bayedsolid Chapter 1004 In February, she married Su Jinyu, the top scholar in the imperial examination, and bro
Chapter 1004 In February, she married Su Jinyu, the top scholar in the imperial examination, and bro
"These are five estates on the outskirts of Beijing, three hilltops outside the city, land deeds all over the country... and..."
She paused, then pushed the last and heaviest document to the center of the table, “The newly discovered silver mine.”
"What! A silver mine?"
Bai Sanyue was so shocked she almost jumped off her chair.
She snatched the document, her eyes wide with excitement, and exclaimed, "Mother! This silver mine can produce at least fifty thousand taels of silver a year!"
"If we give the silver mine to Second Sister... it would be quite good, the dividends would be about the same as our other shops."
Bai Lu nodded calmly: "This silver mine is managed by professionals, and the dividends will be delivered to your residence on time every year."
“There are managers in the village and the mountain, so your second sister doesn’t have to do anything. She just needs to look at the accounts every year and sit and collect the money.”
She continued gently, "I gave her these things so that she and Jinyu could study peacefully for the rest of their lives, do what they love, and not have to worry about mundane things like firewood and rice."
Bai Qiyue had been listening quietly the whole time, and only now did she speak, her voice filled with admiration: "Mother is very farsighted; this is the most suitable dowry for Second Sister."
"
Bai Sanyue did the math: "A silver mine that brings in a fortune every day... plus the 200,000 taels of silver that my mother gave me as a safety net... the dowry will be a million taels."
"That's great! Even though my sister doesn't run the shop, she still has all these good things!"
"One million taels!"
Bai Liuyue gasped, then started counting on her fingers, "One million taels of silver... how many roast ducks could that buy, how many servings of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall...?"
"My second sister will be the richest young woman in the capital from now on!"
With just one sentence, he broke the somber atmosphere in the room and made everyone laugh.
The marriage between Bai Eryue and Su Jinyu proceeded smoothly and naturally.
The wedding date was set for August, when the osmanthus flowers were in full bloom.
With the experience from last time, the wedding preparations this time were much easier to handle.
On the day of the wedding, the sky was high and the clouds were light.
In Bai Eryue's boudoir, her sisters chattered and fluttered around her.
"Second sister, you look so beautiful today, like you stepped out of a painting."
Bai Wuyue sincerely praised her, saying that she was the most beautiful, and she was also amazed when she looked at her sister.
"That's right. I designed this wedding dress myself and had it made by the best Suzhou embroidery lady in Jiangnan."
"That's a lot of money."
Bai Sanyue looked smug.
"Third sister, all you care about is money."
While helping Bai Eryue tidy the pearl hairpins in her hair, Bai Qiyue smiled helplessly, "It's my second sister's big day today, let's talk about something else."
"Yeah,"
Bai Liuyue presented a bowl of soup like a precious treasure, "Second Sister, drink this quickly, it's lily bulb and lotus seed soup, I made it for you myself!"
"I guarantee you and Brother Jinyu will have a long and happy marriage!"
As Bai Eryue watched her sisters busily working for her, even her usually mild-mannered nature couldn't help but stir with emotion, and her eyes reddened slightly.
"Okay, stop making trouble."
Bai Lu's voice came from the doorway.
She changed into a marquis's court robes, looking dignified and imposing.
She dismissed the crowd and walked alone to Bai Eryue, placing a red veil over her head.
"In February, you are gentle by nature and dislike arguing with others."
"When you marry Jinyu, listen to his opinions on everything, but also have your own opinions."
"Or, you could discuss it with your girlfriends..."
"Your eldest sister's temperament... has always been the most composed among these sisters. She can help you make decisions, especially since the two of you are officials in the same court."
"Your third and fourth sisters can help you with ideas for getting money, and the other sisters can run errands and help you out."
Bai Lu's voice was gentle, "The dowry your mother gave you will be your lifelong source of confidence."
"Remember, the Marquis of Anguo's residence will always be your home."
"Mother......"
Bai Eryue's voice was choked with sobs through her veil.
"Silly child, you mustn't cry on this joyous day."
Bai Lu patted her hand, "Go on, your top scholar is here to pick you up."
Outside the mansion, Su Jinyu, dressed in a top scholar's red robe and adorned with a golden flower in his hair, rode a white horse, truly exuding spirit and extraordinary handsomeness.
Having learned from the cold and icy year, this time the challenges the sisters posed were all in a more literary and refined tone.
"Brother Jinyu! If you want to take our Miss Tanhua away, first you need to match a couplet!"
