To get rich quickly, you need to be simple and rough

Xu Mingqi and Han were worried about their daughter's marriage. Marriage is like reincarnation for a woman. If she were to go blind once, it would ruin her life.

Xu Mingqi and Han were choosing between the sons of noble families and talented men from humble backgrounds, determined to find a perfect husband for their daughter. Their requirements were so high that they were overwhelmed.

The Empress Dowager in the palace was also worried about her younger brother's marriage.

The Empress Dowager was born into the Liu family of Duke Lu's mansion, which was also a top-notch noble family back then. Twenty years ago, in a great battle with the Western Rong, all the Liu family members, except for the young brother who was still breastfeeding, sacrificed their lives for the country. It can be said that the Liu family is a family of loyal heroes.

The mother of Empress Dowager Liu, the Duke's wife, also passed away three years ago due to longing for her father. This left her younger brother Zhiyan, who had missed the marriageable age due to mourning. Empress Dowager Liu, as the eldest sister was like a mother, truly loved her only brother and always wanted to find him a good marriage with all the advantages.

But it’s not easy to find a good girl, and she’s usually engaged early on.

Empress Liu sat on the couch and asked the maid she had brought into the palace from home, "Caijuan, tell me, am I asking too much? I'm always trying to find a wife for Zhiyan who has everything."

Nanny Zhang Caijuan has served the Empress Dowager for thirty years and is well-versed in her master's habits. "Your Majesty, I'm speaking with such confidence. Our Brother Yan is first-rate in appearance, character, family background, and possessions. You must carefully select one. In my opinion, good things are worth waiting for, Your Majesty, so you should relax. I recently compiled a list of unmarried ladies in the capital. Your Majesty, would you like to take a look?"

Empress Dowager Liu looked at Nanny Zhang and said, "Caijuan, you really understand my heart. Zhiyan also grew up under your care. He is not an outsider, so there is no need to belittle yourself."

Empress Dowager Liu scribbled on the list and found eleven ladies. Pointing at the list, she told Aunt Zhang that the Fourth Princess was about to have a birthday and asked her to convey her imperial decree that on the fourteenth day of next month, which would be the Princess' birthday, she would invite these ladies to celebrate with her.

The Duke of Chu's residence also received the Empress Dowager's decree. Xu Mingqi and Han discussed, "What does the Empress Dowager mean by this? It's not right to choose a concubine for the Emperor just after the mourning period for the late Emperor. None of the princes are of the right age to choose a concubine. When did the Fourth Princess become so favored? Why is she celebrating her birthday with such fanfare?"

Han was also puzzled. Suddenly, she slapped her thigh and said, "Master, have you forgotten the Empress Dowager's younger brother, the young master of the Liu family? That child is not old enough to get married now that the mourning period is over."

Xu Mingqi also suddenly realized: "Yes, I met the young master of the Liu family a few years ago. He is very handsome. Although the Liu family is small now, its foundation is still here. The young master of the Liu family and Sheng Tao were classmates."

Xu Mingqi strode to the door and called his attendant: "Jiang An, go get Sheng Ning. I need something from him."

When Xu Shengtao heard his father was looking for him, he hurried back from the government office. His father had a bad temper and would kick him if he was slow to come back. It was only after he got married that his father had restrained himself; he used to kick even harder.

Xu Mingqi kept a straight face, defending his dignity as an old father. Han Shi was not one to indulge Xu Mingqi. She took her son's hand and repeatedly asked the maids to help him undress and wash. The child had been at the government office all day and needed to rest first.

The boys of the Xu family were not as well-raised as the girls. Xu Shengtao and his elder brother Xu Shenghao followed their father in the military camp and learned the six arts of a gentleman from their teacher. They ate whatever was available and were not picky about food. They were served by servants who grew up with them.

Xu Shengtao washed his hands and face in the basin of water, then wiped them with the towel handed to him by the maid. He sat on a chair and took a sip of tea. At this time, the servants in the room had finished cleaning up and left.

Han asked her son, "Tao'er, do you remember the young master of the Liu family from Duke Lu's mansion? What is his character like?"

Xu Shengtao: "I've never heard of anything bad about Zhiyan. He's usually low-key, has good relationships with people in the Imperial College, and his grades are also okay. I haven't seen him work hard, but his policy papers are pretty good.

Xu Shengtao also realized that his parents were asking about Liu Zhiyan so much because they wanted to find a husband for his sister. Xu Shengtao pondered for a moment and whispered, "Liu Zhiyan is good in every way, but is he just a little bit unlucky? He's the only one left in his family."

Xu Mingqi then intervened, kicking his son in the butt. "You're the only one who's talking too much. This isn't a big deal. Hasn't Liu Zhiyan already transferred the document? As long as his family doesn't act recklessly, the hereditary Duke Lu Mansion will guarantee him a lifetime of wealth and glory."

Han has been very busy recently, making jewelry and new clothes. The Queen Mother is arranging a blind date for her brother. If she goes to the palace wearing clothes that are neither new nor old, it would be considered a contempt for the imperial power and a disregard for the Queen Mother.

Han found a box of unmounted rubies from her dowry. The largest ones were about the size of quail eggs, and even the smallest ones were the size of lotus seeds. These were Han's most precious treasures.

On the tenth day, Xu Huizhen started to get busy at the hour of Mao in the morning. The maids were busy all around. After washing, Xu Huizhen only drank a sip of ginseng soup. She abstained from food and water before entering the palace for fear of losing decorum in front of the emperor.

The Queen Mother just asked what talents you have and you said you wanted to change clothes. How embarrassing.

Feicui deftly combed Xu Huizhen's hair into a single bun using a plum blossom pearl and gold hairpin, with a butterfly comb inlaid with gold and rubies inserted in the middle, making it look elegant and dignified.

Xu Huizhen instructed Feicui to put on light makeup, which not only highlighted her good complexion but also looked less abrupt. Xu Huizhen was allergic to the ancient people's makeup that made her mouth look like a cherry, which was indeed ugly.

Xu Huizhen donned a light blue, butterfly-patterned short jacket with a cross-collar, a gold-woven horse-faced skirt, and a light red Shu brocade fur cloak. After finishing her attire, she and Han, who had already dressed up as a lady of honor, boarded the palace sedan chair.

When they arrived at the palace gate, there was a eunuch waiting outside, leading Xu Huizhen and her son to Yongning Palace where the empress dowager lived.

Empress Dowager Liu was dazzled by the selection of girls in the room who were as beautiful as flowers and jade.

At this time, behind the screen, Liu Zhiyan and the current emperor stared at each other in confusion. The emperor was eighteen years older than Liu Zhiyan. Although Liu Zhiyan was of a higher generation, the emperor had always treated his uncle as his son since he was a child.

The Queen Mother chatted with the female relatives for a while, and then sent them to attend the birthday banquet for the Fourth Princess.

After everyone left, the Queen Mother asked Liu Zhiyan, "Do you like any of these young ladies?" Liu Zhiyan's ears turned red, and after a long while he said, "The girl wearing a flowery jacket with hundreds of butterflies looks good."

The emperor teased his uncle, "Not bad, you picked the most beautiful one at first sight. The daughter of the Duke of Chu is a good match for you."

Seeing that her brother had made his choice, the Queen Mother smiled and said, "Your uncle has fallen in love with the girl from the Xu family. As his nephew, don't forget to grant your uncle a marriage."