After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 515 The Empress Dowager Displeased
This is the result Su Tai came up with after pondering it all night.

Shen Yi nodded, "The maid was given to me yesterday after my son-in-law had finished eating. Luckily, there was no mishap yesterday."

In officialdom, besides having outstanding skills, one also needs to be adept at navigating interpersonal relationships. Princess Huai'an chose Shen Yuezhang, which is why she entered into this marriage with the Shen family; it had nothing to do with the Shen family themselves.

However, since the marriage has been arranged with the Shen family, Princess Huai'an would not mind lending a hand if she could, but that depends on how capable Shen Yi is.

If the Shen family were so poor that they couldn't even afford a decent banquet to entertain their son-in-law, Princess Huai'an wouldn't have allowed Amber to bring out these things.

Su Tai also felt fortunate.

“Although we don’t intend to scheme, we still have two sons. Not to mention Cong Yu, Cong Rong is already working at Bo Academy. You have to work harder for their sake.”

Shen Yi nodded and said with a wry smile, "My initial wish was for our whole family to be together. Having a modest fortune would be enough. Fame and fortune weren't that important to me. But fate has played a cruel trick on me, and now I can't even do it without striving or competing."

He had to work hard just to give his daughter confidence.

Su Tai continued reading, and after a long while said, "Now there is a problem. My son-in-law is in charge of the coal business. The Emperor cannot allow you to work together in the same place. I don't know how he will arrange it."

And what about Zhaohua County? Everything here was built through your hard work. Won't you feel reluctant to leave?

Shen Yi's gaze was deep and he sighed softly. It was impossible for him to say he was reluctant, but he could try his best for his family.

Shen Yi carefully put everything away after looking through all the items and making sure there was nothing unusual.

The two then began to talk about Shen Yuezhang's dowry.

"I don't even know how much money we've saved up over the years, honey. What are your plans for it?"

Shen Yi didn't even know how much his own family was worth, which was quite embarrassing.

Su Tai smiled proudly, "Don't worry! I've prepared everything for my daughter's dowry, from precious jade and gold and silver to the wood for making furniture. In the next few days, find out where there are skilled carpenters and start making furniture now."

In addition to fruit trees, she also planted a lot of timber in the Earth Dimension, and now it has come in handy!

Then we can set sail again and collect pearls, corals, shells, and other items. We can buy a ton of gold and silver jewelry from the Gold Dimension! We can also mine some more ore from the Earth Dimension and make a few large pieces without any problem.

These things are valuable and presentable, and there's nothing to be ashamed of about them. You can piece together a beautiful dowry by piecing things together.

Shen Yi kept this in mind, and then returned to the county government office with the things Su Tai had prepared.

Within two days, the news that Shen Yuezhang was to marry the son of Princess Huai'an spread.

Madam Peng went to the Lu residence early in the morning, and her expression was not good.

"I heard Miss Shen got engaged. How come my sister-in-law didn't even tell me about such a big event!"

Tang Shi heard that Peng Shi's tone was clearly a complaint against her, and her face turned cold. "Sister-in-law, I told you before that the Shen family had other arrangements for the children's marriage, but you just wouldn't give up. I only found out who Yue Zhang was going to marry on the day Princess Huai'an presented the betrothal gifts!"

It's not that I look down on the Tang family, but let alone the Tang family, even my Lu family can't compare to the powerful and wealthy! Why am I telling you all this? To send you to compete with the powerful and wealthy? Or is there anything you can change?"

Peng was speechless when asked the question, and her eyes turned red with anger. She could not compare with the powerful and wealthy, nor did she dare to compete with them, but she was just unwilling to accept it.

After thinking for a moment, she gritted her teeth and said, "The Shen family has another daughter, who should be able to get married in a few years." "Pfft!" Tang spat out all the tea in her mouth, and her eyes turned completely unfamiliar as she looked at Peng. "Sister-in-law, are you possessed? Let me tell you again, the Tang family and the Shen family are not a good match, so a marriage between them is impossible!"

Now, Miss Shen is going to marry the son of Princess Huai'an, and the eldest son of the Shen family works at the Imperial Academy in the capital, making him a true close minister to the emperor! Even if the second Miss Shen and the second son of the Shen family do not achieve as much as their older brothers and sisters, they will not be far behind!

Marrying Miss Shen the Second? A fool's dream!

Peng was so angry that she cried and turned to leave.

Tang clutched her chest and quickly sent her maid to the Tang family to tell her parents and elder brother what had happened. She urged them to keep a close eye on Peng to prevent her from causing a major disaster that would harm both herself and others.

Spring arrives, flowers bloom, and overnight, the ice and snow melt away, and all things revive.

Princess Huai'an also returned to the capital.

She went to the palace to see the Empress Dowager immediately and mentioned Murong Jue's engagement.

The Empress Dowager frowned. "How could such a big decision be made without consulting me first? Miss Zhao was an accident. I have recently found many good girls for A-Jue, such as the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Weiyuan and the county princess of the Prince of Li. These are all women from excellent families and can help A-Jue in the future."

I've never even heard of this child from the Shen family! Although he has some connection to the Marquis of Yong'an, he's not a close blood relative, so he's of little use!

Princess Huai'an lowered her eyes, took a sip of tea, and said respectfully, "Mother, because of me, A-Jue has lost the support of her father's lineage since childhood, and has been running around since she was a young age, bringing honor to me."

Over the years, I haven't been able to help him much; on the contrary, he has done a lot for me. I know I owe him a lot, so I've been trying my best to make up for it.

This marriage was his own choice; he simply loves Miss Shen, and I cannot bring myself to break them up.

Admittedly, the Shen family is not of high social standing, but Shen Yi is a formally adopted son of the Marquis of Yong'an. Although he is not a biological son, he is more like one than a biological son. You can tell by how protective he is of Shen Congrong.

In addition, the girl from the Shen family also has her own merits. She is not only intelligent, but also thoughtful and capable. She is also talented. Compared with the noble ladies of the capital, she only lacks vision.

But one's perspective depends on their husband's abilities. Wherever A-Jue goes, her perspective will follow, which is fine too.

The implication is that those noble ladies from prominent families have better options, and they might not be interested in Murong Jue.

Another reason is that the emperor disliked the idea of ​​forming cliques or keeping secrets, but she wouldn't say it.

The Empress Dowager was furious but helpless, and could only complain about the late Emperor who had arranged the marriage.

After venting her anger, the Empress Dowager had Granny Gui bring over a box of fine things. "Since it's the girl that A-Jue himself has chosen, and the marriage is already arranged, I can't say anything. Consider these things a reward from me. Take them with you!"

Princess Huai'an hurriedly rose and bowed in gratitude.

She had barely left when the emperor arrived.

"I heard that the Empress Dowager bestowed many fine things upon Huai'an as soon as he arrived. She is so generous!"

The Empress Dowager took a deep breath, then sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation. "Are you aware of A-Jue's engagement?"

The emperor nodded, not hiding anything, "That boy wrote to me, saying that he had a girl he liked and asked me not to play matchmaker."