As Wen Tingyuan said, Qiao Yuyan asked the maid to send the food box back intact the next day, "Mother Qi left in a hurry yesterday, and our wife didn't even have time to ask us to empty out the snacks inside."
come out.
Our wife said that she was already very embarrassed to accept the snacks from the second wife, so why are you so embarrassed to buy such a delicate food box?"
The food box still looks like what was delivered yesterday, except that the oil in it has been replaced by sweet-scented osmanthus cakes. “The sweet-scented osmanthus cakes made in our small kitchen are considered to be the best in the house. All the old ladies love to eat them, so they are specially given to the second wife.”
Bring it here for a taste."
Mrs. Wei's face was a little stiff, but she quickly smiled and gave the girl a handful of money as a reward.
After hearing what the maid said about Wei's reaction, Qiao Yuyan felt confident.
As Wen Tingyuan said, let's see what plans she has next!
Qixi was doing needlework next to her, "This second wife looks down on you too much. Although she gives you a lot of money, how can you, madam, be moved by these things?"
Let’s not talk about others, let’s just talk about these ladies and grandmothers in the house. I’m afraid that when I was a girl, none of them were as rich as you, madam. You really think that we come from a small place and have never seen the world.”
Qiao Yuyan glared at her, "Don't say this outside. If people hear it, they won't know how arrogant we are!"
Qixi put away the thread in her hand and said with a smile: "Madam, you underestimate me too much. After following you for so long, I don't know what to say and what not to say outside?"
Although Qixi's temperament is more lively than Pinlan's, she still has some basic sense of propriety. Qiao Yuyan also believes that she won't talk nonsense outside, but her instructions are in vain.
"When you get married, you should be the head of your own family. You must be clear about the interpersonal relationships inside and outside here. Many things are caused by conversation. In this regard, you are not as stable as your sister Pinlan."
Qixi smiled sheepishly, "Yes, yes, I will learn more from Sister Pinlan."
Pinlan was coming in with a plate of sliced apples, and happened to overhear the conversation, "That requires teaching fees. I learned it after following the old lady for many years!"
The three masters and servants laughed together, and Qiao Yuyan suddenly remembered something, "What do you think about what I told you last time? You must give me an answer! Otherwise, how can I make arrangements for you?"
When she mentioned this, Qixi's face turned red, "It's true, madam, there's no reason for us to talk about this kind of thing. Since my slaves are yours, madam, they will naturally follow your arrangements."
Seeing her like this, Qiao Yuyan smiled and said, "Hey, since you have already agreed in your heart, why bother hanging on to her? Last time Mother Zhong came to ask, I delayed it on purpose! If you are willing, you can get it done as soon as possible.
That’s it.”
Pinlan also joined in, "That's right, that boy from the Zhong family would hang out at the second door when he got the chance. I saw people making fun of him several times when I passed by."
Qixi's face turned redder and redder, "I just thought that if I leave, my wife will inevitably be unable to support you."
Qiao Yuyan stretched out her hand and nodded her head, "You tell me earlier so that I can make arrangements. Besides, it's not like I just let you go without coming back! When everything is safe for you, you will naturally come to me to serve you.
"
Seeing that she was happy, Qiao Yuyan asked what was in her heart, "So, what requirements do you have for the Zhong family when you get married? For example, betrothal gifts, residence, etc."
Qixi was embarrassed to say it, so Pinlan quickly said for her, "Mother Zhong gave birth to two sons and one daughter. The daughter is still young, only ten years old. There is also a younger brother under the Zhong family boy.
Instead of working in the government, they ran errands with the shopkeeper. Mrs. Zhong and her husband were both hard-working, and their family had accumulated some wealth. I heard that they also had twenty or thirty acres of land in the suburbs of Beijing.
My wife's fields are together collecting rent.
There is also a small house with two entrances in the alley at the back. Mother Zhong and I went to her house to sit there. It was already ready. The east wing in front of us had been repainted, just waiting for us.
The Qixi Festival girl is getting married!"
These words made Qixi so embarrassed that she almost couldn't sit still.
After all, she is a young girl who has not left the court. Although she is usually sophisticated and mature, she is still somewhat shy when talking about her marriage.
Qiao Yuyan made some calculations in her mind. Judging from what Pinlan knew, the Zhong family was fairly well-to-do, and it also showed that Mrs. Zhong and her husband were quite solid.
"Then...what about the betrothal gift? Do you have any ideas?"
Qixi rolled her eyes at Pinlan, and then Qiqi Ai Ai said: "This slave belongs to the madam. If the Zhong family comes to hire her, it should be from the madam."
"That's not right!" Qiao Yuyan shook her head slightly, "According to the rules of the mansion, you and the Zhong family's sons are both from the mansion, so there is no question whether you should be hired or not.
But you are the eldest maid in front of me. People like you who know a little bit about things should know that a dowry is required. I will also prepare a dowry for you. We will be the owner of this dowry.
, am I still embarrassed to ask for it from you? In the end, I want you to take it back."
Qixi was a little stunned by what Qiao Yuyan said, "Is that so?"
Pinlan said with a smile: "Madam, please don't take the Chinese Valentine's Day exam. Madam, you are very clear about the things in our yard, food, clothing, daily life, and the Chinese Valentine's Day, but she is really blind to these rules in the house."
Judging from the looks of the two of them, they must not be lying, so Qiao Yuyan asked Pinlan: "Based on the current situation in the house, if the Zhong family wants to marry Qixi, how much gift should be given?"
Seeing her serious look, Pinlan thought seriously before replying: "This kind of thing actually depends on status. Qixi is the maid in front of my wife. Such a first-class maid is not worth as much as an ordinary maid."
.
Generally speaking, if the groom's family is of a decent family, the payment will be about two to three hundred taels. If it is more respectable, such as in the old lady's house, or in front of the eldest lady, then it may be higher."
After Pinlan finished speaking, she suddenly thought of something, "But I vaguely heard a while ago that the third wife's Du Juan received a betrothal gift of four hundred and twenty taels. It is said that the Du Juan also relied on the third wife's favor, and the third wife
She also made it clear that the girl in front of her was not so easy to marry.
I occasionally heard the words from the sisters on the old lady's side, and they said that because of this incident, the betrothal gift in the house was much higher."
Qixi frowned when she heard this, "What do you mean? For people like them, how can it be so easy to come up with three or four hundred taels of silver? If you can't afford it, wouldn't it be a waste of time?"
Qiao Yuyan listened to their words, carefully observed their expressions, and quietly felt relieved.
"Let's talk to Mother Zhong sometime!" She ignored the words of the two maids and said, "It's time to settle things."