Chapter 076: Who Wants to Share Her Glory?

Chapter 076: Who Wants to Share Her Glory?

Soon, the news that Ruan Qinghuan had been awarded the title of First-Rank Noblewoman spread to the Ruan family. Zhou Yunzhi was moved to tears upon hearing the news, and the elder matriarch praised Ruan Qinghuan for being fortunate. The main branch of the family was delighted, but the second branch was shrouded in gloom.

"Mother, what great fortune has Ruan Qinghuan had? She's been granted the title of Noblewoman as soon as she returned to the capital," said Ruan Xiaoyue, unable to continue her embroidery and angrily tossing the pattern into a basket.

It was well known that the Prime Minister hadn't wanted to marry her in the first place.

Ruan Xiaorou tried to console her: "It's a good thing that our elder cousin has been awarded the title. Our family benefits from her glory too."

"What do you know? Who wants to share her glory?" Ruan Xiaoyue glared at her sister. "Are you out of your mind or just plain stupid? With this title, Ruan Qinghuan will only become more arrogant and might even trample on us."

"She wouldn't do that. Elder cousin isn't that kind of person."

Ruan Xiaoyue, still angry, stood up to confront her sister. "Am I your sister, or is she? You always take other people's side." She then pushed Ruan Xiaorou onto the chair.

Ruan Xiaorou looked pitifully at her mother.

Zheng Qiaohui, feeling annoyed, intervened: "Enough, why are you so angry with your sister? You'll be married soon enough. The Pei family has a military background, after all; I've heard that the grandfather was once a second-rank general."

Ruan Xiaoyue remained silent.

Without the He family for comparison, the Pei family would indeed be a good match. She had thought that He An would never marry Ruan Qinghuan, but after two years, he suddenly decided to propose.

She had assumed that even if Ruan Qinghuan entered the Prime Minister’s household, she would be unhappy. Yet, within a year, Ruan Qinghuan had been awarded the title of First-Rank Noblewoman. Ruan Xiaoyue grew angrier as she thought about it; how could a first-rank official and the commander of the South Camp of the fourth-rank city defense army be compared?

Ruan Xiaorou echoed her mother's words: "Yes, sister, Young General Pei is talented and handsome, with a good family background..."

"Enough, I don't want to hear your nonsense."

Ruan Xiaorou lowered her head in silence.

At that moment, Pei Wen arrived. Ruan Xiaoyue, changing her expression after taking a couple of deep breaths, managed a smile and said, "Please come in."

Zheng Qiaohui shook her head and led her younger daughter out.

Pei Wen, dressed in a lotus-colored gown with a pink ribbon around her waist and a smile in her eyes that carried a hint of arrogance, took a seat. "Xiaoyue sister, there's a blessing ceremony and fireworks display in the south of the city tonight. Do you want to go?"

Ruan Xiaoyue, lacking interest, said, "I don't want to."

The blessing ceremony and fireworks display were held to celebrate the resolution of the flooding and bandit issues in Lu City, but she had no desire to see Ruan Qinghuan being adored by the people.

Pei Wen wasn't really there to invite her for a stroll. Noticing Ruan Xiaoyue’s lack of interest, she shifted the conversation. "I heard your elder cousin was awarded the title of First-Rank Noblewoman, but in the end, isn't she benefiting from the Prime Minister’s influence? Otherwise, as a daughter of a merchant, how could she deserve such an honor?"

Seeing Ruan Xiaoyue's face darken, Pei Wen feigned sympathy and added, "Who doesn't know that the Prime Minister didn't want to marry her in the first place? It was only because of the generous dowry from the Ruan family that Madam He took an interest in her."

Ruan Xiaoyue, feeling that it was unfair, thought, it's not fair. The Ruan family has so many businesses, and yet everything is controlled by the main branch.

Pei Wen continued, "Xiaoyue sister, you need to think ahead and make plans for yourself."

Ruan Xiaoyue nodded glumly. But how easy was it to make plans?

After Pei Wen left, Zheng Qiaohui came in. "What did you talk about? Did she mention when the Pei family will send the betrothal gifts?"

Ruan Xiaoyue shook her head.

"How could you forget to ask about something so important?" Zheng Qiaohui frowned. Ruan Xiaoyue had been too distracted to remember to ask.

