Back to Su Family's two little girls. They had played for a long time. Now they returned to the wing room, sleepiness suddenly took over. Not long later, they all obediently led to nap on the bed at the back. Only a stinky-expression Xiao Lin Yu and You Jin were left sitting a foot away from each other.
Qiu Fen and the others saw that Eldest Miss and Eldest Gentleman Xiao were so stiff. Thinking of what Madam had told her before, they quietly retreated out without saying a word. The door remained open to avoid suspicion.
Seeing her sitting far away and ignoring him, Xiao Lin Yu sighed. He stood up with a dry cough, walked to the chair that was only a small tea table away from You Jin and sat down. Then he looked at her with puppy eyes: "I'm leaving tomorrow..."
The meaning of seeking reconciliation was self-evident.
You Jin glared at him and replied: "Commandery Duke is so majestic now. Why are you following me?"
Sure enough, You Jin became angry again: "Now you are suddenly ennobled, you became so arrogant before you have secured your seat. If it gets out, what will others think?"
Thinking of his action just now, Xiao Lin Yu lowered his head with slight guilt. He reflected that he was really too impulsive just now. But when he thought of that man daring to put his thoughts on You Jin, he felt a pang in his chest. There was nowhere to vent his anger.
Knowing that he was wrong, Xiao Lin Yu naturally didn't dare to refute. So he let her reprimand him. He nodded and admitted his mistake: "I just can't stand him acting so frivolous. What if it affects your reputation?"
You Jin became even angrier when she heard his words. What affects her reputation? His Xiao Family was already living in her own home. Why didn't he think about affecting her reputation at that time? The other people only came to invite her to enjoy the lanterns. At this time, it will affect her reputation?
Receiving an inexplicable glare, Xiao Lin Yul didn't know what he did wrong again. He had a reason for thinking this way. In his heart, he had already determined that his wife can only be You Jin. So after the new emperor ascended the throne, he was so anxious that he didn't want to wait for a moment. He rushed to Luohe Prefecture because he was afraid of missing her again.
From the start, they were one family. What fear was there of affecting reputation?
In the bright candlelight, the young girl's lotus face was flushed with slight anger. While the man was secretly happy in his heart. You Jin cared about me!
After pondering for a long time, he took out the red jade hairpin that he had kept in his pocket for a long time: "This is a red jade hairpin that I got by chance. It's perfect for you."
The red jade was very beautiful in color. A natural red begonia blooms at the tail of the hairpin. Under the bright yellow candlelight, the red jade hairpin looked even more luxurious.
"What does this count as? Apology gift for making me angry?" You Jin smiled slightly. The beautiful eyes looking at him seem to express that she wasn't so easy to coax.
Qiu Fen and the few maids who were guarding outside vaguely heard the conversation between Eldest Miss and Gentleman Xiao. A smile appeared on their lips and they took another five steps back.
***
In the early morning of the next day, it was dawn. Second Master Xiao and Xiao Lin Yu were ready to go to the capital. Xiao Lin Feng and Xiao Lin Wen were also going to the capital together. Plus Xiao Lin Yu's guards that came with him, a group of more than ten people packed their bundles and set off for the capital.
Standing at the door, Xiao Lin Yu bowed to Xiao and Su families headed by Mrs. Song who was supported by a cane: "Lin Yu is leaving. Elders, please take care."
Mrs. Song and Mrs. Yu watched their grandson (son) hopped on the horse with reddened eyes. They couldn't resist reminding him again and again. Only when the sun in the east quietly climbed up the hillside, Second Master Xiao gave the order to set off: "Mother, Eldest Brother, Hai Feng will take good care of the younger generations."
Sitting on the horse, Xiao Lin Yu looked back deeply at You Jin with a flying fairy bun and begonia red jade hairpin, who was standing behind Xiao Family. Then he swung the whip to urge the horse to follow the crowd.
It wasn't until the figures of Xiao Lin Yu and others disappeared into the vast sky and earth that Xiao and Su families supported each other back in.
You Jin followed behind Mrs. Song. Thinking of that man's fiery gaze just now, she remembered last night when she kissed Xiao Lin Yu impulsively. He had turned it around and took charge and kissed her until the corners of her lips were even scratched. She couldn't feel a blush climb up her cheeks. No more words were said.
After Xiao Lin Yu returned to the capital, construction on Xiao Family's house officially started beside Han Family's land.
It was unknown how Mrs. Song persuaded everyone in Xiao Family. Initially, You Jin thought that Xiao Family's whole family was going to return to the capital. Unexpectedly they still settled in Wuliqiao according to the original plan. As for Xiao Family's clan in Luohe Prefecture. Ever since they found out that Xiao Lin Yu was made the Commandery Duke, they came to seek reconciliation but were beaten back by Mrs. Song: "When our branch was in trouble, the clan was afraid of being implicated and had already expelled us from the family tree. Even my husband's tablet cannot enter the ancestral hall. Now, reconciliation is impossible."
The elders of Xiao Family with heavy responsibilities were scolded by Mrs. Song to the point they didn't dare to raise their heads. They turned to Xiao Hai Ru for peace: "Hai Ru, you are the master of the family. You must know that the ancestors of the clan are no joke. You mustn't be so short-sighted."
The implication was that Mrs. Song was short-sighted and held grudges.
