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"Alright, I understand!" However, Lady Li Niang was an experienced woman. Her eyes darted, and she immediately made a decision. "Since it's the Marquis's word, if we don't listen, we'd be disrespecting the Marquis! Such a thing must never happen!"
"Then go find one! Find a place closer to the Marquis's Residence!"
"And the owner of this house must be clearly stated as the Marquis; we are merely temporarily residing in the Marquis's courtyard!"
Lady Li Niang agreed directly, even adding a few conditions, which left Fu Hui completely dumbfounded.
"Mother, I'm afraid this might not be proper etiquette!" At this, Eldest Daughter Shou Hua frowned slightly and said, "We have no family ties to the Marquis's Residence; what would it look like for us to live in the Marquis's courtyard?"
"You don't need to worry about that!" Lady Li Niang lightly patted Shou Hua's hand with her round fan and said, "Mother has her reasons for doing this!" At this moment, Lady Li Niang knew, no matter what, that Wei Tingyu must have taken a fancy to one of her daughters, which was why he didn't want the woman he fancied to stay in the Fan Residence or an inn. If she didn't accept the Marquis's kindness now, she would truly be spitting in his face! Setting aside everything else, she at least had to show the Marquis her attitude: You've taken a liking to my daughter, and there's absolutely no problem with that! I'll immediately move all my daughters into your residence, and at the same time, I'll guard their purity for you, preventing them from excessive contact with other men! As for when you feel the time is right to marry my daughter into your residence, just come directly!
However, Lady Li Niang didn't realize at this moment that Wei Tingyu wanted more than just one of her daughters...
"Oh, right, when you're free, come to our courtyard too! Just tell your in-laws that you want to stay at your maiden home for a few days!" Lady Li Niang's eyes darted, and she suddenly said to Fu Hui.
"Good!" Fu Hui naturally agreed wholeheartedly. Not to mention being able to live under the same roof as her mother and sisters, just being able to leave the Fan family, that detestable place, made her very happy. Moreover, Fu Hui's entire heart was now set on Wei Tingyu. Staying in Wei Tingyu's residence now naturally made her feel more at ease than staying at the Fan family's. And living with her mother and sisters would also make the Marquis feel more reassured! She definitely wouldn't have any contact with the Fan family or other outside men, which was exactly what Fu Hui wished for! As for saying "stay for a few days," that was just a formality. Anyway, the Fan family didn't welcome her, so she would just find an excuse to stay in her mother's courtyard for a long time, and the Fan family couldn't do anything about it. Perhaps they would even be unable to bear it and actively come to her to discuss divorce; then Fu Hui would be even happier!
"This one! This is Eldest Daughter Shou Hua!"
"This is my Third Daughter Kang Ning!"
"This is Fourth Daughter Hao De!"
"This is little Fifth Daughter Le Shan!"
Lady Li Niang placed the portraits of her four daughters who were still with her one by one on the offering table before her, while murmuring softly. This strange action naturally caused the surrounding temple-goers to glance sideways! However, Lady Li Niang had always done as she pleased. Although no one had ever done this before, she was simply different! So, naturally, she didn't care about the astonished looks of others!
"Mother Liu, remember to remind me later!" After completing the preliminary task of praying to Buddha, Lady Li Niang lit the incense in her hand with a candle and said to the servant beside her, "After offering the incense, put all the portraits away and take them back!"
"Bodhisattva! Your devout follower sincerely prays, wishing for my daughters' marriages to be smooth and successful!" Having prepared everything, Lady Li Niang sincerely knelt on the soft cushion, bowing to the Bodhisattva before her.
"My Fourth Daughter and Fifth Daughter can wait, but Eldest Daughter Shou Hua has been a young widow, wasting her youth in vain."
"Third Daughter Kang Ning has a strong personality, and her marriage has been difficult."
"They truly cannot wait!"
"I do not seek a son-in-law of great wealth or nobility, but only that my daughters may find good men!"
Lady Li Niang at this moment believed that Wei Tingyu had only taken a fancy to one of her daughters, so she was still quite anxious about the marriages of her other daughters. However, no sooner had she finished her prayer than she saw a shifty-eyed middle-aged man snatch the offering box she had placed on the incense altar and run out of the temple.
"Thief! Catch the thief!" Lady Li Niang was instantly startled, realizing that there was actually a thief stealing offerings even in this grand temple! She immediately turned around anxiously and gave chase! And Third Daughter Kang Ning was even more furious, holding up her skirt and running swiftly, wanting to catch the thief. Unfortunately, she was ultimately a woman. Seeing the thief exit the main hall and leap down the steps in a few strides, his distance from her growing ever greater, Kang Ning instantly became anxious. Although this box of offerings wasn't particularly valuable, her mother cherished it greatly! If it were stolen like this, she would surely faint from anger! Yet, the crowd of pedestrians and temple-goers scattered, no one daring to block the thief; it was as if it had nothing to do with them. Even a few monks from the temple heard the commotion and gave chase, but it was futile, for the thief's legs were indeed too fast! Lady Li Niang's eyes rolled back in frustration at this sight. If it weren't for the servant supporting her, she might have already collapsed and fainted.