Ever since the engagement was set, Zheng Qiaohui had been waiting for the Pei family to come and deliver the betrothal gifts. The Pei family, after all, was a distinguished family of merit, so the gifts couldn’t be too shabby. Ruan Qinghuan had been delayed by the He family for two whole years, and Zheng Qiaohui intended to show the main branch of the Ruan family just how sought-after their Xiao Yue was.

"Mother."

Zheng Qiaohui snapped out of her reverie, "What is it?"

Ruan Xiaoyue hesitated, "When Ruan Qinghuan got married, they gave twenty thousand taels of silver, not counting the furniture, shops, and estates. But the other day, I overheard Grandmother say that when I get married, they’ll only give five thousand taels, three shops, and two estates. This is clearly unfair."

This topic upset Zheng Qiaohui as well, but what could be done?

The Ruan family’s business had been built up with the help of Zhou Yunzhi’s natal family. Now, all the assets were in the hands of the main branch, and there was nothing they could do about it.

Still, these dowries were not insignificant. After all, many high-ranking officials' families might not even be able to offer such a large amount of real silver.

Zheng Qiaohui comforted her daughter, "As for the dowry, I’ll talk to your grandmother again tomorrow to see if we can add a bit more. But don’t dwell on this too much. Once you marry into the Pei family and become the main wife, you must take control of the household. Understand?"

This had been a lifelong regret for Zheng Qiaohui. Ever since she married into the Ruan family, she had lived a life of dependence. If she hadn’t given birth to Qingchi, a son, her life would have been even harder.

So, her greatest hope was that Ruan Xiaoyue would become the mistress of the household.

Upon returning to the capital, the emperor granted He An five days of leave. He An took full advantage of his time off and kept Ruan Qinghuan up late into the night.

He An, however, woke up early. Seeing his wife’s slightly angry expression in her sleep, his lips curled up involuntarily. He leaned in and gently kissed her lips. One kiss wasn’t enough, so he pulled her into his arms.

Ruan Qinghuan murmured and nestled unconsciously into his embrace. At this point, merely holding her wasn’t enough anymore.

As a result, Ruan Qinghuan, who had only fallen asleep for a short while, was awakened again by him. The morning light was blocked by the bed curtains, but it couldn’t hide the amorous atmosphere in the room. Just as things were heating up, there was a knock on the door. It was Chen Po.

"Master, Madam, the Mistress requests your presence in the front courtyard. She has something to discuss."

He An replied, "Understood."

Ruan Qinghuan covered her mouth, afraid to make a sound, but He An deliberately teased her, causing her face to flush red with nervousness.

On the first day back home, they had overslept. It was already late in the morning, and she hadn’t gone to greet her mother-in-law yet. Frustrated, Ruan Qinghuan pushed him away, "We woke up so late. I wonder what people will say about us."

"Don’t worry; Mother has already excused you from morning greetings. I don’t think it’s anything major."

Ruan Qinghuan: "..."

By the time they got out of bed, an hour had passed. With sore legs and a tense mood, Ruan Qinghuan felt like hitting him a couple of times.

After a quick bath, the two went to the front courtyard, where they saw the servants moving things out. He An was puzzled, "Is Mother going on a trip again?"

In the past, whenever his parents went on outings, it was always like this.

Meng Suqiu beamed, "I won’t be able to go out as freely anymore. I’ll be staying at home to keep Zimo company."

Just as she said this, the little guy ran over excitedly, proudly displaying a dragonfly he had caught, "Grandmother, look, I caught a dragonfly."

"Zimo is amazing." The usually quiet house immediately became lively with the child around. Meng Suqiu’s heart melted as she had slept beside him the previous night.

When Meng Suqiu finished speaking, He An was still confused, "If you’re not going out, then..."

Meng Suqiu’s expression changed, as if she had become a different person. Her face turned cold, "You two were away in Lu City for months. Now that you’re back, of course, you need to report your safe return to your in-laws' family."

Her eyes shifted as she spoke, "I know you’re both busy, but I’ve already prepared the gifts. Please check if there’s anything else you need to add."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Qinghuan’s face turned red. He An, on the other hand, remained unfazed, "Thank you, Mother."

As the two were about to reach the door, Meng Suqiu remembered something and called them back, "I heard that Ruan Qinghuan’s cousin has become engaged to the Pei family. I’ve prepared a gift and have already instructed Xia Lian."