The Concubine's Daughter Travels Through Time and Space and Takes the Road of Confrontation

Hou, who was full of anger, went back and complained to her husband.

"She thinks she's a nobody. Lord Lu is the Imperial College's chief academic officer, a high-ranking official of the second rank. She's just a widow, yet she's being picky. This is already decided, and she has to agree even if she doesn't want to!"

Marquis Cheng'en sighed, "Alright, I get it. Calm down. Siwei isn't a bad person, she's just a little spoiled."

Hou squinted at him and said, "Spoiled? Is it because I spoiled her? Your good daughter from an official family has made me busy all the time for her, and I have to clean up her mess when she gets angry. If it weren't for your face, I would have given up and never cared about her again. Your aunt treats her like a treasure, but your daughter-in-law is just dirt in the field that anyone can step on."

Marquis Cheng'en remained silent until his wife's anger subsided a little, then he smiled and said, "My wife has been very hard-working lately. I will go to Mei'an to talk to her tomorrow."

Hou Shi laughed in anger. What a fool! "Why are you talking about her? Are you expecting her to marry out of this nunnery? The dowry given by Concubine Li will arrive in a few days, but our two families haven't even met yet. She might get married as soon as the spring comes. There are still a few days left for you to dawdle."

"What does the madam mean?" Marquis Cheng'en continued to smile with good temper.

"Her yard in the mansion was empty before, so just bring her back." He could tolerate her for a few days and keep an eye on her under his own eyes. This would save him a lot of trouble and he wouldn't be afraid that she would cause trouble again.

Marquis Cheng'en agreed, but in his heart he didn't quite believe his sister, who had always been gentle and sensible, could say such a thing. It wasn't until he went there in person and was kicked out before he even entered that he realized his sister was no longer the little sister he remembered.

After running three times, I finally picked up the person, but when I got home, he started making a fuss again.

Guan Shi sat in the hall with a sullen face. "Sister-in-law, where is the dowry list prepared for me? Bring it here so I can have a look."

Hou calmly picked up the teacup and took a sip. "Auntie, you are remarrying. Didn't the old lady prepare a dowry for you back then? Concubine Li even sent someone to pass on a message, saying that the Li family has never interfered with your dowry in all these years." Speaking of this, Hou was filled with resentment. When her sister-in-law got married, the old lady gave her a dowry of 20,000 taels of silver. At the time, the cash was not enough, and her mother-in-law was pressing her hard. As a new bride, she had no choice but to use part of her own dowry to make up for it.

A tea bowl fell to the ground with a loud "bang". Guan rubbed her jade-white fingers, her face calm and composed. "Sister-in-law, you made this marriage on your own, and I didn't agree. In that case, you should prepare a dowry for me. The dowry back then was my private money, and how I use it is none of your business." She looked at Hou, whose face was ashen, and chuckled. "Sister-in-law, if you want me to leave, you should at least show some sincerity. Anyway, I'm a widow, and I'm not afraid of wearing shoes even if I'm barefoot. You can give it a try."

After saying that, he stood up, swayed his waist and left slowly.

Looking at her sister-in-law's back, Hou regained her senses from her anger. With a gloomy face, she ordered people to sweep away the debris on the ground, and then called the maid over and whispered a few instructions to her.

Did she still think this was the Cheng'en Marquis Mansion when her mother-in-law was still alive? She wanted to let her know what it meant that things were different now!

In the evening, a group of eunuchs appeared at the gate of the Marquis of Cheng'en's mansion, carrying a box decorated with red silk, followed by many onlookers. At the command of the leading eunuch, the box was opened in full view of the crowd.

The first box contained a pair of jade ruyi, the second box contained silk brocade, the third box contained a bright red wedding dress and a golden crown, and the last box was full of books.

Some people around had already read out classics such as "Rules for Women", "Rules for Women", "Admonitions for Women", "The Way of Training Women", "Biographies of Women", etc., which were used to discipline women, to abide by the way of being women, to serve their husbands, love their children, and be filial to their elders.

No matter whether they were rich or poor, the families of women in the Qin Dynasty would always put one or two books in the box just to show off. This was the first time I had seen a bride-to-be fill a box with all these books.

"Oh, the king's uncle is more particular about marrying off his daughter than we are. Just by listening to these books, we can tell that the bride is a virtuous and good woman." The aunt exclaimed in admiration.

"Stop talking like that! The person she's marrying is the emperor's uncle's own sister, who has been widowed for many years."

"Oh my god, how can this widow remarry?" The aunt covered her mouth as soon as she said this, and the people around her showed tacit and intriguing looks.

The box was quickly carried inside. Without even looking at it, Hou ordered it to be taken to her sister-in-law's courtyard, and instructed, "Lock the courtyard door and assign a few maids to stand guard day and night. Once this matter is settled, each of them will receive an extra month's salary."

Elsewhere, after Lu Jijiu had figured out his words, he went to the gate of Lu Mansion with the engagement letter.

After hearing his purpose, Lu Lingcong showed no surprise and said calmly, "Just do as Lord Lu said." Then he took out a red card from the drawer and handed it to the other party. Lu Jijiu put the card in his hands on the table with a guilty look on his face, then stood up and left.

After leaving the Lu family's gate, he breathed a sigh of relief and looked back at the mansion before him. He sensed something was amiss. It was said that Lu Tongzheng had been driven out by the old lady without receiving a single cent of the family fortune. Yet, the mansion before him was clearly magnificent. He had left in such a hurry that he hadn't had time to take a closer look. Now, thinking back, the furnishings in the study were also antique and charming.

When Lu Jijiu returned to the house, he saw his son sitting in the study, obviously having something to say.

"Father, did you go to Lord Lu's house to cancel the engagement?" Lu Song said hesitantly.

Lu Jijiu sat down on the chair, looking tired. "Your father has already canceled this marriage for you. Don't mention this matter outside. It was our family that was wrong first."

Luzon hesitated, "My son heard someone at school today that Xiefang Pavilion is the property of Mr. Lu and his wife."

Lü Jijiu frowned, "What is Xiefang Pavilion?"

"Father, Xiefangguan is the largest jewelry store in Kyoto. I heard that it earns up to ten thousand taels of silver a year." Lu Song's eyes were eager and he swallowed hard. Master Lu only had one daughter, Lu Rong. If he married her, the store would belong to his family in the future.

Lü Jijiu's mind shifted, and he reluctantly said, "This marriage has been called off. There's no need to mention their family matters again. Your sister and I will choose another marriage for you. Studying diligently and gaining a good reputation is your most important priority right now."

Luzon lowered his head in response.

The next day, Lü Jijiu encountered Lu Tongzheng on his way to court. Several officials stood between them, and he saluted from a distance. Lu Lingcong, sensing the oppressive atmosphere along the way, looked around. The officials were all hurried and silent, and the sky was gray, suggesting the possibility of snow that night.

After repeated speculation and carefully polished memorials, which had already been warmed in his hands, Lu Lingcong took a deep breath, raised his head and walked into this majestic and solemn palace.