Bai Que was shocked.
"Otherwise, how would he have paintings by the Hermit of Cold Mountain? Upon learning that I like them, he offered to give me a few. These scholar-officials pride themselves on their integrity yet also fancy themselves as romantic, relying on righteousness but often acting like butchers. They forget favors and are mostly bookworms. How many of them are genuinely good?" Mrs. Han said with a sigh.
People like Yun Qi are truly dime a dozen.
Self-righteous and cowardly, full of themselves yet disregarding others.
A man who can even neglect his own legitimate daughter, what kind of real man is he?
Bai Que fell silent.
Mrs. Han took Bai Que to the largest jewelry shop in the Capital City and bought two sets of gemstone headwear.
"Is the madam getting these for Miss Ruan's dowry?"
"With Jinnian not around, I can only make this trip myself. I wonder how they are doing now?"
"They will be safe on their journey!"
Mrs. Han nodded, "I hope so!"
June 19th
Ruan Wanrong was already dressed up and waiting for Duan Qimeng to come and escort her. Mrs. Han personally came to add to her dowry. Ruan Wanrong understood that Yun Jinnian had important matters to attend to, but with all her good sisters around and only Yun Jinnian absent, she couldn't help feeling uncomfortable.
It took quite a bit of consolation from everyone before Ruan Wanrong sniffled and managed to hold back her tears.
However, there was a sense of regret.
Mrs. Han had not shown herself in the circles of high society ladies in the Capital City for many years and thought she would be ignored. To her surprise, the Marchioness of Zhuangyong Marquis Residence pulled her to sit at a table with the Countess Xuanping, Minister Chen's daughter-in-law Chen Danyan's mother, and several marchionesses from the Princess Residence, which drew many sideways glances.
Compared to Mrs. Han's treatment, Mrs. He was in a pitiful state. She was seated at a table where the officials were of lower rank than Yun Chen, where everyone, though flattering her, showed a stark contrast to the preferential treatment received by Mrs. Han.
Mrs. He was frustrated inside.
And resented Mrs. Han for not helping her.
She thought to herself that she must marry Yun Muyou off to the Marquess Yuanshen Residence and would find a way to solve the dowry issue.
Meanwhile, Yun Muyou and the others were quite embarrassed because Xu Xinmo had had an argument with someone and was still red-faced and twisting her handkerchief in anger.
It didn't help that the person was a Commandery Princess, and she was nobody, without even the right to fight back.
No matter what, Ruan Wanrong married into the Duan Family, blissfully and successfully.
Although Mrs. He felt aggrieved during this event, she also gathered quite a bit of news, such as merchants from Tongqu City wanting to marry daughters of official families in the Capital City, regardless of whether they were born of the wife or a concubine, with particularly generous dowries.
Mrs. He thought of Yun Zihan, who was also quite pretty and of marriageable age, and perhaps it was worth a try.
So as soon as she got home, Mrs. He called for Nanny Jiang, "How is the inquiry into the Marquess Yuanshen Residence going?"
"The outside opinions are mixed!"
"What are they saying?" Mrs. He asked.
"They say the Marquess Yuanshen Residence has declined, and now the Marquess only holds a fourth-rank official position in court. There are also good words about Marquess Wu, but whether he is truly good or not still needs careful investigation. Although, Marquess Wu is indeed quite handsome," replied Nanny Jiang.
Mrs. He frowned, "Have you seen him in person?"
Considering that she hadn't seen the women of the Marquess Yuanshen Residence today at the Ministry of War Residence, she was puzzled.
"I caught a glimpse from a distance. Marquess Wu also went to the Ministry of War Residence for the wedding feast today. Didn't madam see him?"
Mrs. He shook her head and then said, "We're not in a rush about this. Go and find out if there's a merchant from Tongqu City staying at the Huiquan Tower!"
Nanny Jiang was puzzled, "Madam wants to?"
"Don't ask so many questions, just go and find out!" Mrs. He snapped angrily.
Without a word, Nanny Jiang left obediently.
Mrs. He rubbed her temples, feeling exceptionally irritable.
Tianmi hurried in, "Madam, madam, the master has brought a woman and is heading this way to Nuanxin Garden!"