CHAPTER 323: CHAPTER 323: THE WEDDING (PART 3)

Xiqiu woke up and looked at Tong Shen Zhi, saying: "Big Brother says he will set off back to the capital in two days?"

Tong Shen Zhi’s eyes revealed a smile as he nodded.

Xiqiu laughed; Tong Shen Zhi was at the Hanlin Academy, and memorials submitted to the capital were usually screened by them before being sent to the palace based on urgency and importance. Such military intelligence, as he said, could certainly not be false; Xiqiu let out a long breath of relief. Although she knew he was safe long ago, her heart was still anxious these days. Now that she heard such news, her heart was finally completely at ease.

"I still need to go to the government office. I suppose tomorrow morning, the Imperial City will post the imperial decree..." He said as he turned to leave, Xiqiu followed behind him: "I’ll see you off!" But Tong Shen Zhi suddenly stopped, turned around to look at Xiqiu, restrained his joy, and solemnly said: "However... the Emperor will not be as generous as last time..." His words were unfinished, but Xiqiu understood his meaning.

He wanted Xiqiu to be psychologically prepared; the Emperor likely would not reward Fourth Master Xiao as he did last time. Xiqiu had already thought of this; since the Emperor sent the Princely Heir Shen over a year ago, his intention was clear: publicly letting the Princely Heir go to reap military achievements, so even in a reward, surely the Princely Heir must be first.

Xiqiu nodded: "Big Brother, I understand!" Tong Shen Zhi then nodded with relief and turned to leave the courtyard.

In a blink, Madam Xia hurried over, the First Master also excitedly went out, and when dusk fell, Tong Xiyan was escorted back to the mansion by Jiang Shilin. Tong Minzhi returned from Qianshan Academy, Second Lady also came with Tong Quanzi from the second room. Several people sat in Xiqiu’s room, crying and laughing: "Sixth Sister has finally found peace after hardship!"

Madam Xia wiped her tears, turning cries into laughter: "As long as he returns safely, everything is fine, everything is fine!" Tong Minzhi laughed, saying: "I’ve said the Great Governor will be fine!"

Tong Quanzi’s eyes shone with excitement: "We actually captured Dai Qin alive; this time the Twelve Tribes of Mongolia suffered a severe setback, Liaodong can have peace for three to five years again." As she spoke, she leaned in front of Xiqiu and smiled: "Sixth Sister, I have one request."

Xiqiu earnestly asked: "What is it?" Second Lady laughed and scolded: "Don’t speak nonsense!"

Tong Quanzi completely ignored Second Lady’s words, looking very seriously at Xiqiu: "When the Great Governor returns, can you talk to him? Ask him to teach me martial arts?! I also want one day to lead troops to war, commanding the battlefield, defeating pirates of Xiongnu, completely annihilating the Wala Tribe on the grasslands!"

Everyone in the room saw his serious, ambitious look and couldn’t help but laugh. Xiqiu said: "This matter is between you men; how can I, a woman, intervene? When he returns, go ask him, ask him to teach you martial arts!"

Tong Quanzi was startled; he always claimed he was a man, but it always caused endless laughter from others. No one had ever seriously told him: this matter is between men... he looked serious, nodding: "Sixth Sister is right, this is a man’s matter, I will ask him personally!"

Second Lady looked aside and gratefully glanced at Xiqiu.

The army returning from Liaodong arrived in the capital on October 12. Fourth Master Xiao stationed the troops at the foot of Jiwei Mountain outside the city, planning to hold the ceremony of offering captives three days later with the Princely Heir Shen. The citizens were thrilled; some couldn’t even wait to go outside the city to see the triumphant return of Grand Commander Xiao and the Princely Heir Shen, along with one thousand two hundred Mongolian captives!

Outside, the city was buzzing with excitement; inside, Xiqiu and Madam Xia sat in the room calculating expenses. Xiuzhi’s appearance with the abacus these days wasn’t proficient yet, but accounting wasn’t a problem. Madam Xia exhaled and closed the ledger: "In total, fifty-six carts, just like Third Miss and Fourth Miss, although more than First Miss initially. But now isn’t like before. At first, Tong Xiyang set the precedent, we’re just following suit, I suppose others can’t say much."

Xiqiu nodded; even if Lady wasn’t happy, the Xiao family is much more prestigious than the Jiang family. Even if she were like Tong Xiyan, it would be acceptable.

Madam Xia thought for a while and said: "Concubine kept three thousand taels for you at the bottom of the box, the rest can be seen in the list, except this three thousand taels are for you to keep for yourself, do you understand?"

"Understood." Xiqiu lowered her eyelids and furrowed her brows: "You’ve prepared this dowry; does Father know?!"

Madam Xia showed a troubled look: "The dowry list hasn’t been shown to the First Master; he said tomorrow he will select three rooms from the estate to enter the mansion as your entourage, you certainly need to see them. I want to wait until the entourage enters, then show the list to the First Master together." The amount of items and roughly how much silver was spent cannot be concealed.

Listening on the side, Xiuzhi’s face changed slightly, she looked at Madam Xia as if wanting to say something but hesitated.

Xiqiu also furrowed her eyebrows; the matter of Fourth Master Xiao providing money, Madam Xia hadn’t told her, presumably afraid she would care like the First Master, since the dowry is technically for the bride’s future needs. She’s fine with it, but if the First Master finds out, it would be challenging for him; privately asking the son-in-law to give money for marrying off the daughter, anyone would mind.

She originally planned to pretend she didn’t know, but Madam Xia had finally resolved past resentments with the First Master. If quarreling over this matter made them unhappy again, it would be something she didn’t want to see. Xiqiu thought for a moment and then held Madam Xia’s hand: "Concubine, how much silver did you spend in total?"

Madam Xia was stunned; her face changed as she looked at Xiqiu with a nervous expression: "Sixth Miss, you mustn’t overthink, I really..." Xiqiu interrupted her, shaking her head: "I know it all, last time when you and Dongqing spoke in the room, I heard it all. Even if I didn’t hear it, seeing this list now, I should understand; these things can’t be managed without ten thousand taels." Adding the mansion’s feast and her secret dowry money, it’s not enough without fifteen thousand taels!

Madam Xia sighed: "You indeed heard!" She thought for a while and asked: "Young Master is well-intentioned; I know you’ve always been strong-willed, but whether it’s him or the concubine, we all want you to marry gloriously, so when you go to the Marquis Mansion, you won’t be outdone by your sister-in-laws. Although our family background isn’t as good as theirs, the dowry can’t be too bad."

Xiqiu nodded: "I don’t mind, if I can’t distinguish good from bad, then I’m not very insightful in life. What I’m worried about is Father; if he knows, he will surely feel uncomfortable in his heart."

Not mentioning the First Master was fine, but once he was mentioned, Madam Xia became more worried: "I know too, and I’ve been troubled by this matter."

Xiuzhi listened and advised: "Concubine, Sixth Miss... in the servant’s opinion, why not tell the First Master the truth? The First Master will surely consider the concubine’s difficulties and won’t blame the concubine.

Madam Xia shook her head; the First Master appeared gentle but was a very principled person. If she had told him this from the start, it might have been better, but now things have reached this stage, to tell him, how could he not mind.