The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 174 Conditions
Qin Ye couldn't bear to refuse his daughter's good marriage proposal.

Although it is said that one should humble oneself to marry a woman and marry into a high-class family, his family was far too humble.

If that were all, it wouldn't be so bad. In the eyes of outsiders, the daughter is still just an adopted daughter, making her even more inferior.

Qin Ye tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

The past events are vivid in my mind.

My wife was pregnant back then, but she was miscarried because her stepmother made her stand in the wrong place.

That same year, he suffered a serious injury that left him unable to have children.

Having no children and no future prospects, he stayed at the Construction Bureau.

When the adults distributed the money, he would follow behind, drinking the leftover soup. He worked diligently whenever there was work to be done. When there was nothing to do, he would rest. He never tried to cause trouble. The adults above all thought he was honest, and he held his position as the Director of the Construction Department steadily and reliably.

But even if he doesn't flaunt his wealth, he's still an official, and more and more people in the clan are watching him.

Everyone wants to send a child over to eat his childless offspring.

Especially the two younger brothers born to his stepmother, who relied on their blood ties...

Qin Ye rolled over again.

He survived that accident because the Crown Prince happened to be passing by and offered his help.

Therefore, Keqing was not only his daughter, but also the daughter of his benefactor.

These past few years, it's only because of his daughter that his family can truly be called a home.

His wife's health had been poor since that miscarriage, and he worried that he and his daughter would be taken advantage of by the clan. So he used his connections accumulated over the years to persuade the clan to bring Zhong'er back from the charity hall.

At that time, his family was complete, and his wife passed away with a smile.

now……

Qin Ye sat up again.

Although there is Madam Shen in Ningguo Mansion, if she were to marry into the family, her daughter's mother-in-law would be her stepmother-in-law.

He had promised his wife that he would find a simple family for their daughter.

Even if they are poor, it's fine if they help me a little, but I absolutely cannot marry into such a complicated family again.

Ningguo Mansion... No way!

A tall tree catches the wind.

The Crown Prince's case back then implicated countless people.

The heads of the Ning and Rong mansions also passed away that year, and Jia Jing of the Ning mansion was even forced to go to a Taoist temple outside the city.

If anything happens again...

Qin Ye sighed deeply.

He never thought about helping his daughter get into a wealthy family.

Small families may have a tough life, but simple meals keep us safe and sound!
Forget it, let's just say no!

Just as he was about to refuse, he thought of Jia Rong's talent in both literature and martial arts.

He also wanted to win the riddle game against the tiger that day.

Moreover, they are very filial.

With Madam Shen watching over him, the chances of him going astray are slim.

Grandma You had no biological children of her own, so the only person she could rely on was her stepson, Rong-ge.

Qin Ye tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep well.

After two days of this, he finally took a day off to personally refuse the matchmaker who was coming again. However, to his surprise, the clan chief arrived with several elders as soon as he opened the door in the morning.

"Qin Ye, you have to agree to this marriage on behalf of the girl."

It was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but this guy's face grew more and more worried each day. They were so concerned that they had to come and tell him.

After all, this guy often doesn't follow the usual path.

There are many good children in the clan.

He insisted on adopting that completely unrelated child.

These things are one thing, but they absolutely cannot let him mess up the marriage arrangements at the Ningguo Mansion again.

Although the Jia family has declined to this day, even in its decline, a single hair of theirs is still thicker than their waist.

"Exactly, what are you still using to argue?"

If it were their child, they would have happily agreed long ago.

"Even if you don't consider the clan, you should consider yourself and Zhong'er. If you refuse the Jia family, they will lose face, and do you think they will forgive you?"

"Yes, Qin Ye, you can't be so foolish!"

The guards of the Jia family, once they go out, are all officials.

Although he was a minor official, he was still an official, and he could still act arrogantly and domineeringly when he walked down the street.

But what about the Qin family members?

Including Qin Ye, there are only two.

They were all poor, scheming officials in Beijing.

In this world, if you don't have connections or are unwilling to give gifts, you'll always be suppressed by others.

"We must agree to Keqing's marriage no matter what."

"...Qing is my daughter, and I promised her mother..."

Bang~
The old patriarch smashed a cup. "Qin Ye, do you still want to be buried in the Qin family's ancestral tomb?"

Qin Ye: "..."

For a moment, he was speechless.

His wife is still in the ancestral graveyard; he will be buried there someday too.

"That `s a deal."

Having intimidated Qin Ye, the old clan chief made the final decision, "Now let's talk about Ke Qing's betrothal gifts and dowry."

The Qin family was poor, and the Ningguo government knew that.

"We'll wait for the matchmaker to come over..."

Just as he was about to tell everyone the details, the matchmaker arrived.

In her view, the Qin family was incredibly lucky to have this marriage; there was no way they could refuse.