Bai Siyue waved her fan, like a little adult.
The first line of the couplet is: "The sea of books is boundless; talented men and beautiful women sail together."
Please provide the matching second line!
Su Jinyu smiled slightly and, almost without thinking, replied loudly, "There is a path to the mountain of writing brushes; the top scholars and third-ranked scholars climb it together."
"how?"
"it is good!"
"Absolutely! Absolutely!"
The sisters all cheered.
"And more and more!"
Bai Sanyue was not to be outdone, "Write a poem! It must include both your and my second sister's names!"
Su Jinyu's smile deepened. He gazed in the direction of Bai Eryue's boudoir, his eyes filled with tenderness, and recited: "A beautiful day in August, ink is ground on the jade table, awaiting a good match."
"My lord passed the imperial examination with flying colors, all for the sake of welcoming you into your golden years."
The moment the poem was recited, the entire room erupted in applause.
The bridesmaids had nothing more to say, happily accepted the red envelopes, and welcomed the groom inside.
Su Jinyu entered the room and, through the hazy veil, whispered to the figure she had longed for day and night, "February, I've come."
When the 120 palanquins carrying the dowry—a whole chest full of land deeds and mining documents—were carried out of the Marquis of Anguo's residence and circled the main street of the capital, the entire city was in an uproar.
"My God! The Marquis of Anguo's mansion is so rich! I heard they have hundreds of thousands of taels of silver in cash alone!"
"That's not all! I heard there's also a silver mine! My God, isn't that like making money while lying down?"
"The Bai family's daughter is truly a golden treasure! Marrying one means you'll be set for life for generations!"
Amidst the discussions, this grand wedding became a topic of conversation in Beijing for the next few years.
Inside the bridal chamber, red candles burned brightly.
Su Jinyu gently lifted Bai Eryue's veil with her jade ruyi. Looking at Bai Eryue's beautiful face, which was both joyful and angry, under the candlelight, Su Jinyu felt her heart was filled to the brim.
"February."
He took her hand, placed it to his lips, and gently kissed it. "From now on, we are family."
Bai Eryue nodded shyly and whispered, "Brother Jinyu, I feel like I'm dreaming."
"This is not a dream."
Su Jinyu pulled her into his arms, rested his chin on the top of her head, and chuckled, "From now on, we'll walk the path of the Hanlin Academy together."
"We read the books at home together."
Our shared names will be recorded in history books.
"We will have a lifetime together."
He looked at the warm candlelight on the table, his eyes reflecting endless tenderness and contentment.
"In February, I prepared a wedding gift for you."
"What is it?"
Su Jinyu took out a thread-bound book from her sleeve and handed it to her.
Bai Eryue took it and saw five elegant characters written on the cover: "Eryue Collection".
She opened the book and found it filled with poems she had written in Liangzhou.
Each poem was handwritten by Su Jinyu, with detailed annotations and analyses written in vermilion ink.
"you......"
Bai Eryue was both surprised and delighted, and looked up at him.
“I have kept every poem you have written.”
Su Jinyu's gaze was so tender it could melt your heart. "In my heart, they are the best articles in the world."
"I want to compile them into a book so that the world will know how talented my wife is."
Bai Eryue could no longer hold back, and tears streamed down her face.
This time, however, it wasn't sadness, but rather a feeling of immense happiness and emotion.
"Brother Jinyu, you are so kind."
"Silly girl, stop crying."
Su Jinyu hurriedly wiped away her tears, gently coaxing her, "A moment of bliss on the night of passion is worth a thousand pieces of gold, we..."
"You can't just focus on reading."
His voice was slightly hoarse, which made Bai Eryue's face turn bright red instantly, like the sunset on the horizon.
The red candles burned warmly in the tent, and the night passed without a word.
The second daughter of the Marquis's family also began a happy new chapter in her life amidst everyone's blessings.
Good news comes in pairs, and not long after, good news also came from the residence of the eldest sister, Bai Yiyue.
She is pregnant.
This news filled the entire Marquis of Anguo's mansion with a new kind of joy.
Bai Lu was overjoyed and immediately sent people to deliver a large amount of tonics and experienced nannies.
As the most astute housekeeper in the family, Bai Sanyue personally took stock of the storeroom, selected a bunch of valuable and practical gifts, filled two large carts, and headed to her sister's residence in a grand procession.
"Miss!"
Before she even stepped inside, Bai Sanyue's clear and lively voice rang out, "I've come to see you and my little nephew!"
She rushed into the main hall and immediately saw Bai Yiyue sitting peacefully on the soft couch, her lower abdomen already slightly protruding.
