Mingzhu smiled and opened the box.
Even though she was prepared and knew that Tang Zhuyun had prepared something precious for her, she was still shocked when she saw the glass bracelet lying Jingjing on the brocade.
That was a bracelet that my older brother gave to my sister-in-law.
My sister-in-law doesn't usually wear much jewelry, but this bracelet is undoubtedly the one she wears most often besides her ring.
Moreover, this bracelet is worth a fortune.
The things her sister-in-law gave her were impeccable in both meaning and value.
"I can't accept this; please keep it for Yanran..."
Xiu'er laughed loudly, "What sins has Wu Zhenhai committed! He's physically with her, but his heart is still with his mother's family. Since the Empress has given it to you, just accept it. Yanran will need more dowry in the future, and besides, when have you ever seen her like these things?"
If you really gave that to Yanran, you'd tear her apart in a heartbeat, and then you'd look completely innocent. What's going on?
Xiu'er could perfectly imagine that scene.
Mingzhu hesitated for a moment. "This was given to me by my elder brother after all; it wouldn't be appropriate for me to accept it."
"What is there in Your Majesty that wasn't given to you by the Emperor?"
But this is different.
"That's precisely why it's different, that's why I'm giving it to you." Xiu'er smiled sweetly, "Our Mingzhu is different too."
For some reason, Mingzhu's tear threshold had become extremely low, and her eyes welled up with tears upon hearing these words.
Her long eyelashes were wet with tears.
--She has such a wonderful family, including Xiu'er.
"It's not time to cry before the wedding yet!" Xiu'er reached out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "Let me tell you something funny. When I got married, my mother told me to cry, but I couldn't! I said I was so happy to be marrying Song Jingyang, I really couldn't cry."
Mingzhu immediately stopped crying and started laughing.
"Seriously, my mom pinched me really hard later, and that's when I finally burst into tears. And guess what? That night, Song Jingyang still thought he was the one who did it, and he was on his best behavior for days. My mom is really something!"
Mingzhu laughed Zidu hurt.
"It's good that you've stopped crying." Xiu'er breathed a sigh of relief. "Your arms are so slender and fair, try it on quickly."
Mingzhu gently slipped the bracelet onto her wrist and then shook it.
"I told you it was beautiful!" Xiu'er pushed the box in front of Mingzhu again. "Here, take another look, there's more below!"
Mingzhu asked in surprise, "What else?"
"That's all," Xiu'er said, deciding it wasn't worth keeping her in suspense any longer. "Twenty thousand taels of silver. This is a separate allowance from the Empress, not part of your dowry. Anyway, more silver is never a burden, so just take it."
Mingzhu took out a thick stack of silver notes and pressed them to her chest, remaining silent for a long time.
Xiu'er said, "If Her Majesty gives it to you, just accept it and remember Her Majesty's kindness."
"I'm just apprehensive, wondering if I'll ever have the chance to repay my sister-in-law."
She felt extremely grateful and apprehensive when others treated her well.
Yes, except for Wu Zhenhai.
In that sense, I feel a little sorry for him.
But life is long, and we'll continue our love-hate relationship.
"You're in the Northwest, aren't you just trying to ease the Emperor and Empress's burdens? Silly Mingzhu, the Empress isn't stupid; she knows everything!"
Tang Zhuyun even guessed that Mingzhu might not choose to go to the capital.
Just as I expected.
How could Tang Zhuyun possibly mistreat Mingzhu values loyalty and righteousness?
Xiu'er then untied a purse from her waist and stuffed it into Mingzhu's hand. "This is for you. It's a thousand taels of silver, just a customary gift. You'll have to return it to me after I have a son. It's just for show."
Mingzhu was both amused and exasperated.
"There's also a peace charm. When the Empress visited Master Hong'en, I shamelessly struck up a conversation with him, and he gave it to me. He said I'm destined for long-lasting good fortune. Sigh, it's all just auspicious talk; taking it too seriously is a losing proposition. But at least it has a good meaning, so I'm giving it to you."
Mingzhu choked up, "I'm going to benefit from Sister Xiu'er's good fortune."
"Go ahead and try, I don't ask for anything else, I just hope Wu Zhenhai is half as good as Song Jingyang," Xiu'er said.
Mingzhu chuckled and nodded in agreement, "Exactly."
But as she said this, she couldn't help but glance outside.
--Old Cabbage Stalk, he's done his fair share of eavesdropping.
"I have a big gift for you!" Xiu'er, her face beaming.
"No need, no need, that's enough," Mingzhu hurriedly said.
Xiu'er sat there cross-legged, striking a rather intimidating pose.
"Not enough," Xiu'er said. "Have you thought about what to name your son when you have him?"
Mingzhu was completely taken aback by her words: "No."
"I have a good name!" Xiu'er slapped her thigh. "You can't count on Wu Zhenhai at all. What Wu Yu? How arbitrary!"
Mingzhu couldn't help but chuckle, "Sister Xiu'er, what do you say?"
She dared not say "adopt," for fear that Xiu'er would say something like "Wu Suowei."
"Wu Di!" Xiu'er said triumphantly.
Mingzhu: "..."
"OK."
"It's fine," Mingzhu said sheepishly, "But it's a bit big; I'm worried the baby won't be able to hold onto it."
"It's okay, you can just come up with another nickname, anything like 'Gousheng ' will do."
Mingzhu: "Oh, I'll think about it later."
Xiu'er was still smug. "You definitely won't find a better name. You'd better work harder!"
Mingzhu: "..."
Just then, Xiu'er's maid came looking for her in a panic.
"Madam, the children are fighting."
Mingzhu was anxious, but Xiu'er remained calm and composed. After taking a sip of tea, she said, "Weren't we just eating melon seeds together?"
The Northwest region is famous for its melons, which, if stored properly, can last a long time.
The room where the children play is now heated by an underfloor heating system, so it's a bit hot. Before Xiu'er arrived, she had someone cut up some honeydew melon for the little foodies.
The maidservant recounted in one breath, "Guagua was eating a melon when she saw Wuji snatch Wuxian's melon, so she went to take it back; but Wuxian said someone else had touched the melon and he wanted a new one; Wuji then stole and ate the melon, Wuxian cried. Guagua comforted Wuxian Wuji got angry and threw the melon on the ground, and Guagua got angry too..."
Xiu'er said that it's not good to raise young children if they're not addressed as "young master" or "young master," so the children in the manor are addressed by their given names.
Xiu'er: "Stop chattering, it's giving me a headache. Let them fight for a while and decide the winner themselves."
Even eating melon seeds can ignite a major battle; these kids really need to be disciplined.
The children each have their own way of getting along.
Wuji likes to bully Wuxian; but Guagua has an overflowing sense of justice and protectiveness, always protecting Wuxian, Wuji angry. Wuji is young and a little foodie, and he often gets food all over himself while his older siblings are fighting.
Mingzhu smiled and said, "Let's go take a look. Don't let Wuxian suffer any injustice."
Wuxian poor communication skills and is always bullied, which is heartbreaking to watch.
That's why Guagua protects him so fiercely.
"No, you should hurry up and prepare your dowry. Although you don't have to do it yourself, it'll still be quite hectic. I'll go check on it."
Xiu'er had a quick temper; as she spoke, she got up, put on her shoes, and left in a flurry with her maid.
"Aren't you coming in?" Mingzhu said calmly.