Sure enough, they agreed.

She was about to offer her congratulations when Qin Ye waved his hand, "I have one more condition."

“…You say.”

Although somewhat surprised, she still maintained the professionalism expected of a matchmaker.

This Qin family girl saved Madam Shen's life, so as long as the conditions aren't too unreasonable, she'll probably agree.

"If our Keqing marries into the family, she will be the eldest grandson's wife, right?"

"Yes!"

What is there to doubt?

The matchmaker was puzzled.

“I’ve never been very capable in my life, and I haven’t left any legacy for my children.”

Qin Ye had to fight for something for his daughter: "If Keqing marries into the Jia family, her future sisters-in-law will probably all be of higher status than her."

How could the Crown Prince's own daughter be outshone by anyone?

“Their dowries will definitely be more than hers.”

Fearing further opposition from his clan, Qin Ye quickened his pace and said, "But I don't want my daughter to be outshone by others, so I hope the Jia family can prepare a dowry of ten thousand taels of silver. I, Qin Ye, will not take a single penny of this dowry; it will all be included in my daughter's dowry."

Could you please run an errand and ask them first? If they agree, the marriage will proceed; if they don't agree..."

"Let's discuss this further!"

The Qin family patriarch, fearing that Qin Ye would immediately ruin the marriage, quickly added a sentence.

"This……"

The matchmaker never expected this family to be so magnanimous.

Prepare a betrothal gift of ten thousand taels of silver...

She has never encountered anything like this in all her years as a matchmaker.

She glanced at Qin Ye, then at the rest of the Qin family, and before she could say anything, the clan leader spoke up again, "By the way, for such an important matter, we should at least ask Ke Qing for her opinion."

Even the matchmakers hesitated, and as for the Jia family... the clan chief dared not hold out any hope.

So let Keqing object to this condition herself!

"Grandpa Chief, no need to ask anymore, I'll listen to my father."

Qin Keqing's voice came from the inner room, "Please trouble Mama Hu to go to the Jia family."

She not only heard her father's protective heart, but she also felt it.

The Jia family agreed, and she promised to be a good daughter-in-law, respecting her grandmother and parents-in-law, and taking care of the whole family.

If you disagree... then say you disagree again.

Even if there are regrets, she is willing to listen to her father.

"Okay, I'll go ask right away."

Matchmaker Hu left very quickly.

In the past two days, countless people have inquired about the marriage between the Jia and Qin families. Not everyone has offered her gifts, but most have been generous.

If you really think about it, it's enough for her to buy several acres of land in the suburbs.

Matchmaker Hu knew very well that nine out of ten people who came to inquire hoped that the marriage between the two families would not happen.

If it really doesn't work out...

There will definitely be many more people asking her about her.

Not long after, Shen Ning met the matchmaker who had come with Madam You.

A dowry of ten thousand taels of silver...

hiss~
The dowry for Yingchun and Baoyu in the West Mansion was only three thousand taels of silver.

Rong-ge'er, a nephew...

"This was suggested by Lord Qin?"

Shen Ning was curious.

"Yes!"

Hu the matchmaker hurriedly repeated what she had said to Madam You, "...In the end, the head of the Qin family asked for Miss Qin's opinion, and Miss Qin said that she would listen to her father."

If you marry this girl, she'll probably move all of her husband's family's things to her own family's house.

In an ordinary family, Matchmaker Hu would definitely have tried to persuade her to stop.

But for these two companies... she decided to just be the messenger.

"Mrs. You, this is your daughter-in-law. What do you think of her?"

Shen Ning ignored the matchmaker and instead asked about Madam You.

"I will listen to my mother."

You smiled.

"Don't just listen to me! I'll listen to you now."

It's just giving away an inheritance earlier than expected.

She gave it all to Lady You, so what would she have to give to Qin Keqing?

Shen Ning and Jia Zhen had discussed it privately before, and that once she married into the family, the wealth bestowed upon her by the royal family that day would be transferred to her name.

The eldest grandson's wife of the eldest son is bound by many constraints; she certainly can't do without some wealth to protect herself.

Therefore, Shen Ning also plans to allocate one of the estates that her mother-in-law gave her to Qin Keqing.

But Madam You is the matriarch, and Qin Keqing is nominally her daughter-in-law. No matter what, Shen Ning must first protect her dignity.

"Listen to me, just give it to me!"

Lady You smiled, “Qing is a good girl. She is going to be the eldest daughter-in-law of our Jia family, so of course she can’t be looked down upon.” As she said this, her smile widened, “Even if she were to marry into another family, our family would still provide her with this dowry.”

The Emperor Emeritus even bestowed many gifts upon Qin Keqing that day.

Even if she doesn't receive a reward... just because she saved her mother-in-law's life, it wouldn't be a problem for the Jia family to give her a dowry.

