New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

The following morning, when Qiu Linghua saw Xiao Li holding the third white silk ribbon belonging to Yan Xier in her small courtyard, she smiled broadly on the surface but secretly sighed.

Young people are always full of energy. My son looks a little thin, but he seems to be just as good in bed. How many days has it been since he consummated his marriage with his eldest daughter-in-law, Zhao Yingluo? This kid hasn't missed a single day.

He got his satisfaction, but he also worried his mother terribly. He could probably use the family heirloom as an excuse to deal with Ye Qingmiao, but what could he do about Yan Xier?

Thinking back to how she was so happy that she gave all the good things left in the house to Yingluo, now she has nothing left except some commonly used jewelry. How is she supposed to give her daughter-in-law gift?

If all else fails, I'll borrow a few things from Jing'er. After all, they were things I bought for her before, and now I'm just bringing them back to save face. It's a last resort, and it's much better to be scolded by my daughter than to be looked down upon by my daughter-in-law.

"Thank you for your hard work, Miss Xiaoli." After gesturing for Chun Tao to put the things away, Qiu Linghua instructed, "Go and tell your young master that it is a good thing to have more children for the Tang family, but he should also be careful to restrain himself. Don't let him be so infatuated with the two beautiful young ladies that he is not only their husband, but also the city lord of Guangling."

None of the people present were fools. Qiu Linghua was deliberately giving Tang Qian a warning, naturally for Xiao Li to hear. Seeing Xiao Li lowering her head and suppressing a laugh, Chun Tao could only cough lightly: "Then what about the gifts from the Second Madam's side..."

Qiu Linghua glared at Chun Tao. Knowing full well that she had nothing in her pocket except a few copper coins, she still managed to ask such a question. Was she asking for trouble, little girl?

Chun Tao knew she shouldn't have asked that question, but since the white silk had been delivered, according to the etiquette of the Song Dynasty, her husband's family had to return the favor. She couldn't possibly go to see Yan Xi'er empty-handed.

Just as the room fell into a mysterious silence, a servant scurried in, bowing low: "Grandma, Ye Zhao, the eldest son of the Ye family, and the second young lady of the Jiang family are outside requesting an audience."

Since her goddaughter and godson-in-law had returned home, Qiu Linghua could only let Xiao Li go back first, as she had to go and greet the guests according to etiquette.

Qiu Linghua then had Ye Zhao and his wife led to the reception room. He also called on Jiang Siyu's mother, Zhou Shi. The two of them went outside the hall, where Jiang Siyu and Ye Zhao had already come out to greet them.

After everyone took their seats, Qiu Linghua and Zhou Shi exchanged a glance. Seeing how affectionate the two of them were, they, as the bride's family, naturally felt relieved.

Jiang Siyu glanced at Ye Zhao, who immediately understood and ordered the servants guarding outside to bring in two boxes: "These are gifts from my Ye family to Siyu. Siyu felt they were too precious and insisted on not accepting them. But since they have been given away, there is no reason to take them back. So, I thought it would be better to give them to my mother and godmother in Siyu's name, as a way for us to show our filial piety."

“That won’t do.” Before Zhou could reply, Qiu Linghua refused first. “When Siyu got married, we didn’t give her any dowry. Now we’re asking for gifts for no reason. There’s no such logic in the world.”

Ye Zhao smiled faintly: "Siyu's dowry is very generous, it's the entire Jiang family mansion. The Ye family has only returned this little bit, and I feel quite embarrassed."

Upon hearing this, Zhou immediately turned her slightly frightened gaze to her daughter, who was sitting silently to the side. However, Jiang Siyu simply shook her head slightly, and Zhou swallowed back the question that had been on the tip of her tongue.

She was merely a maidservant to the eldest mistress of the Jiang family, and had never been in charge of anything. When her young mistress first married into the Jiang family, Zhou Shi enjoyed a few good days, but after having a daughter, she was no longer favored by both the master and the mistress.

Having grown accustomed to the submissive life of the past, Zhou Shi had long since developed the habit of not daring to interrupt. In the past, she listened to her husband, but now she listens to her daughter. Jiang Siyu told her not to ask, so how could she dare to say another word?

Having reassured her mother, Madam Zhou, Jiang Siyu turned her gaze to her godmother, Qiu Linghua: "I know that with the Qiu family's wealth, they don't care about these things at all. But as an illegitimate daughter of the Jiang family, I never thought I could have a grand wedding. If it weren't for my godmother's arrangement, I would never have been able to marry into the Ye family. So please accept these things, godmother. Otherwise, I really don't know how to repay your kindness."

"Alright then." Seeing that she couldn't persuade Jiang Siyu otherwise, Qiu Linghua could only reluctantly accept the money. "Then I'll keep it for you for now. If you ever need money urgently in the future, just come to your godmother's place to get it."

After instructing the servants to arrange a luncheon, Qiu Linghua asked Zhou Shi to accompany her, while she took Chun Tao back to the backyard first. After closing the doors and windows, she opened the box like a thief, and the items inside did not disappoint Qiu Linghua.

"Oh dear, goddaughters are so much better. They know what their godmother is in dire need of. Unlike sons and daughters, who only know how to expect to be waited on hand and foot and never care whether the family can even afford to eat. They are such wretches."

At the same time, Tang Qian and Tang Jing, who were in their respective rooms, sneezed simultaneously.

Picking out the two best items and handing them to Chun Tao, Qiu Linghua gestured towards the door with her chin, "Send them to that girl Xi'er."

Chun Tao took the things, but still hesitated: "But if we do this, what if Miss asks about it later..."

Qiu Linghua seemed very impatient: "Isn't this just borrowing it for a bit? Anyway, I didn't send it out of the house. If they really have the nerve to ask for it back, let Tang Qian handle it."

Yan Xier was flattered by the two gifts brought by Chun Tao. She saw the head housekeeper out of the room, and a look of sorrow and shame instantly lingered between her brows.

Seeing her young mistress's pale face, Xiao Li could only gently comfort her: "Miss, you don't need to think too much. The young master also said that bleeding does not represent chastity. Besides, we in Da Jin don't have such a custom at all. As long as we have a clear conscience, we don't need to feel inferior."

Yan Xi'er sighed softly: "That may be true, but the Song Dynasty values ​​it very much. Didn't you see that the white silk was just sent this morning, and my husband's family has already sent a gift?"

"Doesn't that mean the old lady has already approved it? She certainly didn't notice that we tampered with it, especially since the red dots on the white silk were applied by the young master himself with cinnabar."