She was wearing loose and comfortable clothes, and her usual aloof temperament was softened by maternal radiance, making her look extremely gentle.
Leng Bingnian sat beside her, carefully peeling walnuts for her with a focused expression.
However, there was still one person in the hall.
The man was wearing a royal blue brocade robe, with a fine jade pendant hanging at his waist.
He was sitting with his legs crossed, drinking tea. Who else could it be but the youngest son whom the Empress Dowager once doted on the most?
"Hey, speak of the devil and he appears."
As soon as the young prince saw Bai Sanyue, he immediately put down his teacup and a familiar smile appeared on his face. "I was just talking to Bingnian about who in the capital is the most like a little money-grubber, and here you are."
Bai Sanyue's eyes widened, and she immediately slammed the gift list in her hand onto the table.
"Young Prince, what are you saying? How could I be a miser? I'm just making long-term plans for my unborn nephew!"
She cleared her throat and read aloud, "Gift one: a piece of Hetian warm jade, which can be used as a peace buckle."
"Gift number two: two luminous pearls from the East China Sea, which my little nephew can use as marbles."
"Gift 3: Three prime shops in the south of the city, as an early education fund for my nephew."
"How about it?"
Leng Bingnian's eyes twitched when he heard this. These things added up to several thousand taels of silver. He quickly said, "Third Sister, the thought is enough. There's no need to spend so much."
Bai Yiyue, feeling both helpless and amused, pulled her sister's hand and said, "You should sit down and rest for a while."
"I'm already so busy with my own business, why am I worrying about these things?"
"How can that be done!"
Bai Sanyue sat down confidently, "The third generation of the Bai family must have a grand entrance!"
The young prince listened from the side and chuckled: "Listen to this, listen to this, he can't stop talking about business and pomp in three sentences."
"Bai Sanyue, besides abacuses and money, is there anything else in your head?"
"Of course it can fit!"
Without a second thought, Bai Sanyue retorted, "At least I have more substance than some idle princes who only know how to fight cocks and chase dogs!"
"What I'm carrying is profound knowledge for governing the world and benefiting the people!"
"puff--"
The young prince nearly spat out his tea. "Managing the world and benefiting the people?"
"You mean how to split a penny in half to spend it?"
"That's still better than you, Young Prince, spending an ounce of gold as if it were a penny!"
Bai Sanyue refused to give an inch.
The two exchanged barbs, their words sharp and witty. Bai Yiyue and Leng Bingnian glanced at each other, both seeing the habitual helplessness in each other's eyes.
These two were fine when they were young, but as they grew up, I don't know what got into them... It's been like this ever since they first met at a palace banquet a few years ago.
They're like fighting cocks from the moment they meet, and they won't stop until they've fought three hundred rounds.
But strangely enough, the two of them always managed to get along well!
Just as they were arguing heatedly, the young prince suddenly changed the subject, looked Bai Sanyue up and down, and curled his lip.
"Honestly, Bai Sanyue, all you do is either have an abacus in your hand or a stern face lecturing people. You're so fierce, who would dare to marry you in the future?"
His words were meant as a casual joke, carrying a touch of youthful exuberance and unbridled speech.
But to everyone's surprise, as soon as she finished speaking, Bai Sanyue, who had been as spirited as a little rooster, suddenly fell silent.
Her eyes immediately welled up with tears.
The young prince's smile froze.
Bai Yiyue also sensed something was wrong and quickly asked, "Sanyue, what's wrong?"
Bai Sanyue bit her lip, suddenly stood up, stubbornly refusing to let her tears fall.
No matter how shrewd and capable she is, she is still a young girl who has not yet reached adulthood.
A young woman's heart cannot withstand such blunt criticism.
"I...I'm just that fierce! Nobody wants me! It's none of your business!"
She left those words behind and turned to run away.
A single tear, unable to be held back, slid down the corner of her eye.
This completely panicked the young prince.
This was the first time in his life that he had made a girl cry, especially Bai Sanyue, the fearless and ruthless female devil.
"Hey, don't cry!"
He rushed forward, frantically blocking her path, "I...I didn't mean that! I was just joking!"
"Get out of the way!"
Bai Sanyue turned her head away, not wanting him to see her embarrassing state of tears.
"I won't let you!"
The young prince was so anxious that he scratched his head and cheeks. He, a prince, had never been so humble and coaxing before. "I was wrong, I was wrong, isn't that enough?"
"I'm foul-mouthed, I'm talking nonsense!"
"You're not fierce at all, you're just... you're incredibly intelligent and shrewd!"