Chapter 287: Donated a Hundred Household Position

Chapter 287: Donated a Hundred Household Position

"Sister-in-law, you’ve really gone above and beyond for this family and all of us," Cheng Qi was deeply moved by Lu Lingyun's magnanimity.

Hearing his words, Lu Lingyun's lips curled slightly.

Being a good person is pretty straightforward—just say the right things and don’t actually do anything.

Especially when it comes to handling thankless tasks among relatives, the biggest contribution is just flapping your lips.

If she actually got tangled up in their messy business, persuading Cheng Qi, Qin Shaojing, and Lady Qin... Lu Lingyun would end up being the most hated meddler in the Marquis's Mansion!

No one would give her an ounce of credit, and she would only attract hatred and annoyance, solving nothing.

As the lady of the house, aside from turning a blind eye, the most important thing is to talk more and do less!

All problems come from sticking your neck out.

Lu Lingyun lives by this ironclad rule, after all, virtues like kindness and diligence are just for show. If she actually believed in it and acted on it, she’d be a fool.

Lu Lingyun looked at the moved Cheng Qi, her gaze resting on him, "By the way, Uncle, why aren’t you at work today?"

"I’m embarrassed to say, but my uncle and aunt found me another position, waiting for the transfer order to come down, and then I will take up the post."

"Why be ashamed? What’s the new job?"

"It’s a Hundred Household position in the Imperial Guards."

"A sixth-rank position?"

"Yes," Cheng Qi said, his face showing a hint of shame.

He had already leaned heavily on the Cheng family for support, and now he wanted to marry Qin Shaojing. Lady Qin and the old Marquis wanted to make Qin Shaojing’s marriage more respectable, so they had arranged for him to secure a more prestigious official title.

A Hundred Household position in the Imperial Guards is a sixth-rank title, belonging to the Imperial City's garrison, overseeing two Imperial Guard units. Of course, this rank is more of an honorary title, not on par with the civil official ranks in the court.

Civil and military ranks have never been on equal footing.

Even so, securing a Hundred Household position in the Imperial Guards cost eight thousand taels of silver.

The Cheng family shelled out money, effort, and connections to secure a sixth-rank title for Cheng Qi, making him very ashamed.

If he didn’t know his low status, and that he couldn’t let Qin Shaojing marry such a shabby person, he wouldn’t have accepted it.

After hearing this, Lu Lingyun nodded with a smile, "Uncle, you have responsibility and ability, and you will surely rise to great heights in the future."

The old Marquis and Lady Qin spent so much money not for Cheng Qi, but for Qin Shaojing.

They wanted Qin Shaojing to marry more respectably, sparing no expense to pave the way for Cheng Qi with an official position, gilding him to look better.

They have gone to great lengths for Qin Shaojing.

"Thank you, sister-in-law," Cheng Qi became even more grateful.

Lu Lingyun casually comforted Cheng Qi a few more words, then left.

Cheng Qi watched Lu Lingyun's retreating figure, feeling even more moved.

His sister-in-law is really something special.

If he marries Qin Shaojing in the future, Qin Shaojing and Lu Lingyun would surely get along well at the Marquis's Mansion.

Thinking of this, Cheng Qi was filled with motivation.

He felt that the future looked very bright.

Lu Lingyun stopped concerning herself with the Cheng family's affairs. With the old Marquis Qin and Lady Qin making arrangements for Qin Shaojing and Cheng Qi, it seemed that Qin Shaojing's situation was temporarily settled.

Though it wasn't said outright, it was quietly understood in the mansion that once Cheng Qi's official position was secured, formal marriage talks would begin.

Meanwhile, Tong Nanxia's marriage was fully settled, and Lu Lingyun had been visiting the Tong family frequently these days.

"Duke Zhao's household is really extravagant!"

Tong Nanyuan brought Lu Lingyun to see the betrothal gifts from Duke Zhao's household.

The betrothal gifts alone came to one hundred and twenty-eight loads, each one heavy and packed. The dowry list was even longer.

Things like Persian long wool carpets, large purple sandalwood carved dragon desks, three-foot tall ancient bronze tripods, mother-of-pearl nanmu cabinets, several large chests packed with masterpieces of calligraphy and painting, gold and silver jade artifacts, jewelry, and silk brocades... the list went on.

Far more lavish than the betrothal gifts Lu Lingyun got from the Marquis's Mansion.

The Duke's household's wealth and heritage were clear.

Even Tong Nanyuan, used to seeing grand things, couldn't help but be amazed by these lavish betrothal gifts.

"The Duke's household is prestigious, so the betrothal gifts are naturally extraordinary."

Tong Nanxia came out then, "Cousin, third sister."

"Congratulations, Nanxia," Lu Lingyun said with a faint smile.

Tong Nanxia seemed to have changed a lot since she fell into the water. Once timid and self-deprecating, always keeping her head down, she now dared to lift her head, her eyes carrying a hint of aloofness and a touch of cold sharpness.

"If there's anything you like, feel free to pick," Tong Nanxia said to them. "I'll give them to you."

"These are your betrothal gifts, how could we take them?" Tong Nanyuan said.

"It's fine, they're just material things," Tong Nanxia didn't seem to care much.

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun stepped forward and took her hand, "Nanxia, grandmother and second aunt have told me that your betrothal gifts will remain untouched and will be sent with you. They won't take a single item. Since it's far from Jinling, preparing the dowry is difficult for now. Second aunt said she will provide a portion from her side as dowry, and I will also add some for you."

"I don't value these things much."

Lu Lingyun continued, "You are marrying into the Duke's household, and you will be the mistress of a high-ranking family. Money and dowry are your foundation. If you don't value these, how can you expect others to value you?"

Tong Nanxia fell silent upon hearing this.

"Money for security is not vulgar. With sufficient wealth, people will respect you. If you can't hold onto your wealth, you can't hold onto people's respect for you."

"I understand, cousin," Tong Nanxia lifted her head, her eyes filled with determination.

Lu Lingyun smiled at her and had the items she prepared brought in. Together with what Lady Qin had added, they made up a load of dowry as an additional gift for Tong Nanxia.

The three of them carefully went through the dowry list in the courtyard, and as they did, Tong Nanxia's eyes gained more spirit.

As evening approached and Lu Lingyun was about to leave, Lu Kuan arrived.

"Kuan, why are you here?" Lu Lingyun was pleasantly surprised to see Lu Kuan.

"Big sister," Lu Kuan greeted Lu Lingyun with a smile, "I came to bring some things to our uncle's household."

Behind Lu Kuan, servants brought in dozens of beautifully wrapped gifts.

"These are all from our parents, sent as wedding gifts for cousin Nan Xia," Lu Kuan explained.

Since Nan Xia is marrying into the Duke's household, not only did Lu Lingyun benefit, but the Lu Family also benefited from some distant connections.

The Tong family was the family of Lu's father's first wife. After her death, the ties became distant, but Madam Liu wasn't about to let such a good opportunity slip by.

Even if it was just by using Lu Lingyun's name a little, she made sure to send some gifts to the Tong family.

You never know, they might be useful later on.

"Father and mother said these are all in your name, as gifts from you to cousin Nan Xia."

Lu Lingyun was silent for a moment.

She nodded and said, "Alright."

Just then, Tong Nanyuan, who had been trailing behind Lu Lingyun, looked up and asked, "Big sister, who is he?"

"This is my younger brother, Lu Kuan."

"Nice to meet you, cousin," Tong Nanyuan bowed to Lu Kuan.