Xiao Hai Ru didn't want to see them even more, so he said directly: "Everyone, speak no more. Since my branch has been separated, then leave it. There is no reason to return back?"
After that, he told people to send the guest.
Back when Xiao Family was rich and powerful, they bought hundreds of mu of land for the clan. The clan school was also funded by their family's money. Who would have thought that when Xiao Family was in ruin, they would receive so much favor from their family? On the contrary, the clan whom they helped greatly acted the fastest. After receiving the news, they expelled their family from the genealogy. Even the memorial tablet of the deceased old Master Xiao wasn't allowed to enter the ancestral hall again. Su Family helped to find a temple for temporary offerings to prevent the incense from being cut off.
Xiao Family's clan who returned in defeat naturally didn't give up so easily. After all, the entire Xiao Family's clan can hold their head high in Luohe Prefecture with a branch producing a Commandery Duke! So they thinned their cheeks and came to the door to beg a few times. Xiao Hai Ru was so annoyed that he simply told Su Family's gatekeeper that they won't see anyone from Xiao Family.
Seeing that it was unrepairable, so the clan can only unwillingly give up.
Back to You Bao. Her wedding date was set on February 23rd. Now that the wedding date was approaching, Su Family had begun to prepare for it. Because Wei Family was a scholarly family, Mrs. Su and You Jin asked Mrs. Zhao, who was also from a scholarly family, to help with the wedding preparations.
Mrs. Zhao was initially the head of the household, so it wasn't difficult to manage these things. Going by You Yin's marriage standard, she also helped You Bao prepare the dowry.
On the eve of You Bao's wedding, Su Family had a rare family meeting.
"I discussed it with Mother. Now that our family's girls are getting older and will be the other families' mistress of the household in three to five years. In order for our girls to not be wronged and live a good life, I decided to divide all of our family assets into ten shares. One share for each of the ten members of our family. Those who married will receive dividends every six months. Those who aren't married will still be divided according to the previous monthly payment. What do you think?"
Su Family's girls were initially at a loss as to why a family meeting was held and couldn't help being shocked when they heard what Eldest Sister said. Especially You Yin, You Zhu and You Bao, who had been in contact with the family's business. They said in unison: "This was too much!"
One must know that the family assets was now at least a hundred thousand silver liang a year. Ten percent was ten thousand liang!
"Eldest Sister, I can't. When I got married, you and Mother gave enough." As the only daughter who was currently married, You Yin refused first: "With how promising our shop are now, there are few thousands of liang every year. How can I spend so much money?"
"Yes! Eldest Sister, we still have Kang-er in our family. It is impossible for us to marry out and divide off 70% to 80% of the money. Leave Kang-er some money?" Sitting next to You Yin, You Bao had the same opinion. Just the money part of the dowry prepared by the family for her was nearly ten thousand silver liang alone. If ten thousand silver liang were distributed every year, wouldn't it empty out the family?
Before You Jin could speak, Su Kang, who was sitting next to Mrs. Su, spoke first: "Eldest Sister, I don't want money. Give it all to elder sisters. I'm a man. I got to rise above through my own ability!"
The original tense atmosphere bubbled with amusement from Su Kang's words which were both mature and childish.
You Jin suppressed her smile and responded: "No. As long as we are members of our family, then each person will have a share. What do you think, Kang-er?"
Su Kang really tilted his head and thought about it. Finally he nodded cautiously: "Alright. No matter who or where the sisters marry, they are still members of our Su Family."
Seeing Younger Brother being so sensible and caring, Su Family's sisters all ooh and their hearts softened: "Why is our Kang-er so sensible!"
Being praised by the group of sisters, seven-year-old Kang-er quietly blushing, hid behind Mrs. Su, and refused to show his face.
You Jin narrowed her eyes with a smile. Just as she said, she will definitely be able to teach this younger brother well.
Since Eldest Sister, Mother, and the small pillars of Su Family have no objections, the distribution of Su Family's property had been settled: married daughter will receive a share every six months until Su Family's asset are ruined or the married daughter dies; the monthly standard of twenty silver liang was still issued to unmarried daughters and the rest will belong to the public fund.
You Jin even prepared the distribution paperwork. You Jin, Su Kang and Mrs. Su signed each paperwork. Each of the other younger sisters also signed their names on the one they received. There was no need to mention there was a copy of each of the paperwork.
The next day was You Bao's big day. After the meeting, Su Family dispersed and took a rest early.
Back to the wedding on next day. Fourth Wei finally got his wish and carried the beauty back home. The joy made the normally pedantic Fourth Wei in high spirits today. On top of that, the big red wedding robe enhanced his already good-looking appearance. He looked a little more youthful and energetic than his past unaffected appearance.
If there was another person who was extremely happy about this marriage, that was Second Madam Wei. Sitting in the hall and watching the youngest son lead her daughter-in-law to kneel down and bow to her, Second Madam Wei had already grinning until her eyes were squinting.
Initially, Old Madam Wei felt the family background was a bit unsuitable. After knowing that Su Family had received the plaque personally bestowed by the emperor's imperial pen, her impression of Su Family's daughters had changed quite a lot. One must know that the daughters of Su Family had been praised by the emperor's golden mouth and jade words. If her granddaughter-in-law was brought out, who wouldn't envy her Wei family?
So everyone was happy about this marriage and it worked out well.