Tianliangyuan

Chapter 346 This girl is trying to scam my dowry!

Xu Zhaozhao prepared a considerable dowry for Dingxiang.

For ordinary people, the most tangible benefits, besides money, are land and houses.

Xu Zhaozhao instructed Xu Zhuzi to purchase twenty acres of land for Dingxiang, which she would then transfer to Dingxiang's name as part of her dowry. She also provided a house in Yongningfang. In this way, Dingxiang would have both land and a house.

The laws of the Daxing Dynasty stipulate that after a woman marries, she can dispose of her dowry at her own discretion, and her family members have no right to interfere. If they divorce, the woman can take her dowry with her and leave. If she is abandoned, it depends on the circumstances.

Xu Zhaozhao's actions ensured that Dingxiang would have food and shelter for the rest of her life and wouldn't have to live on the streets.

As for money, Dingxiang had saved some herself, and Xu Zhaozhao gave her twenty strings of cash as a bottom-line guarantee. In addition, some jewelry was also prepared for her.

Lilac is grateful.

The other servants were naturally envious when they saw that their master had prepared such a generous dowry for a maid's wedding. They were even more determined to do their jobs well so that they could show their faces in front of their master in the future.

In the Brocade Garden, the news that the head maidservant of the Crown Prince's wife was getting married could not be kept secret.

Moreover, this was a joyous occasion, and Xu Zhaozhao had no intention of hiding it.

When Madam Lin heard that Xu Zhaozhao had even provided Dingxiang with a house as part of her dowry, she immediately felt as if she had heard something unbelievable.

"Do you think Xu Zhaozhao has lost her mind? How expensive are houses in the capital? A mansion costs at least five hundred strings of cash. Is she so rich that she doesn't know what to do with her money?"

Xie Xiaowei glared at her and said, "What are you saying!"

"You're the aunt, how can you talk like that? Besides, whatever Xu Zhaozhao gives as dowry, that's her property. And Xu Zhaozhao is rich, you know that. It's her own money, she can spend it however she wants, what business is it of yours? As for the generous dowry, that just means the girl is loyal and serves well!"

If you're unhappy about this, then you should also provide a generous dowry for your head maids. Your niece-in-law didn't spend your money, so what are you complaining about?

Madam Lin stomped her feet in anger: "How can you talk like that! That's five hundred strings of cash, not five hundred coins! No matter how rich Xu Zhaozhao is, are all the maids and servants around her going to receive such a generous dowry in the future?"

Xie Xiaowei repeated his previous statement: "What's it to you?"

Regarding Dingxiang's marriage, Xu Zhaozhao sent someone back to inform Wang Ruolan. When the servant returned, he brought a box, saying it was a dowry gift from the madam for Miss Dingxiang.

When the box was opened, inside was a pair of silver bracelets engraved with lotus blossoms, symbolizing a harmonious and happy life for the young couple.

Xu Zhaozhao smiled and gave the things to Dingxiang. When Dingxiang saw them, she started crying again.

These silver bracelets are quite heavy; if pawned, they could provide enough for a family of three to live on for more than half a year.

Jewelry and hairpins are things that women can keep with them.

These things make people feel safer than money.

Because if her husband treats her badly in the future, even if she is divorced, she can still take these things with her.

Unlike some businesses that might be forcibly retained by the husband's family, families with any sense of shame generally wouldn't sell a woman's jewelry, clothing, or other valuables.

It was at this moment that Xu Zhaozhao understood why most women throughout history have loved jewelry, because these things are not only beautiful, but also give them a certain sense of security.

Xu Zhaozhao took Dingxiang with her to pay their respects to the old lady.

"Grandmother, this is my head maid, Dingxiang. She will be getting married soon, so I brought her here today to kowtow to you."

Who made Xu Zhaozhao a member of the Xie family now?

Therefore, although Dingxiang was her servant, she still had to go through the motions to avoid anyone gossiping behind her back.

When the old lady saw Dingxiang kneel down, she smiled and said, "Get up quickly. When I first met her, I thought she was a beautiful girl with a good temperament. I didn't expect her to get married so soon. Which family is she betrothed to?"

"Grandmother, Xu is one of my stewards, named Xu Zhuzi. He currently works at Baiweixuan Restaurant in the East Market."

"Oh, I know this place. I've never been there, but I've heard that this is the best food there."

As the old lady spoke, she gave a thumbs up: "I've heard that many of these dishes are ones I've never even heard of elsewhere. There's only one drawback: they're expensive!"

Xu Zhaozhao laughed along, "Grandma's words are pointing at me! Alright, let's wait until you and Second Aunt are in a good mood, then we'll go there together and try it. We'll just order the most expensive dishes!"

His words made everyone burst into laughter.

Mrs. Yu was also very pleased. This niece-in-law had a really good personality, and she was also generous with her money and wouldn't be stingy with it.

Most importantly, Xu Zhaozhao was not only generous with all expenses at Jinxiu Garden, but also sent the old lady and her with top-quality items. Even as a daughter-in-law, she was doing quite well.

The old lady was pleased with Xu Zhaozhao and was willing to give her face.

Since Dingxiang had come over to kowtow to her, she naturally had to reciprocate in kind.

She wouldn't give more, after all, she was just a servant.

"I remember there's also a silver necklace. Go and fetch it. Dingxiang is a fair-skinned girl; she'll look beautiful wearing it."

"Yes, old lady."

Not wanting to stand idly by, Madam Yu casually pulled a jade hairpin from her hair. It was of average quality and simple in workmanship; she estimated it would be worth seven or eight strings of cash at a pawnshop.

Dingxiang came over and earned herself two dowry items, which terrified her.

After the old lady dismissed the man, she pointed at Xu Zhaozhao and said, "You little rascal, you're deliberately trying to scam your daughter Dingxiang out of her dowry, aren't you? Let me make this clear: if anyone you marry in the future, don't even think about coming to kowtow to me. They're too expensive!"

Xu Zhaozhao and Madam Yu exchanged a glance and then laughed.

“Grandmother, what are you saying! In the future, when other people around me get married, they all have to come and show themselves to you. I’ll make sure you loosen your grip and let a little bit of the money slip through the crack, so that the two of them can live a life of plenty.”

This was obviously a joke, and nobody took it seriously.

The next day, Xu Zhaozhao did not come to pay her respects, but went to the Hundred Fruit Garden. Later that afternoon, someone delivered something to her.

“Reporting to Madam, I am Xu Degui, the manager of Baiguoyuan. I am here on my master’s orders to bring you and the Second Madam some things.”

Ms. Kobayashi was also there, and she immediately became unhappy.

If it's a gift, why is she the only one who didn't receive one?

The old lady was so curious that she didn't even notice Xiao Linshi and was still in the mood for jokes.

"What did they send over? If it's not something good, I don't want it!"