Lady You herself had married into the family from a high social standing and knew all too well the bitterness of not having a dowry.

Whether you have money or not makes a huge difference in this mansion.

With the property given to her by her mother-in-law, and the booming business of the roast duck restaurant she co-founded with her mother-in-law, Madam You no longer cares about saving face for her daughter-in-law.

"In this way, the betrothal gifts requested by the Qin family will be paid from the public funds, and I will personally give her another eight hundred taels of silver as a dowry."

"You'll offer eight hundred taels?"

Shen Ning blinked. "What do you mean? Do you want me, your mother-in-law, to give your wife even more of my most precious treasures?"

"Ha ha!"

Madam You was amused. "Look at what you're saying. Isn't my daughter-in-law your granddaughter-in-law? Mother, just tell me, how much will you give?"

Matchmaker Hu: "..."

Even someone as worldly-wise as me was stunned by the bizarre actions of this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

In all my years as a matchmaker, I've never encountered anything like this.

No, there aren't many like that in the whole world.

Even the most generous men, wanting to save face for their wives, would give a generous dowry, hundreds or even thousands of taels of silver.

Without any argument or quarrel, not only was a dowry of ten thousand taels of silver given out, but also an additional dowry of silver was to be given.

Did the sun rise in the east today?
Or was it because she came in the wrong way?

Or perhaps, she's dreaming?
Matchmaker Hu's eyes darted between Shen Ning and the sunlight outside, when she heard someone say, "Then I'll offer 1,200 taels! To round it up."

She was still somewhat dazed when she left Ningguo Mansion.

What seemed impossible when I arrived, I actually accomplished?
"Quickly, go to the Qin family."

Once she was seated in the carriage, she secretly pinched her thigh.

Oops~
it is true.

Matchmaker Hu quickly rubbed her hands together.

No wonder everyone is eyeing the Ningguo Mansion.

Look how well that mother-in-law and daughter-in-law get along.

Now, if anyone tells her that Grandma You is petty, she'll definitely spit on them.

Although she is a stepmother-in-law, the fact that she gave so much to me shows that she is an exceptionally good mother-in-law.

Don't say anything about bringing the betrothal gifts back to the Jia family.

Since it was recorded as part of the dowry, it is Qin's private property.

Private property and public property are completely different things!
When she went to deliver the good news to the Qin family with a beaming smile, all the members of the Qin family were stunned.

Is this for real?

The old men exchanged glances.

Qin Ye could tell at a glance that they were plotting against their daughter's things again.

He hurriedly replied, "The Jia family is truly righteous!"

The old man cupped his hands in the direction of the Jia family's residence and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Matchmaker Hu, to include all the betrothal gifts in the dowry and record it."

"nature!"

Matchmaker Hu was also very knowledgeable.

He nodded quickly and smiled, "This is the first time in my life I've acted as a matchmaker, and I will certainly make a record of it."

From then on, she was considered the number one matchmaker.

Matchmaker Hu wished she could make it known to the whole world.

She had a wide network of connections, and the marriage between the Jia and Qin families was already attracting attention. In just half a day, all the well-informed places in the capital, such as teahouses and restaurants, were talking about this strange event.

Ten thousand taels of silver.

How much dowry would that require?

Marrying into a royal family would be enough for her.

The Jia family is incredibly generous.

No, the Jia family is really too good to their daughter-in-law.

No, that's not right. It's that the Ningguo Mansion treats its daughter-in-law too well.

The thought of Jia Jing being stripped bare by Shen and forced to make a living by carrying manure evoked mixed feelings in many people.

This woman is in charge...

Many people want to say no.

But when the words were on the tip of his tongue, he thought of his own daughter and could only swallow them back.

The wives who had long coveted Rong-ge'er but failed to snatch him as their son-in-law were filled with regret and resentment.

If I had known about the lantern festival that day, I would have taken my daughter no matter what!

It's infuriating that the adopted daughter of a minor official of the fifth rank got such a good deal.

While they were heartbroken and filled with regret at home, they were unaware that at that moment, in the Shou Kang Palace, after listening to the report from the secret guards, the Emperor Emeritus sat there without uttering a sound for a long time.

Only when the guard who was reporting quietly looked up did the Emperor Emeritus raise his hand and say, "You did a good job. Keep a close eye on the Qin family."

Now the granddaughter has also attracted attention.

The old man feared that others might harm his granddaughter because of Jia Rong.

"Once they get married, this task will be complete."

The retired emperor was filled with emotion.

As expected, it's the Jia family that wins his heart.

Look how smoothly this was handled.

His crown prince...

The retired emperor couldn't help but get up and walk around the room a few times to calm himself down.

The Crown Prince can rest assured.

He has always liked the Jia family.

Now his daughter has married into the Jia family.

With the Shen family around, I can live a peaceful and smooth life.

No one will ever bully her again.