Chapter 18

After Wan Xing intermittently looked into it for several days, Lin Wei Xi finally pieced together the truth about her dowry.

Last year when Gao Xi died of illness, the Prince Yan Residence had a flourishing business, so they naturally wouldn’t covet their daughter-in-law’s dowry. Therefore, Gao Xi’s entire dowry had been handed back to the Duke Ying Residence completely intact. That was when the Duke Ying Residence came up with the idea of ​​marrying another Gao daughter into the Prince Yan Residence along with a very generous dowry. In the end, the Duke Ying Shizi and Gu Cheng Yao reached a consensus to have Gao Ran marry him as the second wife. The Duke Ying Residence was overjoyed at the turn of events, at the same time they transferred all of Gao Xi’s dowry to Gao Ran, even setting aside some silver as protection money for her in order to win her over.

Gao Xi was the eldest di granddaughter of the Duke Residence, so her dowry was considerably large. She was also her mother Wei Shi’s only child. With Wei Shi’s dowry plus the dowry prepared by Duke Ying Residence, combined with what Princess Royal Shou Kang had secretly supplemented, it was easy to imagine Gao Xi’s fortune.

In the end, Gao Xi died of illness without leaving behind any children. If the daughter-in-law had no children, the dowry had to be returned to her maiden family. At that time, Gao Ran’s remarriage had already been set in stone. If the Duke Ying Lady wanted to win over the in-laws of the Prince Yan Residence, Gao Ran’s attitude was very important. Hence, the Duke Ying Lady bled money and transferred almost all of Gao Xi’s dowry to Gao Ran, adding four new sets of head ornaments to it. However, Gao Xi’s dowry also contained Wei Shi’s things. If Wei Shi was an ordinary daughter-in-law, the Duke Ying Lady could call the shots as the mother-in-law, but Wei Shi was a Princess’s daughter, which made things somewhat complicated.

Wei Shi had been dead for many years and she had only one daughter, so her entire dowry should rightfully have been inherited by Gao Xi, and her maiden family had no right to take it. The problem was that Gao Xi had also passed away at a young age without having any children. The Duke Ying Residence was very apprehensive when handling Gao Xi’s inheritance. Although Princess Royal Shou Kang had no heir and the family was in decline, as long as she was still alive, she was still a member of the imperial family and the grandaunt of the current emperor. The decline of the Princess Residence was the imperial family’s business. If outsiders refused to give face to the Princess, then they’d be at odds with the imperial family.

The Duke Ying Residence still had misgivings about this senior princess, but could only politely pass on the word to the Princess Residence and ask how Princess Royal Shou Kang planned to handle Gao Xi’s and even Wei Shi’s dowry.

Princess Royal Shou Kang had enjoyed the benefits of imperial worship her entire life. When she opened her own bank account, she didn’t have to suffer from her mother-in-law or sister-in-law’s disapproval. Her belongings were nothing more than worldly possessions, and there wasn’t anything she was particularly obsessed with. Although the Princess Residence where Shou Kang lived bore her seal, the Princess Residence would be taken back by the imperial family after she died and be awarded to another Princess after renovation. It had nothing to do with the Princess’s Husband or his family. Princess Royal Shou Kang didn’t have a son, and her huge family property would be returned to the national treasury after death, so with regards to her daughter’s dowry, she didn’t consider it as important compared to what an ordinary person might.

If this was an ordinary shu daughter, after Gao Xi’s death, Wei Shi’s dowry would’ve been inherited by her, even if she had no relation with Wei Shi or Princess Royal Shou Kang. But Gao Ran was Han Shi’s daughter, the culprit who’d killed Wei Shi in the first place. How could Princess Royal Shou Kang let this group of sluts have such an easy life? After receiving the letter, Princess Royal Shou Kang sneered, immediately ignored the face of her in-laws, and ordered the Residence steward to go to the Duke Ying Residence. She didn’t care how much dowry the Duke Residence planned to give to Gao Ran, but they had to return every little bit of Wei Shi’s things and what she’d prepared for her granddaughter Gao Xi.

After so many years, the Princess Residence had taken back the dowry of their married daughter. This was a huge slap in the face. The wealthy and influential households valued face the most, and by doing so, Princess Royal Shou Kang had thrown the Duke Ying Residence’s face to the ground and stepped on it in front of the entire capital. The Duke Ying Lady was furious beyond words, but the other party was the Gu family, and they were the most noble family in the nation. The Duke Ying Lady suffered terribly, but she didn’t dare do anything to Princess Royal Shou Kang except privately scold her in front of her son and daughter-in-law. Now that the in-laws of the two houses had become enemies, the Duke Ying Lady coldly decided to secretly spread rumours about the goings-on in the Princess Residence. They were the dignified Duke Ying Residence. How could the Gao family not be able to afford a dowry when marrying off their daughters?

