Chapter 615: Wondering If It Will Be Easy to Get Along

Chapter 615: Wondering If She’ll Be Easy to Live With

The imperial decree betrothing Qing An to Yu Yongliu was soon issued, causing a stir in the court.

Yu Yongliu was a highly coveted figure among officials, and now, without any fanfare, he had landed in the Prince of Ying’s household? Rumor had it that Yu Yongliu himself had personally sought His Majesty’s approval for the marriage!

Many were consumed by envy—some jealous of the Prince of Ying’s household, while others envied Yu Yongliu.

After all, Qing An was a full-fledged princess!

It was well known that marrying a princess meant the husband could not participate in politics and would at most hold a nominal position in court. However, marrying a noble-born lady (junzhu) didn’t carry those restrictions, as the husband of a junzhu could still hold important court positions!

For someone like Yu Yongliu, the Newly Appointed Top Scholar who had achieved the rare feat of topping all six imperial examinations, his future in the court was undoubtedly boundless. Marrying a junzhu would not hinder his career; on the contrary, with the support of the Prince of Ying—a royal father-in-law favored by the emperor—his rise was all but assured!

When the decree arrived at the Yu residence, Bai Xiaofeng was completely dumbfounded.

Wei Pozi joyfully handed a thick red envelope to the eunuch delivering the decree, saying it was a token of thanks.

The eunuch beamed widely: “Congratulations, madam. Your family is truly fortunate, blessed with one joyous occasion after another. I wish I could visit more often to share in your good fortune.”

Wei Pozi couldn’t stop smiling.

The neighbors in Wuyi Alley (a prestigious neighborhood) grew even more envious.

A few families had purchased residences in Wuyi Alley at high prices after Yu Yongliu became the top scholar, hoping to become neighbors with the Yu family and share in their good fortune.

Now, seeing the Yu family receive another imperial decree with such jubilation, they were overjoyed, convinced their investment paid off.

If nothing else, witnessing such imperial proclamations a few more times and absorbing some imperial favor might just bring good fortune to their own households, right?

Amidst the shared joy, Yu Yongliu was still at work and not present. After seeing off the eunuchs, the Yu family members congratulated Bai Xiaofeng and Yu Erhu one after another.

Yu Erhu grinned awkwardly: “I still feel like this isn’t real. A high-born lady like her marrying into our family?”

Everyone broke into laughter.

The women of the Yu family also congratulated Bai Xiaofeng.

They all knew how much Bai Xiaofeng had been eager for a daughter-in-law, and now her wish had come true!

Yet Bai Xiaofeng was overjoyed yet anxious.

Her joy stemmed from her son finding such an excellent match.

Her worry, however, was also because her son had found such an excellent match.

She pulled Li Chunhua aside anxiously: “…This daughter-in-law’s rank is so lofty—a princess! I wonder if she’ll be easy to live with.”

Wei Pozi tutted and shot Bai Xiaofeng a look: “Didn’t we meet the Prince of Ying’s consort and the princess back when we were at the estate? I even said then that the consort was down-to-earth and treated us with great warmth. Second daughter-in-law, let me tell you—I think the princess is a wonderful young lady. Liu Ge’er once hinted to me that he pulled strings to ask His Majesty for this marriage. Don’t you dare act high-and-mighty in front of her! Back when our family was struggling, I, as the mother-in-law, never made life difficult for any of my daughters-in-law. Now that times are better, you’re not allowed to flex your authority either!”

Bai Xiaofeng smacked her knee: “Mother, what are you saying? Do you really think I’m that kind of person?”

Truthfully, she did feel a tiny pang of regret—with such a high-ranking daughter-in-law, she couldn’t exactly assert her authority as a mother-in-law. But compared to that insignificant regret, her son landing such a catch was far more important!

Bai Xiaofeng’s internal conflict lasted only a moment.

Then, belatedly, it dawned on her: “Wait—when the Prince of Ying’s wife and Qing An visited our estate back then, were they actually inspecting our family?”

She hastily touched her hair: “I—I didn’t do anything improper back then, did I?”

Seeing Bai Xiaofeng’s frantic demeanor, everyone couldn’t help but laugh.

The Yu home echoed with laughter.

...

The Yu family had been blessed with one happy event after another, and soon the marriage of the second son, Yu Yongbai, to Gong Qingniang was upon them.

During the betrothal ceremony, loads of betrothal gifts were carried into Gong Qingniang’s small courtyard. She briskly instructed her people to store them all in the 120-piece dowry set she had prepared for herself. The specially customized oversized rosewood dowry chests were stuffed full.

Somehow, the Gong family caught wind that Gong Qingniang was to marry into the Yu family. They were thrilled and rushed to her courtyard, trying to guilt-trip her, insisting they were still family after all. If Gong Qingniang married without any relatives to give her away, they argued, she would be treated like dirt by the Yu household.

“That’s right, Qingniang! A woman without her natal family’s support after marriage will definitely be bullied!”

“Exactly! You’re in trade and out there flaunting yourself—sooner or later, the Yu family will look down on you. At least we are your natal family!”

Gong Qingniang responded with a cold laugh.

Expecting the Gong family to support her?

If the Gong family didn’t bleed her dry, that would already be a blessing—how could they possibly support her?

She had gone through so much effort just to cut all ties with that despicable Gong family. There was no way she’d let them leech off her again!

Gong Qingniang’s gaze turned icy as she scanned the faces of the Gong family members before her.

When she left the Gong family, she hadn’t been ruthless. She only took the shops she had earned over the years. The pitiful little pawnshop—the Gong family’s last remaining property—she left behind for them.

That shop, if managed properly, might not bring great wealth, but at the very least it could ensure the family wouldn’t go hungry.

But judging from the gaunt and sallow faces and their dirty clothes, Gong Qingniang could easily guess what they'd been reduced to lately.

She looked away in disgust.

Even if the Gong family starved to death, it had nothing to do with her.

“Drive them all out!” she ordered her servants.

The Gong family members were stunned. “You—you heartless wretch! If your father saw how you're treating your family now, he’d die of shame all over again!”

Gong Qingniang gave a cold, mocking smirk. “Fine then, go tell my father. Let him come haunt me.”

She sneered. “I’d love to see if he even has the face to confront me!”

Unmoved, Gong Qingniang remained firm, and the Gong family had no choice but to slink away, driven out by the servants.

However, they refused to give up. After some discussion, they actually began camping out near the Yu residence.

Whether by coincidence or not, Xingxing happened to cross paths with them when she went out to visit Lou Ruhui. They intercepted her carriage, posing as relatives of the Yu family.