The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

When Hua Sirong received the news in Qingwu Courtyard, she was completely stunned.

She vividly remembered that the first person in the Muqing Marquis's mansion to extend an olive branch to her was none other than the second young lady, He Zhihuan.

Unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, the two of them found themselves connected by such a special bond.

Madam Wang, being simple-minded, instead advised her own daughter, "Even if the second daughter of the Marquis's mansion were to get married on the same day as our daughter, the scale of the wedding would certainly not be as grand as yours."

Please don't worry.

Hua Sirong had no objection to getting married on the same day.

It's perfectly normal for people to choose the same auspicious day to bring good fortune.

However, Wang's mother's words also reminded her, "It's fine for Mom to say such things in front of me. But once we leave this room, I must never say such things again."

"The Second Miss is, after all, a daughter of the Marquis's family. I am able to have a place to stay entirely thanks to the Marquis's family. We must remember this kindness."

If it weren't for the powerful Marquis's mansion, she probably would have ended up in the backyard of that county magistrate in Xishan, wasting the rest of her life.

Even though the Marquis's mansion treated her badly, it still gave her a place to live, allowing her to eke out a living.

Regardless of what Wang's mother thought in her heart, she readily agreed on the surface.

However, the smugness hidden in her eyes was undeniable.

Hua Sirong pinched her brow and then instructed Wang Mama, "I remember when the eldest daughter of the Marquis's mansion got married, her dowry was sixty-eight taels."

The second daughter, being born of a concubine in the second wife's household, certainly couldn't surpass the eldest daughter.

"Mother, these past two days, I'll trouble you, Chunyan, and Granny Yan to carefully sort through the dowry that Uncle Jiang sent. If it can fit in one trunk, then don't use two."

"At least on the surface, let's not make too much of a show, or I'm afraid it won't look good to the Second Miss."

"I will also write to Uncle Jiang about this matter and explain the situation to him."

Suddenly, Granny Yan spoke up, "Miss, although your actions are well-intentioned, I don't think they are appropriate."

Hua Sirong gestured for Granny Yan to continue.

Granny Yan said helplessly, "When the young lady was married from the Marquis's mansion, the dowry and betrothal gifts sent by Master Jiang and the future son-in-law's family were all delivered into the Marquis's mansion in full view of everyone."

"Everyone with eyes can tell how many tables were brought into the mansion. If we reduce the number, it might cause trouble if outsiders see it."

“We experts can see through this, but we’re afraid that some ill-intentioned people will gossip and say that the Marquis’s mansion withheld your dowry and betrothal gifts. What should we do then?”

Hua Sirong nodded unconsciously, "What you say is very true, Granny. I was thinking too simply."

Granny Yan didn't take credit, saying, "It's mainly because Miss is mindful of her relationship with the Second Miss that she didn't think of it for a while."

Hua Sirong was now troubled. "It seems we can only think of another way. At the same time, we will trouble you to go and find out more information so that we can deal with it."

----

After the second young lady returned to her room, her aunt had been waiting for her for a long time.

"So, what date is the wedding set for? Is it the first day of the second lunar month?"

He Zhihuan nodded with a sour expression, showing no sign of joy.

"That's good. Tonight I'll find an opportunity to ask your father to give you more dowry."

He Zhihuan was still angry after being openly and subtly mocked by her stepmother. "Even if Father adds more in private, can he compare to that person in Qingwu Courtyard?"

"Today I've realized that my future mother-in-law is not an easy person to get along with. Yet you keep urging me to agree to this marriage as soon as possible."

"Are you just hoping I'll get married soon and suffer?"

"Why do you say that to me, Second Miss? Everything I've done is for your own good."

"People in the Marquis's mansion care about their reputation. If you were to marry a cousin from a merchant family on the same day..."

As a result, the dowry that was brought out was inferior to that of the other party, even though you are a daughter of the Marquis's family. Isn't this a slap in the face to our Marquis's family?

"Even if the Second Madam is shameless, the Old Madam still has a sense of shame."

"Don't worry about my second daughter. Your aunt will definitely get you a good dowry. When you go to the Xin family, you'll have plenty of money, and you'll live a good life. Do you understand?"

"Speaking of this, it's all your own fault for being so useless. If your marriage to the Meng family had gone through, I wouldn't have had to worry about your dowry."

Even the old lady and the first lady wouldn't allow your dowry to be shabby.

Now look what's happened, I, an aunt, have to step in and scheme against them.

He Zhihuan was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes. "Yes, yes, it's all my fault, it's all my fault, okay?"

The mother and daughter hugged each other, crying and trying to comfort each other.

In Fushou Hall, the old lady frowned as she looked at Madam Shen, Madam Zhan, and Madam Jin who entered the room, her expression unpleasant.

She first looked at Madam Zhan, "How come Er Yatou's wedding date clashes with Rong Yatou's?"

Mrs. Zhan explained helplessly that she did not want to take the blame for a concubine's daughter.

The old lady, leaning on her cane, muttered, "Foolish thing."

He then looked at Madam Shen, "What do you think?"

Madam Shen was also furious. The Xin family's actions were tantamount to putting her on the hot seat.

But she couldn't show her dissatisfaction in front of the old lady. "The dowry for Meng Silang, whom Er Yatou had chosen, was prepared in the manor a long time ago."

"It was only after the Xin family took over that we considered reducing the amount. Now that the Jiang family is competing with us, shouldn't we prepare the second daughter's dowry according to the original amount?"

Of course, Madam Shen was unwilling, but she had to say the polite words.

Before Madam Zhan could speak, the old lady objected, "How can the Xin family, a mere poor family, be compared to the Meng family?"

Although dowry is a woman's private property, our family is not one to be harsh on girls.

But given the Xin family's situation, Er Yatou would definitely provide them with a lot of financial assistance behind the scenes.

Giving too much will only encourage the Xin family to become greedy.

It would be better not to give away so much in the first place.

"If Second Sister ever has a really tough time in the future, our Marquis's mansion will actually be able to help her a bit more."

"What do you think?" This question was directed at Madam Shen and Madam Zhan.

Madam Shen remained silent, only looking at Madam Zhan, who was the legal mother of the woman.

After careful consideration, Madam Zhan said, "The old lady understands this well, and I think this arrangement is excellent."

He Zhihuan and her cunning aunt were plotting exactly that.

Unfortunately, the old lady was the first to disagree.

At this point, Madam Shen no longer concealed anything and said frankly, "When I came to Fushou Hall, I had just met Granny Yan from Qingwu Courtyard."

Their idea was that they planned to organize the things sent by Master Jiang, packing what could fit in one trunk instead of two or three.

The meaning is quite clear: Qingwu Courtyard doesn't want the Second Miss to look bad when she gets married.

Although it was well-intentioned, the old lady and Madam Zhan felt like they had been slapped in the face.

Furthermore, the old lady had concerns: "When Rong'er gets married, if the number of tables is less than expected, outsiders might say that you, her aunt, embezzled the money."