Snatching the Mandolin (Part 1)

  In the Xiahua Hall of the Xia's residence, Mrs. Li and her two daughters were sitting in the room chatting when they suddenly heard a maid rush in hastily saying "Madam, someone has come from the Jingwang Fu."

  Li was taken aback, then snorted and said "If someone comes, they come. What's it to me?" These people from the Jing Wang Fu were probably here looking for that little brat, she didn't bother with her affairs herself.

  "The maid swallowed her saliva and said, 'However, madam, the visitor claims to be a servant of the Empress Dowager's side and has come to our mansion to betroth the second young lady. The gifts are at least several hundred sedan chairs, it will be a grand scene.'"

  This grand procession entered the Xia Manor, but who knows how many people's attention it has attracted.

  Li was taken aback and turned her eyes around, seemingly lost in thought. After a while, she said to her two daughters, "Let's go take a look at the front."

  Xia Lian and Xia Rong both looked puzzled, but still got up and followed Li Shi's side to walk out the door together.

  All the way to the front hall of Xia Fu, only to see that the ground was filled with gift boxes tied with big red ribbons everywhere. There were so many that people couldn't count them all. Because the space in the main hall was limited and could not hold so many gifts, a large part had to be placed on the ground outside the door of the hall. Li Shi's eyes turned red as she looked at them.

  Immediately, she summoned a servant who was following behind her and said, "You quickly go to the entrance of the Pear Garden and guard it for me. Don't let anyone from outside come in to report any news, nor allow anyone from inside to come out. Especially that little vixen Xia Tingcong, after I've finished my business, I'll reward you heavily."

  The old woman was initially reluctant when she was told to guard Xia Ting's courtyard, as everyone in the mansion knew that the second young lady was not easy to mess with. But now, upon hearing that there would be a generous reward of silver after the fact, she immediately became enthusiastic again.

  She comforted herself by thinking that the people in Lianyuan usually didn't come out, and as long as she held on for a while, Mrs. would finish her business and come back immediately, and shouldn't be caught by Second Miss.

  Thinking of this, the woman immediately walked towards the pear garden with a smile.

  Li looked at the boxes of betrothal gifts scattered all over the ground and secretly resented in her heart: This damned little girl, she can actually make the Jing Wang Fu send such rich betrothal gifts. Just watch her not snatch all these things away.

  Xia Lian and Xia Rong were also shocked to see so many betrothal gifts, with anger and resentment in their eyes: What kind of charm did Xia Ting use to make the King's son treat her like this? Apart from the royal family, no one had ever heard of a household making such a big show when giving someone a betrothal gift.

  Mrs. Li suppressed the discontent in her heart and continued to walk towards the front hall with her two daughters. As soon as they reached the door, they saw an old woman dressed in a decent manner, sitting in the hall drinking hot tea.

  She put on a decent smile, but walked into the hall with a heart full of resentment.

  Just as Li was holding her tea cup and drinking tea, a beautifully dressed woman walked in, and she guessed that this must be the mistress of the Xia family, Mrs. Xia. She stood up and greeted Li with a faint smile. It is said that the wife of the prime minister's mansion is a seventh-grade official, and as a trusted lady-in-waiting by the side of the quiet king's consort, she doesn't need to be too polite to the mistress of the Xia family.

  Xia Lian and Xia Rong stood quietly on the side, pretending to be gentle and well-behaved, but from time to time they would glance at the betrothal gifts scattered all over the ground with the corner of their eyes.

  After everyone sat down, Li smiled hypocritically and said, "It's really fortunate for Er Ya to have Madam personally come to offer the betrothal gifts." As she spoke, her eyes were fixed on the betrothal gift box on the ground, wondering what kind of good things were inside.

  Mrs. Li also didn't raise her voice, politely saying "Nonsense, this is what should be done."

  Looking at each other's eyes, there was a hint of scrutiny, but Li saw that her gaze had been stuck on those dowry boxes. Although Mrs. Li was secretly displeased, she didn't show it directly and only told the servants of the Wang mansion to open all the boxes.

  After all, Mrs. Li is the mistress of the Xia household, and it's only proper that she should take a look at the betrothal gifts that have been sent over.

  Suddenly, all sorts of gold and silver jewelry, silk, jade ornaments and rare antiques were displayed in front of the three women of the Li family. They were dazzled by the splendor, their eyes blurred and their minds dazed.

  Xia Rong was dazzled by the dazzling jewels in front of her, and when she came to her senses, she couldn't bear it anymore and ran forward, carefully picking up a night pearl from the box that was about the size of a child's fist. As soon as she moved, the circle of light on the pearl began to move, making her infatuated and intoxicated with admiration, her eyes fixed on it without blinking. It was the first time in her life that she had seen and touched such a large and beautiful night pearl.