However, just as the petty thief was about to escape Kang Ning's sight, a heroic figure suddenly flashed out in front, kicking the thief to the ground. The box of offerings he was holding flew into the air, but was steadily caught in the arms of this figure.
"Bold little thief! How dare you be so presumptuous! Is there no law under broad daylight for stealing?!" This figure was clearly a woman. She stepped on the thief's back and loudly rebuked him with a delicate voice, her eyes also looking at the rapidly approaching Kang Ning.
"Young lady, is this stolen item yours?" The woman smiled faintly, handing the box of offerings to Kang Ning.
"Yes!" Kang Ning was startled, then quickly took the box of offerings with both hands. And at this moment, her mother, Lady Li Niang, also rushed over from behind, supported by a servant.
"Thank you, Madam!" Lady Li Niang saw that this heroic woman was dressed in luxurious clothing, and her hair was even styled in a high bun. She was first startled, then quickly bowed slightly to her. In Lady Li Niang's heart, this was not just about recovering a wooden box and the fruits and offerings inside; it was even more about recovering her daughter's marriage fate! Such a great kindness could not be over-thanked!
"Just seeing injustice on the road!" However, the heroic woman waved her hand slightly, revealing a smug smile and saying, "This is simply a righteous act within my duty!" As soon as she spoke, Lady Li Niang and Kang Ning were both stunned. Good heavens! What's going on here? From the woman's attire, she must be a noble lady from a prominent family! Especially her demeanor, which didn't even resemble that of ordinary merchant family women! But then, hearing her words and seeing her unrestrained manner, how did she seem so much like a martial artist? Especially this woman, although she wore her hair in a bun, indicating she was married, she couldn't be much older than Kang Ning; perhaps similar in age to Second Daughter Fu Hui!
"Sister Kang Ning!" And at this moment, a clear shout directly drew Kang Ning's and Lady Li Niang's attention. A path was forced open through the surrounding crowd, and then a beautiful figure they had seen not long ago appeared in their line of sight.
"Dou Ming?" Kang Ning blinked, looking at the cheerfully running young lass before her with some bewilderment. It had barely been half a day since they parted ways at the Fan Residence; how could they so coincidentally meet again in this temple for praying to Buddha? Lady Li Niang was also startled, then quickly looked around. Because Lady Li Niang also knew Dou Ming's personality; she was simply a little shadow to Wei Tingyu! She basically followed wherever the Marquis went! Would she come to the temple by herself to pray now? Obviously impossible! So...
And it was a good thing Lady Li Niang looked. Sure enough, she spotted Wei Tingyu in the crowd! He was standing right where Dou Ming had just emerged, looking at them with a smiling face, fanning himself with a folding fan. Beside him stood three serene and elegant beauties in luxurious clothing, their demeanor and bearing clearly showing they were no ordinary noblewomen! Besides these three beauties, her good friend Wang Yingxue also stood by Wei Tingyu's side. It was clear that she too was quite surprised to see her here, her eyes now filled with pleasant surprise!
"Lady Li!" Wang Yingxue smiled and walked over when she saw Lady Li Niang notice her.
"Yingxue!" Lady Li Niang smiled and nodded, greeting Wang Yingxue, then her eyes turned to Wei Tingyu again.
"Greetings, Marquis!" Seeing Wei Tingyu approach with the other three beauties in luxurious clothing beside him, Lady Li Niang and Kang Ning both bowed slightly.
"Ah?" At this moment, the face of the splendidly dressed woman who had initially acted heroically showed confusion. "What? Do you two mother and daughter know our Marquis?"
Your Marquis? Upon hearing this, Lady Li Niang and Kang Ning were both stunned, then immediately understood in their hearts. These splendidly dressed beautiful women must all be wives and concubines from Wei Tingyu's residence! Including the one who had initially acted heroically, one had to say the Marquis's Residence was truly full of talented people...
"Oh, right! Let me introduce everyone!" Wang Yingxue's eyes darted, and she immediately said with a smile, "These two are my good friend Lady Li and her third daughter Kang Ning, whom I mentioned to you before!"
"Lady Li, Kang Ning, this is our Marquis's Residence's Madam Dou! And the Marquis's co-wife, Madam He!"
"Madam Miao and Madam Zhao are both noble concubines of the Marquis's Residence; the Marquis treats them no differently than his co-wife!"
Upon hearing Wang Yingxue's words, Lady Li Niang and Kang Ning were completely stunned. Although they had thought of this possibility before, it was only now, hearing Wang Yingxue's confirmation, that they truly believed it. However, the amount of information contained in Wang Yingxue's brief introduction was truly immense! Just from their attire, Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru were indeed no different from Dou Zhao and He Weifang! Their hair ornaments, jewelry, and the fabric of their clothes were basically all of the same level of valuable materials! From this perspective, the Marquis treated the women within his household basically equally, at least in terms of material possessions!
