Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress-Chapter 1298 - 1304 Rumours Arise (6)

Cai Wei laughed and said, "Then, just don’t let them see. Even if they do, what can they do about it? Surely, I’m not afraid of them?"

Dou Momo, standing by, joined in with a smile, "Madam, you speak the truth. Lady Du worries too much. With The Emperor supporting our Empress Dowager, let those Imperial Historians and ministers of the Imperial Harem chew their maggots all they like. The Emperor would never bear to blame Her Majesty!"

Lady Du said, "I understand that. It’s just that being careful never did any harm. You are now in a high position, and who knows how many pairs of eyes are watching you, waiting to find fault."

Cai Wei gave a cold smile and said, "Well, they’d need the skills to do that! Now, enough, Mother. It’s not easy for people to return home, so don’t give me a long lecture on politics and ideology. Tell me, what are you up to with all this rummaging? Don’t tell me you plan to sneak away with the home private while Dad is not here." freewēbnoveℓ.com

Her quip made everyone laugh. Leaning on a pillow embroidered with a colorful "cloud dragon holds fortune" design, Lady Du tapped her on the forehead and laughed, "You girl, even as Empress, you haven’t become any more dignified but have grown more mischievous. It’s about time for The Emperor to appoint a strict Momo for you to rein you in!"

Cai Wei also laughed and sat herself on the edge of the Kang.

It was now November, and the weather in the Capital was becoming increasingly cold. The bamboo matting had already been removed from the Kang at home, and new bright red felt was laid out, complete with the "cloud dragon holds fortune" pillow and some leaning pillows. Additionally, there was a black fox fur laid out, and a large white fox fur for sitting on.

Cai Wei sat on the white fox fur, looking at the pile of boxes and bright red silk on the ground, and asked, "What are you busy with, Mother?"

Lady Du answered, "This is for your Sister Lian’s wedding preparations. She’s already betrothed to a young master from the British public house, and they will be making the formal marriage proposal soon. I’m thinking about you Third Uncle’s impoverished household; when they receive such distinguished guests on the day of the proposal, a too shabby appearance might make the son-in-law’s family look down on them. So, I thought of sending Lian’s dowry gifts early to help them save face."

Hearing that Cai Lian was betrothed to Ji Wanfu, Cai Wei’s heart filled with gloom.

In her memory, Sister Lian was a bit vain since childhood but was a kind and gentle girl who had often helped them. Yet, she hadn’t expected her to become so paranoid and philistine. The man she was marrying had a terrible reputation in the capital city, known as the "wolf of the central plains." How could she live a good life married to such a man?

Auntie Liu presented the list of gifts and said, "Madam, Miss Lian’s dowry gifts have been prepared according to your instructions. Please see if you would like to add anything else."

Cai Wei took the list and saw it included "Eight sets of gold inlaid jeweled head decorations; four bolts of adorned python skin silk, and four bolts of various silks; Shu Brocade dresses and shoes, four of each; four Ding ware vases and eight decorative items; two sets of Hunan silken bed curtains, along with prime tea leaves, fruits, pastries, and candies, all four large bags of each. Additionally, there’s also two hundred tael of silver sealed as a betrothal gift for Cai Lian.

Such a lavish dowry, not to mention how much silver it cost, was more than enough to impress the distinguished guests who would visit Third Uncle’s family the next day. With these gifts, Third Uncle’s modest home would not be despised.

Lady Du checked everything personally once again, then instructed Auntie Liu to take care and deliver the items properly.

Cai Wei said, "Auntie Liu, when you get to Third Uncle’s home, please tell him and Third Aunt that I’ll send Cai Lian’s dowry gifts later."

Auntie Liu laughed and said, "Miss Lian is blessed to have an Empress as a younger sister. Truly a fortune cultivated in a past life!"

Cai Wei lowered her eyes and sighed inwardly, if she hadn’t been so greedy for vain glory and luxury, wouldn’t that be her past life’s blessing? Alas, you wouldn’t die if you didn’t seek death. Now, she was running further down the path of self-destruction, and it seemed impossible to turn back. Her future life was destined to be spent in pain and regret....

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