Marrying a concubine and swallowing her dowry? The mistress turns around and marries a high-ranking

Chapter 495

Although there was no need to sort out the betrothal gifts, the servants of the Yongning Marquis's residence and the Shen residence still spent an entire afternoon carrying all the betrothal gifts to the storeroom and indoors.

That evening, Mo Chonggui arrived at the Yongning Marquis's residence.

At that time, Shen Lingjun was in the study, looking at several thick stacks of gift lists that could kill someone.

Since the betrothal gifts included many rare and useful items, Shen Lingjun needed to at least know what they were. He didn't want things to turn out like the Changguo Marquis's mansion, where despite their wealth, they had precious medicinal herbs like Cangxingzi stored away unnoticed.

Mo Chonggui entered and saw that Shen Lingjun was surrounded by gift lists. He smiled and asked, "Are you satisfied with the betrothal gifts?"

Shen Lingjun quickly stood up and glared at him.

"Why such a big fuss? Even the royal family doesn't give this much as a dowry when they get married!"

Mo Zhonggui said nonchalantly, "The Emperor granted it, and he even added part of the betrothal gifts himself. Besides, doesn't my marriage deserve to be a city-wide sensation and go down in history?"

Shen Lingjun: "..."

It was truly fate that he met such an emperor. One who never harbored any rebellious intentions and whose sole focus was on destroying the neighboring country; and one who never suspected him and doted on him beyond measure, even more so than a biological son.

Mo Chonggui: "The betrothal gifts have been given, and now it's time to set the date. How about December 16th next year?"

Shen Lingjun was about to say that the wedding date should usually be chosen on an auspicious day, and how could they possibly plan for a date as far away as December next year?

Then she remembered that December 15th is the anniversary of Qin Shaoze's death, which means that December 16th next year will be the first day of her mourning period.

Shen Lingjun: "..."

Why are you in such a hurry?

She gave a dry laugh: "That's not really appropriate... Besides, I didn't..."

She still couldn't bring herself to say, "I didn't really agree to marry you."

Mo Zhonggui shrugged: "After a husband dies, one should follow one's son. I won't ask you anymore. Go and discuss it with Yao'er."

He left after saying that, and Shen Lingjun called after him but couldn't stop him.

When she returned, she collapsed into an armchair, utterly exhausted.

It seems she was forced into this marriage, like a duck being pushed onto a shelf...

When the mourning period is over, will she still have any room to refuse?

Besides, does she really want to refuse?

Shen Lingjun rubbed his temples in frustration.

Ugh, so annoying!

......

The dowry that the De'an County chief was to take to Western Qi still needed some time to be prepared, so the Western Qi delegation was delayed in the capital until June.

In early June, the lotus flowers in Yutai Pond on the outskirts of Beijing bloomed.

The lotus flowers here are all green lotuses, with large, single petals and pale bluish-green petals. They are exceptionally elegant and otherworldly, ethereal and graceful, like jade lampstands standing tall among the lotus leaves that reach the sky.

In recent years, the lotus flowers have spread to a larger and larger scale, thus becoming a tourist attraction and famous in Kyoto.

When the lotus flowers are in full bloom, it is also the time when noble families and dignitaries of Kyoto frequently hold gatherings by the Gyokudai Pond, and when literati hold poetry recitals.

Shen Lingjun and Mo Zhonggui's engagement caused a sensation throughout the city, and they are now among the most sought-after guests for such occasions in the capital.

The first invitation they received was from the Duke of Li's mansion. It was for a lotus appreciation party hosted by the wife of the Duke of Li's heir, and both Shen Lingjun and Madam Wen were invited.

The mother and daughter rode together in a horse-drawn carriage out of the city.

The weather in June was already quite hot, but when we arrived at Yutai Pond, the small lake was surrounded by shady trees, and a cool breeze carrying moisture blew by, which was quite pleasant.

The water area is not very large, and nearly half of it is covered with lush lotus leaves. Many pavilions and waterside terraces have been built along the lake for people to rest and enjoy the scenery, and there are also small boats playing on the lake.