Chen Liuliu shook her head. "Is it expensive? I don't know why it is so expensive."
This young lady, who had no idea how expensive rice was, naturally had no idea why the fire dragon was so expensive. She actually didn't know that the old lady had gritted her teeth when she gave her the one thousand taels.
The reason why they didn’t hire her later was not because she was playing with fire, but because the price was too high.
Su Qing came over and said coldly, "The fire dragon dance is made by taking the finest silk and folding it repeatedly eight times, soaking it in strong liquor, pouring rosin, and adding special kerosene. Just by listening to it, you know it is an expensive thing."
Zi'an knew that silk was very expensive. A piece of Shu brocade could be sold for hundreds of taels of silver. Even the inferior ones were not cheap.
Folded eight times, multiplied by eight strips, plus adding liquor, rosin, kerosene, etc., it is indeed very expensive.
"I thought it was straw!" Zi'an was embarrassed.
The things that the nobles play with are really expensive, and she feels that she is not a classy person.
"People use rice straw, but it is not resistant to burning and sparks fly everywhere, which is bad if it hurts people," said Su Qing.
Zi'an felt very strange. There was no plan for the fire dragon dance originally, so why did they suddenly add such an abrupt and expensive program
"Why are you dancing the fire dragon for no reason?" Zi'an asked.
Su Qing said, "What's so strange about this? After something like this happened, everyone would feel unlucky, not to mention that your father is the prime minister of the dynasty and Ximen Xiaoyue is a first-rank lady. It's normal to dance a fire dragon to get rid of the bad luck and make things prosperous."
Zian hummed, "Maybe!"
Because we have invited the fire dragon, the table set up for noon today needs to be moved to make room for the fire dragon to pass through.
Everyone seemed particularly excited and looked forward to this dragon dance.
Before the fire dragon dance, gong and drum players moved in. Twelve gong and drum players carried gongs and drums into the mansion, set up the place, and moved away all the flammable objects around.
The fire dragon dance is usually performed after the main banquet. When everyone has eaten and drunk enough, they follow the fire dragon. The wizard leads the way in front, saying various blessings, so the scene will be particularly lively.
Ximen Xiaoyue returned to the new house from the old lady's room. Liang and Ximen Erye were already waiting at the door.
"How is it? What did they say?" When Liang saw Ximen Xiaoyue coming back, she hurriedly came forward and asked.
Ximen Xiaoyue pulled her into the bridal chamber, and because men were not allowed to enter the bridal chamber at will, he asked Ximen Erye to wait outside the door.
"Don't worry, Second Aunt. The Prime Minister has already agreed. We will go to the Ministry of Justice to find the Minister of Justice tomorrow. He said he is confident that he can get my brother out of the prison." Ximen Xiaoyue said.
"Really?" Liang said in surprise.
"That's right, but," Ximen Xiaoyue changed the subject, "Second Aunt must bow to Xia Zian."
"What? That little bitch made Qing'er stay in jail and still wants me to bow to her?" Liang was furious.
Ximen Xiaoyue held her hand and said softly, "Don't be angry, Second Aunt. This is just a temporary solution. You should pretend to apologize to her first, and then ask her to accompany the Prime Minister to the Ministry of Justice tomorrow. In fact, the Ministry of Justice and the Regent know what is going on. As long as Xia Zian comes forward to plead for him, and the Prime Minister guarantees him, my brother will definitely be able to come back."
Liang thought for a moment and said, "No, I can't give in to her. This person is too bad. First, she bullied you during your wedding ceremony, and then she caused Qing'er to go to jail."
"Second Aunt, don't blame me for not warning you." Seeing that she didn't agree, Ximen Xiaoyue frowned. "My brother has always been spoiled. How can he withstand the torture in the Ministry of Justice? Besides, I just asked you to pretend to beg her. When my brother comes back, can't you still find a way to deal with her? As for making my brother suffer in prison just for this?"
Liang was proud and arrogant, so naturally she was unwilling to bow to Zi'an. But if she didn't bow her head, she would feel a pang of heartache when she thought of her beloved son.
After thinking for a long time, she said, "But even if I apologize to her, Xia Zian may not be willing to go."
"You can rest assured about this. The Prime Minister will arrange it." Ximen Xiaoyue said.
After hearing this, Liang really didn't want her son to suffer, so she said, "In this case, I will temporarily give up my face. I hope this bitch will be blessed enough to accept my apology."
She was so focused on being angry that she didn't notice the slight sneer on Ximen Xiaoyue's lips or the sinister light in her eyes.
"Oh, there is one more thing," Liang suddenly remembered, "When your grandfather sent you to marry today, he told you that you had to return part of your dowry after it was delivered. Did you know that?"
Ximen Xiaoyue nodded and said woodenly, "I know. I'll just hide it in the bag you bring with you when you get married and take it back."
This dowry is just for show. The Duke's Mansion is not well off now. With a rich family, money is needed for everything. The bride price is doubled, but the generous dowry is just for outsiders to see. The returned part refers to the gold, silver and jewelry that came as dowry, and most of them have to be returned.
"Okay, I'm glad you know. Then when should I go to find Xia Zian?" Liang asked.
Ximen Xiaoyue said, "During the Fire Dragon Dance, we will need someone to count your things. I have already told the old lady to let Xia Zian accompany you to the side room to count the things you are sending back. There won't be so many people there, so you won't be too embarrassed."
After hearing how well she arranged it and how she was thinking about her reputation, Liang couldn't help but put away her resentment, "Xiaoyue, Second Aunt was too aggressive before, please don't take it as an offense."
Ximen Xiaoyue smiled warmly, "What did Second Aunt say? We are all family, isn't it too polite to say that?"
"Yes, we are all family." Liang has always been the one who protects the family's reputation the most. When she heard her say they were a family, she immediately felt that it was okay to suffer a little humiliation.
Liang was a domineering and cruel person, and she was also very ruthless, but in the Duke's Mansion, she was the only one who was willing to give up her own interests for the sake of the big family.
Therefore, the Duke of Jin thinks highly of her and praises his daughter-in-law in front of and behind everyone. Now she is the one in charge of the Duke's Mansion, and even Ximen Xiaoyue's mother has to consider the mood of this sister-in-law.
Because of the fire dragon dance, the main banquet started early.
Murong Jie and Xiao Tuo returned before the dinner started. (Add) 21 (Pencil) 28 (Goose) 58 (Flock) 683
Zi'an noticed that Xiao Tuo had bamboo leaves on his body, and guessed that they had been in the bamboo forest.
Zi'an wanted to go over and warn them not to enter the bamboo forest casually because there were poisonous snakes in it, but the guests had already taken their seats, so she couldn't go over.
"Why are the prince and Xia Wan'er missing?" Chen Liuliu asked Zi'an in a low voice.
Zi'an then realized that he hadn't seen Xia Wan'er and the prince since the incident at the lake.
"have no idea."
"It's better if she doesn't come. I can't eat when she's around." Chen Liuliu said.
Zi'an looked at her and said, "That's impossible. I've never seen you unable to eat."
“…” Chen Liuliu said nothing, admitting that she was greedy.
Zi'an looked over and Murong Jie happened to be looking over there as well. Then he lightly shifted his gaze away with an indifferent expression.
"Why do I find that Brother Xiao Tuo's face looks a little pale?" Chen Liuliu had been staring at Xiao Tuo and suddenly spoke up.
(End of this chapter)