mtlumby2d Chapter 232 Taking over
Chapter 232 Taking over
When Shen Tang and Xie Guimo returned to Chenxiangxuan, it was almost time for lunch, so they had lunch together.
After lunch, Shen Tang began his busy afternoon.
The dowry had been put into storage yesterday. Mother Zhou gave the dowry list to Shen Tang for review. Shen Tang had seen the betrothal gifts from the Prince of Zhennan's Mansion and the dowry from the Marquis' Mansion before, but on her wedding day, many royal relatives gave her additional dowry for the sake of her eldest brother Xiao Huan. Even Empress Xu gave her eight loads of dowry, which was really a lot.
The dowries sent by these people alone weighed over a hundred pounds, the most in Kyoto. Moreover, the gifts were not just for show, but were of real value, enough for Shen Tang to live a life of luxury for several lifetimes.
Looking at the gift list, Shen Tang was half happy and half worried.
Mother Zhou laughed and said, "With so much dowry, isn't the Crown Prince's Consort happy?"
Shen Tang said, "You've given me so much. How can I repay you for all this?"
Mother Zhou smiled and said, "There aren't many favors to repay here. When their daughter gets married in the future, the Marquis will also send her some dowry, so the Crown Prince's Consort won't have to repay them separately."
Most of the additional dowry was given by Ning Wang Mansion, Princess Jinde and Duan Wang Mansion. Ning Wang Mansion gave it out of Xiao Huan's face, and there was no need for them to be so formal as a family. If there was any need to pay it back, it would be Xiao Huan. Princess Jinde and Duan Wang Mansion gave the additional dowry to thank Shen Tang for saving his daughter, so they didn't need it anymore. The most troublesome thing was the eight loads of additional dowry given by Empress Xu.
Mother Zhou didn't know much about what went on in the court, but she had heard about the life-and-death struggle between the eldest and second princes for the position of crown prince.
Shen Tang and Shen Ying broke up, and the Pingyuan Marquisate would definitely not stand on the side of the Second Prince. However, the Second Prince's biological mother, Concubine Ye, and Princess Jingyang were cousins, and they were said to have a very good relationship. The intrigues behind this... Whenever Mother Zhou thought about it, her brain was overwhelmed.
Shen Tang had never expected that Empress Xu would send her extra dowry, and such a large amount. Regarding this matter, Shen Tang went to the study to find Xie Guimo and said, "The Empress sent me eight loads of dowry..."
Xie Guimo said, "Since it's been delivered, just keep it."
After saying this, she couldn't take it back.
What Shen Tang didn't understand was, "Why did the Queen send me some makeup?"
Although she had met Empress Xu several times, she had never done anything for her. Those things were done by Xie Guimo and the eldest prince.
Xie Guimo smiled and said, "The Queen did this, firstly to slap Concubine Ye in the face, and secondly, naturally to win you over."
Shen Tang laughed, "What is there about me that's worthy of the Queen's winover?"
As for slapping Concubine Ye in the face, that is possible, but there is no need to give so much.
Shen Tang was thinking about this when he was pulled into Xie Guimo's arms. "The Queen may not win me over, but she cannot not win you over."
She was talking to him about serious matters, how could he not be serious at all? This was obviously impossible.
Xie Guimo pinched Shen Tang's nose and said, "Who is the Queen? How could she not know the power of pillow talk?"
Shen Tang, "..."
Shen Tang's face suddenly turned red.
She had never whispered in anyone's ear, but she couldn't deny that what Xie Guimo said made sense.
Xie Guimo beat the Prince of Changping twice because of her. Others didn't know about this, but Empress Xu and the eldest prince knew about it.
In the past, in the eyes of all the civil and military officials in the court, especially Empress Xu and the eldest prince, Xie Guimo stood on the side of Concubine Ye and the second prince. Now, because of her, Xie Guimo and the Changping Marquis's Mansion have become enemies, and the Pingyuan Marquis's Mansion has expelled the family of the princess who was just married to the second prince. It would be unacceptable for Empress Xu not to give her a generous gift when she gets married.
Empress Xu has shown her goodwill so clearly. She will definitely protect her when she enters the palace again.
Shen Tang came to Xie Guimo to talk about this matter. After she figured it out, she wanted to go back. Xie Guimo refused to let her go, so Shen Tang said, "I still have things to take care of."
Xie Guimo said, "Why are there so many things?"
Shen Tang was about to speak when Qiu Tong came in. Seeing Xie Guimo holding Shen Tang, Qiu Tong turned her back and said, "Mother Zhou asked me to tell the Crown Princess that the Princess asked Mother Li to move back to the Peony Courtyard..."
This is serious business. If Shen Tang struggles again, Xie Guimo will let go.
When Shen Tang left, Mother Zhou said, "I don't know what the princess means..."
Shen Tang said, "The princess did this because she was afraid that I would be embarrassed. Mother Li has taken care of everything at Chenxiangxuan, and you are my housekeeper. With two housekeepers, it is inevitable that there will be disagreements. Mother Li is back at Mudanyuan, and from now on, I will have the final say in Chenxiangxuan."
She married Xie Guimo and would live here for the rest of her life. She did not touch the housekeeper's power in the Marquis' Mansion, but now she had to take over.
In her previous life, the princess also called Mother Li back after she got married, and asked Mother Jiang, who was by her side, to take care of the affairs of Chenxiangxuan. Later, Mother Jiang angered Xie Guimo and was beaten to death. Xie Guimo then asked the princess to ask for Mother Li back.
During the two years when Mother Li was by her side, Shen Tang was indeed less worried, but now that Mother Zhou is by her side, things are really difficult.
Shen Tang gave Qiu Tong a few instructions and Qiu Tong went back to the house.
Mother Li came over, followed by a maid holding a tray with the account book and keys on it. Mother Li said, "The princess asked me to return to the Peony Courtyard and give these account books and keys to the Crown Prince's wife."
Shen Tang said, "There's no need to move back so quickly..."
Mother Li's eyes were filled with reluctance as she said, "Back then, the princess asked me to come and serve the prince, saying that once he got married and had someone to take care of him, she would let me go back. Now the time has come..."
Mother Li had said this in her previous life. Qiu Tong came back with a purse in her hand and handed it to Shen Tang.
Shen Tang took it and put it in Mother Li's hand. Mother Li said, "This is the Crown Prince's Consort..."
Shen Tang said, "My mother wants Madam Li to go back, and I dare not disobey her. But if Chenxiangxuan needs Madam Li later, I will ask my husband to ask Madam Li to come back."
When she left the princess, Mother Li was reluctant to leave her. Now that she is leaving Chenxiangxuan, Mother Li is reluctant to leave Xie Guimo.
Mother Li's tears welled up in her eyes. Mother Zhou seemed to be someone who could take care of things. With Mother Zhou in Chenxiangyuan, she probably wouldn't have a chance to come back.
But even if he can't come back, the Crown Princess' words are heartwarming.
Mother Li handed the account book and keys to Mother Zhou and said, "There's not much to do at Chenxiang Pavilion, so there's no need for a special handover. If you have any questions, just send someone to ask me."
Mother Zhou nodded.
Mother Li's eyes were red. She bowed to Shen Tang and turned away.
When they arrived at the Peony Courtyard, Mother Li wiped her tears and remembered the purse that Shen Tang had stuffed in her hand. She opened it and was so shocked by what was inside that her tears were choked.
There was a gold bracelet, three gold peanuts and ten gold melon seeds in the purse.
This……
Isn’t this too much given by the Crown Princess?
She had been serving at Chenxiangxuan for ten years, and the money she had saved was only this much.