So the dowry that the Duke Ying Residence had prepared for Gao Xi was used as Gao Ran’s dowry, plus some additional clothes for all four seasons and gold and silver jewellery. Of course, the dowry wasn’t bad, but compared to others in the capital, it was only at the level of an ordinary noble daughter. There were as many noble families in the capital as there were dogs, with too many noble women from influential family backgrounds trying to marry up. Gao Xi’s dowry was astronomical in the eyes of the ordinary people, but to women of the same status, it was the standard.

Wei Shi was the only daughter, and Gao Xi was also her only daughter, and the accumulation of three generations of dowry couldn’t be underestimated. Gao Ran didn’t have the financial support of her mother’s family, and could only rely on the mediocre dowry prepared by the Duke Ying Residence. After all, the Duke Ying Residence had many children. Even if Gao Ran married up, she was also no more than a married daughter. How could she compare with the Duke Residence’s son and grandson? However, if she could get her hands on the financial power of the Prince Yan Residence, then it was another matter. No matter how great her family background was, it couldn’t be compared to the imperial family’s riches and honour. The day when they could be compared would most likely be the day their family was exterminated.

When Lin Wei Xi learned that her mother Wei Shi’s dowry and the land deed that her grandmother had secretly given to her had been taken back by the Princess Residence, she breathed a sigh of relief. That was good; the dowry given to her by the Duke Ying Residence was the private property of the Gao family. She had nothing to say and didn’t really care if they chose to hand over her dowry to Gao Ran. However, Gao Ran couldn’t be allowed to dip her fingers into the remnants of her mother Wei Shi no matter what.

His mother’s keepsakes and grandmother’s things hadn’t fallen into Gao Ran’s hands. Lin Wei Xi was extremely happy, and for a few days, she was extremely spirited at the good news. She even looked kindly at Gao Ran. It seemed that what Gao Ran received was far inferior than what she herself had received for her dowry. Lin Wei Xi seemed deeply regretful on the outside but was in fact extremely delighted.

Thinking back to Gao Ran flaunting her wealth a few days ago, Lin Wei Xi felt it ridiculous. The entire evening, Lin Wei Xi looked at Gao Ran with an indescribable smile, glancing at her from time to time. Lin Wei Xi didn’t try to conceal her actions, and Gao Ran felt a little upset for some reason; even Gu Cheng Yao shot several glances at Lin Wei Xi.

Halfway through the meal, Lin Wei Xi stopped moving her chopsticks, poking her rice. After Gu Hui Yan stopped eating, she immediately set her chopsticks on the table. Because she’d put the chopsticks down too quickly, Gu Hui Yan looked at her, “Eat properly and don’t make so much noise.”

Lin Wei Xi refused to obey, “Who is making so much noise?”

When all the servants in the room heard this, they were dumbfounded, and even Gu Cheng Yao could barely keep his composure at the unexpected situation. Miss Lin was a very special existence in the residence. No matter who they offended, they couldn’t offend Miss Lin.

Sure enough, Gu Hui Yan didn’t care when faced with this kind of contradiction. Instead, he changed the topic and talked about something else, “Your mourning period will end in May. There isn’t much time left. Is everything ready?”

Lin Wei Xi pursed her lip. She didn’t answer, and instead looked at Gu Hui Yan, “Must I end my mourning period in the Prince Yan Residence?”

Gu Yan Hui looked at her gently, “What else do you suggest?”

Those who were listening by the side couldn’t stand it. Prince Yan had taken the initiative to arrange Miss Lin’s filial mourning matters, but she was actually reluctant? Gao Ran’s expression wasn’t very good. Lin Wei Xi was really too pretentious, and Prince Yan too. Why spoil this kind of unreasonable and pretentious woman? But with Gu Hui Yan bringing it up like this, and Gu Cheng Yao, who was sitting next to her, having no opposition, Gao Ran could only smile and agree, “Coming out from one’s filial mourning is a major event. If Miss Lin can end her mourning period in the Prince Yan Residence, then it’s truly fate that has brought her to us. I’ve never managed such an event before, so if anything is unsatisfactory, may Miss Lin please forgive me.”

Gao Ran had buried a nail within her words. What she said was polite, but no one expected Lin Wei Xi to actually respond, “Since Shizi Fei has never managed weddings and funerals before, let’s just forget it. Ending my mourning period isn’t a major event anyway. I can arrange it myself, so there’s no need for Shizi Fei to learn.”

The atmosphere turned awkward as soon as the words left her mouth. Gao Ran didn’t expect Lin Wei Xi to criticize her polite words. Her lips stiffened, and she could only justify herself, “Although I’m young, I’ve been guided by my grandmother at home and have handled several major events. Since Miss Lin is our distinguished guest living in the residence. How can we let you, the guest, prepare the ending of your morning period by yourself?”