  Similarly, Xia Lian was also attracted by the various treasures in the box, her eyes fixed on them and couldn't move away. Seeing that her sister had already run over to pick up a snow-white night pearl with a bright luster, she finally couldn't resist the temptation in her heart and quickly walked forward to stand beside the box displaying gold and silver jewelry.

  Inside, neatly arranged are exquisite and dazzling pearl-inlaid gold rolling balls pendants, gold-inlaid jade phoenix spreading wings pendants, double phoenix guarding pearl gold winged jade pendants, red tourmaline droplet phoenix head gold pendants, etc.

  There are also phoenix butterfly hairpins with gold and silver ornaments, layered silk inlaid with precious stones golden phoenix hairpins, white jade inlaid with pearl green jade hairpins.

  Just these two types of hair ornaments, the step shake and the hairpin, filled up two large boxes, not to mention those perfectly round, transparent, uniform-sized peacock green jade necklaces, red light rotating, deep red like blood coral bracelets and other even more precious jewelry.

  She loved every single one of them, carefully picking each up to admire and caress it repeatedly, as if she wished she could possess all of them.

  Li sat on the upper floor with a stunned expression, clearly also shocked by the many good things presented in front of her. Her eyes sparkled brightly, this, this Qing Wang Fu is too wealthy, actually sending so many rare treasures as betrothal gifts. If she had these, wouldn't she be able to live without worrying about food and clothing for several lifetimes?

  Mrs. Li looked at the reactions of the three women in front of her and couldn't help but shake her head secretly, truly having never seen such unsophisticated women, who had forgotten all etiquette after being dazzled by gold, silver, and jewels. Who would stare at the betrothal gifts with such eagerness, touching them again and again? It's a pity that they were all wives and daughters of officials, yet they looked like they were completely enthralled by money, as if the betrothal gifts were given to them.

  She couldn't help but worry secretly: what if the second young lady of the Xia family was also like this? If that's really the case, how could she be a match for the young master? No, she had to hurry and have the other party bring her out to meet.

  After a good while, Li finally managed to tear her gaze away from the large batch of jewelry in front of her and said with some excitement, "The Jing Wang Fu really has a big hand, actually sending so many precious betrothal gifts. As her mother, I'll accept them on behalf of Er Ya."

  As soon as she heard the maid report that the Jing Wang Fu had come to offer betrothal gifts, she had already made up her mind about these gifts. After all, whatever the Wang Fu sent over was the best for the Xia Fu. Moreover, now that Lian'er and Rong'er were discussing marriage, if she could get these betrothal gifts, then when her daughters got married in the future, their dowries would also be settled. The rest she would keep on hand, and when Yu'er got married, she could use them as betrothal gifts to send to the bride's family.

  At this thought, Li was even more delighted and hastily ordered the servants to "Come on, quickly move all these things into the warehouse for me."

  Now that the two girls can't receive messages, she has to take advantage of this gap to quickly lock all these betrothal gifts into the treasury. Otherwise, when that little hoof arrives, she won't be able to touch these good things.

  As soon as Xia Rong heard Li's words, her eyebrows opened and she smiled. It was still good that her mother knew she liked these things and wanted to move them into the treasury for her. Looking at the crystal-like night pearl in her hand, she felt even more joyful. So many good things were all going to be hers. Xia Ting, that little cheap person, didn't even think about getting any of it.

  Her gaze at the jewelry became even more fervent, and she finally understood why her mother had brought them here and told the servant to guard the pear garden. It turned out that she wanted to take advantage of the fact that Xia Ting's lowly concubine daughter hadn't received the news yet, and seize these dowries for herself. The key to the treasury had always been in her mother's possession, so once these things were locked up, they would become her and her mother's property. As long as her mother didn't hand over the key, even if Xia Ting had incredible abilities, she wouldn't be able to retrieve these betrothal gifts, and could only watch helplessly as all these rare treasures became their spoils.

  Xia Lian couldn't help but secretly rejoice, raising the corners of her mouth, and gazing at Li Shi with eyes full of excitement. These betrothal gifts must be what Mother wanted to keep for her sisters' dowries; when she brought such good things into her marriage, that family would naturally not dare look down on her.

  Li Auntie frowned upon hearing this. She hadn't even seen the second miss of the Xia family yet, and Mrs. Xia didn't seem to be following proper etiquette at all. Normally, when the groom's family sends over betrothal gifts, the bride's family would call out the future daughter-in-law to meet them briefly. But it seemed like Mrs. Xia had no intention of doing so.

