved nothing, and it was certain Anning would find a good position for him.

Zhang Feng’er thought that since Anning was willing to promote Tang Tao and Tang Tao proved himself capable, he would have a say in the court in the future. Then her own status would rise along with the tide, and she would no longer just have to flatter others when socializing.

The more she thought about it, the happier she became, walking as if carried by the wind.

It was her dowry maid, Xiao Xi, who followed behind and reminded her, "Second Granny, please slow down, you are still pregnant."

Anning stayed at the Tang Mansion for several days, helping Xu Wan tidy up the courtyard and meeting some people from the second branch.

Second Old Master Tang of the Tang Family, Tang Zong, was now a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Industry. He seldom went to the government office for work, spending most of his time at home discussing poetry and classics with guests. He did not concern himself with the household affairs.

On the third day at Tang Mansion, Anning met him. Tang Zong had changed quite a bit since she left, appearing much older, transforming from a youthful man to a greasy middle-aged uncle, becoming more pedantic as well.

After he greeted Anning, he sat there in a daze, unable to find a topic to discuss. Later, Anning, feeling bored, sent him away.

Ms. Zhang had already met Anning, but then she also met Tang Rong, the legitimate son of the second branch, as well as Tang Qin, the concubine, and Tang Man, the bastard.

Tang Rong was young with an innocent look, somewhat indecisive and weak, but his nature was good at heart.

Although Tang Qin was a concubine, she was very ambitious, highly intelligent emotionally, and adept at dealing with people.

Tang Man had no redeeming qualities and was simply unlikable.

After meeting these children, Anning praised them each in turn and gave them gifts. She also checked on Mrs. Qin, the Widow of the late Tang Ze, and the young Tang Shuo, naturally giving them gifts as well.

After acquainting herself with the entire Marquis Mansion, Anning then went in search of Wu Sheng and his sister to see how they were faring now.

The Wus were indeed clever; when they left the border, they had planned everything carefully. Wu Sheng brought some silver notes, while Wu Lan and Mrs. Lv carried small but valuable jewels.

After arriving at the Capital, Wu Lan and Mrs. Lv let Wu Sheng sell those jewels for cash. They rented a two-courtyard residence in East City and settled down for a real life.

After finding them, Wu Lan and Mrs. Lv were particularly grateful to Anning. Mrs. Lv hurriedly prepared a whole table of dishes and insisted on having Anning stay for a meal.

Anning did not decline. She sat in the courtyard, watching Mrs. Lv cook while chatting with Wu Lan.

She asked Wu Lan about her future plans. Wu Lan said she hoped her uncle would help write a letter to her father, just to let them stay in the Capital. She believed her father wouldn’t dare to displease the Marquis Mansion. Moreover, her brother wanted to study and earn a title, and she hoped Anning could help arrange her marriage soon.

Anning carefully scrutinized the girl, sighing at her maturity and attention to detail.

Wu Lan was probably worried about her stepmother causing trouble again in the future, using her marriage as leverage. She wanted to take advantage of having someone to stand up for her now and marry into a decent family soon, to avoid being harmed by her stepmother later.

Anning understood Wu Lan’s thoughts and said with a smile, "Well then, I will make the decision for you. After I enter the palace, I’ll have someone carefully look into it. We’re not looking for a prominent family background, just a decent and reliable man, preferably an ambitious Scholar or someone who has already achieved some scholarly status. What do you think?"

Wu Lan must have thought the same.

She blushed with embarrassment but eagerly replied, "That’s what I think too. As long as he’s a good person, I’m not asking for anything else. I don’t mind living a tough life; I just don’t want to be hopeless in the future."