This alone greatly shocked Lady Li Niang and Kang Ning, for a man's heart would always have biases! Even if he spoke beautifully about treating everyone equally and fairly, it was difficult to truly achieve when it came down to it! But at present, it seemed Wei Tingyu had indeed achieved it! Then, for women who wished to marry into a noble family, the Marquis's Residence was indeed a very good place to go! Even Kang Ning at this moment couldn't help but sigh a little in her heart.
Of course, what surprised Kang Ning and Lady Li Niang the most was the scene just now when Zhao Zhangru suddenly stepped out heroically and knocked down the petty thief! One must know that a noblewoman dressed so lavishly, accompanying the Marquis to offer incense, performing such an act would normally be criticized as impolite and damaging to female virtue in a typical aristocratic household! However, after Zhao Zhangru acted in public, not only was she not scolded by the Marquis and the Head Madam, but she even ran over to the Marquis with a smug expression, acting spoiled and seeking praise. And the Marquis and the other sisters in the residence all looked at her with appreciative smiles. This scene directly shattered Lady Li Niang's and Kang Ning's worldview! Could there truly be a gentleman in this world who doesn't care if his wives and concubines lose face in public? It was clear that Zhao Zhangru truly lived as herself in the Marquis's Residence! She didn't need to suppress her desire for heroic acts by pretending to be virtuous! No wonder that little lass Dou Ming even wanted to become a concubine to enter the Marquis's Residence! Kang Ning surprisingly felt a little moved at this thought. As a woman, there weren't many paths to choose from in this era! To live according to one's true heart was even more difficult. But now, marrying into the Marquis's Residence seemed to be a grand path that could fulfill her wishes!
And unlike her daughter's wild thoughts, Lady Li Niang had an even more shocking discovery at this moment. That was, Wang Yingxue had also used the address "Madam Dou" for their Marquis's Residence when introducing Dou Zhao! And her gaze towards Dou Zhao was also very submissive, without any trace of an elder's demeanor. At least for a moment, Lady Li Niang even felt that her close friend seemed to show a reservedness typical of a concubine meeting her mistress when in front of her stepdaughter!
"So this is Lady Li Niang!" At this moment, Dou Zhao slowly walked forward, scanning Lady Li Niang and Kang Ning up and down, and nodded with a faint smile. This posture directly left the two women dumbfounded! Good heavens! Truly the Head Madam of a Marquis's Residence! Her words and actions carry such prestige! Even though Dou Zhao might be slightly younger than her eldest daughter Shou Hua, her demeanor was absolutely perfectly controlled! Lady Li Niang nervously swallowed dryly, then nodded twice repeatedly. Although she was much older, she was facing the Marquis's legitimate Head Madam after all! How could she, a humble woman from a merchant background, not be nervous at this moment?! Moreover, Lady Li Niang had even thought of marrying her own daughter into the Marquis's Residence! Now, seeing Dou Zhao, the legitimate wife, she naturally had to quickly curry favor to pave the way for her future daughter!
"I heard from Sister Ming that the Li family has several daughters!" Dou Zhao, seeing Lady Li Niang's somewhat nervous expression, smiled and continued to ask, "It's just that little girl speaks so haphazardly and without a clear number, so I'm still confused. How many daughters do you have?"
"Five..." Lady Li Niang didn't think much after hearing Dou Zhao's words and subconsciously extended one hand, showing five fingers. However, before she could finish speaking, she immediately realized something was amiss. After all, there was a common saying in the capital: "Thieves do not enter the house of five daughters!" Providing dowries for five daughters would be no small expense! Even thieves wouldn't be willing to steal from such a household, because there would probably be nothing to steal... Fearing she would lose face in front of the Marquis's noble ladies, Lady Li Niang quickly withdrew one finger.
"Four..." But then she thought again, what use would lying to Dou Zhao be now? Wouldn't they eventually know the truth?
"Only one has married out..." In the end, Lady Li Niang could only awkwardly tell the truth.
"Is that so!" Dou Zhao smiled faintly and said, "Then Lady Li Niang, please don't mind my extra words, but in a situation like yours, the dowries for your daughters will probably have to exceed a thousand guan!"
"In recent years, the trend of lavish dowries in the capital has become more pronounced; without a generous dowry, daughters cannot find good families!"
"A thousand guan..." Lady Li Niang's legs instantly felt a little weak. How could she possibly come up with such a huge sum? At present, she only had over two hundred guan in assets, and that was already diminishing!
"It's not entirely without hope!" At this moment, Miao Ansu smiled and walked forward, scrutinizing Third Daughter Kang Ning up and down, saying, "Putting aside everything else, at least our Marquis's Residence does not require the daughters who marry in to have any dowry!"
"The Marquis's Residence..." Lady Li Niang was startled, then glanced at Wei Tingyu beside her, and her eyes immediately darted. What did the Head Madam and Noble Concubine Miao mean by speaking like this? Could it be that they wanted her to marry her daughter into the Marquis's Residence? If that were the case, that would truly be wonderful! It would be like a mutual attraction!