  How can this be, she was ordered by the queen today to take a good look at the second miss of Xia Fu, and it's not possible until she sees her.

  "Madam Li, please tell me where the second young lady of your household is right now. It's a bother to ask her to come out for a moment. The young master said that these betrothal gifts must be shown to the second young lady before anything can proceed."

  This was a hint at Li, she wanted to see Xia Tingying and take a look at what kind of woman she was. Although the young master had not given such an order, she thought that if she were to invite someone out, she would have to use a more elegant excuse.

  If it were someone else's family who heard this, they would have already sent for the soon-to-be-married daughter to come over and meet the man's family.

  But as soon as Li heard this, she stiffened all over. To see that little brat? How could that be, to prevent that little brat from getting wind of it and causing trouble, she had even sent someone to guard her. If she were to go and invite the other party over, how would she swallow these betrothal gifts and leave them for her own daughter and son. She wouldn't do such a foolish thing, all these good things, she must get them in her hands.

  Thinking of this, Li Shi smiled and turned to Li Nai Nai, "Nai Nai, this is probably not in line with etiquette. The matter of the second daughter has always been handled by me, the legitimate mother. These betrothal gifts only need to be seen by me, there's no need for her to come out."

  You absolutely can't let anyone go invite that little girl, otherwise wouldn't all her plans be ruined?

  Li's eyebrows furrowed, and she had already sensed something was off. "How can this be improper? There are no outside men present. Besides, I am acting on the orders of the princess, and today I must see the second young lady of your esteemed household. Madame Xia, please have someone summon the second young lady at once."

  Unexpectedly, the other party directly and bluntly rejected her request, making Li's heart somewhat indignant. To think that her request was not excessive in the slightest, yet she had never seen a family giving away their daughter who would not agree to it first, and they even used such an awkward reason for rejection.

  "Madam, it's not that simple. Since the Emperor has already issued a decree for the marriage and you've brought the betrothal gifts, whether this person is good or bad, they will still be marrying into the Duke of Jing's household. There's no need for the Duchess to rush to meet the second daughter now; once the wedding takes place and she marries in, won't they be able to see each other every day?"

  Mrs. Li's face suddenly sank, and this Mrs. Xia was simply ignorant of good and evil, daring to say such a thing in front of her. Doesn't this mean that the matter is already settled? No matter what kind of character the second miss of the Xia family is, the Jing Wang Fu can only accept it, so why bother with all these formalities?

  I didn't expect this small Summer Palace to be so rude, the Queen's previous decision was indeed correct. Looking at her going back without properly reporting to the Queen, this Mrs. Xia is simply uneducated, it's surprising that she is still an official's wife, how can she speak without thinking first.

  "Mrs. Xia doesn't allow the second young lady of your esteemed household to meet guests, is there something that can't be told to others? Why is she being so evasive? I'll have to wait for Mr. Xia's return and ask him clearly what's going on, why Mrs. Xia is being so obstructive and not letting anyone see the second young lady."

  She didn't believe that as the housekeeper of the prestigious Jing Wang Fu, who had seen all sorts of storms and waves, would be intimidated by this small fourth-rank official's wife.

  "Madam, what are you talking about? There's nothing in our household that can't be told to others. It's just that the second daughter is not feeling well and can't receive guests. I'm sure you wouldn't want her to drag her sick body here to see you. After all, she is the future princess consort of your Jing Wang Fu. Of course, ignorance is bliss, so let's just forget about this matter since you don't know the inside story. Today, I, as the legitimate mother, will accept these betrothal gifts on behalf of the second daughter. Come, people, quickly move all these things to the warehouse."

  She can only smash the pot and sell it now, hurry up and put these gifts into the treasury is the right thing to do.

  Mrs. Li's face turned gloomy, and she was forced to say that the other party was ill, why didn't you say it earlier? How dare you deceive her like this, wanting to stop Mrs. Xia from moving the betrothal gifts, but not knowing how to speak up. Should I say that the betrothal gifts are no longer available in the Jing Wang Fu? That's not possible, after all, the young master is very fond of Miss Xia. If she carelessly says something like this, it will be difficult to take back later, and the trouble will be big.

  Mrs. Li frowned tightly, and could only secretly think about what good method could stop the opponent.

  Digression

  Friends, I just discovered that pirated versions are rampant. The article I updated this morning was posted online by someone in the VIP chapter at noon. I hope readers who read articles will not spread VIP chapters, after all, it's unfair to those who pay to read articles. I hope some people will respect themselves and not do things that violate morality. This is the result of my brainpower being plagiarized.