Chapter 338 – Ten Miles of Red Makeup (11)
The Bastard Younger Sister was at a loss for words but still insisted, “I just want to ask for a legitimate title for my birth mother, there’s no other intention. Father has been away for many years, never lingering in the back courtyard; she is heartbroken, with only me as her emotional support. Now that I am about to marry into the royal family and become someone else’s wife, there will be no more chances to serve my mother. Xi Ge’er, as children, we should understand this worry…”
The Bastard Younger Sister spoke sincerely, tears welling in her eyes, stirring the hearts of the viewers in the live stream as well.
【Stowaway Non-Money】: Such a filial young girl, it seems normal for her to seek a title for her low-status mother.
【Noodle Shop Chef】: Ah, she looks so pitiful.
【Old Driver Alliance】: Pitiful my foot! The Host is the legitimate child; this Bastard Younger Sister isn’t even of the same mother. In modern terms, would you feel sorry for a half-sister and want to help a mistress gain a legitimate title? Isn’t that a joke!
【Bathroom Finger User】: The thing is, ancient and modern societies are different; it was perfectly legal to have multiple wives back then, alright? Not just a mistress.
【Musician Zhuge Qinqi】: It’s legal for one man to have one wife and multiple concubines, not three wives and four concubines. Besides, I’ve been watching this live stream for years; the Bastard Younger Sister’s biological mother isn’t even a concubine, what face does she have to ask for a title? It’s called filial piety, but there’s definitely more intimidation involved.
Jiang Pengji frowned as she glanced at the barrage in the live stream, sending a comment to quell the debate.
【Host V】: The Bastard Younger Sister is not biologically related to us; she was adopted. She doesn’t know, but her nominal birth mother must know this, and she wouldn’t encourage her to seek a title; this must be her own idea. If she were truly filial, she could write to our father after marrying, expressing her grievances. But she hasn’t even married yet and is already coming to me about this. It’s called filial piety, but in reality, it’s intimidation. How can her intentions be pure?
She was Liu Zhi’s only nominal legitimate child, but at fifteen years old, she was at the marrying age in ancient times.
Where does an adult son interfere in his father’s dealings with concubines?
Jiang Pengji looked coldly at the Bastard Younger Sister and asked, “First, you only have one mother, who is our father’s legitimate wife. Second, our mother has looked after the back courtyard for many years; has anyone been mistreated? If your words get out, do you intend to trap our mother unfairly by saying she’s harsh and cruel?”
The Bastard Younger Sister turned pale, instantly too scared to say anything further.
Jiang Pengji flung a marriage dowry list at her from the table, saying, “This is the dowry our mother prepared for you; no less or more. Don’t try to play tricks with me. You can compare with other families’ illegitimate daughters; who else has such a generous dowry when getting married? Marrying the Fourth Prince is a splendid match our father arranged for you. Our mother is worried you’ll feel inferior, so she opened the treasury to prepare your dowry…”
The Bastard Younger Sister’s face became as white as if covered in several layers of lime, terror in her eyes at having her thoughts laid bare.
Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes, her tone exceedingly rude, “Don’t think your absence is missed at home; our mother doesn’t owe you or your birth mother a thing. You’re about to marry into the royal family and have a smooth rise, but so what? You claim to understand a child’s filial piety, but you’re to be a wife now; shouldn’t you consider the feelings of a legitimate wife? A mere concubine’s daughter is getting married to a distinguished household, and a large portion of dowry is being offered to her, yet you want to elevate a thorn in her side; what will our mother’s dignity be left with?”
The Bastard Younger Sister picked up her dowry list but didn’t even look at the later items; the mere sight of the first few was enough to dazzle her eyes.
Just as Jiang Pengji had guessed, this time the Bastard Younger Sister indeed came with her own agenda.
She reminded Liu Zhi and his son not to forget she was joining the royal family; she represented the Liu Residence’s prestige, and the dowry list couldn’t be scant. If they failed this point, she had to be given a good reputation; even if she couldn’t be acknowledged under the legitimate mother’s name, she should at least be granted the title of a valuable concubine for her birth mother.
Jiang Pengji casually said, “You’re a big girl about to get married; stay out of your father’s back courtyard affairs.”
Upon saying this, the Bastard Younger Sister left, carrying a mix of joy and fear, finding an excuse to return to her courtyard.
Watching the Bastard Younger Sister’s departing figure, Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow and then set the matter aside.
Meanwhile, Xu Ke’s aunt was happily selecting auspicious dates, and a tailor was measuring Xu Ke for his wedding attire.
“Aunt, let’s choose a date sooner, ideally within half a month.” Xu Ke said.
His aunt looked skeptical, “Half a month… that’s too rushed; you’ll be leaving the girl to wait too long.”
Three ceremonies and six rituals would take time, and if they prepared to marry in half a month, it might cut corners.
Xu Ke sighed, “If we don’t marry within these two weeks, we might not have another chance later.”
“What do you mean by that?” His aunt asked, puzzled, then seemed to realize something, “Could it be that Xun Mei isn’t willing… or you want to change your mind?”
“Not at all.” Xu Ke furrowed his brows, comforting his aunt, “It’s just that the situation is dire; the Young Master has grand ambitions, and I must follow closely. This time, the Young Master will send our family’s Second Miss to the capital to get married; other variables might come into play… If things go poorly, we might face turbulent days for the next few years, which would delay Xun Mei… So I thought it best to marry first.”
His aunt didn’t know what those variables were but understood Xu Ke wouldn’t joke about such matters, making her feel troubled.
Xu Ke lowered his voice, “After we’re married, I will make it up to her.”
His aunt’s face turned serious, knowing from Xu Ke and Xun Mei’s ages that they truly couldn’t delay any longer.
After a long silence, she said, “Well, we’re just common folks; a wedding is meant for joy and celebration. Let’s skip the unnecessary formalities. Look at the timing; there’s a good date in eleven days. If Xun Mei agrees, we’ll settle it. But you better make sure to treat her well afterward. If you mistreat her, I, your aunt, will not let you off lightly!”
Xu Ke nodded, “Aunt, don’t worry. I know.”
Though the wedding was a bit rushed, it wasn’t chaotic.
On the day of the dowry reveal, the lavish dowry Jiang Pengji prepared for Xun Mei made the neighboring families green with envy.
Which neighbor didn’t say Xu Ke was incredibly lucky to marry such a beautiful girl?
Jiang Pengji even opened a half-interactive live stream for Xu Ke’s wedding, explaining the marriage process of this era in detail. That day, the viewers sending “gift money” were exceptionally numerous, and the donation notifications nearly overwhelmed the backend.
Three days after the wedding, Jiang Pengji stayed respectful and didn’t interrupt the couple, allowing them to continue their intimate moments.
But time passed quickly; Xun Mei, now dressed as a married woman, was already preparing traveling gifts for her new husband.
The two sat on the couch, momentarily speechless.
No newlywed couple had to part so soon after marrying.
After pondering, Xun Mei said, “While you’re away, be safe. I will take good care of everything at home.”
Xu Ke nodded, holding her hands with both of his, feeling guilty, “I’m sorry for putting you in this position.”
“It’s alright; after all, it’s my own choice. I just worry that you might… find out I’m not as I seem and dislike me.” Xun Mei said hesitantly, and after a long pause, she actively hugged Xu Ke’s waist. “…Also…”
“Hmm?”
“Please, please don’t let the Young Master be alone with Ta Xue…”
Xu Ke was bewildered.
“Watch out for Ta Xue; her heart is not pure!”