“Why is it out of the question? I’m the only one left in the Lin family. If I hadn’t met His Highness Prince Yan, is there anything I wouldn’t have done by myself?” Speaking until there, Lin Wei Xi glanced to the side. She dared to directly confront Gao Ran, but didn’t dare disregard Gu Hui Yan’s face. Frankly speaking, the right to decide this was still up to Gu Hui Yan. Seeing his calm expression that didn’t betray his emotions, Lin Wei Xi felt an invisible pressure and cleverly flattered him, “It’s because I have an affinity with His Highness Prince Yan, not the Prince Yan Residence. It makes no sense to ask the Prince Yan Residence to help me end my mourning period. Your Highness Prince Yan, do you agree?”

“What do you mean by no affinity?” Gu Hui Yan looked amiably at Lin Wei Xi, but the words he said were completely different, “Is there a difference between the Prince Yan Residence and I?”

“Of course there’s a difference. You are Prince Yan, but the Prince Yan Residence is a family title conferred by the imperial court. If other people in the Residence provoke me, I will certainly ignore it, but if it is you Prince Yan, as long as you ask for it, I will sacrifice myself for you without hesitation.”

Gu Hui Yan finally laughed, glancing softly at Lin Wei Xi, “You really know how to talk.”

Lin Wei Xi knew there was still hope when she heard this, “Then is this how this matter will be concluded?”

“Up to you.”

Lin Wei Xi immediately beamed, and remembered to turn to Gao Ran, “Although the guest usually complies with the host, it is better not to inconvenience you if I can. Shizi Fei doesn’t have to worry about learning. His Highness Prince Yan has agreed that I will deal with it myself.”

Even at such a time, she still didn’t forget to bring him up. Gu Hui Yan felt helpless and found it funny. This little girl’s mind was too different for him to understand. He was used to being surrounded by blood-stained military reports or cold-blooded imperial conflicts. Suddenly being dragged into scheming against his own children by a little girl felt as if he was being infected by another person’s anger. Although weak and trivial, this feeling wasn’t bad at all.

Gao Ran and Gu Cheng Yao sat together, and when Lin Wei Xi glanced at Gao Ran, Gu Cheng Yao naturally saw it. Both his upbringing and childhood experience told him that he should like gentle and generous women, and he’d also thought so for all these years. Lin Wei Xi ran counter to his expectations of female virtues. He thought he’d get fed up, but when he actually encountered Lin Wei Xi’s unconcealed provocation, he found that he wasn’t impatient, but was instead calm and slightly helpless. It felt like… indulgence.

Gu Cheng Yao was taken aback by his own thoughts, and immediately laughed at himself for thinking such foolish things. Gao Ran was his destined person that he’d searched for. It was only because of his father’s face that he tolerated Lin Wei Xi.

Seeing the two masters being indulgent towards Lin Wei Xi, Gao Ran immediately became unhappy. She firmly believed that Lin Wei Xi did this on purpose, deliberately acting contrary in order to attract Gu Cheng Yao’s attention, before pretending to be pitiful. Gao Ran was furious, and she became more determined to make Lin Wei Xi quickly move out. The Prince Yan’s Residence could only have her as it’s mistress, and she wouldn’t allow a second one.

The matter of ending Lin Wei Xi’s mourning period was finalized like that. Gu Hui Yan said that Lin Wei Xi was allowed to handle it on her own, but he still sent some people to help her later on. Lin Wei Xi intended to decline, but Gu Hui Yan said, “these workers were sent under my private account. Didn’t you say that you refused to accept the help of the Prince Yan Residence, but wouldn’t reject me?”

Alright then, Lin Wei Xi would obediently shut her mouth.

On the third day of the fifth month, Lin Wei Xi removed her white mourning clothes and the white flowers in her hair. Three years of filial mourning had officially come to an end. Even so, Lin Wei Xi remembered the kindness of Lin Yong and the original host, so she didn’t wear bright red or yellow clothing, and instead wore plain colours.

Princess Royal Shou Kang also paid close attention to the end of Lin Wei Xi’s mourning period. It just so happened that the Dragon Boat Festival would happen not long after. The Emperor and Empress Dowager Qian wanted to go to Xiyuan to watch the dragon boat race, accompanied by the female imperial family members and court officials. Princess Royal Shou Kang sent Lin Wei Xi new clothes and jewellery early on, eager and ready to dress Lin Wei Xi up, before leading her out to formally introduce her to the ladies and madams of the capital.

Lin Wei Xi looked at the Cloud brocade dress and sighed, but couldn’t bear to disappoint her grandmother, so she followed the wishes of Princess Royal Shou Kang and dressed grandly.

How could Lin Wei Xi know at that time that Princess Royal Shou Kang wanted to find her a husband.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om