The regent is determined to get the daughter of a minor official.

Queen Mother Wei Linger glanced over coldly.

"If you were more reliable, I wouldn't be so passive."

Madam Pi was dejected, and the eunuchs beside her didn't dare to make a sound.

Wei Ling'er stood up and walked back and forth in the empty palace, thinking of a solution in her mind.

I only regret that I am trapped within the high walls of the imperial palace, and many things are difficult to do, and my family members cannot help me clear the obstacles.

The eldest branch of the Xu family is preparing for Xu Yuanyuan's marriage, but they can't collect much dowry even after searching the entire house.

Looking at the sixteen loads of dowry which did not contain any valuable items, Xu Yuanyuan had already cried with red eyes in her boudoir.

The old lady and the eldest lady of the Xu family sat together again to discuss.

The old lady said: "How unpredictable! I never thought that silly girl from the second house would actually marry the Regent. If I had known..."

The eldest lady was quite touched when she heard this and continued what the old lady said.

"If we had known that would happen, we should have been patient."

The old lady sighed again and rubbed the dragon-headed cane in her hand.

"Yun'er is also my biological son. Now he is relying on the Regent and doesn't even come back to see me, his mother.

Besides, Yuanyuan is his niece after all, so Xie, as his second aunt, must come back to give Yuanyuan some dowry."

The eldest lady sat aside and rolled her eyes.

"They are all heartless. My daughter-in-law heard that officials from the court send gifts to their family every day.

"But our place is so deserted. Mother, what should we do? We can't let Yuanyuan marry there in such a shabby way, right?"

The old lady snorted in an unfriendly tone.

"The dowry also depends on the betrothal gift from the man. The betrothal gift sent by the Shen family is just so-so. It's obvious that they don't value our Yuanyuan. How much better do you want to prepare for her dowry?"

The lady turned her head away.

"My daughter-in-law has been too embarrassed to go out and see people these days because she didn't attend the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Yuanyuan's dowry is so shabby, she will be even more embarrassed to see people in the future."

The old lady looked around helplessly.

"My family really can't afford any money right now. I can't afford to abandon my daily necessities just to save face, can I?"

The eldest lady wiped away her non-existent tears.

"If you ask me, it's all the fault of Second Brother's Xu Keke. He stepped on our Yuan Yuan and climbed up to the position of Regent. Not only is he ungrateful, but he also turned around and blamed us, giving our Yuan Yuan a bad reputation."

Xu Yuanyuan, who had just walked to the door, happened to hear this and quickened his pace as he walked in.

"Grandma, mother is right. Xu Keke was able to meet the Prince Regent because of my granddaughter's help. Now that she has married the prince, it's all my credit.

You should find a way to ask your second uncle for some money to add to your granddaughter's dowry."

The old lady wanted to ask her second son and daughter-in-law for money, but she couldn't bring herself to do so because they were the ones who drove the second family out.

The old lady stamped her cane and said with a cold face.

"When the eldest brother comes back, let him come to see me. And Fei'er, he's not home all day long. As a mother, you should pay more attention to him."

In the Xu Mansion, the Second Master and the Second Mistress had been busy entertaining guests who came to congratulate them for several days.

Xu Ke was in the back garden, listening to the shopping woman talking about rumors outside, holding his chin with his hand and muttering to himself.

"The Regent is indeed a man of the hour. A single marriage decree has thrust me into the spotlight. Behind this glorious scene, there are probably endless conspiracies and schemes awaiting me."

Dingdang didn't know how to answer, so she just sat quietly beside her young lady.

While everyone in the capital was worried about what was happening, the Regent Chu Musheng was calmly handling government affairs in the imperial study, as if the turmoil in the city had nothing to do with him.

Eunuch Otomo came in to report.

"Your Highness, Grand Herald Master Xu Shaoqing is outside seeking an audience."

"Well, let him in."

After Xu Shaoqing came in, he bowed respectfully.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Regent."

The Regent did not even raise his head.

"Excuse me, what brings you here, Xu Shaoqing?"

Xu Shaoqing hurriedly said, "Your Highness, the foreign envoys who came to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday are about to return. Regarding their escort and return gifts, Your Highness will decide."

The Regent then put down the memorial in his hand and frowned slightly.

"This matter can be arranged according to the usual practice of previous years. Are there any special circumstances?"

Xu Shaoqing replied, "This time, the Western Barbarians' envoys were very frank with you, Your Majesty, about your refusal to keep the beautiful woman they brought with them. Furthermore, the beautiful woman refused to pack her belongings and return home."

The Regent's eyes turned cold.

"Hmph, what do they want?"

Xu Shaoqing answered cautiously.

"The Western Barbarians' envoy hinted that if this matter doesn't satisfy them, they might create obstacles for us in future border trade."

Chu Musheng slammed the table and shouted angrily.

"How dare they threaten me with this! How dare I be threatened by this?"

Xu Shaoqing was so frightened that he trembled and quickly replied respectfully.

"Your Highness, please calm down. I know they have gone too far, but if this matter is not handled properly, it could lead to trouble."

The Regent stood up and paced around the room with his hands behind his back. After a moment, he stopped and looked at Xu Shaoqing fiercely.

"Go tell those Western Barbarian envoys that my decision is irreversible. If they dare to cause trouble on the border, I will personally lead my army to crush their camps.

As for the woman who refuses to return home, we will send her back by force. If she resists, she will be killed without mercy."

Xu Shaoqing was startled, knowing that the Regent would keep his word, and quickly responded:

"I'll take care of it now, sir."

Xu Shaoqing retreated in a hurry.

Chu Musheng continued to read the memorials.

Lord Otomo came in again.

"Your Highness, the Imperial Observatory's Chen Jianzheng requests an audience."

"Invite him in."

Chu Musheng put down the red pen and stood up.

Chen Jianzheng came in and bowed: "Greetings to the Regent."

Chu Musheng said directly.

"Chen Jianzheng, I order you to choose an auspicious date for my marriage to Xu Ke."

Chen Jianzheng quickly responded, "I obey your order. I just wonder if His Majesty has any special requirements for the wedding date?"

Chu Musheng pondered for a moment.

"The sooner the better, but it also has to be in accordance with etiquette and avoid the 25th to 30th of each month."

Chen Jianzheng nodded. Although he didn't understand why he had to avoid those days, he didn't dare to ask more questions and replied respectfully.

"I understand. I will go back and calculate it immediately and give His Majesty a satisfactory answer as soon as possible."

After Chen Jianzheng left, Chu Musheng's mouth curled up slightly. It would not be a good thing if he met Miss Xu at her wedding on such a happy day.

...

After several days, the number of people coming to the Xu family to give gifts finally stopped.

One day, the second master had just returned home from work and had not yet sat down when a servant came to report.

The servant's face looked very unnatural.

"Master, the eldest master of the Xu family has arrived. He is standing outside the mansion gate and did not let me know. I came here to tell you."

The second wife and Xu Ke, who were sitting next to each other, looked at each other.

Xu Keke originally wanted to go back to the backyard, but then he remembered that he had never seen this uncle since he came here, so he sat there without moving.

The second master looked at the second wife.

"Why is he here? He came without notifying anyone. Should I take the responsibility or ignore him?"

The second wife continued to look at the handkerchief her second daughter had just embroidered, pretending not to see the second master's inquiring look.

"Master, please come and take a look at the handkerchief our good daughter embroidered for you. Look at the pattern and the fine stitches. It's so well embroidered!"